It's like us DISer's are in a WORLD OF OUR OWN!!

[BABYJOSIE98]

I have been reading posts about how the DISer's go early to the parks at opening and then leave by 1:00 when it starts getting busy...We use Fast Pass and know all the tricks to get around the crowds..... We always secure the best PS times too.

So who are all these people that like to go and spend hot crowded afternoons at these parks at peak times??????? If they only knew our secrets...

I feel sorry for people that go to WDW not knowing what to expect and go at the busiest times of all...SUMMER<CHRISTMAS & SPRING BREAK!!!

Good thing we have these boards to keep us informed.

Happy planning ya'll.... I just wanted to give us all a good pat on the back for all the planning that we do.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

I once heard a statistic that only 5% of all visitors to Disney have ever seen a Disney guidebook such as Birnbaum's, Passporter, unofficial guide, etc....

But you know what they say about statistics......

I also have a co-worker who goes at least once a year, I talked with him recently and told him about my October AKL trip. His response was: "Animal Kingdom Lodge? How did you find out about that? That sounds great!"

 

[marriedmarylander]

To be honest some people just don't care to do all the planning. They just go where they feel and enjoy themselves regardless of crowds or strategies. They don't want to spend $50 on books, websites, etc to figure out a strategy because all of them say something different anyhow.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

I once heard a statistic that only 5% of all visitors to Disney have ever seen a Disney guidebook such as Birnbaum's, Passporter, unofficial guide, etc....

But you know what they say about statistics......

Yep, 75% of statistics are made up on the spot!

(Like the one I just typed!)

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

Yeah, But I have ran into several people over the years that come home from Disney saying..."We will never go back"!! It was so HOT AND CROWDED. I tell them that they need to give it another chance.

I think if you don't plan for WDW then you will not get the full enjoyment of the place. Instead people get fustrated. It is a shame.

Atleast the DIS boards are pretty much free unless you be a sponser.

I love these boards!

 

[tc]

I have some friends that just spend two days at WDW (mid-March), while in Orlando to sing at different churches and nursing homes with their family fiddle band. This family has 8 kids (14 to 3 years old). They had no plan whatsoever. Only rode three rides at MK. Never made it to the left side of MGM (Muppets, NY Street, Star Tours, etc.), they didn't even know it was there. They didn't have a good time, and don't know why we go back. They also didn't make it to World Showcase in Epcot. I told them that if they would have talked to me before they went, I could have helped them with a plan of attack. Their response? Why would they want a plan, they're on vacation? If I had 8 kids, I'd have a plan just to go to the grocery store, lol. They probably won't be returning because they were so miserable. I don't get it. I have been to WDW 11 times, and I still have a plan when I go.

 

[newholidayx2]

yup - and if youre like me and find yourself going to WDW w/only 22hrs notice take your plans from the year before! (at least you'll have something- lol)

 

[jimmiej]

I also have a co-worker who goes at least once a year, I talked with him recently and told him about my October AKL trip. His response was: "Animal Kingdom Lodge? How did you find out about that? That sounds great!"

I talked with a co-worker about their recent trip. I told her about the code rate I used in February. Codes? What codes?

 

[qtwns]

I am currently planning my SIL's trip for her and family. They are not planners and I know that they would be miserable if they went "without me!" She is very willing to follow my plan and I'm excited about their trip! My nieces and nephew are going to have a great trip! I owe all I know to these boards, so pat yourselves on the back for giving my in-laws a great trip!

 

[foxfire]

DIS-ers are in a zone of their own...and it ain't the Twilight Zone!

 

[kaabost]

I am obviously a WDW planner, but that is because I love to do it. I just get too excited NOT to plan. However, I understand where these people are coming from. It's unfortunate. But they just don't know. Most people look at their vacations as time to relax. Planning and scheduling reminds them of the normal rat race. Additionally, I don't think that alot of people really know what they are getting in to. Many people who have never been to WDW probably assume that it is just a fancy 6 Flags. They may not even know that there is more than one park until they get there.

That being said, there is one thing that amazes me every time I go. Pre-planned or not, everyone has the ability to pick up on this whole fastpass thing (or at least I would think). Fastpass is advertised ALOT. Even if you have never heard about fastpass prior to arrival, the concept should come pretty clear after waiting in one really long e-ticket attraction line while watching all of these other people "jump" you in line. However, every time I go, I see these really long standby lines for rides that have fastpasses available for the next hour (I understand waiting after all of the fastpasses have been used up). I don't get it.

 

[buckylarue]

This family has 8 kids (14 to 3 years old). They had no plan whatsoever.

Truer words were never spoken!

 

[texas munchkin]

If I had 8 kids, I'd have a plan just to go to the grocery store, lol.

Yeah, I'd plan to go without them and make it a long trip

 

[buckeye]

This thread is cracking me up.

 

[MinnieM3]

We were there at Spring Break, and this guy stops right in front of us (of course!) and says with amazement in front of Splash Mountian,.... "Hey, look, it's that water ride!" Oh my!! Please sir, let me help you!

Also, we had one day with BIL and SIL who had only been one other time and have no kids... they had been there for 4 days and had been on maybe 5 rides! They had no clue where they were in MK and when we said we needed to get out before the parade, they were shocked....they said they thought you HAD to watch it...ie..no way out! A prisoner to the sno globes!
LOL!

The planning really does pay off!

 

[pumpkinfish]

We are training a manger in our store. She went to WDW 2 years ago. Stayed at CBR with her husband for 7 nights. They went through a travel agent. I was speaking openly about how I have 11 days left, blah blah blah. She became all defensive and said "Well we paid $3700 for our trip! Bet you couldn't beat that!!". I just looked at her and shook my head.

That's $528 a day!!! CRAZINESS!!!

 

[pumpkinfish]

We were there at Spring Break, and this guy stops right in front of us (of course!) and says with amazement in front of Splash Mountian,.... "Hey, look, it's that water ride!" Oh my!! Please sir, let me help you!

Also, we had one day with BIL and SIL who had only been one other time and have no kids... they had been there for 4 days and had been on maybe 5 rides! They had no clue where they were in MK and when we said we needed to get out before the parade, they were shocked....they said they thought you HAD to watch it...ie..no way out! A prisoner to the sno globes!
LOL!

The planning really does pay off!

Sadly, I think this is what will become of my co-workers and thier families this year. I have two seperate friends/co-workers who are heading down to WDW. One is traveling with her entire family (8 in all, w/2 kids) and the other is going with her BF. I have been speaking disney to them everyday, but the one going with BF really has no idea. She will be there in 1 month and hte other will be there at the end of July. I am doing all their PS's thank goodness. I even wrote out what park they will visit each day. Other than that they want NO planning....UGHH!!!

 

[jnrrt]

Maybe I'm really mean, but without all those people NOT knowing what to do, knowing what to do would be worth a lot less. If everyone was there for EMH and left, there would be no crowded to leave before. It'd be, well, *gasp*, more even, and then I wouldn't get to do what I wanted to do. So it's okay with me!

I just make sure that I try to talk to people I want to have a good time, without going nuts. Friends of ours just went, and I helped them get some discounts and gave them general guidelines, but when eyes start to glaze over, I say, "Have a great trip!". Not everyone is as complusive as me.

 

[jnrrt]

We are training a manger in our store. She went to WDW 2 years ago. Stayed at CBR with her husband for 7 nights. They went through a travel agent. I was speaking openly about how I have 11 days left, blah blah blah. She became all defensive and said "Well we paid $3700 for our trip! Bet you couldn't beat that!!". I just looked at her and shook my head.

That's $528 a day!!! CRAZINESS!!!

I will say, this drives me crazy though. Why spend all the money if you don't have to? I don't think a lot of people even know that you can do it differently. My mom's been going for years, and after I found the codes for the first trip I planned by myself, I told her, and it was like a new world! I was the best daughter ever, so that's a perk.

 

[GarrettJD]

Well, as far as planning goes... I'm the one who does the planning. My GF just pays (part of it!) and shows up. She's a WDW expert now too, but she lets me do all the planning because she knows that I genuinely enjoy it.