Tried to help know it all!!!

[ChipnDaleRule]

I have just had a coversation with a friend who told me they were going to Disney.I was getting quite excited for them,until he started to tell me that the only reason he is taking his family is because he has recently come into some money,and thought he would "Get it over and done with"

I had suggested staying at a Disney resort hotel,but he decided to stay at a villa in Kissimee because he didnt "Want to be fight for DECKCHAIRS by the pool" He also told me he was only going to do the Nine Disney parks!.

I then started to explain about the advantages of using the Fastpasses,but quickly realised i was banging my head against a brick wall

Going in August i thought he might need a little guidence.Oh well,looks like he will getvery hot and a little!frustrated.

So my question is :-

Does anyone get this frustrated or is it just me?

 

[torsie24]

I get very frustrated. I tell friends about how to get good prices, avoid crowds etc.

They still book trhough TA's or get flight inclusive packages and end up paying a bomb, then don't understand fastpass, get back and tell me they didn't want to pay for it etc. etc.

Not worth getting frustrated over, means if they don't go back there willbe mroe room for us.

 

[scojos]

my "friend" didnt listen to me about the change of baggage allowance on VH, and got done for extra baggage...not my fault she didnt listen
i have had a few of these moments over the last 6 years since i got into this...people soon realise after their 1st visit, to listen to someone who knows

 

[wayneg]

I more or less stick to helping people on here who appreciate advice now. Anyone that says they are going I give them a card with this forums address. Unless they ask for help I don't offer it.
Last year I knew someone who wanted flights similar dates to ours, when the Biz class deal (£1,700 seats for £470) came along I told him, his response was "I am not flying indirect" a few days later after he priced up Virgin direct over £2,000 more(for 5 of them) than Biz class indirect he had booked the deal. No thanks or anything so that was the last time I helped anyone I know.
We possibly have relatives going with us next August, I know they will accept any advise as I have booked holidays for them before, anyone else gets a website address from me.

 

[T16GEM]

Yep, I usually offer some ideas and thenn leave them to it. When they return I tell them what they could have done if they had toured the parks properly and done a little research.

 

[2Tiggies]

All of us are passionate about Disney/Orlando. That is why we spend so much time on here. I think it is fair to say that we are above average in terms of the level of research and information gathering that we do when considering/putting a trip together.

I have come to accept that by general standards, this is not "normal". I also believe that anyone who wishes to tap into such information is at an advantage and those who enthusiastically accept the offer of directions to sources of information and useful pointers actually put themselves in a privileged position.

I also accept that this is my opinion. I accept that many people don't want to be "told" how to plan. I offer now info or correct someone when the make an inaccurate statement. If they become defensive or want to debate the matter, I walk away from it and don't make another mention unless they specifically ask, in which case I am more than happy to help.

Someone I know through work went last year. Didn't want help or info. She was in no way rude about it, but i could see that they wanted to do this their way. So I simply joined in with the excited countdown. I really wanted her to have a great time.

They spent 2 weeks there doing Disney only. Met Mickey and Minnie, only, got no autographs and had no clue that you could do character meals.

Did I care? Yes, I wanted to cry when I heard that. But you have to learn not to take it personally. It is just hard when it is a friend or someone you really like but you cant get upset when people don't want advice on their holiday plans.

If your heart is in the right place, you're okay.

 

[paul_toria96]

I get very frustrated. I tell friends about how to get good prices, avoid crowds etc.

They still book trhough TA's or get flight inclusive packages and end up paying a bomb, then don't understand fastpass, get back and tell me they didn't want to pay for it etc. etc.

Not worth getting frustrated over, means if they don't go back there willbe mroe room for us.

Likewise, I've been lucky this time my friend welcomed my "insider" info (I've only been once !!!!!) and you all have been a great help answering questions, helping with my mad idea's. I'm glad you are all here and willing to help

 

[2Tiggies]

Likewise, I've been lucky this time my friend welcomed my "insider" info (I've only been once !!!!!) and you all have been a great help answering questions, helping with my mad idea's. I'm glad you are all here and willing to help

We're thinking along the same lines tonight. I popped back on this thread to say thanks to all the wonderful DISers I have met on here and for all the help and advice that is priceless. Thank you to each and every one of you.

Wayne, sorry your friend didn't say thank you for your help ..... but I can't count the number of times you have not only given links to websites, but actually gone and looked up flight prices and done comparisons for us on here. Thank you just doesn't seem to cut it, but that's all I can come up with so


THANK YOU!

 

[wayneg]

Thank you just doesn't seem to cut it, but that's all I can come up

Don't do this for praise, I do it just because I love being part of the DIS family. Made some great friends thru DIS, thats enough for me.

 

[binkytell]

When I look back to my first visit 3 years ago it no where near matches our subsequent visits. Only found the dis after our first visit, and thanx to all those who post made our further visits 100% more magical than the first. Dis rocks

 

[Claireybear]

I find it sooooo frustrating!!!! But most people don't appreciate the size of Disney or the need for planning! Friends of ours came back recently from their 'once in alifetime' trip and hadn't been on Soarin, Test Track, Tower of Terror or Splash Mountain 'because of the queues'!!! I could've cried!!
Claire

 

[dixonsontour]

I only occasionally reveal the extent of my addiction to people in real life!

When I told people we were going last trip with DD almost 4, people were suprised I was taking her to 'Disneyland' and several asked if there were any rides she could go on! (DD was 44 inches so it was more a question of which few rides she couldn't go on)

I think I sometimes forget that most people don't have much idea at all.

What suprises me more is the people who are booking expensive holidays but don't do research - if i was spending that much on anything i'd research.

DH went aged 16 with his family on a 'once in a lifetime trip' with his family and 2 siblings. I was asking him when we were there if he'd been on x ride before, was it like he remembered etc.

He just said he'd hardly been on anything, it was hot (went August), his dad had moaned about the cost of food etc. Let's just say MIL is the no plan turn up late type! It was nothing like going with me apparently...

 

[Pegasus928]

The first time we went I was lucky enough to be able to ask a work friend - who is a DVC member - what his advice was andit was he who pointed me in the direction of the Dis. He also gave us great advice about park strategy and good places within the parks to eat and I found his advice, along with what I got from this site, invaluable.
Having said that we still made a lot of mistakes that first time and totally underestimated the size of the place. we also never found out about GAC for my DS until our 3rd visit - so the first 2 trips had elements of them that I will never forget nor never want to repeat (those with autistic kids will know what I mean )
Since then we have been able to pass this advice on - most recently to a friend of ours who was more than happy to come and spend evenings at our place planning his trip and gleaning as much information oput of us as he possibly could. As a result he said he had a fantastic time and can't wait to go back.
I have had some really great advice from lots of you on here which has saved me time, money and heartache and for that I thank you all

 

[Dimplenose]

The first time I went I booked a package and read the Brits' Guide. I am sure there were a lot of things I missed, but we had 14 very busy days with lots of fun. I don't think I could have asked for more from that holiday.

We have been 3 times since and although I have done a lot more I'm also aware of how much I'm not fitting in.

I wouldn't worry about other people, they have their own hopes and expectations. (I think Wayne's idea of giving them details of this forum is a great one.)

 

[fuse04]

If people at work are going for thier first trip I will offer one of my previous year guide books if I have any.

I get frustrated by 4 things really (when I first started this it was only two things !)

1) people who do no research, have no appreciation of the sheer size of Disney, think that it is all junk food etc.

2) one of my best freinds will not take his family because his daughters are too old (they are 12 and 15 and started this view when 8 and 11), just feel sad for them.

3) Those that see Disney just as a theme park experience (well I don't do theme parks but love Disney) and therefore will not even consider its other merits

4) those that don't get the Disney thing like all us DISers do but aren't willing to understand or appreciate we are all different...."Oh your not going to Disney AGAIN are you, don't you get bored with that" Well let me see, I have booked to go back again so I guess I like it or am just stupid (mind you there might be some who think both apply anyway !)

A bit like Wayne now in that if people ask I will try to help, and I obviosuly post on here.

 

[joolz1910]

I've never been to WDW (as most of you know) and my trip will be one of the most thoroughly researched ever. Having said that, I have come across 2 things that have made me shake my head in disbelief:

1) A woman I know decided to take her family to WDW and has booked 2 adults and 3 children to fly from Man to MCO this summer in Economy with Virgin. The cost? £3400

2) Another friend with 3 kids (ages: 10, 8, 4) has told me she would never go as her kids just 'aren't into Disney' and 'would probably be bored'!

 

[Jordanblackpool]

Its strange round here I think, *** I live in a small village near Blackpool, everyone seems to know everyone and everything about you, so alot of people know I take yearly trips to Orlando!

Only the other day I had a lad I went to school with ask me about Orlando and good places to stay, things to do, cost etc......and I did manage to help him out and I think they have booked now.

I wouldnt say im half as knowledgeable as 90% of the guys on here, but I do think these boards are so good because everyone is always willing to help whether it be a simple 'where is such a place' or a more difficult...'can you help me price a holiday'.

Of course there are people out there that want to do it all themselves, but if you think back now to your first time you went to Orlando, i bet when you think back you actually just did theme parks and now when you go you do far more!!!

Send them to these boards!!!

 

[scojos]

I've never been to WDW (as most of you know) and my trip will be one of the most thoroughly researched ever. Having said that, I have come across 2 things that have made me shake my head in disbelief:

1) A woman I know decided to take her family to WDW and has booked 2 adults and 3 children to fly from Man to MCO this summer in Economy with Virgin. The cost? £3400

2) Another friend with 3 kids (ages: 10, 8, 4) has told me she would never go as her kids just 'aren't into Disney' and 'would probably be bored'!

tbf jules, thats about the going rate for that route with VA.
we paid that 2 years ago for the whole holiday except for DC tickets..
tracy

 

[joolz1910]

tbf jules, thats about the going rate for that route with VA.
we paid that 2 years ago for the whole holiday except for DC tickets..
tracy

I can't believe those prices! I checked Gatwick to MCO at the beginning of the year to go OCT 2010 and it was about £2300 for 5 of us with Virgin. She lives near me and if I was going to pay those prices, I would rather fly with Thomas Cook from Birmingham - half an hour's drive away.

 

[wayneg]

I can't believe those prices! I checked Gatwick to MCO at the beginning of the year to go OCT 2010 and it was about £2300 for 5 of us with Virgin. She lives near me and if I was going to pay those prices, I would rather fly with Thomas Cook from Birmingham - half an hour's drive away.

Depends when you mean by Summer, school holidays in August are in a totally different league for prices compared to Oct.
For next August (5th~26th) Monarch have just released their prices for flight only Man~Sanford 2 adults & 3 children Total price: £4512.50
Thomsons flight only (5th~25th) £5,276.90
These prices were incl reserved seating and luggage.
If the dates are around these then £3,400 is not expensive for August with Virgin, I doubt they will be that price next year way things are going.