do people really go to WDW without researching

[truebelievers]

In my opinion, going to WDW without a good amount of researching under your belt is akin to walking around the property with your eyes closed. There are so many tips, tricks, facts and fun things to do that just a little bit of research can uncover.

 

[jmskinner]

We went this past July 4th for the first time. I remember making fun of my friend that had bought the UG. I mentioned this to the TA and she holds it up "this one?" So I went out and bought it myself. Then I stumbled upon the boards. Before I knew it, I was hooked. It was myself, DH, DS, DSD, DMIL, and DBIL. Everyone thought I was nuts when I started freaking out at the 180 mark and we hadn't decided where to eat yet.

Thank you to everyone on these boards, because we wouldn't have enjoyed it as much as we did.

I will admit though, that even after reading these boards, we still stood at the castle with a map trying to figure out where POTC was.

I did feel very smart when I overheard a man talking on his cellphone on the bus at 7:00pm trying to make an ADR for anywhere that night at DTD. He didn't find anything. I felt sorry for him, but had to laugh also.

To the one going on your honeymood for 18 days. I am so jealous. My DH is deployed right now, and once he gets back we will move. I am hoping to FL so I can be closer to DisneyWorld. We hope to go for 10 days and right now all I can basically plan is to go in 2008. But you notice, I am still out here researching and hopefully helping other newcomers. Oh, and the DMIL said we shouldn't go for 10 days, because it just won't be like the first time. That is why we only want to go as a family of 3 this time, maybe 4 if we can get the DSD!

 

[~Brandy~]

I took my first trip to WDW with virtually no planning. We booked it just a couple weeks out and picked a random nice looking hotel on Expedia (it's now the Radisson Resort Celebration).

We couldn't rent a car because my boyfriend and I were only about 20 at the time, so we relied on the free shuttle from the hotel. It only departed and returned a couple times each day, and as I recall, they weren't very good times - we were forced to return to the hotel at either 5 pm or 11 pm, something like that, so we ended up going back at dinnertime each day so we wouldn't be "stuck" there. We were there for three non-travel days and all we did was spend one day at MK, one day at Universal (my first and last, I should mention) and one day lounging around the resort. On each of our park days, we left sunburned and annoyed. (It was hot and busy the first week of June! What a surprise.)

I learned my lesson and when I coerced my boyfriend into returning for a week-long spring break trip the following year, I had a painfully detailed itinerary. I know some people don't like to follow a schedule on vacation but I have a much better time when I know exactly what to expect.

Also, and somewhat OT, but my number one goal that first trip was to ride Winnie the Pooh and when I got there, it was down for refurb. I literally broke down in tears because I thought I had missed my one and only chance to see the Pooh ride. Little did I know that I'd be on the three-trips-a-year plan in the not-too-distant future.

 

[Cass]

My first trip (as an adult) was a few days after a week on the Disney Magic, all that was available for them to add was POFQ. I didn't know about MGM Studios or Animal Kingdom - I only went to AK because there was a little sign on the table in the room.

I had no meal ressies, didn't even know the names or locations of the restaurants.

My DD and I had a great time, we just wandered around enjoying what we stumbled upon and not knowing what we were missing. It was a time of innocence that no longer exists for me

 

[Maine-iac]

We are going to Disney this Christmas. I have been using TGM and reading these boards...it seems that my plans on basically counting on most everyone else doing what is "expected" of the unexperienced Disney guest. But obviously there are a lot of here that read these boards...and I have read that quite a few use TGM....I really can't imagine anyone spending thousands of dollars and not doing any research. So really...how many of us are there vs how many of them (them being the unexperienced or unresearched?)

Sorry if this is a silly question...I guess I really really can't imagine not knowing what i was getting myself into...

How many of us vs them? Just look at all of the people, standing in the longggg stand by line, who are giving you the evil eye as you breeze through the FP line.

 

[LubsPoohBear]

when i when in july i had no clue as to anything or what or where to go .... i was robbed at gun point and locked in the frig. at work in june and said desided it was time to take my dds i had promised them for years that i would take them but never did after being robbed i desided ( this was the secound time in a year) life was to short and to live for the now not tomorrow. i had been saving but can't take it with you when u go so. as you can see from my sig. 2 more trips and this time i know what im doing thanks to yall and the UG

 

[jemiaule]

My mom and I were discussing this very thing last week when we were at WDW. We went right after Thanksgiving so the crowds were light - however dinner ressies were hard to come by if you had not planned ahead.

One night at Alfredos we over heard one family having a big snit saying to the CM "why are all these people that came after us getting seated first". The poor CM then went into explaining ADR.

We go to WDW two or three times a year and I am always "researching". Shows may change, rides may be down for refurbishment and, if you are lucky, something new may be opening too!

I guess one could compare it to visiting another country almost. I wouldn't go to Japan without doing a lot of research on where to stay, how to get around, what to see and where to eat. I see no difference with WDW.

 

[Rhaine78]

How many of us vs them? Just look at all of the people, standing in the longggg stand by line, who are giving you the evil eye as you breeze through the FP line.

Ahhhh so true! I was thinking the same exact thing. I thought it was just me at first, but then I realized, no these people have no idea what's going on. Last Nov/04 was my first trip to WDW or any major park for that matter. I absolutely loved it! Luckily my now DH was/is an excellent planner, and knew all about FP from a previous trip. It was awesome!

 

[mom0299]

My BIL and fiance are going on their honeymoon in March. My DH and I have tried to tell them what needs to be done, but they don't really think it's necessary to plan.

I have seen many people who seem so angry and I think they couldn't have planned or they would have expected the crowds, etc..

 

[Rhaine78]

My BIL and fiance are going on their honeymoon in March. My DH and I have tried to tell them what needs to be done, but they don't really think it's necessary to plan.

I have seen many people who seem so angry and I think they couldn't have planned or they would have expected the crowds, etc..

Well, we can only do so much! If they don't want to believe it, so be it. I say, if you have your heart set on going for a meal at a certain place, might as well make an ADR and not worry about it. We have quite a few ADR's.. we're on the DDP...first time ever using it.. I'm hoping it work out ok. Even things as simple as checking out which parks have the EMH and stuff.. all that info does help you out with your trip..and minimizes stress. Heck when we went 2 years ago, I had no stress whatsoever. A little planning goes a long way. Knowing what the crowds could be like, is another thing to prepare yourself for...if you're not used to it....it can be a little overwhelming.

3 more days!

 

[lpandorf]

I took my daughter (4 at the time) for a mother daughter trip in 2004. I had not been since I was a kid when there was just the MK and Poly and CR. Saw some specials on the hotels on their website and cheap flights so off we went. Booked the trip 3 weeks before we left, had never heard about the disboards, allears, mousesavers etc or realized the wealth of information out there. I have to say we still had a great time, except for one night. It was October and we had no idea there was a Halloween party or that they shut the parks down at 7pm unless you buy a ticket. So we arrive mid-afternoon with the plans to spend the evening there and find out about the party. Very disappointing. But we had park hoppers so went to another park so all was not lost. Then in 2005 we went and still did not know about disboards and stupidly paid rack rate. Then found this and saw I could at the very least get a AAA membership. Through here I've also learned about so many extra nice things to do and many tips about where to stay and what to do.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

I don't know how people go anywhere without research. There were many times during our trip that I wanted to correct people, but DH said not to.

Example: We were on the express monorail and and a passenger was telling his friend that it was lucky they were staying onsite or else they wouldn't be able to use the monorail; they would have to take the ferry to MK.

 

[Maine-iac]

I don't know how people go anywhere without research. There were many times during our trip that I wanted to correct people, but DH said not to.

Example: We were on the express monorail and and a passenger was telling his friend that it was lucky they were staying onsite or else they wouldn't be able to use the monorail; they would have to take the ferry to MK.

Yup that is when you sit there trying to keep your mouth shut and just roll your eyes.