Lack of Knowledge of Guests

[Gator]

Back in 2002, I came on my honeymoon. I didn't realize the magnitude of the parks and resorts. We still managed to make a good trip out of it, probably due to there not being the online Disney community that exists today - we were still able to get a table at SciFi, Crystal Palace, and The Castle. However, when I got back, I found Intercot and now am considered the Disney World Oracle. I can't imagine trying to go to WDW without all this info.

[ryca1dreams]

I have a bit of a different take on this--it's true that a WDW vacation requires a lot of planning, which I think is a bit of a shame. Especially with the onset of free dining (and the all-important ADR's!!) spontaneity is almost impossible. In fact, a Disney World vacation is almost becoming too complicated, IMO. But maybe I'm basing my opinion on the memory of being a newbie back in the late 70's when an e-ticket meant getting on an awesome ride (with reasonable lines) and the choice on of onsite hotels was limited to two (therefore staying off-site was more the norm than staying onsite).

Maybe. The first time you go anywhere, for example: New York, D.C., L.A., etc., you should plan well so you know what to expect - even details like how to pay for subways. With successive visits, you can plan less and be more spontaneous because you know what is there. You still have to research changes since you've been last, true. But I don't think going to WDW is much different; it is quite a large destination. First timers, plan well. Veteran travelers, be more spontaneous - you know the place (but keep following Intercot for updates)

[Tink#64]

My name is Shari & I'm a planner. IMHO, it's inconceivable that anyone would take a trip anyplace without SOME planning! I'm sorry, I work hard for my $'s & wait for that vacation time, so no way am I going anywhere and wasting any of it! I know several WDW planaholics like myself & I know just as many that go with little to no plan and that absolutely boggles my mind! Given the sheer amount of info that's out there & so easily accessible these days, it's just sad to watch the non-planners go, especially during peak season &/or hottest time of year & come away so disppointed in their WDW experience that they are negative to WDW as a whole & some vow to never return. And alas, WE all know that any trip, any time of year is very manageable and can be magical with a good plan & attitude. It's just so frustrating to watch & listen to those people.

I did plan our first trip, poured over the tour books, asked friends for advice & learned on that first trip to have a plan but be flexible to our families desires, moods & energy levels. We made our 7th pilgrmage to WDW this year & I still plan, albeit it's soooo much easier now that we know the ins & outs, but always new attractions and new experiences on our agenda's so I know that I'll never stop planning our WDW trips! Gosh, planning WDW is easy for me now, we're doing a first ever real road trip to Niagara Falls, Manhattan, etc. next summer & I've already been planning for months & I'm still shakin in my boots!

[WDWCrazyKaren]

I'll admit, on my first trip, we didn't plan anything. It was fine. Nothing spectacular, but fine. I'm going to blame my being very young and this was my first big vacation as an adult with no parents along. Who knew??? Also, the internet wasn't around to give me all this info. All I had was the Birnbaum book.

But these days, there is no excuse. With the advent of the internet, I research every place I go! A short trip to Vegas? I'm still online looking at things to see and do. A big three week vacation in Europe? Oh man, I have 50 books and hundreds of internet sites devoured. There is no reason not to research ANYWHERE you are going, and when you spend more than one night away from home, go ahead and take 20 minutes and see what you may not want to miss. You would think that folks would want the info.

[c&d]

The words to the song "I wish that I knew what I know now when I was younger" apply to our first trip.

Although we knew how big it was and planned some things we were still overwhelmed by the amount of things to do and how long it would take. There was no fastpass back then and there were times when the wait sign said 45min, and 2 hrs later we were getting on the ride.

I also think alot of first timers think of going to Disney like any other vacation, no need to plan there's plenty to do and lots of time to do it. They are shocked when they get there.

[Janmac]

And, despite the best planning efforts, we were all first-timers one time or another and we each need to make those rookie mistakes and get better on future trips.

Didn't get to the parks until around 9;45am - we were those people standing in the middle of the street with our maps trying to decide what we wanted to do because we didn't know what was there. Oh man.......I'm surprised we ever came back! haha.

Oh boy, were we new and confused - we were those folks in the middle of the street, back in 1974, and our map was upside down - and it was 5 years before we returned. And then another 3 before we went back again. But somehow, we kept thinking about future visits and how to make them better. You kinda get what you pay for, and if you figure planning is investing in your experience, you'll maybe get more bang for your buck.

Especially with the onset of free dining (and the all-important ADR's!!) spontaneity is almost impossible. In fact, a Disney World vacation is almost becoming too complicated, IMO. But maybe I'm basing my opinion on the memory of being a newbie back in the late 70's when an e-ticket meant getting on an awesome ride (with reasonable lines) and the choice on of onsite hotels was limited to two (therefore staying off-site was more the norm than staying onsite).

Maybe. The first time you go anywhere, for example: New York, D.C., L.A., etc., you should plan well so you know what to expect - even details like how to pay for subways.

I'll admit, on my first trip, we didn't plan anything. . . All I had was the Birnbaum book.
With the advent of the internet, I research every place I go! A short trip to Vegas? I'm still online looking at things to see and do. A big three week vacation in Europe? Oh man, I have 50 books and hundreds of internet sites devoured.

I'm thinking that my planning actually provides for more spontaneity because I know what the options are. MK is more crowded at 11 am than you were dreading - jump to Downtown Disney where the crowds haven't arrived yet. I've used this same planning detail in Europe, Vegas, and even state and National Parks to zig or zag when needed.


And finally . . . A true Tale of two brothers:

Second visit for both, altho first as adults with family.

One brother stayed off property, had one character breakfast (sole Disney dining experience), went into the parks 3 days out of the week they were in Florida, and even (this blows my mind) parked at DD and took a boat to a resort, so they could wait for a bus to a park, to avoid the daily parking fee. Their cost: $3000 and this brother says he is NEVER going back to WDW again.

Second brother enlisted the aid of an avowed WDW fanatic and OCD planner. He and his family stayed on property, had the dining plan, used WDW transportation, even rented a car from the Dolphin for a day trip to the beach. He had said, before his week at WDW, that this was their only trip, ever. By the time he got home, he was saying well, maybe we can go again in a couple of years. Their cost: $2000.

Jan

[azcavalier]

I can understand people not planning....the first time. Most people who go the first time just don't have any idea what Walt Disney World really is. Take me, for example:

Grew up a Disney fan. The Little Mermaid came out when I was in High School. Yeah, i'm a guy, and I loved the Little Mermaid. I'll admit that I actually had a Little Mermaid poster up on my dorm room wall. A couple of guys made fun of it until they realized that the girls loved it....then they became Disney fans, too.

However, I had never been to a Disney park. My wife and I went to Disneyland for our 1st anniversary in 1996. This was before Downtown Disney or DCA.

Then, about ten years ago, my Mom decided to take all of us to WDW. We were excited, but didn't know what to expect. We were so naive that we didn't KNOW that we didn't know what to expect. We planned for TWO days. That's it. We figured that would be just fine.

We managed to get a reservation at Teppan Edo for the group, and it was awesome. The next night, however, we could only get into Biergarten, and we hated it (though we should probably try it again). We did manage to hit every park, but we basically spent a half day in each.

We had fun, and a few years later my wife decided we needed to go again, but this time to do it right.

Point being, if you don't know, and you think it's just a theme park, then why would you plan? You don't need to plan a day out at Kings Dominion, Busch Gardens, or Six Flags. So if you don't know, why would you all of a sudden plan out your Disney trip? Once your eyes have been opened however, then there's no excuse.

[Victor Kelly]

I helped my doctor plan her family's trip. Glad she told me 6 months out. She said her little girls love Cinderella and asked me if they do meet and greets or eat with Cindy. I told her to call the # and book Cindy's, she said that her little girls loved it. She actually got like one of the last reservations for that day.

I even lent her one of my planning books for Disney and gave her plenty of advice. My doc came back and said they would have missed a lot if I hadn't given her all the info I had.

For the family that listened

[ANG]

I was thinking the same thing!

I remember our first trip, and I'm surprised, looking back that we saw anything, I had NO IDEA just how much planning I really should have been doing.

Disney is bigger and more complicated than a trip to your local theme park, which is what many people compare it to, before they go of course.

I agree with all of this! We weren't even aware they have the dining plan on our first visit. I am so hyper organized when we go now.

[RedHead]

I have a bit of a different take on this--it's true that a WDW vacation requires a lot of planning, which I think is a bit of a shame. Especially with the onset of free dining (and the all-important ADR's!!) spontaneity is almost impossible. In fact, a Disney World vacation is almost becoming too complicated, IMO. But maybe I'm basing my opinion on the memory of being a newbie back in the late 70's when an e-ticket meant getting on an awesome ride (with reasonable lines) and the choice on of onsite hotels was limited to two (therefore staying off-site was more the norm than staying onsite).

As someone who first went to WDW in '72, and nearly every year for some time (went on the EPCOT tour when it was being built, in fact!), I have to agree. I think ADRs made so far in advance, lines and even FastPass have changed the complexion of a trip to WDW. With the surge in ticket prices (yes, I remember ticket books and E-Tickets!), the advent of Character Dining, and the catering to the on-site guest with EMH (but now the off-site guest can stay, but only to shop, which brings in more revenue!)....it's not the WDW I remember...

[MrPeetrie]

While I truly enjoy the planning aspect of a Disney trip, this past October was a true eye-opening experience. On days when the parks had extended hours, they were packed almost to the point of unenjoyable. (Disney on its worst day is still enjoyable to me.) For example, MK's normal operating hours one day were 9-midnight with morning EMH. The Magic Kingdom was PACKED! I guess people wanted to get their money's worth for their tickets. But on a day when when there was an MNSSHP event and normal hours closing at 7 pm, the MK was very light. (We had early ADRs at Cindy's and went straight for Fantasyland. We rode most of Fantasyland's rides in no time.) But since i had made my ADRs so far in advance and, as luck would have it, for most of the trip we were scheduled to eat in the popular park for the day.

So here's my point. One morning, after experiencing the same phenomenon three straight days at the bus stop (whatever park we were going to just happened to be the same park the MOST OTHERS AT THE BUS STOP WERE GOING TO, AS WELL), I turned to my wife and said, "I'd like to come to the bus stop in the morning and just read the crowd. Whatever park looks light, will be the park where we go that day." The problem is: we couldn't because we had ADRs made 180 days in advance. We were already LOCKED into a specific park at a certain time. And since we had spent approximately $1,100 on a dining plan paid in advance, I wasn't canceling any of my dining plans. (i guess i wanted to make sure I got my money's worth, myself.) The sponteneity that I would have liked to use was impossible the way I had paid for and planned the last trip.

On the next vacation, no dining plan. It will at least give me a little more flexibility to change plans on the fly.

[disneydementia]

All I know is that I know Disneyland like the back of my hand but still did my research for a trip to WDW. I was still overwhelmed! My daughter had to take me aside a couple of times and tell me to chill out! I felt completely out of my element. Leaving for our second trip Dec 17th and glad I have that first trip under my belt!

[ChipNDale79]

While I truly enjoy the planning aspect of a Disney trip, this past October was a true eye-opening experience. On days when the parks had extended hours, they were packed almost to the point of unenjoyable. (Disney on its worst day is still enjoyable to me.) For example, MK's normal operating hours one day were 9-midnight with morning EMH. The Magic Kingdom was PACKED! I guess people wanted to get their money's worth for their tickets. But on a day when when there was an MNSSHP event and normal hours closing at 7 pm, the MK was very light. (We had early ADRs at Cindy's and went straight for Fantasyland. We rode most of Fantasyland's rides in no time.) But since i had made my ADRs so far in advance and, as luck would have it, for most of the trip we were scheduled to eat in the popular park for the day.

So here's my point. One morning, after experiencing the same phenomenon three straight days at the bus stop (whatever park we were going to just happened to be the same park the MOST OTHERS AT THE BUS STOP WERE GOING TO, AS WELL), I turned to my wife and said, "I'd like to come to the bus stop in the morning and just read the crowd. Whatever park looks light, will be the park where we go that day." The problem is: we couldn't because we had ADRs made 180 days in advance. We were already LOCKED into a specific park at a certain time. And since we had spent approximately $1,100 on a dining plan paid in advance, I wasn't canceling any of my dining plans. (i guess i wanted to make sure I got my money's worth, myself.) The sponteneity that I would have liked to use was impossible the way I had paid for and planned the last trip.

On the next vacation, no dining plan. It will at least give me a little more flexibility to change plans on the fly.

How familiar with the dinning plan are you? Just because you have the dining plan does not mean you have to have ADRs. Granted it'll be tougher to find a place to eat. But say you just happen to go to Epcot one day and want to eat Tutto without a reservation. If they have a table available, you can still use your dining plan points for that meal.

[MrPeetrie]

How familiar with the dinning plan are you? Just because you have the dining plan does not mean you have to have ADRs. Granted it'll be tougher to find a place to eat. But say you just happen to go to Epcot one day and want to eat Tutto without a reservation. If they have a table available, you can still use your dining plan points for that meal.

It was my first time using the Dining Plan. I also think I paid too much for it. I had our room (using AP discounts) already paid in full when I decided to try adding the dining plan. My room was refunded to me and the entire package was re-booked, using a new confirmation number. The price jumped nearly $1,100. In order for it to be justified, I had to have a sit-down meal each day. And not just any sit-down meal. I need either a Character Meal or decent restaurant. I kept a little notebook with me and I actually received approximately $1,135 worth of meals for about $1,065 so I came out ahead. But the things I had planned (like breakfast at Castle, Chef Mickey's, Chrystal Palace, 50's Prime Time Cafe, Coral Reef, etc.) needed to be booked early. So I was sort of "LOCKED" into those parks those days 180 days out. (We always go to Epcot after breakfast at Chef Mickey's. Tradition.) But even if I didn't have the Dining Plan, I still would have kept those ADRs. But I felt like I had to "stay on schedule" to make sure I used all my dining credits. (On the plus side, we were there during the Wine & Food Festival. We discovered our snack credits can be applied to the food int the temporary booths around the World Showcase. We went through our snack credits 4 days prematurely...but it was worth it.)

I think I was trying to address a previous poster about not being able to go to WDW without planning and I think that's pretty true if you're not a local. If you have one shot a year to go, you have to research the trip or you'll waste too much time. (On one of our trips, we met a couple who said, "We must not be doing something right. We were in Animal Kingdom all day yesterday and only rode two rides." I asked if they knew about FastPasses and she replied, "We used FastPass, but it still didn't help. We're doing something wrong.")

Like I said before, I wanted one day to go to the bus stop in the early morning and just "read the crowd." Whatever park appeared to be the least popular would be where we would go. But, with only 10 days out of a year to enjoy myself in Disney, it was just too big a gamble. I was frightened to "wing it" -- to be spontaneaous -- so I stuck to the schedule despite knowing I was plowing ahead straight into the popular park almost each day. Still a great trip, though.

Oh, and ironically we did use a sit-down credit at Tutto without ADRs. (Funny you would use that restaurant as an example.) Epcot had Evening EMH. The fireworks were just beginning and we were starving. The manager stopped us at the door and said, "When the fireworks stop, we're closed," before letting us pass. Just then, a cast member came up to him and said to remain open. "Why?? To serve four people!?" The cast member said, stay open at least until 10. (We were at the hostess stand when this "discussion" took place.) It was awkward, to say the least. Used meal credit for pizza. Delicious.

[BWayGrl]

I work with a woman who "won't ever go back to that awful place." (that made me sick to type!) All because her first trip was at Easter break, they stayed off site, and didn't make ADRS. They tried to go to MK after 10 on Easter and couldn't get in. They ended up at Epcot, but could only see a few things because of crowds, and had to eat CS meals. She came back and wanted to write a nasty letter to Disney because they didnt have a trip like they show in the commercials...that made me laugh.

I work with a very similar woman. I'm telling her how excited I am for my upcoming trip and she just says, "Ugh, I hate Disney World!" Thanks. That took away some of my excitement. She's been there 4 times and just doesn't get it. I guess the magic doesn't strike her the same way it does me. There are so many people I would love to accompany to Disney World just to show them how much fun it can be if you plan, and you know what you're doing!

[EeyoresBestFriend]

I can understand people not planning....the first time. Most people who go the first time just don't have any idea what Walt Disney World really is.

You are SOOOO right!! We've planned to go with friends and family that think that "one day in each park is more than enough, right??" or "we'll go for 4 days. We don't want the kids to get bored."

They have NO clue how big it is and how much there is to discover . . . . . .

[ChipNDale79]

Oh, and ironically we did use a sit-down credit at Tutto without ADRs. (Funny you would use that restaurant as an example.) Epcot had Evening EMH. The fireworks were just beginning and we were starving. The manager stopped us at the door and said, "When the fireworks stop, we're closed," before letting us pass. Just then, a cast member came up to him and said to remain open. "Why?? To serve four people!?" The cast member said, stay open at least until 10. (We were at the hostess stand when this "discussion" took place.) It was awkward, to say the least. Used meal credit for pizza. Delicious.

One of my favorite places to eat on property

[garymacd]

I will say, that when I have informed guests of parade times, that the posted "start time" is *where the parade steps off*. Not when it will be *at* your location. Parade step-off time is at 3:00, you're sitting in Liberty Square? Parade will be here around 3:10

So, what time is the 3 o'clock parade?

I'm having deja vu all over again.

[MissMaryPoppins]

Nobody will believe this, but a few years ago we were at WDW and some people from our hometown called us and said they had just arrived at All Star Sports for a week. They knew we were the "disney experts" from home and wanted to meet up with us because they had never been to WDW, nor did they do ANY research at all. They were an older couple with three grandkids. We were at Animal Kingdom and told them to catch the bus that said "Animal Kingdom" and meet us there. We waited for hours and they never arrived. When we got back to the AKL, I finally got them on the phone and they said they went to Animal Kingdom and played putt-putt golf all day!!??!!?? Come to find out they took the AK
bus to Blizzard Beach and got off at the first stop. They spent the day at Winter Wonderland
golf thinking it was AK!!! I SWEAR ITS A TRUE STORY. We did manage to help them the next
few days and they had
goodtrip.

This reminds me of our family trip back in '87. My parents were, still are, good friends with our neighbors down the street and the 4 of them decided to plan a joint family vacation. It turned out to be a special trip for us because my Dad told my Mom if she get us a room for the reminder of our trip at the Cotemporary we could stay there. It was our first time staying in Disney and it was a big deal for us. So we get there and our parents make plans for us all to meet at Magic Kingdom. The 4 of us got there and we sat on a bench outside of the train station and waited for them. We waited just over an hour and they never showed up. My Mom said to my Dad "you don't think they went to EPCOT do you?" and my Dad said no, they agreed to meet at Magic Kingdom, it was pretty simple. My parents decide we should just go about our day but keep a look out for them. That night my mom got in touch with them and they said now bored their son was all day but he liked the ride in the ball. When my Mom told my Dad they had gone to EPCOT he couldn't stop laughing. We met up at Magic Kingdom a few days later and what I remember vividly about that day was breakfast. We always ate in the bakery but this family liked big breakfasts so we sat down I think at Tony's. When our bill came we were charged for 87 glasses of orange juice and there were only 7 of us.

[AdventurerKim]

Three years ago, my DH's aunt came with us to WDW for her first visit, and she's in her 70's. She had such a blast, and we loved taking he around to all our favorite rides and showing her everything we do and see. It was awesome to see WDW for the first time through her eyes. If we had not taken her, I know she would not have enjoyed the trip nearly as much. We ask friends and family who have either never been or haven't been in a long time to come along, but no one else has taken us up on the offer. No one gets why we go so often and love it! We're already talking and thinking about ADR's for Thanksgiving 2012!

This passed Thanksgiving week, I heard a kid ask her mom if the fast passes cost money, and mom said yes, and they walked on. My first thought was, "More for us!"