Just have to laugh

[TowMater92]

I have a very good friend that is at WDW for the first time with his family and today they went to the MK. When he told me they were going I told him to let me know when and I'll go over some need to know stuff.(FP's, dining reservations etc)

I also told him I would mark maps with rides his 5 and 3yo sons would probably like and I also marked good places to watch parades/fireworks/CS's they would like. Then I would go over them when we met. I wound up dropping them in their mail box the day before they left and he called me at 10 pm the night before they left with questions.

I was still nice and went over how to use FP's, rider swaps, some things they shouldn't miss etc. Today I got a text from him asking where they should watch the fireworks at the MK? He forgot the map I marked for him in his hotel room?

I know they are going to come back and complain that is was to hot, the lines we to long, it's expensive yadda yadda yadda. Its going to be hard listening to him but if you're going to be dumb and not use good information that's given to you it your own fault. Okay my venting is over thank you for reading

 

[DakotaRose]

Most people are poor planners. For example this week there are nine of us in four vehicles attending an event 350+ miles from home. We traveled separately. I looked at a map before I left. The rest pointed the car south and drove, and got lost when they reached he town of 50,000 and couldn't find the event just by driving around. Duh!

 

[Aliceacc]

I don't think that most first time visitors really get the magnitude of what they're going to experience. I think they see WDW as a glorified Six Flags, and figure that they're bright enough to navigate it without prior planning.

What they don't understand, of course, is that "bright enough" isn't the issue. Until they get there, and see the sheer size of each of the parks, and the 3 trillion other people all vying for the best spots to see those fireworks and a good meal and a spot on line, they simply don't get the value of pre-planning.

And then, of course, it's too late. If they're lucky, they have a friend like you who will help them have a good first trip. Then they'll pre-plan for trip #2 and have a great 2nd trip.

 

[bleeps]

We've been going to WDW for the past 10 years (with one trip to DL/DCA). Friends know that I "know Disney," and it's always interesting to me who really seeks out and wants advice, and who kind of glazes over and clearly does not want the kind of detail that I can offer. I don't force it -- I just ask what level of help the person wants, and I say that they are free to think I'm crazy but that the more time/effort/detail up front, the more they will enjoy their trip and then go with whatever they decide.

We were just there last week (6/7 to 6/14), and every day it was SO obvious which families knew what they were doing (and were having a good time despite the heat and crowds), and who had arrived with no clue and were truly struggling. I felt terrible for the woman ahead of me in one queue who was saying that they had saved for 4 years for this trip and were having a terrible time (they had only managed one ride the day before -- which could easily happen if you were getting to parks mid-morning, didn't understand FPs, and didn't know what to do or where to go).

And I know there are folks on these boards who kind of rail against the 180 day ADR process, but at nearly every meal we saw families without ADRs being completely turned away (no walk-ups being taken at all) -- and this was without being in a free-dining period!!

I think that unless you go during a truly down time (and those are shrinking every year!), or unless you've been so often that you really aren't concerned with anything other than just being there, you are unlikely to enjoy a trip as much as you might if you put at least some effort into planning. I wonder if at any level Disney's success in marketing the parks might backfire if these hoards of people go and have a lousy time -- or the extent to which Magic Bands might save the day....

 

[emsmommy323]

Where IS the best place to watch fireworks? Last time we went my kids were too tired to stay to watch fireworks and this year we definitely want to stay, and may even go to the MVMCP. I would greatly appreciate some tips as far as that goes!

 

[2manypets]

I was pretty clueless the first time I went too. We walked around a lot just getting annoyed at all the walking

After getting to Epcot and walking around for hours it seemed and not knowing where anything was ( we though Electric Umbrella was a ride!) we grabbed up some maps, went back to the hotel and had a pow wow to figure out our next step.

After the first visit it took 3 years to go back, but I was determined to research the heck out of it so we'd get our 'moneys worth" out of the vacation.

Second trip went much better, and we've been hooked ever since. I'm surprised my DH even wanted to go back the second time.

 

[LovesTimone]

About 3 years ago with planned a trip with my BFF and her family and my DBIL and nephew, and my family, I did all the planning, ADR's, and such. On a back note my family and friends always tease me about all the planning I do, which I take with a grain of salt as I know that if I didn't we would be walking around in circles if left up to any of them.. So.. Back to my point, We went and had a blast, at the end of our trip, my BFF said that was the best trip ever and we got to see and do so much and the meals where so great. How did you ever get everything right? I just smiled and said I did a little bit of planning.

 

[ArwenMarie]

In a way I feel bad for first-time visitors who don't plan and then end up having a horrible time. On the other hand, it doesn't take a genius to look at the maps and realize that it is a massive place. Would you go to a large city for a trip and think you could just walk around and stumble onto everything you wanted to see? I dunno. I go both ways on it. I think the thing that throws the wrench into first-timers' expectations is not really understanding what "crowds" mean. I mean, it's a theme park, the rides are all right there, it shouldn't be THAT hard. Ah but the crowds! There's the rub. I think the new Fastpass will help some people in that way, at least give them some structure to their visits.

 

[think-like-tink]

I don't think that most first time visitors really get the magnitude of what they're going to experience. I think they see WDW as a glorified Six Flags, and figure that they're bright enough to navigate it without prior planning.

What they don't understand, of course, is that "bright enough" isn't the issue. Until they get there, and see the sheer size of each of the parks, and the 3 trillion other people all vying for the best spots to see those fireworks and a good meal and a spot on line, they simply don't get the value of pre-planning.

And then, of course, it's too late. If they're lucky, they have a friend like you who will help them have a good first trip. Then they'll pre-plan for trip #2 and have a great 2nd trip.

I went through this with my bff a few weeks ago. It was a rough 5 hours for them, they walked around for 5 hours and only met Merida. So wished she would have called me sooner than that. Each night, of her stay I went with over what I thought they would like and emailed to her. She followed that and had a good time. I tried to tell before plan she needed to look at the maps, but, no..... She did tell me that is was a big mistake to not do thatWas my I told you so moment.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Where IS the best place to watch fireworks? Last time we went my kids were too tired to stay to watch fireworks and this year we definitely want to stay, and may even go to the MVMCP. I would greatly appreciate some tips as far as that goes!

Good places are on Main Street, between Casey's and the ice cream shop. The bridge connecting the hub to Tomorrowland is also good. The rose garden near the castle, another good location. And the walkway that connects near the aforementioned bridge to Main Street.

 

[Nancyg56]

I was still nice and went over how to use FP's, rider swaps, some things they shouldn't miss etc. Today I got a text from him asking where they should watch the fireworks at the MK? He forgot the map I marked for him in his hotel room?

I know they are going to come back and complain that is was to hot, the lines we to long, it's expensive yadda yadda yadda. Its going to be hard listening to him but if you're going to be dumb and not use good information that's given to you it your own fault. Okay my venting is over thank you for reading

I have mixed feelings about your post. I understand that you meant well and tried to help your friend. It seems to me that he listened, and that he did try to gather info before he left. WDW is overwhelming, and I bet his family was excited to get to MK and simply forgot the map. He texted with some questions, because he forgot a piece of information, not because he disregarded your help before the trip.

My sister and BIL got totally confused in DHS on their trip and thank goodness reached my DD before they tried to see Fantasmc in front of the Sorcerer's Hat. I admit to getting a chuckle at their expense, but neither one of us was mad that they did not have all of the info with them.

 

[BuzzBelleMom]

DH had been to WDW when it was only MK and Epcot in the 80's. We were going to go for the first time in 2004 and I knew nothing other than what a friend who went yearly told me. Our travel agency was useless (would not help with ADR's, locked us into POP Century, no changing, etc), so I bought a book and researched.

I researched so much that DH and I fought because he thought I was overdoing it and I was upset he was so lackadaisical about it.

Well, halfway through our first day in MK, he looked at me and admitted that we had already done more in one morning than he had in the three days with his father when they had visited.

Now, he lets me plan to my heart's content and even offers advice to WDW newbies at work - frustrated when they don't take his advice and then complain, wanting to know why we keep going back.

 

[worm761]

My older sister went to Disney with her ex-in laws. They were cast members. She spent 3 days in the parks and came home and told me she had done everything.

My younger sister went to Disney and had a miserable time. Not once did she think to pick up her cell and call me. She said she couldn't find characters. Then I was looking at her pics and here is a pic of them standing in front of the Toon Town sign. I just looked at her and asked her why should couldn't find characters? What did you think would be in TOON TOWN other than CARTOON characters?

Now, DH didn't get it or my excitement when we were planning on going. He didn't understand my obsessive over planning (and all I plan are what parks what day and ADR's). He LOVES my planning now. He was hooked the first trip. It was all an evil plot to get him addicted too!

 

[Nancyg56]

DH had been to WDW when it was only MK and Epcot in the 80's. We were going to go for the first time in 2004 and I knew nothing other than what a friend who went yearly told me. Our travel agency was useless (would not help with ADR's, locked us into POP Century, no changing, etc), so I bought a book and researched.

I researched so much that DH and I fought because he thought I was overdoing it and I was upset he was so lackadaisical about it.

Well, halfway through our first day in MK, he looked at me and admitted that we had already done more in one morning than he had in the three days with his father when they had visited.

Now, he lets me plan to my heart's content and even offers advice to WDW newbies at work - frustrated when they don't take his advice and then complain, wanting to know why we keep going back.

We had the same thing in my family. DHad I had not been back to WDW since the kids were young so when we decided to take a family trip with our DGD, who was 4, DD told us things had changed. She asked that we stay at AKL, and so I went online and found the DIS thank goodness!

DH thought that I was nuts, all he had asked was that we have some sort of backup plan in case our DGD was overwhelmed but the parks and characters.
So we planned, and planned and told him the cost. He choked. Half-way through the best vacation ever, he told DD and me that he was thankful we put the effort into the trip. DD had been several times as the parks were growing so she knew, but we did not. Now he is "that" guy at work, telling people to call DD and me.

I have to say that he works in construction so thi sis a male oriented environment. He kills me because they are like a bunch of magpies . On teh last trip we took he called and asked for the 50th time where we were staying. BC. Okay, did I know about some science drive in restaurant thing in one of the parks? Yes...yes, I do. How about some 50's place? Yup. Know that one too The guys he works with have been and were helping him

 

[mmullena70]

DH's brother, sister-in-law and nephews went 2 weeks ago when the tropical storm was blowing through. They were so glad they took our poncho advice - purchase ponchos before you get to the parks.

But that's pretty much the only piece of advice they took. They waited to make ADR's until a couple of weeks before their trip and didn't get any restaurants they really wanted. We gave them tons of websites and blogs to research QS restaurants and they still texted us every day to ask where they should eat.

They're not morning people, so they never got to the parks earlier than 11am. Hey, it's vacation, why get up early? And so they didn't get to do as much as they could have.

And this is why we will never, ever go to Disney with them. Or probably any other vacation!

 

[Srbright]

I felt terrible for the woman ahead of me in one queue who was saying that they had saved for 4 years for this trip and were having a terrible time (they had only managed one ride the day before -- which could easily happen if you were getting to parks mid-morning, didn't understand FPs, and didn't know what to do or where to go).

I would not go if I could only ride one ride per day.

Stacy

 

[Planogirl]

I don't see the issue yet. It will be too hot and the lines will be too long and everything is too expensive so that's a given. You don't know yet whether he will have a good time or not and that's really all that matters IMO.

 

[dadofgoofy]

Our first family trip was only for a couple of days and we really learned through trial by fire. We didn't get very much done, knew nothing of DDP, Fast passes, etc. We learned a little about FPs during that first trip. But, in spite of all that we realized what a magical place we had been to. so, we set out to maximize our trips after that. Flash forward 8 years later, we now go yearly for a week or more, and I'm on the phone @180+10 to get ADRs. Sometimes you just have to learn through your mistakes.

 

[boonda]

I just want to say that my husband, 4 kids (11, 9, 8, and 3) and I just went to WDW for the first time 2 weeks ago. We had an amazing time. I usually have a very detailed itinerary when we go on trips, but this time all I did was have the parks on certain days based on EMH. We didn't have any ADRs because we didn't use the DP. But it worked for us this time. Next time the boys will be older and need more food.

By utilizing FP and child swap we were able to ride all rides at all parks, saw many shows, watch parades and fireworks. There were only two things we didn't get to do, but it was mother natures fault. We were first in line at the stunt show but it started storming so it was canceled. We also had a time for Jedi Training, but again it was raining. All this just gives us a reason to go back.

Did I mention we were at Magic Kingdom when the tropical storm came across Florida?

For my first time ever going I was very happy with my experience. Looking forward to going back!

Edited to add: we did see a few princesses, Jake, Goofy, and our family favorite Darth Vader.

While we didn't get to the parks at RD we did get there within 30 minutes to an hour of it and stayed until the end.

 

[Nancyg56]

I don't see the issue yet. It will be too hot and the lines will be too long and everything is too expensive so that's a given. You don't know yet whether he will have a good time or not and that's really all that matters IMO.

I think that there are two lines of thought for some folks. My way or the wrong way.
We had acquaintances who went during a school vacation. No planning, no ADR's, no nothing. Just their resort, the WL. I was worried that they would run into problems but they came home all ready to plan their next trip. They had a blast! They were able to get some last minute ADR's and hit a lot of the highlighted attractions and shows. I think that they probably did not get as much accomplished as others might have, but they did not know what they missed, and honestly, I did not point that out. They knew there was more but their expectations were exceeded so they were thrilled.

I think that everyone has different expectations about their vacations, and planners may cringe when we hear about the wanderers, but I figure that there is no wrong way to vacation.