Too Much Information??

[Greysword]

My fiance (and friends, and relatives, and coworkers, and strangers on the street ) tell me that by spending so much time anticipating the cruise, I will have a dulled experience once I get onboard.

My question, has anyone "studied" so much that the cruise was actually tarnished because the expectation and anticipation was more than delivered?

Oh, as a follow-up. I finally traveled to Oregon to meet my fiancee's friends. They asked me if she was driving me nuts with all her "Disney" talk. I smiled wide and informed them that she informs me to cool the Disney! hehehe, you should have seen the shock and awe and confusion on their faces when they heard that!

 

[wdwmom2]

You know, I wondered the same thing. I studied EVERYTHING that I could about the parks and the cruise for a year and a half before my actual vacation. Especially these boards. When it was almost time to go, I wondered if I would be let down because my expectations were so high. I can only tell you that my family and I had the vacation of a lifetime. I did not have 1 bad experience at either the parks or the cruise. It was everything that I dreamed that it would be and more. I can't believe that it has been a month since our vacation. I can't wait to go on another cruise, only this time it will be a 7 day!!!!!!

Sharon

 

[mickeyboat]

I felt some "disappointment" because I had gotten too much information. I have two small children and their schedules and desires ruled most of our vacation. From the DIS, I learned of all the things we could do but we weren't able to do them all because of the kids. I also stressed a bit wanting to get here and there to do this snd that. I should have relaxed more and gone with the flow. I guess we will just have to go again sometime.

We still had a glorious time!

Denae

 

[PRaffen]

August will be our eighth trip to Disney World (first cruise). I discovered these boards several years ago a few months before our last trip and it truly was our best trip ever due mainly because of all the tips I picked up from the boards that saved us time and money.

However, having said that, knowing myself as I do, while planning this time I purposely have avoided looking at too many pictures of AKL or the cruise ship so I will have some "surprises," some unknowns.

I also think it's important to remember that no trip is perfect and to have realistic expectations. JMHO, but sometimes when I read reviews (like those raves about the "all hands on deck" room service item, I kept thinking - "good grief, people, it's just a cheese platter." ) So it's good to keep expectations in check.

I recently vacationed at the Bellagio and as magnificent as this resort is, I was let down. I had done so much research that nothing impressed me as I had "seen it, done it" via pictures, videos, research etc.

 

[Jillpie]

PRaffen, I agree with you. We'll be going on our first cruise and I too avoid most of the pictures. As much as I would love to see them, and I have looked at some, I avoid the posts that seem like it would cover most of the ship (Wonder). I really want to experience it for myself, the first time I see it and not through pictures. Great point.

 

[skyhawk]

My kids call me obsessed with this cruise. Since booking last August I have read books, and websites continuously. I spend my time at "work" reading the Boards and checking out the deck plans so I know my way around the Majic even though I've never seen her. I am afraid that the cruise may be a let-down from expectations, which is why I am purposely trying to avoid "cruise stuff" (but obviously I'm not doing a very good job at that!).

We are going in August, and while I am hoping the time goes quick, I realize that once it's here, and the cruise is over, summer will be almost gone - so hoping for the cruise to come quick, is like almost hoping for Summer to be over (am I making sense or just rambling here?).

Well, at least I know I'm not the only one feeling like this.

 

[skyhawk]

OK - I know I spelled Magic wrong!

 

[alexandrew]

all the research I've done and reading the post on this board enhanced our experience.....it allowed us to maximize our time....I think it would be unfortunate not to do any research and find out later you've missed something worthwile....

 

[markmyboy]

For me the research helps a LOT!!

I get VERY nervous in new places, not knowing where I am going or where I am, and seeing as many pictures & hearing as much frist hand information as possible, helps me to feel like I know where I am going!! It has never spoiled it for me at all.

I was VERY nervous when I first went to a different cruiseline, as my first 3 were on DCL!! There are NO sites out there for the other cruise lines quite like this one, also no site like Barb & Tony's for the other lines. So I felt a bit nervous about that first cruise "after" DCL, but now, after 6 cruises (4 with DCL...but..you know...) I feel comfortable trying ALL different lines, it is even exciting exploring the different areas of the different ships.

I like the planning, the only let down for me is when it is ALL done & there is nothing left to plan for, or look forward to (as far as vacations or cruising!) But that never seems to last long, as taking a cruise usually leads to booking a new one for us!!

 

[Hollyster2]

I LOVE all the time leading up to the actual trip! The planning is half the fun for me. I love this board, and I can't get enough. I must say that once you know alot about cruising with Disney and the word gets out....you do get asked alot of questions. We are going on the 7 day Mexican Riviera and since we booked, alot of friends and family have also booked. My Mother in Law thinks I know "everything" about the Disney cruise and now everyone asks her to ask me their questions. I don't know everything, and that is why I am here to KEEP learning!!!! We took the 7 day Western last year and the passporter was a HUGE help, and I took all my notes with me from this board. I don't regret a single second of research. It IS driving me crazy to not know the new excursions for the 2005 west coast cruises though. I am waiting for the first posters on that cruise with baited breath.

 

[kcatoir]

I myself channel my "OCD" into planning our vacations. Absolutely drives DH mad!!!! Then I remind him he doesn't have to do a darn thing, all he has to do is get in the car when its time to go to the airport..that makes him happy.
I personally feel it better equipped us to have a better trip...we knew what to expect, we had some idea what we wanted to do so we weren't totally overwhelmed when we walked on board the Wonder.
On the flip side I think one could go over the top and take maybe a bit of the suprise out of it.

BTW: where in Oregon did you visit??? We are in southern oregon.
KC

 

[Ratt45]

I have to echo markmyboy's comment about Barb&Tony's website. It helped out tremendously on our first cruise, DCL that is. Looking through the Navigators, we could plan our days and nights out. Also looking at the menus ahead of time was great. We could plan our meals before we got there.

Now to answer the original question...no the cruise was not, as you put it, tarnished. I was not dissapointed in anyway. In fact, Disney exceeded my expectations.

I do want to add this...it has been said on these boards many times, go with the flow. Don't try to do too much. You can always go on another cruise and do things you weren't able to do before.

 

[webray]

I studied, read and planned for both our cruises so far.

You just have to remember to take everything, everyone says with a grain of salt. Everyone does not have the same tastes, same budgets etc..so what one person likes isn't going to be what another likes. So, it is great to be informed...but don't get to excited over certain things, restaurants, menus..wait and judge those items for yourself.

 

[RickW]

My wife and I are always planning our next vacation. We didn't think we would be doing the 14 day FL-CA cruise (since we didn't know for sure if it would actually happen), and we had already bought and started reading guidebooks for the trip to Hawaii that we were planning.

Then, on May 5, in less than 24 hours we had completely changed our plans.

Anyway, since the 14 day cruise is a first, and no one knows fully what to expect, we are dying not being able to plan every day before we go. (I should note that we usually plan everything out, then throw away the plan once we get there and then go with the flow, but then we know about what things we really want to do)

We have never had a trip that was a disappointment from our planning, but we are realists. So, here is some advice for DCL:

- The Palo Soufflé will not make your mouth learn to write so that it can send you a thank-you note.
- Disney Dreams is not a spiritual experience.
- Castaway Cay is not the literal Garden of Eden.
- The Surial bath will not be a turning point in your marriage.
- The Animator’s Palate show will not bring a tear to your eye.

Now, don’t get me wrong. We thoroughly enjoyed all of these things, but going to all of them expecting a life changing experience is just setting yourself for disappointment. As long as you keep your expectations in the realm of reality, planning can greatly enhance your experience.

 

[mmouse37]

After 10 DCL cruises (6 since joining the DIS)...our cruises have not been tarnished and I am always learning new things all the time on these boards!!!!

But....I definately think people build up their expectations way to high and are let down as in the recent All Hands on Deck thread about the cheese platters from room service.

This is just an example. I think all of us with all our enthusiasm and excitment build up things when we talk about them on the DIS so others go and if they don't feel the same enthusiasm and excitment that we did....they feel let down and disappointed.

Whenever I talk about DCL I gush....I just love raving about it but I know it has flaws and not everything will be perfect each time.

We should all go onboard being excited but realizing not every trip is perfect for everyone and even Disney has bad days sometimes!!!


MJ

 

[PatriciaH]

Originally posted by RickW

We have never had a trip that was a disappointment from our planning, but we are realists. So, here is some advice for DCL:

- The Palo Soufflé will not make your mouth learn to write so that it can send you a thank-you note.
- Disney Dreams is not a spiritual experience.
- Castaway Cay is not the literal Garden of Eden.
- The Surial bath will not be a turning point in your marriage.
- The Animator’s Palate show will not bring a tear to your eye.

LOL!

 

[Greysword]

KC: Laurie's parents live in Beaverton. She has a house in Banks, and thats where we met her friends for supper.

Rick: That is a wicked idea, and I didn't realize that I basically plan the crap out of events (planned ones), then whent he time comes, I toss out the details and just let it flow. You hit the nail on the head with that, thanks!

 

[tvguy]

My DW, DS & DD were a little mad that I knew so much before we left on our 12-27-03 Eastern. And they want to know why I still browse these boards.....(because I'm reliving the trip!!)
But it gave us valuable information on what to look for and expect. Like.............

> Decided before we left that there were enough beverage options at the beverage station that a soda pass was a waste of money.

> Palo sounds great, but this was a FAMILY vacation, so no need to stand in line for reservations. And tryed every other dining option, and almost burst from all the food we ate.

> Good times to go to the laundryroom.

> That getting a free upgrade from category 10 to category 6 with a verandah was a big deal.

> The best times to use the pools....and guess what, we never found time to swim on board!!

> Made it clear to our servers the first night that if even the smallest thing wasn't to our liking, we'd speak up. So we never got the "excellent service" speech, and our servers spent all their time providing that excellent service. (Roberto & Marin, you rock!)

 

[lsutigger2]

I'm one of the ones that loves to plan, like most everyone on these boards!! LOL! I enjoyed reading all the stuff I could about our first cruise in April. Made me a bit more comfortable in going to a strange place. When I first started reading, it was a bit confusing. But the more I read the more excited I got. My DH, who usually leaves most of the planning up to me, even read my Passporter before we left home! I think it prepared us for our first cruise and we therefore enjoyed it more.

 

[Cuzisayso2]

Just back from our first cruise and yes I did feel a bit let down because of all the research I had done. While helpful in some ways...sometimes ignorance is bliss. I should have taken a cue from my DD8, when, 2 months before our cruise I put a picture of the ship on the computer as my wallpaper..."Awww, Mom why did you do that? Now I won't be surprised!"

Gina