Any nuggets of advice for family arriving today who made "zero" plans?

[Jonfw2]

So how did their “winging it” trip go?

They arrived at the airport only to find out you have to buy plane tickets in advance.

 

[Nutmeg2016]

So how did their “winging it” trip go?

I actually just bumped into her, briefly.

The look on her face when I asked about the trip said it all.

The crowds were overwhelming. She was particularly surprised at how little there was to do at Hollywood Studios. When I mentioned that quite a bit of entertainment, etc. still had not reopened since the pandemic, she looked (understandably) disgusted.

She was also dismayed by the lack of mask compliance. And the quality of food at HS.

On the plus side, she said her kids seemed to enjoy it, despite the 2-hour attraction waits, etc. Her 10 year-old is a Star Wars fan and especially enjoyed Galaxy's Edge. (FWIW, he's a really good-natured kid; two-hour waits with my 10 year-old would be out of the question).

Of course, I wish they'd had a better trip. I tend to be a Disney apologist, but they need to figure this out. As far as crowds, I think waits times are one thing; unless you plan accordingly, you're going to spend a lot of time in line. This is nothing new. But constantly feeling overwhelmed to the point of discomfort is another.

The obvious solution is to limit attendance until operations are back to normal, but I guess that's not going to happen. Maybe they need to revisit the pricing structure (although I realize that's probably an unpopular opinion).

 

[Jonfw2]

Maybe the obvious solution is just to plan your trip.

 

[Centopar]

Of course, I wish they'd had a better trip. I tend to be a Disney apologist, but they need to figure this out. As far as crowds, I think waits times are one thing; unless you plan accordingly, you're going to spend a lot of time in line. This is nothing new. But constantly feeling overwhelmed to the point of discomfort is another.

Oh dear. TBH, I don't think this is on Disney: it's on people who rock up with no plans at the busiest time of year. I guess from what you're saying that she didn't get Genie+ either, which would be very helpful for the unprepared (in a way FP+ definitely was not).

If I was going on holiday in somewhere else with huge visitor numbers - Venice, Paris, Florence - I'd do some planning. It'd only make sense to do so. Why should Disney be any different?

 

[Colson39]

I actually just bumped into her, briefly.

The look on her face when I asked about the trip said it all.

The crowds were overwhelming. She was particularly surprised at how little there was to do at Hollywood Studios. When I mentioned that quite a bit of entertainment, etc. still had not reopened since the pandemic, she looked (understandably) disgusted.

She was also dismayed by the lack of mask compliance. And the quality of food at HS.

On the plus side, she said her kids seemed to enjoy it, despite the 2-hour attraction waits, etc. Her 10 year-old is a Star Wars fan and especially enjoyed Galaxy's Edge. (FWIW, he's a really good-natured kid; two-hour waits with my 10 year-old would be out of the question).

Of course, I wish they'd had a better trip. I tend to be a Disney apologist, but they need to figure this out. As far as crowds, I think waits times are one thing; unless you plan accordingly, you're going to spend a lot of time in line. This is nothing new. But constantly feeling overwhelmed to the point of discomfort is another.

The obvious solution is to limit attendance until operations are back to normal, but I guess that's not going to happen. Maybe they need to revisit the pricing structure (although I realize that's probably an unpopular opinion).

Funny, we went to all 4 parks over the week we were there and didn't wait longer than 45 minutes for any ride, and most rides were around 20-30 minutes. Granted if we walked up to a ride and it had a super long wait we just went on a different one and came back later. And we weren't just focusing on big rides either so that helped.

 

[persnickity]

Funny, we went to all 4 parks over the week we were there and didn't wait longer than 45 minutes for any ride, and most rides were around 20-30 minutes. Granted if we walked up to a ride and it had a super long wait we just went on a different one and came back later. And we weren't just focusing on big rides either so that helped.

It sounds like you have been before, and this family had not. So even if you both "winged it", you, as a long time member of this board likely know some strategies for making the most of your day at a busy time. And, in my opinion, the week before Thanksgiving was pretty busy (we were there, too). I would have been very overwhelmed if I hadn't prepared in advance via reading here.

Also, even if they DID use Genie+, there was plenty of room for frustration and dissatisfaction with that on Thanksgiving week. Most afternoons had very limited availability at most parks, and many casual visitors likely didn't know that it was important to book as soon as they were eligible (if they even knew when they'd be eligible).

 

[Colson39]

It sounds like you have been before, and this family had not. So even if you both "winged it", you, as a long time member of this board likely know some strategies for making the most of your day at a busy time. And, in my opinion, the week before Thanksgiving was pretty busy (we were there, too). I would have been very overwhelmed if I hadn't prepared in advance via reading here.

Also, even if they DID use Genie+, there was plenty of room for frustration and dissatisfaction with that on Thanksgiving week. Most afternoons had very limited availability at most parks, and many casual visitors likely didn't know that it was important to book as soon as they were eligible (if they even knew when they'd be eligible).

I totally get they might have had that experience, but winging it when you've never been before on the busiest week of the year is yea, going to be tough.

 

[gharter]

I totally get they might have had that experience, but winging it when you've never been before on the busiest week of the year is yea, going to be tough.

Agree, but "winging it" for any trip where you've never been probably is not going to go well.

 

[jimmymc]

I actually just bumped into her, briefly.

The look on her face when I asked about the trip said it all.

The crowds were overwhelming. She was particularly surprised at how little there was to do at Hollywood Studios. When I mentioned that quite a bit of entertainment, etc. still had not reopened since the pandemic, she looked (understandably) disgusted.

She was also dismayed by the lack of mask compliance. And the quality of food at HS.

On the plus side, she said her kids seemed to enjoy it, despite the 2-hour attraction waits, etc. Her 10 year-old is a Star Wars fan and especially enjoyed Galaxy's Edge. (FWIW, he's a really good-natured kid; two-hour waits with my 10 year-old would be out of the question).

Of course, I wish they'd had a better trip. I tend to be a Disney apologist, but they need to figure this out. As far as crowds, I think waits times are one thing; unless you plan accordingly, you're going to spend a lot of time in line. This is nothing new. But constantly feeling overwhelmed to the point of discomfort is another.

The obvious solution is to limit attendance until operations are back to normal, but I guess that's not going to happen. Maybe they need to revisit the pricing structure (although I realize that's probably an unpopular opinion).

HS has some of my favorite and some of the most boring food options in all of Disney World. Brown Derby and both Galaxy's Edge options are great. Woody's Lunchbox is also delicious but is better for snacks than meals. But the other QS options are just bleh.

Ultimately no amount of advance planning is going to get rid of crowds. Rope drop, take a midday break, and get on attractions during or after the fireworks if you don't mind missing them.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Maybe the obvious solution is just to plan your trip.

I legit loled can you imagine not being prepared at all and then saying well obviously that’s not the problem!

 

[wdw71]

Going with zero planning would be a nightmare. We were there 10 days through the Sunday after Thanksgiving on property. I thought it was very crowded Wednesday through that last Saturday but also that everything was very manageable. We are Disney veterans though and also fine with walking back and forth to ride things when wait times seemed best. I heard lots of people saying "never again" over those days and my guess is that those people were either newbies or never been when its crowded.

 

[Erzengel]

I actually just bumped into her, briefly.

The look on her face when I asked about the trip said it all.

The crowds were overwhelming. She was particularly surprised at how little there was to do at Hollywood Studios. When I mentioned that quite a bit of entertainment, etc. still had not reopened since the pandemic, she looked (understandably) disgusted.

She was also dismayed by the lack of mask compliance. And the quality of food at HS.

On the plus side, she said her kids seemed to enjoy it, despite the 2-hour attraction waits, etc. Her 10 year-old is a Star Wars fan and especially enjoyed Galaxy's Edge. (FWIW, he's a really good-natured kid; two-hour waits with my 10 year-old would be out of the question).

Of course, I wish they'd had a better trip. I tend to be a Disney apologist, but they need to figure this out. As far as crowds, I think waits times are one thing; unless you plan accordingly, you're going to spend a lot of time in line. This is nothing new. But constantly feeling overwhelmed to the point of discomfort is another.

The obvious solution is to limit attendance until operations are back to normal, but I guess that's not going to happen. Maybe they need to revisit the pricing structure (although I realize that's probably an unpopular opinion).

The food I'll give her but you're not there for the food (sit down). Personally the quality and combination of rides of HS outrank the other parks for me.

Everyone messes up on their first trip to Disney. Subsequent visits you correct your mistake.

Book Flight, Book Stay at Hotel, Book Reservations for Parks, Book Restaurants.

 

[revdon64]

Best advice - lower your expectations