DISboards useless for newbie planning?

[DisCopper]

OK... that title is sort of grabber to get you in here... but I'm not really far from thinking that.

To start, I've been to the World somewhere around 30 times (lost count long ago). I've eaten at close to all of the restaurants (counter service and sit down). I've stayed at every resort but the Animal Kingdom Lodge and Contemporary (AKL later this year, hopefully).

I know what I like. I could probably come up with a ranking scale for everything (based on my own personal tastes). I'm sure many others here could do the same.

Here's my complaint/problem: Almost any time a newbie asks for opinions on here, they get a wide variety of answers. So many that it's got to be nearly impossible to sort out.

If they ask about a resort (say, Pop Century), there's going to be someone who LOVES it and someone who HATES it (that's me). And every opinion in between.

I'm sure that the Boards are helping people... it just baffles me how. If it's just a matter of of looking for things that suit their personal taste, isn't it just easier to read the happy descriptions that Disney gives on their page? How does a newbie pick through all the opinions to make their choices?

Beyond getting answers to very specific questions, is there anyone here who who was once a newbie who was helped out?

 

[bicker]

I think the best service this forum can serve is to help people understand what to expect; the good and especially the bad, so that they're not surprised by a disappointing experience when they're on vacation. So basically, the "LOVES it" and "HATES it" messages are probably not that useful, as you suggest, while "this is what we got" and especially "we didn't get that" messages are probably very useful.

 

[DawnCt1]

I think that what you said is essentially true of any travel forum. There has to be a basic understanding of the destination; California, Hawaii and WDW, a sense of what there is to see and do, what the accommodation options and locations are, restaurant options, and then when there is at least 'some structure', specific questions are better dealt with. If one is landing from Mars, they ought to get to a book store and buy a travel guide. After they read it, then participate in forums. It works out better that way.

 

[minniecarousel]

Honestly, I think a first-timer needs to invest in one of the actual books on WDW. (I prefer the Passporter and the Unofficial Guide). Once a person has figured out their accomodations (needs to be based on a person's budget), I think the DISBoards is very helpful to sort out like-minded folks on restaurants & extras. And face it, if a person isn't willing to get up with the sun, WDW may not be the vacation for them!

 

[720L]

I don't know how we ever went to Disney w/o the DIS! On here I've learned where the best rooms are if you want to be close to the bus stops, or with small children, or close to the pool, or for quiet rooms. I've learned about AP discounts. I don't think I would have known about the Dream Team without the DIS. I've learned a lot of ride secrets (the key under the mat on Muppets etc). I've read tons of reviews on restaurants and resorts.

 

[Kim1964]

I've gotten far more answers here than I could on the Disney site. Yes, there are tons of opinions but there's a lot of factual stuff on here that is very helpful. For example, when I was a newbie I loved reading people's packing lists...I don't pack everything I've ever read on here, but a lot of ideas have come in handy. I learned on here to ask the monorail attendant if we could ride up front with the driver....my kids have loved doing that, and I never would have known to ask without the DIS.

 

[The Mayor]

What you described is any situation in life...different strokes for different folks...when I first joined the Dis many years and screen names ago I used to frequent the Transportation and Resort Boards the most...I learned a ton of info on the TB and also tried a few different resorts because of the good and the bad I read about them...I learned whose opinion I trusted and whose I didn't...I also tried to share insight on air transportation on the TB since I travel for business...so these boards can be quite helpfull once you test drive them a bit

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I found the DIS right about 6 months before my last trip. I've read all the books and looked at the Disney website but, by far, the DIS was THE most helpful tool in planning our last trip and our upcoming trip. The books are great, but as a general tool. Once they're published, there's no better way to find out about new rides, attractions, restaurants, rehabs, promotions, etc. than the DIS. I realize I'm going to get a variety of opinions, but that's exactly what I'm looking for. I know each time I go I might have a differing opinion about a restaurant than I did the previous time.

I've also learned some great tips for packing and have gotten a lot of useful information from the Transportation Board about passenger rights and what to do in certain situations. Shout out to Bavaria! Most of all, I've 'met' people from all different backgrounds, many of whom have differing opinions than I do, but I wouldn't trade it for anything because I think I've become a better, more understanding person for being here and interacting with everyone.

 

[bumbershoot]

is there anyone here who who was once a newbie who was helped out?

Yes!

 

[luvmy3]

I am so thankful that I found the DIS before my first trip.

 

[jimmiej]

is there anyone here who who was once a newbie who was helped out?

Absolutely! My first question was about adults only at character meals. The answers were right on & we enjoyed ourselves.

 

[wvdisluv2]

"is there anyone here who who was once a newbie who was helped out?"

Absolutely! Oh, and I LOVE POP and CB

 

[Judy from Boise]

I think opinions can be very helpfull as long as you explain the "why" for example I hate WCC because it is loud and intrusive and I enjoy eating without games and shennanigans. Now if you are the same you will avoid WCC, but if you love shennanigans you will know to put it on your must do list.

I think the really silly questions are "will I like......" how should i know? It is much more logical for me to tell you my opinion and why and for you to make the inference.

 

[golfgal]

These boards helped tremendously when we went to Disney, much, much more then any of the books. The catch here is you have to invest some time in reading many of the trip reports and various threads to be able to figure out what you want to do. Yes, some people will say that they don't like a certain resort because of whatever reason but that reason might not bother someone else. A lot of people don't like AKL because how far away it is yet we loved it because of the direct bus routes to everything and the fact that the buses were never crowded.

The best thing I learned on this board was about the codes for the various hotels and packages. We were fortunate enough to receive a code for our trip AND got to partake in the first free dining event-those two pieces of information saved us somewhere around $1500 on our trip.

What I did was start by just looking at the hotel boards, trying to figure out where to stay. That was the hardest thing to do because of all the choices. One thing that helped the most was reading trip reports. Those were the best sources of information. Once we figured out where we wanted to stay we worked on where to eat and then finally a game plan for visiting the parks.

 

[Mermaid02]

I think opinions can be very helpfull as long as you explain the "why" for example I hate WCC because it is loud and intrusive and I enjoy eating without games and shennanigans. Now if you are the same you will avoid WCC, but if you love shennanigans you will know to put it on your must do list.

I think the really silly questions are "will I like......" how should i know? It is much more logical for me to tell you my opinion and why and for you to make the inference.

I agree with Judy- if someone can tell me WHY they didn't like something- we did avoid WCC because my son has adhd and it would just "wind him up" but we loved Coral Reef even though the food was only "iffy" because we got to sit and talk while he was LOVING the fish that were swimming right next to our table!

This board was VERY helpful to us when planning our first trip! I also used DU and that was AMAZINGLY helpful!!

 

[Cool-Beans]

I still learn new stuff.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

OK... that title is sort of grabber to get you in here... but I'm not really far from thinking that.

To start, I've been to the World somewhere around 30 times (lost count long ago). I've eaten at close to all of the restaurants (counter service and sit down). I've stayed at every resort but the Animal Kingdom Lodge and Contemporary (AKL later this year, hopefully).

I know what I like. I could probably come up with a ranking scale for everything (based on my own personal tastes). I'm sure many others here could do the same.

Here's my complaint/problem: Almost any time a newbie asks for opinions on here, they get a wide variety of answers. So many that it's got to be nearly impossible to sort out.

If they ask about a resort (say, Pop Century), there's going to be someone who LOVES it and someone who HATES it (that's me). And every opinion in between.

I'm sure that the Boards are helping people... it just baffles me how. If it's just a matter of of looking for things that suit their personal taste, isn't it just easier to read the happy descriptions that Disney gives on their page? How does a newbie pick through all the opinions to make their choices?

Beyond getting answers to very specific questions, is there anyone here who who was once a newbie who was helped out?

I was a newbie to DIS and WDW, and this forum (The Budget Board and DIsney Families and Disney Tips etc) helped out tremendously. Yes, alot of opinions, but it gave me ideas I would have never even thought of due to being the 'newbie'... Gives you the option to try what seems 'cool' to you based on others experiences.... I think it's great for newbies

 

[JR6ooo4]

Honestly, I think a first-timer needs to invest in one of the actual books on WDW. (I prefer the Passporter and the Unofficial Guide). Once a person has figured out their accomodations (needs to be based on a person's budget), I think the DISBoards is very helpful to sort out like-minded folks on restaurants & extras. And face it, if a person isn't willing to get up with the sun, WDW may not be the vacation for them!

I have to agree with the disagreeing here. I love to sleep late on vacation. the breakfast spots are less crowded and there are enough late night activities to keep us busy.

Research is the gathering and processing of information. and there is certainly a lot of that here...

Mikeeee

 

[LoraJ]

Honestly, I think a first-timer needs to invest in one of the actual books on WDW. (I prefer the Passporter and the Unofficial Guide). Once a person has figured out their accomodations (needs to be based on a person's budget), I think the DISBoards is very helpful to sort out like-minded folks on restaurants & extras. And face it, if a person isn't willing to get up with the sun, WDW may not be the vacation for them!

We always sleep in at WDW. We go when the crowds aren't bad and park hop a lot. We love to go at our own pace and not worry about buses and parade times.

My co-worker just took his family to WDW and he did a lot of research on the DIS. He found it very helpful.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I think opinions can be very helpfull as long as you explain the "why" for example I hate WCC because it is loud and intrusive and I enjoy eating without games and shennanigans. Now if you are the same you will avoid WCC, but if you love shennanigans you will know to put it on your must do list.

I think the really silly questions are "will I like......" how should i know? It is much more logical for me to tell you my opinion and why and for you to make the inference.

Exactly. One person's idea of heaven is another person's idea of hell. For the most part, the advice I've seen on the DIS has an explanation behind it and is really helpful for me, even though it sometimes steers me away from something 90% of the posts are raving about!