Do the majority of people you know research their trips?

[WendyMichaelJohn]

Do you think most people plan their WDW trips the way DISers do, researching everything and planning park days around the crowds, etc? Or do you think most people arrive at MCO and then their resort with not a bit of planning beyond that?

Shel

 

[Goofy4]

Somewhere in the middle, but more on the "less" side.. There seems to be a lot of "Fall Breakers" in our area this year, and we've found that many people are doing very little planning. As in.. "I'm going to Disney in 2 weeks, where do you think I should stay?"

 

[scubamouse]

half the fun of going is planning!!!

but I think a lot of people spend very little time planning.

 

[WendyMichaelJohn]

Somewhere in the middle, but more on the "less" side.. There seems to be a lot of "Fall Breakers" in our area this year, and we've found that many people are doing very little planning. As in.. "I'm going to Disney in 2 weeks, where do you think I should stay?"

Oh WOW! I was thinking that choosing your resort 3 months beforehand was minimal planning!

 

[dixiedizfan]

I think most people don't plan beyond their hotel and how long they'll be there. Since I don't work anymore, I have lots of time to research our trips. Most people either don't have the time, or won't take the time.

 

[kelleigh1]

Agreed...for the most part people do some planning, but not to the extent that we do here. In fact, I probably don't plan as much as some of the crazy folks around these parts.

When we went to Disney the first time, I bought my sister a planning book and she did some research, but still not to the level that I've seen some people do here.

I also think that the level of planning also depends on what time of year you're going. I'd imagine that going during peak times will require more planning so that you can see and do everything you want. While going during value season will allow a more leisurely pace.

 

[leighe]

Lord no. Most people I know go to Disney once or twice when their kids are little and think I'm an absolute freak for how much I know about Disney. Of course, then when they want to know how we can afford to go so often I say, "Well, it's because I'm a planning freak and I know all the secrets you don't."

 

[mjh8955]

I run into very few people who have actually heard of all these awesome websites. I tell people about them and later I find out that if they did get around to looking at them, they were overwhelmed by the information and gave up. I think there are planners in this world (I'm one of them) and then the group that doesn't have that skill set.

I remember being at a softball picnic once, sitting just down from a couple who had won an all-expense paid vacation to WDW. I had to hold my tongue when I heard them describe what a lousy time they had. They stood in line for almost an hour to see Ariel, and were furious when they found out it wasn't a ride. They were clueless. I don't think they had guides to the parks or anything. Clearly they had done nothing in the way of planning other than how to get to the airport. Boy did the wrong people ever win that trip!

For me, the planning is almost more fun than the trip. Our first family trip to WDW 8 years ago my husband allowed ONE DAY only, tacked on to the end of a trip to the beach. He was not at all excited about going. I planned a Character Breakfast at the castle to get us in to the park early (Cinderella planted lipstick on my 7-year-old son's cheek and he didn't want to wash it off all day!), I made sure we planned every single activity that I thought we would enjoy, I alternated rides with quiet and air conditioned attractions so no one would get too hot or too cranky. I shared interesting trivia facts with them throughout the day to keep the magic going. We literally saw and did every single thing that we wanted to do only because I had used these boards to optimize the experience. And my husband grudgingly admitted that it was the best vacation day we had ever had and thanked me for all the planning I did.

My worst nightmare would be go to WDW and stand there with a bunch of people all going "Where do you want to go next? ...I don't know, where do YOU want to go next?... I don't know, what do you feel like doing..." AARGGGGhhhh

 

[maxaroni]

No, not really. Some seem to do a little research by buying one guidebook but others, just go and 'wing it'. I'm not as intense as some but these boards have become invaluable...

I can't imagine going without having any clue

 

[surfer_ed]

Most I know don't really plan,...maybe just pick up the guide book. By planning we have been able to go lots of times and never had to wait long for rides. Because a these non-planners show up at 11:00, try to wing it and don't know how to use the FP, us planners seem to do better.

They also pay big $$ on some promotion or something, think athey are getting a deal and go for it. Most have a good time but view Disney as a once in a kids life sort of thing becuase of the crowds and expenses.

 

[Drizzo67]

Of all our family and friends who travel to WDW with some frequency I alone am the only one who plans in great detail. Planning our third trip this year has the added pressure of having extended family join us. We have agreed on having dinner together each night and not having to stay side by side throughout each park. Little pressure off......

My friends often say I should plan their days for them and I have helped a few plan ADR's etc.

 

[mommaU4]

I think the ones who spend alot of time planning are the ones who just love all things Disney and can't get enough of it. Like me! My aunt thinks I'm crazy for doing all the planning and research that I do. But she doesn't understand that for me it's a joy. Planning or thinking about my trip everyday gives me the little Disney fix I need. Of the people that don't plan alot, I'd be curious to know how many are kicking themselves for NOT planning more.

 

[SquirtsMom]

My sister and her family decided on a last minute trip this past June. I offered to share information that I have picked up on the DIS as well as other information I gathered through all of the fantastic websites available to help us plan (Our December trip has been planned for almost a year). She booked her room and made one ADR...that was it! Needless to say, they missed their character breakfast and only hit 4 attractions per park because it was too hot and crowded. They spent all that money to go to WDW and spent more time outside of the world than in. No wonder she isn't crazy about going more than once every 5 years!

 

[funcinderella]

Doesn't it kill you to hear a friend or family member mention going to WDW, and how hot is is, and all of the lines, etc. and totally have to bite your tongue? I give them one chance to get advice; either they jump on it or they don't but some people don't want any advice, so I leave it alone after the first offer. But I still have to grit my teeth to keep my mouth shut.

I want so much to help them, but they think they know it all (but still call the MK "Disney World")

Unlike me who really does know it all

hee hee

 

[kmc33]

Do you think most people plan their WDW trips the way DISers do, researching everything and planning park days around the crowds, etc?

Some, if they are lucky enough to be friends of a DISer, just the DISer for tips and/or help.

It's okay with me, I enjoy helping to plan, even when it's a trip for someone else.

 

[mommaU4]

"I want so much to help them, but they think they know it all (but still call the MK "Disney World")"

That is a huge pet peeve of mine! People are asking me what day of our trip we are going to Disneyworld. I tell them everyday we are there we are at DW, but we are going to AK this day, etc. Even after I have explained it to some of them over and over they don't get it. Oh well.

 

[Holly]

No! I try to tell them, but they don't listen.

 

[jann1033]

i think a few might read a guide book and that's it( guessing not to many cause they are always "in" at the library), some totally wing it( just look at the funniest comments thread) and a few "detail oriented" ones like me plan plan plan

i find it somewhat hard to imagine and really funny but some people do not like to plan anything...ie my youngest daughter's boyfriend just told her she plans to much( & her idea of planning is deciding at 5 pm to go to dinner at 6 pm & at 5:45 what rest.to go to ) and he is going with us next trip... while my other daughter is even more of an organizer than me... so this trip might just be a doozy !

if you read the thread about the frommers lady who according to her did all sorts of "research'' yet remained pretty clueless, that might be a hint of how much they really do.

"mjh8955...My worst nightmare would be go to WDW and stand there with a bunch of people all going "Where do you want to go next? ...I don't know, where do YOU want to go next?... I don't know, what do you feel like doing..." AARGGGGhhhh"

been there..had a plan but they didn't want to do it "that way " and it was murder..well it would have been had the trip lasted another 2 daysand my disney days would have been over due to my incarceration

 

[Drizzo67]

"I want so much to help them, but they think they know it all (but still call the MK "Disney World")"

That is a huge pet peeve of mine! People are asking me what day of our trip we are going to Disneyworld. I tell them everyday we are there we are at DW, but we are going to AK this day, etc. Even after I have explained it to some of them over and over they don't get it. Oh well. [/QUOTE]


Momma - That is one of the things that gets under my skin so bad about Disney. People just don't take the time to find out anything about it. As a child I never knew of "Disney World" it was only Magic Kingdom. The only place that started with Disney was Disneyland in CA. Yup, Disneyland, CA and Magic Kingdom, FL.(well, until EPCOT, then MGM and AK, you get the drift.)

 

[madgomez]

I swear I read some sort of research or poll somewhere a few years back that said only a small percent of folks do any real planning for WDW. Sorry I have no recollection where I read that, but I seem to remember it was something like 10%. Or maybe I dreamed the whole thing.

But I think I did read it - it would make sense. If a large % of folks did any real planning, then who would it be standing in all those lines, wandering around with no ADR, etc.

Some folks don't care. My friend is going with her family, sharing her brother's timeshare with his family. Well, DB knows enuf to get up and out early - my friend and her family meet them later and DB says "But we've already done eight attractions..." But my friend just doesn't care - it's more important for her DH to sleep late on vacation. So even tho they've been several times, they still won't plan anything. And that works for them.

But not for us!