"We don't want to be tied down to a schedule....."

[DizBelle]

They're going in June and don't want to make FastPass reservations because they don't want to be tied down to a schedule and want to "go with the flow"...

Going with the flow is great but waiting in line for 1.5 to 2 hours with 4 kids including a 1-ish year old will be miserable in June heat.

Oh well. All I can do is warn them. But how they want to do their trip is up to them. I can only share my experience and wisdom (been doing the annual WDW trip for 20+ years). Choosing to take advantage of it is up to them.

 

[GillianP1301]

I've never understood why people think having a plan excludes you from being able to go with the flow. They are not mutually exclusive. I have a very detailed plan and do that mostly because I find it fun, but I very rarely end up following it exactly. However, having done that planning makes changing things on the fly much easier than trying to wing it with no prep at all.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

That's frustrating. Maybe tell them that they can make FP+ reservations but are under no obligation to actually use them? They might be glad they have them after a day with standby waits. They can also change them fairly easily.

 

[prprincess]

That's frustrating. Maybe tell them that they can make FP+ reservations but are under no obligation to actually use them? They might be glad they have them after a day with standby waits. They can also change them fairly easily.

This exactly. While I am a "go with the flow" person myself, I still make plans. If we keep them, we keep them. If not, then oh well, it doesn't ruin our time. But if there resources are there, why not just use them?

 

[loves to dive]

We always go with the flow, never make FPs any more than the night before, most of the time the day of while we are standing in line. Never make ADRs any further in advance than day of and eat at TS just about every day. We rarely even know what park we are going to until we get up in the morning, if we are at a resort with buses, we go to the bus stop and hop on the first bus to arrive. Now we have been going for over 30 years and always have had hoppers but still, it's entirely possible to go with the flow and enjoy it.

 

[DizBelle]

We always go with the flow, never make FPs any more than the night before, most of the time the day of while we are standing in line. Never make ADRs any further in advance than day of and eat at TS just about every day. We rarely even know what park we are going to until we get up in the morning, if we are at a resort with buses, we go to the bus stop and hop on the first bus to arrive. Now we have been going for over 30 years and always have had hoppers but still, it's entirely possible to go with the flow and enjoy it.

I get that but I think this may be a "once in a lifetime" trip for them. I doubt they will be going back any time soon if at all.

I think they are probably going to be a wake late and get to park late kind of group. Maybe see a couple attractions. And then go back to the resort for the rest of the day at the pool.

Which is all fine and good. Me? I can't see spending this kind of money and spending 80% of the time at the pool. There are way cheaper ways to have a pool vacation.

However, they may do this and spend only 2 hours a day at the parks and come home perfectly happy with the trip. If so, more power to them!

I've made it very clear I'm available for any planning and advice that they want. All they have to do is ask. I emailed them a top 2-3 pieces of advice and left it at that.

 

[GillianP1301]

We always go with the flow, never make FPs any more than the night before, most of the time the day of while we are standing in line. Never make ADRs any further in advance than day of and eat at TS just about every day. We rarely even know what park we are going to until we get up in the morning, if we are at a resort with buses, we go to the bus stop and hop on the first bus to arrive. Now we have been going for over 30 years and always have had hoppers but still, it's entirely possible to go with the flow and enjoy it.

I think going with the flow when you are a veteran to WDW is a lot different than somebody not familiar trying to do the same. Where a person lacks experience, they should make that up with research. Having the knowledge of multiple visits is in itself a form of planning.

 

[mdelano4]

I have a few typical answers when I get that statement:

"Then I guess you don't care what you eat and don't mind scouting for a table."
"That's OK, the line for It's a Small World is always manageable and even if you go on it 10 times in a row you are sure to see something you missed before."
"I suppose it's OK if you wait for a hour plus to get on a ride, you will see all sorts of people as you pass them on line. Of course, when you start looping back and forth, they are all the same people."

 

[Amanda999]

We always go with the flow, never make FPs any more than the night before, most of the time the day of while we are standing in line. Never make ADRs any further in advance than day of and eat at TS just about every day. We rarely even know what park we are going to until we get up in the morning, if we are at a resort with buses, we go to the bus stop and hop on the first bus to arrive. Now we have been going for over 30 years and always have had hoppers but still, it's entirely possible to go with the flow and enjoy it.

Curious: How many people in your group (do you find any E ticket FP+ for 4 at times you want)? Do you go at busy times (school vacation weeks)?

 

[amberpi]

Unless asked, why would you care about someone else's visit? My dad, and actually, lots of people I know are in the "unsolicited advice" crew. Mom and I constantly tell him to STOP. Did your friends ask for any input? If so, and they say they want to go with the flow, just recommend rope drop, and honestly, with that and same day fp they can very well have a wonderful trip, even with long mid-day breaks. I do and I'm often out of the parks from 12-1 until 6-7. I go when hours are long, like they will be doing, and open and close the parks down. Same day ADRs are definitely available. Other than V&A, I can pretty much get any place I want, but I prefer to eat dinner after night time entertainment, and lunch by the pool. I mean, who doesn't love poolside service? Some people can't plan things 6 months in advance and have great trips. They might want to go to shows all day - if so, they'll be super happy! So many variables and so many differences on what makes a vacation successful.

 

[IrishNYC]

Unless you're a travel agent, and they're you're client, I'd just say, "Okay!" and let it go. Not your trip, not your worry.

 

[KCMiller]

I hear this from folks going sometimes, and the responders are right, it's not my problem - but it's pretty annoying when they come back and complain about what a terrible time they had.

 

[DisneyOma]

We always go with the flow, never make FPs any more than the night before, most of the time the day of while we are standing in line. Never make ADRs any further in advance than day of and eat at TS just about every day. We rarely even know what park we are going to until we get up in the morning, if we are at a resort with buses, we go to the bus stop and hop on the first bus to arrive. Now we have been going for over 30 years and always have had hoppers but still, it's entirely possible to go with the flow and enjoy it.

What table service do you get day of?

 

[MickeyWaffles]

They're going in June and don't want to make FastPass reservations because they don't want to be tied down to a schedule and want to "go with the flow"...

Going with the flow is great but waiting in line for 1.5 to 2 hours with 4 kids including a 1-ish year old will be miserable in June heat.

Oh well. All I can do is warn them. But how they want to do their trip is up to them. I can only share my experience and wisdom (been doing the annual WDW trip for 20+ years). Choosing to take advantage of it is up to them.

I think for some families, ages of kids or size of group do affect things.

When we brought our DD the first time at 12mo (in our family group of 10), she did great overall but I couldn't really predict ahead of time what times she'd be in a good mood, napping, overtired, etc. because it's not the same as home. I picked what I thought would
be good and turned out to be a few terrible ADR and FP times. Some parents (like me) don't like to commit because they're just not sure how their kids will be. I took her to Disneyland a couple months later and it was really nice to not have to worry about FP/ADRs. We did stuff simply based on her schedule.

Our next trip we will have a 2yo and 13mo. This time, we are only doing character meals, mostly early breakfast or lunch, and lots of QS. FPs I know I'll have to adjust while we are there and that's ok, although difficult with a group of 10 that likes to travel as a herd.

Additionally, we have family who believes that if you have to plan anything it's not a vacation. I don't enjoy the planning but I do some light planning knowing that these days if we want an ADR at a specific time we need to do it. If we want to ride Frozen or Peter Pan we should do it. I just wish we didn't have to

 

[rwdavis2]

If they are willing to take your advice then tell them the choice is making a few plans (FPs) or waiting in very long lines for the best attractions. I think that lays it out pretty well. If they don't believe you then leave it alone.

 

[Tink_83]

I hear this from folks going sometimes, and the responders are right, it's not my problem - but it's pretty annoying when they come back and complain about what a terrible time they had.

This is frustrating if good advice is offered and then they come back after spending a fortune and complain because they didn't plan.

I think for some families, ages of kids or size of group do affect things.

When we brought our DD the first time at 12mo (in our family group of 10), she did great overall but I couldn't really predict ahead of time what times she'd be in a good mood, napping, overtired, etc. because it's not the same as home. I picked what I thought would
be good and turned out to be a few terrible ADR and FP times. Some parents (like me) don't like to commit because they're just not sure how their kids will be. I took her to Disneyland a couple months later and it was really nice to not have to worry about FP/ADRs. We did stuff simply asked on her schedule.

Our next trip we will have a 2yo and 13mo. This time, we are only doing character meals, mostly early breakfast or lunch, and lots of QS. FPs I know I'll have to adjust while we are there and that's ok, although difficult with a group of 10 that likes to travel as a herd.

Additionally, we have family who believes that if you have to plan anything it's not a vacation. I don't enjoy the planning but I do some light planning knowing that these days if we want an ADR at a specific time we need to do it. If we want to ride Frozen or Peter Pan we should do it. I just wish we didn't have to

I will say our first trip with DD (almost 3 at the time) was a quick one day trip to the MK. We got up late and didn't have a plan. It was still lots of fun. She met characters I didn't even know she wanted to see (Merida for instance)... we did the carousel like 15 times and dumbo, pirates and HM and that was it. I hadn't been in years and didn't realize how much had changed but because of her age it didn't really matter. The following summer I went with DD and DS for 3 days and didn't look at a map to use touring plans to schedule my fast passes. Between that and the ADRs it was actually stressful to try to make everything on time and we ended up changing things during the day because I'd realize that o couldn't get from point a to point b in time... this time I've done far more research, examined the park maps and used touring plans, and am a little afraid we are going to be on a Disney death march... but hopeful that the extra planning and reduced walking (I did not let touring plans optimize the experience, I had 0 desire for that after realizing that even when I selected minimize walking it had me going everywhere... I know that I want to park the stroller and hit a few attractions then move to the next part of the park...)

anyway my point is for some seeing frozen or another headliner is a must and for others after they do Nemo in Epcot and maybe spaceship earth their ready to head over to the world showcase and drink while looking at the countries. both can be immensely enjoyable and maybe even for the same person depending on the goals of the trip. Oh and I've promised my family that beyond the fast passes (not made on opposite sides of the park an hour later this time) we can ignore the schedule if it's not working out...

 

[Simba's Girl]

I never understood why others feel the need to but into other people's vacations. If they don't want advice or to plan-so be it. If they complain because they didn't take advice or plan-oh well not your problem. I hope that your friends are able to have an A+ time!

 

[Bobb_o]

If they complain because they didn't take advice or plan-oh well not your problem.

It is when they constantly complain to you.

 

[loves to dive]

Curious: How many people in your group (do you find any E ticket FP+ for 4 at times you want)? Do you go at busy times (school vacation weeks)?

Two adults, me and my adult son. He is in college right now so we do have to plan around his spring break which was the first full week in March this year. Because we have been going since before there was such a thing as a fast pass, our normal is standing in a line. We aren't real ride centric, haven't been since the very first time we set foot in MK when he was 3 years old (that trip was in August by the way). We enjoy just being there and don't rush trying to ride as many rides as we can or see everything, it's impossible to do.

 

[loves to dive]

What table service do you get day of?

We normally are happy with what is available. We don't eat at buffets because I hate them and don't do character meals, never did even when he was little he didn't like them coming around when he was trying to eat. Last trip we ate at Jikos, Spice Road Tables, Skipper's Canteen and HBD (outside) all with same day ADRs. HBD outside is walk up. In the past we have gotten Flying Fish, Sanaa, Tiffins, just about everywhere at WS in Epcot same day. We have walked up to Sci-Fi and eaten there without an ADR, we have even dong BOG with same day ADRs.