Why dont people plan?

[21stamps]

It is sad to see those families who have spent thousands and are not able to get the full experience, but those are probably the ones who are also clueless in life as well and go by the seat of their pants for everything. To make the most of any vacation you do need to plan a little and research the area you are visiting. Disney is a different beast.

We were able to scramble and plan a NYE trip (my first trip, husband had been numerous times before) in October (2 months out) -- I had to do tons of reading, planning and stalking dining reservations in order to have a successful trip. Thank goodness for this board!!!! I didn't realize that you had to be an extreme planner for Disney, some people either don't care, don't know or can't put the effort into the planning. My co-worker had a trip w/ kids and grand kid. i tried to give her tips on things, but she was insistent on having the travel agent set her dining reservations. I couldn't imagine doing that.

Part of the fun and excitement of a disney trip is the months of planning ahead of time. i think that helps add to the build up of the excitement for the trip. I already can't wait to book my next trip (in a year)

It's not fun for me!! I'm getting gray hair from everything I'm saving and writing, and trying to remember!lol
But I'm doing it!! So hopefully this trip will be my most organized and efficient use of time Disney trip ever!

 

[godders]

I'm booked for staying at AKL for the first time next year and just for funsies I checked out TripAdvisor. So many of the negative comments were about the restaurants being fully booked 24 hours in advance or people not even knowing the main building was called Jambo House...

A little bit of research goes a long way.
I'm just grateful my parents are planners when it comes to holidays. Don't think there was ever a WDW/DL holiday that didn't involve an Unofficial Guide (except my solo trip last year because now I have you guys )

 

[ellie05]

I have been on many vacations....the thought that you would need to make dining reservations months in advance is not a normal thought....I can imagine if i were a family of four who just dropped 6 grand on a vacation WITH a meal plan...then thought I was doing the right thing a few weeks out and going on line to make reservations, only to find out i couldnt get in anywhere i wanted, that I would be completely pissed off, and feel like i got ripped off.....the real problem, is that you really cant what you truly want even months out at times....there is not another place you could travel where you wouldnt think 3 weeks prior is ample time to make a dining reservation

Here is the thing when you are making your resort reservation the CM has ALWAYS asked me if I want to be transfer to the dinning reservations line because they really recommend you get those done. That is a fair warning they usually follow up with multiple emails. Most top rated restaurants in any city have months of waiting list probably not six months but considering you are in a theme park and there are limited options it only makes sense. I think at 3/4 weeks out most of the time you can still find ADR it might not be what you want but that is life.

 

[WhollyHeretic]

I can understand not wanting to lock yourself into things so far out but I don't understand spending that much on a vacation and not doing any research. On non-Disney vacations I don't book that much ahead of time but I still do a lot of research so I know the options, tricks, and pitfalls.

The trip we're taking in less than 3 weeks (!!!) we didn't start planning until a couple of weeks ago. We had been planning on going somewhere local. Surprisingly we were able to book pretty much everything we wanted to. We got FP+ for AE, 7DMT, the new Soarin'. The only thing we had a little trouble with was booking an ADR for MK our first night.

 

[21stamps]

Here is the thing when you are making your resort reservation the CM has ALWAYS asked me if I want to be transfer to the dinning reservations line because they really recommend you get those done. That is a fair warning they usually follow up with multiple emails. Most top rated restaurants in any city have months of waiting list probably not six months but considering you are in a theme park and there are limited options it only makes sense. I think at 3/4 weeks out most of the time you can still find ADR it might not be what you want but that is life.

...and it states on the website that they take reservations 180 days in advance. I got lucky last time, checked MDE every single day and got all of our choices, some not until the week or even a few days before. I booked that stay just over 60 days in advance.

 

[tsme]

Sometimes people just don't want to plan too. I had a friend who was planning a trip to Disney. She asked me a few questions & I went on to explain all about FPs & ADRS, planning which park to go to on which day, etc. But she didn't care or want to know or deal with any of it. She wanted to go, wake up each morning, then decide which park to go to. So they didn't plan at all.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I will add just because you CAN book dinner 180 days in advance, the normal person wouldn't think it's necessary to do so.

MG

 

[bbjunkie]

I think that a lot of people here assume that a WDW vacation is bad unless it's done the way the über planners in the DIS do it. While I am a super-organized planner that enjoys the process myself, that simply isn't true. The last trip my family of three took was a last-minute decision-less than 45 days out. We were able to get ADRs and Fast Passes without a problem. We didn't get PPO ADRs at BOG, but we didn't try, either. We did have brunch at Tusker House, breakfast at 'Ohana, fast passes for 7DMT, TSMM, Soarin' and more. The idea that you MUST make your ADRs 6 months out and must make your Fast Pass selections 60's out is a myth. It is available for you to do it then, and if your entire vacation is going to revolve around you getting an 8:15 Akershuas PPO ADR, and your Splash Fast Pass must happen at 1:15 pm, then yep, it's best to get on right away. But if it's ok with you that you have lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern or dinner at Coral Reef, and you're ok if your BTMRR fast pass is at 6:30 pm while a lot of people are eating, then you'll be just fine. People act like guests that don't plan 6 months out will be doomed to churros at kiosks and water from counter service with no real meals for a week. It simply isn't true.

Now, if you want to maximize your vacation experience, you might want to look ahead at maps and schedules and read up a little on crowds and trends, but the research for this is plentiful and easy to find. Early mornings and late evenings have shorter lines for rides and attractions. This isn't exactly ground-shattering information; it's true of every amusement park I've ever been to in my life. The idea that you can't relax on a Disney vacation because you must plan so much ahead is a self-imposed problem. Of course you can relax. Go chill out at the pool in the heat of the day. Let your kids play and participate in the pool parties while you enjoy a drink. Go eat lunch at a restaurant in Disney Springs and head back to the parks in the evening when it's cooler and less rushed. And if you're really desperate, grab a burger at Cosmic Ray's or a flatbread at Pinnochio's...your vacation will not be ruined.

 

[ellie05]

However, it truly is a "you don't know what you don't know" if you've never been before. No matter what anyone tells you and no matter how many books you read, you can't be prepared for the size, variety, crowds, and "ins and outs" of WDW. You just can't. Yes, planning will help a lot, but you'll still be lost and overwhelmed (in the best way possible).

On our trips, we've come to find a balance. We've got a super long trip to WDW coming in just 20 days...woohoo!!! We're using FP+ as much as we can...can I say again how frustrating the 7 days of FP+ for AP off property guests is...but at the same time we're building in plenty of time to just wing it and "freestyle" as we call it. The advantage we have is that being veterans, we know how to freestyle effectively.

I disagree with that our first trip I read 2 guides most of which had the same info and didn't use these boards at all. I was neither lost nor overwhelm. I think they prepare me for what to expect. We have an amazing trip. Now the biggest difference is that as a vet I don't have to use a guide anymore. I know my reservations windows, I know my Disney resorts, I know the restaurants and locations and I know the parks so much so I don't need a map. I know which rides we enjoy and which ones are not in our must list.

 

[dkrauss]

Just got back from a great trip and was shocked to see how many people are clueless at Disneyworld. I dont mean that in a negative way. I just felt bad for people that they spent all this money and dont really know whats going on. Here's a couple examples...

1) SDMT - I saw this couple with their kids ask about the wait time. The CM said its 100 minute wait. The lady said ok where are the kiosk that I can get a fastpass for this ride. The CM said they have been gone for at least 30 days. Further more they debated on getting in line but their youngest daughter was too small. I went over to them and told them about rider swap. The lady was so happy.

2) I also heard a group behing me waiting in line talk about Be Our Guest. They said that looks like a cool place to eat. We should eat there tonight.

3) While at Epcot a couple was getting Fastpasses and asked the CM why Soarin wasnt showing up as an option.

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?

For those of us on the DISboards it does seem strange, but we do sometimes forget that a majority of folks who visit WDW are not nearly as passionate about the place as most are here. I'd be curious how they booked the vacation too............if they used a TA.........it was a pretty crappy one However, we traveled with friends who are much more "free flowing" in their approach to touring the parks. Now they are Disney vets so they do understand.........but they rarely use FP (but they do use ADR's). Touring with them is different but a bit more spontaneous. It was fun.........but not something I could do alot............I'm way to much a planner.

Doug

 

[RustManFan]

I love love LOVE vacation planning. Actually do more of it for non-Disney trips. Been to Great Britain a number of times and I enjoy picking out B&Bs, figuring out trains or driving routes. I would never spend all that money and go not knowing, for example, that a castle, site or museum that I wanted to visit was not open on days of the week that I planned to be in the area.

Thankfully no FP+ worries there!!

 

[ellie05]

I will add just because you CAN book dinner 180 days in advance, the normal person wouldn't think it's necessary to do so.

MG

Because it is not necessary. I have never planned a trip 6 months in adavance because DH is in the military and because of his job is impossible for me to know what he will be doing in six months heck I won't even know if he is going to be here or not. There are plenty of military jobs were they do have that luxury not us. Yet we have always been able to get the ADRs we wanted. In fact in February 2015 I planned a trip 2 months in adavance for 16 people. I was able to get ADRs crowd levels that week were 8-10.

 

[Love Tink]

To be honest I don't get it at all. Disney even send emails reminding you to make ADR and FP+ reservations!!! Seriously how do you miss that?!? I guess if you are not staying on site.

I find it ridiculous that people usually do some sort of research when buying any product these days (aka go check reviews and prices online). Yet they spend thousands of dollars in a vacation and they don't bother to research or plan at all .

I can't tell you how many times people have ask just plain stupid questions last minute. Last December I had my dad contact me and ask me the park hours for the following week because one of his employees was taking his family. This was for Christmas week!!! I asked if they made their FP reservations he said they had bought vip passes and they didn't need those. I was floored there are not such things as vip passes ( I know they didn't book the tour !). I told him there is is not such thing and that they really should go research and get the stuff together now because chances are they just wasted their money and that if they don't get the at RD they might not even get in the parks.

Fast forward two weeks I asked how their vacation went. Well turns out they decide to show up at the MK at noon and were not staying onsite surprise surprise they weren't let in ... Park was filled to capacity. Sorry not sorry. I also love when people ask my advice they don't follow it and then they come back and say things like I don't know why you like Disney so much we waited in line forever. I laugh and say because I plan my vacations and unlike you we didn't wait more than 30 min for anything!They usually follow with you must have not gone on TT or 7DMT their face when I said no I went on all of those will you like to see the pictures ? priceless.

I always do research for all our vacations not just Disney. I read 2 different guide books before or first trip money well spent.

The attitude you exhibit in this post is really obnoxious. Laughing and sneering at people because they don't know something you know, or don't have time to plan? Not a good look.

Geez. The place is literally the most visited vacation spot in the world. All kinds of people go - including ones who simply don't want to plan, or who work 70 hours a week and don't have time to stalk ADRs or finesse FP times. For many years I thought the idea of making lunch reservations 6 months in advance was ludicrous. I knew it was "necessary" for many people...but it simply wasn't for us. Didn't make me stupid or laughable. Just made me someone whose vacation didn't hinge on getting to eat at certain restaurants.

 

[21stamps]

I think that a lot of people here assume that a WDW vacation is bad unless it's done the way the über planners in the DIS do it. While I am a super-organized planner that enjoys the process myself, that simply isn't true. The last trip my family of three took was a last-minute decision-less than 45 days out. We were able to get ADRs and Fast Passes without a problem. We didn't get PPO ADRs at BOG, but we didn't try, either. We did have brunch at Tusker House, breakfast at 'Ohana, fast passes for 7DMT, TSMM, Soarin' and more. The idea that you MUST make your ADRs 6 months out and must make your Fast Pass selections 60's out is a myth. It is available for you to do it then, and if your entire vacation is going to revolve around you getting an 8:15 Akershuas PPO ADR, and your Splash Fast Pass must happen at 1:15 pm, then yep, it's best to get on right away. But if it's ok with you that you have lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern or dinner at Coral Reef, and you're ok if your BTMRR fast pass is at 6:30 pm while a lot of people are eating, then you'll be just fine. People act like guests that don't plan 6 months out will be doomed to churros at kiosks and water from counter service with no real meals for a week. It simply isn't true.

Now, if you want to maximize your vacation experience, you might want to look ahead at maps and schedules and read up a little on crowds and trends, but the research for this is plentiful and easy to find. Early mornings and late evenings have shorter lines for rides and attractions. This isn't exactly ground-shattering information; it's true of every amusement park I've ever been to in my life. The idea that you can't relax on a Disney vacation because you must plan so much ahead is a self-imposed problem. Of course you can relax. Go chill out at the pool in the heat of the day. Let your kids play and participate in the pool parties while you enjoy a drink. Go eat lunch at a restaurant in Disney Springs and head back to the parks in the evening when it's cooler and less rushed. And if you're really desperate, grab a burger at Cosmic Ray's or a flatbread at Pinnochio's...your vacation will not be ruined.

Love this.

So I tried to fit my life's experience at wdw into my child's first trip. Result? Melt Down- Day 3. Then on our Epcot (extremely hot) day, he asked if we could leave early, go back to the pool and slide, and stay there for the rest of the night.
My first thought--Oh no he MUST see Illuminations!!
My second thought--Heat index is 104, my kid wants to go down the volcano slide, missing illuminations isn't the end of the world

So I called to see if moving up our garden grill reservation was possible. It was, and we were able to go straight there. Had a wonderful dinner, and then had an AMAZING night back at the resort. He was having a blast, and that's ALL that matters. He doesn't know what he missed with Illuminations, but he knows that he loved the volano slide.

 

[JimmyV]

Many interesting observations made in this thread.

A few comments of my own...

This is actually a troubling sign to me about Disney....

I agree. This should be very troubling to Disney. They try to rectify the situation by sending out all sorts of information, and for many, many people, it just isn't sinking in. This is a problem. I know several families that fit the description presented in the OP, and every one of those families is a "one and done" family. They didn't enjoy getting shut out of things that required advanced planning. We can blame the victims all we want, and scream as loudly as we want to that Disney has given you everything that you need to know beforehand, but if the information isn't working and people are not getting what they want out of their vacation, then they aren't coming back. It is of little consolation to Disney knowing that the information was available to the newbie family if the newbie family decides never to come back. A lost customer is a lost customer. And I am seeing this more now than ever due to the complexities of a WDW vacation.

To be fair, Disney does send out booklets with all of this info and also emails on the days you are eligible to book dining and fastpasses etc.

Again, we can be as fair as we want to Disney. But if the booklets aren't working, then one has to reassess whether it makes sense to require booklets and advance study guides to prepare for a trip to an amusement park.

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 aren't saying that it is a bad thing. But perhaps it is. If WDW is at the far end of the "need to plan" scale, then perhaps it is a bad thing as people will start shooting for the middle of the scale when choosing their vacations. WDW cannot survive forever with the revenue derived from people who were bitten by the Disney bug between 1971 and 2000. Thirty years from now, WDW is going to depend on the revenue derived from people who are getting bitten by the bug right now. And it strikes me that the vacation destination that requires the highest level of planning and reservations is not going to be the most favored vacation destination for many, many people.

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

True. And the planning, stamina and money necessary to sustain an Everest expedition turn many people off from the idea of going. No reason to think that the same thing isn't happening here.

I go back to gmboy95's post that I quoted above..."This is actually a troubling sign to me about Disney...." We can blame and/or laugh at the uninitiated all we want. But in the end, the joke will be on Disney's bottom line. Clueless guests = dissatisfied guests = guests who are less likely to return. In my opinion, Disney needs to spend as much time in the near future on simplifying a visit to WDW as it did in the past several years on complicating a visit to WDW. Technology can confuse and frustrate just as many people as it impresses. The trouble is, the people who are "impressed" were probably going to come anyway. Is anyone booking a trip to WDW today who refused to go in the past simply because of new technological advancements in wristbands and ADRs? Now flip that around. Are there people who are not going to WDW because technological advancements have overcomplicated a trip to an amusement park? If you net out those two groups, (new customers who come because of the coolness of the technology vs. customers lost due to the complexity of the technology), I am betting that it is at best a net zero, and perhaps a net loss for Disney.

 

[mousefan73]

Just got back from a great trip and was shocked to see how many people are clueless at Disneyworld. I dont mean that in a negative way. I just felt bad for people that they spent all this money and dont really know whats going on. Here's a couple examples...

1) SDMT - I saw this couple with their kids ask about the wait time. The CM said its 100 minute wait. The lady said ok where are the kiosk that I can get a fastpass for this ride. The CM said they have been gone for at least 30 days. Further more they debated on getting in line but their youngest daughter was too small. I went over to them and told them about rider swap. The lady was so happy.

2) I also heard a group behing me waiting in line talk about Be Our Guest. They said that looks like a cool place to eat. We should eat there tonight.

3) While at Epcot a couple was getting Fastpasses and asked the CM why Soarin wasnt showing up as an option.

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?

Because quite franky, most people have better things to do and not the time to spend hours, days, weeks and months, researching, reading, googling, and readiing Disboards. I think it should NOT be more required to visit the disneyworld official website to plan... and all of your points above are not mentioned officially by Disney. they say FP is available and how to use it, but NEVER state " if you dont book SDMT at midnight the day your 60 DAY slot opens, expect to wait 60 minutes or more standby. "

What you mentioned above can only be known if you spend hours, days, weeks like most of us at Disnboards or online... it is kinda sad. Because no where in the rest of the world and "normal" life would it be required to kknow to book a family buffet 180 days out... You cant hold this lack of knowledge against anyone.

 

[Iowamomof4]

So next time you see a WDW newbie, remember your first time and try to help them. No rookie hazing!!!

"Hey new person who seems rather frustrated right now, come on over to Club Cool and have a Beverly with me!"

 

[mousefan73]

To be fair, Disney does send out booklets with all of this info and also emails on the days you are eligible to book dining and fastpasses etc. People just ignore them and then get upset when they think they weren't told. I guess if you aren't staying on site you wouldn't get those, but staying on site there are no excuses.

As I had stated above these booklets, online infos and emails leave the big truth out... If you don't book such things as BBB, top ADR places, 180 days out you are SOL: same with FP,,, a normal thinking person would assume, I can make these when I get there a day or two before I decide which park to visit.. Ha! Ha!

Disney doesnt say you need to decide which park and when 60/ 30 days out.. Doesnt say on the BBB brochure, if your trip is soon, forget calling !!!

 

[ellie05]

The attitude you exhibit in this post is really obnoxious. Laughing and sneering at people because they don't know something you know, or don't have time to plan? Not a good look.

Geez. The place is literally the most visited vacation spot in the world. All kinds of people go - including ones who simply don't want to plan, or who work 70 hours a week and don't have time to stalk ADRs or finesse FP times. For many years I thought the idea of making lunch reservations 6 months in advance was ludicrous. I knew it was "necessary" for many people...but it simply wasn't for us. Didn't make me stupid or laughable. Just made me someone whose vacation didn't hinge on getting to eat at certain restaurants.

First of all I never said you were stupid nor anyone else. As I have mention before I never made a WDW that I planned 6 months in advance and I never had an issue finding ADRs. Nor do my vacations hinge on eating at certain restaurants.

However you can't ask for advice and not follow it and then we upset your had to wait in line. If you or anyone decides not to research or plan and then they can't find ADRs or FP for what they want last minute is no one else's fault but your own. Yelling and CM, demanding refunds or coming back complaining how long they had to wait and how they had all those dinning credits left is not reasonable. It is a matter of personal responsibility. If you don't have time to plan there are many alternatives like travel agencies and vacation planners. I won't be sympathetic to someone that chooses not to listen to advice or decided not to do research and then they complain about it. It is no ones fault but their own.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Because it is not necessary. I have never planned a trip 6 months in adavance because DH is in the military and because of his job is impossible for me to know what he will be doing in six months heck I won't even know if he is going to be here or not. There are plenty of military jobs were they do have that luxury not us. Yet we have always been able to get the ADRs we wanted. In fact in February 2015 I planned a trip 2 months in adavance for 16 people. I was able to get ADRs crowd levels that week were 8-10.

Well, I am a local and we try for 'Ohana often (just one example). We try up to a couple of weeks out, which should be more than adequate at almost any restaurant in the country other than Disney. We have tried probably 50 times, and were successful once for a 10:00 pm ressie.

MG