A Friend Who Needs Help

[Amirah95]

My very good friend asked me again, today, for help with her Disney itinerary and it's not going so well. First off, she asked me to email her my 2003 trip plans and to make up a draft for her to work personalize for her family (since I know her so well). She has not opened the email and I sent it two weeks ago! She finally got her accomodation situation together (offsite) and flight arrangements, but now she is having panic attacks because she has no clue how to make PS or which parks has which attractions and so on. I gave her my Disney books to look over (guess what--She's not reading them!) and she is just a hopeless case. She spoke to a rep at Disney reservations who was totally clueless (she isn't sure if her mother is going to dinner with them at the Sci-Fi so she made PS for 2 instead of 3 when I told her that it was safer to go with 3--the rep said that it is better if she asks for party of 2 because if her mother doesn't go then she will have to be "reseated" and that can waste a lot time. What a bunch of donkey dust!!!) and now she's starting to doubt MY judgement. Am I angry? No, not angry but maybe frustrated.

What kind of tips can you give me to give her about planning her first Disney trip that starts on Aug. 6, 2004? She's obviously does not enjoy planning as much as I do and she doesn't want to read the books or search the web for information.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I would suggest buying The Unofficial Guide to WDW and a Passporter. They are both packed full of insightful tips and information.

 

[scanmom]

I hate to say it, but I think that you have already done all that you can. She has all the books etc, and she has not bothered to study up for her trip. You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink! I think you should stop worrying about it, and just know that you did all you could for her!

 

[marybet]

I don't think you can give her any better tips than you already have. Have you ever heard you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. This sounds like your friend. I think I would tell her that it is her trip, not yours and she is responsible for the planning. And just remember, it is not your fault if she has a less than magical vacation.

I agree about the PS, she sure got a lousy rep. After all a PS is the next available table so they would just give you one for 2 instead of 3 but I don't know if you show up with 3 and only have a PS for 2 if they would let you in.

 

[marybet]

Great minds think a like, We must have been posting at the same time, with the same thought.

 

[Kendra17]

I think the planning is half the fun--okay, not half, but maybe a prelude to the fun! But, except for you guys, I don't know other people who do this as much.

However, maybe you can encourage her to buy personalized tour plans from the Unofficial Guide's website or from tourguide mike's website. I wouldn't normally recommend such a thing, but maybe for her it's the way to go.

I really think the thing to tell her is that if she doesn't plan, her trip will not be nearly as much fun as it could be.

The only other suggestion is that if you live nearby, maybe you could go over there with her and call for the Priority Seatings for her.

See? this just shocks me!!! LOL!!! How could someone NOT be excited enough to pour over those guidebooks and plan and stuff? I just don't understand that at all!

 

[The Sweetness]

You've already done alot to help her out. If she doesnt pick up the ball and run with it, it wont be your fault if she falls on her face. Some ppl just dont plan at all. They just wing it, and fully enjoy themselves based on instinct and impulse alone

 

[ncmvp]

Similar situation happened to us. I just don't understand why after being asked for help and supplying it, why don't people bother to look up what you have sent them? My friends are the same way, it is really frustrating. I start to think that maybe I am some kind of planning nut. However they were the ones that asked. I am really reluctant to help out anymore, but I know I will if asked.

You were very helpful to your friend. Other than holding her hand and leading her through WDW I don't know what more you could do.

I feel you pain.

 

[Kendra17]

I wanted to add that if it were just her, I'd just forget it. I'm thinking, though, that she's responsible, kind of, for planning the trip for her family, in which case I might (if I really liked her and her family) push those other suggestions from my last post here.

 

[Amirah95]

I'm about to call it quits if she doesn't start filling in the itinerary. She is at least trying to do that. She still hasn't gotten her priority seatings. The Disney rep also told her (on the same day I posted) that she has plenty of time to call in for PS's for the Sci-Fi for dinner and Chef Mickey's for breakfast. Is he nuts? Oh well, she's has to live and learn.

 

[frstimer128]

When I wanted to plan my first ever trip to WDW, I called my friend who is a DIsney Pro and she told me to come here. Best advice ever!!

 

[dj2]

i think it IS possible to have a great time at WDW w/o planning (not that I would ever to that!). it's all in your mindset. we were so amazed on an earlier trip to see a family wander into MK at 11:00 a.m., look at their maps and say "what shall we do first, it's a small world?" no, they weren't going to see as much as we did that trip (read commandos!), but they were having a great time being in disney world. it helps if they didn't really know what they were missing, or that it could have been done differently.

"if they think they're having fun, then they are."

another possible way to help her have a great time might be to plant the idea that people can't really expect to see everything in one trip. manage her expectations. great time doesn't always equate to seeing everything. it could be better measured in laughter, satisfaction, happiness, etc.

that said, i guess i'd just ask her if she has any "must sees" from what she already knows about wdw, and ask her roughly what days she plans to do them. she sure doesn't sound like a planner, so i wouldn't worry her with filling in other details. besides, some of the best times i've ever had were when we didn't do as much, but stopped and looked around at the various entertainment.

hope this didn't sound too weird......