International Planning - An Aussies Perspective

[Oz Mouseketeer]

Planning a trip to Disney World as an international guest sure has had it’s ups and downs… I’ve trawled the disboards for hints, tips and strategies over the last few weeks, and can excitedly announce my new fiancé and I will be arriving end of May (beginning of June) for 7 days of Disney World Magic… We’ve started securing our dining reservations (it’s true, Cinderellas Royal Table DOES book out insanely in advance) and we can’t wait for our 60 day window to open to start booking in our FP+ schedule…

But… surfing the forums, my excitement and optimism was slowly replaced with horror and anxiety… Booking our FP+, my fiancé and I were initially super excited at the prospect of a magic band doing everything for us… It unlocks our hotel door?! It stores our FP choices?! Is there anything this amazing magic band can’t do? Well, according to you guys… yeah, there’s LOTS it gets wrong… Then we started hearing about the massive lines around the parks… the crazy wait times for big ticket rides… and our excitement and optimism waned – At one stage my fiancé even asked: “Have we made the right choice choosing Disney World…”

But then I had to remind myself… I’ve been to Disney BEFORE there was a FP system… and then again when there was a ticketed FP system… I get it, some of you are annoyed by the new system, and the tiered options, and the way it seems like Disney is forcing your hand and “doesn’t care” about you – But why should they? Many of you have been to Disney countless times… every year… every 6 months… entire Disney families brought up on Disney and practically raised in the parks - But your sense of entitlement regarding what you think Disney owes you is astounding.

As an international guest, it’s hard to hear all the pessimistic and negative feedback around the boards because I don’t think you guys understand how easy you actually get it – You’ve got phone numbers you can call regarding your booking and reservations… you’ve got help lines… Making an international call to Disney World is pretty tough considering time differences and the amount of cash it will cost us – Planning the surprises that I am to celebrate our new engagement at the park is really tough when I can’t just jump on the phone to someone in Reservations for a chat about things… But, we get by and cope because it’s Disney World and it’s going to be amazing!

We can’t wait for our trip – We can’t wait to fly in, and can’t wait to bus over, and can’t wait to arrive and experience all the Disney magic… lines or no lines… crazy wait times or not… We’ll be at rope drop (probably with a lot of you standing side by side) but we won’t be complaining because it’s Disney! When I read a posts like “Disney has lost another family!” or “We’re cancelling our trip” I can’t help but wonder why… because where they’re losing your family, they’re GAINING ours! Please don’t forget that for a lot of us, the magic hasn’t died – It’s just getting started!

 

[vault19dweller]

Being an international guest the long distance call isn't a massive worry to me with call caps but the time-difference does suck!

Couldn't agree with you more about the crazy levels of pessimism going on!
Its like you cant get through a day with another bunch of posts complaining about something you've already seen complaint about the day before (or same day even)

I used to enjoy researching peoples stories, thoughts & tips but right now it feels like everyone has decided Disney is some kind of hell which must be avoided like the plague.

I get people hate change, but I guess I wasn't prepared for the amount of hate.
It sure does make it hard to plan something and be excited when the majority of posts these days are so negative.

You were spot'on with the reading posts like “Disney has lost another family!” or “We’re cancelling our trip”, it makes me wonder how true that will be a few years down the track.

Im with you, trying to keep my head up, to us, Disney is magic. I feel like here, that's been lost, which makes me sad because I used to love reading the stories here, used to, once upon a time

 

[ColinA]

Well written post. You need to ignore the negative reports!

 

[Sugarglider]

Hi colin - fancy meeting you here! hope your trip went smooth as ...

I agree somewhat with the timeframes problem - I have had a problem with MDE since last october, I have been phoning late at night and sending emails - but only 1 person could help me and he was only available on the 5th tuesday of the month at 11 past never.

anyway - up at 6am one morning to make the call this week - and yes finally in 2 minutes my problem was fixed - but it took a while to co-ordinate.

I agree - first world problems if a magic is too hard for a holiday. Personally I am looking forward to not having to drag my friends out for too many rope drops because i have everything (FP+ included) planned in advance.

or maybe we Aussies are just too relaxed about stuff. the weather is too good and if you want me I'll be down by the pool.

 

[Rebekkap]

Hear hear! Another Aussie here, and the forums have been freaking me out this time! It can't be all bad, it's DISNEY!

 

[Cyrano]

Hi Oz Mouseketeer. Danny, Brian and Reid welcome you to the TPAS DIS board

We are a friendly and knowledgeable bunch here so please join in on any other thread or if you have a number of questions then just start a new thread

If you have not had a look yet the DIS posting guidelines can be found here.

 

[mrsmorrow]

Planning a trip to Disney World as an international guest sure has had it’s ups and downs… I’ve trawled the disboards for hints, tips and strategies over the last few weeks, and can excitedly announce my new fiancé and I will be arriving end of May (beginning of June) for 7 days of Disney World Magic… We’ve started securing our dining reservations (it’s true, Cinderellas Royal Table DOES book out insanely in advance) and we can’t wait for our 60 day window to open to start booking in our FP+ schedule…

But… surfing the forums, my excitement and optimism was slowly replaced with horror and anxiety… Booking our FP+, my fiancé and I were initially super excited at the prospect of a magic band doing everything for us… It unlocks our hotel door?! It stores our FP choices?! Is there anything this amazing magic band can’t do? Well, according to you guys… yeah, there’s LOTS it gets wrong… Then we started hearing about the massive lines around the parks… the crazy wait times for big ticket rides… and our excitement and optimism waned – At one stage my fiancé even asked: “Have we made the right choice choosing Disney World…”

But then I had to remind myself… I’ve been to Disney BEFORE there was a FP system… and then again when there was a ticketed FP system… I get it, some of you are annoyed by the new system, and the tiered options, and the way it seems like Disney is forcing your hand and “doesn’t care” about you – But why should they? Many of you have been to Disney countless times… every year… every 6 months… entire Disney families brought up on Disney and practically raised in the parks - But your sense of entitlement regarding what you think Disney owes you is astounding.

As an international guest, it’s hard to hear all the pessimistic and negative feedback around the boards because I don’t think you guys understand how easy you actually get it – You’ve got phone numbers you can call regarding your booking and reservations… you’ve got help lines… Making an international call to Disney World is pretty tough considering time differences and the amount of cash it will cost us – Planning the surprises that I am to celebrate our new engagement at the park is really tough when I can’t just jump on the phone to someone in Reservations for a chat about things… But, we get by and cope because it’s Disney World and it’s going to be amazing!

We can’t wait for our trip – We can’t wait to fly in, and can’t wait to bus over, and can’t wait to arrive and experience all the Disney magic… lines or no lines… crazy wait times or not… We’ll be at rope drop (probably with a lot of you standing side by side) but we won’t be complaining because it’s Disney! When I read a posts like “Disney has lost another family!” or “We’re cancelling our trip” I can’t help but wonder why… because where they’re losing your family, they’re GAINING ours! Please don’t forget that for a lot of us, the magic hasn’t died – It’s just getting started!

Congrats on your engagement and upcoming trip! I actually have been with my family many times, most trips 10 days to 2 weeks long and we live 1000 miles away. I agree with you for the most part. Every single time we visit the World, I tell my husband that Disney is the one place that makes a lot of people feel self-entitled. It just goes hand in hand I guess. People spend a lot of money whether they visit ten times a year or once every ten years. It's magical and grand and wonderful being in Disney but I just feel as though some people then feel entitled to "get the most" out of their vacation and will do whatever they need to make that happen. It seems pronounced at Disney but unfortunately it happens everywhere. We are a "family brought up on Disney" and my almost-grown children truly love vacationing there. But to me, it's all about your way of thinking. Am I worried/nervous/mad/confused about a new FP system and the potential for long waits and glitches? Yes, I am human But that will in no way diminish our love for Disney and all it offers our family. It's difficult to read the negative posts but they in no way upset my plans: Strolling around Epcot WS, Milkshakes in AK and Dole Whips in MK, fireworks, shows, parades, rides, hula hoop or light sabre fights with CM's, the smell of baked goods on Main St, throwing your arms in the air on Peoplemover, being scared on Dinosaur...the list goes on and on. You immerse yourself in the magic, but most of the magic is actually created by YOU
Have an amazing trip!

 

[WEDWDW]

We can’t wait for our trip – We can’t wait to fly in, and can’t wait to bus over, and can’t wait to arrive and experience all the Disney magic… lines or no lines… crazy wait times or not…

WELCOME to The DIS!!!!

The flight to WDW for me is only 1 1/2 hours and I have been to WDW THIRTY times with another trip coming up April 25-May 4 and you have summed up my own feelings about WDW better than I could!!!!

I was AMAZED by the place the first time I saw it and remain AMAZED by it!

HAVE A BLAST!You will love New Fantasyland!

By the way,I LOVE meeting Australian Cast Members on my WDW Holidays-they are always GREAT CMs!

 

[ajwolfe]

I just want to say I couldn't agree with you more. We are about a 17 hour drive away, so nowhere as difficult as international travel, so I can only imagine how crazy that would get to plan. But we truly LOVE disney. We are amazed everytime we go; it truly is our happy place. Our family is at peace there regardless of what is going on at home and how long the lines are.

To those that say it's another family lost from Disney, well sorry for you to miss out, but you just shortened my line by one family. I'm not going to feel sorry for those that are whining about the changes and refusing to go without even trying the new changes.

I used to love coming to this board and now I only pop on so often, because I can only take so much of the negative comments.

 

[ColinA]

Hi colin - fancy meeting you here! hope your trip went smooth as ...

I agree somewhat with the timeframes problem - I have had a problem with MDE since last october, I have been phoning late at night and sending emails - but only 1 person could help me and he was only available on the 5th tuesday of the month at 11 past never.

anyway - up at 6am one morning to make the call this week - and yes finally in 2 minutes my problem was fixed - but it took a while to co-ordinate.

I agree - first world problems if a magic is too hard for a holiday. Personally I am looking forward to not having to drag my friends out for too many rope drops because i have everything (FP+ included) planned in advance.

or maybe we Aussies are just too relaxed about stuff. the weather is too good and if you want me I'll be down by the pool.

Not long for you now and your gang.

Our trip went well as usual. All booked for the next trip, flights and DVC all done. Now for the dining in a few months.

Magic bands were no problem. We got the KTTW cards as well and used them as we do not like the Magic Band shape. When we had fast passes or EMH we just carried the Magic Bands in our pocket or back pack and used when we needed to. Not sure what all the fuss is about.

 

[Oz Mouseketeer]

Thanks for all the love, guys! Nice discovering there’s still like-minded people around…

I was reflecting more on our journey so far with bookings – Finding band-aid solutions around the online reservation system requesting a “valid phone number” and having to make one up, or (like we discovered) entering in the resorts phone number instead! Researching character meets down to the minute (as a massive fan of Frozen myself… um, Anna and Elsa will have to wait if they’re going to insist on being so popular!) not to mention trying to work out the absolute best possible places to watch Fantasmic and Illuminations (we’ve secured a dinner reservation at La Hacienda de San Angel… pray for a window seat… PRAAAY for a WINDOW seat!)


Interestingly enough, a Disney Rep called me in response to an email I sent off to a random email address I found inquiring about some of our engagement plans, and I was VERY impressed with their customer service (though, they left a message on my voicemail and I had to inevitably bite the bullet, make that international call and call them back!) and despite the crackly phone line and terrible echo, we managed to get a few wheels turning on the plans I have, which was both exciting and a MASSIVE relief!

Next up, my plans are all around working out how our seemingly MASSIVE resort (Coronado Springs) operates… because again, reading the threads all I hear are complaints about how far people have had to walk to get to a bus stop, and how we “absolutely must demand a room close to the bus stop” or risk having to walk (the horror) more than 5 minutes down the road. Im not really one for making demands for upgrades, but surely it can’t be that bad!

Keep up the Aussie Disney Love!

OM

 

[ColinA]

Thanks for all the love, guys! Nice discovering there’s still like-minded people around…

I was reflecting more on our journey so far with bookings – Finding band-aid solutions around the online reservation system requesting a “valid phone number” and having to make one up, or (like we discovered) entering in the resorts phone number instead! Researching character meets down to the minute (as a massive fan of Frozen myself… um, Anna and Elsa will have to wait if they’re going to insist on being so popular!) not to mention trying to work out the absolute best possible places to watch Fantasmic and Illuminations (we’ve secured a dinner reservation at La Hacienda de San Angel… pray for a window seat… PRAAAY for a WINDOW seat!)


Interestingly enough, a Disney Rep called me in response to an email I sent off to a random email address I found inquiring about some of our engagement plans, and I was VERY impressed with their customer service (though, they left a message on my voicemail and I had to inevitably bite the bullet, make that international call and call them back!) and despite the crackly phone line and terrible echo, we managed to get a few wheels turning on the plans I have, which was both exciting and a MASSIVE relief!

Next up, my plans are all around working out how our seemingly MASSIVE resort (Coronado Springs) operates… because again, reading the threads all I hear are complaints about how far people have had to walk to get to a bus stop, and how we “absolutely must demand a room close to the bus stop” or risk having to walk (the horror) more than 5 minutes down the road. Im not really one for making demands for upgrades, but surely it can’t be that bad!

Keep up the Aussie Disney Love!

OM

For the phone calls download Skype and buy the credit to call landlines.

Ignore the threads about how far to walk. Some like to complain about everything.