Has going to WDW gotten too complicated?

[WolfpackFan]

I've been browsing a number of different message boards this afternoon as well as read a couple of trip reports and it occured to me that taking a trip to WDW these days has sure gotten a lot more complicated than it used to be. I keep reading about using touring plans, TGM (whatever that is), having to be at a specific park at a specific time to get on a ride, using dining plans, calling on certain dates to get a reservation, calling for dining times, using smartphone apps, etc. DD32 was telling me a little while ago that Disney is even looking into some kind of ride reservation system (other than FP). Am I the only one who thinks all this is getting way too complicated? Whatever happened to just going to WDW and having fun and leaving your worries at home? Maybe I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill, but reading some of this stuff on the message boards, really makes me wish for the old days.

 

[Tea4Alice]

I've been browsing a number of different message boards this afternoon as well as read a couple of trip reports and it occured to me that taking a trip to WDW these days has sure gotten a lot more complicated than it used to be. I keep reading about using touring plans, TGM (whatever that is), having to be at a specific park at a specific time to get on a ride, using dining plans, calling on certain dates to get a reservation, calling for dining times, using smartphone apps, etc. DD32 was telling me a little while ago that Disney is even looking into some kind of ride reservation system (other than FP). Am I the only one who thinks all this is getting way too complicated? Whatever happened to just going to WDW and having fun and leaving your worries at home? Maybe I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill, but reading some of this stuff on the message boards, really makes me wish for the old days.

Ditto

 

[disneynutz]

Too many people and not enough space has caused the need to pre-plan if you don't want to deal with the crowds and a hour plus wait for the best attractions. With Disney's announcement of the billion dollar reservation system it's clear that they have decided on not building a 5th park to ease the congestion.

If you don't mind the park/resort crowds and not eating where you want, when you want, then no planning is necessary.

Bill

 

[disneydenisel]

I actually read in the paper today that Disneyland has been working on a ride reservation system that you book your times before you leave home! I can't imagine being so scheduled out that I would ever use that system, but maybe there is a demand for that kind of thing ?

We do things the old-fashioned way. We book our home resort, book our airfare, schedule our DME transfers, and maybe order groceries? Then we just show up and eat whenever we are hungry and get to the parks whenever we are ready. We actually show up at the parks late compared to others (since we are from the West Coast, we are still asleep until 10 or 11 am most mornings in FL), and just go where we feel like going. We have never had a touring plan, except usually we just have to figure out which park(s) we want to visit the night before.

It probably can be complicated and planned out, but it doesn't have to be. It's our vacation, so we prefer to be a bit impromptu once we get there, but I can also see how folks who are timely and organized would want everything set for them, including great dining reservations . There's something for everyone!

 

[WolfpackFan]

I think my main concern is that if you DO NOT do these things you are really going to be left out in the cold, so to speak. I know I've a had a real hard time getting some dining reservations (like Le Cellier).

 

[FigmentLady]

I think my main concern is that if you DO NOT do these things you are really going to be left out in the cold, so to speak. I know I've a had a real hard time getting some dining reservations (like Le Cellier).

On the plus side Le Cellier will be easier to get in a few weeks. I was able to book a dinner less than 6 weeks in advance thanks to the new 2 table service credit change. I just hope that the food is worth it, which it prob won't be but we'll see what happens.

As for the OP, I think a big issue is the message boards (which I LOVE). If you didn't know about the message boards, you'd just go on your vacation and have a good time and not stress about it, but b/c the message boards tell you to panic and worry you do. (I don't mean you specifically OP i mean the universal you) The same thing happens with weddings... there is a very popular wedding planning board that brides use in my area, and SO MANY of them have said after their wedding that they wish they never knew about the boards b/c the boards stressed them out more than they needed to and they spent more money than they wanted/needed to because the got wrapped up in the boards...

 

[WolfpackFan]

On the plus side Le Cellier will be easier to get in a few weeks. I was able to book a dinner less than 6 weeks in advance thanks to the new 2 table service credit change. I just hope that the food is worth it, which it prob won't be but we'll see what happens.

Well see this is what I'm talking about. I have absolutely no idea what this 2 table service credit thing is. Is this something I need to know about to get a Le Cellier reservation? Plus a lot of these things seem to change a lot. For example, when you can make a reservation for where? You really have to stay on top of these things or you could miss out big time. I know I read the boards everyday and still have trouble keeping up. What about the poor fellow who has no clue about these boards or planning ahead. I wonder how many people have missed riding TSM by not knowing they have to be at HS at rope drop to get a FP. And that is just one example. Don't get me wrong we still love WDW and our DVC ownership and I have no solutions, but it sure is complicated.

 

[WDWMom]

I actually read in the paper today that Disneyland has been working on a ride reservation system that you book your times before you leave home! I can't imagine being so scheduled out that I would ever use that system, but maybe there is a demand for that kind of thing ?

We do things the old-fashioned way. We book our home resort, book our airfare, schedule our DME transfers, and maybe order groceries? Then we just show up and eat whenever we are hungry and get to the parks whenever we are ready. We actually show up at the parks late compared to others (since we are from the West Coast, we are still asleep until 10 or 11 am most mornings in FL), and just go where we feel like going. We have never had a touring plan, except usually we just have to figure out which park(s) we want to visit the night before.

It probably can be complicated and planned out, but it doesn't have to be. It's our vacation, so we prefer to be a bit impromptu once we get there, but I can also see how folks who are timely and organized would want everything set for them, including great dining reservations . There's something for everyone!

I could have written this minus the groceries (we go buy ours) and the west coast as we are on the east.

 

[WDWMom]

Too many people and not enough space has caused the need to pre-plan if you don't want to deal with the crowds and a hour plus wait for the best attractions. With Disney's announcement of the billion dollar reservation system it's clear that they have decided on not building a 5th park to ease the congestion.

If you don't mind the park/resort crowds and not eating where you want, when you want, then no planning is necessary.

Bill

Not necessarily. We never plan or do ADR's and we always eat where we want. Never once had a problem.

 

[csharpwv]

Plus - I think people are far more particular than they used to be - and have very high expectations.
PLUS - I think some people just LIKE to make things more complicated!
Not in offense to anyone - but some people no NOT like to live on a whim - or be spontaneous. Life is full of enough unexpected changes, and some people just can't handle that - so they plan their vacation to be completely unexpected.
However, just in my opinion - that takes a little bit of the magic out of it!

I like to live on the edge - what can I say! LOL

I have this insight, due to my wife being one of THOSE people LOL

 

[FindingFigment]

All of those 'things' that have complicated the process are mostly just tools to help you navigate the crowd. I am one that likes to go during low season but most people on Dis will tell you there really isn't a low season anymore. There are some times that are less busy but gone are the days where you can count on picking a date and knowing you'll be able to walk onto every ride. So, on one hand the crowd is good (longevity for Disney) but on the other hand it's bad because you've either got to wait more or use the tools to help reduce your wait time.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

Not necessarily. We never plan or do ADR's and we always eat where we want. Never once had a problem.

I am interested how you are able to eat where ever you want without ADRs. This was my primary complaint on our last trip in January, a so called low season. The restaurants were packed. We did have ADRs but wanted to change some last minute (day of) and were not able to get near several restaurants. I think that having to book meals 180 days out is ridiculous, but like others have mentioned, if you don't, you're left out in the cold.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Our last trip we had the DxDDP. For various reasons, we had to change several of the ADR's. The changes were always on the day of reservation, only a few hours before our desired time, an always changed at the concierge counter. We ALWAYS got a new time. And at times where the website said no availability. I've come to the conclusion tables are withheld from the online reservation system. I am not making any ADR's in the future and will take the luck of the draw when we walk up to the restaraunt.

 

[nunzia]

I've been browsing a number of different message boards this afternoon as well as read a couple of trip reports and it occured to me that taking a trip to WDW these days has sure gotten a lot more complicated than it used to be. I keep reading about using touring plans, TGM (whatever that is), having to be at a specific park at a specific time to get on a ride, using dining plans, calling on certain dates to get a reservation, calling for dining times, using smartphone apps, etc. DD32 was telling me a little while ago that Disney is even looking into some kind of ride reservation system (other than FP). Am I the only one who thinks all this is getting way too complicated? Whatever happened to just going to WDW and having fun and leaving your worries at home? Maybe I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill, but reading some of this stuff on the message boards, really makes me wish for the old days.

I think this is part of the the reason that I just so much prefer DLR (among others) and can't seem to ever find the time to return to WDW. DLR has almost as many rides, and some things WDW doesn't have but where it really shines is in the EASE of just enjoying yourself without added stress. I go to Disney to get away from stress not add to it. All those stinkin busses, park hopping can take forever not minutes, all those different restaurants sound wonderful but HAVING to decide where to eat and when and make sure you get on your bus in enough time to get there...lalalalalala...sounds like such a headache. I think Disney is beginning to recognize this (didn't the whole free dining thing start all this and also homogenize the restaurants to a degree?) and look for ways to make some changes in the future. DLR doesn't even really have a dining plan (or as many interesting restaurants, to be fair) but you can easily find a fairly decent place to et on the fly and if you decied something in DCA sounds fun you just take a few minute walk and voila! you are there...WDW neeeds to do something to make it a relaxing place again, IMO

 

[dianeschlicht]

Not necessarily. We never plan or do ADR's and we always eat where we want. Never once had a problem.

We have been doing the same thing, and we usually get to do everything we want as well. Especially since we find Disney food has definitely regressed in quality from what it used to be. No need to spend the extra bucks on mediocre food. We now have some really fantastic off site places we like.

 

[Brian Noble]

Do you *have to* do all of those things? Not really. It's perfectly possible to have a great trip to WDW by just following your nose. But, as you gain experience visiting, you learn that some approaches lead to an easier time than others. And, for some, the planning is a way to keep thinking "vacation" even when they are not there.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I am interested how you are able to eat where ever you want without ADRs. This was my primary complaint on our last trip in January, a so called low season. The restaurants were packed. We did have ADRs but wanted to change some last minute (day of) and were not able to get near several restaurants. I think that having to book meals 180 days out is ridiculous, but like others have mentioned, if you don't, you're left out in the cold.

I'm not WDW mom, but we too have gone to not making ADRs the last two trips, and we've not had any trouble as long as we know we need to go at "off" times to our favorites. For example: We show up at Teppan Edo right near the end of the noon serving times (3-4). For the resort venues, we show up at the earliest time. For example: We love Artist Point and Jiko. We went to each at 5:30 and got in right away at both. We also did Turf Club in January with a group of 8 with no reservations at 5:30 and got right in.

I refuse to plan my meals 6 months in advance! I also refuse to plan my ride schedule in advance! We have learned how to work the system, by going to the parks early and doing the popular things right after rope drop. We've been able to make a game of getting on TSMM 3 times in a row and be done with it by 10:00. I certainly hope they don't ever get a ride reservation system up and running, because I'd probably have to find somewhere else to vacation. To me it isn't a vacation if I have to run by such a rigid schedule.

 

[mdsd8700]

For me planning is part of the vacation. I love sitting down and figuring out what parks on what days, what ADRs to make and what things we can do on our non park days. I think maybe the first couple of times we went in 1997/1998 it was stressful because it was new and seemed overswhelming. Now planning is simply part of the fun and really gets me in the mood. Although our days are planned for our trip, if anything changes or we feel like doing something different we just go with it. I also have friends/family like others have posted here who don't like to plan and that also works great for them. I thing the key is just some experience under your belt whether you plan a lot or don't. After a few trips you get a feel for what is best for your family.

 

[Cee]

I know for myself, I prefer not to do too much planning. After securing the resort, the airfare and DME, we just fly by the seat of our pants. When we're ready to go to the parks, we get on the first bus that comes and that's where we go. Even if we've been there the day before, we go and then hop some place else. As far as ADRs go....when we're ready to eat, we call WDW-dining and ask what's available and go there. This has allowed us opportunities to try places we might not otherwise have tried. Also, I've found that it's necessary to be flexible. If I call, and they tell me that Yachtsman Steakhouse has a 5:30 and it's 5:00, we grab our appetites and go.

 

[cman]

I think it depends on when you go and how many people you go with. Our trips usually have 8+ people and we go during peak and non-peak times.

As far as ADR's go you aren't going to walk up with 8 people and get a table between 5-7pm at any good restaurant during peak season. You can probably call reservations and get a table at some restaurant but probably not the one you want. Part of our trips is to regroup at the end of the day and have a good meal together. For some people that doesn't matter - for us it does.

If you're going during peak season picking the right park to go to will probably mean the difference of waiting in line <30 minutes at one park and >60 at another. I have no problem planning a bit and letting people jam up the other parks so we can have a relatively easy day.

I agree with the person that says that planning is part of the fun. We're not commando planners but we do decide what park and where to eat each day as part of the planning we do. If something changes then we go with the flow but we do have a plan to start with.

We go to WDW every 2 or 3 years and these trips mean a lot to our family. I'll do whatever planning I have to do to make sure it's as close to perfect as possible.