I worry about this Disney trip for co-worker

[MommaBerd]

Sometimes people are poor planners because they only remember what it was like when they were kids, because their life is crazy-busy and they just want to escape or because they just don't realize how much it takes to plan. If you didn't know about the DIS and only went to WDW's website for "planning," you would still not be adequately prepared- especially for July 4th. And, personally, I want people to come away from their WDW trip with positive experiences and great memories, just like I have. So that is why *I* want to help others. Clearly, I gauge their response and stop talking if I feel they've tuned out. If someone has approached me for advice, I assume they'll listen and I recognize they may or may not take that advice. But at least I did my part to help them have a successful and fun trip.

 

[DisneyMim]

We have been during the Fourth of July and did not find it that bad. Really there is not much you can say to them. People are always asking my advice. Depending on who it is and if I feel they really want help I either give them my best "secrets". Or I just tell them to have a good time. I am betting they will be fine.

 

[maryj11]

Seriously encourage them to reconsider their dates, due to the heat, crowds and it being a major holiday. 3 strikes right there. When only going there for 2 days it will be a bit disappointing to not see everything.

Yes tell them about this board! If it is just the two adults and really doesn't sound like there are kids -- why don't they try to go in May when the crowds are a little less demanding. That just makes it to be a very disappointing trip. I'm sure to get ADR at this late in the game will be difficult especially for 7/4.

My first trip was arriving NYE -- but i am a super planner when it comes to vacations so despite planning a little over 2 months ahead, we had a great time, but it too a TON of planning and researching.

Just looked and there are plenty of ADR's at MK still available around dinner on the 4th.

 

[Alesia]

Or at least till the week after Labor Day!

I think your friend is smarter than you're giving her credit for. I'd definitely pick early July over the week after labor day. Over the past few years, summer crowds have dropped and fall crowds have grown tremendously. This past year, the week after Labor day was quite a bit busier than the 4th of July.

Weather-wise, the temperature and humidity are about the same, but September is peak hurricane season.

 

[luvsJack]

They will go and probably have the time of their lives not planning a thing.

The only thing I might suggest is switching up their days and do Universal on the fourth. I don't think it will be a disappointment at all. In fact we were just the opposite of the pp and felt Universal had the something extra rather than the other way around. Regardless, they might have better luck with universal and adrs on a holiday like that and there will be so many more choices.

 

[Harambe]

I would suggest that she and her fiancé maybe leave MK for lunch, maybe go to the Contempo Cafe? Or Captain Cooks at the Poly. Might be a nice break for them, if they don't have an ADR.

I totally know how you feel. People come to me a lot with questions, but I only give out advice if they really seem like they want it (like your coworker). If they come to me and whine, "Do I really have to get FPs or ADRs??" I know they won't want to be heavy planners, and make suggestions based on that. My boss went a few Christmases ago, and I tried to dissuade her a bit since she hates to plan anything. She ended up having a nice time, but said she decided to go to Universal for a few days because they have this thing you can buy for $200 that let her skip the line. I said, is it like Fast Pass? And she didn't know what FP was . . .

 

[disnut8]

A co-worker told me this morning she is planning trip to Disney this summer. This will be her fiancé's first trip and her first in a long time.

I asked when they were going and what their plans are. They will drive the 10 hour trip on Monday, go to MK on Tuesday, AK on Wednesday, Universal on Thursday, then drive back on Friday. The day they will go to MK will be July 4th, so I can't imagine this will be a fun trip for some first timer and almost first timer given the short time there, the heat, the crowds, etc. But I tried to be encouraging, explaining they need to know all this going in, be there at RD and do not leave, just do counter service meals, and to focus on what they REALLY want to do. Anything above that will just be a bonus.

Any other suggestions I should share with them?

I would highly suggest they have a dining reservation for that day. And if they drink, nudge them towards the places that serve alcohol. That would be one day I would need alcohol to survive Magic Kingdom.

 

[PSUGuy]

Most folks in our social circle know we're frequent WDW trippers and some have asked for our advice. If we learn friends are going I'll tell them that planning will improve their experience, just let me know if advice is desired. It's up to them at that point, the 'planning will improve their experience' thing is the only unsolicited comment I make.

Bill From PA

 

[janicept]

All of my co-workers know I go to Orlando all the time. I always offer to help with planning like telling them what rides are like to help them figure out what they will like and how to best see everything. Some want to know and some don't. I had one co-worker go to Universal without any advise from me. They left without riding most of the rides because they thought they had to pay for the lockers outside of rides like FJ. Oh well, not my problem.

 

[Claudia1]

I'm well known in our offices to be the Disney guy, so she was in my office this morning and was sharing their plans and seeking some advice, so I shared some ideas with her. I'm not "planning" their trip, and they know their schedule as to availability to seriously consider change dates. As we have not gone during that period, I was just asking other Diser's for some advice that I may have missed that might help them.

I understand completely! If she was seeking you out, then you ARE the guy!

I would share all of the info about the heat and potential crowds, pointing out that FPs are free and to use them wisely.

We have gone often in the summer heat and I'm quite the wimp about it but we still enjoy the trips. Tell them all of the GOOD stuff...... free ice water at all counter service locations, free entertainment, walk thru the shops with air conditioning as much as possible, watch out for the heat and humidity at the AK, use Frog Togs/misters/ etc.... Tell them to enjoy the atmosphere of the parks. Many 1st timers go for the rides and are easily disillusioned. If they will take a little bit to enjoy all of the stuff between the attractions, is will be much better. Encourage them to get FPs for attractions with outside queues, like Everest. The less time they have in the heat, the better their vacation will be. Give them tips of rides to do in the blistering heat..... Pirates, Philharmagic, etc... with seats and/or air-conditioning. Lion King and Nemo at the AK would be good, too.

The heat can be brutal and a hot breeze is not refreshing like a misty, cool breeze or in air conditioning. I use a fan around my neck and keep it on even when I'm in a cool place. Blowing the cool air cools me down faster. Take extra batteries or else be prepared for WDW prices on batteries. I like the idea of a USB fan. They must wear hats and they MUST stay hydrated!

I would be more concerned about Universal. it doesn't have the same "vibe" and without an Express Pass, they will be in long, hot lines. However the pass can be pricey.

If their schedule won't allow them to change dates, then hopefully she will listen to you and let you help.

 

[Harambe]

^^Give them Claudia's number - LOL! She has hit all the important points. I forgot about the hats - yes, hats, hats, hats!

 

[Claudia1]

^^Give them Claudia's number - LOL! She has hit all the important points. I forgot about the hats - yes, hats, hats, hats!

HaHa! I just wish my kids would listen to me! I think the Florida sun fries teenager brains faster than most.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would stop worrying. A few years ago I found out an aquaintance had a last minute trip planned over Thanksgiving. Not one ADR, nothing. Oh no!!!! All I could think of was for this Disney planner, what a nightmare. Nope. She told me that had a blast. The concierge found them some meals, they did not know or care what that had missed and enjoyed all they did.

Sometimes I think that under some circumstances less is more. All I woudl tell your friend is that it is likely to be crowded, so plan for that, and make a dinner ADR if they think that they will want s TS dinner at a certain time.

 

[perditax]

The parks weren't very crowded on the 4th last year. Just for the fireworks...

I wasn't hanging out on the DIS last summer. Wouldn't the 4th have been just a few weeks after the Pulse shootings? I wonder if that impacted theme park crowds all summer. Anyone know?

 

[Alesia]

I wasn't hanging out on the DIS last summer. Wouldn't the 4th have been just a few weeks after the Pulse shootings? I wonder if that impacted theme park crowds all summer. Anyone know?

Summer crowds have been declining and fall crowds have been rising pretty steadily over the past few years.

 

[Westcoastwild]

I'm pretty sure the 4th crowds won't be a surprise to them. I have yet to be anywhere on the 4th that was not crazy crowd wise so unless they go to Canada or stay home usually, that's a no brainer.

I would have (maybe) encouraged them to have a park hopper? Animal Kingdom seemed more brutally hot than the other parks. No idea why. It was the only park that I just couldn't do a full day in- ended up doing a morning and then and evening later the same week.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Aside from talking with you are they doing any other research themselves? Like going onto Disney's website or seeking out other websites as well. Have they gone through and looked at what at the parks interests them, etc?

Personally, and this is more of a general thing, I think people really need to rely first and foremost on their own research and then after they have done that then go to people they know.

 

[anniemae]

I think their plan is fine. They are going to FL in July, I'm sure they know it will be hot. the 4th was not crowed at all last year. Lots of folks go over the 4th and have a blast. Sounds like a fun trip to me.

Like a pp, I also had friends go Thanksgiving week last year for their first trip. I thought they would be miserable not knowing what they were getting into, had ridiculous fp's (non-popular rides first think in the morning), no dining reservation etc. They had a great time, didn't mind the crowds and are going again this year for Thanksgiving.