Did I spoil it?

[ransom]

DW is afraid watching WDW specials in the travel channel, reading guidebooks, and being on the DIS will spoil the magic of our first trip to WDW.

Is she right? Am I spoiling it?

[ProudMomTo3Boys]

NO WAY!!!!! I think it makes you want it more, really builds it up and there is no way you are going to be let down. I get excited when I watch anything about Disney. Keep watching!!!

[makinorlando]

I don't think it spoils it ....Being informed is a good thing and having enough background to have a plan, however, sometimes IMHO, reading and hearing the experiences of different folks, might cause some to set expectations that won't be met for every visitor. Also on any message board, we have to remember that TRs, reviews, etc are opinions of other travellers who might had different traveling styles, likes/dislikes etc - so a bad review for them does not neccessarily mean it is something to avoid.

I would have not realized (never having visited a Disney resort) how beautiful they are during the holidays- we had not dined at any resort restaurants and are local residents since 2003 so no real need to stay in them - but through the Food Network special last year and the DIS board, I learned about a "whole" new world within the WORLD as we knew it! There are many many things that I don't think I would have discovered on my own not having been 'brought up Disney"

I hope this makes sense... just my rambling thoughts on this topic!

[Lila95]

I think you are smart to research as much as you can. On our last trip the kids were pretty small so we spent most of our time in MK. After hearing things that our friends have seen and done at WDW, I feel like I saw a very tiny fraction of what there is to offer. I got the Birnbaum guide and I've been making notes of everything I want to see when we go next month. Have fun on your trip!

[MousekaMaddi]

u will learn how to do the world well here! LOL

[Jets fan]

No will definately not spoil it. I have been going to disney for 12 years, every year and I always get fairly excited. But having found these boards now, I am very excited and I still have 76 days to go. I have had all questions answered and have learn't so much new information that will make my families holiday more exciting and fun - if this is possible!

[tpayne]

I watch it EVERY time it comes on. Nothing can compare to being there, but I always remember something that happened in this place or that. My kids make fun of me because I've seen each and every special on Disney over and over. I don't think it will spoil anything for you. Just makes me want to go back!

[DestinationDisney]

You defintitely are doing the right thing by researching, as there is a lot to do and know about in WDW. I don't think you're spoiling it at all. I would just hold back on watching some of the ride videos and things like that, those are the spoilers.

[tmt martins]

You can never have to much info on WDW .

I think it helps keep the Magic alive between trips.

[CowboyCO]

Absolutely not!

You can read about the magic and see the magic on TV, but nothing, NOTHING will spoil that feeling when you walkm onto Main Street the first time, or 2nd, 3rd, 4th!!!!

[twinspluscade]

I was the one in our family who did all the reading/planning. It didn't ruin it for me...but I think it did a bit for Dh. Although he didn't do any research, I would often tell him (in detail) about all the things I was finding out. As a result, I think he over-dosed a bit on WDW. He still had fun on our trip...but I think it would've been more magical for him if everything had been a "surprise" (like it was for our kids). I now wish I had kept my research to myself. Oh,well! Like I said, he still had fun, and is somewhat excited to go back. I think next time we go I won't tell him anything in advance!

Kelly

[momof3littlelilos]

I think that the more you know, the better your trip will be!
People who miss the "magic" seem to be the ones who show up totally clueless and unprepared at 11ish...they tend to leave just not getting it.
I love the planning videos and travel channel shows, they always cheer me up, get me excited to go back to Disney, and remind me of good times.

[jdtopgun71]

No way does it spoil it. It makes it much more enjoyable. I went two years ago and had no clue about the DIS, guide books or anything. I started on the DIS after that trip and have every Disney guide book ever written and enjoyed our trip this past April much better!

[Disney Girlie-Wirlie]

CERTAINLY NOT

WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS ENHANCING IT!


:tink:

[dohgusgus]

I watched, read, heard about everything WDW before our first trip this June and it did not spoil it for us ONE BIT! I believe we had a better time than if we hadn't watched, read, etc at all. Seriously, thanks to my intense interest (better word for fanaticism haha :rotfl: ) my family learned where the best places are to eat, when its the best time to go on a certain ride, some valuable history as to why they made certain things the way they did. Besides the learning about the "magic" we learned about ADRs, FP, and the best, least crowded times to eat. I planned this trip to a T because due to hypothyroidism, my mom would get tired easily and possibly sick if she didn't eat and rest every so often. So I made sure each day we were there, we had a ADR for dinner around 5pm so we wouldn't wait too long when waiting for seats in a restaurant (my mom says it's "real" food :rolleyes: as compared to Hamburgers) and made sure to know what was around us in terms of food, resting, and bathrooms. It helps alot, especially for us as first-timers.


wow that was long..... :blush:

[Adream]

I agree with everyone - the Travel Channel Disney shows ENHANCE the Disney visits. Just think, when you are there with your DW, you can say "Look honey, I learned about this on that show!" Then you can show her something many people don't know about, but you do...because you watched the show! :thumbsup2

[dohgusgus]

FOR EXAMPLE: When and if you go on The Jungle Cruise, as you are passing the spider in the cage, there is a button under the hand rail if you push it, supposedly the spider will jump against the cage. I wasn't able to try it out this past summer becuase the line moved too fast.

[All American]

No way! I think watching the specials and reading the guide books are all part of the fun.

[phantom728]

I agree that planning is the way to go. My DH (and a few friends we've traveled with) used to think I was crazy, but now realize that we can get more accomplished this way. DH gets a kick out of it now, especially how excited I get :goodvibes .

In fact, last year we went to Vegas and I did research, but didn't plan a daily itinerary and when we met friends of ours there, they were disappointed/surprised because I hadn't come with my usual planner. I had read enough though that I knew what to do and where to go :teeth: .

I especially think it's helpful for any theme park style vacation. If you research, you can really find the best ways to travel through the parks, so that you can get more done and not miss something that you want to see.

I love watching the travel channel specials and watch them whenever they are on, even though I've seen them before :happytv: . They were on earlier this week and I dvr'd them, so that I can watch them anytime up until our trip in...64 days :woohoo:

So I say...plan, plan, plan...just leave some flexibility in your plan for the unexpected. If possible, I allow one freebie day to do whatever, which sometimes is used for visiting all the parks and our favorites one last time :sad2: .

ENJOY!

[ransom]

Okay, so if I have this right:

- Go ahead and read the DIS & touring guides, and go ahead and watch the specials on the Travel channel. Everyone in your group will be better off if you do.

- Don't watch the ride videos. It'll ruin it for you.

- Don't share too much of the info you get with your SO, as you could ruin it for him/her.


Thank you for all the support. I was really feeling bummed out. But hopefully I haven't ruined it for DW by talking about what I've learned, and I'll definitely keep it to myself from here on in, until we're there. Then I'll be able to help us have the best vacation ever! :)

[Disney MAINEiac]

Remember that feeling as a small child you got waiting for Xmas? That's the same feeling i get now when i watch those specials, read the guidebooks and use the DIS to plan my next trip. :thumbsup2 By the time I get to WDW it is like Xmas morning as a kid:banana: (Xmas morning doesn't even do that to me anymore.)

[JamesMom]

By no means are you 'spoiling' it! WDW is HUGE and everyone has to make decisions regarding what they want to see during their particular trip - you just can't do it all in one trip - even if it was a month long! And you won't know your options unless you research!

Now you do have to accept some reality while watching the slickly produced videos and guidebooks etc.
- the near empty parks, dazzling sunset pictures and tons of solitary character interaction are probably NOT part of everyone's trip - so don't expect them
- Stop planning. Just like a painter has to look at the canvas and say 'done' and put the brush down - so does the Disney planner. You can overdo it - there are just 24 hours in a day and so much to do that you have to make choices. So find a focus and then plan around that - the amount of time and money you have will make many of these choices for you. You can second guess yourself like crazy if you get too much into it. When you find yourself debating the same 3 hotels for over a week - make a decision and JUST DO IT! There is always next time! Trust me, there is always another trip!

Researching has opened up so many new and wonderous options. A case in point - theming. Many people just blaze through the rides and never stop to appreciate the thought that went into garbage can design for goodness sakes! You'll notice that each land in the MK (and elsewhere) have their own themed cans. If you didn't research you would never know and would have been clueless to the many details that make Disney Disney and not just another Six Flags park. These are the 'smell the roses' moments that should be built into everyone's itenerary.

Hope that helps

[Boncho]

Reading and watching everything you can before you go will only better prepare yourself. There is so much to do that if you go not knowing anything, you may leave missing so much. Just don't share.

[disneygal33]

I wish I had known more before we went the first time. You didn't spoil it, by being informed it will make your trip better!!

[Brise Nannie]

I think you are smart to research as much as you can. On our last trip the kids were pretty small so we spent most of our time in MK. After hearing things that our friends have seen and done at WDW, I feel like I saw a very tiny fraction of what there is to offer.

I agree. There are so many little "secrets" that aren't written in a brochure. So I believe you are very wise to read this board and do some research and then what you don't get to do on this trip can be put on a list for future trips.

[Cee]

Absolutely NOT. Good heavens......no......nonononooooo....Are we there yet????

[cybertheo]

I’ve done the “Keys to the Kingdom” tour where your tour group actually goes underground and behind the building that is Splash Mountain. Even after overloading on all that information the parks are still magical.( I saw Eyeore being “Happy” underground - He’s supposed to be kind of down above ground).

[DisneyFairy19]

No way.. I dont think so. I think its a great way to get yourself excited in going :bounce:

[NurseW2Kiddies]

Oh my goodness!!! Half the fun is planning and the excitement leading up to your trip. There is no better way to spend it than with people who understand and share in your excitement!! People on this board are very knowledgable!! Have a great trip.

[aterriq]

By reading these boards you can find those secrets that can help make the trip magical.

For example, asking to ride in the front of the monorail. I never would have asked to do it. We did it on this last trip and our girls really enjoyed it.

if you have kids who want to see a certain character, this board will help you find them.

This board can help you not make mistakes. We were looking to eat at Epcot around the world. My daughter wanted a hamburger. Who knew the only place to get a kids burger was Morocco. I didn't make sure to load all the menus on my computer before I left. We walked around the world twice to get back to Morocco for a burger.