Why dont people plan?

[bbjunkie]

When would a normal person plan to book a dinner? I can't get Hamilton tickets until January; my last attempt at Jimmy Buffett tickets were sold out six months before the show. I can't get into the Rainbow Room for New Year's Eve for three years. Things that are in demand tend to have a long wait.

And even if WDW shortened the window, it wouldn't help. There will always be someone who doesn't book early enough, no matter what the timeframe is. If it were 90 days, people would still consider that too far out. Like a PP said some people are frustrated that can't get same day or 24-hour reservations. And if they got rid of ADRs all together, you'd have lines outside restaurants starting at 9am.

The simple facts are that -- if you believe the TEA report -- more than 120,000 people move through the four park gates every day. That's the average. Those 120,000 people want to do the same things you do -- they want to see shows, ride rides, eat stuff. So when you're at Disney, that's the unfortunate way you have to think of it. There are too many people too assume casualness. So if there are specific things that anyone wants to do, it's not a reasonable expectation to think that those specific things are going to be available without some effort -- the competition to be entertained is too great.

That said, you can usually find a non-character meal with little advance notice. You can usually find a FP for anything other than the Mine Train (or the new Frozen ride) on the day of or the day before. And 90+ minute waits may suck, but they were the norm on a lot of rides when I was a kid, and still are at the amusement parks I've been to lately.

I wish I could like this more than once!!!

 

[mshanson3121]

That's a good point!! If it's a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I might dial up the planning, depending what it is.

We are in WDW and NYC frequently enough to catch something next trip if we miss it this trip.

BUT... I won't get another chance to see Al Pacino and Susan Sarandon on Broadway in Salome!! Or Kevin Spacey in A Moon for the Misbegotten. I'm glad I researched and planned for those!

*Sigh* Please tell me how to convince my DH to go to NYC. I would LOVE to go there. He on the other hand would rather move to Disney, than go to NYC... lol.

 

[boomgoesthemickey]

My first Disney trip was when my gf invited me down with her aunt and uncle who are dvc owners so I knew absolutely nothing about DW up until that point in my life. While I was down there I came across this board and learned a bunch of things that helped my first Disney experience turn out magical the next trip we took I researched the heck out of every aspect of our trip and that turned out even better. At the end of the day an informed consumer usually turns out to be a happy one. I'm just glad I found this board as a resource and all the helpful people who post here.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

*Sigh* Please tell me how to convince my DH to go to NYC. I would LOVE to go there. He on the other hand would rather move to Disney, than go to NYC... lol.

LOL!! Tell him that the Disney Store in NYC is AWESOME, and I'm pretty sure there is at least one Disney show on Broadway at all times in recent years!!!

 

[Davey Jones II]

I don't book ANY vacation this way. I always research enough to know what to expect. With some trips, not much of a consequence to not planning. For others there's more of a consequence. Why take the chance that comes with not researching at all? Seems odd to me, but I know it happens all the time!

Not only that...how do you know you even want to go to a place if you don't know anything about the place?? Based on a one minute commercial? Or you closed your eyes and pointed at a random country on a map of the world?

There are people who are almost that extreme. "Oh, we've never been to X yet, so let's go there."

 

[Lesverts]

Not only that...how do you know you even want to go to a place if you don't know anything about the place?? Based on a one minute commercial? Or you closed your eyes and pointed at a random country on a map of the world?

There are people who are almost that extreme. "Oh, we've never been to X yet, so let's go there."

You make it sound like it is a bad thing that you randomly pick places to go. End up a few places out of the ordinary because of such randomness and it can create an amazing scene of adventure and newness that you don't get from just going to the same old places with the same old guide books.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Ok sorry, misunderstood.

I was referring to the woman who did not understand why she couldn't enter in the FP line. Maybe she has never been to any amusement park, but there's a good chance that she would face the same "separate line" issue at some point in here life.lol

Awwwww... I miss Mr. Toad's!!!!!! It was actually one of my favorites. I know that I'm probably in the minority there.

Mr. Toad is still available at Disneyland. Still a fun ride, and usually quick to get into.

 

[Regan117]

Again that is totally their fault. It is a restaurant and not an attraction. If they would have invested 30 min looking at the Walt Disney website they could have realized that or if they would have listen to that CM asking if they will like to be transfer to dinning reservations, or when if they would have done it when they received the 1st, 2nd email suggesting they make ADRs, or when they received the phablet in the mail. The informations is out there now more than ever. You can google stuff in your phone and quickly find answer, reviews, menus, prices, etc online. I don't understand the mentality that people should be handed everything otherwise it is Disney's fault. Where is the personal responsibility. That is not just with Disney trip but with everything in life.

If you sign a contract and then find out you agree to pay extra for something is it the fault of the person that created the contract or that you didn't read it? If you get pulled over is it the cops responsibility to teach you the traffic laws? No so why would people expect any different.

I'm not saying it isn't their fault. It's absolutely their fault. All I'm doing is saying that people probably don't realize they can't go in without an ADR until they're there and see it in person. Or they don't realize they want to eat there until they're are there.

 

[Davey Jones II]

You make it sound like it is a bad thing that you randomly pick places to go. End up a few places out of the ordinary because of such randomness and it can create an amazing scene of adventure and newness that you don't get from just going to the same old places with the same old guide books.

I guess you can take that risk if you have unlimited time and money for your vacation. And if you're going for true randomness, hopefully you won't end up in a war zone, in the middle of an epidemic, or in a place were terrorists like to attack tourists...

 

[Maistre Gracey]

When would a normal person plan to book a dinner? I can't get Hamilton tickets until January; my last attempt at Jimmy Buffett tickets were sold out six months before the show. I can't get into the Rainbow Room for New Year's Eve for three years. Things that are in demand tend to have a long wait.

And even if WDW shortened the window, it wouldn't help. There will always be someone who doesn't book early enough, no matter what the timeframe is. If it were 90 days, people would still consider that too far out. Like a PP said some people are frustrated that can't get same day or 24-hour reservations. And if they got rid of ADRs all together, you'd have lines outside restaurants starting at 9am.

The simple facts are that -- if you believe the TEA report -- more than 120,000 people move through the four park gates every day. That's the average. Those 120,000 people want to do the same things you do -- they want to see shows, ride rides, eat stuff. So when you're at Disney, that's the unfortunate way you have to think of it. There are too many people too assume casualness. So if there are specific things that anyone wants to do, it's not a reasonable expectation to think that those specific things are going to be available without some effort -- the competition to be entertained is too great.

That said, you can usually find a non-character meal with little advance notice. You can usually find a FP for anything other than the Mine Train (or the new Frozen ride) on the day of or the day before. And 90+ minute waits may suck, but they were the norm on a lot of rides when I was a kid, and still are at the amusement parks I've been to lately.

Point 1) LOL!!! Are you really equating tickets to a Jimmy Buffet concert to an 'Ohana ADR???

Point 2) I disagree... Shorter booking times would be better. It's ludicrous to know what one wants for lunch six months from now.
It would especially help some local folks who don't have a 180 booking window.

Point 3) But just a few years ago everything was possible, and more simple.
Heck at one point there were no ASR's.

MG

 

[Sparkie]

I previously thought it was just Disney that people did not plan in advance for. But I think its just a non-planning mentality in general.

My co-worker is leaving for SanJuan in 19 days. She booked a flight and a hotel and thats it. As we were talking she starts asking about Park N Fly or where can I leave my car at the airport. How do I take my carseat on the plane, what about a stroller? (she is taking kids, 18,15,11 and 15 months) She says they are going to go on a Jungle adventure and think they will take a taxi. So I ask her, if you are taking a taxi, why are you bothering with a carseat. Well, I'll need it for the taxi, wont I? So I ask her, what are you gonna do with it once you get to the Jungle- carry it around all day? I tell her, you cant leave it in the taxi. Oh, she says. Then, well I thought about renting a car but didnt know what side of the road they drove on. And, do you know what kind of money they use?

Now I am not a world traveler but I am a pretty good user of google. So I introduced her to Mr. Google.

How in the world can you think you are going to get on a plane with kids, travel to SanJuan and know NOTHING. I hope she makes it.

As my other co-worker and fellow DVC member and I were discussing Disney, the SanJuan friend says, when I get ready to go to Disney I'm gonna let you help me.... gladly.

 

[Robertfam08]

I haven't read through this entire thread, but I have no clue, OP! I became obsessed with all things Disney and Disney vacation planning in 2005 when I ordered my first vacation planning DVD. That was over a decade ago and I saw that Disney required extra planning then, so it's not like this is recent news. I can't imagine not at least ordering the free dvd and seeing what the place is all about, especially when I'm about to spend thousands of dollars to go. That combined with all of the literature Disney sends you in advance...should be giving people plenty of hints this is not a day trip to Six Flags.

 

[whiporee]

Point 1) Sure. Limited availability for anything means it's harder to come by. There are only so many seats in CRT, or BOG, or Ohana or whatever else you want to talk about. Do you think Disney is reducing the number of tables at any of those places? Encouraging longer dining? People want to go, they take reservations. You're talking about Ohana reservations as if there's some sort of trick to getting them -- there's not. You call, you ask, you see what they have, you accept or you don't. How is it a failing of Disney that people want to go to their restaurants?

Point 2) No one needs to know what they want for lunch six months out. But if they want to be a specific, popular restaurant, you have to plan ahead. If you want to eat at a restaurant without limited availability and a lot of demand, you have to make reservations in advance. Don't you find that pretty common? And it's not as though if you fail to get the specific ADR you want there aren't other options -- there are lots.

3) I don't know how long ago a few is. My first trip with kids was nine years ago and we couldn't get CRT. The next time we went we tried earlier and got it for dinner. Our last trip we got BOG very late at night -- it wasn't ideal, but it's what they had. Is that somehow Disney's fault?

I don't understand the nature of the planning complaint, I guess. No one is required to plan unless they want a specific experience. I couldn't get a White House tour for my upcoming trip. I couldn't get the campsite I wanted at Yellowstone. I couldn't get Jimmy Buffett tickets. It doesn't mean I won't go to DC, or co camping this summer, or listen to the radio. I just can't so the specific thing I wanted to do because others got there first. It sucks, but it's life.

Disney is no different. You can complain about what you think they ought to do, but they have a limited number of seas on rides, a limited number of perfect viewing spots, and a limited number of tables at full-service restaurants. So those reservations book up. I think that's a rather common happening in the world.

 

[mshanson3121]

Not only that...how do you know you even want to go to a place if you don't know anything about the place?? Based on a one minute commercial? Or you closed your eyes and pointed at a random country on a map of the world?

There are people who are almost that extreme. "Oh, we've never been to X yet, so let's go there."

Just because it's not for you, doesn't make it extreme or obscure. We often go back to places we enjoy, but we also just go to places we've never been before. Spontaneity is the spice of life. There's something to enjoy anywhere you go. It's all in your attitude. As far as a bad experience at say an attraction or a restaurant, so what? It's a few hours of your life. People sweat the small stuff WAY too much. We've made great memories and had a lot of laughs over the few "bad" choices we made.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Point 1) Sure. Limited availability for anything means it's harder to come by. There are only so many seats in CRT, or BOG, or Ohana or whatever else you want to talk about. Do you think Disney is reducing the number of tables at any of those places? Encouraging longer dining? People want to go, they take reservations. You're talking about Ohana reservations as if there's some sort of trick to getting them -- there's not. You call, you ask, you see what they have, you accept or you don't. How is it a failing of Disney that people want to go to their restaurants?[/qoute]
Yes, limited means harder to get. But... That's not the topic of discussion. The topic is that people don't plan this 180 days out. The point is who in their right mind (other than a Disney veteran) would possibly think you would need a restaurant reservation six months in advance??? Conversely, most people would know they needed to buy a Buffet ticket as soon as they went on sale.

Point 2) No one needs to know what they want for lunch six months out. But if they want to be a specific, popular restaurant, you have to plan ahead. If you want to eat at a restaurant without limited availability and a lot of demand, you have to make reservations in advance. Don't you find that pretty common? And it's not as though if you fail to get the specific ADR you want there aren't other options -- there are lots.

Not really... I eat at certain places for certain things. 'Ohana is for the spiced seasoned meats. Yachtsman is for steak. Sanaa is the bread service, and so on. So, I do need to know what I want.
I also believe they should hold some walk up ressies. If you asked me that five years ago I would have been up in arms over that. Now that I'm a local, I'm truly at a disadvantage.

3) I don't know how long ago a few is. My first trip with kids was nine years ago and we couldn't get CRT. The next time we went we tried earlier and got it for dinner. Our last trip we got BOG very late at night -- it wasn't ideal, but it's what they had. Is that somehow Disney's fault?

Back in 1972 (and years after) the only way to make a reservation at "King Stefan's Banquet Hall", was to show up at the park early and make a reservation for that day. All other places were walk up. There was only one park back then, but it was probably more crowded than today. It worked.

I don't understand the nature of the planning complaint, I guess. No one is required to plan unless they want a specific experience. I couldn't get a White House tour for my upcoming trip. I couldn't get the campsite I wanted at Yellowstone. I couldn't get Jimmy Buffett tickets. It doesn't mean I won't go to DC, or co camping this summer, or listen to the radio. I just can't so the specific thing I wanted to do because others got there first. It sucks, but it's life.

Disney is no different. You can complain about what you think they ought to do, but they have a limited number of seas on rides, a limited number of perfect viewing spots, and a limited number of tables at full-service restaurants. So those reservations book up. I think that's a rather common happening in the world.

Yup... You don't understand it. That's because you are only thinking of your exact situation, not others. Some can't book far out due to work schedules or other reasons.

MG

 

[whiporee]

I do understand, I just don't think there's a practical alternative. How long do you think those walk-up ressies would last? Should they release them every hour? So you want to set up a situation where people are camping out for BOG? How in the world is that preferable to making advance reservations?

And for the record, I've gotten walk-up seating at CP a couple of times, once at Cape May and once at B&C. People can still get FPs for BOG lunch when that window opens, so 30 or 60 days. I've gotten same day at Chef Mickey. All of that, I freely admit, is luck. But it's not as dire as it might sound. Unlikely in some case, but not impossible.

 

[Zoesmama03]

Honestly I don't plan anything. I go off season usually so little lines. And well I know I'll be back so I don't stress.

I'll clarify that it doesn't mean I don't think about it, dream about it or even watch videos or read trip reports for inspiration. But in general I don't plan out days. Beyond that I will do this many days. We've always taken day by day when doing week long whirlwinds of multiple parks and if tired we throw in a rest day(visiting family) or beach.

 

[Zoesmama03]

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

I don't do these things really. There are a few places we like to eat. Been known to bring light weight snacks and only eat early dinner. Breakfast at my dad/grandmas before leaving in the morning. If I had paid for dining and wanted to utilize specialty dinners that need reservations then I would definitely plan more. But beyond thinking about ideas I come across little planning is ever done here.

 

[jrt1176]

I wish you could go with no pre-set plans like when I was younger, but you can't.

I'm assuming people think of WDW as any other theme park, so they think they just show up, etc.

Without this the unofficial guide and this place I probably wouldn't have known when my gap between trips was Dec 2002 to May 2012!

I do like to plan, but I only plan the essentials at WDW. Hard to get ADR's and FP's, but I leave as much as I can open.

But, you're dropping a lot of money, so you would think people would read up. I'm planning an Italy trip soon and, even though I have been before, I am still buying a guide book and doing research!

 

[Aliceacc]

The information is readily available, but you have to know that you need it.

If you have a travel agent, no problem-- he or she should inform you. But booking online is so very easy that many people think it's like other vacations they've booked online-- show up and start to make today's plans. They simply don't realize that we all made those plans at 180, or 60 days out.

We're meeting my niece and her family for one day at WDW-- our last day, her first. And I've tried to gently give her guidance without imposing my opinions all over her. It's a delicate balance. But she has the ADRs she wants, she has fastpasses, she knows about rope drop and she has Disboard recommendations for room requests (we've never stayed at her resort. But it's big, and now she's requested a location that will suit their family.) I've gotten someone to send a Fairy godmailer postcard to her kids. We'll spend that one day together in the MK-- we've adjusted our FPs to match hers. (Yes, it did kill me to trade in 7DMT for Jungle Cruise. But we'll do 7D earlier in our trip. It will be worth it to spend the day together and share her kids' excitement over their first trip.) I'm show her what we mean about rope drop, and why we suggest a mid day break. From there on, she and her husband can decide whether or not to take our advice. But at least they'll see why we recommend what we do. And they'll get at least one day at the MK seeing as many of their priorities -- and things that would be a priority if they knew about them--as I can manage. Our reservations are linked, so I'll show them how to use our Memory Maker account. She knew about none of this when she booked.

A few trips ago, I was waiting for MK rope drop and had a conversation with the mom and 10 year old son standing next to me. (This was before FP+) Mom asked where the shows were. I explained that there were more shows at AK and DHS, then asked her son what types of rides he liked. After hearing his answer, I told her that even though I was headed for Peter Pan, she wanted to head for Space Mountain, then BTMRR and Splash. I hope they had a good day, but I'm happy that at least I could get them started off.

I realize that some people like spontaneity. But being spontaneous on your 20th trip is very different from doing it on your first. Doing it on your first means hours and hours spent standing on lines, and eating pretty much nothing but QS-- or having dinner at 3 pm or 10 pm. Or actually getting in to a restaurant, but absolutely NOT the one you would have chosen for your family had you known the choices available at 180 days.

People who are spontaneous on their first trip tend to be the people who go to WDW once, have a horrible time, and never return. I always feel so badly for those who are having a rough time. And, like so many here, I try to offer what advice I can. But for some people on those July days, it's simply too late for them to get the vacation they wanted.