Why dont people plan?

[Keyser]

One thing about ADRs - there are many people who don't eat in table service restaurants inside WDW anyway. I know that growing up, my family would have NEVER eaten in a restaurant that cost that much inside the park. Many people will stick to counter service, or eat at one of the many, many more reasonably priced restaurants in Orlando/Kissimmee that don't require months of advance reservations. So, I'm not sure that missing ADRs is that big of a deal, compared to fast passes...

 

[PeasandCarrots]

I can't think of hardly any other vacation destination that requires the level of planning and reservations that WDW does - I'm not saying that's a bad thing, just that it's unique. You don't go to Las Vegas and have to make an ADR 180 days out for example. On our first trip we had no clue it was different and we weren't prepared and frankly didn't have the best time. It's a wonder we went back. The second time you better believe we got an Unofficial Guide to WDW before the trip. And this was before FP+ - back then the only thing you really missed out on was dining. We also went during one of the most crowded weeks of the year and would leave right after fireworks every night with a 2 hour line for the bus. We learned many valuable, but painful lessons that trip.

 

[wilkeliza]

I appreciate those who don't want to plan 6 months out. We don't do that every time. However, not knowing anything just boggles my mind. I think reading the FAQ of the website would be the bare minimum. Again I guess there are people who still show up day of and stop by the TTC to buy tickets but even then read the park map or something where the big points are written out.

 

[cdnjason]

I never understand this. I guess some people do go just for the day (I had a friend do it and I had to explain everything through FP message) but if you stay onsite Disney emails and sends out letters all about planning and what to do and what to see. Those are the ones I will never understand when they are clueless.


Now the day trippers I also never will understand. I guess what happened in my friends case is they planned to only go to Universal with their 4 year old and 10 month old. They did not plan to do Disney at all. The trip was specifically so my friend could see Wizarding World. Well in the airport their son realized Orlando is where Mickey lives and since it was his birthday trip he begged to go to Disney World. They scrapped together the money and took him for the day but I felt so bad that they had no clue about FP+ or rider swap or any of that.

So true! I can't relate to them. No matter where I decide to go on vacation, I research everything before going. Showing up with no plan makes no sense. It's just how some people are wired, I suppose.

 

[gmboy95]

I appreciate those who don't want to plan 6 months out. We don't do that every time. However, not knowing anything just boggles my mind. I think reading the FAQ of the website would be the bare minimum. Again I guess there are people who still show up day of and stop by the TTC to buy tickets but even then read the park map or something where the big points are written out.

your right to an extent....the problem is not that folks dont know "anything"...its that just not understanding "a little bit"....can be the difference between a good time and a bad time....and IMO, that is a bit ridiculous....The problem at Disney over the past 10 years, is that while room capacity has exploded around the park....the places for people to go have not kept up at that level

 

[lady_hlh]

I have a friend who keeps saying she wants to take her family on their first trip to WDW and asks me to help her out with planning. However she thinks that 2 days at WDW would be plenty because she is comparing it to a Great Escape. Even though I explain to her that there are 4 big separate parks she gets frustrated and doesn't want to listen to my advice at all. She would be one of those people that wouldn't plan properly and would complain about her trip after she went.

 

[gmboy95]

So true! I can't relate to them. No matter where I decide to go on vacation, I research everything before going. Showing up with no plan makes no sense. It's just how some people are wired, I suppose.

again...I think we tend on this board to put things in absolute categories....I dont think we are talking about folks with "no plan"....we are talking about folks who may be going for the first time and would behave like a reasonable person would...maybe making ADR's a few weeks in advance, maybe try to get their fast passes a few weeks out as well.....thats not having ANY plan, thats not understanding the unique nature of a what a Disney vacation has become

 

[rwdavis2]

J....
Again I'm just wondering how this happens. There are so many resources out there. I feel that you have to plan to make the most of your trip.

Does anyone else see or hear of these things while at Disney?

I agree. I liken a trip to WDW to an Everest expedition. It takes planning, stamina, and money.

 

[aebeauregard]

I have a friend who keeps saying she wants to take her family on their first trip to WDW and asks me to help her out with planning. However she thinks that 2 days at WDW would be plenty because she is comparing it to a Great Escape. Even though I explain to her that there are 4 big separate parks she gets frustrated and doesn't want to listen to my advice at all. She would be one of those people that wouldn't plan properly and would complain about her trip after she went.

People ask me for advice and help planning lots. When I actually start trying to help though they seem so annoyed by how involved it gets. Like I think they expect me to just say "Make sure to ride Thunder Mountain and Peter Pan" but when I start trying to help them pick some ADRs and give them time lines and stuff they kinda check out. I could talk Disney all day. If you don't love it though I think it's in one ear out the other.

 

[Iowamomof4]

I've seen families walk into Bibbidi-Bobbidi Boutique and ask for the next available appointment, thinking it would be an hour wait or so. One mom was blown away to learn everyone had booked their appointment 6 months prior. In January I was at the Fantasyland FP Kiosks getting our next FP and a couple from South America was trying to get FP for 7DMT. They had been there all day apparently but didn't know anything about the FP system. The CM was trying to explain, and I was sympathetic, but that line was not the best place for that conversation. It really slowed the FP line down.

Skipper's Canteen tried to allow for some spontaneity by NOT accepting ADRs, but that hasn't worked out for whatever reason. I appreciate that WDW is trying to accommodate guests that haven't planned each meal.

I would think something like The Plaza (something more "normal") would be better for no reservations than Skipper Canteen. Not that I know how they would manage the logistics of that, but I think your typical family that made so few plans they need day-of reservations would be looking for hamburgers or spaghetti more than halibut collar or whatever the heck is on the SC menu.

 

[missbrooke06]

I often see even experienced wdw travelers recommend checking out a guide book from the library! I can only imagine how old those must be.

Now, I will say that I always lend first timers my latest guidebook. But I have 2016 and it's out of date - the way you get additional FPs is different, new rides, shows, etc.

The guidebook is a good way to get a knowledge base - a way to know what you don't know. But after they read it, I send them to my favorite planning sites, podcasts, All Ears for menus, etc. Unfortunately, not all first-timers know me (or other DISers).

 

[gmboy95]

People ask me for advice and help planning lots. When I actually start trying to help though they seem so annoyed by how involved it gets. Like I think they expect me to just say "Make sure to ride Thunder Mountain and Peter Pan" but when I start trying to help them pick some ADRs and give them time lines and stuff they kinda check out. I could talk Disney all day. If you don't love it though I think it's in one ear out the other.

I dont blame them....when someone drops that much $$$ for a vacation, they ought not feel like they are planning a wedding

 

[Huff]

How the heck to locals, AP'ers etc go to WDW any more? When I had AP's we would decide on a couple days notice to go, sometimes the night before. It wasn't a problem with the old FP system.

 

[wilkeliza]

again...I think we tend on this board to put things in absolute categories....I dont think we are talking about folks with "no plan"....we are talking about folks who may be going for the first time and would behave like a reasonable person would...maybe making ADR's a few weeks in advance, maybe try to get their fast passes a few weeks out as well.....thats not having ANY plan, thats not understanding the unique nature of a what a Disney vacation has become

Nope I'm actually talking about people with 0 plans. I have had many perfectly fine trips as well has many friends with just planning once we get to Orlando. Of course we are couples with no kids so that is a little easier. Still friends with kids who plan a little in advance but not a ton. They have great trips. I'm actually baffled by people who know nothing. They don't know the price for tickets, anything about lines, restaurant reservations, etc.

Disney isn't the only place you have to plan either. My fiance's family goes to Turks and Caicos every year between Christmas and New Years. For the past two years they have tried to book at their favorite resort only a few months out because nobody can make up their mind if we want to go somewhere else or just go back to somewhere they know and both years it was completely booked and the restaurants they love were also booked on most nights. That's a whole different debate why this has happened 2 years in a row now but it is similar to Disney. If you aren't a planner but want to go to Turks and Caicos during the winter holiday you have to take what you get.

 

[Alesia]

I often see even experienced wdw travelers recommend checking out a guide book from the library! I can only imagine how old those must be.

my library has several 2016 guide books. the oldest one they have is from 2015.

 

[gmboy95]

How the heck to locals, AP'ers etc go to WDW any more? When I had AP's we would decide on a couple days notice to go, sometimes the night before. It wasn't a problem with the old FP system.

You really cant....unless your willing to have dinner at 4pm or 8pm

 

[TexasKiwiPrincess]

I would think something like The Plaza (something more "normal") would be better for no reservations than Skipper Canteen. Not that I know how they would manage the logistics of that, but I think your typical family that made so few plans they need day-of reservations would be looking for hamburgers or spaghetti more than halibut collar or whatever the heck is on the SC menu.

Yes, the Canteen menu did have some fun entrees on it. I wondered if they were trying to find the middle ground for the folks that would like TS on a level between Plaza and BOG. They did change the Canteen menu to include more mainstream items and moved some dishes to Tiffins so maybe that will give the numbers a boost.

 

[Iowamomof4]

I avoided even considering a Disney vacation for years because all I knew was there was a "right" way to "do" Disney. I had no idea what that way was, but I assumed I would never be able to figure it out and we would end up miserable. I also thought Disney was way out of reach financially for us.

When we finally had the opportunity to go with a group of seasoned Disney people, I jumped at the chance! Before I booked our first vacation I didn't even know wdw from DL (could never keep straight which was in Florida and which was in California), I didn't know wdw consisted of 4 separate parks, I had heard of both Epcot and Magic Kingdom, but didn't realize BOTH were Disney-owned properties, I don't know if I had ever even heard of Hollywood Studios (think I got that confused with Universal Studios and thought they were one and the same), and Animal Kingdom in my mind was the place where you could stay in a hotel with animals right outside your window. Thankfully, I learned a ton before our first trip and we were fairly successful.

 

[wilkeliza]

How the heck to locals, AP'ers etc go to WDW any more? When I had AP's we would decide on a couple days notice to go, sometimes the night before. It wasn't a problem with the old FP system.

If they are going for a day trip it usually isn't a problem. They book Same Day FP and then just go and do what they want. If there is a specific dinner they plan out like anyone else. None of my AP friends have complained about not being able to do what they want when they want and seem to still have fun going to the parks. They are the ones more likely to take a break and go eat at a hotel or leave the parks to eat but know they can pop in after work and ride whatever they feel like riding or logging on in the morning to see what FPs are available. It is a different style when you live close.

 

[cdnjason]

again...I think we tend on this board to put things in absolute categories....I dont think we are talking about folks with "no plan"....we are talking about folks who may be going for the first time and would behave like a reasonable person would...maybe making ADR's a few weeks in advance, maybe try to get their fast passes a few weeks out as well.....thats not having ANY plan, thats not understanding the unique nature of a what a Disney vacation has become

True. Fair enough.