Why dont people plan?

[ThreeBoyMama]

And yes, to the OP, I have seen this. Had a friend of a friend message me last year because they were going to WDW for the first time and she knew I'd done lots of research, etc. When I asked her where they had ADRs she said "what's an ADR?" I was like oh...honey...we need to talk, LOL. I also work with a woman who is talking about taking her family to Orlando later this year. They have gone to MK and Epcot years ago but that's it. She really wants to go to AK but her husband has, for some reason, convinced their kids that it's lame and not worth going to. I said something about it being one of our favorite parks and having some great rides and she said "Oh! Animal Kingdom has rides?" I mean...have you not even looked at the WDW website? I really had to bite my tongue on that one.

Related (sort of)...my DH and I both grew up in CA and visited Disneyland many times as kids and then when our kiddos were little. Never did *any* advance planning. We went to WDW in October 2014 and I learned how much planning was involved. When we decided to take our boys to the 60th Diamond Celebration last July I approached it much more like a WDW trip, strategized our Fast Passes, etc. and we had a fantastic visit. Maybe neither here nor there, but there is something to be said for having a plan in place. Disneyland is a totally different animal than WDW, but I have to say that riding Radiator Springs Racers as the sun was setting in Anaheim on a gorgeous Southern CA summer day...due solely to my ninja planning skills of pulling a FP at the right time that day (thanks largely to Tom Bricker/Disney Tourist Blog's advice)...well, that was the absolute highlight of our trip and something I will never forget. My family teases me about my uber planning, but they enjoy the rewards

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

Our local high school band is at WDW for a couple of days & they marched at MK today. Got a Facebook message at 3:15 today from lady that is a chaperone for the band. She was tired of Courbet service meals & wanted a recommendation for a 'sit down ' meal ....on a Saturday... She said that she knew that me & DH have been several times & always has great meals. I honestly nearly fell out laughing....thank goodness that conversation happened by messenger. I didn't have the heart to tell her that I have already made my ADRs for September trip & the late November trip.

Jokes on you... I checked last night tempted to comment on this thread and there was availability for almost every restaurant on site. A few I noticed she wouldn't be able to get were Cinderella's Royal Table, Be Our Guest and Sci Fi Diner, but if she was just looking for a good meal there was a PLETHORA of options including a 7:10 at California Grill which would be fantastic followed by a drink and fireworks....

 

[21stamps]

Jokes on you... I checked last night tempted to comment on this thread and there was availability for almost every restaurant on site. A few I noticed she wouldn't be able to get were Cinderella's Royal Table, Be Our Guest and Sci Fi Diner, but if she was just looking for a good meal there was a PLETHORA of options including a 7:10 at California Grill which would be fantastic followed by a drink and fireworks....

I noticed that a lot of places opened up the day before if you checked. And also if you called sometimes there was availability that wasn't showing. I changed an Ohana time and a Garden Grill time (both by 2-3 hours earlier than the reservation I had) by calling, and nothing was showing available on the app.

People should not give up, and definitely not think that it is not possible to eat somewhere, just because they didn't book a meal months in advance!!

 

[21stamps]

Well I hope the tour goes well for you I've only heard of a few people going on the tours (just by reading various websites) but all liked it a lot especially because they were pressed on time. Yeah the price is well something I wouldn't want to spend (you're also talking to someone who thinks it's crazy to be charged for a side of ranch lol) but I think you'll enjoy it. At the very least maybe the next time (if there will be a next time) you may feel less pressure to get x,y,z done and with a short trip it sounds like you're trying to plan for what's most important for who is going with you.

See I see the understanding behind Disney offering these tours..at the same time though you do still have to plan for it though at least 48 hours ahead isn't too too bad though I think some can be booked up to 90 days and one I think is up to 180 days in advance--I think.

Yes, I booked it 2 weeks ago I think, maybe a little less. But my contact will call me again in July once the Jedi training schedule is released so we can plan that part- so yep, it's still planning, just a little less intense. I get a 1 day break from scheduling at least!

Hope you have a great time -- would love to hear your review afterwards! We did the SW VIP Day tour last year and LOVED IT! It was a VERY short trip and we wanted to pack a lot in. We thought it was well worth it! And now that there are no SWW for the foreseeable future, BOY ARE WE GLAD WE DID IT!

Thanks! I went back and forth with it for awhile, finally bit the bullet. It's definitely a one time thing for us!!!!!
I know I talked about how I don't like to plan too much in advance in this thread..but our 2017 vacations are already booked..only bc they're cruises and certain itineraries are the exception to my "not far in advance" rule lol...I'm not even thinking about excursions or booking the land portion until much closer to next summer.
So anyway, we won't be doing any type of similar trip as this DCL/WDW one for at least 2 years. Not saying no WDW, just not as our main trip, not in the winter, and definitely not as a surprise, for sure no vip tour. There is also a good chance that it will be the last time we do character meals/meets (or at least so many) due to kiddo's age.
Because of all of that I'll more than likely do a trip report, it will force me to document it for myself

 

[maryj11]

Of course it is. The pursuit of any highly allocated commodity is always self induced whether it be collectible sneakers, watches, wine, coins or cars. Or seats on TSMM. Or a table at BoG. One can always simply step aside and get out of the rat race. But when a person spends $5000 to go to WDW, it isn't irrational to think that they want to experience the "best stuff" that everyone is talking about. And to do that, they have to jump into the world of self induced stressful planning. Anyone who wants to limit themselves to "C Ticket" attractions, or is comfortable waiting in 75 minute lines and eating at Counter Service dining locations or the lowest rated Table Service restaurants (talking to you, Tony's), can have a stress-free vacation. No doubt about that. It is only those who aim higher that encounter stress induced planning. But it is certainly their choice.

I wouldn't consider planning stressful for me. I make my ADR's and FP's as soon as they open and keep on top of hours or event changes going on and switch things around if needed when something changes. I dont consider it stressful though I love planning for Disney.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Our local high school band is at WDW for a couple of days & they marched at MK today. Got a Facebook message at 3:15 today from lady that is a chaperone for the band. She was tired of Courbet service meals & wanted a recommendation for a 'sit down ' meal ....on a Saturday... She said that she knew that me & DH have been several times & always has great meals. I honestly nearly fell out laughing....thank goodness that conversation happened by messenger. I didn't have the heart to tell her that I have already made my ADRs for September trip & the late November trip.

Rainforest Cafe might be doable. We got a same-day dinner reservation in October, and that's always a pretty busy month at WDW. It might not be available on a Saturday, but she could try some other day of the week.

 

[lovethattink]

IF you are extremely flexible, you can find last minute popular dining. For example, just looked now for tonight and found Ohana for 8:10pm.



That's how I roll. But not everyone has the benefit of living nearby and making last minute plans or is willing to take chances and gamble with ADR.

 

[JimmyV]

Sorry, disagree!! We make our initial lodging ressies 3-6 months, a few dining must do's, must do FP's, then relax until a few days to a week before our trip. We are totally relaxed, usually can pick up any last minute ressies/FP's we want the last week, or even while we're there.

You aren't disagreeing. You are actually agreeing. Everything that you described is advanced planning gleaned from years of experience. You have planning down to a science so it isn't stressful for you. But the point I was addressing was self-induced stress. You don't induce stress on yourself others do. There was never any suggestion that the stress is universal. Indeed, if something is self-induced, it is the polar opposite of universal. Some impose it on themselves and others don't. You don't. And neither do i. Years of experience have resulted in all of this being second nature to me. I could do it in my sleep. For first timers? Not so much. For another example of a seasoned veteran not self inducing stress, see below. But don't for a minute think that the ease with which we WDW veterans glide through the planning process means that less experienced guests aren't stressing themselves out. We here have to let loose of "not me, therefore no one" thinking.

I wouldn't consider planning stressful for me.

 

[qv09vvp]

this is a good thread for venting... and sharing lessons learned.

One of my coworkers is going to Disney in 45 days. When I asked him what rides he was able to fast pass & where he was eating, he just gave me a blank look. I showed him the my Disney experience on the website & told him he needed to link his tickets, plus how to search for ADR's he was so surprised. but you know what, to this day he still hasn't gone in & linked his tickets or booked an ADR. Since he is staying on site, we discussed the 60 day window verses the 30 day window.... my thoughts are you can lead some horses to water but you can't make them drink. (and these are folks that on dVC!)

 

[lovethattink]

this is a good thread for venting... and sharing lessons learned.

One of my coworkers is going to Disney in 45 days. When I asked him what rides he was able to fast pass & where he was eating, he just gave me a blank look. I showed him the my Disney experience on the website & told him he needed to link his tickets, plus how to search for ADR's he was so surprised. but you know what, to this day he still hasn't gone in & linked his tickets or booked an ADR. Since he is staying on site, we discussed the 60 day window verses the 30 day window.... my thoughts are you can lead some horses to water but you can't make them drink. (and these are folks that on dVC!)

That commercial on TV doesn't help and encourages this. The one where the guests go up to the concierge desk and the cm makes their wishes come true.

 

[John Marecek]

This has been an entertaining/educational/sad thread of stories. Many good points have been made, but I don't understand those who put any blame on Disney. When you book a vacation, you are entitled to the room you pay for. When you book a WDW vacation package, you are entitled to a room and park tickets. The rest, that's up to you. If a place opens booking windows way in advance, that's a hint. This is not just a WDW thing.

I would like some help on 1 thing I cannot understand at all. How does one decide to spend $1,000+ on anything, and not spend some serious time doing research? Read many, I don't want to do this and I don't want to do that comments. Planning a great vacation of any kind takes some effort. If you don't want to, that's fine, make the best of it.

One thing I have definitely learned from this thread, it is possible to have an enjoyable WDW trip with little planning as long as you have reasonable expectations.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Sorry for the long post in advance. I had talked a bit about this in other threads though it's been months ago but to me you should do some research before vacationing in general. I still see reviews on Trip Advisor where people think you have to pay for FP+ or were under the impression that WDW was just like the last time they went when they had legacy FP's where you got them the day of, or were not even aware there was FP+.

I personally think it can be overwhelming to get all the new stuff down. Last time I went was in Sep 2011...and a whole heck of a lot has changed since then..but I'm also a researcher by nature.

If a person does some base research..like what rides they would like to ride on (including what their kids would like too) and what places they would like to eat at (yes that part is kinda of hard to take the time for since there are a ton of places to eat between the Parks, Resorts and Disney Springs) and information such as FP+ rules (like 60 days if on-site, etc) then that knowledge becomes power.

I personally have no interest in eating at BOG at this time..I do think the castle would be cool but there are other places I would rather eat at. I have no interest in getting a FP+ for an Anna and Elsa Meet and Greet. But by researching (hello pinterest and random blogs as well as this forum and others like it) I know that BOG is the hottest place to eat right now and that the Anna and Elsa Meet and Greet is the most coveted FP (aside from 7DMT) though this may change as soon as FEA opens up for at least contending with 7DMT since the Meet and Greet at Epcot currently won't have a FP for it.

If I had wanted to do those two things then that research would allow me the knowledge to say ok what are the rules for ADRs and FP+'s and make sure I try to get them as soon as my window opens (it also helps if you are flexible in your dates of which park to go to and it might be easier to start backwards depending on when you are going [another tip learned from researching]). It's easy to assume that people want to do everything we ourselves want to do. But by that person at least researching a bit they can tweak their vacation plan to fit them.

Do I think it's a teensy annoying that some ADRs require 180 day advance booking or that others require advanced booking but maybe not 180 days? Yes but at least with a bit of research I can figure out if I even need to worry over that tidbit. Same goes for FP+. As for planned closures-WDW's website would list that (if that's the only place you decide to look at) and if you pick up a map when you're inside the park it should have that too...at least I believe it did the last time I went..so I guess don't quote me on that

ETA: However, as you can see from my other posts WDW isn't the only place though to require some advanced booking for certain things.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Do I think it's a teensy annoying that some ADRs require 180 day advance booking or that others require advanced booking but maybe not 180 days? Yes but at least with a bit of research I can figure out if I even need to worry over that tidbit. Same goes for FP+.

ITA

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

Rainforest Cafe might be doable. We got a same-day dinner reservation in October, and that's always a pretty busy month at WDW. It might not be available on a Saturday, but she could try some other day of the week.

I think you skipped my post, but there was availability for almost every restaurant on Saturday as of Friday night. Only a few that I noted missing: Sci Fi, BOG, and CRT. There was a 7:10 at California Grill and about 80 options for Skipper's Canteen. No one will be locked out of sitting down and eating even at the last minute.

 

[John Marecek]

I think you skipped my post, but there was availability for almost every restaurant on Saturday as of Friday night. Only a few that I noted missing: Sci Fi, BOG, and CRT. There was a 7:10 at California Grill and about 80 options for Skipper's Canteen. No one will be locked out of sitting down and eating even at the last minute.

Just looked at tomorrow for kicks. Breakfast at BOG, Akershus, CM, Ohana, CP, & H&V (PPO) all available, along w/ an Ohana dinner at 5. Maybe booking the day before is better than 180?

 

[21stamps]

Just looked at tomorrow for kicks. Breakfast at BOG, Akershus, CM, Ohana, CP, & H&V (PPO) all available, along w/ an Ohana dinner at 5. Maybe booking the day before is better than 180?

I think if you can get it all at 180 it is wonderful!! I'm hoping to, so I won't have to deal with it again.
But because of the amount of people who hoard reservations, I know that if I don't get everything tomorrow- that it does not mean that I won't eventually get them.

 

[Lothlórien]

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?

I own DVC and have been going to Disney for more than 15 years. 15 years ago, I had no idea that I needed to book meals. I did not even know what a Fastpass machine was on my first trip. Disney is the only vacation I have ever taken that requires so much planning and pre-booking.

I think in general, some people do not see vacation as something you should have to invest so much pre-planning time into. I know people personally who love Disney that will not go anymore because they do not like "rigid" planning that is required for them to get the most out of their money.

If the CMs are not going to tell people on the phone when they call to book their first vacation how it all works, how could they be expected to know??? Yes, people use the internet to search where they want to go and where they want to stay, but using a general Google search for answers is not going to tell you that you need to use a website that tells you how to plan.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

If the CMs are not going to tell people on the phone when they call to book their first vacation how it all works, how could they be expected to know???

• One of many guidebooks
• One of many unofficial websites
• Disney's website
• Emails Disney sends once you book
• Mailings Disney sends once you book
• Travel agent
• Perhaps asking people they know who have gone

I'm sure I'm missing some.

 

[21stamps]

• One of many guidebooks
• One of many unofficial websites
• Disney's website
• Emails Disney sends once you book
• Mailings Disney sends once you book
• Travel agent
• Perhaps asking people they know who have gone

I'm sure I'm missing some.

This. You don't need any of the 3rd party Disney planning sites to plan. You can use them and over plan, as I know I am doing, they have a great wealth of info, but they aren't a necessity in planning, and Disney does give you the basic tools necessary.

 

[SaintsManiac]

CRT was literally the only restaurant that was never available for us after the 180 day window. We didn't care very much, but out of curiosity I checked it every now and then. Everything else we could have gotten into.