Disney 30 years later

[eastendlights]

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.

Because people have BEEN on a vacation before. They look at Disney as a vacation, not as an appliance that needs to be compared to other appliances, a new gadget that may or may not be necessary, a new car that will be driven for a few years, a house lived in for even longer, or as a job that requires work, and let's face it, in many cases more time spent planning than actually being there. Not everyone plans the details of every hour of their vacation so they don't feel the need to do so here unless they are made aware of how difficult it can be to get an ADR or get on a certain ride.
Obviously, just the fact that this board exists, along with a million other informational sites and blogs means that this whole experience is way beyond the realm of any other possible trip out there-maybe with the exception of a spacewalk/trip to the moon-LOL. There was always a level of planning necessary and now it has gotten incredibly more necessary. I don't get the attitude-"well, newbies won't know what they are missing." 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.

 

[leslieb66]

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.

I take great offense to your reply. I did not overstep, I answered her questions which led into more questions from her. I told her yes she should go to her AAA office for help with planning because doing it on her own after not having been there in over 30 years would be hard and she would need the help and she's not good with computers. I also said if her daughter is good with computers she should surprise them early to give her the opportunity to go online, research and maybe be able to help with planning. I mean really, if someone asked you if they could eat with any characters because they had seen that on tv would you just say yes and let them find out when they get there they needed a reservation?? This is a woman who had just finished telling me she's on medication for a high level of anxiety.....so going to Disney with no help would have probably sent her over the edge. So did I CRUSH her dreams of going to Disney, no, did I open her eyes to the fact that it has become a place where some amount of planning needs to go into it other than hotel and airfare, yes.

 

[Ambear]

Because people have BEEN on a vacation before. They look at Disney as a vacation, not as an appliance that needs to be compared to other appliances, a new gadget that may or may not be necessary, a new car that will be driven for a few years, a house lived in for even longer, or as a job that requires work, and let's face it, in many cases more time spent planning than actually being there. Not everyone plans the details of every hour of their vacation so they don't feel the need to do so here unless they are made aware of how difficult it can be to get an ADR or get on a certain ride.

Here we go again. Metaphors are fun!

Let's forget the GoPro for a second and focus on the fact that I was talking about the ACT and FEELINGS of buying something with my money and understanding that I can't blame the thing if it isn't what I wanted it to be because I didn't care to research what it even is. That's all I meant. Don't hate the gopro!!

 

[eastendlights]

Here we go again. Metaphors are fun!

Let's forget the GoPro for a second and focus on the fact that I was talking about the ACT and FEELINGS of buying something with my money and understanding that I can't blame the thing if it isn't what I wanted it to be because I didn't care to research what it even is. That's all I meant. Don't hate the gopro!!

I couldn't possibly hate the GoPro-DH has five, yes, five of them. I'm sure he could answer any questions you may have-LOL

 

[Ambear]

I couldn't possibly hate the GoPro-DH has five, yes, five of them. I'm sure he could answer any questions you may have-LOL

Awesome haha! I seriously am looking into it... just the basic Hero version. Seems fun to take on vacations!

 

[cakebaker]

Wow, some of you are pretty harsh.....

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.

In all fairness, your original post gave no indication that the person you spoke to asked any questions at all. From what information you shared, it appeared to me that she simply said she was going and you began asking questions and sharing information.

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.

That's much different than her asking questions and you answering. It's probably a given as well that your intense dislike, to the point of HATE, influenced how that information was presented to her. Hopefully she'll find others that have been and are satisfied with their methods of using the FP+ system that can be helpful to her.

 

[MystikaFaith]

Believe it or not there's people who go to Disney not having a clue what it entails... They show up during the most crowded times with no dining reservations and no clue how to navigate the fast pass system. And then they come back and rant about how horrific their experience was and how they would never go back again. Usually they don't come on here to rant, because had they ever gone to this site or similar they would have actually known what to expect and how to prepare and their experience would have likely been a lot more positive.

I think you did the woman a favour. From how I read it you didn't tell her that Disney was a terrible place to visit, but rather you informed her that when doing disney some pre-trip thought and consideration can go along way. If she was really serious about Disney your discussion would have acted as a good prompt for her to do more research. If she opts not to go, she probably would have detested the experience anyways.

 

[Jennasis]

In all fairness, your original post gave no indication that the person you spoke to asked any questions at all. From what information you shared, it appeared to me that she simply said she was going and you began questioning.



That's much different than her asking questions and you answering. It's probably a given as well that your intense dislike, to the point of HATE, influenced how that information was presented to her. Hopefully she'll find others that have been and are satisfied with their methods of using the FP+ system that can be helpful to her.

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.

 

[cakebaker]

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.

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.

 

[Lulu348]

Personally I think you did her a big favor. Forewarned is forearmed. How disappointing to get there and see how all these people can get on the rides quickly and you knew NOTHING about that. So what? She's a little overwhelmed now. Better now, then when she gets there. She at least can do some research. I'd much rather know these types of things spending that type of dough.

 

[JanaDee]

Here we go again. Metaphors are fun!

Let's forget the GoPro for a second and focus on the fact that I was talking about the ACT and FEELINGS of buying something with my money and understanding that I can't blame the thing if it isn't what I wanted it to be because I didn't care to research what it even is. That's all I meant. Don't hate the gopro!!

I read this and thought what in the world does the ACT (college prep test) have to do with going to Disney World?

 

[eastendlights]

I read this and thought what in the world does the ACT (college prep test) have to do with going to Disney World?

Actually, maybe a bit too much in common!

 

[JanaDee]

Actually, maybe a bit too much in common!

As far as prep and planning, great point! LOL

 

[ModernArtist]

I take great offense to your reply. I did not overstep, I answered her questions which led into more questions from her. I told her yes she should go to her AAA office for help with planning because doing it on her own after not having been there in over 30 years would be hard and she would need the help and she's not good with computers. I also said if her daughter is good with computers she should surprise them early to give her the opportunity to go online, research and maybe be able to help with planning. I mean really, if someone asked you if they could eat with any characters because they had seen that on tv would you just say yes and let them find out when they get there they needed a reservation?? This is a woman who had just finished telling me she's on medication for a high level of anxiety.....so going to Disney with no help would have probably sent her over the edge. So did I CRUSH her dreams of going to Disney, no, did I open her eyes to the fact that it has become a place where some amount of planning needs to go into it other than hotel and airfare, yes.

So my reply causes 'great offense'? Why because I didn't agree with how you handled it? Welcome to Internet forums. You start a thread...people either agree or disagree...and post. I gave my opinions on your handling of the situation based on ORIGINAL post.

None of what you just explained in the above post was mentioned in your OP. So yeah..based on your original post I stand by my comment that I felt you overstepped your bounds. And based on the replies of others, I'm not the only one.

 

[Jennasis]

So my reply causes 'great offense'? Why because I didn't agree with how you handled it? Welcome to Internet forums. You start a thread...people either agree or disagree...and post. I gave my opinions on your handling of the situation based on ORIGINAL post.

None of what you just explained in the above post was mentioned in your OP. So yeah..based on your original post I stand by my comment that I felt you overstepped your bounds. And based on the replies of others, I'm not the only one.

I'm curious how you feel about her since her follow up posts giving more detail to her interaction with the woman?

 

[JanaDee]

So my reply causes 'great offense'? Why because I didn't agree with how you handled it? Welcome to Internet forums. You start a thread...people either agree or disagree...and post. I gave my opinions on your handling of the situation based on ORIGINAL post.

None of what you just explained in the above post was mentioned in your OP. So yeah..based on your original post I stand by my comment that I felt you overstepped your bounds. And based on the replies of others, I'm not the only one.

So now even discussing WDW with people that ask is "overstepping your bounds?" Honestly.

 

[ModernArtist]

So now even discussing WDW with people that ask is "overstepping your bounds?" Honestly.

Hmmm...so what was the point of this reply (with added passive-aggressive emoticons) other than stirring the pot?
Honestly.

 

[ModernArtist]

It's getting a little 'high school' in here. I'll be moving on from this thread. Have fun peeps!

 

[Angel Ariel]

OP - you were trying to help this woman, and I think it's very nice of you to do so. Nothing in your OP indicated to me that you were projecting frustrations with anything on to this woman just trying to share with her that a lot has changed and what those things were.

I would agree with people that simplifying down to "there area lot of changes since you last went, and I would recommend checking out [insert guidebook/website name here] well before you go" would probably be helpful in that particular instance, where you don't have a lot of time to sit and talk with someone. But, overall, I think you were just trying to do what you could to help her have a wonderful vacation. I hope your conversation helped her and she looks into a bit more planning and has a wonderful time with her family

ETA: And I just finished reading the thread, and your follow up posts confirm to me that you were not just laundry listing things to her, but answering questions that she had as they arose. There is nothing at all inappropriate about that. It sounds as though you were very nice in answering her questions as best you could given the situation, and gave her additional resources for her to look up on her own.

 

[JanaDee]

Hmmm...so what was the point of this reply (with added passive-aggressive emoticons) other than stirring the pot?
Honestly.

The point of my reply was pointing out how ridiculous your comment was about 'overstepping her bounds' by answering a woman's questions and discussing all the changes at WDW with her.