What is Worse?

[lucincia]

First trip as adult back to WDW - March 2005 -

I am ashamed to admit these here on DIS, but we went in middle of March (spring break). We went on a Monday. We bought our ticket retail at the park. We arrived after the park opened. We spent half an hour at the train station looking at the park map and wondering where to go. We shopped on the way down Main Street in the morning (this is only one day trip to MK). We stood in line everywhere. We wondered what FastPass was. We walked up to Crystal Palace at noon in March on a Monday asking when the next available table is and got almost laughed out of the door.

After the trip, my sister pointed me to DIS.

Now for every WDW trip, I book the vacation package months in advance. I plan the travel schedule months in advance. I spend hours on DIS reading up on everything. I signed up for TourGuideMike. I bought books. I devoured everything on WDWInfo. I hyperventilate the day before 180 days time line. I spend more days after that tweaking the park plans. I have a folder for my Disney trips. I order the planning DVD and watch it to get into Disney mood. My DW thinks I have lost it. My friends think I have lost it. My DDs think I have lost it.

What is worse?

 

[NMAmy]

Definitely the first scenario is worse.

My family thought I was a freak, too, until we went for two weeks over Christmas. Once they saw people being turned away from TS restaurants and we were seated right away, they decided having Mom be a bit OCD about reservations several months in advance was just fine!

We're planning a trip for spring break and the first thing my 16 yo did was give me a list of restaurants where she'd like me to make ADRs. I've got her trained now!

 

[ziggystardust]

I was sort of in the same boat. I went to WDW with friends years ago - knew enough to make ADRs (or PSs as they were called) but didn't until the morning of or the night before (b.c we had no plan on where we would be on what day). I laughed at my DBF's sister for waking up early on the 90 day mark bc she had to get CRT.

Now I know better. All my plans are done months in advance.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

The first time I went to Disney I went without planning, we had decided one weekend to just go. I missed so much. When we went back a few years later I had read several different guidebooks and was ready.
I work in the tourist industry and cannot believe sometimes how little people plan. I mean, I at least knew how much the tickets cost before I went. Alot of people don't even check into that and have "sticker shock" when they do find out. There are also quite a number of people that think they can walk around for free in the parks and just pay when they ride the rides.

 

[GeorgeG]

I believe in planning, but I also thiink you can over-plan. After a few trips to WDW you get to know the ins and outs pretty well and you know how much you need to plan, when to go, and what not to worry about. There are times of the year that require advanced seating for meals and everything has long lines. Then there are times that you can pretty much go with the flow for most restaurants and rides.

A good rule of thumb is that the larger your group is, the more difficult it will be to get seated for meals, not to mention get everyone ready and out of the rooms, get past restrooms in the parks, and getting everyone to agree on what to do.

Another thing we have learned is that people tend to get on the first line they come to or for a particular ride. Except during really busy days, there will be short lines (or no lines) somewhere. Walk past the long lines and spend all that waiting time doing other things, then come back to a much shorter line where you first were. A good example of this is Spaceship Earth. You may have noticed that when you first enter the park the lines are all the way up each side. It's the first ride you come to and people just automatically get in that line. Go back later and it's a walk-on.

The first time at WDW is usually one big state of confusion, but a little research and planning can make it soo much better each time you go back. By our third time we stopped using the park maps. It also helps to go with someone who knows their way around when you go the first time. There is so much that's overlooked, even by 2nd and 3rd time visiters.

 

[jimmiej]

Now for every WDW trip, I book the vacation package months in advance. I plan the travel schedule months in advance. I spend hours on DIS reading up on everything. I signed up for TourGuideMike. I bought books. I devoured everything on WDWInfo. I hyperventilate the day before 180 days time line. I spend more days after that tweaking the park plans. I have a folder for my Disney trips. I order the planning DVD and watch it to get into Disney mood. My DW thinks I have lost it. My friends think I have lost it. My DDs think I have lost it.

What is worse?

Are you my twin?

Seriously, we did the same thing back in '96. We even entered the MK about 9:15 am on an EARLY ENTRY DAY! "How did all these people get here before us?" Before our next trip, a friend pointed me to The Unofficial Guide. Wow!!! I found the DIS in 2000 & the rest is history.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Another thing we have learned is that people tend to get on the first line they come to or for a particular ride. Except during really busy days, there will be short lines (or no lines) somewhere. Walk past the long lines and spend all that waiting time doing other things, then come back to a much shorter line where you first were. A good example of this is Spaceship Earth. You may have noticed that when you first enter the park the lines are all the way up each side. It's the first ride you come to and people just automatically get in that line. Go back later and it's a walk-on.

.

Also, "people tend to go around any amusement park toward the right....we go left...A great time saver.

 

[jimmiej]

Also, "people tend to go around any amusement park toward the right....we go left...A great time saver.

The Unofficial Guide says that's not true.