Does this monorail go to...

[mickeyluv'r]

It's not a matter of being a glazed-eyed, obsessive DISboards planner, or even just a matter of Walt Disney World. I can't fathom how someone (who isn't filthy rich) can spend a few thousand dollars (or even a few hundred dollars) on anything without doing some simple, basic research into what they're purchasing. Especially in the age of the interwebs. It's hard to have a lot of sympathy for such people when things go bad for them.

But this is not everyone who goes to WDW. Orlando gets thousands of business travelers every day. (The Orange Coutny CC alone has over 8,200 parking spaces!) Many travelers find themselves with an unexpected free day. Maybe a speaker got cancelled, maybe their flight got delayed, maybe they can't get a same day flight, maybe they only found out about the trip two days in advance....

Once we were in WDW during Daytona 500 week. A HUGE snowstorm hit the upper states. They happen in the winter. MK was inundated with thousands of Daytona folks who had no plan to go to WDW, but suddenly found themselves stuck in the area for two extra days. The crowds in the park were crazy.


And that's not the only time that's happened, just the most notable.

I get what you are saying, but not everyone who goes to WDW falls into the category of 'family that goes for a week with a year of advance time to plan.'


*****
You don't have to be super rich to take a non pre-planned vacation. Taking a 'walkabout' or 'backpacking' vacation is actually quite popular in many places. In Europe, it's actually very common to see youth backpacking to what ever city whim happens to take them that day. You don't need advance booking to get a room in hotel, or a ride on an overnight train. If you are biking, you may not know how far you can bike in a day. About all you need to plan is your budget and your means of transportation. Many folks consider such vacations to be a right of passage. Honestly, I think many youth hostels don't take advance reservations.


And it's pretty easy to do such a vaction on a shoestring budget with minimal planning. You can even fly 'standby,' so when you get low on $, you hop on the next flight home. It's actually a great technique to learn how to budget. The more careful they are with their money, the longer they get to vacation.

I take day trips with minimal planning several times a year. If I want to go for a weekend, I just need to find the nearest chain hotel (I like Hampton) the rooms, quality, and food are quite standard, and quite reasonable.

I also would like to add, I can SO easily apply what I know about WDW to almost ANY similar vacation destination. Any type of museum, theme park, etc - the same basic rules apply. I consider myself quite universally skilled at dodging big attraction lines. Here's a super simple one- most folks aim to eat lunch at noon. Most places, you can dine as late as 4:30pm and still get then lunch menu! without the crowds! It's really not that hard to find the e-rides in any given park. Usually there's a GIANT billboard announing it.

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Now as for using common sense while traveling, that's another matter together. No amount of planning will save someone who doesn't have enough sense to keep their wits about them. Lots of folks cross the road in their own neighborhood without looking both ways- you know what I mean?

 

[DisLee]

I will ALWAYS call it the "WEDway PeopleMover."


me too. I have never called it anthing else, ever.

 

[ChristineOH]

I have a feeling that my BFs family are going to be some of these people. They're going in July for his cousin's sweet 16 and it will be the first trip for all that are going and these people don't plan anything.

I on the other hand already have my parks and ADRs picked for my vacation in August (the BFs first time!... and my 6th) and have given him a crash course in all things Disney World. Halfway through, he turns and looks at me and says "I'm so glad we didn't choose to go with my family. They're gonna be so lost."

I just don't get the people who blindly go into every situation. Even the ones they have total control over...

Please make sure your BF's family at least understands fast passes! I think that's the most key bit of info anyone going to Disney needs to understand.

 

[World Showcaser]

On our last trip, my 5 year old DS was correcting people on the bus. This one guy kept saying fast track for test track and then he would say it for fast pass. I don't think the guy appreciated a 5 year old correcting him. But it actually made me happy that I'm training my DS so well on his Disney lingo. I will have a talk to him about maybe not sharing all his knowledge to strangers.

I actually think that's quite rude. But then again, I think it's rude when strangers eavesdrop and correct other people regardless if you're in Disney or not. If my DS3 behaved like that, I would scold him.

WDW was not designed to be researched to death before guests arrive. You aren't supposed to 'see all of it' on your first visit. You are supposed to discover something marvelous, enjoy that moment, treasure it- then come back to WDW.

I agree with you. Part of the fun IS the discovery. However, wouldn't you agree that a teensy-tiny bit of planning won't hurt either?

But who cares? Honestly, why do all you people care if other people plan or not? Just let them enjoy their vacations the way that they choose.