Helping to Plan a Trip for Non-Disney Family & Don't Want to Freak them Out?

[WaltD4Me]

My SIL's sister and her family, DH, DD 10, DS 8 and DS 6 are going to Disney middle of May. My SIL asked me if I could help them out a bit with planning because she knows what a Disney nut I am and how I plan my trips and she wants them to have a good time.

The thing is, they don't know much of anything about Disney and really aren't grasping the concept of how big it is and that a little planning is needed.

For instance, they want to go to Chef Mickey's. I explained that they should really call and make reservations pretty soon (like really a month ago) and they just could not concieve of making a breakfast reservation 3 1/2 months before their trip.

I was also explaining how EMH mornings/evenings work and how if they are early risers they would probably enjoy the morning EMH, but if they like to sleep in then it might be better to go to the opposite park that is not having an EMH morning and they were a little baffled that they would need a plan and not just wake up in the morning and go to a park. -- Well, of course they COULD do that, but ya know.....

So does anyone have suggestions/ideas for me to give them, that are simple and easy things to make their trip more enjoyable but at the same time won't overwhelm them? -- I actually thought I was already making things pretty simple, but from the glazed looks I've been getting, maybe not.

 

[JenniferW]

What is obvious to one is not to another. I get this all the time explaining it to people. IF you want to keep out of their business, I just refer people to books on Disney and answer questions. If I think someone sincerely WANTS help and will use it here is what I would do...

1. Sit down together and figure out where they are staying so you know about EMH, etc, transport to parks, etc.

2. Ask them how many days/expectations of full days at parks, just mornings, etc.

3. Help them to figure out which is the best park each day/spacing of it. if they aren't early risers then defientely avoid EMH in fact I'd avoid it anyway most of the time. Then, give them the number to call for ressies and see what they want for food.

4. I'd type everything up for them so they know the hours and all the little tricks. I always explain that I think their party should do first thing when they get there and then I leave the rest up to them. ex. Epcot straight to Soarin, MK Dumbo, MGM- RnR, etc.

5. Explain how Fastpass works.

Some people ask for help, but they don't really want it so I would figure that out first since it does take time. If they do want it, hopefully they will appreciate it.

Hope this helps.

Jenn

 

[Marthasor]

I agree with JenniferW. Sometimes people ask for help, but don't really want it. Sometimes people think they want help, but just really want to do it their own way in the long run. And some people have different styles of vacationing. I also agree that the best way to do it is to give your SIL, or refer her to, a really good Disney vacationing book. If she really is interested in planning her trip, she will read it and maybe come back to you with questions. Like many of us, she may have to do her first trip her own way to learn how she wants to plan her second one. and her third, fourth, fifth . . . !! Nothing like showing up at Chef Mickey's without an ADR to learn the hard way.

And yes, some people don't get the amount of planning required if you really want to do or see certain things at WDW. On our last trip, (which I planned from start to finish), one a.m. on the way to MK, my FIL commented that he didn't understand why we couldn't just go to O'Hana for bfast every a.m. so we could eat with the characters (we were lucky to get into Kona each a.m. without an ADR - wasn't planning on breakfast TS's, but learned after we got there that my FIL & MIL wanted to sit down and have a large, leisurely bfast every a.m.) I mentioned that you have to make ADR's months in advance to get a seating in most TS's, particularly popular ones like O'Hana. I just got a blank stare back and the same question. I told him he was welcome to call or stop by the podium to see if HE could get an ADR for all of us for the next day or day after, but that was too much trouble for him. Sometimes WDW touring styles clash a bit - or a lot. Not going back with the IL's anytime soon.

 

[ReninDetroit]

It may be easier to have them read a guidebook, I especially recommend Kim Wright Wriley's "DisneyWorld With Kids 200[6]". Then it may be easier to talk to them after they have a basic understanding of how massive DisneyWorld is. A lot of people think it's like any theme park before they plan it. Then they get there and they're overwhelmed and can't enjoy it.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

It sounds like they are more fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants park guests than they are ultimate comando-style guests. There's nothing wrong with that as long as they know what to expect from the more laidback approach.

Tell them about ADRs, why it's important to make them and how there's no penalty for cancelling them or just not showing up if they happen to be busy elsewhere. Then let them decide what to do.

Tell them about FastPass, how it frees you up to do the less popular attractions while you wait for your FP time and how it makes touring the park more efficient. Then let them decide whether to do it or not.

You've told them about EMH, both morning and night, and how it affects attendance. If they choose to ignore your advise, there's really nothing that you can do.

We vacationed with my DB and SIL a couple of years ago. They have a much more laidback approach to life than I do. Being the ultimate planner, I had ADRs, park days and itineraries planned for the group. SIL was more interested in shopping. It became frustrating for me, the park commando, to stand idley in a shop while I knew the line was getting longer and longer for the Lion King or that our ADRs were in 10 minutes at the other side of the park!

When the trip was over, they raved about how much they'd seen and done while with us! All I could think about was how much time we wasted in every shop that we exited into from every attraction! I had to promise my kids that we would return to WDW again without Aunt and Uncle so that they could do what they missed out on.

 

[d4est]

Have you invited her to visit here?

 

[AJKMOM]

I agree, just tell them about your favorite Disney website, the DIS, and your favorite book. There is nothing you can do for people that don't want to be helped. You can talk until you're blue, but if they don't listen, you are wasting your breath.

Be aware that these people will come home in May and say they had a terrible time, they'll never go back. "It was too crowded, too expensive, etc." Just don't ask about the trip and you'll be safe.

 

[Nancyg56]

I agree, just tell them about your favorite Disney website, the DIS, and your favorite book. There is nothing you can do for people that don't want to be helped. You can talk until you're blue, but if they don't listen, you are wasting your breath.

Be aware that these people will come home in May and say they had a terrible time, they'll never go back. "It was too crowded, too expensive, etc." Just don't ask about the trip and you'll be safe.

That's what I did when a friend told me she and her family were going Christmas week. Told her about the crowds, but her DD thinks it will be okay as Mom is in a wheelchair. At that point I referred her to the DIS. You warned them, and gave good advise.

 

[snowy76]

One of the things I tell first-timers is FORTY-SEVEN SQUARE MILES. Because many people truly think WDW is like any other theme park, or that the parks are all in very close proximity. Sometimes that size hits people and really makes them start to think about how many PEOPLE fit into that space and what it'll mean for their own individual plans.

 

[flapjack71]

One time I helped someone who I knew wouldn't follow a total plan of hit this ride then this ride. Instead I made a chart or days and gave suggestions on which park to hit which day (sometimes with a brief explanation) recommended restaurants all within certain time frames. I had so much fun just doing it and then giving my "helpful suggestions" If they really want to listen to you they will, if not you had a lot of fun planning a trip!! I can't get enough of that!!! I have even made meal reservations just in case.

I also agree - get them a good guide book that will help them (secretly someone in the family will end up reading it!)

 

[WaltD4Me]

Have you invited her to visit here?

I would love to have them come check out the DIS boards, but, well,......
THEY DON'T HAVE A COMPUTER!!!!!

No, they aren't Amish or anything, they just aren't computer people. No matter how hard I try, I can't imagine it, but there you go.......

I like the idea of giving them a guide book...I'm thinking a Passporter and I love the idea of telling them FORTY SEVEN SQUARE MILES, maybe that'll give them an idea of the size.

Also, I'm not really a commando person either. I like a plan, but it's always flexible and I don't really plan beyond the first couple of rides at any of the parks, so it wasn't like I wanted to tell them what ride line to be in at what time on what day. That would even freak me out a little.

I think I'm just going to type up a list like Jenn suggested of park times and what park/what day suggestions and a tips list and hope they have a good time..... Funny thing is, I am going to be there a few of the same days as them. They are going May 10th-16th and I will be there May 7th-12th. Maybe I should just give them my cell phone number so I can try to squeeze them in at my table at Chef Mickey's since I already have my ADR for that!

 

[dbm20th]

Here's what I have done with people in the past, besides some of the great suggestions people have already made, but it requires saving the guide maps for all the parks. I let them reasd through that and then show them the latest WDW vacation DVD. That usuually makes them aware of the scope of the place. BElieve it or not, that is the one thing that overwhelms people. No matter how many times you say "4 Theme Parks" that concept is just too difficult to take in. I mean think about it. They have 4 Parks there

 

[salmoneous]

No good comes from this sort of advice. Loan them your guidebooks, point them to your favorite websites, offer to answer questions. Then get out of the way.

 

[**pixiedust**]

My brother and SIL are taking their kids for the first time this spring. They've never been and think that "staying in the park at a Disney hotel" means staying IN the park, as in ON MAIN STREET. No matter how many times I try to gently explain things, they don't want to hear it. Now I just smile politely when they talk about it.

 

[sleepyone]

My brother and SIL are taking their kids for the first time this spring. They've never been and think that "staying in the park at a Disney hotel" means staying IN the park, as in ON MAIN STREET. No matter how many times I try to gently explain things, they don't want to hear it. Now I just smile politely when they talk about it.

...hey, wait a minute! How can I get a room on Main Street too???

 

[labdogs42]

I think giving them a Passporter is the way to go. If they can't figure it out after reading it, then you've done all you can do. I love my Passporter!! (I love the UG, too, but that would be a bit much for first-timer/non-planners I think!)