Please do not allow trip planning to ruin your trip...

[poohandwendy]

The DIS boards and other Disney related internet websites are full of wonderful information and can help plan a sensible itinerary, save money, etc. Obviously, I love it here or I wouldn't be posting for 6+ years and planning trips every year.

But, lately I have seen quite a few threads where people are second guessing their resort/restaurant choices because of different threads they have read here. It's so easy to get so caught up in planning the 'perfect' trip, but I think it's really important to keep all of the opinions and experiences posted in perspective. Just because a few people didn't like something or had issues with one or two things does NOT mean you will be disappointed.

For every person who has experienced "bad mousekeeping', 'dirty rooms', 'nasty CMs', 'yucky food', 'buses that took too long', 'outdated rooms', there are many who will say they experienced awesome mousekeepers/rooms/food/CMs and thought the bus system was great and their room was wonderful. It is almost certain that there will be some minor annoyance or something that you would have done differently, when you look in hindsight after a trip. But it is even more certain that you will come home with a smile on your face, looking forward to planning your next trip.

I am posting this, not to offend anyone who has had a bad experience because I know it happens or those who posted that they changed their minds based on what they read here, but to try to remind people to have a positive outlook and not stress too much and 'over plan', because there is NO way to plan the perfect trip. There really isn't. There isn't a 'best resort', or a 'best restaurant' or 'best time to do this or that' for all people. I just hate to see people already feeling sort of disappointed, before they even leave their house, because they feel they may be missing out on something 'better' because of the things they read here.

So, pick what you think you will like, use the boards as a tool to plan, but try to keep it all in perspective so that you don't start your trip wondering if you will have a good time or like your choices. If you are looking for things to go wrong, your mindset is already there.

JMHO and hoping you all have wonderful vacations! LOL

(I am posting this here, because I wasn't sure where it should be posted, but it seems like the resorts are one issue people really second guess- mods- please move this if it should have been posted elsewhere)

 

[WDW4ever]

Thank you for the good advice. I was questioning too but then decided that I was worrying too much about the little things

Message boards are strange beasts. We've gone for years and I never read things and we had a great time. Sometimes I think I'm reading too much and getting info overload

 

[debster812]

EXCELLENT post as usual Miss PAW!

 

[Doc CW]

Your 100% correct and nobody could have said it better

 

[ducklite]

Well said.

Another thing I'd like to add is that you can't see and do it all. Trying to will only stress you out.

Don't plan every minute of every day, leave blocks of time to smell the roses, take a nap, or explore the parks looking for rabbits and squirrels.

Anne

 

[CarolA]

Great post.

One other thing.... I have read posts on this board where the vacation was "ruined" when the poster didn't get room X or building Y IMHO that's just setting yourself up for disappointment. Always remember the key term REQUEST and that the room is at Disney......

 

[poohandwendy]

Well said.

Another thing I'd like to add is that you can't see and do it all. Trying to will only stress you out.

Don't plan every minute of every day, leave blocks of time to smell the roses, take a nap, or explore the parks looking for rabbits and squirrels.

Anne

That is so true.

I hope people also add more thoughts and ideas because I do think sometimes it is so easy to have the 'I-MUST-get-the-most-magic-for-my-money" mindset (which I totally understand) but it can cause stress and worry, not what vacation is supposed to be about. This is a great tool, but is a double-edge sword if it leaves you feeling like other people are doing/planning it better, kwim? There is no right way for everyone and no one thing that would please all.

Thanks for all of the nice words, guys!

 

[HockeyMomR]

Bravo!

 

[poohandwendy]

Great post.

One other thing.... I have read posts on this board where the vacation was "ruined" when the poster didn't get room X or building Y IMHO that's just setting yourself up for disappointment. Always remember the key term REQUEST and that the room is at Disney......

Another good point. And to add to that, I can't tell you how many times I have read "We didn't get what we requested, but I am so glad because what we did get was PERFECT for us"

I think mindset is so important. I know, I have caught myself feeling apprehensive after reading a negative review of something I have chosen, but then I remind myself that there are some things we absolutely LOVED and others didn't like.

 

[Devil_Dog99]

Great reminder!!!

De gustibus non est disputandum

It means there is no disputing (or accounting) for taste. Obviously, there will be times when this does not apply (the rare truly bad experiences) but for every person who will say Mama Melrose's isn't much better than Chef Boy-ar-dee, there will be one who will say it is the best meal they ever had.

 

[chefmb]

Excellent reminder. We leave Sunday, and I'm finding myself occasionally getting caught in the "overplanning/second guessing" trap! I've decided not to make any other specific room requests except our connecting rooms due to medical reason. The last time I went, I didn't make any request at all and they gave us a wonderful location. Even though we won't be back for three or four years, I need to chill out and really enjoy this time with my boys--DS 17 leaves for college two weeks after we return from Disney, and DS 15 won't be too far behind. We're going for fun and family time--not to write a book about Disney!! Thanks for the reminder!!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Thanks for the post!!!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Great post....my comments to the thread you mentioned usually go like this....
Everyone has an opinion.....their opinion is based on THEIR experience......YOUR experience may be different...dont make a judgement until you have experienced it.

I had to follow my own advice..lol...after I have read so many neg reviews on Coral Reef....was thinking of changing.
I will see for myelf

 

[BionicEar]

Amen to that!

I'd like to add that ATTITUDE has a lot to do with the "success" of a vacation. There have been countless times we've seen people at WDW who tell their kids, "I spent $xx, we'd better see everything there is here while we're at it." And they wonder why the kids are cranky and they're having a crappy time.

We come with certain, reasonable expectations - we really don't expect miracles when we're there. We know that CMs are humans and are likely to make mistakes just like we are.

We come to Disney to enjoy our time away from "the real world" and to enjoy each other as a family. We don't set a strict schedule of what we're going to do, etc. Disney is the only place (so far) that truly lifts the stress of reality off our shoulders for the time that we are there. Because of that, we just enjoy our time there.

.... And then make plans to return again soon.
​

 

[mprewitt]

I agree. Great post!

 

[Colleen27]

But, lately I have seen quite a few threads where people are second guessing their resort/restaurant choices because of different threads they have read here. It's so easy to get so caught up in planning the 'perfect' trip, but I think it's really important to keep all of the opinions and experiences posted in perspective. Just because a few people didn't like something or had issues with one or two things does NOT mean you will be disappointed.

And on the flip side, but same principle - don't let every good review have you second guessing whether your choices are the very best! That's the trap I sometimes fall into, especially with resorts but to a lesser degree with TS restaurants too. It seems like every Disney resort has fans that can make it sound like the best, most fun resort on the face of the planet.

 

[princessesrule4]

Agreed!

 

[KelsiesMommy]

Well said! In planning my first trip to the World, I'm trying to take in all info and recognize everything comes with a bias. I just can't wait to BE there finally!

 

[skipperkim]

Also remember, that what was great for one person may not be right for you. The resort you like may not be right for me, just as the resort I like may not be right for you. Same thing goes for restaurants. To each his own, in other words.

 

[rosiep]

Really great post. I'm going to Disney with my daughter (21 yrs old) in October. People have poo-poo'd my trip because we're not staying "on-site" and it won't have the Disney Magic.
Quite frankly though, I'm going with MY DAUGHTER and it just so happens that wherever we happen to be together it's great fun and magical!
It's just not a place but a state of mind!
I love to plan, but only to keep me busy until trip time; in the end we like to stay in the moment. Here's to a great adventure (no pun intended)!
grouphug: