Waiting till the last minute, why?

[bocaj1431]

Thanks for everyones replies.

Everyone definitely has different ways of traveling and I believe what fits your personality is what will work best for you. That being said, in my situation it is more my friends choosing to put things off and then having me find the answers for them last minute. (It Wasn't only the tickets that they wanted help with. Many other planning details they asked for me to handle ). If you do not want to put the time in and do any planning because winging it works for you, great! But, then do not come to me last minute and ask me to figure out plans for you.

Another thing that has been disappointing is their lack of excitement. Our family is thrilled and have been counting the days and like I mentioned before, they do not care to discuss DW let alone show any excitement. I finally asked why there was no excitement and the answer was that Disney is not really their ideal vacation. My thought was, then why are you coming?

Yes I invited them and used extra points for a two bedroom so they could have a place to stay.

I have to say that some of the comments about this being doomed from the start make me a little nervous but, they will only be there for 4 of the 13 day stay and we have only 2 1/2 days planned to spend together. If it wasn't such a short stay, I definitely would not have planned the trip with them. I love my friend and her family but we definitely approach vacationing very differently.

Wish me luck!

 

[delmar411]

Oh, yes, I have been asked, but figured it was an option I didn't need. Ok I will order them.

Thank you.

Yep, it is order the, in the colors of your choosing or receive gray ones in the mail.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Since you are good friends, I would let the friendship be the focus of your days together.

Have fun! If you "learn" this is not the family I will invite to WdW again, so be it.

Bobbi

 

[bobbiwoz]

Yep, it is order the, in the colors of your choosing or receive gray ones in the mail.

Ok, I did! Mine will say Bobbiwoz!

 

[maburke]

Thanks for everyones replies.

Everyone definitely has different ways of traveling and I believe what fits your personality is what will work best for you. That being said, in my situation it is more my friends choosing to put things off and then having me find the answers for them last minute. (It Wasn't only the tickets that they wanted help with. Many other planning details they asked for me to handle ). If you do not want to put the time in and do any planning because winging it works for you, great! But, then do not come to me last minute and ask me to figure out plans for you.

Another thing that has been disappointing is their lack of excitement. Our family is thrilled and have been counting the days and like I mentioned before, they do not care to discuss DW let alone show any excitement. I finally asked why there was no excitement and the answer was that Disney is not really their ideal vacation. My thought was, then why are you coming?

Yes I invited them and used extra points for a two bedroom so they could have a place to stay.

I have to say that some of the comments about this being doomed from the start make me a little nervous but, they will only be there for 4 of the 13 day stay and we have only 2 1/2 days planned to spend together. If it wasn't such a short stay, I definitely would not have planned the trip with them. I love my friend and her family but we definitely approach vacationing very differently.

Wish me luck!

Good luck! And that is not sarcastic. I have high hopes for your trip. I have gone with families that are less excited and less planners (I don't think it's possible to be more!) than I am, and it's worked out fine.

In fact, my DH HATES planning. But he loves the results. So I know to do it all, and talk to him about it only when absolutely necessary (like to find out which restaurants he wants to return to). Then I create a spreadsheet with all plans for which parks, what time they open, what dining reservations when, etc. Then he just follows my directions on the day.

If we're travelling with another family, I give them a copy of the spreadsheet. I say, "This is what we are doing. You can join us for as much or as little as you like. We will tell you when we're leaving in the morning, but you don't need to leave when we do." (That means, "We won't wait for you.") Usually, after a maximum of one day of doing it on their own (and their kids hearing how much fun our kids had), they stick with us like glue. Or once, it was the reverse -- we had a family who did everything we did, but we left two days earlier, and they were miserable after that, having just followed our plan and learned nothing about our strategies for avoiding crowds.

On the rare occasion that the other family is determined to sleep in each day and follow the crowd pattern, we feel no frustration, as we've not been held back by them. Because we've laid out expectations up front, there are far fewer awkward/frustrated moments that can strain a friendship.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I hope we get a trip report. This one sounds doomed

You self-proclaimed so-called "planners" tickle me.

I guess you guys really do believe that no one can go to WDW without having a 5 minute by 5 minute itinerary and have a good time. That just baffles my mind.

I've been a hundred times and I've never had a schedule on vacation in my life and we have a ball EVERY time. If I wanted the stress of a schedule, I'd just stay home and work.

 

[maburke]

You self-proclaimed so-called "planners" tickle me.

I guess you guys really do believe that no one can go to WDW without having a 5 minute by 5 minute itinerary and have a good time. That just baffles my mind.

Not remotely do I believe that.

I'm sure with your knowledge and flexibility, you are able to have a fantastic time. But most newbies won't. And most families with special needs won't. And I survive the rest of my year (sometimes at work) enjoying the planning. It's like spreading the magic throughout the year. If that seems like work to you, then don't do it.

My message was intended to encourage the planner who was nervous about travelling with a non-planner, not to disrespect non-planners.

Oh, and I believe you quoted OrangeCountyCommuter, who is a self-proclaimed non-planner.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

You self-proclaimed so-called "planners" tickle me.

I guess you guys really do believe that no one can go to WDW without having a 5 minute by 5 minute itinerary and have a good time. That just baffles my mind.

I've been a hundred times and I've never had a schedule on vacation in my life and we have a ball EVERY time. If I wanted the stress of a schedule, I'd just stay home and work.

I plan very little.

But Disney seems to be saying if I don't change my ways I won't get to do much. Since I don't want to change Disney may get a lot less of my $$!!$

 

[bocaj1431]

Good luck! And that is not sarcastic. I have high hopes for your trip. I have gone with families that are less excited and less planners (I don't think it's possible to be more!) than I am, and it's worked out fine.

In fact, my DH HATES planning. But he loves the results. So I know to do it all, and talk to him about it only when absolutely necessary (like to find out which restaurants he wants to return to). Then I create a spreadsheet with all plans for which parks, what time they open, what dining reservations when, etc. Then he just follows my directions on the day.

If we're travelling with another family, I give them a copy of the spreadsheet. I say, "This is what we are doing. You can join us for as much or as little as you like. We will tell you when we're leaving in the morning, but you don't need to leave when we do." (That means, "We won't wait for you.") Usually, after a maximum of one day of doing it on their own (and their kids hearing how much fun our kids had), they stick with us like glue. Or once, it was the reverse -- we had a family who did everything we did, but we left two days earlier, and they were miserable after that, having just followed our plan and learned nothing about our strategies for avoiding crowds.

On the rare occasion that the other family is determined to sleep in each day and follow the crowd pattern, we feel no frustration, as we've not been held back by them. Because we've laid out expectations up front, there are far fewer awkward/frustrated moments that can strain a friendship.

Thanks for sharing. I am definitely going to use some of your ideas.

You are right about giving them the option to vacation how they want to. It makes the most sense for everyone.

 

[mmdisneylover]

we took friends with us the last few years the only thing I made sure they planned was getting tickets so I got them through UT. I explained to them they didn't have to plan anything but if they wanted to save some money the tickets should be ordered as soon as possible. NO PLANNING and had a GREAT TIME STRESS FREE! My DH and I are going alone next Friday and have nothing planned not even Dinners! We will decide what we want to when we get up in the mornings AGAIN STRESS FREE!.

You can do this with just two but not a family.

 

[Deb & Bill]

First thing that came to my mind was the cost of tickets for the friends. Maybe they didn't realize they would be that expensive. Lots of peopl put off a purchase when they find out how much it costs and they don't have the money at the time. Or don't want to spend that much at the time.

 

[Rmgdisney]

Okay, I am going to DW with another family and over the past 5 months I have tried to get them started on planning for the trip. They never wanted to here anything about it. In fact, they would get irritated by my mentioning anything Disney. So, annoying!

Anyways, we are leaving for DW in 6 days. I get a call tonight asking where and how they can purchase park tickets. Can they purchase park tickets at the hotel we are staying at? We are staying at Animal kingdom lodge kidanni villa?

So excited!! This is our second trip to DW but our first trip as DVC members.

COLOR="Magenta"] congrats! That is so exciting, we are also new members and have our 1st DVC trip planned in dec.

i think that when you go on vacation with family or friends it's a good idea to talk about how you like to vacation. 1st trip w/my brother in law & my sister was not the best .he doesn't like to do the thrill rides so he would have to wait for everyone else. Which I can understand could become frustrating. We look forward to those rides all year! So the 2nd time I was upfront and suggested that we split up and meet up later for lunch and other less thrilling rides. It worked out much better. I kinda dreaded talking about this with him , I was sympathetic to his view and honestly it made for a much more enjoyable trip. Wishing you all the best and hopefully your 1st DVC trip will be the best one to date [/B][/B]

 

[DizBub]

Okay, I am going to DW with another family and over the past 5 months I have tried to get them started on planning for the trip. They never wanted to here anything about it. In fact, they would get irritated by my mentioning anything Disney. So, annoying!

I hear you. We are not planners by nature, other than the fact that we plan to go at all. We've been so many times and know we will go back so don't stress over planning. In fact I get irritated when my DD wants to plan ADRs 8 or 9 months out for every day of our trip. We go with them yearly.

But we have 2 other DDs that we alternate years with. They don't want to hear it until they are ready, usually a month out. This year the couple we are taking announced that they will only have 1 park day out of 7 nights and the other 4 of us have APs. All he wants to do is golf, eat at Shula's (I did manage to get a seating) and go on an airboat ride. We have ADRs for Boma and O'hana but she hates all things AK and probably won't even go to the Lodge to eat.

We will be checking in at BWV 3 weeks from today. We had issues 2 years ago, same cast of characters. Needless to say, I'm a little nervous about this trip.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

OP - I went through this with family. I feel for you.

With my folks, I got stuck at dining reservations. They didn't understand and since I have a weight problem...assumed I had an unhealthy obsession with food.

Here are a few pointers...

1. They don't know what they are missing. If they want to eat all counter service or go off property...go with it.

2. If there is a large group...and things aren't working...SPLIT UP. The large group is cumbersome. They'll have more fun discovering on their own.

3. If they want to get up at noon and get to the parks, go with it. I would only mention the rope drop strategy ONCE. At the same time, keep your temper in check. You have no idea how much I wanted to scream every morning as I would see half dressed people cooking bacon at the moment rope drop was happening. They were totally oblivious to the throngs of people entering the parks at noon. That's normal right?

4. Don't be upset if they do something hateful. If you are close, it won't hurt your long term relationship. Sure I think my sister is nuts that they left a full day early from Disney so they could go check out the empty Daytona speedway track. They wanted to make sure I knew they didn't have a good time. Its all ok now.

5. If they have no interest in ADRs, go with it. My family absolutely loved going to Texas Roadhouse. It was the highlight of their trip. Go with it.

Have expectations that they will try to treat Disney World like the Real World. They will be amazed at the size and scope of everything.

6. Finally...and this is hilarious. Make sure they know Big Thunder Mountain is a roller coaster. After lulling my family with jungle cruise and pirates...they thought they knew what to expect. I didn't think it was possible to approach BTMRR without seeing a mine train go whirling by...I was...very...wrong!

 

[DizBub]

6. Finally...and this is hilarious. Make sure they know Big Thunder Mountain is a roller coaster. After lulling my family with jungle cruise and pirates...they thought they knew what to expect. I didn't think it was possible to approach BTMRR without seeing a mine train go whirling by...I was...very...wrong!

OMG!! This IS hilarious! It reminds me of the first or second time we went to MK many years ago. We were with my in-laws and had gone on Peter Pan and It's a Small World and Mr Toad's Wild Ride, etc. Space Mountain had only been open 1 week (I'm seriously dating myself here). We did not know it was a roller coaster. Needless to say my MIL was all the way down in the nose cone of the rocket by the time the ride was over. She never got over it.

 

[bocaj1431]

COLOR="Magenta"] congrats! That is so exciting, we are also new members and have our 1st DVC trip planned in dec.

i think that when you go on vacation with family or friends it's a good idea to talk about how you like to vacation. 1st trip w/my brother in law & my sister was not the best .he doesn't like to do the thrill rides so he would have to wait for everyone else. Which I can understand could become frustrating. We look forward to those rides all year! So the 2nd time I was upfront and suggested that we split up and meet up later for lunch and other less thrilling rides. It worked out much better. I kinda dreaded talking about this with him , I was sympathetic to his view and honestly it made for a much more enjoyable trip. Wishing you all the best and hopefully your 1st DVC trip will be the best one to date [/B][/B]

Congrats to you too!

You bring up a good point. A discussion probably would be beneficial for us both. I love the DIS. You can learn so much from others.

Thanks for your well wishes. I Hope you and your family have a great vacation for your first DVC stay. I'm a little jealous, Disney during christmas, I bet it will be amazing!

 

[bocaj1431]

OP -

3. If they want to get up at noon and get to the parks, go with it. I would only mention the rope drop strategy ONCE. At the same time, keep your temper in check. You have no idea how much I wanted to scream every morning as I would see half dressed people cooking bacon at the moment rope drop was happening. They were totally oblivious to the throngs of people entering the parks at noon. That's normal right? Love this!

6. Finally...and this is hilarious. Make sure they know Big Thunder Mountain is a roller coaster. After lulling my family with jungle cruise and pirates...they thought they knew what to expect. I didn't think it was possible to approach BTMRR without seeing a mine train go whirling by...I was...very...wrong!

. Too funny.

Thanks for the advice and the laugh!!

 

[bocaj1431]

I hear you. We are not planners by nature, other than the fact that we plan to go at all. We've been so many times and know we will go back so don't stress over planning. In fact I get irritated when my DD wants to plan ADRs 8 or 9 months out for every day of our trip. We go with them yearly.

But we have 2 other DDs that we alternate years with. They don't want to hear it until they are ready, usually a month out. This year the couple we are taking announced that they will only have 1 park day out of 7 nights and the other 4 of us have APs. All he wants to do is golf, eat at Shula's (I did manage to get a seating) and go on an airboat ride. We have ADRs for Boma and O'hana but she hates all things AK and probably won't even go to the Lodge to eat.

We will be checking in at BWV 3 weeks from today. We had issues 2 years ago, same cast of characters. Needless to say, I'm a little nervous about this trip.

Wow. Wishing you lots of luck and some pixie dust for everyone to have an amazing vacation together.

 

[bobbiwoz]

?..

6. Finally...and this is hilarious. Make sure they know Big Thunder Mountain is a roller coaster. After lulling my family with jungle cruise and pirates...they thought they knew what to expect. I didn't think it was possible to approach BTMRR without seeing a mine train go whirling by...I was...very...wrong!

My story is our friends & we were headed to the RR...we were to the RR around the park, they to BTMRR! Same direction ( the adventure-land station)we still laugh at the point we realized we were not heading for the same experience!

 

[spruce]

We took my sister, her husband and son in June. They did no prior research into WDW. They didn't even look at the park maps we gave them. Every time we got off something the question was always what's next.
It was too funny, we did our thing and they followed. The best was on our last night, 20 minutes from illuminations, we're too tired, we're going back to stormalong bay. We entered epcot at 9, they left at 1, joined us for dinner at 6 (Le cellier) and left at 8:40.....nuts, but it was their vacation too so whatever.