Big mistakes made by SIL

[PetersonFamily]

One of my co-workers went to DW last Aug. and said it was the worst trip of her lifeI honestly believe that some people have Disney in their heart and some people don't. My DH and I can go and feel like kids again and have a ball and some people will never be able to go and just enjoy themselves

 

[NaLisa]

I have one sister and BIL who took her then 6YO DD to WDW in 2003. They read nothing before going, waited in incredibly long lines the entire time, had a terrible vacation and never plan to go back.

I have another sister and BIL who take their 3 DDs (now 14, 12 and 9) every other year (four trips now). All 5 LOVE WDW and are always planning their next trip. She's an OCD planner, but they've had magical vacation after magical vacation at the World, with lots of fond memories to share with us as we plan our first family vacation there.

My DH has been once, in early 80s (was a teen) with his non-planning mother. He's never understood what all the fuss was about, said it was "OK." Finally got him to look at UG book a few weeks ago, and he's growing more and more excited. He's a bit tired of hearing me talk about WDW, but he appreciates that I'm doing all this research, saving us some money and making sure we'll have a great time and know what to do.

I went twice as a teen in '80s with my mom and sisters, then twice in my 20s with then BF and no kids, and once in my 30s with 10 YO SS. My mother planned first two trips and I fell in love with the place (of course). My adult trips I relied on Disney to tell me what to do. Had a great time but there were lots of stressful moments and plenty of long lines.

So I've been dying to go back for years (been 12 yrs. since my last trip), especially now that I have two DDs of my own (7 & 5). I really enjoy the planning aspect and want to make sure that we have a magical vacation, seeing and doing the things that will be most enjoyable and appropriate for us.

While I certainly understand that many people don't enjoy the in-depth research and planning that others undertake when planning a Disney vacation, I don't understand how people can spend that much money and just show up at WDW with no knowledge or planning, expecting to have a great vacation.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

Don't stress over things you cannot change. I remember one of the people I worked with said their trip to Disneyworld with her hubby and kids wasn't great because the kids were "teenagers now and were too old for Disney now" ?!?! No use saying anything to her because it would just upset me too much, I chalked it up to 1 less family for me to stand in line behind while we are there!

My sentiments exactly. I know someone that is basically what I call an "anti-guy". He will talk down about anything he feels is popular amongst the masses with Disney leading that list. Has never been and refuses to consider ever going. Oh well, his loss!

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

I have one sister and BIL who took her then 6YO DD to WDW in 2003. They read nothing before going, waited in incredibly long lines the entire time, had a terrible vacation and never plan to go back.

I have another sister and BIL who take their 3 DDs (now 14, 12 and 9) every other year (four trips now). All 5 LOVE WDW and are always planning their next trip. She's an OCD planner, but they've had magical vacation after magical vacation at the World, with lots of fond memories to share with us as we plan our first family vacation there.

My DH has been once, in early 80s (was a teen) with his non-planning mother. He's never understood what all the fuss was about, said it was "OK." Finally got him to look at UG book a few weeks ago, and he's growing more and more excited. He's a bit tired of hearing me talk about WDW, but he appreciates that I'm doing all this research, saving us some money and making sure we'll have a great time and know what to do.

I went twice as a teen in '80s with my mom and sisters, then twice in my 20s with then BF and no kids, and once in my 30s with 10 YO SS. My mother planned first two trips and I fell in love with the place (of course). My adult trips I relied on Disney to tell me what to do. Had a great time but there were lots of stressful moments and plenty of long lines.

So I've been dying to go back for years (been 12 yrs. since my last trip), especially now that I have two DDs of my own (7 & 5). I really enjoy the planning aspect and want to make sure that we have a magical vacation, seeing and doing the things that will be most enjoyable and appropriate for us.

While I certainly understand that many people don't enjoy the in-depth research and planning that others undertake when planning a Disney vacation, I don't understand how people can spend that much money and just show up at WDW with no knowledge or planning, expecting to have a great vacation.[/QUOTE]

Agreed. While I wouldn't want a printed itinerary breaking down each day to the exact minute and second to be standing in line at Space Mountain, to go there without any kind of a plan to me will result in missing out on some fun stuff.

 

[2Tiggies]

Strange as it my sound, I think non-planning is the norm. We, on the DIS, are not your 'average' WDW guest. Someone at work went with his family a few weeks ago. They went for 2 weeks. Pretty much no planning. No ADRs. No itinerary or plan of what parks on what days. They decide after breakfast what they want to do. That means no rope drops. This was not their first trip, but they have a great time.

I don't say anything. If they ask, I will help as much as I can. If it comes up in conversation, they sometimes ask some more questions, but I have also learnt that offering too much information the moment someone announces their intentions of a Disney trip can (and often is) taken as criticism.

 

[jaci-h]

Everyone has different experiences at WDW, just like everyone has difference personalities, preferences, etc. Just because she didn't follow your touring style doesn't mean she "made a mistake". As long as they had fun and bonded as a family, doesn't mean their vacation meant less than yours or anyone else's here.

I pride myself in being a non-planner. While I do have knowledge about WDW and I do read these boards for fun, I would never judge someone else's vacation as less than mine or as a mistake.

 

[noahdove]

I have a folder full of stuff to give to "first times" IF they want it. I too had a friend that didn't think her children could get along during the same things together...age isn't really a problem with the children, but...they did miss a lot of great and fun things to do because mom didn't want to make the kids do something that they would "pout" over...give me a break...I have a binder with dividers that I keep for myself and keep it updated

 

[taylor3297]

The first time I went to WDW I was a teenager and my stepmom took my sister and I. We got to the MK when it opened, got a map and went on our way. That was all we planned. We just read the map, went where we wanted to go and we had a blast! We did get to eat at LTT and had the most awesome Apple dumplings and lemonade. I wished they still served both.

 

[cuches]

Two years ago I took my DH and oldest DS to WDW. We bought our flights and package 3 weeks before. We didn't know anything about fastpass, EMH, or ADRs. We went with my faded memory of being there 20 years ago. I knew there was a Castle and a big ball at Epcot. We rode everything that we wanted to ride (all of the must rides, anyway) and left without feeling like we missed something. AND we got a reservation at a sit down with no problems, just required being a little flexible. We had park hoppers and never used them. And we had a blast! I know...shocking...

We went back last year, and I had everything planned. We had free dining and I had all the ADRs made, the parks planned out, everything. And at the end of that trip, I was exhausted. Just when we got really going for the day it was time to stop and go eat somewhere. My oldest gave up one night and fell asleep standing up in the park.

We are going back in October. Without free dining. Without ADRs. Without park hoppers. And we are all happy as can be about it! We know there will be things we miss. We know there are places we won't get to eat. We know that there will be nights we go back to the hotel early and just hang out. And we are all good with it. We have a list of our MUST DOs and that's it. Everything else will be bonus. I don't need to have every minute of every day planned, because when I do, it just makes me tired and the kids never want to cooporate with that plan...lol.

I have a VERY similiar experience here. In '08 we went with very little knowledge (just from what I remember from a few past trips...before internet education on WDW!) I would have known to get a PREFERRED room at ASMu and better yet, I wouldn't have even stayed in ASMu. We were stuck in the back as far back as you could possibly be (country...and I HATE country music to boot), made it a nightmare with my DD having to pass 2 pools at the beginning and end of each day....ended up swimming before the parks and after each day so she wouldn't meltdown (she has autism and meltdowns are just apart of life with us sometimes so we try to minimize it as best we can ) We also PAID for the TSDDP and NEVER had any table service the entire trip...vowed NEVER to pay for the DDP again (free is ok) Every place we wanted to eat was booked....did not know about ADR!

Then we went back to WDW in '09 and I did MONTHS of educating myself on the DISboards and elsewhere and went with TOO much knowledge...had ADR's every day and night, had all the spots of interest mapped and basically ran around like idiots instead of stopping and enjoying where we were....was like I was on a mission to correct the '08 trip!

Now I am going in October and have only 2 ADR's (free dining YES!!! ) at the only 2 places we really got a kick out of (Sci fi Cafe and 50's Prime Time Cafe both at DHS) Last trip we just HAD to do character meals until we discovered our DD really didn't like it, we were doing that for us and WE didn't really enjoy it all that much. We need to value this trip in both $$$ and experience Going with MIL for the first time and I want it to be special for her and for DD . After reading for about 2 weeks on which value resort fits our needs we chose POP and think it will be great. Got a preferred room and requested pool side, ground floor, adjoining room. Studied the map of the place so I know about where I want to be but I will not freak out if all of my requests can't be made. Definately want to do the parks on extended days so I printed the park hours and made a loose itinerary. I am being flexable this time but with some knowledge and know-how We don't do the park hopper because when we did it in '08 we left MK to go to DHS and DD became upset...she thought we were leaving ot go back to the hotel and swim but when we got to DHS she started to cry. It is better for us to just stay at one park per day instead of confuse her. Besides, we like to explore each park and discover new things or do things we never did in the past (never did the Swiss Family Tree......funny side story, when we were climbing to the top in 90+ humid degree's I said to my DH "what do we get at the top" and he said "A STROKE!" I thought the people behind us were going to fall out of the tree from laughing so hard ) I am so looking forward to our Oct trip...less then 100 days now!!!

Tina

 

[MichaelH]

My DW and myself use to plan everything out before we had kids. I like the flexibility of being able to change plans. I know one thing the Magic app for the phone ROCKS. They asked us if we would like to use it at EPCOT and it was nice. You really don't need to plan with it. It tells you where the characters are, what the return time for FPs for the rides. It is well worth the money and we will use it in October.

 

[NaLisa]

Besides, we like to explore each park and discover new things or do things we never did in the past (never did the Swiss Family Tree......funny side story, when we were climbing to the top in 90+ humid degree's I said to my DH "what do we get at the top" and he said "A STROKE!" I thought the people behind us were going to fall out of the tree from laughing so hard ) I am so looking forward to our Oct trip...less then 100 days now!!!

Tina

Thanks for the laugh.

Have aw wonderful vacation!

 

[Figment's Girl]

I'm known as the 'Disney' person on my floor at work, which has about 60 people. Last year I had a co-worker come and ask me for some advice. She said they wanted to go to Disneyworld and Animal Kingdom and thought you could walk to all of the hotels so I knew right away that she didn't know a lot about Disneyworld itself. She got Free Dining so I explained some stuff to her like ADRs and when I found out that her husband refuses to eat anything but hamburgers I pointed out some restaurants for them. I know that if I had been traveling with them, I would have thought it was a waste of a Dining Plan but didn't say anything. They went and had a great time and didn't realize how much other stuff was there that they could have done.

Fast forward to this year, my family are going and while I'm not planning every thing down to the minute, I have ADRs at several restaurants in World Showcase, and other unique restaurants as well as a small planning book full of tips and a homemade magical greeting surprised planned. A week ago she remembered that I was going this year and asked how everything was going with it. I tried to be vague but she kept asking for more info until I finally told her. She said it sounded like we were going to have a blast but her son and husband would never go for it. The point of this long story is to point out that even one family have have different desires when it comes to vacations.

 

[nicki.momof3]

Our first trip to WDW was 100% unplanned. I did not read IDS, I did not do any research, and guess what I had an AMAZING time.

Sometimes the best moments in life are unplanned. While it may not dfit your style why would you rain on their parade. If they haad fun then that is all that matter - don't tell them they missed all the great stuff.

We are going later this year and honestly we will not take a camera to the parks everyday. We go multple times a year and sometimes it is fun to see it through your eyes not your camera.

 

[maxiesmom]

These are the same people who think camping in a tent for a week is relaxing or maybe the kind who prefer a trip to the beach(not Blizzard or Caribbean)./QUOTE]

Hey now, I love to tent camp as much as I love my trips to WDW. One trip is a totally relaxing (hiking, playing cards, cooking over the fire) and another one is go go go go go go. Sleep! Go go go go go go.

You can love both things equally.

 

[cm8]

My SIL and hubby took their two boys, 4 and 7, to Disneyland last week. SIL is not a Diser. Such a shame because I think they practically wasted a trip. The reason I say this is because she had no idea what to do when they got there. It's just killing me to write this. First off, they barely knew what a fastpass was. Luckily, her teenage niece on the other side of the family told them what they were. Can you imagine not using FP's?

Second, as I was looking through their pics, she doesn't have any of the boys with characters. I asked her if they took any and she said, "We didn't see any walking around." What?? I told her that they generally don't "walk around", but that there are meet and greets in designated areas of the park. I just can't believe she didn't know that. Not only did they not get pics with characters, but they didn't get any pics of their family on Main St. in front of the castle. It just boggles my mind that they didn't take a few seconds to get some good pictures that will last a lifetime. Who goes to Disney without at least doing some research? It's a lot of $$$$ to spend (but just between us, she played the pity card and got her in-laws to pay for it, which is another post all together), and to go in and not take full advantage of it, is just crazy!!

Welcome to the DIS, I understand that you may feel the way you do, but as long as your SIL does not feel she was *cheated out of the Disney experience* she did not miss anything. As her SIL, I am curious as to why you chose not to share the DIS with her so that she could experience what you perceived to be the best WDW/DL experience ever. Not everyone needs to DIS to have a great experience at WDW .. I think that sharing your DIS knowledge with your SIL may be an eye opener for her and will expose her to all the things that she may consider the next time she visits DL or WDW. I think you should let her in on your little secret, you may just introduce her to s she never considered.

 

[CityGirlLost]

Everyone knows someone who has made the pilgrimage to WDW without a lot of knowledge ahead of the trip. I am always sad for them. I've gotten to the point now where if someone tells me they're going to Disney I fess up, "I am a huge Disney fan. I can be excited for you and leave it at that or I can answer any questions you might have and give you guidance on good ways to make the most of your trip. How do you want me to proceed?"

 

[yooperfamily]

i have a friend that went and hated it... said it was a "glorified carnival"

 

[sunnyday123]

I work with a woman who went, had the dining plan and complained when she got back because all you could eat on it were hamburgers from the hotel.

They didn't go to Epcot because there weren't any rides, and thought HS was Universal, so they didn't go there either.

I explained what I knew to her ( as gently as possible, which was hard!) and they booked another trip about 9 months later.

 

[AlyJoy716]

Welcome to the DIS, I understand that you may feel the way you do, but as long as your SIL does not feel she was *cheated out of the Disney experience* she did not miss anything. As her SIL, I am curious as to why you chose not to share the DIS with her so that she could experience what you perceived to be the best WDW/DL experience ever. Not everyone needs to DIS to have a great experience at WDW .. I think that sharing your DIS knowledge with your SIL may be an eye opener for her and will expose her to all the things that she may consider the next time she visits DL or WDW. I think you should let her in on your little secret, you may just introduce her to s she never considered.

I told her about it, but she didn't seem interested. I guess when you aren't paying for a vacation yourself, you don't feel like you have to get every $'s worth.

 

[rKrispyt]

Help me, help me, help me!!! Everyone - I'll take it!!!

I'm going October 17-22 (spending the 21st at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter though). We have a friend who works in the park who said to let her know what we'd like to do cause she can set some stuff up for us (getting into the Animal Kingdom parade was something that was thrown out there). I have a book but with my schedule and now working out all the time, and very very limited internet access outside of work, I haven't had time to plan like I'd like to. there are to many thing I'm trying to learn about but I feel so behind. I haven't been in almost 20 years and I was lin 3rd grade then - I don't want to waste my trip.

It'd mean the woooorld to me to get a person who would be willing to be my 'mentor' of sorts and just let me pick their brain and teach me bits of what they know that would benefit our trip - any takers?