Another family that won't be in our way... About This Page:

[Carousel96]

DH overheard a co-worker talking about her family's upcoming vaca to Florida and she mentioned that they were "probably" going to Disney.
He asked what their plans were and she shrugged. So he made a list of the things he considered "must sees" in each park, and descriptions of the nighttime shows. When he mentioned fastpass and ADRs, her eyes glazed over. So he printed park maps from the website and told her what he could. Mind you, this was Friday and they were leaving over the weekend.

Fast forward to this week. They're home. Is it any surprise they were unimpressed?

They went during Spring Break, stayed off site, had no ADRs. They spent one day at Epcot, left after dinner and went to Animal Kingdom. They were disappointed they couldn't do the safari ride because it was closed by the time they arrived.
She did thank DH for pointing out Soarin' and said they would have skipped it if not for his recommendation.

I hate to think what they paid for one day tickets with a hopper option. A little research could have done so much...

[mike56]

Live and learn-I too have helped others in the past and they did not take the advice/suggestions[ADR's-park hoppers-EMH-allears and passporters-etc].

Its hard for me to feel sorry for these individuals who refuse to do there research-they have the internet-etc to assist.

As you said-one less person in Disney.

[JKnott17]

Oh well, one less family in line in front of us, right! It's amazing to me how many people go to Disney without doing any research.

[jimmymac]

It's sad how many approach vacations like that. Not just Disney vacations either

[jhoshowski]

Like nails on a chalkboard to me - some people will never learn!

[tinker_me_happy]

There is a woman I work with who went a couple years ago with her two kids. She still complains to this day about how awful it was, paying $10 for a coke, not able to eat anywhere, etc etc... Did she bother to take the Passporter I brought in for her to borrow? No. Did she use the Touring Plans I printed out for her? No. Her kids were asking to go back, but she couldn't be bothered because it "was such a waste of money!" Now, I am not a soda drinker, but I have never paid $10 for a coke anywhere on Disney property! To say she over exaggerates is to put it mildly! I feel bad for her kids. They obviously had a good enough time if they want to go back!
Yup... one less family to get in my way I guess!

[JerseyDad]

Originally Posted by tinker_me_happy

There is a woman I work with who went a couple years ago with her two kids. She still complains to this day about how awful it was, paying $10 for a coke, not able to eat anywhere, etc etc... Did she bother to take the Passporter I brought in for her to borrow? No. Did she use the Touring Plans I printed out for her? No. Her kids were asking to go back, but she couldn't be bothered because it "was such a waste of money!" Now, I am not a soda drinker, but I have never paid $10 for a coke anywhere on Disney property! To say she over exaggerates is to put it mildly! I feel bad for her kids. They obviously had a good enough time if they want to go back!
Yup... one less family to get in my way I guess!

....for $10 bucks...that Coke had better have been 1/2 bourbon!!

[Trinitys Nina]

Originally Posted by JerseyDad

....for $10 bucks...that Coke had better have been 1/2 bourbon!!

I have a co-worker whose family is going in Oct. I helped them with their ADR's today as they were going by the advice of her mother and the person they booked their trip thru (non-Disney) and I will be giving her my old PP and wish them luck as some of their ideas (time-frames) seem really unrealistic. I've urged them to come here and other Disney websites but can only lead them so far before they need to step up!

[mousestruck]

Sadly, I know a few families that did not have a good time at Disney.... all of them went during peak times and did not plan. I truly believe advanced planning can make or break a Disney vacation. Before our first trip (which we booked only 4 months ahead of time), I bought every guide book I could find and researched like crazy. We had a magical experience and have been hooked ever since... To me, planning is half the fun!

[mechurchlady]

I find that being so close to WDW has helped lots of folks. I get to talking with those willing to listen and teach them some tricks like good counter service places, single rider lines, and rider switch passes.

wdwmagic has menus going back several years and current park prices for a large soda pop are nearing $3 finally. I was desperate once and bought a $4 designer bottle of Coke. Epcot has all you can drink soda pop, anyone for a Beverley chugging contest? $10 soda pop would be about 3 to 4 drinks and Hess has then cheaper than that, lol.

Some people want to listen and others just attack Rome, NYC, the zoo, or whatever destination is at hand without planning. I am guilty of not using maps but instead have my laptop with me for getting around WDW area. I find CMs or use park maps, however.

Nothing you can do but grin and bear it. Next time whip out your receipts showing that your soda pop cost $3 or less

[joelsmom]

Originally Posted by mousestruck

Sadly, I know a few families that did not have a good time at Disney.... all of them went during peak times and did not plan. I truly believe advanced planning can make or break a Disney vacation. Before our first trip (which we booked only 4 months ahead of time), I bought every guide book I could find and researched like crazy. We had a magical experience and have been hooked ever since... To me, planning is half the fun!

I truly believe that advance planning can make or break ANY vacation. I don't care where I'm going. I always plan the trip. How many days? When are we leaving? Driving or flying?

I consider it the grace of God that the first time I took my family to WDW I had the wherewithall to do some internet research and put together my own little booklet of rides and other attractions that would seem to be everybody's favorites. DH and I sketched out park days, park hopper vs. base ticket, decided on quick service dining, etc. Even though our trip didn't include ADRs (he wanted a more "flowy" day), we took our time with everything and had a great time, coming back home with our first set of family magical Disney memories. (sigh)

[Pumpkinfrost]

Planning is half of the fun as earlier posters said. We enjoyed the anticipation so much as we read our Passporter over and over again and made notes in it, and read the boards here at the website. It seems strange that people would plunk out so much $$ for vacation and then skip the planning phase which IMO is essential. Weird

[num1DVCfan]

I love planning my WDW trips and helping other people plan theirs through tips, hints, information, etc. I'm shocked at the amount of people who go to Disney for the first time and don't do any research. As much as it costs go to there, you'd think they would want to get the most out of their money!

I have never seen coke for $10 by the way lol

[dolphin041599]

When I wanted to go the first time, my boss told me "Don't go to Disney without planning." I took her advice and grabbed a few books - one of them was the Passporter. I didn't sign up here right away, but I planned stuff out nonetheless, using a few of her suggestions. It was the best advice I could have gotten.

[DawnK]

My friends think I am nuts with all the planning I did. The only one who gets it is a co-worker of mine who worked at Disney World for 26 years.