Why dont people plan?

[Maistre Gracey]

You're not serious...

Absolutely. And why not? How many infomercials do they say "order now".

MG

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Absolutely. And why not? How many infomercials do they say "order now".

MG

They are the destination -- not your TA.

If one cares to know the ins and outs of any travel destination, one researches or hires a TA. Or both.

If not, you take your chances. I think it's absolutely silly to expect Disney to spoon feed your vacation to you. What destination does this?

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

The hammer has hit the nail! Disney tells you that you can get a FP in advance. But many of their promotional materials showed people getting ones for the Tea Cups. Did anyone here ever receive any information from Disney telling you that if you didn't try for Anna and Elsa at midnight 60 days out that there would be no soup for you? Now, you could rationalize that this wasn't Disney's responsibility. But let's be intellectually honest here. They didn't tell anyone that because it would reflect poorly on them and might chase prospective guests away.

This. I am not a planner by nature. But I would not have known how critical ADR and FP Windows could be if I had not heard from my TA and people I new (spreadsheet level planners). You can spend a lot of time on the Disney website and not get that info. They even wait a week or two after your FP window opens to tell you it's open and can book (there are several threads here mentioning that). I'm sure that's intentional because if everyone knew they would have even bigger issues with scarcity on certain rides and their website crashing.

My typical beach vacation requires booking a flight, a hotel and then maybe looking up a few attractions. Disney is a little unique and not always forthcoming on the details.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

They are the destination -- not your TA.

If one cares to know the ins and outs of any travel destination, one researches or hires a TA. Or both.

If not, you take your chances. I think it's absolutely silly to expect Disney to spoon feed your vacation to you. What destination does this?

Don't look at me. I don't plan (much), but I have been to WDW more times than I can count.
I just think it's silly that Disney made it so complicated that this is needed.

MG

 

[21stamps]

So, can I book a BOG ressie for tomorrow? Next week? Next month? How about 'Ohana?

No, I'm not going to check 20 times a day. That is a bit odd as well.

MG

Yes, you can.

I got all of mine in that time frame. Including BOG and Ohana. I wasn't thrilled with the times, so I did check probably 20 times per day to end up with all of the times I wanted. Including a pre park opening BOG breakfast. That wasn't actually a huge advantage for us...it was at 8:40 and we wanted to enjoy our meal and look around the rooms.

I'm very happy that I got all of our character meals. And for me it was worth it to keep checking. If we would have missed 1 or 2- we still would have had a wonderful vacation.

 

[21stamps]

This. I am not a planner by nature. But I would not have known how critical ADR and FP Windows could be if I had not heard from my TA and people I new (spreadsheet level planners). You can spend a lot of time on the Disney website and not get that info. They even wait a week or two after your FP window opens to tell you it's open and can book (there are several threads here mentioning that). I'm sure that's intentional because if everyone knew they would have even bigger issues with scarcity on certain rides and their website crashing.

My typical beach vacation requires booking a flight, a hotel and then maybe looking up a few attractions. Disney is a little unique and not always forthcoming on the details.

This is what I've been saying- they ARE forthcoming. They send you literature, emails, an app, they have a website that states all of this.

None of it is a lie.

They "strongly recommend" advance reservations at certain restaurants, and let you know that you can book them as early as 180 days in advance.

How much more can they say?

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I don't know... There's an aspect of many destinations that are like a Disney trip.

I could go to NYC, enjoy Central Park, Times Square, and many other attractions without much planning beyond a flight and hotel.

BUT... If I want tickets to Hamilton or to eat at Nobu, I have to RESEARCH and PLAN WAY AHEAD.

If you don't know about Hamilton or BOG before your trip, does it matter to you or not when you find out you missed out??

I think the answer to the last question might be what determines how much research and planning ahead IS RIGHT FOR YOU.

And in BOTH cases -- WDW and NYC -- the info is out there, all over the place, for FREE to anyone who looks.

 

[21stamps]

They are the destination -- not your TA.

If one cares to know the ins and outs of any travel destination, one researches or hires a TA. Or both.

If not, you take your chances. I think it's absolutely silly to expect Disney to spoon feed your vacation to you. What destination does this?

None. Unless you choose a vacation tour.

Even on a cruise- with any line, you have choices of excursions. They let you know when the date opens up to reserve your spot.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Yes, you can.

I got all of mine in that time frame. Including BOG and Ohana. I wasn't thrilled with the times, so I did check probably 20 times per day to end up with all of the times I wanted. Including a pre park opening BOG breakfast. That wasn't actually a huge advantage for us...it was at 8:40 and we wanted to enjoy our meal and look around the rooms.

I'm very happy that I got all of our character meals. And for me it was worth it to keep checking. If we would have missed 1 or 2- we still would have had a wonderful vacation.

Well we try on a daily basis.... We have scored two 'Ohana at 10 pm in probably 100 attempts. I guess you have better luck, but again, I refuse to dedicate my life to making a dinner reservation.

MG

 

[21stamps]

Well we try on a daily basis.... We have scored two 'Ohana at 10 pm in probably 100 attempts. I guess you have better luck, but again, I refuse to dedicate my life to making a dinner reservation.

MG

It was annoying.. But I'm exaggerating on the "20x". I just checked the app first thing in the morning and before bed, with several times in between when I had a chance lol.

I think this is why the 180 day thing is stressing me out so badly. I'm hoping to get everything on Sunday and NOT have to deal with that again. But hey, it keeps me off fb lol

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

It was annoying.. But I'm exaggerating on the "20x". I just checked the app first thing in the morning and before bed, with several times in between when I had a chance lol.

I think this is why the 180 day thing is stressing me out so badly. I'm hoping to get everything on Sunday and NOT have to deal with that again. But hey, it keeps me off fb lol

I almost always book just about every ADR at 180 days precisely because I just want to have it all done and not have to keep checking.

That's why their drip, drip, drip with things like the SW dessert party is driving me nuts! LOL!!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I almost always book just about every ADR at 180 days precisely because I just want to have it all done and not have to keep checking.

That's why their drip, drip, drip with things like the SW dessert party is driving me nuts! LOL!!

But they could make it a 7 day booking window.... That would make more sense and create less hysteria.

MG

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

But they could make it a 7 day booking window.... That would make more sense and create less hysteria.

MG

Ok -- now I know you're just messing with me!! LESS hysteria to wait until 7 days out... with FP+, possible tours booked, etc?? Or are we making ALL of those available only at 7 days out as well??

Same way one books Nobu or Hamilton or a cruise excursion 7 days out?? Some things are just in demand. And some people want to line up those types of items ahead of time and plan around them.

You probably don't need an ADR far ahead for Cantina de San Angel. You don't need a FP for IASW. But you really benefit from them for BOG and 7DMT.

A bit of research and all this is clear.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Ok -- now I know you're just messing with me!! LESS hysteria to wait until 7 days out... with FP+, possible tours booked, etc?? Or are we making ALL of those available only at 7 days out as well??

Same way one books Nobu or Hamilton or a cruise excursion 7 days out?? Some things are just in demand. And some people want to line up those types of items ahead of time and plan around them.

You probably don't need an ADR far ahead for Cantina de San Angel. You don't need a FP for IASW. But you really benefit from them for BOG and 7DMT.

A bit of research and all this is clear.

Lol!! Not messing. I think it is just more reasonable. Actually I think the best way is no reservations. Show up, put your name in. They tell you how long and you make the decision whether or not to do it.

MG

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Lol!! Not messing. I think it is just more reasonable. Actually I think the best way is no reservations. Show up, put your name in. They tell you how long and you make the decision whether or not to do it.

MG

And I would ABSOLUTELY HATE that!

I can only assume that Disney has more data suggesting that planning ahead is desirable to more customers than the alternative, given how they're doing things. And overall, their results seem to suggest that enough people are responding to their approach.

Doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement -- but I'd say there is ZERO chance that they move to a no-planning approach as you might prefer.

 

[21stamps]

Lol!! Not messing. I think it is just more reasonable. Actually I think the best way is no reservations. Show up, put your name in. They tell you how long and you make the decision whether or not to do it.

MG

But it's not like that anywhere. Not even in a place as laid back as Key West, Fl. Even there, if you want to be guaranteed a trip to Dry Tortugas- you book in advance. If you wait til you arrive then you may or may not be able to go the day of your choice. It's the same.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

But it's not like that anywhere. Not even in a place as laid back as Key West, Fl. Even there, if you want to be guaranteed a trip to Dry Tortugas- you book in advance. If you wait til you arrive then you may or may not be able to go the day of your choice. It's the same.

I eat out every night of my life. The only place in the last several years I needed a reservation has been Disney.
They create the hysteria.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

And I would ABSOLUTELY HATE that!

I can only assume that Disney has more data suggesting that planning ahead is desirable to more customers than the alternative, given how they're doing things. And overall, their results seem to suggest that enough people are responding to their approach.

Doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement -- but I'd say there is ZERO chance that they move to a no-planning approach as you might prefer.

Yes... Create the hysteria need for a ressie, put a non refundable deposit on it, and they have accomplished their money making scheme.

MG

 

[MrInfinity]

And I would ABSOLUTELY HATE that!

I can only assume that Disney has more data suggesting that planning ahead is desirable to more customers than the alternative, given how they're doing things. And overall, their results seem to suggest that enough people are responding to their approach.

Doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement -- but I'd say there is ZERO chance that they move to a no-planning approach as you might prefer.

They have both models... if you want no plan, go to DL! It is perfect for the locals who hold passes and just decide to go on a random day w/ no plan. WDW tho is almost all vacationers. Vacations are planned in advance, so that's what ya get there. Since other people will want to plan their vacation, if you don't, you're subject to getting blocked out by those who do. It works out because in general those who are not into planning are also not being overly critical of what they want to get done.

 

[whiporee]

The planning thing got me today, and it wasn't even Disney. I'm leaving for Washington DC in the morning -- thought we'd take the kids to someplace educational.

Thought we'd take a tour of the White House. Called our Congressman four months ago. Found out this morning we were declined. We didn't schedule days because we were waiting to find about that cornerstone.

Thought we'd take a tour of the Washington Monument. Checked a month ago -- all the tours were sold out for 80 days.

Thought we'd take a tour of the National Archives. Checked about a month ago -- all the tours were sold out until August. Same thing with guided tours of just about anything.

So we'll wait in line and see the stuff we can and not worry about what we can't.

It's not a Disney issue, it's a tourism issue. You want to read fun stuff -- go to a board where they talk about Beaches, and the battles to get a stupid lounger in the morning. Or pay 150 for a lift ticket on President's Day weekend in Vail and get three runs out of it. Limited resources and limted space create demand in places people want to be.