do people really go to WDW without researching

[Karnak]

.. we're going for 18 days..

I would have trouble planning an 18 day visit to Walt Disney World that would keep me occupied for that many days. I just finished a five night trip, last week, at the French Quarter, and did almost everything major in the parks, including almost all of the shows and six of the top resturants. If I had added the two dinner shows, and the circus downtown, I could have used a couple more days I guess.

The OP didn't say, but I would guess that some of those days will be used for other places of interest in Central Florida like Universal and Seaworld.

In any case, I hope y'all have a great time down here.

Enjoy.

 

[jamimb]

The first time me and my husband went to WDW back in 98 we just decided to go and left the next day without any research, any plan, any dining reservations or anything(we were also at the time the only people we knew who had ever been) We get there and are thinking "What is all the hype about" That trip we thought Walt Disney World was a joke. It was too hot and too crowded. Our first day we went to the Magic Kingdom and the only thing we rode the whole day was pirates and that was after an hour wait (I think it was before fastpass) we didnt even stay for the fireworks (not even sure we knew about them) anyway in 2004 we decided to give it another go but this time with our 2 girls. That time I read every book and website I could get my hands on. We had all our dining ressies before we left(Some hard to get ones I might add) and a complete itinerary. I had even memorized the park layouts using old park maps. Anyway we had the absolute time of our lives. When it comes to disney knowledge really is power. I now consider it my life mission to educate everyone I know about Disney. I know from first hand experience it makes a huge difference!!!!!!
W

 

[Rhaine78]

I would have trouble planning an 18 day visit to Walt Disney World that would keep me occupied for that many days. I just finished a five night trip, last week, at the French Quarter, and did almost everything major in the parks, including almost all of the shows and six of the top resturants. If I had added the two dinner shows, and the circus downtown, I could have used a couple more days I guess.

The OP didn't say, but I would guess that some of those days will be used for other places of interest in Central Florida like Universal and Seaworld.

In any case, I hope y'all have a great time down here.

Enjoy.

Not a chance! In my first post I did mention that we were going to Sea World and Kennedy Space Center. We're also going to Universal...have had ADR's since the first day we could...everything is planned, but not overplanned...we still have room to play with.. which is nice...we are going to Cirque...we saw it the first time we went to WDW.. and love it! It will be a great time!

 

[Disney Sue]

The first year DS and I went (2003) we hadn't done any planning or research !!!

Guess who decided one lunchtime that it would be nice to have Dinner with Mickey ? I mentioned it to DS(6 at the time) who was really excited about the idea.

So we wandered up to Liberty Tree Tavern and asked for a reservation for that same evening ...

and......

we got one !!!

I didn't recognise at the time how lucky we were. Now (Thanks to DIS ) I realise that there must have been a huge amount of pixie dust in the air that day.

We're going again in August, and we've already got some basic plans of what ADR's we want to book.

 

[MouseGirl]

I'm just so glad that the DISboards are here, and that people are willing to share their tips and hints for a fun visit to WDW. I researched like a madwoman before our 2002 and 2005 trips, using these boards and the UG, and everyone in our family marvelled at how many rides we got to go on and said that the research obviously paid off. Now we get asked for information by friends and family planning WDW trips, and we're more than happy to share to help them have good trips too!

I still think back to our March 2005 trip and the comment I heard from a lady in line at the margarita stand in World Showcase at Epcot. We had arrived at Epcot before the park opened and had been on all the rides we wanted to see before it got insanely crowded, then headed over the World Showcase. Time for a leisurely margarita...

This woman was standing in line a couple of people behind me and complaining loudly to her friend about what a ripoff WDW was, how she was so mad at having to spend 2 hours in line for Test Track, and how they were hardly getting to go on any rides!! Her experience made me say a silent thanks for the DIS, let me tell you!

MouseGirl

 

[mom*to*2*princesses]

I am a admitted planoholic, but this is the first time I'm really doing any big research. We haven't been back since 1999 and this is the first time we're taking little kids.

The first few times that we went to WDW, it was simply a different place. Heck, at the end of one day in December 1999 we decided at the last minute that we would like to eat at Cinderella Castle. Went in to ask and were seated not 5 minutes later. When we were done with supper all of the crowds were gone from Main Street and we enjoyed a glorious walk in an uncrowded World. Talk about magic!

Now it's different and we're smarter. I'm a very happy TGM follower and I'm looking forward to being where the crowds AREN'T!!

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

A guy I work with is going with his family and his two brothers and their families in July. They have not done a thing. He wanted his little girl to have breakfast at the Castle. I keep telling them they need to call the first day they are able to book but he doesn't believe me. I have tried and tried to get them to start reading the boards and start making some reservations but they are waiting until the spring. I finally gave up and have decided to stop talking about it but when they come back and if they start complaining I will be the first one to tell them "I told you so"

 

[MiniGirl]

Okay, I know I'm in the minority, but I have done very little planning for any of our numerous trips, and we always have a great time. Our situation is a little different though. We live within 90 minutes of the Mouse and go just about every month. A big trip is when we stay for 2 nights instead of just 1. Most of our trips are done last minute, and I don't even mention that I'm getting that Disney itch until I have reservations in place. That way my girls aren't dissappointed if it turns out we can't go. I must admit though, that I have learned so much from these boards. Now, I do try for a sit down meal if we can get a ressie. If not, we'll try next time. No biggie.

In fact, I just booked a trip for this month. This time I booked far enough in advance that I actually receive my reservation information in the mail. I have been countless times, and I didn't know they sent that stuff out until I had read about it on the DIS. Anyway, we will be at Wilderness Lodge for 1 night on Dec. 20. I've always wanted to stay there at Christmas, and we got a e-mail giving us a great rate.

 

[mamaprincess]

Thank goodness I have never been one of them. To me WDW without research is living on the edge.

 

[AllNamesTaken]

We were just there for 7 nights from 11/9 to 11/16. We had a fabulous trip thanks to these boards and TGM. When we returned I talked to a friend of a friend who was leaving to go the next day. He asked me if I had any advice. I said "get to the park before it opens and make sure to use fastpass to your advantage". He said "what's a fastpass?" !!!!!!!!! I told him flat out that he was doomed!!

 

[Lucky4me]

Our first family trip on site was unresearched. We stayed at OKW and had free 7 day hopper passes compliments of my sisters DVC promo. It was magical and the beginning of my Disney addiction.
Though I will say once we got there, I read everything I could get my hands on.

 

[dominia_1979]

Yes!

My aunt brought my 9 year old cousin the weekend before Thanksgiving. She did ZERO research, made no ADR's, and complained that they couldn't eat at any of the TS's. She also complained that the wait times were really long. The longest they waited for a ride was 20 minutes for Soarin'.

I couldn't help it...I had to laugh

 

[comicguy]

I am the family and school(I am a teacher) guru for all stuff WDW related. People ask me to explain this or that and also sometimes come up with some sample plans and such as well as prices. I do all of this free of charge and people still complain that they did not see much or do much but yet when I ask them did they follow the general outline that I gave them, they said that "they wanted to wing it" , my resopnse is "why did you ask for help if you were not going to use?"

These same people moan and groan when they here I am going yet again and simply can not understand how I could have a great time at WDW!!! They always say I did not see that, or there was no magic like in the commercials, etc...

I guess we are really a small minority when it comes to the parks population numbers.

 

[Amirah95]

It's sad, but true. I can't imagine going anywhere (vacation) w/o doing any research. I would feel so lost.

 

[Mo-Yo]

I am guilty as charged.

My husband and I lived in Orlando for a year when he was in the Navy (15 years ago), and Disney was NOT a priority for us.

We did visit a few times with visiting family...but we never planned. I can say that we liked "barhopping" around Epcot and Illuminations. We caught MGM one time in January, and we enjoyed the low crowds.

We had a horrendous spring break MK experience, though. We arrived late and hit long lines for food and attractions...and there wasn't a single spot to grab a beer.

I spent most of the day humming with my brother-in-law, "Be our guest, be our guest, put your patience to the test."

Fast forward 12 years...and 3 kids later. I planned like a MOJO, and we had a blast. I try to encourage anybody who goes to buy the UG, check out the boards...and plan, plan, plan.

 

[Minnie0107]

We are going to WDW in 3 days with another couple. (No one has been since childhood) The other couple has been making fun of me for about 3 months b/c I have dinner reservations and an Itinerary made. They just started to try and find ADRs today! The only ones that can get are at 9:30 or nothing at all! To say the least they are not happy. Also, they think they will be walking places from their resort. I have tried to tell them but they think I am the crazy one. Unfortunately, they are in for a rude awaking.

 

[j_lehr]

Yes there are quite a few grumpys in the parks. When DH and I went for our first WDW trip in Nov 04 we heard a lot of griping from people around. Usually when waiting for the bus, which really isn't so bad. It's all about perspective I think. My DH and I are of the belief that it's a holiday, relax, take it all in. Most people I find don't give themselves enough time to even enjoy the holiday. Our first trip was 10 days... I would bet the average person goes for 4-5 days.... that's just not enough time...you would have to rush... We leave this Sun for our honeymoon at WDW ..can hardly wait.. we're going for 18 days.. and it's going to be glorious!

Congrats on your wedding and honeymoon! 18 days - I'm so jealous!! Unfortunately, I would never be able to get my boyfriend to go to Disney for that many days in a row.

We are only going for 5 days at Christmas time, it was all the time we could get off from work plus we can only go when DD is out of school. But we are prepared for the crowds and are looking forward to enjoying what time we have. I think the key to having a good time if you don't have much time is to not expect to be able to do everything. I have been to Disney before (back in 2000 so kind of a long time ago) and I know we will go back so I am not worried about the things I don't get to do.

Congrats again!
Jes

 

[j_lehr]

I booked our trip last year and then found the dis boards. We would have been a miserable family. I didnt know about ADRs, or anything. We would have slept untill 9am and wandered around like lost souls.

That is how i found out about the Dis boards orginally. We booked our first trip (our first overnight trip) and then I started to do research and I found these boards. We went during a low-attendance time but I still learned a lot here and I was so grateful. I even think my family was impressed. But I guess that is why I can't imagine people who don't research...it was the first thing I thought to do when we decided to go to Disney.

Thanks!
Jes

 

[dgaston]

If you can call it research, I did read Birnbaum prior to our first trip in 88. Back then I learned you could swim at other pools and the kids swam at the Poly, even though we were staying at FW in the old Fleetwood Trailers. Watching DD then 5 light up and tremble as Mickey came over to greet her at the Empress Lily (Fulton's to newer folk) at the Character Breakfast firmly dusted me with the magic. She doesn't remember, but I own the Polaroid! We even saw Donald waterskiing behind Goofy's boat while on the ferry to MK. My how things have changed.

I research a lot -- even for our Hawaii cruise last summer. It's hard for me to imagine spending large sums of money and not knowing something about the destination.

 

[Rhaine78]

Congrats on your wedding and honeymoon! 18 days - I'm so jealous!! Unfortunately, I would never be able to get my boyfriend to go to Disney for that many days in a row.

We are only going for 5 days at Christmas time, it was all the time we could get off from work plus we can only go when DD is out of school. But we are prepared for the crowds and are looking forward to enjoying what time we have. I think the key to having a good time if you don't have much time is to not expect to be able to do everything. I have been to Disney before (back in 2000 so kind of a long time ago) and I know we will go back so I am not worried about the things I don't get to do.

Congrats again!
Jes

Thanks so much!

That is true.. if you realize from the beginning that you might not get to do everything you want to do, ok.. but some of these grumpys are impatient and selfish.. at least the ones I've come across.. and they run around with chickens with their heads cut off and don't see everything, and what's more sad, is that they don't appreciate or take in what they have seen. I'd rather be happy! : )