My friend is clueless

[whitney6494]

I have been hounding one of my friends to get her ADRs for their upcoming Christmas trip.She said she wants to go to Chef Mickey's and maybe a princess meal. She told me to bug her and maybe she'll actually do it. But Come On!!! It's so easy. Why is she not doing it? I think I'm done saying anything. It bugs me that she isn't taking this seriously. I spend alot of time on Dis and finding out new places to go and things to do. I can't even tell her some of those things because she just doesn't seem to want to know. Her vacation is only 5 days and I feel like she is going to miss out on soooo much.

 

[KungFoomF]

Unfortunately these are the same people that come back from their trip and say Disney is overrated and not all that fun.

 

[princessmom29]

It is the old, you can lead a horse to water argument. A co worker of DH's did this to me for their Sept trip. They asked for advice and then followed none of it. FD, but no ADR's. didn't get to the parks until lunch, didn't use fastpass ect. They came back complaining that it was insane that you couldn't get in anywhere to eat, and the line was all 2 hours long for the good rides ect. I tried to tell them?????

 

[Nadjalu]

If it were me I would simply say. "This is the last time I am going to remind you to try and get ressies. If you don't, and miss out on the meals you intend to dine at, don't blame me. I don't even want to hear about it."

And then be done with it.

Unfortunately some people don't want to listen, but they will find out the hard way. It is a shame and hopefully it doesn't ruin her trip if she misses out, but she has no one to blame but herself.

 

[Pumbaa_]

One of two things will happen - they will come home 'haters' or they will say we should have followed your advice! Next time......

So hard when people don't get it and don't understand the 'urgency' of planning ahead. When I am spending this much money, you know I am going to doresearch on the destination

you tried OP, that is all you can do

 

[DISdreamin']

Honestly, I think some of us thrive on the planning, the arranging, the "Grand Plan"...and others want to fly by the seat of their pants. It's just human nature, nothing to be done for it.

Were it me, I'd send the friend a reminder email so it could sit in her inbox - that way, she receives it at the computer, which is where she'll need to be to make the reservations. I'd even include a link to the very page she'll need for dining ressies. Maybe a link to the character dining page since that seems what she is interested in. After that, I'd completely let it go unless she brings it up.

If she goes and hates it, you tried. I wouldn't hound her any further...seriously, she's an adult, right? You've warned her, you've reminded her...what more can you do without being a downright PITA, KWIM?

 

[MHSweb79]

I think when you tell some people, "Chef Mickey's can be booked solid six months in advance" they simply don't believe that could possibly be true so they don't pay any attention. Or they think that if they're willing to wait 45 minutes, they'll be able to get in anywhere.

If you've told her "You need to have ADR's if these things are important to your trip" and she still doesn't do anything, then you've done all you can. I would let her live and learn.

Christmas week!!!!!

 

[whitney6494]

I think when you tell some people, "Chef Mickey's can be booked solid six months in advance" they simply don't believe that could possibly be true so they don't pay any attention. Or they think that if they're willing to wait 45 minutes, they'll be able to get in anywhere.

If you've told her "You need to have ADR's if these things are important to your trip" and she still doesn't do anything, then you've done all you can. I would let her live and learn.

Christmas week!!!!!

I KNOW...christmas week !!!! But I was checking and because of no FD there was alot of ressies open...if she gets them NOW. Meanwhile I was stalking 10times a day for mine. But I got them

 

[aubriee]

I have a coworker who is taking her whole family down there the week between Christmas and New Years (three adult sons and their whole families--16 people total). When I spoke to her the other night, she told me that they still had not made any 'concrete plans' about where they wanted to go each day or where they were going to eat. She said they were just going to wing it every day (sleep in, then decide where to go after everyone gets up). When I told her that was the busiest time of year, that they needed to take advantage of extra magic hours, and that they would have to have ADRs, especially for a group that big, to get into any restaurant, she just blew it off and said they would decide when they got down there where they wanted to eat and no way were they getting up early, since they were on vacation. She did ask me for a list of all the character meals though, since "we definitely want to get the grandkids into several of those". I feel sorry for those grandkids (their first trip to WDW, Christmas crowds, grandma has promised them character meals, she plans to keep the whole group together every day, sleeping in late every day, and no plans of any kind made).

 

[eeyorethegreat]

It is frustrating when people don't take the time to plan for a trip! Just keep in mind it is there trip and it is up to them to make it or break it. You've given them the information they needed if they choose not to use it it is their responsibility. If they complain when they get back just tell them you wish they had had a better time and that as you mentioned planning is essential then change the subject.

 

[DisneyForLife]

:. I feel sorry for those grandkids (their first trip to WDW, Christmas crowds, grandma has promised them character meals, she plans to keep the whole group together every day, sleeping in late every day, and no plans of any kind made).

All of us here of the dis know that there is no way this is going to work out as she plans. I feel bad for the kids also.
Some people have to learn the hard way

 

[whitney6494]

Just to let you know. I followed your advice...I wrote her 1 more time to remind her to make ressies. I also gave her a list of the best days to go to each park and let her know that the people who don't plan a little are the ones who end up hating Disney. I also suggested that she make a few ressies and if she she changed her mind she could cancel them. I let her know I'm not going to bug her about it anymore. DONE!!!! My vacation is just about all set and we plan on having a GREAT one. Can't wait to see the Christmas deco and have a blast!!! Oh and btw...the CM breakfast she wanted sooo much is now unavailable.

 

[aubriee]

Just to let you know. I followed your advice...I wrote her 1 more time to remind her to make ressies. I also gave her a list of the best days to go to each park and let her know that the people who don't plan a little are the ones who end up hating Disney. I also suggested that she make a few ressies and if she she changed her mind she could cancel them. I let her know I'm not going to bug her about it anymore. DONE!!!! My vacation is just about all set and we plan on having a GREAT one. Can't wait to see the Christmas deco and have a blast!!! Oh and btw...the CM breakfast she wanted sooo much is now unavailable.

Good for you. Hey, my coworker still thinks she can get into the castle, Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana, Tusker House, and Crystal Palace, as walk ups, if they 'wait long enough'. She says no way will Disney turn people willing to pay away and she's not the least bit worried about getting her group of 16 in anywhere they want to eat. Again this is the week between Christmas and New Years.

 

[sazzifrazz]

Last spring I helped a coworker plan a trip for herself, her husband, son and grandchildren. First, I tried to convince her not to go in the summer, but to take the kids outa of school and go. Too hot and crowded. She didn't listen.
Then, I had to explain to her how to get a good price deal. She was AMAZED! She didn't have a clue about free dining. I explained, offered to make her ADR's etc. no no no, we'll be ok. doh!!

So I see her after her trip and she says they had fun but 1) it was SOOO crowded they didn't do a lot of the rides they wanted. 2) It was so hot her husband and the kids were miserable. 3) They didn't even use most of their free table services because they "couldn't get in anywhere...it was all booked up!" 4) They ate at places not on the dining plan and paid out of pocket.

All and all she had fun, but i don't think she even realizes how much better her trip could have been had she spent some time planning.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Good for you. Hey, my coworker still thinks she can get into the castle, Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana, Tusker House, and Crystal Palace, as walk ups, if they 'wait long enough'. She says no way will Disney turn people willing to pay away and she's not the least bit worried about getting her group of 16 in anywhere they want to eat. Again this is the week between Christmas and New Years.

 

[Jenngoofys]

Good for you. Hey, my coworker still thinks she can get into the castle, Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana, Tusker House, and Crystal Palace, as walk ups, if they 'wait long enough'. She says no way will Disney turn people willing to pay away and she's not the least bit worried about getting her group of 16 in anywhere they want to eat. Again this is the week between Christmas and New Years.

It makes me so sad im sick. I feel so bad for the whole group.Really I cant believe people dont get it. I went Dec22- Jan1 one year we had a great time but we had Adr's and we used fast passes galore. If you dont know how to use fast passes forget going that week!! Lines top out at 3 hours each or more. We will NEVER go back that week again we just went for my daughters actual birthday and stayed for Christmas and New years it was fun but never again. Way way way to many people. They closed the park at 11 am due to capacity. People think oh Christmas will be perfect Nope!! lol We did well only because we knew what we were doing with fast passes but otherwise youd only make it on like 3 rides a day and thats if you didnt eat or go to the RR. It is really that crowded.

 

[ollyg]

My co-worker told me today they are taking a short trip w/kids 11-4 to 11-7 and wanted to know if they really needed ressies for character meals.

I showed her my little planning journal and spreadsheet and was told "thats too much work" I just like to show up.---they having nothing booked yet--no flight or hotel

Mind you, I only plan what park I will be at each day along with my dining ressies, and can't miss attractions. My journal contains all my confirmation numbers for dining, photopass, flight, and hotel along with park hours and parade/fireworks times.

I am starting to feel I that maybe I did go overboard with the planning.......

 

[flamingglobessigmund]

I have a coworker who is taking her whole family down there the week between Christmas and New Years (three adult sons and their whole families--16 people total). When I spoke to her the other night, she told me that they still had not made any 'concrete plans' about where they wanted to go each day or where they were going to eat. She said they were just going to wing it every day (sleep in, then decide where to go after everyone gets up). When I told her that was the busiest time of year, that they needed to take advantage of extra magic hours, and that they would have to have ADRs, especially for a group that big, to get into any restaurant, she just blew it off and said they would decide when they got down there where they wanted to eat and no way were they getting up early, since they were on vacation. She did ask me for a list of all the character meals though, since "we definitely want to get the grandkids into several of those". I feel sorry for those grandkids (their first trip to WDW, Christmas crowds, grandma has promised them character meals, she plans to keep the whole group together every day, sleeping in late every day, and no plans of any kind made).

Maybe for her getting 16 people to do planned activities & reservations on vacation is like herding cats?

 

[crisi]

Good for you. Hey, my coworker still thinks she can get into the castle, Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana, Tusker House, and Crystal Palace, as walk ups, if they 'wait long enough'. She says no way will Disney turn people willing to pay away and she's not the least bit worried about getting her group of 16 in anywhere they want to eat. Again this is the week between Christmas and New Years.

Yeah, because with 100,000 people to feed, and more dining plans sold than tables available, Disney's magic pixie dust will just make tables appear out of thin air for her family. Because her money is worth so much more than the money of the people who made reservations six months out. Because Disney never bothers to sell anything to capacity and leaves money on the table every night hoping for people to walk up. Because of those 100,000 guests, no one else is planning on just walking up to the most popular meals, so if a table were to be available, it will, of course, be yours.

Common sense is NOT at all common.

Tell her the Rose and Crown patio is the only place to see Illuminations from.

 

[whitney6494]

Good for you. Hey, my coworker still thinks she can get into the castle, Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana, Tusker House, and Crystal Palace, as walk ups, if they 'wait long enough'. She says no way will Disney turn people willing to pay away and she's not the least bit worried about getting her group of 16 in anywhere they want to eat. Again this is the week between Christmas and New Years.

That is soooo sad. Why don't people just listen? My sister said if she's got to do that much planning than it's not a good vacation. How stupid!!! I think it will make it all the more exciting. I've gone for many years with my family as a teen and in 2008 with my DH and girls. We missed out on alot of stuff just because we walked around clueless. I had just discovered Dis and only had a few things that I knew about. Crowd levels were low so we were very lucky. But I never even knew about half of the restaurants available.It's sooo sad that people are so pig headed that they just don't want to listen.