How many go clueless?

[Samsma]

What do you think is the percentage of people on each ship who don't do research before they go? They just book and don't think about it again until they go. I did this on my first cruise years ago (1997). Also did that with WDW in 1998. Just kind of wandered around aimlessly. Of course that was before the internet! Much more fun this way, and hopefully it will make for an even more enjoyable cruise also.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

It also means a bigger letdown if the cruise gets cancelled.
But of course Im back here again planning the 11/8 cruise.

 

[vicnmickey]

We went to WDW in 2000 clueless! When I booked this vacation, I wanted to learn more. So after a yahoo search, I came across this wonderful board. If I hadn't found the dis, I am not sure how our vacation would have ended up like. I have learned so much from everyone here. So hopefully alot more people will trip over this board on their journey to a wonderful vacation!!!!

 

[inkkognito]

I think that the percentage is pretty high because out of all the people we meet at lunch and dinner, the vast majority do not know about all of the wonderful resources. Same thing with people I know at work who are planning a cruise or Disney trip. They are totally clueless till I point them toward the internet.
I think it's possible to still have a fun trip, even when you are winging it, but I am personally a compulsive planner who has to plot out every detail. Our first Disney cruise was in 1998...the 11th voyage of the Magic. I was very thankful to the earliest cruisers who shared their experiences on the old AOL message boards so that hubby and I could be prepared. That's why I run my website and hang out here now...to pay back the favor
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[sjm]

I think the percentage of people who do research "online" before they cruise is very small. A lot of people will get on the net and look at priceing, but have no idea that there are cruise newsgroups and message boards available. There are also many people who are not on the net at all.

Lots of my friends and people I have meet on the ships, are amazed at all the information that I have gathered on the net.

We have now been on 11 cruises and it is only on the last two, that we have met people I had been in contact with on the net. It really adds a nice touch to talk to people on the net and then meet them in person.

sue

 

[Verandah Man]

If I know of someone that is planning a trip on the DCL or WDW, I tell them to check out the DISboards first. Even if they don't do it, at least I tried to help them out,
These boards have been such a help in getting for our upcoming cruise.

 

[Hannosmom]

I was mostly clueless on my first Disney cruise. I was fortunate to have a friend with a cruising group, where two people had backed out of the trip. She called me a month before the cruise and offered the two ressies to me and my sister.

I did some research on-line, but didn't come across this board until after the cruise. Of course, after the cruise, I was completely hooked and on top of learning so much, this board has helped to keep my wonderful, awesome, vacation alive and well in my mind while having to wait for the next one in August.

Thanks to all of you for your websites, pictures, cruise trip reports, cruise questions and tips.

Linda

 

[WDWLVR]

The sad thing is some people have access to info and are still clueless. Before our last 7 day cruise I printed out a copy of the magical disney cruise guide for them and gave it to them about 2 months out. We get to the cruise and they keep asking us what we are doing and they'll do the same. When I asked them if they read it they said - why - we knew you knew what to do. Sigh. Same thing happened on our October 2002 trip - they expected us to know and lead for everything. Fine, but then don't complain when you don't like the plan Gave them info on our upcoming May cruise and told them what excursions we are taking - knowing they won't take some of them. Hope they do some reading!


That's why I love places like the DIS - great place to share info!

 

[RoseGarden]

I feel as though I have found a 'hidden' treasure as I obtain valuable tips and information about the Disney cruise. In sort of selfish way Im tickled to have the 'secrets' and knowlege of the insides and outs of the Disney cruise - feel like I'm a step ahead of thousands of others on the boat because of these boards! I know when to go where and what to do or not do! It's great...Thanks all!!

 

[jgalecpa]

"good luck is when planning meets opportunity"

I think people who don't do research are having only 80% (at best) of the fun they could have.

 

[Chance's Mom]

I didn't find the www.wdwig.com site until a few days before our third trip to DW. I was glued to my computer at work, when a co -worker asked what I was doing. I tried to explain about the site and he said, "Don't tell me they have pictures of the toilets....."

Well...guess what I was looking at--the resort pictures--toilets and all!

I just received the Passporter Cruise Guide in the mail yesterday, I stayed up until 2 am reading...it is awesome!!!! A must have for compulsive planners.

I absolutely love digesting all of this info and then being able to utilize it.
The best thing is these boards--any question is answered (usually within an hour). Everyone is so generous with their knowledge. It's nice to have a place where others share my quest for disney knowledge--people at home and work just think I'm a little strange!

 

[Samsma]

RoseGarden:

I guess when I started this thread I was really saying "how much more will I know, and how can I use this to get an advantage over the others" LOL!!! I figure if not everyone knows all the great stuff, I might have more of a chance at more of the fun! Secret decks, spa treatments, ressies at Palo, you know, the usual.

 

[shmoogrrrl]

To be honest, I didn't have a clue about this site or any of the little secrets that we learn here before our first cruise in 2000, and we had a blast! We got all the spa reservations that we wanted and had no problems getting Palo set up. We didn't even know that we had to run around to make reservations ASAP!

Don't get me wrong, I love these boards and all the tips and tricks that I learned, but I think I had just as much fun not knowing what I know now.

Kathy

 

[plutojudy]

Kathy, I agree with you. We knew very little before our first cruise and enjoyed it as much as the next two when we had all this information. If someone doesn't have a good time on a Disney cruise it is their own fault.
See you on the Magic!!!!! Can't wait to see Katie in person.
plutojudy

 

[kasar]

Our first cruise was a total spur-of-the-moment trip and now that I think about it, we were so lucky. I think we flew into Orlando at 1 or 2:00, since I figured we had until 4:00 to board. What was the hurry? Yikes! We just blindly found our way around. But we had a blast!

I'm glad to have found these boards, but I wonder if everyone found out about them, would there be a rush for Palo reservations upon boarding??? I feel it's my only hope for getting the time I want on a 3-day cruise Just kidding! Actually, I feel that everything runs smoothly when people have some kind of clue about what's going on. Planning is so much fun!

 

[RoseGarden]

We leave for the 3 day Wonder cruise SOON and I agree 100% that the planning for this trip has been 1/2 of the FUN for me! This our 2nd cruise on the Wonder and I would have been soooo dissapointed to show up TO late at Palos for ressies or TO late at the SPA to book my cabana massage at CC! I'm sure that everyone is different though..... time is a big factor and personality as well! As for me......I dont want to miss a beat-especially when it comes to Disney!

 

[jporter]

I started reading this board a month before our last cruise
and loved being in the know. My in-laws were traveling with
us and I kept them updated with information I had got from
here. By the time we got on the ship though I felt like I had
become the whole familys travel agent, they were constantly
asking me about every move they should make! It was sorta
funny but then I started feeling like I was responsible for
the happiness of everyone! Maybe next time I'll be the
clueless one. J.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I wouldn't even have thought about a cruise if not for this board. I found the DIS planning our first WDW trip in 2000. DH was blown away at the amazing way that trip went. I had found the DVC board and led clueless DH into DVC ownership as well--the next year he was again, blown away by the size of our BWV room. Last year it was parents turn to be amazed when they stayed with us at BWV. But then I had seen the DCL models and lurked here and wanted to try one. So now not only are we doing the Wonder this summer, we are probably doing the Magic in 2004, because I get carried away!
But you know, you can try to help people out (I can't tell you how many people I've written down the URLs for this site and WDWIG for) but if they don't use the resources, you can't get frustrated as long as you tried! I know a few weeks ago I told our librarian about the menu site on WDWIG--she was down last week with friends at BWV and wanted to treat them to a nice meal since she was staying free--I suggested flying fish but told her to check out the site for prices and she was ecstatic! I can't wait to go to work tomorrow and see how it was!
Robin M.

 

[DisneyDarwin]

I agree that many go clueless, but I also think that is far easier on the cruise than at WDW. I mean, at the worst, all you've got to do is read a Navigator and figure out what you want to do, and wander around the ship until you find everything (which as we all know, is kinda fun). But, at WDW there's so much more to know --- resorts to stay in, where to eat (where NOT to eat), early entry, fastpasses, parades, fireworks, shows, and on and on. If you go clueless to WDW, I think you short change yourself, even if you have a great time. And the chances for frustration are higher.

That said, I'll never forget an eye opening experience on my first cruise. We shared a table with a family of four, or at least we were supposed to. They didn't come to dinner until the last evening. They didn't go to any shows, other than one late night movie. They spent all their time by the pool or on their verandah or on a beach at one of the ports, and they ate all their meals at the buffet or Plutos. And they said they it had been one of their best vacations ever! They loved the cruise as much as we did, it's the classic "different strokes for different folks".

 

[inkkognito]

Robin, I know exactly what you mean! When we were planning our early WDW vacations, wdwig.com was an absolute godsend. So were the old AOL message boards, and I felt totally lost when they were discontinued...at least until I found a new home at DIS
It was Deb's site that inspired me to create my DCL site, and judging by the number of hits we get, there are a LOT of compulsive planners out there! I think there are also a lot who would be if they knew how...on one cruise, at breakfast on disembarkation morning I was chatting with our tablemates about my website. A couple of days after we got home, I received an email from someone who had overheard me and checked it out...she said she was sorry she hadn't know about it beforehand! A lot of people luck into my site via search engines too and are estatic when I point them over here and to other good links.
And Kasar, as you said, planning is half the fun!