How do people do Disney unplanned?

[mitushib]

My BIL is going with his DD10 to disney for their easter break and they just have their hotel and air tickets. They plan to buy tickets at the park entrance. They have no ADR's. They have no clue disney has resorts. No tour plans or anything. I have to bite my lips most times so as not to scream at them. He works in IT and so is one the internet most of the time but how do people do disney in such a clueless fashion. I have a May trip and I have everything planned out not in a boot camp fashion but I have my days structured to get max out of the vacation.

How do people like my BIL do disney?

 

[MomofKatie]

They are usually the ones who go once and come back to tell everyone how AWFUL Disney is- so crowded, no availability at restaurants, how expensive the tickets were, and how there wasn't anything there for grown-ups. Then, they say they will never go again. I just smile and agree with them- one less family in line in front of me at the gates!!

 

[pepe of ohio]

We have gone with no structured plan but we've been to WDW over 38 times and anymore its been our same plan over and over. We just try to relax more, we've seen it all mostly and we have our musts. We have a few must eat dining but mostly CS serves us well, alot of favs there. We know the dining spots and what they have and lean towards old standbys.

We were once newbies to WDW but we listened and read once arriving, back in 1977, only one park back then, and have gained alot of on site knowledge. Everyone enjoys doing the Mouse their way and I wouldn't force my views on them, let them experience it for themselves and make their own conclusion but a Disney vet can make a trip.

My wife has been doing a journal the last 10 years every visit and we enjoy reading it before a trip to see what we missed or could do better. Always a laugh or two but informative, we're flexible with a loose plan and will jump to something we like in a heart beat. Vacations are to relax and enjoy, should be no stree, even in Disneyworld.

 

[dizneedrmr]

We always do Disney unplanned and have a blast every single time! Of course we do stay on property, but we don't usually do ADRs or plan our day as to what parks we are going visit, when we're getting to the parks, and when we're leaving. It works best for us to just "go with the flow" as they say! Then the only expectation is that we'll have a great time!

 

[LMEJ]

I think there is a difference between "unplanned" in that you have no real schedule and no ADRs, but you know the whole system and the layout, and "unplanned" meaning you haven't a clue! My neighbors just left on Saturday for their first trip. I asked her where they were staying and she had NO CLUE! She said her husband had made reservations at "one of the hotels" in the park. She had no idea that there were 4 parks there! Seriously, I cannot comprehend this level of "unplanned." I think it is a recipe for a disappointing vacation. I agree, these are the kind of people that will complain about the lines, etc. when they return.

 

[captinhookedondisney]

This is something i used to do and i didn't like it at all and then we went and i planned it and i had the best time of my life.and people that don't plan are people that say " i hatte disney" '



Captain Hook-ed On Disney

 

[thebecka]

We have been to WDW more times than I can count without a 'plan'. For this weekend's trip we have ADR's for Sunday and that's it. We are unsure of the weather and I think if we over planned or missed something on our list we would feel rushed, stressed or disappointed. I know that I want to accomplish the following on this trip to WDW:

• Ride the Buzz Lightyear as many times as DD and I can
• Get a picture of DD and DBIL on Dumbo Ride (I don't know why I want this but it's a MUST!)
• Eat at least one meal at an Epcot Restaurant
• Ride the Test Track
• Watch my DD ride her first roller coaster
• Visit Animal Kingdom
• Relax, Relax, and Relax...

There is no set schedule as to when these items are going to take place and if for some reason they don't happen than so be it... I guess because we go to WDW on a semi-regular basis I don't feel like I'd be missing out or like it's my one and only chance.

 

[FlyingBelle]

I'm an un-planner... but only since the inception of the dining plan have we started to make ADR's. Used to be in the slow period you could get a table with minimal wait - no more!

We still totally play it by ear - what ever the mood strikes is where we go!

Of course, we're just 2 adults, so it's a lot easier to decide on what to do.

Leaving for WDW tomorrow night!!! Yay!

 

[MomofKatie]

I think there is a difference between "unplanned" in that you have no real schedule and no ADRs, but you know the whole system and the layout, and "unplanned" meaning you haven't a clue!

ITA- I think the OP was referring to the totally clueless folks who are going for the first time, but who either don't know enough to plan, or couldn't be bothered to.

I can't tell you the number of times I overheard angry people complaining at a restaurant that they "paid for the Dining Thing", so why can't they just walk in to any restaurant they want. Or people looking angrily at us in the FP line- I heard a lady tell her DD when she asked why "all those people are getting right in", "those people PAID for front of the line, honey".

They are totally ignorant- I wonder if they just didn't bother to do any research, or if they arranged their trip through a TA, and just trusted that the TA would tell them all they needed to know??

 

[mitushib]

thebecka ur not goin unplanned! U know what u want to do and know how to do it. My BIL went to disney i think last in 96 and thinks it is the same. What I feel very strange is it took me a few searches to reach the disboards and a host of other information about disney. There is no harm in knowing what the place ur going to offers and we can all agree the choice of things to do in WDW are overwhelming. FP's are to be paid for in all the amusment parks here in NJ so if u dont knwo they r free u probably wont use them; in the same manner assuming u dont need reservations for restaurants coz there r so many of them in the park is really not a wise course of action coz u miss out on the best. There is a difference between not having a structured schedule and not having a clue about anything and not bothering to look it up to. I dont know about my BIL but my niece will have a more memorable experience if my BIL plans a bit.

 

[jenseib]

In the past i went for a one day visit to Magic Kingdom, had no interent ,and no clue. Went with friends. We bought a ticket at the gate, which I was told you could get them cheaper at visitors centers, but my friends didn't want to stop and check. We had fun, basically not knowing what was in the park at all. But we had no intentions of sit down dinners. I found it weird that people wanted to do that really. When i've gone in the past to other parks, you are on the go all the time. I went twice more with my kids and stayed offsite in 97 and 99. I still had no interent, so no clue about alot of it. But i did book a package with tickets the first time offsite. The second time we got out tickets at the Disney store and had a couple of nights free at a hotel from Marriot rewards. But as far as the parks, we winged it. But I did buy a book each time read up on stuff to do as well.
This time I am taking my DH (his first time there) and my youngest who is 2. We are doing the dining plan, and staying onsite. With the interenet I learned alot. I am older too, so I want to eat good food nad sit down doing it and it seems like the dining plan will fit us well. My DH thought we could call and make a reservation the day we wanted to leave or just show up and get a room. Thats how alot of stuff around here is. But I let him know wit hDisney you are basically in another world and things are different.
So it can be done both ways, and I have had fun both ways.(well I'm assuming I will have fun this time!) It may be more exciting for them, because they don't know what's instore for them.

 

[eliza61]

My BIL is going with his DD10 to disney for their easter break and they just have their hotel and air tickets. They plan to buy tickets at the park entrance. They have no ADR's. They have no clue disney has resorts. No tour plans or anything. I have to bite my lips most times so as not to scream at them. He works in IT and so is one the internet most of the time but how do people do disney in such a clueless fashion. I have a May trip and I have everything planned out not in a boot camp fashion but I have my days structured to get max out of the vacation.

How do people like my BIL do disney?

I would never do it during Easter break because it's just too busy. But I have done disney unplanned during the slow period and it's great. No pressure to do 20 rides in 2 hours just a laid back vacation. Some times these have been some of the most memorable vacations. Getting the most out of your vacation doesn't mean having a structured plan, it means have a great time. Give them a few suggestions and let them enjoy.

 

[MAGGIED]

I know what the OP is talking about. We all here on the DIS have "some idea" of what to expect.. we know what ADR's are, we know about EMH... these people don't know what they are getting themselves into. My cousin took her DH, DD and DS to WDW last year. They came back saying what an awful trip they had. They waited in lines, had to eat burgers because the "dinner places" were full. I of course offered her some tips before she went - but she thought she knew better - her DD said there was nothing in the park for her (age 14) and only wanted to sit by the pool and talk to her boyfriend on the phone (NOT!!!) - DS is a pain in the butt anyways so I can imagine how he was... and her DH just complained about how much everything cost. You know why they didn't see anything, get to eat at the "dinner places" because they did not plan!!!!!! Just by being on these boards we are planning to a point... we are learning the layout of the parks, reading about other suggestions, etc. I feel bad for those who travel to WDW and don't enjoy it - I think it is one of the best vacations spot around.... our 15th trip is in 2 weeks... can't wait... and yes it is PLANNED!!!!

 

[Snow Shoe]

It sounds to me a like a disaster in the making. Disney is vacation unlike any other. You just don't sit by the pool, or visit a museum, or go without planning. Get them some books and help them plan!

 

[BuzzBelleMom]

Before our first trip, I planned obsessively for 9 months and DH thought I was overreacting (story of both my pregnancies, LOL). He had gone with his father and a tour group in July 1986.

Well, on the last day, he told me that I had been right, that he enjoyed it much more (got a lot more done, too.)

This last trip, he helped more, but we picked the wrong week (Thanksgiving) and couldn't do as much as when we went in late January-early Feb the first time.

He said next time (2009, we hope) he will have more of a hand in the meal planning. He would prefer fewer breakfasts (he's an owl.) I am not!

 

[RabFlmom]

I think how you plan depends on your personality. I would be very stressed going to the parks knowing I had to be at such and such place at such and such time for a whole week or more. I would feel like I was missing the little spontaneous things that can happen. For me it is OK to plan what park, what fireworks, and what rides to get fast pass for, but more than that would be work. LOL I am not big on eating big meals while vacationing so just feel more comfortable picking up something when we get hungry wherever we happen to be, I don't want to leave a park or activity that we are having fun at to get to a reservation somewhere else. Besides how do I know what kind of food we want a year in advance. <g> Just my way of vacationing. During the year I work on schedules-on vacation I throw them all out. Do I miss anything......nope. I just enjoy what we do experience and don't worry that maybe someone else has seen or done more than me.

 

[PreeningPixie]

If people are traveling from a distance (especially if it's their first time to the park) then it does them a lot of good if they actually plan things out. It'd make their trip so much easier! Everyone I've run across that didn't plan ahead said that they didn't have a very good time.

 

[byoung]

They are usually the ones who go once and come back to tell everyone how AWFUL Disney is- so crowded, no availability at restaurants, how expensive the tickets were, and how there wasn't anything there for grown-ups. Then, they say they will never go again. I just smile and agree with them- one less family in line in front of me at the gates!!

I agree.

 

[Mischa]

When DH & I went the first time to WDW (his first my 4th) we only had our resort and flight planned. Nothing else. That's when we found out about ADRs, and when I got home I found this board. Now we only plan where we'd like to eat and make reservations for that. We always just get up and plan what we'll do for that day. So far it's worked for us and we love Disney and we're planning for more trips!

Going unplanned can work, but a must should be staying on property - definitely!

just my 2 cents!

 

[munchkin bunchkin]

I 've always been a planner and always will be ... it's half the fun!