I just want to cry

[Quin]

Co-worker asked me Friday for Disney advice. She and her DH just told their DS9 and DS6 that they are going to WDW on their Florida vacation & the boys were literally hysterical. Great! So how many days? Well, they'll arrive in Orland on a Monday after spending a few days at a beach first. Then they have Tues, Wed, & Thurs. Great! Oh, wait, they're Harry Potter fans so they also want to go to Universal. And they know that's 2 parks so they just have to take 2 days there. Uh - great. So they have the arrival day plus 1 full day for WDW. Staying offsite. With her parents who were at WDW once before and didn't really like it, and want to spend the arrival day at Disney Springs shopping. And her sister, sister's DH, and their 2 kids, but that family won't arrive until late Monday night.

And the Monday they arrive? Yep. Monday July 4.

OMG. Shoot me now.

Convinced her to split up and let her parents go to Disney Springs alone while she & her DH take their kids to AK on July 4. The boys will love it and I figure it's the only park they stand a chance in. Oh, and they haven't bought their tickets yet so of course no FPs yet because she thought she could just get them when she got her tickets, there at the offsite hotel. She has ordered MBs to get decorated ones for the boys. Working on trying to convince her to get the tickets and schedule FPs now for AK on Monday July 4 and for MK on Tuesday July 5 as EasyWDW says since MK will be packed on July 4 it may be (relatively) lighter crowds on July 5. And since on July 5 they'll be trying to tour MK with the combined families total 10 people, to just eat CS and don't even try for TS.

I just feel so bad for them, especially the boys. She said they're also huge Star Wars fans but what she means is that SHE is a bigger Harry Potter fan and roller coaster fan so she wants to spend the time in Universal rather than WDW. And they're such great ages for JTA, too, but there is no way for them to fit in HS.

Sigh. And when she gets back I'll have to listen to how her DH never wants to go back because it was hot and expensive and the kids didn't like it because all they did was stand in line all day.

 

[ArielSRL]

What a bad experience in the making, right?

 

[mom2rtk]

They might actually decide they love US. We all make choices. Answer her questions and let it go.

If they are offsite, they can't make FPs yet anyway.

 

[Disneylover99]

Maybe they'll love it, or have a great time regardless.

 

[ellie05]

I let it go! But when people come back and say things like we stood in line all day and saw nothing I always say well that is the difference between you and me. I went waited no more than 15-30 min (depends on the trip) and had a blast and that is the difference between planning and not planning at all.

 

[MouseMomx2]

Let them know that the Harry Potter stuff takes up just small areas of each Universal park. They should be able to see/do it all with a 1-day, 2-park ticket.

 

[Ambear]

I think they can still have a great time at both parks. I mean I personally wouldn't go to either theme park during that holiday lol, but that's when they can go so no big deal. If they find they like what disney offers even with long lines, they might book a future vacation. If they find they prefer what universal offers, they might book a future vacation there instead. Or maybe they'll love both. Either way I'm guessing whichever park they choose it's gonna be hot and crowded and they're gonna stand in long lines at some point.

 

[mom2rtk]

Maybe they'll love it, or have a great time regardless.

People forget that's a possibility.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Maybe they'll like the days at Universal? There are fun rides there too. As far as the heat, there are all the water rides in IoA which are super fun when it's hot.

Anyway, don't get too involved. It's their trip and they will have fun regardless.

 

[Accident]

OMG. Shoot me now.

This is the absolute best advice I can give for this situation....

They should call up Dreams Unlimited travel to help them book this orlando trip and take care of all the little details and work hard for the best possible vacation that fits them perfectly.. and it won't cost any more than booking themselves and they will probably save them a ton of money....

(I don't work for them but with the list of what they hate or like or whatever they aren't sure what they need.. they need a good travel agent and we all like this forum so why not the travel agency that helps this forum exist).

Remove yourself from this second job to plan them and give it to the experts.. They will love you for passing them onto a good travel agent and none of the negatives will hurt you.

 

[preemiemama]

I would also re-think the advice of AK. If they are Star Wars fans, why not DHS instead? They could see the (by then, new) Star Wars fireworks, do a meet and greet at Launch Bay, ride Star Tours, and at least watch a JTA show. Plus, speaking from experience, AK feels a lot hotter in July IMHO...

 

[Annadesu]

I pity the kids, because if they don't have fun, they will never go back and get to experience it for the good things...

 

[momimouse27]

See, I feel really sorry for people who go to WDW, without asking advice, and have a terrible time because they didn't know where to turn or who to ask.

I DONT feel sorry for people who have someone to help them, know where to go for advice, but then just throw that out the window and ignore what you say so they can do it their own way. The worst part of your story, is as you said, when they come back and you get the inevitable diatribe about how awful WDW is on one of the hottest, most crowded, busiest days of the year. Some people.

 

[Quin]

I know, I'm just venting. They have no intention of using a travel agent - the rest of their vacation is already taken care of (flights, rental cars, hotels; spending part of their vacation at a beach and just driving over to Orlando for a few days). With kids, of course they have to work around school schedules but that still doesn't require them to go over one of the busiest holidays of the year. She and her DH both have professional/managerial jobs with substantial salaries and vacation time so they don't have some of the barriers that I know a lot of families face in trying to plan trips.

I just keep coming back to the wild excitement of the 2 little boys (she video'd their reaction when they were told they were going) versus my concern that she is in several ways setting them up for a bad experience that will indeed result in none of them going back.

Oh - I suggested AK rather than DHS because of the crowd levels, the lack of attractions at DHS, the fact that I'll just bet they won't actually get there until mid-afternoon, the probable lack of FPs, and the greater option for CS meals at AK.

 

[Accident]

Oh - I suggested AK rather than DHS because of the crowd levels, the lack of attractions at DHS, the fact that I'll just bet they won't actually get there until mid-afternoon, the probable lack of FPs, and the greater option for CS meals at AK.

Hang on, 2 little boys? how into star wars are they? There is a good amount at DHS for a star wars fan right now and they will probably love indiana jones, the little bit of pixar and sci fi cafe... it might be safer to just give them a list of what is where and let them know that both parks most consider 1/2 day of your time right now.. kids and animals are usually a sure win but now that DHS is starwars and not frozen it kind of shifts depending on what the family is in too.

 

[vinotinto]

I feel for you! I would focus on giving them just a couple of pieces of advice. More advice and they won't take any of it. I would stay away from giving them touring ideas or restaurant suggestions. I would recommend:

Advice:
1. Purchase the tickets now through UT. They'll save money and they'll be able to reserve FP+ rides.
2. DHS on July 4th and MK on July 5th. I love AK, but with Star Wars fans, DHS is a must-do.
3. Do FP+ reservations at 30 days.
4. Read EasyWDW and **************.net or get their book

 

[mco65]

The first time we ever went to Disney.. there was just us.. me and my oldest daughter. We spent a fews at the beach and 1 day at MK and 1 day at MGM.. That was all it took for her.. she is now a Disney nut and goes EVERY YEAR! It took me a few more trips to get the bug...

It can be kind of like sticking your toe in the pool water to see how cold It is.. until you jump in head first... your always gonna be hesitant! I get that. If you have never been, its hard to imagine scheduling an entire week or more for one place...

 

[Kimberly9701]

I know, I'm just venting. They have no intention of using a travel agent - the rest of their vacation is already taken care of (flights, rental cars, hotels; spending part of their vacation at a beach and just driving over to Orlando for a few days). With kids, of course they have to work around school schedules but that still doesn't require them to go over one of the busiest holidays of the year. She and her DH both have professional/managerial jobs with substantial salaries and vacation time so they don't have some of the barriers that I know a lot of families face in trying to plan trips.

I just keep coming back to the wild excitement of the 2 little boys (she video'd their reaction when they were told they were going) versus my concern that she is in several ways setting them up for a bad experience that will indeed result in none of them going back.

Oh - I suggested AK rather than DHS because of the crowd levels, the lack of attractions at DHS, the fact that I'll just bet they won't actually get there until mid-afternoon, the probable lack of FPs, and the greater option for CS meals at AK.

I second a pp who said HS!! ESPECIALLY with 2 boys. If I were you I'd recommend them skipping AK.
What is closed at HS isn't really much impact..and what has been added is wonderful for boys!!! (And any Star Wars fan)

 

[momimouse27]

I just keep coming back to the wild excitement of the 2 little boys (she video'd their reaction when they were told they were going) versus my concern that she is in several ways setting them up for a bad experience that will indeed result in none of them going back.

This makes me sad too. Especially if that's their first introduction to it.

 

[disneyseniors]

I feel your pain, OP. When our daughterinlaw announced that they were going to WDW for a family vacation in May, 2 years ago, with the 2 young grandsons. I thought, WOW, that is great! The boys are a perfect age of 6 and 8 y/o and are SO excited. I was all happy that I could give them some helpful guidance.

Well, they listened to my advise on fp's, the parks, rides, etc, but they let it go in one ear and out the other. Sure, they got a few fast passes, and just winged it for other attractions. I asked the boys what rides they went on, and it seems like they only rode the 3 fp's rides and then waited in super long rides for others they wanted to do. I was concerned that the boys missed out from their not planning much at all.

I found out (much to my wounded Disney advise giving ego) that they HAD a BLAST! The boys were enthralled and loved the attractions they did! They didn't feel like they missed much at all, and guess what? They had a great time doing it their way. I realized I was the one into planning and making it "all right" for them, as first timers. Now I know they had a wonderful time anyway, and are already saving for their next WDW vacation. So, I guess it can all work out whether they do a lot of preplanning or not. At least I hope it does for those little boys

I think we forget sometimes in our hustle to plan and perfect that Disney is a wonderful, wondrous place just to be in, especially for the little ones

Good luck.