Why dont people plan?

[FirstTimeDisneyVisit]

This is what is confusing to me. And what I didn't believe until your statement.

How did you not know?

Disney emails you, they send you magic bands, they show you on MDE, and they send you booklets.

I'm so curious to know how it's possible.[/QUO

This was 6 years ago and magic bands where not around. MDE i don't recall ever seeing it or we would have known. We did not receive any emails about FP or anything about dinning rsvp. We didn't have anyone who has gone before and we definitely did not know of the DIS or that trip would of been a lot different.Just one of those things we went in blind and lesson was learned as i'm sure many people have experienced.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

This is what is confusing to me. And what I didn't believe until your statement.

How did you not know?

Disney emails you, they send you magic bands, they show you on MDE, and they send you booklets.

I'm so curious to know how it's possible.

Pretty sure they're talking pre-MDE and pre-magic bands since they mention paper FPs.

 

[21stamps]

Pretty sure they're talking pre-MDE and pre-magic bands since they mention paper FPs.

Oops sorry, missed that part!

Ok so then, mystery remains unsolved. I still don't understand how it's possible for anyone currently to not know about these things.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Anyway, in my previous post I was trying to say that we took my 2 DGDs to BBB, met princesses, ate in castles, rode lots of rides, had 5 character meals, DGD5 rode her first Star Wars and Test Track, and we spent 7 wonderful days doing any and everything they wanted and when I asked her what was her favorite thing he did she said, "played on the playground". I said, "no, besides that" and she answered, "swam in the pool". I was like, "no, at the park" and she said the tea cups. What our idea of a perfect vacation is differs greatly from the ideas of a 3 and 5 year old.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

Oops sorry, missed that part!

Ok so then, mystery remains unsolved. I still don't understand how it's possible for anyone currently to not know about these things.

I think it's probably just a matter of too many things competing for people's attention. We get bombarded with emails, texts, etc. constantly. Everyone has to sift through it and decide what's important. Maybe some people even read it and assume it's just an option to book things in advance with no real value.

It occurs to me that information about the old FP system was printed right on the park map. As I recall it was pretty clear that it was available to anyone with a park ticket. Yet many people either didn't see it or dismissed it thinking Disney was trying to upsell them. We probably would have been in the same boat if a friend hadn't told me about it before we went 15 years ago.

People make assumptions about things to avoid spending time thinking about them. Sometimes they just have to be jarred by a sudden slap from reality to realize their assumptions are wrong.

 

[FirstTimeDisneyVisit]

I remember the glares from people in the standby line as we were walking past them in the FP line in 2001. I kept wondering why they seemed so sour. Then I heard a man tell his kids, "they paid extra for that." I smiled at him and told him it was free for anyone with a ticket. I could have knocked him over with a feather.

LMAO !! i felt that way for TSM watching all the people walk the other way into the Fp line !!

 

[ChloesDaddy]

Anyway, in my previous post I was trying to say that we took my 2 DGDs to BBB, met princesses, ate in castles, rode lots of rides, had 5 character meals, DGD5 rode her first Star Wars and Test Track, and we spent 7 wonderful days doing any and everything they wanted and when I asked her what was her favorite thing he did she said, "played on the playground". I said, "no, besides that" and she answered, "swam in the pool". I was like, "no, at the park" and she said the tea cups. What our idea of a perfect vacation is differs greatly from the ideas of a 3 and 5 year old.

I've read posts in the past about people being reduced to tears because they planned out everything "perfectly" and found their kids wanted to spend more time at the pool. We all have to remember that the one planning the trip is not the only one with expectations.

 

[21stamps]

Anyway, in my previous post I was trying to say that we took my 2 DGDs to BBB, met princesses, ate in castles, rode lots of rides, had 5 character meals, DGD5 rode her first Star Wars and Test Track, and we spent 7 wonderful days doing any and everything they wanted and when I asked her what was her favorite thing he did she said, "played on the playground". I said, "no, besides that" and she answered, "swam in the pool". I was like, "no, at the park" and she said the tea cups. What our idea of a perfect vacation is differs greatly from the ideas of a 3 and 5 year old.

This is pretty much the exact same answers as my son gives- and meeting Stitch, that was huge to him.

 

[21stamps]

I've read posts in the past about people being reduced to tears because they planned out everything "perfectly" and found their kids wanted to spend more time at the pool. We all have to remember that the one planning the trip is not the only one with expectations.

One such post is mine.

I think it's probably just a matter of too many things competing for people's attention. We get bombarded with emails, texts, etc. constantly. Everyone has to sift through it and decide what's important. Maybe some people even read it and assume it's just an option to book things in advance with no real value.

It occurs to me that information about the old FP system was printed right on the park map. As I recall it was pretty clear that it was available to anyone with a park ticket. Yet many people either didn't see it or dismissed it thinking Disney was trying to upsell them. We probably would have been in the same boat if a friend hadn't told me about it before we went 15 years ago.

People make assumptions about things to avoid spending time thinking about them. Sometimes they just have to be jarred by a sudden slap from reality to realize their assumptions are wrong.

Ok so I thought I remembered this from last time, but I just checked again on our upcoming brochure (the "incredible vacation" one. It tells me my transportation options, resort dining, highlights a few different dining areas in the parks, tells me about the app, about fast pass etc- Here are a few examples-- based on all of this, in the past few years, do you really think it's possible that people completely miss all of this info? Or, maybe some people don't want to plan? . I just can't imagine that they "didn't know"

 

[MariMama]

This is what is confusing to me. And what I didn't believe until your statement.

How did you not know?

Disney emails you, they send you magic bands, they show you on MDE, and they send you booklets.

I'm so curious to know how it's possible.

If you're staying off-site and didn't buy your tickets through Disney, you don't get anything. Zip, zilch, nada.

 

[21stamps]

If you're staying off-site and didn't buy your tickets through Disney, you don't get anything. Zip, zilch, nada.

Ok that makes sense.

But even then I think you would at least Google -WDW, Universal, Sea World and have some kind of idea about the parks before you went.

Maybe some people just don't...I guess it just seems so unheard of to me. I call a store to see if they have the item I'm looking for before I even go.lol

 

[Mambo Junkie]

View attachment 172749 View attachment 172744
One such post is mine.

Ok so I thought I remembered this from last time, but I just checked again on our upcoming brochure (the "incredible vacation" one. It tells me my transportation options, resort dining, highlights a few different dining areas in the parks, tells me about the app, about fast pass etc- Here are a few examples-- based on all of this, in the past few years, do you really think it's possible that people completely miss all of this info? Or, maybe some people don't want to plan? . I just can't imagine that they "didn't know"

The pictures you posted of the Disney prompts: that only works if you receive them BEFORE your vacation, or BEFORE 180 or 60 days out. Mine arrived (as well as the start planning email) after I arrived home.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Ok that makes sense.

But even then I think you would at least Google -WDW, Universal, Sea World and have some kind of idea about the parks before you went.

Maybe some people just don't...I guess it just seems so unheard of to me. I call a store to see if they have the item I'm looking for before I even go.lol

Just today a client told me she was leaving for Florida tonight. She asked me where was the best place to buy tickets. She also asked about good places to eat, what parks did I recommend for a 3 year old, and she was talking about taking her little one to the BBB. She at least left with the app downloaded and I explained how to check for dining reservations, fast passes etc. I also advised her to stop by AAA on her way home and buy tickets. I showed her how to link the tickets and pretty much wished her luck.

 

[Hikergirl]

View attachment 172749 View attachment 172744
One such post is mine.

Ok so I thought I remembered this from last time, but I just checked again on our upcoming brochure (the "incredible vacation" one. It tells me my transportation options, resort dining, highlights a few different dining areas in the parks, tells me about the app, about fast pass etc- Here are a few examples-- based on all of this, in the past few years, do you really think it's possible that people completely miss all of this info? Or, maybe some people don't want to plan? . I just can't imagine that they "didn't know"

How do people that don't know anything about the rides pick a fast pass 2 months in advance? Maybe they just want to wait and see what looks good to ride, and have no real idea about how long the lines are. I don't think that Disney advertises that rides can have waits of an hour or more. Maybe they just don't know they actually have to plan what park to be in on what days of their vacation 6 months out so they can make ADRs for restaurants in the park.
The brochure make it sound like "hey look how great this is, you can make reservations now" but it doesn't tell you that if you don't make them you may end up waiting in very long lines or waiting an hour for a table. They aren't going to say anything that makes it sound like you could have a negative experience.
I don't think its a matter of not knowing that info since they do send that brochure its more like the don't know what results if you don't follow it. They just think those are things you could do, they don't realize they are things you need to do.
I was lucky for our first trip I had a Disney loving family member who gave me advice and I also used a TA.

 

[fbarker]

Taking a trip this summer to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Have not made advanced dinner reservations because there are plenty of restaurants (lots of restaurants at Disney).
With 2015 attendance, just for MK at 20million people that would mean there are 384 thousand each week. That might be the reason for needing to make reservations for dinning. I am sure there are plenty of of restaurants available in and around Orlando that don't require 180 reservations but then you are not eating at Disney ,which is important to a lot of people.

Have not booked times to visit the various attractions in the area (there are certainly lots of attractions at Disney). See comments above, I believe the same reasoning would apply

So why would a family think that if they wanted a sit down restaurant meal that reservations would have to be made weeks in advance? See comments above, I believe the same reasoning applies and just to add I believe 2015 attendance for Epcot (15million) AK 10million and HS 8million would add an additional 634 thousand people each week. So that pretty close of 1 million people each week at just WDW!!!

Why would a family think that a theme park with many attractions they would have to planned to the minute for arrival so as to get on after a reasonable waiting time?

For decades my family did just that at Disney. We showed up and enjoyed the experience. Yet we heap criticism on those that dare to arrive without extensive planning. No wonder they waited and waited and enjoyed very little. Serves them right!

Baloney!

I blame the process created by those in charge at Disney. I do not blame the poor family that is excited about the wonderful and exciting vacation they are about to have only to run into an experience of unwelcome obstacles and blockades.

I enjoy vacation planning. But I can understand those to do minimal planning based on reasonable expectations.

 

[21stamps]

The pictures you posted of the Disney prompts: that only works if you receive them BEFORE your vacation, or BEFORE 180 or 60 days out. Mine arrived (as well as the start planning email) after I arrived home.

Just today a client told me she was leaving for Florida tonight. She asked me where was the best place to buy tickets. She also asked about good places to eat, what parks did I recommend for a 3 year old, and she was talking about taking her little one to the BBB. She at least left with the app downloaded and I explained how to check for dining reservations, fast passes etc. I also advised her to stop by AAA on her way home and buy tickets. I showed her how to link the tickets and pretty much wished her luck.

Yeah, that's someone I've never met.

Not just Disney, but anywhere I guess, I just assume people will look up where they're going first.

I'm definitely not in the spreadsheet camp, but I am in the Google before you go camp for pretty much anywhere.

How do people that don't know anything about the rides pick a fast pass 2 months in advance? Maybe they just want to wait and see what looks good to ride, and have no real idea about how long the lines are. I don't think that Disney advertises that rides can have waits of an hour or more. Maybe they just don't know they actually have to plan what park to be in on what days of their vacation 6 months out so they can make ADRs for restaurants in the park.
The brochure make it sound like "hey look how great this is, you can make reservations now" but it doesn't tell you that if you don't make them you may end up waiting in very long lines or waiting an hour for a table. They aren't going to say anything that makes it sound like you could have a negative experience.
I don't think its a matter of not knowing that info since they do send that brochure its more like the don't know what results if you don't follow it. They just think those are things you could do, they don't realize they are things you need to do.
I was lucky for our first trip I had a Disney loving family member who gave me advice and I also used a TA.

I guess that I just figure people have been to a theme park before and will check stuff like that. Also that they know people who go to Disney and would likely have been told. Or even understand that there is a reason for why Disney sends that brochure. Like I said above, I'm not saying Disney requires spreadsheets, or even disboards, and I don't think you need to plan it 6 months to a year out, but when you do decide on it- a little bit of planning goes a long way ,wherever you go. I even check wait times on rides at our local theme park before we go- just to give me an idea of crowds- and if maybe we want to do something else that day instead.

For me personally though- this upcoming trip is by far the most stressful trip I have ever planned. I have no wish to book this far in advance ever again. It's made me obsessive and basically driving me crazy.lol

2 months is enough time.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Yeah, that's someone I've never met.

Not just Disney, but anywhere I guess, I just assume people will look up where they're going first.

I'm definitely not in the spreadsheet camp, but I am in the Google before you go camp for pretty much anywhere.

I guess that I just figure people have been to a theme park before and will check stuff like that. Also that they know people who go to Disney and would likely have been told. Or even understand that there is a reason for why Disney sends that brochure. Like I said above, I'm not saying Disney requires spreadsheets, or even disboards, and I don't think you need to plan it 6 months to a year out, but when you do decide on it- a little bit of planning goes a long way ,wherever you go. I even check wait times on rides at our local theme park before we go- just to give me an idea of crowds- and if maybe we want to do something else that day instead.

For me personally though- this upcoming trip is by far the most stressful trip I have ever planned. I have no wish to book this far in advance ever again. It's made me obsessive and basically driving me crazy.lol

2 months is enough time.

I'm right there with you. I did the planning, but after we got there a lot of our plans went out the window. My family just.doesn't.like.it.

 

[21stamps]

I'm right there with you. I did the planning, but after we got there a lot of our plans went out the window. My family just.doesn't.like.it.

I'm afraid of the same on our November/December trip.

It happened last time, and will probably happen again.

I'm trying to find a good balance of "perfectly planned schedule", and "go with the flow"-- it's not easy, and I have several ADRs to book on Sunday that definitely aren't meshing with the go with the flow side. But I do know this- If my child wants to ride space mountain again instead of heading to fantasyland..or if he wants to skip a fireworks show and go back to the resort- That's what we'll do . At the end of the day, the vacation is about him...and the most valuable lesson I learned last time- sometimes kids just don't want to see every show/parade/character, and in us thinking that they need to do so is creating the opposite of "happiest place on earth"

 

[Davey Jones II]

Unfortunately that's just to way it is, we can choose to adapt or go elsewhere (I do a mix of both).

While uber-planners benefit from current WDW setups, it's not their fault. All of this is Disney trying one way or another (not necessarily "trying their best") to accommodate and coordinate record crowds.

Thankfully, we are flexible, we don't have to eat anyone in particular (there are always tables at Tokyo Dining and Marrakesh) and we will find time for all rides, even if at EMH, RD or closing. You want to make sure a kid knows he's squeezing in as much time as possible...get in a hour-long line 5 minutes before closing. As noted before, 60-120 minute lines are common at all theme parks.

All I can say is if you like it a little less rigid, that's where Disneyland is better. FP+ is non-existent, you can walk back and forth between both parks, and except for a few holiday periods, ADR's are easy to get (plus the two parks have as many rides as all four WDW parks). I think the competitive planners get appointed there are no trophy conquests ("you got Blue Bayou ADR's?...oh...so did everyone else"). But the crowds are there too.

See bolded above...
This begs the question: cannibal or zombie?

 

[GrumpyDad1974]

We have been roughly 10 times and my sister who wanted to take her daughters (my nieces) on a once in a lifetime trip so she asked my advice on planning about a 9 months out. I went through everything, she asked questions and said she understood, they spent 2-3 times what we spend on their trip. A couple months before they leave I followed up with her plans... she got overwhelmed and decided to wing it. Then asked if we wanted to go with them at two months out... umm no thanks. The positive thing was the girls had fun. Other than that my sister admitted it was a disaster... so you can try and help some people but it's up to them.