Neighbors have done NO planning

[ukwildcat]

So, we were talking to our neighbors 1 house down this evening. They were packing the car, and we asked where they were going. They said Disney. It's spring break here next week, and they said they knew it would be crowded.

Well, they've done no planning, other than making their hotel reservation (on property) and buying tickets. Oh yeah, they also have the Dining Plan, but no ADRs.

I was in shock. They know I'm a Disney freak. I tried to give them some advice without scaring them. I gave them my Passporter, but I still fell terrible for them. They have never been before. They are going to be so overwhelmed, and then angry when they find out they can't get into the restaurants at decent hours, if at all.

Well, just thought you all would like to add your 2 cents. Have a nice night.

 

[Redwitch]

My two cents??

 

[loopner67]

I can't wait to hear what they have to say when they get back. Gee, we wish we had made some reservations, etc... Or they'll say that Disney stinks and they'll never go back and it's their fault, not Disney's fault.

 

[willis37862]

Oh that's kinda sad. I hope they are able to make the best of it. That was nice that you gave them your Passporter , hopefully they will read it on the way down and get a few helpful hints.

 

[Snow Shoe]

Well, maybe in spite of no planning and ADR's, they'll still have a good time.......NOT! I just can't help feel sorry for people that do no planning or preparation other than just show up to have a memorable vacation. The only thing I see here coming out of this is a disaster, but what can you expect.

Several years ago we had a friend that took his family to Disney during Spring Break without any room res's anywhere (on or off property), no park tickets and no idea of what an ADR was. They were going to drive up to CR and get a room,....yeah right. Well they made it to Disney, ended up staying off property, bought day tickets at each park, and ate CS the whole time there. Then he came back home and complained about what a bad vacation they had.

 

[chief19spixi]

wow thats just crazy!! I am a nut when it comes to planning our disney vacations!! I never stop until we are there and even then the planning proccess is still going on!! LOL They are going to be unhappy disney vacationers !! whew!!

 

[CJ]

I understand that some people are so concerned about having a vacation that they think pre-planning will somehow ruin their "rest". Where Disney is involved nothing could be further from the truth. The more you plan, the more time and money you save, and the more "restful" your vacation becomes.

 

[hvivona]

Fingers Crossed that all will be ok for them. I know I'd probably have been in the same boat had I not stumbled upon this site a few years ago. If things go poorly though, I hope they don't blame Disney and learn a lesson about how important planning is.

 

[onelugnut]

i love the "get up and go" part of it,
and i still wish i was going.

(but I know it would be better with the preperation)

these are the people that come back and say they
"just dont get the big deal about Disney"

 

[pigletto]

My parents took my three teenaged siblings and my dd (10 at the time) over Easter two years ago.
They did no planning. Just called to see what was open.. got a two bedroom at OKW and off they went.
I warned them and worried but they weren't listening.
They had a GREAT time.
They ate at places that had openings (and managed to find one every night including Olivia's, Brown Derby, Rainforest Cafe and Chef Mickeys) and used fast passes and rode what they wanted when they could.
I think for us planners it would be a nightmare. But they weren't expecting anything in particular so they were happy with whatever came along.
2 different types of people but I was happy for them.

 

[patti_jim_peanut]

Well i'm a planning nut now, but I do have to say that the first time I went with my family, we didn't plan anything. Pretty much just like your neighbors, we just bought our tickets and reserved our room on-site and away we went!

We had a blast!! That was actually probably the most fun trip we had partially because we could go wherever we wanted without having to worry about being in this spot at this time for this meal.

We never do ADR's unless we want to go to the diners in MGM...then we make an exception...lol Cause the waits there are always over an hour. The rest of the time we eat in Epcot YuUMm!

 

[tiggersmom2]

They may be just fine. I'm leaving in a few days and made dining reservations just a few days ago. I was able to get everything I wanted: Chef Mickeys, Jiko, Akershus, Yachtsmans, BOMA, KONA, Crystal Palace, Tusker House and a few others.

 

[PIERCEDRN]

So, we were talking to our neighbors 1 house down this evening. They were packing the car, and we asked where they were going. They said Disney. It's spring break here next week, and they said they knew it would be crowded.

Well, they've done no planning, other than making their hotel reservation (on property) and buying tickets. Oh yeah, they also have the Dining Plan, but no ADRs.

I was in shock. They know I'm a Disney freak. I tried to give them some advice without scaring them. I gave them my Passporter, but I still fell terrible for them. They have never been before. They are going to be so overwhelmed, and then angry when they find out they can't get into the restaurants at decent hours, if at all.

Well, just thought you all would like to add your 2 cents. Have a nice night.

This is going to be awesome...they will make the Griswalds look like travel agents.
I can see the headlines now...
Disgruntled and starving an ill prepared family takes a lime green emblazoned Disboard member hostage thereby acquiring ADR's at Lecellier, Breakfast at CRT, and California Grill during wishes. They requested a "hostile upgrade" to Polynesian lagoon view, and an anxious yet still perky cast member "made a little magic" to get Concierge as well.
They evaded capture for hours by attempting to go from AKL to the boardwalk by bus and then wandering the BWV's meandering hallways.
They were later seen linecutting in front of a suddenly silent Brazilian Tour group who were so offended they temporarily forgot the words to their songs.
The latter behavior eventually was their undoing when attempting to push their way onto Dumbo thereby inciting an angry mob of 6 year olds who had already been waiting 90 minutes to "get on the Purple one". They were finally subdued by this miniature strike team wielding princess wands and plastic lightsabers.

BOB

 

[traci]

My parents took my three teenaged siblings and my dd (10 at the time) over Easter two years ago.
They did no planning. Just called to see what was open.. got a two bedroom at OKW and off they went.
I warned them and worried but they weren't listening.
They had a GREAT time.
They ate at places that had openings (and managed to find one every night including Olivia's, Brown Derby, Rainforest Cafe and Chef Mickeys) and used fast passes and rode what they wanted when they could.
I think for us planners it would be a nightmare. But they weren't expecting anything in particular so they were happy with whatever came along.
2 different types of people but I was happy for them.

I couldn't agree more.

I hope your neighbors have a great vacation.

 

[HdnMickeyGrl]

Oh wow, I can't beleive they weren't prompted to make reservations when they bought the DDP! Did you tell them to make ressies for everyday as soon as they get down there? I wouldn't think it would be too big of a deal but they paid for the DDP and they may end up eating double the counter service now. You'd think they'd of at least researched the DDP part of it!

 

[Harambe]

Make yourself scarce when they get back - you're gonna get the "I can't believe you go to that chaotic place all the time! What's wrong with you!" speech.

 

[Nancyg56]

My parents took my three teenaged siblings and my dd (10 at the time) over Easter two years ago.
They did no planning. Just called to see what was open.. got a two bedroom at OKW and off they went.
I warned them and worried but they weren't listening.
They had a GREAT time.
They ate at places that had openings (and managed to find one every night including Olivia's, Brown Derby, Rainforest Cafe and Chef Mickeys) and used fast passes and rode what they wanted when they could.
I think for us planners it would be a nightmare. But they weren't expecting anything in particular so they were happy with whatever came along.
2 different types of people but I was happy for them.

One of my DGD classmates family did this as well last year. DD was prepared to hear the worst when they returned but the opposite was true. They had not done any research so they had not set the bar high. They had meals where there were openings but because they were not pumped up about certain restaurants they enjoyed them. The kids had a ball and they are planning to return. This would not work for me but then I DIS all day

 

[lexmelinda]

Hey there, UK!! How the heck are ya?!

RE: your neighbors....I pity the fools.

I'm posting here hoping you'll give us the full story when they get back.

I really hope that somehow they manage to have a great time!

 

[Cool-Beans]

I routinely take trips that aren't excessively planned. I once decided to go and left the next morning...made my hotel reservation in the rental car while driving from the airport to WDW.

I generally get the very restaurant I want. One time I couldn't get a Crystal Palace breakfast and another time I couldn't get a Plaza dinner. Big whup. I got a room service breakfast and ate at LTT. This does not fall under the category of "disaster" in my world.

It is very possible to take a trip to WDW without planning it all 6 months out and still have an excellent time. Really.

 

[Allison]

It is very possible to take a trip to WDW without planning it all 6 months out and still have an excellent time. Really.

I agree. I have never done it myself. I plan and plan. But, I do know that most of us here are not like the majority of WDW visitors and that many people do what these people are doing. People must still be having a good time as more and more people seem to be choosing WDW as a destination.