First time cruiser - Can I know too much?

[Mindymom]

I am constantly reading everyones messages on the disboards and have read the Passporters Guide to the Disney Cruise cover to cover.

My sister is afraid that I'll be disappointed when I cruise because not much will be unknown to me.

Will I be let down? I think the planning and antisipation is half the fun.

Mindymom

 

[Cheryl592000]

You will definitly NOT be let down!!

 

[kennancat]

I think it depends entirely on what kind of traveler you are. Before I go on vacation, I get the travel books, research online, talk to people who have been there, etc. I really enjoy the planning almost as much as I enjoy the trip. But that's the kind of person that I am. If that's what you're like too, then I think you'll be fine. My guess is that your sister is more of the "spontaneous" type and can't understand your enjoyment in the planning. No slight meant to her of course - that's in her personality as much as the planning is in yours.

 

[hopelea]

That is what kind of person I am too!!! I Love the planning and the anticipation.

Just remember that things will not always go as planned

Go with the flow when you get there and enjoy every minute of your cruise.

 

[Castillo Mom]

That's what my husband kept warning me about for the 2 years I spent obsessively planning our first trip to WDW that we just recently came back from. I found that no matter what I read or how many pictures I looked at on the internet, nothing can compare to the actual experience. Keep up with the planning and don't worry, you won't be disappointed!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I did the same and read everything else I could get my hands on before our first cruise. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised and humbled to see, even after our second cruise, that there was so much I didn't know and am still learning as I go along. And that's why many keep cruising - there's so much to do you don't get to do it all each trip. Our second cruise seemed to go even faster than the first and I think we did less and just relaxed more than the first time. But it is nice to learn your likes, dislikes and preferences before you go to make the most of your FIRST cruise. I would hate to go unknowing and wish I'd known more.

 

[Karel]

It depends whether you can separate planning vs. expectations. You have to go into it realistically. Everyone's experience is different and the unexpected, like hurricanes, pop up. It's great to know all your options and all the details, but not everything turns out the way you plan. So make plans knowing that things can change.

 

[ericamanda01]

Reading about a Disney cruise and experiencing it are two different things. If I could explain or give out a book on how wonderful it is then all my friends would know why my DH and I love it so much. We don't have kids yet and they just assume that anything Disney is for families. Trust me it will be so much more than you can read about here! Relax and enjoy!

 

[jrabbit]

I don't know if you can "know to much" before you go.

But your expectations can become very much inflated.

On the board you mostly read about how wonderful this thing was and how great the next activity was and how this show is not to be missed. Overall you will be reading about each persons "peak" experiences - so you are getting the best of the best. There are some "negative" reviews of some aspects of DCL. Whenever those pop up you get many others saying how great those "negative" experiences really were.

Bottom line: Plan well, leave room for Magic to happen, beware of expectation inflation and go with the flow when things don't go as planned. Have fun, relax and enjoy!!

 

[thiscloud]

i echo many of the others' sentiments. there's a big difference between knowing "too much" (no such thing, better to be prepared!) and expecting too much (which is quite possible).

for example, reading these boards and the passporter and the guides so you know that you should tackle palo reservations first and the spa and whatever when you board is great information that others who don't have access to it, or worse, don't think they need all this planning information, will be at a disadvantage.

but expecting that you'll DEFINITELY get your top choice at palo or the spa because you have this information and getting upset and making it a "negative" of your cruise would be asking too much; after all, many other people have access to DIS or the passporter and plan their "ressie rush".

plan as much as you can, but try not to be disappointed if things don't go perfectly according to plan.

 

[WDWLVR]

I think everyone has covered it pretty well. My only additional advice. Know what will work for your family. We didn't go to Palo until our 5th cruise. We had a great time when we went but I don't regret that we didn't do it sooner. I don't do things just because others say you "have to". Read and learn about things and then figure out what will make you and your family happiest.

Don't try to do everything and like someone else said - leave some time for the magic to happen!

 

[cutesnoopy]

Reading this forum and seeing pictures definitely helps for the planning. I spent lots of time here to help my planning but I neve felt I was ready. I agree that reading and experiencing is a different story. Actually, my BF and I planned the daily activities until we received the daily navigator. I thought I planned out our exclusions but we changed plans during the trip.

It always help to read everything here. You never know "too much". By reading posts here keeps me very exciting about the trip. Mickey mouse is still running in my head right now.

My suggestion is to gather information here as much as you can. Write down some note and print a copy of what you need. It will help your decision but you don't need to straightly follow what you've planned. Go w/ the flow and your feel during the cruise!

 

[RKB]

I would say that you can never know too much. My first DCL cruise I was clueless. I found the disboards before my second cruise, read the passporter, etc.. my second cruise was so much better because of the knowledge. I am the kind of person though that likes to know what is going on - not into surprises!

 

[Mindymom]

Thanks everyone! I am so excited for our November cruise. Yes, I am the planner, want to know as much as possible.

Good point about "knowing too much" vs. "expecting too much".

I'm so ready to relax and enjoy with my 2 kids.