On a Package Holiday.....

[Groovee]

Just wondered, do you go to the Welcome Meetings. We went the first time and found it boring. The 2nd time we went we were the only ones and we only went to get the cheaper tickets. This time we're planning on just not going and going to walmart or Target instead. If I thought it would be of any use I would go but to be honest I'd rather get to the shops and then on to the parks.

 

[natalielongstaff]

never, such a waste of time..im to much of a planner to benefit from what they would tell me anyway

 

[Girlsontour]

No, never attended - too busy going to the parks.....so much to see and too little time

 

[Goofyish]

Most welcome meetings are there to sell you extras - the little info. they do tell you is available here on the DIS, plus a whole lot more LOL

 

[wifey]

We did the Rep Meeting on our first trip in '98 but never again We were new to buying on line etc back then but have learned so much since that we buy all out tickets before we go and still save money. We do ask at the airport on arrival who is our rep and where can find them or 'phone number for contacting them if necessary. We have never had to get in touch with them thank goodness but it's always good to know. We prefer to get on with our plans and not waste a day at one of these meetings getting hot and hungry and bored stupid. If we decide to change our plans for a day and want to go somewhere else there's always the travel/tours desk in reception at most hotels off site.

 

[Ware Bears]

We went last time purely because it was held at our hotel so we didn't have to go out of our way plus we fancied the free Hard Rock meal voucher they were giving.

What a waste of time ~ it was our first time but I knew more than the rep after reading these boards.

We wished we had given it a miss and just gone to the parks earlier ~ no way will we be going this year, not even for the free meal voucher!

 

[tubtruck]

The end of the package holiday is nigh

 

[Amyrlin]

Never go

 

[carolfoy]

Nope, never go to welcome meetings, as Tim says everything you need to know is here seriously though, I don't believe package holidays will die a death, there are still thousands (actually millions) of people who do use them, maybe not to Florida, but to other places.

 

[Haworthfamily]

We did it once - years a go - never again, a real waste of time. Not sure how we realyl ended up going to the first one.
I'm a planner lol

 

[jns]

Stick to these boards
far better info here
and no hard sell

 

[Twilight Terror]

we must be one crazy family! Of the three times we've been to Orlando, we've been to all 3 'welcome' meetings. We have been to each one for very different reasons though. And over the course of 7-years, they've remained exactly the same!

The first time, well it was our first time! We were staying offsite and the meeting was in our hotel, so we didn't have to go anywhere, but it provided some very good information for our first trip. Plus, we booked an extra two-day exercusion to the Bahamas. This was, after all, our first proper family holiday ever.

Second time we went, a family 'friend' (no longer a friend after that trip!) came, and it was held at DTD. Since there was a free collection service from our hotel to DTD, we used it as free transport and indulged int the free tea/coffee, and then went straight to the parks from there! We also wanted to book for the shuttle launch, and they were doing a VIP/secluded prime viewing location thing, so we booked that. 3am shuttle launches ROCK!

This last time we went purely for the free Hard Rock meal voucher. We were on a seriously tight budget this last time - $30 a day for ALL food, for 3 adults!! Let's just say it was an interesting experience, and for once, we came back skinnier than before we went!

This time, when we go in August, since we're on the free DDP, we have absolutely none of the above worries and no need to go scrounging for food coupons/vouchers! Hopefully I can persuade my mum that we don't need to go AGAIN, and that we can just get on into those lovely parks! I have a feeling I can persuade her by dangling TL in front of her face!

 

[UKDEB]

We did attend during our first trip back in 1992. To be fair, we were pretty green (remember this was pre-internet, let alone pre-DIS) and we did book quite a few 'excursions' which our daughters still talk about now and which we would never have known about otherwise. One was the Mardis Gras dinner show at the Mercado and elder dd (who was 7 at the time) was chosen to go up on stage to do a spot with the MC - we've still got the (illegal ) video. Another was Mickey's Backyard Barbecue at Fort Wildnerness - our girls had a fantastic time with a couple of friends they'd met at our hotel, and we also got to see the Electrical Water Pageant. I wouldn't mind betting there are quite a few regular visitors to WDW who aren't aware that either of these things exist.

What I remember most about the meeting was the hour-long (or at least it seemed like it) presentation and sales pitch for sunscreen!

The worst part, though, was that it was held at 11am in the morning. We'd hardly ever been abroad before, let alone on a transatlantic trip, so we weren't prepared for the jet-lag. We were awake at 3am in the morning and were really just killing time waiting for the welcome meeting - what a waste of our first day!

 

[diswix]

We went on our first visit to WDW 10 years ago and wasted far too much time.
Even then we had gained, prior to our trip, more information from books and family members (who had visited WDW.)
In recent years the DIS-BOARDS, have been invaluable and a great source of information.
Have a great trip.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

We did attend during our first trip back in 1992. To be fair, we were pretty green (remember this was pre-internet, let alone pre-DIS)

Not quite pre-internet... I was using it in 1992

Boo

 

[Lisash]

We've never been to one and can't say we have suffered as a result the DIS and Brits Guides have given us all the info we've ever needed. I'd resent losing valuable park time attending one

 

[paulh]

do`s anyone remember them trying to flog you the sun cream.They used to try and tell you as the sun was stronger the stuff you got in the uk wasant strong enougth even the factor 30`s
Paulh

 

[Twilight Terror]

I don't ever remember being sold sunscreen, although they did bang on about it on our first trip. But I carry around Factor 50 that I bung on every hour. The only time I've ever burned was last year at TL, where I didn't put any in my hair, and ended up burning along my centre parting hairline!!!!

I have to buy Universal tickets, and I don't want to buy them at the gates of Universal, which means I either have to go to the meeting and buy them there, or buy in advance. Any opinions anyone?