How many trips before you're an expert?

[eastendlights]

I found the DIS after 12 yearly 11 day trips-all on property at deluxe resorts. I still learned many things here that I did not know. I feel comfortable giving advice about dining, club level, certain aspects of the parks, deluxe resorts, some transportation questions. I don't feel like an expert by any means and will be taking my 14th trip next month. But then I read posts by people who are planning a first trip and have never set foot in WDW giving advice about restaurants and it amazes me.

 

[lovethattink]

Maybe as Ellen says, we become "expert-ish"?

I feel comfortable discussing the parks, water parks, Disney Quest, AP, DAS, some restaurants, PP/MM, mod and value resorts and TiW.

You won't find me answering questions about tickets (unless it's something very basic) since AP is all I've really known.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Definitely not after my first trip!

We really needed a do-over after that one.

 

[epcotty]

I felt like I had pretty good understanding of WDW, legacy FP, and good touring strategies after our second or third trip. However, we've taken 2 trips with FP+ and I still don't feel like I'm well versed in it.

Yeah I still don't understand a lot about the FP+ machines at the park when going for the 4th etc, there's always some option on there that I don't see and always have to ask a CM how to make it show what we want (like if we missed a FP time but want to add a 4th instead of changing the time) and also pressing the screen in the first place is tough.

Anyway, a lot of it is research. First time back 6 1/2 years ago (after having been away for 14 years) we didn't know about FP at all and didn't use it all day (thankfully lines weren't too long). But next time we knew about it and used it, and have known more and learned everything new that we had to for following trips

 

[JimmyBean42]

I've done 4 trips in the past 6 years and I feel above average in FP+ (once you figure out the nuances it works great. More so if you are "schedule" person vs spontaneous though. If you are spontaneous, yeah it's awful), getting the dining reservations we want (this one took some time), navigating park crowds & how to avoid them, making the most use of the dining plan and special hard ticket events like the Halloween and Christmas parties. I have less than average knowledge on water parks, booking the best room area at the hotels, and a some other areas that would probably bring great new experiences to our trip. But I try to learn and try at least 5 new things every time we go.

 

[Planogirl]

I've been very often over the years but I still ask plenty of questions before we go. WDW keeps changing and it's hard to know everything about it. I do think that those who have been often tend to know a little more though.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Many trips in the past, learn something (or lots of things) before each trip, as well as during a trip.

 

[Kingslayer]

I doubt there is a definitive number that creates an expert, but beware of anyone who claims to be one. Trust those who seek knowledge, never those who claim to already have it.

"An expert is a person who avoids the small errors while sweeping on to the grand fallacy."-Steven Weinberg

 

[momof2n2]

Thanks for all the responses! I feel like I can't even keep up with all that I have learned on message boards the last 18 months. I hope I don't feel like a newbie when I get there. I hate to see all the years of experience mean very little.

 

[Planogirl]

Thanks for all the responses! I feel like I can't even keep up with all that I have learned on message boards the last 18 months. I hope I don't feel like a newbie when I get there. I hate to see all the years of experience mean very little.

I floundered around with FP+ quite a bit which was weird. I think that part of my problem was my general dislike of that system though.

Just ask lots of questions and then throw out half the answers.

 

[momof2n2]

Just ask lots of question and then throw out half the answers.

See - now THAT is what scares me... I have a lot of information in front of me. It's hard to know what is good...

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

My first trip with FP+ scared the heck out of me and I was sure I wasn't going to like it. But ended up LOVING it. I think it actually makes things much easier.

And everything else you already knew about touring is going to be pretty much the same. You're not going to be starting from square one. Just tweaking things a bit!

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

My first trip with FP+ scared the heck out of me and I was sure I wasn't going to like it. But ended up LOVING it. I think it actually makes things much easier.

And everything else you already knew about touring is going to be pretty much the same. You're not going to be starting from square one. Just tweaking things a bit!

Since FP+ has affected traffic patterns at some of the secondary attractions, we've had to rethink our touring plans. We used to be able to go on rides like PotC, HM, and the GMR whenever we wanted. Now I find myself either using a FP for them or putting them much earlier in our touring plan.

 

[kwdw]

Since FP+ has affected traffic patterns at some if the secondary attractions, we've had to rethink our touring plans. We used to be able to go on rides like PotC, HM, and the GMR whenever we wanted. Now I find myself either using a FP for them or putting them much earlier in our touring plan.

Yep! I THOUGHT I was getting good at park touring under the legacy FP system - but with the new one - I'm still learning - and I think I've been 7 times with FP+. Part of the issue is that my goals and traveling companions each trip have been different - so our needs each trip have been different. Getting on Pooh when traveling with my niece is one thing, when alone I tend to skip it, and when traveling with the significant other - it's a late at night option. When FP+ first came out and not everyone was using it, you could still get on POTC or HM with 20 waits. Now - those waits are typically longer mid-day during an average crowd at the park.

Anyone who says they are an expert in all things WDW - I'd be skeptical of. I'm pretty good at many aspects of planning trips for "people like me" -- but I'd fail miserably in some areas if trying to help a family of 9 with a person in an ECV. I know enough to direct them to resources - but that's it. And gosh - I haven't been to every restaurant or stayed at every resort or been on every tour or XYZ... I think very few people have done everything at Disney. And if they have - some of their experience with those things are likely now older - and things may have changed. Unless you can afford to go yourself all the time and you professionally plan trips for a variety of folks regularly - I don't think its possible to be an expert.

I give advice for a living - and every day I'm reminded I'm not an expert - even at my job - and I've been doing it a long time. Everyone always has things they don't know as much about as they think they do. Smart folks know that!

 

[fireman1]

I've been 7 times since 05, going again next month, and I still sometimes make a wrong turn or discover something new.
Do I know more than the average joe? Yes.
An expert? heck to the no.

 

[Micca]

Once you know where all the restrooms are, you're golden.

 

[lovethattink]

Once you know where all the restrooms are, you're golden.

And which ones have the most stalls and which ones to avoid during peak season which have the fewest stalls. That can be a real time saver, especially with the women's restrooms.

 

[Micca]

And which ones have the most stalls and which ones to avoid during peak season which have the fewest stalls. That can be a real time saver, especially with the women's restrooms.

This is where Robo's "fields of expertise" comes into play...my restroom field is limited to the men's rooms.

 

[Figment Mom]

I would never claim to be an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I planned and pulled off an exceedingly successful trip (my first as an adult/parent) so I am confident. Truly, the trip was flawless, mostly due to planning, luck, and the fact that I was traveling with just my son so we had only the two of us to keep happy - plus ADRs and FPs are easier when you're only booking for two.

We had so many magical moments that one of my friends who was following us on Facebook asked if we were there on some special program.

I will confidently plan our next trip, being realistic enough not to expect perfection. However when.people ask me about planning their trip the only thing I do is direct them to the DIS.

 

[Monykalyn]

I will confidently plan our next trip, being realistic enough not to expect perfection. However when.people ask me about planning their trip the only thing I do is direct them to the DIS.

This and a couple favorite sites/blogs. Research and planning definitely help and there are alot of very experienced people here. We wouldn't have done or experienced half the things we did on our past 2 trips without this treasure of knowledge. That includes the resorts too-My family thought I was some magician when I showed them the "secret" exit at Beach club that was steps from EPCOT. The resort forums people are so friendly and helpful!