"I'm NEVER going back! "

[Crystal Brewer]

My 2 cents as a newbie I've learned SO much just watching this forum keeping notes We vacation 2x year so we were used to the saving financially tho 14,000 my DH would fire me from accounting lol As pp stated some folks seem to cause theirselves trouble often&even as adults try to differ the blame-I'd talk talk talk about how GREAT your experience has been not directly bringing up their complaints just letting them know ALOT of ppl enjoy the experience stinks tho her kids miss out cause of her laziness ;/

 

[OklahomaTourist]

It's like many other things - someone asks, you volunteer as much info as you can, and its up to them to leverage your experience-based advice, or not.

I've had several people ask me about our trips to WDW, and I tell them, but whether they follow the advice is up to them

We usually have to go in the summer, because fall/spring dates just won't cooperate with school and work schedules. That sucks for us, but c'est la vie, so we go in knowing its going to be hot and probably crowded (but never as bad as we'd feared). We mitigate it some by going in early/mid June. At least we go in armed with the knowledge. But to just walk in blindly, not plan, and then blame Disney for it is, well, kinda bizarre.

 

[bennifer]

I always help people plan when they ask me. I have a friend who has never been to WDW, but always tells me she 'desperately' wants to take her family of 6, but there's no way she can afford $10-15K on a vacation. WHAT!?!?! So, I show her how she can take her family for MUCH less, she says thanks, then 3 months later, she starts talking about how it would cost her $10-15K to go to WDW. ???? I tried...her loss!

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

Just to answer a few questions...

BBF= best bosom friend...
Anyone who has read Anne of green gables, knows what I meant ;-) , and anyone who hasn't... It's a VERY good read...


>>>>Popping a pin code..

What has ALWAYS worked for me.. ( and I offer to do this for her, on her disney account)

1. about 12-9mo. Before our trip I would go every 3 days a save a vacations offer..
The next time I would put in a different hotel.. Then maybe add the dinning plan, just keep Changing little things, and saving them..

2. I order my DVD at around 6-7mo..
3. Book all my dinging the week of 180days..
4. Call WDW.. Ask them for price quotes! (A CM told me this one)
Don't call more then once every 2-3 weeks tho.. Disney can see how many times you have called to ask about those dates..

I forgot to order maps for up coming trip- but still got a pin code.. So I'm not sure if they are still using that to pick people..

Also look up when disney releases offers to the public... Info can be found on mouse savers.com
Disney has normally set me out pin codes about 1month BEFORE they release offers to the public..
But my pin code normally is a 5%-10% better savings on room offers, or FD!
There is no point wasted time if they have already released offers for your dates.. I've NEVER gotten a pin code, after the public has a offer for my dates..

>>>>> and that's pin code popping 101! ;-)


And to be clear I asked if my BBF wanted help.. She said YES!
I asked if she would just like me to plan it and hand her a sheet, that she can follow.. (My friends normally love this) b/c I give them options if they need to adjust it!
She said no.. B/c she thought it would asking to much of me...

There was no convincing her that I LOVE to do that!!

 

[DisneyMim]

Yeah some people don't want help. They think they know it all. My sister, repeat, MY SISTER, went once years ago when her kids were little. Now my family goes 2-3 times a year, have been DVC members since Oct 1991, have had APS since forever, etc. She never asked me for help. They had an OK time, but will never go back again. It was hot, too expensive, crowded, etc everything that you (the OP) said. Then my brother-in-law's brother and family went once and they are never going again because "there wasn't anything for our kids". WHAT?? Now my nephew and his wife( my husband's side)
went for their honeymoon last summer and I helped them get a better price for their room. They thanked me repeatedly and told us all about it and had a
wonderful time. You never know. I think some people are just not "Disney" people. I know my sister certainly is not. My brother is, he's like me, loves Disney. It figures because he and I are so much alike and our sister is from another planet. ANYWAY, the bottom line is I think it's better to give advice when asked and if people don't have a good time and won't go back, GOOD, more room for the rest of us who love Disney!!

Enjoy The Magic!!

 

[ZephyrHawk]

LoL! I can totally relate...we have an extended family trip coming up that I was in charge of planning. Some have never been and others are not planners. I was starting to stress for them, knowing that I would be having this exact conversation when we returned. So...I made a powerpoint and we had a family dessert night. I outlined everything...tips, tricks, good places to eat and a picture of what crowds look like first thing in the morning and what they will look like at 1 pm, when most of them would show up after sleeping in. When they saw the picture, I heard..."Are you serious? There is THAT much of a difference?"
While I did get an eyeroll for the powerpoint, others thanked me and said that they had no idea. Two of them asked me to email the powerpoint so that they could make their own notes. I do know that it was helpful for me. I am no longer stressing about whether or not they will have a good time. They have been informed and warned...so now it is up to them what they will do with it.

Oh my god! A power point! And here I've just been typing up memos. Why didn't I think of this before!

(I am totally serious about this. Especially for my tentative 2015 Grand Gathering.)

 

[deserrai]

This made me laugh out loud!!!! I have a friend just like this! I have come to realize that she will never make it to rope drop, never check for pin codes , and always complain about how hot it is in June !! ( I dont let her vacation with me - so we can stay friends ) I just tell her that apparently she is not as smart as me , because if she was - she would have thoroughly enjoyed her trip! Disney is not a restful vacation ! I told my kids that last week when I was playing drill Sargent and waking them up so we could make rope drop ! I don't go to disney to rest !??!

I agree! I always say I need a vacation to recover from my Disney vacation. I just can't sit around and do nothing while I'm there because there is so much good stuff to do!

OP, I would just tell your friend that you like Disney and have fun and obviously, she does not. It is ok for people to like different things. There is no reason for her to convince you to go somewhere else on vacation if you are going to do something you like.

 

[bleeps]

First -- on getting PIN codes -- what works for many of us is continually putting in vacation packages on the WDW site and then dumping them, or saving them, but not booking. No one knows the exact formula, of course, but it would "seem" that if you do this enough times (and if you are registered on the Disney site, and have ordered planning DVDs, etc.) there's a chance that you'll get an email with a special offer code. It would seem (and stand to reason) that the more you wave the "I am here and I am interested in booking a WDW vacation," the more likely they will "see" you (have you in their system) and you might get a code. If they don't have your email address and don't know you'd like to book a vacation with them, it's not likely they'll discover you on their own and reward you with a code.

I know these kinds of threads pop up regularly, but this has been a particularly great one (and thanks, Robo, for my new favorite response about why we keep going back!).

Some of the things I've said/lessons I've learned over the years:

I get the cynics question our WDW trips and who have either never been but know they'd hate it, or the people who've been once without planning and had a bad experience. I say that WDW is the kind of vacation where what you put into it is what you get out of it. If you want to see it (or perceive it, if you're not going to set foot there) as a crass, over-the-top example of pure consumerism and the height of "what's wrong with America," then sure -- it is possible to view it through that lens. Yes, it can be expensive, and junk-food-filled, and crappy souvenir filled, and too hot and too crowded -- it all depends on the choices you make.

And, regardless, it may NOT be a person's cup of tea.

But if I explain that for us, for the past 10 years, Disney vacations have been a special time for our family where we get to focus only on each other, on having fun, on allowing ourselves to suspend disbelief and experience small moments of beauty and magic and fun; that we laugh more together on a WDW vacation than any other time (it seems!); that for me as the mom, I LOVE not having to debate meal times or locations and that we all really enjoy making our plans ahead of time and look forward to the meals; that having a plan of what to do and when to do it ALSO includes the freedom to know that if we decide to bag the plan, we understand what that means for the trip (so we're too tired to stay for Illuminations tonight? Well, we could catch it Thursday OR we can decide then that means we won't see it this trip, etc.); that if what you want to do is sleep in every day, not make a single plan -- then either WDW isn't the right choice OR you are going to have what could be a very unpleasant experience -- you simply cannot sleep in, go without reservations, and expect to do/eat what you want, when you want.

When people ask me for advice, I give it, and I say -- I will tell you how and why we enjoy our trips. You can roll your eyes at me and ignore everything I tell you -- but then don't wonder why we love it and you hated it.

Yeah, it's funny how WDW brings out a kind of weird objection in people when you go regularly. No one seems to question the families who "go to the lake" every summer, or whatever. We go because they won't bring it to us, and that's really all there is to it!

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

Then my brother-in-law's brother and family went once and they are never going again because "there wasn't anything for our kids". WHAT??

Enjoy The Magic!!

really?? OMG I would laugh at any person who told me this.. Thinking it was joke..

 

[BurleyGirl]

But if I explain that for us, for the past 10 years, Disney vacations have been a special time for our family where we get to focus only on each other, on having fun, on allowing ourselves to suspend disbelief and experience small moments of beauty and magic and fun; that we laugh more together on a WDW vacation than any other time (it seems!); that for me as the mom, I LOVE not having to debate meal times or locations and that we all really enjoy making our plans ahead of time and look forward to the meals; that having a plan of what to do and when to do it ALSO includes the freedom to know that if we decide to bag the plan, we understand what that means for the trip (so we're too tired to stay for Illuminations tonight? Well, we could catch it Thursday OR we can decide then that means we won't see it this trip, etc.); that if what you want to do is sleep in every day, not make a single plan -- then either WDW isn't the right choice OR you are going to have what could be a very unpleasant experience -- you simply cannot sleep in, go without reservations, and expect to do/eat what you want, when you want.

Well said!!

And, Robo, your wisdom totally rocks!

 

[JoshuaShaw]

Coworker, knowing that I make annual childless trips, once said: "How old is too old to go to Disney World without kids?"

Needless to say, there is now a shallow grave behind the parking lot.

 

[pmaurer74]

Just to answer a few questions...

BBF= best bosom friend...
Anyone who has read Anne of green gables, knows what I meant ;-) , and anyone who hasn't... It's a VERY good read...


>>>>Popping a pin code..

What has ALWAYS worked for me.. ( and I offer to do this for her, on her disney account)

1. about 12-9mo. Before our trip I would go every 3 days a save a vacations offer..
The next time I would put in a different hotel.. Then maybe add the dinning plan, just keep Changing little things, and saving them..

2. I order my DVD at around 6-7mo..
3. Book all my dinging the week of 180days..
4. Call WDW.. Ask them for price quotes! (A CM told me this one)
Don't call more then once every 2-3 weeks tho.. Disney can see how many times you have called to ask about those dates..

I forgot to order maps for up coming trip- but still got a pin code.. So I'm not sure if they are still using that to pick people..

Also look up when disney releases offers to the public... Info can be found on mouse savers.com
Disney has normally set me out pin codes about 1month BEFORE they release offers to the public..
But my pin code normally is a 5%-10% better savings on room offers, or FD!
There is no point wasted time if they have already released offers for your dates.. I've NEVER gotten a pin code, after the public has a offer for my dates..

>>>>> and that's pin code popping 101! ;-)


And to be clear I asked if my BBF wanted help.. She said YES!
I asked if she would just like me to plan it and hand her a sheet, that she can follow.. (My friends normally love this) b/c I give them options if they need to adjust it!
She said no.. B/c she thought it would asking to much of me...

There was no convincing her that I LOVE to do that!!

There does not seem to be as many pin codes as in the past but other things that have worked:
- use an email account never used before on the Disney website. Most of my Disney email accounts do not work anymore because they linked them all.
- use a computer and server never used to visit the Disney website... like a friends computer or work computer.
- Request a vacation DVD especially if you never have before.
- Monitor the Discount Codes/Rates board under the Resorts section on Disboards.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I handle it by not discussing Disney with those kind of people. If they make a comment I make a joke and blow it off. Last I say "we are going to FL ". It's true and more details just starts the comments again.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

1. It would seem (and stand to reason) that the more you wave the "I am here and I am interested in booking a WDW vacation," the more likely they will "see" you (have you in their system)

Yeah, it's funny how WDW brings out a kind of weird objection in people when you go regularly. No one seems to question the families who "go to the lake" every summer, or whatever. We go because they won't bring it to us, and that's really all there is to it!

1. Stealing that along with Robo's comment! ;-)

2. So true!! And I bet they spend just as much..

Or how about b-day gifts/parties??!?!

This year we are going to WDW in place of..
-Xmas gifts for DH and I
-Anniversary gifts
-Vday gifts
-And b-day gift and party for our DD(6), (she was given the choice)

We spent about $600 in total on her party every year! Party place, decor, gifts, and food which is normally $300. Due to a large extended family!
Not to mention the planning that go into that... ( which is not fun at all)
Now x2 b/c we now have 2 DD..
That's $1200! That paid for 1/2 of our 10day trip!

But no matter how hard I try to point out, that we Skimp and save people think we are RICH! B/c we go to disney so much!

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

There does not seem to be as many pin codes as in the past but other things that have worked:
1. use an email account never used before on the Disney website. Most of my Disney email accounts do not work anymore because they linked them all.
2.use a computer and server never used to visit the Disney website... like a friends computer or work computer.
3.Request a vacation DVD especially if you never have before.
4.monitor the Discount Codes/Rates board under the Resorts section on Disboards.

I hadn't heard of #2 yet...
the other thing I noticed was that if I get a pin code,
People in my neighborhood maybe 6-8 houses, who have visited in the last 12 months get them too!
Or if someone just returns from a disney trip, we all get one again!

 

[minnierocks]

Oh my god! A power point! And here I've just been typing up memos. Why didn't I think of this before!

(I am totally serious about this. Especially for my tentative 2015 Grand Gathering.)

LoL! This is why I love the disboards...people who can appreciate my craziness! It was the easiest thing ever to put together...I used images from google and stepped through each process starting with Magical Express, check-in, our resort etc. I went through each park and explained fast pass, photopass etc. I explained package delivery, EMH, the dining plan/difference between CS and TS etc. I put it on a laptop and projected it to our widescreen TV and we flipped through it while having dessert. It was great and allowed everyone to ask questions and get clarification. Even my 19 year old son who knows the parks like the back of his hand told me that was "really cool, mom"

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

LoL! This is why I love the disboards...people who can appreciate my craziness! It was the easiest thing ever to put together...I used images from google and stepped through each process starting with Magical Express, check-in, our resort etc. I went through each park and explained fast pass, photopass etc. I explained package delivery, EMH, the dining plan/difference between CS and TS etc. I put it on a laptop and projected it to our widescreen TV and we flipped through it while having dessert. It was great and allowed everyone to ask questions and get clarification. Even my 19 year old son who knows the parks like the back of his hand told me that was "really cool, mom"

I would love to have a copy of that PP.. PM if you are willing to share!!

 

[FirstTimeDisneyVisit]

My husband hears the same thing at work. All the guys think he's crazy for going to Disney 1-2 times a year. They all hate it because its so crowded, hot and expensive....not a single one of these guys has visited during the off-season! They all go during the summer! Duh!!!! It's a whole new experience going in September when you can ride Space Mountain five times...IN A ROW...IN AN HOUR!! You totally get your money's worth!

We only go in september as well

 

[SamSam]

LoL! This is why I love the disboards...people who can appreciate my craziness! It was the easiest thing ever to put together...I used images from google and stepped through each process starting with Magical Express, check-in, our resort etc. I went through each park and explained fast pass, photopass etc. I explained package delivery, EMH, the dining plan/difference between CS and TS etc. I put it on a laptop and projected it to our widescreen TV and we flipped through it while having dessert. It was great and allowed everyone to ask questions and get clarification. Even my 19 year old son who knows the parks like the back of his hand told me that was "really cool, mom"

I love that you did a Power Point! Feb. 2012 we celebrated our 40th anniversary with 20+ family members and I sent out Newsletters to help them plan. I love the idea of the Power Point even more!

If we do a 45th Anniversary Celebration I may steal your idea!

 

[livibug]

Can we see your list? Always like seeing what other people like to eat at - usually get new ideas.

And as far as your friend.. I wouldn't worry about it - if I were in your shoes I would just say you didn't like it because you did all the wrong things and if you want to sleep on vacation and not deal with the crowds, then disney is not the place for you. If she really is your bff, she will understand. I have the discussion all the time with my coworkers when they question why we are going!

I'm a HUGE disney person, like most here..
When I hear a friend is planning a disney trip, I offer to help. If they want it..
For those that let me help them, and LISTEN to what i tell them it turns out great.. And for those that don't..

Well this is how the conversation has gone with my BBF after the last three times she has gone!


4. There were no places to eat!
ME: did you get your ADRs at 180 days..
BBF: I don't know what I want to eat 180 day in advance!!
BBf: We ate hamburgers the whole time we were there..
Me: Did you take the list I gave you on good places to get something to eat?
BBF: No, I left it in the hotel room..