Disney 30 years later

[Cormoran]

I also find it so ironic that a site that discusses every single possible detail down to the most trivial minutiae then has people stating over and over that the information is not really necessary to have a good time.

Great statement!

 

[Cormoran]

Since she admittedly hates the system, that probably showed through in her opinions just as my pleasure with it would. It's hard to hide either when giving advice, especially when the dislike reaches the level of hatred. That's my opinion and I'm entitled to it. You are free to feel otherwise.

I'm sorry, I must have missed something. Where did the OP state that she hated the system?

 

[mshanson3121]

Oh please. Unless you were there and heard her conversation it isnt a given that she spoke negatively of FP. Nothing in her post suggested she did.

No need to put words or tone in her mouth.

The OP herself, said in another post, word for word that she hates the FP system.

 

[IrishNYC]

Because it hasn't "gotten bad". Trips aren't "awful". My trips are WONDERFUL. We bought DVC last year because we love our Disney vacations. But it isn't a trip that can be taken lightly, for the most part. It requires planning and understanding. And for someone who hasn't been there since 1985, it is very much a different animal than it was then.

You at least are on the boards here, I assume, trying to learn what you can for your trip. I have no doubt that you'll have a lovely time.

I have no doubts that there's nothing "bad" about disney, and that trips aren't awful, but if you read a lot of what's posted on these boards, you'd think Disney is doing people wrong left and right just because it isn't the way it used to be, or they wouldn't dare spend 5 figures on Disney any time soon because it's not what it used to be.

I've been frowned upon before here for saying this, but to the naysayers who will stay away from Disney I say good! There will always be magic in Disney for some people, and there will always be first timers to find magic there, or a family like mine that hasn't been there for a very long time, and are taking our princess obsessed 5 year old for the very first time. I KNOW it will be magical for us. The only non-magical thing about it is people repeating over and over again how "it's just not how it was 20 years ago." Guess what? Neither am I! That's how life works.

 

[kidd_freeper]

1985:
One admission price, but NO fastpass => long long waits
No MGM, no Animal Kingdom
Kissimmee is a small town of 20,000 (now it is 65,000)
Horizons is a new attraction.
Captain EO is on its first run
There were only three resorts (Poly, Contemporary and Ft. Wilderness campground)

2015:
Better options
May be too many options for some

 

[JanaDee]

The OP herself, said in another post, word for word that she hates the FP system.

I dislike FP+, too. I bet if you asked any of my family or friends that I've talked to about WDW (other than my husband or kids), they'd tell you they have no idea whether I like it or not.

 

[Jennasis]

The OP herself, said in another post, word for word that she hates the FP system.

And? That was not what I was disputing. Perhaps you quoted the wrong poster.

 

[leslieb66]

Since she admittedly hates the system, that probably showed through in her opinions just as my pleasure with it would. It's hard to hide either when giving advice, especially when the dislike reaches the level of hatred. That's my opinion and I'm entitled to it. You are free to feel otherwise.

Yes I hate the new FP system but for myself, as with the dining I don't like feeling the need to micromanage my whole trip. But that's me. Thank you for just assuming I shared my dislike of it with her, it was a statement I made on here in response to a post. I answered HER questions for an hour that covered many aspects, the point of my original post was basically what a shock it would be for someone Who hadn't been in 30 years. It's amazing how people can read things in a totally different context than what was meant. Lesson learned, never post on here again.

 

[SmithSmith]

Yesterday I was at a restaurant killing time waiting for new tires to be put on. I struck up a conversation with an older woman sitting next to me who told me she had her house for sale and once it sold she was going to surprise her daughter and grandchildren with a trip to Disney. I asked if they had been before and she said just her but it was 30 years ago. I said boy are you in for a big surprise. I started talking with her about Disney now, magic bands, park hopping, reservations, MDE, DME and the wide variety of resorts. I felt awful. She was clearly overwhelmed and had no idea it had become what it is. I asked when she was planning to go, she casually said April......once I explained crowds she changed her mind on that time period. It really got me thinking of the poor people who plan a trip with NO idea of how much thought should go into it prior especially if you haven't been. It's almost sad that what should be an incredibly fun trip may end up being so stressful they leave never wanting to return.

Leslie, perhaps if you reread your OP, you could understand why people are being "harsh". Nowhere in the above post do you say, not even hint, that this lady was asking you for advice. There is nothing in the verbiage you used that suggests she even asked you a single question. However, you indicated twice that you asked her questions, not the other way around. By the way you wrote it, it seems like you were offering unsolicited advice.

Anyway, just thought I'd explain why some posters took a different perspective then what you had intended.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Yes I hate the new FP system but for myself, as with the dining I don't like feeling the need to micromanage my whole trip. But that's me. Thank you for just assuming I shared my dislike of it with her, it was a statement I made on here in response to a post. I answered HER questions for an hour that covered many aspects, the point of my original post was basically what a shock it would be for someone Who hadn't been in 30 years. It's amazing how people can read things in a totally different context than what was meant. Lesson learned, never post on here again.

While I will agree this board can have heated threads at times, and it can be frustrating, there are also a lot of wonderful posters and resources here. Please don't let this thread scare you away from the site as a whole.

 

[cakebaker]

Yes I hate the new FP system but for myself, as with the dining I don't like feeling the need to micromanage my whole trip. But that's me. Thank you for just assuming I shared my dislike of it with her, it was a statement I made on here in response to a post. I answered HER questions for an hour that covered many aspects, the point of my original post was basically what a shock it would be for someone Who hadn't been in 30 years. It's amazing how people can read things in a totally different context than what was meant. Lesson learned, never post on here again.

I honestly don't think anyone was unduly harsh in their responses especially with only the information in your first post. Your original post never intimated that you were asked any questions- only that you were the one asking questions. Perhaps you're much better than I am at hiding your feelings when you feel strongly about something. If I hated something, I'd be hard pressed to talk to someone about it and them not know it, but it's great that you can. This is a discussion board however and people do tend to give their opinions just as you did. Not agreeing with you is not attacking you or being harsh.

I don't really don't think someone who hasn't visited in many years would be shocked. My nephew was in his late 30's when his family made their first trip since he was 12 last spring. He was thrilled with his trip, very little planning at all and what planning that was done, was done by his travel agent. They are now hooked and can't wait to return.

 

[DisneyFive]

Yes I hate the new FP system but for myself, as with the dining I don't like feeling the need to micromanage my whole trip. But that's me. Thank you for just assuming I shared my dislike of it with her, it was a statement I made on here in response to a post. I answered HER questions for an hour that covered many aspects, the point of my original post was basically what a shock it would be for someone Who hadn't been in 30 years. It's amazing how people can read things in a totally different context than what was meant. Lesson learned, never post on here again.

Did people jump to conclusions? Yes. Did you provide them enough information not to? No.

People weren't reading things out of context. They were reading the only context you provided.

I'm glad you cleared things up in later posts. After being on these boards for years, I can say that the vast majority are here to help, not to slam others. Hope you stick around.

Dan

 

[TagsMissy]

Well sounds like you effectively completely crushed what was something really exciting for her, and ruined what could have been a great trip next month for her family, especially since April can be a great time to go.

I mean, yes, I get that you were trying to "help", but... seriously. You went a bit overboard don't you think? Especially since most of the those things are probably things she needed to know nothing about - Magic Bands, park hopping, MDE etc... those aren't necessary. I think anyone, in that situation, yes, can point out that things have changed, but a) don't point out things that aren't absolutely necessary b) don't go on and on about every little thing that's changed, maybe just touch on a couple key points c) point out all the positive things that have changed!

This about sums it up... I hope she takes the time to get assistance from a TA or work with her daughter/granddaughter to do some research online so they still have an amazing trip. I hate planning, I don't overplan. I see no reason to overplan my vacations and guess what we have AMAZING times.

 

[mshanson3121]

It's amazing how people can read things in a totally different context than what was meant. Lesson learned, never post on here again.

The lesson isn't to never post again - but to be more clear. As you can see quite clearly from the overwhelming response - most of us (I'll correct my "all") read your OP in the same way, because there was only one way to read what you wrote. And nothing at all, indicated that you were being helpful, or that you were answering HER questions. Instead, you mentioned how YOU initiated the Disney conversation ("I asked if they had been before"), then you decided to tell her what a surprise she was in for, you go on to say how YOU "started talking with her about Disney now, magic bands, park hopping, reservations, MDE, DME and the wide variety of resorts". You never once said that she asked you a single question. You go on to say that "I asked when she was planning to go, she casually said April" Yet, later you go on to tell us that she went into great detail, telling you she planned on going on the school break. Well, which is it? Going into the detail of the exact week, is not exactly "casually saying April". Had you clarified that in your original post, it would have helped us all out. If you had included all these other details in your first post, they all would have been helpful, and THEN we could have read it in the proper context. In the way you originally wrote it, yes, you went way overboard, and no we weren't being unduly harsh at all. Had we had the facts, and had you clarified your point of the whole post, I doubt you would have gotten the replies you did.

 

[JanaDee]

The lesson isn't to never post again - but to be more clear. As you can see quite clearly from the overwhelming response - we all read your OP in the same way, because there was only one way to read what you wrote. And nothing at all, indicated that you were being helpful, or that you were answering HER questions. Instead, you mentioned how YOU initiated the Disney conversation ("I asked if they had been before"), then you decided to tell her what a surprise she was in for, you go on to say how YOU "started talking with her about Disney now, magic bands, park hopping, reservations, MDE, DME and the wide variety of resorts". You never once said that she asked you a single question. You go on to say that "I asked when she was planning to go, she casually said April" Yet, later you go on to tell us that she went into great detail, telling you she planned on going on the school break. Well, which is it? Going into the detail of the exact week, is not exactly "casually saying April". Had you clarified that in your original post, it would have helped us all out. If you had included all these other details in your first post, they all would have been helpful, and THEN we could have read it in the proper context. In the way you originally wrote it, yes, you went way overboard, and no we weren't being unduly harsh at all. Had we had the facts, and had you clarified your point of the whole post, I doubt you would have gotten the replies you did.

Not all of "us" had trouble reading the context of the post.

 

[Jennasis]

The lesson isn't to never post again - but to be more clear. As you can see quite clearly from the overwhelming response - we all read your OP in the same way, because there was only one way to read what you wrote. And nothing at all, indicated that you were being helpful, or that you were answering HER questions. Instead, you mentioned how YOU initiated the Disney conversation ("I asked if they had been before"), then you decided to tell her what a surprise she was in for, you go on to say how YOU "started talking with her about Disney now, magic bands, park hopping, reservations, MDE, DME and the wide variety of resorts". You never once said that she asked you a single question. You go on to say that "I asked when she was planning to go, she casually said April" Yet, later you go on to tell us that she went into great detail, telling you she planned on going on the school break. Well, which is it? Going into the detail of the exact week, is not exactly "casually saying April". Had you clarified that in your original post, it would have helped us all out. If you had included all these other details in your first post, they all would have been helpful, and THEN we could have read it in the proper context. In the way you originally wrote it, yes, you went way overboard, and no we weren't being unduly harsh at all. Had we had the facts, and had you clarified your point of the whole post, I doubt you would have gotten the replies you did.

What's happening?? DIS on the fritz. I didn't post any of what you quoted above yet it's attributed to me and showed up in my alerts.

Weird.

Also, not all of us read the OP as YOU did. I understood her (correctly) based on her first post.

 

[mshanson3121]

What's happening?? DIS on the fritz. I didn't post any of what you quoted above yet it's attributed to me and showed up in my alerts.

Weird.

Also, not all of us read the OP as YOU did. I understood her (correctly) based on her first post.

Okay, well the majority read the same way

And I have no idea... but you're right, it attributed her post to you for some reason. That's weird!

 

[mshanson3121]

And? That was not what I was disputing. Perhaps you quoted the wrong poster.

No, I quoted the right poster, but I did read it wrong, sorry.

 

[larryz]

Also, not all of us read the OP as YOU did. I understood her (correctly) based on her first post.

Not all of "us" had trouble reading the context of the post.

Concur... I read OPs post and thought she had done the elder lady quite a favor.

Did everyone put starch in their underwear or something? Lots of hostility on the boards today!