Disney 30 years later

I'm sorry OP but I think you overstepped it a bit. I would have just suggested she pick up an Unofficial Guide or a copy of this year's Birnbaums and that it would be helpful to do a little pre-planning and left it at that. You may have talked her out of what could have been a wonderful trip with her daughter and grandchildren.
 
If I had someone telling me all the details about Disney with a cheerful, positive attitude, I'd say thanks for the info, but that is too much work for a vacation. I'm going somewhere that isn't so hard and complicated to visit.

That's totally fine and understandable. I just get from the op's story that this woman was very excited about her trip, and it seems she was shot down. There's ways to warn people about stuff. I try to be polite and considerate that other people have different opinions than me and always let them decide first whether they'll like something or not. Then we can commiserate together later. :P
 
I am sorry, but who doesn't expect major changes in 30 years? Not just disney but anywhere. People keep saying how much planning disney is, but honestly for me is not much more than any new location we go. I always read and research, sure it alway takes longer the first trip than when you are use to it.
 
If I had someone telling me all the details about Disney with a cheerful, positive attitude, I'd say thanks for the info, but that is too much work for a vacation. I'm going somewhere that isn't so hard and complicated to visit.

And that's the sad thing - it doesn't have to be complicated.

People on the disboards get so wrapped up in planning that they forget that it is possible to have a great trip without knowing every single in and out. Thousands of people do it every day.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a planner of the highest order, but that's because I enjoy the planning. I really do. But that doesn't mean that I think everyone has to plan as much as I do to enjoy their vacation. It's only complicated if you make it complicated.
 

If I had someone telling me all the details about Disney with a cheerful, positive attitude, I'd say thanks for the info, but that is too much work for a vacation. I'm going somewhere that isn't so hard and complicated to visit.

If I had someone rambling off a bucket list of to dos for WDW without me first asking for their opinions or help, especially if it was as negative as the op would appear to have been, I'd politely get myself out of the conversation and walk away.
 
And that's the sad thing - it doesn't have to be complicated.

People on the disboards get so wrapped up in planning that they forget that it is possible to have a great trip without knowing every single in and out. Thousands of people do it every day.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a planner of the highest order, but that's because I enjoy the planning. I really do. But that doesn't mean that I think everyone has to plan as much as I do to enjoy their vacation. It's only complicated if you make it complicated.

I couldn't have written this myself, bang on!

I will add, that people on this board are obviously uber Disney freaks, most of whom love to research and plan. We are a very small minority of the people who walk into Disney parks on a daily basis and I think it's important to remember that when speaking with a "normal" Disney vacation planner.

This poor woman got overwhelmed with a crap load of information and not given really any help at all (just based on how the OP reported on it). I'm pretty sure that anyone with at least a few functioning brain cells will be aware that things will have changed significantly in 30 years. Making a comment to that affect and then recommending some sources to help her get caught up on those changes would've probably been sufficient. Maybe then pointing out a few big changes, like the fact that there are complete new additional parks since she was there and many more on site hotels, would be an example.
 
My first trip in 2004 was planned with very little research. I had a couple guidebooks which I used to make a list of attractions we wanted to see. I found out about park hoppers and took advantage of those. I knew nothing about discounts and paid rack rate for our room. We had a good time because I learned as much as I was able to process before the trip. Once I got there and figured out the lay of the land and the logistics of everything, I planned a trip for the next year that was much more research based, but I had to get my feet wet first. I am so glad I didn't overwhelm myself. After that, I had people ask me for advice and I would just tell them to get the unofficial guide and start there.

I think pointing someone to a guidebook or website is the best way to help them get started without overwhelming them.
 
I did not get the impression that the OPI was speaking negatively of all the changes to the park or putting her own spin on it, Only that there were MANY changes that have taken place and she was laundry listing them. I think it's ridiculous that now we're suddenly not allowed to discuss Disney (our favorite thing) because we might scare them off Or over step.

And frankly, if one conversation with a stranger, casually, is enough to overwhelm you to the point where you're suddenly afraid to go on the trip, rather than realizing you DO need to research, maybe you shouldn't go on the trip.
 
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!
I have to agree with this.

I haven't been to WDW since 1981 (DH was there that year also, we were both 10ish), and I went to DL in 1991, and while we've discussed going several times over the last few years, it was people saying things exactly like OP said that kept us away. It put a very bad taste in our mouths about the "Disney experience" and what to expect, and it's a sentiment I see repeated over and over again here on these boards. We are looking forward to our upcoming trip, but I really do keep wondering why people keep doing repeat trips to Disney if it's as awful as attitudes about "how bad it's gotten" make it seem.
 
Wow, some of you are pretty harsh. She was planning to go during a school vacation, so did I tell her I thought she could find a better time to go and give her ideas of when that would be yes. Did I suggest she have her more tech savvy daughter go on this board as well as others yes. Did I let her know she could not have to worry about transportation, yes. She asked about what they had for hotels, that's a loaded question. I encouraged her to go to her AAA office and ask for help from them so she could sit with someone and be better informed.

My point to this post is that Disney has really made a visit for people like her not as enjoyable as it could be. Can you imagine planning a trip during a school vacation, having no clue about dining reservations or fastpass??? Seriously the crowd level itself would be a shock. I really can't believe some of the replies on here. I answered her questions. Tried giving her advice. I personally HATE the new FP system. seriously, if you don't know how to make them and go on a high crowd level day, good luck.
 
but I really do keep wondering why people keep doing repeat trips to Disney if it's as awful as attitudes about "how bad it's gotten" make it seem.

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.
 
The only thing I tell people is to PLAN.

Start planning your trip prior to 180 days out if you want everything to fall into place. Then at 180 days be up at 6am EST making ADR's. Then at 60 days out be up at Midnight on the computer trying to book fast passes, then.....

It's insane. I had a colleague at work schedule a WDW trip for 5 nights last year at GF. He booked it about a month in advance and it was their first time going (as adults and the kids were 4 and 6 I think)... Guest services convinced him to get the deluxe dining plan... I saw him two days before his trip and he was really excited it was the first time we'd had a chance to "talk" and he relayed some of the information to me.

I knew he was screwed. I told him to have a great trip and let me know how it went. I also told him to try and have his wife (stay at home mom) booked some dining and what not now because places "book up fast". I didn't tell him he was screwed but hoped I could at least get him spurred on to book some stuff. With 2 days left there was nothing I could have done even if I grabbed him by the shoulders and tried to shake some sense into him.

He came back livid at WDW, he had 3 TS meals a day and at least 2 of those he had to settle for QS.

No first timer in the "real world" could be expected to understand that's how things would have went.

His entire family hates Disney and they'll never go back... They just lost a guy who wouldn't blink at a $15,000 vacation. Way to go Disney.
 
Sadly, I see the OP's conversation as a direct effect of what Disney has done lately. There has always been the need for some level of planning, but it's at a new level now. Have we reached that tipping point?

I think it's nearly impossible to explain to a first time visitor all reservations you can/should make without overwhelming them!

Disney has made their own bed, good or bad. This is an outcome of that.

Dan
 
He came back livid at WDW, he had 3 TS meals a day and at least 2 of those he had to settle for QS.

No first timer in the "real world" could be expected to understand that's how things would have went.

His entire family hates Disney and they'll never go back... They just lost a guy who wouldn't blink at a $15,000 vacation. Way to go Disney.

What is this weird phenomenon where people don't research what they're spending their money on!? I don't understand this. I'm thinking about buying a GoPro and I'm researching whether it's worth the cost and works for me. I'm not going to just buy it blindly, hate it cause I cant use it the way I want to, and blame GoPro. Weird people.
 
The only thing I tell people is to PLAN.

Start planning your trip prior to 180 days out if you want everything to fall into place. Then at 180 days be up at 6am EST making ADR's. Then at 60 days out be up at Midnight on the computer trying to book fast passes, then.....

It's insane. I had a colleague at work schedule a WDW trip for 5 nights last year at GF. He booked it about a month in advance and it was their first time going (as adults and the kids were 4 and 6 I think)... Guest services convinced him to get the deluxe dining plan... I saw him two days before his trip and he was really excited it was the first time we'd had a chance to "talk" and he relayed some of the information to me.

I knew he was screwed. I told him to have a great trip and let me know how it went. I also told him to try and have his wife (stay at home mom) booked some dining and what not now because places "book up fast". I didn't tell him he was screwed but hoped I could at least get him spurred on to book some stuff. With 2 days left there was nothing I could have done even if I grabbed him by the shoulders and tried to shake some sense into him.

He came back livid at WDW, he had 3 TS meals a day and at least 2 of those he had to settle for QS.

No first timer in the "real world" could be expected to understand that's how things would have went.

His entire family hates Disney and they'll never go back... They just lost a guy who wouldn't blink at a $15,000 vacation. Way to go Disney.

Yikes, that's awful! It is very unfortunate that GS convinced him the DDP was a good idea without telling him he should make ADRs! That's a lot of wasted money :sad2:
 
I recently had a friend who was planning their family's first Disney visit. I offered to let her borrow my EasyWDW guidebook and told her I would be more than willing to help or answer questions. I knew if I started going into specifics it would be overwhelming because a WDW visit is overwhelming. It's the nature of the beast. I don't see it as a huge negative, just a reality. If I were going for the first time and didn't want to deal with all the ins and outs I would most likely book through a TA and let them do their job. :confused3
 
What is this weird phenomenon where people don't research what they're spending their money on!? I don't understand this. I'm thinking about buying a GoPro and I'm researching whether it's worth the cost and works for me. I'm not going to just buy it blindly, hate it cause I cant use it the way I want to, and blame GoPro. Weird people.
It's "Disney" and a "theme park" not some new tech device.

Think about it, this guy and his wife went 15-20 years ago and have fond memories. It's a theme park, how much could it have actually changed in 15-20 years. "There is still a castle and mouse and now a new train ride, heck in the commercial I saw Thunder Mountain, I loved that thing! ... should still be a blast"

15 years ago I remember doing walks up to every TS except CDR. I imagine my colleague thought the same thing.

Comparing a theme park and the latest tech device isn't even an apples and oranges comparison, it's like comparing a rock to the space shuttle in most peoples minds.
 
Yikes, that's awful! It is very unfortunate that GS convinced him the DDP was a good idea without telling him he should make ADRs! That's a lot of wasted money :sad2:

After he got back I asked him if the CM told him about booking TS meals in advance and said "Yeah she said I could start booking them that day but never told me everything would already be booked up", again he was fuming mad so I didn't dig any deeper on that.
 
It's "Disney" and a "theme park" not some new tech device.

Think about it, this guy and his wife went 15-20 years ago and have fond memories. It's a theme park, how much could it have actually changed in 15-20 years. "There is still a castle and mouse and now a new train ride, heck in the commercial I saw Thunder Mountain, I loved that thing! ... should still be a blast"

15 years ago I remember doing walks up to every TS except CDR. I imagine my colleague thought the same thing.

Comparing a theme park and the latest tech device isn't even an apples and oranges comparison, it's like comparing a rock to the space shuttle in most peoples minds.

That's all you got out of what I said? The tech device? I don't know. If people want to spend $2000+ and not research a dining plan, which is adding even more money onto their bill, I don't see why it's so surprising they're going to complain later when they're ripped off.

It also shouldn't be surprising a place changes a lot in 15-20 years. I feel bad for this guy, because Disney persuaded him into something. I guess I've just learned in my short 25 years on this Earth to not believe salespeople. And learn more about how things work and cost. For EVERYTHING in life, not just disney or a new tech device.
 













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