Clueless questions?

[Hixski]

Don't forget the people who ask those most obvious questions and then want to argue that you don't know what you are talking about. We have had people ask us a couple a times about something and then not like the answer they got.

 

[Robo]

Don't forget the people who ask those most obvious questions and then want to argue that you don't know what you are talking about.

Ohhhh, Yes!

 

[Island Mouse]

Don't forget the people who ask those most obvious questions and then want to argue that you don't know what you are talking about. We have had people ask us a couple a times about something and then not like the answer they got.

I think that is why a lot of Disney park veterans will not even take the time to respond to such obvious questions. Its not because we are elitists or snobbish, its because a lot of people asking these questions "can't handle the truth". Who am I to interject reality into their fanstasy world?

 

[bytheblood]

JMHO: This thread is a little snobby and rude.

MelanieRI: I can understand why you would think that the parents were just trying to avoid an argument with their child. Once you realized that the family was "clueless", how could you not add some magic to the family's vacation and explain the fast pass system. You were in line for let's say 20 minutes +.

I tend to agree. I have overheard some funny comments and read some here on the board but I think making fun of lack of education is a bit harsh.

Perhaps when people are saying these "clueless" things, you can use it as an opportunity to help them out and "pay it forward", so-to-speak.

If I thought I had to pay for a FP on my first visit, I would hope somebody would put me in-the-know.

 

[Disneyholic]

One night we got on a bus to DTD and another couple with a little child got on after us and asked the bus driver where the ESPN Club was and he told them it was at the Boardwalk. As they came walking back past us I heard the husband say that they would have to go to the GF Boardwalk later that evening. At first I didn't say anything because some people get annoyed when they think you think they don't know what they are talking about, but I decided to take my chances and talk to them. I explained that it was at the Boardwalk Hotel which has a Boardwalk behind it and the ESPN Club was at the end of the Boardwalk. I also told them they could get a bus from DTD bus area to the Boardwalk, but they would either have to take a taxi to their hotel from there or get a bus to DTD before midnight so they would be able to take a bus from there back to their hotel. They listened to me, but kind of gave me a look as if I was quite nuts. Still wondering if they found it and how they got back to their hotel after if they ever got there. (Maybe they're still wandering around Disney trying to find ESPN.)

Another time at EPCOT we were heading for the boat to go across the lake so we didn't have to walk so far and two ladies were asking a CM if there was an easier way to get to Morocco instead of walking all the way around. We were right at the gate to the dock when I heard this and the CM told them that NO they would have to walk (talk about clueless. The ladies were and so it seems was the CM ) I didn't say anything this time because I didn't want to upset the CM by being a know-it-all and because my DH gets upset when I butt in. I felt bad for the ladies, because even though it sometimes takes longer to get somewhere by those boats the ride is very relaxing and sure beats walking, especially if you aren't particularly interest in catching all the countries on the way.

 

[Robo]

I also told them they could get a bus from DTD bus area to the Boardwalk, but they would either have to take a taxi to their hotel from there or get a bus to DTD before midnight so they would be able to take a bus from there back to their hotel.

Just to clarify for the lurkers... the DTD buses run back and forth to the resorts until 2:15am (or later).

 

[Island Mouse]

Here is one of my own. A few months before my first trip to WDW I was at home looking at a map of MK and asked my DGF, "where's the Matterhorn on this map?" Boy was I disappointed when she told me....I mean I had never been to WDW before, but DL dozens of times and I just assumed....

So I'm sure we have all been "Disney clueless" at one time or another. So maybe that's we find this topic so funny and entertaining. We aren't making fun of people for being stupid. Cluelessness is not something to take offense at. We aren't calling people stupid, like "OMG I can't believe how stupid that guy is. He actually thought MK had the Matterhorn in it!" And we aren't making fun of someone's lack of education either (maybe lack of Disney education, but that's beside the point). It's more like we are able to relate to the clueless questions in a way like, "I remember back on my first trip when I thought...."

Just a little perspective for those who might consider this topic rude or offensive.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Sometimes while ridding the elevators at the Contemporary there is the odd person who will push #15 so they can get up to the California Grill. In the past that is how anyone would get up there, however as we all know by now you check-in there on the 2nd floor and then go up to the restaurant. That is what I tell people and there like ok thank you. I never said didn't you notice the signs in the lobby that says California Grill check-in on the 2nd floor, which is also posted in the elevator. So I just call that an honest mistake because they could have been there before when all you would do is go right up to the 15th floor.

 

[wilde_oscar]

It is too bad that many people miss out on a lot, not because they didn't research but because they are lacking in any powers of observation. As for "theme" vs. "amusement", unless you have seen it...there is no distinction in the definition.

Powers of observation is a great way to 'splain it. When my partner and I were planning our trip to hawaii, I got the question "are we just gonna lay on a beach for 10 days" At their urging we cut the trip back to 6 days... the second day we were there, I got yelled at for cutting the trip short (I had been many times before for work)

Ditto on WDW... I got the question what is there to possibly do at WDW for 10 days. Instead of cutting the trip short, we got the guides (passporter, unofficial, official) set the DVR to record every travel channel show on WDW, ordered the planning DVD and called my grandparents to have them send us their collection of park guides (they go twice a year, and have gone twice a year since '71, when the grand kids were little they took us often)

After about a month of on and off discussion about what we want to see at WDW I got a whole new question... is 10 days enough.

Yeah, newbies and people that have never been don't get it... they think it is too expensive, to there is nothing to do, or it is a one day side trip. Either they will catch the fever, or they will not.

 

[GalDisney]

I was at DTD recently and heard a guest asking a Cm where to catch the monrail from DTD to the studios. lol

 

[wilde_oscar]

Only to certain people SHHHH! Don't let 'em know you're talking about 'em.


the code word is inDUHvidual

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I also had people asking me when getting off at the 4th floor if this is where the Monorail is? I tell them very nicely to look to their left or right depending on which elevator we come out of and say it's right over there. So again I did not have to say anything stupid like can't you see it's right over there or and etc. So those must have been 1st time guests to WDW and they did not where everything was, even though they were in the right place.

 

[kileybeth]

been going for 20+ years and still clueless about a ton of stuff but I'm learning!

1st trip to the Poly (coming up!) and first trip on site was just in Jan this year sooo. . .

anything I should know about the Poly or on-site or should I just walk around clueless all week?

aahh, never mind, I wouldn't want to steal anyones entertainment for the week! I'd be happy to oblige them and even laugh along.

 

[WildGrits]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, until someone has been there they cannot have a concept of what it is all about. In the beginning it would never occur to me that I might need to "research" an amusement park, no matter how unique I was told it was. I did look at the brochures and that told me somethings but otherwise I was clueless. I suspect that happens to a lot of people. Teenagers? Think about it...how much research do they do on anything?

You are so right. In my circle I am the WDW expert. But I only got that way because my parents took me twice as a child. If one had no prior experience with Disney and went, without a seasoned vacationer, they would have no concept of what they are about to walk into.

In the other hand, there is nothing malicious about finding the questions of a novice funny. I am a computer programmer and I hear questions all day long that I find very inane. But I only feel that way because of my level of education in that field.

I don't think it is my business to correct my fellow vactioners when they make an incorrect observation. Adding your own two cents to a conversation you are not even part of, now that's rude.

 

[Hixski]

You are so right. In my circle I am the WDW expert. But I only got that way because my parents took me twice as a child. If one had no prior experience with Disney and went, without a seasoned vacationer, they would have no concept of what they are about to walk into.

In the other hand, there is nothing malicious about finding the questions of a novice funny. I am a computer programmer and I hear questions all day long that I find very inane. But I only feel that way because of my level of education in that field.

I don't think it is my business to correct my fellow vactioners when they make an incorrect observation. Adding your own two cents to a conversation you are not even part of, now that's rude.

This is a little OT but I had to laugh when I read about your work. I am a supervisor in a Data Center and work with Helpdesk. If one more person asks me how to press "ENTER" I think I will set my computer on fire. Or commit Hari Kari.

Ok, back to the other clueless questions.

 

[WildGrits]

Ok, I'm not trying to derail the thread, BUT

OT: I love when I get asked why can't I hear the CD I brought in from home? IT works on my computer at home. Well here at work you have no speakers.

yet another OT: Good friend of mine went shopping with me one day. We walked past the salad bar in front of the deli. One the end of the salad bar where two pot of soup. She lifted one lid and looked in. With a very snooty voice she says to the LADIES working in the deli, "You know, I have had Soup Du Jour before, and it didn't look like this." I told the ladies that I didn't know her.

 

[Marilou]

This is sorta OT becuase it was on the DCL. We did the 3 nighter and on the 2nd night I met up with a lady and the topic of kids came up. I mentioned how much my 2 adored the kids club and how I've barely been able to get them away to spend time w/myself & my mom.
She got this deer in the headlights look (sorry) and said "oh, do they have kids clubs here? Maybe I should look into it for my three kids, they have been kind of bored"

Now I'm sorry if this came across snobby, this was my 1st Disney cruise too and IMO the kids clubs are what sets DCL waaaay above any other cruise line when it comes to entertaining kiddos. As another poster put it..... how can you spend thousands of dollars on anything without reseraching it all??
Jeepers.....if you can afford that much...blow a few more bucks & buy a book to read at your leisure or utilize the internet.

In response to her question, I did fill her in on how many activities there were and how the scheduling and security was.
Sometimes tho....you don't want to get stuck educating someone on their vacation while you are on vacation. I will most times, always fill people in on simpler misconceptions.

BTW I am clueless when it comes to machinery

 

[wilde_oscar]

been going for 20+ years and still clueless about a ton of stuff but I'm learning!

1st trip to the Poly (coming up!) and first trip on site was just in Jan this year sooo. . .

anything I should know about the Poly or on-site or should I just walk around clueless all week?

aahh, never mind, I wouldn't want to steal anyones entertainment for the week! I'd be happy to oblige them and even laugh along.

When taking the Friendship to MK be sure to ask loudly if...

This is the pirate ride; do you server drinks on this flight; does this boat stop at MK; is this the boat where Jaws pops out of the water; Wow, they make the water look so real I bet ya could even swim in it.

When on the Monorail stand loud and proud and exclaim...

This is my first time on Space Mountain, where are the seat belts; if we go fast enough do you think we will go back in time; last time we were here this train would take ya to real places these days it just stops in fantasy land.

 

[Camicar]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, until someone has been there they cannot have a concept of what it is all about. In the beginning it would never occur to me that I might need to "research" an amusement park, no matter how unique I was told it was. I did look at the brochures and that told me somethings but otherwise I was clueless.

That was our experience the first time too.

The last time dh and I had been there was as children in the 1970s. Although we looked at brochures and our TA helped us, we really had NO conception of how much the park had changed. Not only in terms of size, but in terms of opportunities. For example, we truly had no idea about the character meet and greets and autographs until we got there and saw the characters outside and saw kids with autograph books. We didn't know about FastPasses either and made the 'hey, why are some folks getting in fast?" and luckily a nice person in line explained it to us.

I truly do not think that a person can get the scope and depth of WDW until you are actually there and experiencing it.

Also if you are like me and have no natural sense of direction, it's very easy to get confused as to where you are and where you want to be and how to get there.

 

[kileybeth]

OKAY! I think I willl do that! Great advice.