I always feel so badly for the people who don't know enough to do at least minimal research. (What can I tell you, it's the teacher in me.)
So many people seem to think that you can go to your local
travel agent, pay your money, show up at the gates of Disney World at noon, and have the same kind of vacation you see in the commercials...you know, with the smiling kids, the incredible character interaction, and no crowds in the backgrounds????
One time at MK rope drop, I was chatting with the woman next to me and her 11 year old son. She wanted to know when the shows were. "Shows??" I asked. "Here?? What kind of shows?" Her answer was more along the lines of the DHS Stunt show than anything at the MK.
Then I asked her son what kind of rides he liked. After hearing his answer, I explained about the free Fastpasses, and sent her to Space, Big Thunder and Splash, and explained about Pirates and Haunted Mansion.
She took a real chance that the person standing next to her would know what she was doing. I hope they had a good time.
You don't have to do Disney my way-- we do rope drop, then a big afternoon break in the summer heat. But by showing up and not knowing about the crowds and Fastpasses, you run the risk of spending a lot of your vacation standing in line. Opting not do something is one thing; being ignorant of its existance is another. So all those people who have heard about Mine Train but who don't know that you can book a Fastpass 60 days out may end up sorry.