How many really are “In the Know”?

[Karin1984]

To quote the Unofficial Guide (2015 edition page 80):
Will the plans continue to work once the secret is out?
Less than 2% on any day's attendance has been exposed to the plans.

Based on this, I think the 'in the know'-people are 25-50% of this 'less than 2%'.
MK has a daily average of 50,000 guests. 2% = 1,000 guests.
My guess is 250-500 guests per day are die-hard planners.
500 - 750 guests are guests who have done extensive research.
My next guess is 25-50% do a little bit of research. They do know to book ADR's and FP+, but not everyone will realize when this is possible, or the importance of booking on time.

And at least 50-75% is lost.

 

[JZCubed]

While I am a WDW veteran, I have only really used this site for the last couple of trips (and my new one next week). I was actually one of the originals (didn’t spend much time here though) but after a long hiatus lost all of my original information.
In any case I am an old school tour planner who religiously used the Unofficial Guides long before the web changed everything. I am curious to know what your guess is as to how many really know about the “ins and outs” of WDW. From how the FP+ system works, to the touring strategies, the park calendars, the dos and don’ts, the how and when, etc. What percentage do you think really goes to the lengths that most on here do? I am guessing no more than 5%. Maybe 10-15% total that do some degree of planning and prepping, but not more than 5% go to great lengths. I wonder what the impact would be if that jumped to say 25-30%.

Given that Disney Cast Members are capable of providing conflicting information, I would guess virtually nobody is 'in the know'.

Matter of fact, I find the folks here on DisBoards often know more than Cast Members because these 'tourists' all have first-hand knowledge, whereas not every Cast Member gets 100% things correct during their training.

 

[jomass]

Very low. However, I think you can get by in WDW and have a good vacation without being "in the know".

Oh I never intended this to mean that you can't have a good time without being "in the know". I'm sure the majority of people have a good time one way or another. But the more you know, the more you can maximize what they have to offer.

 

[DisneyMandC]

This is a very interesting topic and I'm glad you posted about it! DH and I had this same thought while at Disney last week. We are researchers/planners by nature, so we were both really into make ADRs and FP+ before heading down there. I actually just found the DIS about two months ago (and am now OBSESSED) but I always read a lot of books and did a lot of research on Disney on my own through other websites as well. I basically planned our entire 10 day family vacation there when I was 15!

It honestly makes me kind of upset/sad how little some people put into planning this. For example, one of the women I work with made a comment the other week about how if she ever goes on vacation anywhere she'll have me plan it because she's seen how many reservations and whatnot I'd been planning for our trip last week. I explained to her that I wouldn't plan a trip to the beach like that, but that you essentially have to if you want to eat and hit the "good" rides at Disney World. She looked at me and said "well I never had to do that when I went." Yeah, in 1985... These are, unfortunately, the people that go to Disney World now and come back saying they didn't enjoy it and it was stressful and they stood in line forever because they put no research or time into planning beforehand.

And this is slightly off this topic, but I also don't understand the people who plan their Fastpasses, but then appear to have no idea how they work. I saw at least one person every single day walk up to a Fastpass line at a ride and swipe their MagicBand only to have the CM tell them their fastpass was for 5:30 and it was only 2:00. What are you doing?!

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

I don't consider myself an expert on anything - you can always learn something new. Maybe this has come with age, but I definitely know MUCH more now than I did a few years ago. A few years ago when we started going to Disney for Christmas, we went with whatever the Travel Agent recommended. Looking back, we made a ton of mistakes.

My family and friends go to me for Disney information. I could recommend restaurants, rides and give tips to plan your day. Last Christmas a family joined us on our vacation. We kind of served as their tour guides - we booked ADRS for/with them, booked their FP+ and showed them everything. They still talk about how lost they'd be without us. But I do consider myself inquisitive. I'm a creative person and love to learn new things - especially on subjects I'm passionate about. I listen to podcasts, read blogs and love Disney history. But many times I'll think I know it all and Lou Mongello's podcast drops some knowledge on me.

On a rate from 1-10, I'd give myself a 7. I spend a lot of time researching Disney and consider myself an expert for Christmastime, but I couldn't tell you how to plan your Halloween or July 4th vacation!

 

[trsamilliken]

One of the reasons I think Disney creates some of their own problems... Disney commercials make it sound like you don't have to plan.

There is one where it shows a family checking in and being asked if there is anything else and they rattle off a list of things (more time in the parks, dinner with a princess, a few other things) Now some of these if you walked in you could manage. However some of them. Dinner with a princess in particular if you haven't booked it before you get there your very unlikely to get this. Yet they make it sound like by staying on site they will do some magic and fit you in.

This is so true! My son and I watched the planning DVD last night and it shows the AoA suites, as the value rooms.. also stating several times about flexablities with fastpass + and easy dining. I have read almost all of Robo's thread on fastpasses, the tips and tricks to dining and have yet to come up with a plan on how to pull it together! I have until Dec Thanks to all of you guys, no stress, no worries; its gonna be awesome!

 

[trsamilliken]

Sorry, wrong credit on fastpasses. Ment to say Mesaboy2. Robo is amazing on this forum as well!

 

[Micca]

I'm also a WDW vet tourist with 60+ trips since the late 70s. I've also been around the Dis for nearly 15 years. Back in the pre-internet days I might have considered myself something of an expert, but now I know I'm merely a student. Of course there's a lot more to know than when I started going to WDW because there was only the MK, and the Village Marketplace, and what...3 hotels? Now I think a WDW trip has the potential to be one of the most complicated trips a person could take, especially those traveling with children. I think you could spend a couple of weeks in China and not deal with the number of moving parts you could consider on a Disney vacation.

I love to help others plan their Disney vacations, but mostly people don't seem interested. I guess that's either because they just don't know enough to understand all that's involved...or more likely, they just don't want to get me started bending their ear about The Mouse.

 

[KyGirl]

I think it's getting to be more and more people who know what's up. I don't talk much about my Disney obsessiveness because most people would think I was crazy! So I typically only answer questions when asked. But I love planning our trips and consider myself fairly savvy about it. I researched the heck out of my first "adult" trip in 2008 and have stayed up to date for several trips since then. I loiter around these boards a little and some blogs and stuff even when we don't have a trip in the works. I just like to know what's going on in the "World."

Anyway, in just the last few weeks, I've heard of three totally unrelated people (far flung relative, coworker's daughter, and old college friend) staying up until midnight to book their FP+. And like I said, none of them heard about this from me. I haven't even discussed Disney with any of those people. In each case, I actually heard about it from other people talking about how crazy it is that you have to do these things to plan a Disney trip these days instead of directly from the planner themselves. So using that example, it seems like most people are catching on, especially people who are big internet users, and who's not these days? I'm of the age where most of my friends have young kids (like myself) so it seems I'm always hearing of people going on Disney trips. I can't really think of any of them recently that didn't get caught up in the planning of the ADR's, the FP+, and all the rest. In fact, with several trips under our belt, sometimes I feel like the best advice I could give these people would be to dial it back a bit and try to take a little time to smell the roses. That's hard to understand though when you're reading all this information but you haven't actually been.

BUT, that said, last time I was actually there about a year and a half ago, it seemed like there were tons of people wandering around, complaining about the lines, and not understanding Fastpass. So who are these people? I don't get it. International travelers? People who think something so expensive must be tailored to the buyer? People who actually believe the commercials? It doesn't really make sense.

I'm super curious about this too.

 

[Alli76]

I think it's getting to be more and more people who know what's up. I don't talk much about my Disney obsessiveness because most people would think I was crazy! So I typically only answer questions when asked. But I love planning our trips and consider myself fairly savvy about it. I researched the heck out of my first "adult" trip in 2008 and have stayed up to date for several trips since then. I loiter around these boards a little and some blogs and stuff even when we don't have a trip in the works. I just like to know what's going on in the "World."

Anyway, in just the last few weeks, I've heard of three totally unrelated people (far flung relative, coworker's daughter, and old college friend) staying up until midnight to book their FP+. And like I said, none of them heard about this from me. I haven't even discussed Disney with any of those people. In each case, I actually heard about it from other people talking about how crazy it is that you have to do these things to plan a Disney trip these days instead of directly from the planner themselves. So using that example, it seems like most people are catching on, especially people who are big internet users, and who's not these days? I'm of the age where most of my friends have young kids (like myself) so it seems I'm always hearing of people going on Disney trips. I can't really think of any of them recently that didn't get caught up in the planning of the ADR's, the FP+, and all the rest. In fact, with several trips under our belt, sometimes I feel like the best advice I could give these people would be to dial it back a bit and try to take a little time to smell the roses. That's hard to understand though when you're reading all this information but you haven't actually been.

BUT, that said, last time I was actually there about a year and a half ago, it seemed like there were tons of people wandering around, complaining about the lines, and not understanding Fastpass. So who are these people? I don't get it. International travelers? People who think something so expensive must be tailored to the buyer? People who actually believe the commercials? It doesn't really make sense.

I'm super curious about this too.

I have had the opposite experience. Friends who decide it is time to take their kids to WDW and know that I know lots about it. They maybe plan a couple months out tops and then seem to be amazed that people have made ADR at 180 days out and that FPs were planned out early too!

 

[Astylla]

As a Disneyland AP holder I have had my fair share of helping people , especially WDW vets. The shock on people when they find out there is no Fastpass for Pirates is always interesting..lol.

DH and I typically talk it up in line to people and we have even gotten some pin trading that way , and there is so much information that people don't know about. Some thought getting a Fastpass means they can't get another for the whole day , when they rolled out Fantasmic fastpass and World of Color people never knew you could have that without affecting other selections , the list goes on and on.

I think there is some bad information out there but forums like this are amazing and I recommend them to everyone. It can seem overwhelming but it's so worth the time to make things easier.

 

[jbd2002]

I have been several times and I love to scour for information. I like planning a lot up front so that when we are at WDW we can relax and enjoy it. There are several people at work that are planning trips that have asked me for help. I enjoy helping. One thing that I noticed was that there is a local travel agent that claims to be a WDW specialist that has been making some very basic errors help one person plan their trip. They don't understand how the dining plan works or which reservations use extra credits. They have misguided the traveler on several issues. I guess there are two things to take away. First, I believe the travel agent probably has been to WDW several times, but things change so quickly that you have to stay on top of things to properly counsel someone on planning a trip. The second thing I continue to hear is how complicated it is for someone that has not gone to understand how decisions that are made months out from the trip can make a difference in their overall enjoyment. I understand how things have gotten this way, but I can't imagine the frustration that some people have after booking a trip with no help and finding out some of this stuff when they get there.

 

[dsdeleon]

I was honestly shocked when I was stuck at AKL concierge and saw the % of people that were getting grey bands, seting up MDE on their ipads, making ADRs and special plans RIGHT THEN AND THERE for like all lunches and dinners. I was thinking they were all nuts. But the people that have busy lives and Disney is not a special interest just push all the planning aside and want to vacation. I can't say I blame them. Planning for Disney is a part-time job when you go a lot.

 

[DisneyFive]

We'll never know.

Dan

 

[Disney93]

I think less than 5% of visitors have a solid plan for their entire stay. As for us, we make a calendar for our trip, usually 10 to 14 days each trip. We write our FP's, ADR and other scheduled events we are going to experience ie fishing, golf etc. Planning our trip gives us great joy and it is a great family get together. There are 10 of that go together most times and everyone has input. Even with as many times as we have gone, some things were taken for granite for our December trip. We were floored when we couldn't just walk into Beaches and Cream for a quick treat. Then we tried making ADR's and found it was booked for the whole 14 days on our last trip.

We also help people with their plans but get so frustrated when they return complaining. Usually it is because they didn't do as advised. They miss attractions and other adventures that we talked about. Using a travel agent is what we did our first trip in 92 and that trip was way overpriced. Just doing a few small things can save so much money. People on here understand that and I feel I'm preaching to the choir.

 

[NavyDad]

I thought I remembered Josh saying less than 1% use some sort of touring plan.

My guess is less than 5% do "extensive" research on a site similar to this.

I would also guess that at least half do some kind of casual research like TA reviews, google search and read some articles.

Recent anecdote from my office:

A couple that I work with decided to take a last minute Spring Break trip with almost zero planning. This was their second or third trip in recent years. They googled "Disney hotel deals" and got a pretty good last minute deal at a time share off site. They made zero ADR's. I asked them if they made fast pass reservations and they said they did not. I asked them if they knew you could book ahead of time. They responded that they would rather buy tickets when they get down there depending on how many days they feel like going to the parks. They knew the very basics of FP but said they just go early and get in line for the rides they really want and then maybe get FP's for later. They stated that they would decide where to eat based on something that "looked good" and maybe would use Yelp while they were standing out front.

I was horrified LOL

They ended up having a great time. Rode whatever they wanted, spent lots of time at the pool and ate whatever looked good when they were hungry.

 

[jomass]

It's really interesting to read all of your different perspectives. I was discussing my trip at work today and another one of my colleagues overheard. He exclaimed "there's no way I would pay money to go stand in those long lines all day"! LOL. He said I was nuts. Well he's half right anyway.

 

[Eolyn]

I assume most people don't do a lot of background research. And honestly, it's totally fine, lol. I'm a Disney veteran that wasn't "in the know" until ...this trip out of 10+. When I was young, my family drove down to FL with no hotel reservation and no plan other than "go to Disney for two days." Dad drove up to hotels with vacancy signs and checked the rates until we found something he and mom liked. We went to Disney and Universal and made it up as we went alone. Always had fun.

My last 3 trips, I pre-booked the hotels. I've never bothered to take the touring guides advice on best days because... I don't care. I choose times of year that work with my job, always go to MK the first day regardless of when that falls, and save Space Mountain until I get to Tomorrowland which is the last land I visit in my own personal touring plan. Maybe not the most effective, but has always worked. No FPs and ADRs is the norm for me after all these years.

I think the more planners jump on boarded the more planning will be required of everyone else since flexibility will be even more limited. BUT PLANNING IS SUPER FUN!!

 

[kathy884]

I would guess more in the 30% range of people who do quite a bit of planning. If I did a survey of my family and friends, and assumed they were representative my guess would be 100%. Most people I know only take a few vacations a year for budget and time reasons, so spend quite a bit of time and effort planning, mostly for the fun of it, but also to help make that vacation as special as possible. And I personally don't know a sole who ventured to WDW without getting quite a bit of background information.

 

[eyehartdisney]

I'm 'in the know' for the most part, but my touring plans consist entirely of "Go during the off season, and show up early." If I can do that, I don't really need anything more than a vague strategy.