I think my friends really missed out!

[HenDuck]

My neighbors (two families) just came back from DL last week. We had taken our DS (3 ½) to DL in April and I had tried to share with the neighbors some ideas as to what they might like to do with their kids at DL. I was amazed that they had no idea what DL/DCA had to offer. They didn’t know about character meals, where to find the characters, certain rides, etc. I could go on and on…

Then when they returned, as asked them if they did this or that, and every time, the answer was, “No.” I asked the littlest girl (also 3 ½) if she had seen any of the princesses. She said, “No.” I asked them if they went to any character meals or the princess story telling at the castle. One father said, “I was sick of seeing characters. We saw enough!” They didn’t even FIND the Pooh ride! They did not see Playhouse Disney at DCA and missed all of A Bug’s Land.

It sounded like one father was just a stick in the mud. One mother did not ride anything at all. And I guess the little girl did not see any princesses or Pooh or anything else that I thought little girls would love.

I just feel like they don’t even know what they missed. I felt so sad for their kids. I am not really sure what they did or saw.

Anyone else ever have this experience?

 

[IandGsmom]

Its amazing some people go on vacation, any vacation, with out doing any sort of research. Also I will quote something I read on these boards... "For those that get the Disney Magic, no explaination is needed. For those that don't, no explaination will do."
Some people can really ruin it for others. On our trip to WDW we saw a man YELL I mean YELL at his daughter in such a way I could not believe all because she did not want to go on RockNRollar Coaster

 

[Freyja]

I must admit that before I took my own family to Disneyworld I hadn´t imagined that it would need so much planning to do. Thankfully I found the Disboards a few weeks prior to departure and boy was I busy after that. I guess some people just don´t get that this is not just "yet another themepark".

 

[SKFamily]

And some people find it impossible to see things "through a child's eyes"... to be able to think of what the child might like best. I had to laugh at the part about the adults being sick of seeing characters... what the heck were they doing there then??

 

[Amberle3]

Now I'm just the opposite with the characters. I have to use every ounce of willpower not to go running up to Eeyore and just hug the snot out of him.

When we go with my nephews, it's usually my DF and I that are ringleaders in the character hunt. Oh look there's Goofy! Let's go and see Goofy! What do you mean you don't want to go see Goofy? Don't you want your picture taken with Goofy? Sure you do! Please? PLEASE?! *whimper*

The kids are slowing growing into the characters. Maybe some day they'll even like them as much as we do!

 

[ibouncetoo]

I had a similar experience...that thankefully turned out well.

I'd gotten an emergency phone call from an old boss, who needed a dog sitter as they were doing a family vacation and their arrangements fell through. So ONE DAY before they leave I'm getting ready to go over to the house to get the keys and instructions and when I call before heading out....find out they are going to Disneyland! I grab some DL/DCA maps/schedules and take them with me. They had done no research, didn't even know park hours...CRIKEY! I sat them down with pen and paper and talked for an hour, barely pausing for breath! The kids were looking at the map and one said "Priates of the Carribean....it that anything like the movie!" They didn't know about fast pass....nada, nothing, zip, zero.

Anyway....when they get back from a great trip....I got a bonus! They said all the hints/suggestions saved them so much time, and they saw some things they really enjoyed, that they may have just passed by before. Also, the kids now do a scathingly funny imitation of me throwing my hands up and shaking my head saying 'No, no...you must be at the parks at opening!"

 

[PFopma]

I passed this website along a few years ago to someone who was taking a trip with a large family group to DW. They still talk about all the great tips and info they got and how it made their trip so much more enjoyable.

I have been to DW dozens of times but still check this website out as part of my trip planning process. I am taking a DL trip this summer - my first since about 20 years ago. I have gotten so much good info - Candy Cane Inn, Fantasmic Dessert Buffet , etc.

It always amazes me that most people when they travel are so uninformed about the place they are going. Doing research on places I want to visit is one of the things I enjoy most about traveling.

Pat

 

[HenDuck]

My other friend said they want to go with us the next time we go to DL because then they don't have to do any planning. They'll just follow us around and do whatever we suggest!

Hey, at least some people listen when a Dis-er talks!

 

[SKFamily]

I cannot imagine doing this trip without having done some research. I am so glad this site came up when I typed "Disneyland" into Google a few months ago! I have found out so much I'm sure dh thinks I'm nuts. He's one who would just show up and wing it - probably showing up at the parks at around 11 AM.

Definately need to so some research before a trip.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

In Nov I went with a bunch of friends to DL and they also had *no* clue about things (and 2 had been there before...) I finally ditched them the 2nd day and went and watched the fireworks from the castle because "they didnt want to.." well 2 weeks later who were they mad at that I didnt *make* them watch the fireworks when they saw my pictures....

aahhhh! -em

 

[iceskatejen]

Back in 1987 we had a French exchange student stay with us for a month. There were a bunch of other French students staying with area families. Part of what they did here was see various So Cal sights and of course DL was included. I hung out that day with a girl form another host family who went to my high school. We saw some of the exchange students a few times that day but I never got a chance to talk to the one staying at my house until we were back home. I asked her what she'd seen and ridden and she had only rode a handfull of rides (and not necessarily the best DL had to offer at the time). I asked her what else they had done and it was a lot of shopping. Probably a week or so later I went to Knotts with her and one other student and another American girl and found out that they do a lot of shopping rather than a lot of rides and to my way of thinking (at least back then) miss out on a lot. Now I enjoy shopping at DL more, but Knotts still doesn't have so much interesting stuff.

 

[dsnylndmom]

I have a few friends that either haven't been or haven't been in a long long time and they tell me they want to go WITH ME LOL when they go back!

For those that get the Disney Magic, no explaination is needed. For those that don't, no explaination will do

I TOTALLY agree with this statement! We went with some friends to WDW and they were more concerned about getting all the thrill rides done than anything else. They also went offsite(to a walmart or target)to buy all their souveniers because "it's the same stuff and it's cheaper" I couldn't believe it!! They just didn't get it.

I've also had my son(9) tell me that "some kids just don't get it" He gets frustrated when kids at school tell him DL's for babies and he tries to explain the magic to them. He finally told me "mom I give up, they just don't get. They don't know what they're missing"

That's my boy!

 

[funhouse8]

When my sil & bil were going to WDW. I explained every park and told them what they had to see. I remember telling them not to miss fantasmic. Well they went to MGM and left before it started because they were tired??????????? They were in their forties(Exercise evryday) with no kids. My husband said it best. "What a waste of a park ticket!" Well I have to say I love these boards and I think planning is half the fun. Thanks all! Gina

 

[Maridw]

I can relate to everything everyone has posted. My DD & I have gone to a doctor's appointment and talked about going to WDW and people say oh that's great, I would love to go. I tell them we go alot, and then we get into what to do, where to stay, resident discounts, military discounts, the Disboards, etc.

Even a friend of our's who goes alot, we gave her this board plus other ideas. They have a 3 yo and while at a wedding, we mentioned taking wedding bubbles to the park to give to kids to keep them busy and amused. She had never thought of that. So since it was a good friend who got married, she asked for any extra bubbles they had to take on their next trip.

We love the ideas and suggestions given on these boards. My DD constantly looks for ways we can save or things we can do to help out our budget.

I can't wait for our next trip to WDW but even more so our trip to DL since it has been a few years.

 

[DL_DCA_fans]

We're always amazed at the number of people who arrive several hours after the park opens....and then complain about the long lines, crowds, etc.! We'd much rather get up early and be able to get on lots of rides when the park first opens. Then as the lines start getting longer, get a fastpast, and avoid those crowds.
Planning ahead definitely pays off...but again, some people just don't get it!