Why dont people plan?

[danc18]

Well this was quite a lively topic. It shows how people approach things differently. I think there are three basic types:
1) those who plan via ADR/FP etc and most seem to enjoy the anticipation.
2) those who don't plan much but prefer it that way
3) those who don't plan bc they're unaware that they need to to avoid disappointment

All the various levels of planning (or not) are fine but I will do my best to give a heads up to those in the third group as I run into them. I learned a lot on this board and if I can help someone avoid the disappointment of not getting to do some key things they planned on, it's all good.

 

[Dbktmc]

This is actually a troubling sign to me about Disney....the fact that one needs to pre plan every aspect of a Disney vacation is something that is a creation really of the past decade and frankly, not an encouraging one.

When we first bought into DVC over 16 years ago, and going back to the trips we made from our honeymoon on 21 years ago....one could go to Disney and do SOME pre planning, but we could eat in the places we wanted to eat. We could change a reservation on the same day. when fast passes where introduced, you could walk up to a kiosk and get a reasonable hour. You could walk over to where a parade was and get a decent spot to watch. You could watch fireworks from just about any spot without needing a fastpass for a "premium" spot.

You could also decide at a spur of the moment to plan a 3 day trip, and be able to do the things tyou wanted to do....you could even...GASP...walk up to a restaurant and wait for a table.

The problem now is that a family who doesn't understand the things we understand, and doesn't do the massive amount of research necessary, walks into a buzzsaw of things they can access...It is easy for us to wag our finger and say they should have known better, but I have a great deal of sympathy for these folks, because i remember a better time when it wasn't like it is today

I agree with this 100%. I am a teacher and all of my colleagues know that I love Disney so they usually tell me when they have a trip planned. A few weeks ago someone came up to me to tell me that they were thinking about going to Disney in June and wanted my opinion on that time of the year. I explained what she and her family could expect with the lines and heat. I didn't talk to her again but heard that she had decided to make the trip. When I ran into her I asked if she had made any ADR's or FP+ reservations and she calmly told me that she had not gotten around to it yet. I tried to explain the importance of doing so as well as the process of creating an MDE account. She looked at me like a deer in the headlights. I offered to walk her through the process but she seemed as if she wanted to just wing it. That was 3 weeks ago and I know she is just going to "wing it".

I love Disney but I miss the "old days" when I could wake up in the morning and make my plans that day. I hate making my reservations and plans 180 days out and wish I could go back to when we would wake up and say "Where do we want to go today?". I am not a planner by nature but have adapted as we do have a 10 day visit annually.

A lot of people on here are planners and love thinking about Disney and making their plans for months in advance. I do think, however, that that is not typical for most visitors. In my school alone, I would say at least 70% of the people that I mention my planning to think that I am crazy. Many have told me that they won't ever go on a vacation that has to be so scheduled and most non planners who do visit come back and tell me that they will never go again. (That has happened 3 times this school year alone.) I know that Disney won't change but I think that it hurts their non planning customers the most.

 

[whiporee]

I think some people treat a WDW trip like a trip to a local amusement park. They figure they'll get there and just stand in line like they do at Six Flags.

And they can do that. Because the lines at WDW aren't, for the most part, worse than those amusement park lines. At least not the ones around me. So if they are expecting a prettier version of Six Flags, they are likely to find it at WDW, FPs, ADRs or not.

 

[shh]

In fact, our family dislikes FP+ so much that we are contemplating touring 'old school' on our upcoming trip

I love the FP+, only because we're not RD people. The only park we hit early is AK - better for viewing the critters. But our favorite time in parks is often late afternoon/evening and ever since FP+, it's great knowing I have 3 popular things reserved for early evening.

But I feel exactly the way you do when it comes to ADRs - I just can't commit to what time I'll want to eat that far in advance. I may be more tired that day or the weather is particularly beautiful and I'm in heaven just relaxing with a drink and people watching a little longer. Or maybe I get a craving for popcorn or a Dole Whip - and decide dinner can wait till later. Or we ate a big breakfast and Italian feels too heavy for lunch. So I never even try to plan those - we do all QS or take a break and eat at Chili's or another TS place outside the park. (That's why the Dining Plan won't work for us either, I guess.)

 

[Lm3js]

Ha! That was us at DL in 2007. I was running the Disneyland 1/2 marathon. It was a destination race (we live in SF) and my second race ever. I had a 3 year old toddler at the time. My family from Texas was also all coming out to make it a family vacation. We were so busy coordinating the race, logistics for the toddler and family arrivals (and things for them to do outside DL) that we were completely clueless in DL especially when we tried to walk up to a table service dinner at 7pm! Luckily, I am a google master, found this board and was able to correct my wrong pretty quickly. The rest of the trip, I was on it. I guess if you aren't computer savvy (and truthfully many many people are still not even on email), you wouldn't even know to look. So, this is one way it happens.

 

[revdon64]

Lazy bum?? I hope you're joking.

MG

Of course I'm joking. He's one of my closest friends and I'd call him that to his face just to break his stones (so to speak). I'd love to be able to afford having someone else do my planning, then again I kind of like the planning. Sense of accomplishment and all.

 

[AJ1983]

Friends of mine are going to Disneyland sometime between yesterday and next weekend (they left for California on Thursday), for just one day, and hadnt done any planning hadnt looked at the park maps, nothing. Only tips i was able to give them on suh short notice was avoid Memorial Day weekend and download a wait times app.

 

[Dbktmc]

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.

Wow. Just. Wow.

 

[MissKIA]

U.K. Don't live the US either. (I am the Poster you quoted.). We don't get our magic bands or planning DVDs mailed out either but we do get booklets mailed out with all of the information. I am in Canada so maybe there is a difference there between here and Europe.

 

[goofyernmost]

This is actually a troubling sign to me about Disney....the fact that one needs to pre plan every aspect of a Disney vacation is something that is a creation really of the past decade and frankly, not an encouraging one.

When we first bought into DVC over 16 years ago, and going back to the trips we made from our honeymoon on 21 years ago....one could go to Disney and do SOME pre planning, but we could eat in the places we wanted to eat. We could change a reservation on the same day. when fast passes where introduced, you could walk up to a kiosk and get a reasonable hour. You could walk over to where a parade was and get a decent spot to watch. You could watch fireworks from just about any spot without needing a fastpass for a "premium" spot.

You could also decide at a spur of the moment to plan a 3 day trip, and be able to do the things tyou wanted to do....you could even...GASP...walk up to a restaurant and wait for a table.

The problem now is that a family who doesn't understand the things we understand, and doesn't do the massive amount of research necessary, walks into a buzzsaw of things they can access...It is easy for us to wag our finger and say they should have known better, but I have a great deal of sympathy for these folks, because i remember a better time when it wasn't like it is today

Absolutely, I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone without advance knowledge of how Disney operates would even think that they need to research anything. It's a Theme Park, they aren't studying for their S.A.T.s. They are going to ride some rides, see some shows, eat a massive pile of junk food and have a good time. There is no reason for anyone to think that they must arm themselves with the wisdom of Salomon to do any of that.

Disney has become a monster that hopefully won't devour itself in it's complicated system. Many of the new comers that didn't know what they "should have done" will never return because it was a miserable experience. Others, may look around and say to themselves, if I do those things, it will be much better next time. When I first went in 1983 it was simple. You bought a ticket, went in, got in line, saw the attractions, had something to eat, had a fun time and left. I have pretty much maintained that posture by not being dependent on Disney for everything and I pick and choose what things are necessary for me to adapt too, like Fastpasses, etc. Basically I buy my ticket, 30 days or less out I select my FP's, get in line, see attractions, have something to eat (counter service), have my fair share of junk food (Mickey Bars), have a good time and leave. Not much has changed at all.

 

[whiporee]

Many of the new comers that didn't know what they "should have done" will never return because it was a miserable experience.

Why do you assume that? If you go by your first statement, then Disney will be what they expect -- a ride some rides, see some shows, eat junk food and have a good time. And you say that's what you do now -- why do you think it's different for newcomers?

This is where the planning dichotomy comes in for me. If you don't know to plan, you treat WDW like any other amusement park and have the same kind of time you'd have at any other amusement park. Probably much better because Disney is cleaner, has more stuff to do, has better shows and fireworks and is a generally better time than most of them. You might be disappointed in the crowds, but they won't be worse than most places comparatively -- headliners will have long waits, but some things won't. Plus, everything is air conditioned. If you don't know to plan, then you might be missing out on opportunity cost, but you're not missing out on expectations because you don't know what to expect -- what things are available beyond the standard amusement park.

If you do know what to expect, then you should have enough information to know you should do some planning. If you're there for a week, and don't know about FPs on the first day, you certainly know about them on the second. If you ask about dining at CP, and they tell you you need a reservation, you can probably get one the next day. Same thing with almost everything except BOG, right? Your times might be a little screwy, but it's all doable.

Now, if you know you should plan and just don't want to, that's a different story. But if that's the scenario, I'd have to say that's on you, that you played a role in your own disappointment.*

* I'm using the royal "you" here, not talking about any particular poster.

 

[goofyernmost]

The difference for me is that when I went the first time... that was how it was done. There was no FP, there was no ADR, the hotels were operated just like any other hotel. We plodded our way through and did exactly what everyone else had to do. Stand in line. Sometimes they were long in length physically, but, usually moved continuously. We all were in the same boat, and if we wanted to see something we had to get in that line, but, since there was no fastpass and now there is, the standby line moves a lot slower then they used to. That means that a new comer cannot see all the things that we were able to see back then.

I can do it pretty much the same way that I used to because, I know my way around now. I know that I don't want to see all the attractions and I know exactly which ones I do what to see. I do not stay onsite so I am not forced to make ADR's to have a good meal, they are in abundance offsite with no reservations required.

If I were to be a first timer now and didn't know what to expect, I would be one of the miserable ones if I decided to stay onsite. If I allowed myself to be a prisoner with very few options, it would be beyond frustrating. Because of the fact that I stay offsite and I know how that is done in a way that is handy and simple, I can do that, but, a first timer will still not know what to expect, but they do have options at least that those the rode the bus in from the airport do not have. Both onsite and offsite would have a certain amount of difficulty but onsite would be far more problematic if they didn't think that planning was necessary. Your scenario works wonderfully as long as you are content with counter service or resort counter services. You can flip around from attraction to attraction finding which ones have the shortest line, but, if you want a sit down meal and didn't know to make ADR's you are up the creek without the proverbial paddle. Almost none of them take walk ups anymore. I could do it as a newbie back then with no problems at all. Now that is, in all practicality impossible.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Yup... Disney has over complicated a vacation, and for no good reason.

MG

 

[Iowamomof4]

You're all welcome to come here and visit Disneyland! You have options. If you prefer not planning anything at all, you can show up in the morning at Disneyland without having decided which theme park you're visiting, and have a great time!

ADRs are available at the sit-down restaurants, but people don't obsess about those as much out here.

So it turns out you do have a choice in how you Disney!

That is why I've looked at going to DL twice and ended up changing my mind both times. I know how to do wdw, I'm therefore afraid of trying to do DL without the same level of planning. I'm afraid we won't be able to accomplish anything without all those fastpasses (booked 60 days in advance because we don't do rope drop). I know, I know... people keep telling me it's just not that way out there. Maybe someday I'll just have to try it for myself and see.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

That is why I've looked at going to DL twice and ended up changing my mind both times. I know how to do wdw, I'm therefore afraid of trying to do DL without the same level of planning. I'm afraid we won't be able to accomplish anything without all those fastpasses (booked 60 days in advance because we don't do rope drop). I know, I know... people keep telling me it's just not that way out there. Maybe someday I'll just have to try it for myself and see.

All this hub-bub is not required at DLR.

MG

 

[Brancaneve]

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.

When we encounter people who don't know all the "ins and outs" it gives us the opportunity to sprout our DIS wings and make someone's trip better. I know that many people have given me tips that have made a difference and I hope to do the same for others!

 

[bananabean]

I'm a planner and I love FP+ because I'm not a morning person. But I also think that the time frame for reservations is ridiculous.

I think 2 weeks out for offsite guests and 4 weeks for onsite guests is more than enough (if not too long). The same for ADRs - 2-4 weeks is plenty. Within that time frame people are more likely to be willing to focus on their vacation. Six months out? Way too long for most people to care or to put in that effort. I don't even care at the point and I'm on this board.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I'm a planner and I love FP+ because I'm not a morning person. But I also think that the time frame for reservations is ridiculous.

I think 2 weeks out for offsite guests and 4 weeks for onsite guests is more than enough (if not too long). The same for ADRs - 2-4 weeks is plenty. Within that time frame people are more likely to be willing to focus on their vacation. Six months out? Way too long for most people to care or to put in that effort. I don't even care at the point and I'm on this board.

I think on site guests should get a bit of advantage over off site, but I would give locals the same benefit. One really gets hosed if you live here.

MG

 

[luvgoing2disney]

Several trips back we were on a flight and saw some folks that we knew getting off the same flight. The lady had her grandson with them so I asked them which park they were going to first and they looked at each other and said they had not even thought about it, or making any other plans. They had no idea about park hours, early or late magic hours, etc. granted this was before fp+ and magic bands, but they had made NO plans. They werr just going to show up and see what happened. As a planner with, I found this absolutely foreign to me.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Several trips back we were on a flight and saw some folks that we knew getting off the same flight. The lady had her grandson with them so I asked them which park they were going to first and they looked at each other and said they had not even thought about it, or making any other plans. They had no idea about park hours, early or late magic hours, etc. granted this was before fp+ and magic bands, but they had made NO plans. They werr just going to show up and see what happened. As a planner with, I found this absolutely foreign to me.

I LOVE this. We are not commando. I'm just as happy (maybe more) sitting at the Dawa Bar vs running around from attraction to attraction.
Each to their own.

MG