If you haven't been since ______, you haven't been...

[megs1313]

I've been thinking about this lately, that if you haven't been in a while, then when it comes to planning/touring strategy/crowd expectations, you really haven't been. I had a friend that was planning just a day trip to MK recently, who hadn't been since the late 90s and she felt like she didn't need my advice since she'd gone many times years ago. I thought she was going to be hopelessly lost. She did end up taking my advice.

Does anyone else think this way? If so, how long ago would you say is long enough that you need a basic primer again? For me, anything before FP+ makes you a novice again. You can learn it all by reading here, but if you haven't traveled to the world since the FP+ system came about, you'll need to read up to catch up. That's JMO. What does everyone else think?

 

[Pmlocke]

I guess, with all the changes to the parks over the last five to six years, if you haven't been since 2010, you need to do a refresher. This is the reason my wife and I go every year. Always something new to experiance. Can't wait for all the changes coming over the next three years to be completed.

 

[QueenGsMama]

I hear that! I am bringing my parents with us this year and it will be their first time back since 1985. My Dad asked about the "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" ride . I felt bad having to break it to him. I think it's fair to say it will be a brand new experience for them!

 

[twoplustwins]

Absolutely agree. I have friends who wanted to "do everything" and thought they could "wing it" during a busy season. Ummmm, no. They came back frustrated. They didn't ride the things they wanted or get into the restaurants on their list either. (Didn't plan FP or ADR)
It took some convincing, but the next time they researched and did some planning. They came back much happier and ready to plan the next trip.
Winging it is fine if you don't have many expectations.

 

[ArielSRL]

Until last year, I had not been since 2012 (though I had been about 14 times) and so last year I felt like so much had changed. I did tons and tons of research but I still felt like it was a "practice" trip. This year, I feel much better about knowing what to do.

 

[margot31]

So for me even starting the changes was in 2010 when my family took a big trip...now last time I had gone before that trip was in 2002 when I graduated high school and it was the FP that was the new and greatest thing running across the park to get FP to go back like 3 hours later. I went 2 more times after 2010 before my husband and i moved away from FL in 2012. We finally went back in 2015 and from 2012 to 2015 omg the changes. We had heard about many of the changes and seen them since other family had gone but to experience was a different thing. Thank goodness for websites like this and knowing how to use the internet that the changes I saw and experienced weren't as bad as I thought other than the FP stuff was a little complicated. But I will say Disney has made some great changes to the FP since dec 2015.

 

[lovethattink]

The last six months I was dealing with cancer treatment and our once a week or more trips ended. In that short time, things have changed. I feel I'm playing catch up and I'm still not up to date.

 

[ArielSRL]

The last six months I was dealing with cancer treatment and our once a week or more trips ended. In that short time, things have changed. I feel I'm playing catch up and I'm still not up to date.

I am sorry to hear about that. I hope you are doing better.

 

[Micca]

I think if you haven't been since the implementation of the magicband and the mde app you'd definitely want to bone-up.

 

[Traver Freeman]

Probably 5 years. Regardless of when it is. If you go this year and then don't go again until 2022, I'm sure you'll need a refresher. We have gone more frequently in the past few years after my wife and I were married 6 years ago, but before our honeymoon I hadn't been for 7 years, I felt like a novice somewhat. It's been 3 years since we've been to WDW now, but we're Disneyland AP holders, so we still feel like we know how to work Disney even though the MK layout will be a little different. We keep up with all the WDW changes and are so ready for our trip in a few weeks. But if it had been more than 5 years since setting foot in any Disney park, I would definitely need a refresher.

 

[pammydw]

I hear that! I am bringing my parents with us this year and it will be their first time back since 1985. My Dad asked about the "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" ride . I felt bad having to break it to him. I think it's fair to say it will be a brand new experience for them!

I remember riding 20,000 Leagues! Forgot all about that ride! I'm planning a trip with my mom for next March, to go to the Flower and Garden show. She hasn't been to the World since we went in 1983!

 

[runwad]

For sure! We haven't been since 2011 and are coming back in May. I've been brushing up on my disney planning skills for close to 6 mos now. Everything seems so complicated with MDE, assigning tickets, picking fast passes, SDFP...all the little tips and tricks now are so high tech! At times it becomes complicated for this old brain to soak in. In fact when I try to talk to my DH about some of this stuff he just stares at me and says, I have no idea what you just said.

So you most certainly need a refresher if you haven't been in the last 5 years and are over 50!

 

[Rusty2rules]

I haven't been since 2008. I told my family we won't even recognize the place. I've been researching and planning like it's my first time.

 

[ChloeChipper]

I haven't been since 2008. I told my family we won't even recognize the place. I've been researching and planning like it's my first time.

Yeah, me too. We last came in 2009. Lots of new stuff to explore and figure out. I am so excited!

 

[ChloeChipper]

The last six months I was dealing with cancer treatment and our once a week or more trips ended. In that short time, things have changed. I feel I'm playing catch up and I'm still not up to date.

Hope you're doing OK now!

 

[trvlgirlmq]

We last went in 2011 and had only been 4 times. Those trips were all great and we had a blast. The kids finally wore me down and we are going back but I can honestly say we will never go again. The amount of preplanning, the restrictions on what we can ride and when and the added 45 minutes for bag check is just not my idea of a vacation. I get 1 time a year to get away from my regular, sometimes stressful life, and this is not what I want to do with that time.

 

[Rusty2rules]

We last went in 2011 and had only been 4 times. Those trips were all great and we had a blast. The kids finally wore me down and we are going back but I can honestly say we will never go again. The amount of preplanning, the restrictions on what we can ride and when and the added 45 minutes for bag check is just not my idea of a vacation. I get 1 time a year to get away from my regular, sometimes stressful life, and this is not what I want to do with that time.

Sounds like somebody needs a hug Or a good, stiff drink.

 

[lovethattink]

I am sorry to hear about that. I hope you are doing better.

Hope you're doing OK now!

Thanks! I won! Doing much better!

I can't be exposed to the sun for a year due to the radiation treatments. So evenings at the park will be my options.

 

[Rusty2rules]

The last six months I was dealing with cancer treatment and our once a week or more trips ended.

My wife is going through that right now. Had her surgery a couple weeks ago and starts radiation treatments next month. We meet with the radiation "consultant" tomorrow. I wouldn't wish that on anybody. Glad you're doing better.

 

[runwad]

So a little but if I wear a fanny pack do I have to go thru the bag check line?

Or if I wear a cross body purse?