When you hear someone talk about going to WDW, do you....

[singitalto]

LOL....LOL....LOL......LOL..Yes I can relate.....LOL....LOL
I have to say I really enjoy planning out trips, even if they're not mine.

 

[NotUrsula]

I try to help people who ask for my help, but when I get to the point of asking those questions that target what they need help with, they start whining about how they really don't want to plan that much. So I shut up and leave them alone, until they come back. Then I have a lot of fun watching their faces go totally blank when I ask how they liked this or that attraction. I'd say that 90% of the people who tell me that they "prefer to go with the flow" never make it past the MK.

One of these days I'd like to get aerial photos of the city where I live and of WDW, in the same scale, and superimpose them. Maybe then the clueless would get a clearer idea of why just a *little* planning is a good idea.

 

[goofyernmost]

I have tried but if the person I am talking too isn't already a WDW fan it becomes apparent quite quickly that I am boring them to death. Their eyes glaze over and they look at me like I'm on a day release program from a mental institution.

WDW requires a point of reference for anyone to become immersed in that topic. First of all, they don't understand just what WDW is (midway rides, etc.) and if you start to mention about "becoming a kid again" they just tune you out.

My theory is that most people went to WDW the first time either as a kid with their parents or as the parents of kids that wanted to go. Without that semi-forced attendence they never would have discovered the greatness of it all. "Disneyworld is for kids" is the line I hear the most.

Unfortunately, those that enjoy talking about it the most are people that know the most about it already and the best you can do is compare notes.

 

[skiwee1]

Yes! At my DD's ballet class last week I found myself giving a lecture to 10 people planning WDW trips. I even brought in a visual aids. LOL! A newspaper with the codes so that they would know what to look for when their dates came up. They were actually taking notes of all the websites and phone numbers I was telling them about! Now that we have covered reservations, next week we will be discussing PSs!

 

[Belle5]

I've learned to really take the signals from people on how much information they really want. I used to give my life blood and pour my whole soul into advising people on their vacation only to have them return having done few of the things I had told them not to miss. (Illuminations or whatever.) Very frustrating. I learned not to get quite so involved. It's their vacation and I can't be responsible for making sure they enjoy it. Now I point them to resources like the Unofficial Guide (not perfect--but a starting point. It looks like a dictionary and they start to get the idea that it's not 6 flags!!!) or the free video they can order. If they ask questions we will answer.

 

[CuteKatCar]

Yes, yes, yes!!! I do feel the need to help. And I get phone calls from friends "...I know you're the expert, can you give me some websites to look at...".

I've helped a number of people - and I love every minute of it!!! It's fun when every now and then someone brings me back a disney gift!! I'm always shocked and then I know that they truly appreciated my time (and probably followed my advice!!).

I just helped 2 friends get the code discounts. One is going for the first time in June and she has 3 girls (3, 5 and 8). I'm going to her house tomorrow to educate her on how to get Cinderella's Royal Table - she MUST get that since she has 3 girls!!

Anna

 

[Took]

My DH and I are KNOWN Disney junkies. Our friends think it's a hoot!

And yes, I can hardly help telling friends all the things I've learned over the years. However, knowing how much fun planning is, I don't let myself actually plan their trips for them (though the impulse IS there!), ha, ha! I limit myself to mentioning these boards, mousesavers, and Deb Will's site.

And, yes, I sometimes do butt into complete strangers' conversations if I hear them mention a trip to Disney--just asking them about their trip and where they stayed or will be staying. Almost all are excited to share. If they seem interested, I'll tell them about the boards, too!

Took

 

[Tigger22]

I am know as the family expert - for both families! I don't try to plan out anyone's vacation - but I do steer them in the direction of these boards and mousesavers.com. What more do you need?!!!

Tigger22

 

[Ajax]

I fall to me knees and wrap my arms around their legs, and scream "Take me with you!!" in my most pathetic voice. Once they're done kicking me away, they'll generally listen to my rant if I promise not to do it again.

In reallity, I try to keep my raving to a minimum. I guide them to this site & a couple of others, or lend them my Passporter if they're trustworthy. If they really want to talk, I'm a veritable cornucopia of Disney info!

 

[susy]

That is why I always say that those "famous" standard view balconies at AKL-the ones by the bus stop- are dangerous for us folk. We would be out on our balconies handing out touring plans!

 

[Melynny]

It's TWICE the size of the island of Manhattan.. I use that line All the time when I am helping friends ( and strangers) plan!

 

[juliesue]

I am one of three avid Disney fans and visitors at my work. We get asked lots of questions! The really long conversations happen when the three of us are together (which only happens once in a while). Then none of us can stop talking about our last trip and our next trip!


I also can't help myself when I hear the words "Disney" or "vacation"! I have ended up with several conversations with total strangers discussing WDW. Some of those conversations (the most fun ones) are actually at WDW!

 

[MKFan-PR]

I've tried... Lord I've tried, but...

Whenever I hear someone that I know is going, I can't resist the urge to ask:

'When are you going?'

If they give a date in the offseason, I say 'Great time to go!'. I not, I say 'Be sureto take a break. Try staying on-site'. That's enough for them to start asking questions and requesting info.
I don't know why I do it. They'll be referred to me anyway by either family or co-workers!

I tell them where to find the discounts and get more info. Then I help them decide what they would like to do, based on how they want to tour (commando-style? relaxed pace?). Usually they come back thanking me (sometimes with gifts! ).

Most of the time they become Disney nuts like me! I love doing that to people! It's fun watching them do the same thing with their friends. I feel like a proud daddy!