Do Other Guests Ever Listen To You?

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ksdave

New Member
Anytime anyone from my place of employment is going to MCO for vacation, everyone tells them to come talk to me. I just give them general advise about what to see, how to maximize your time, what websites to visit prior to leaving, etc. Several have come back and thanked me for "saving" their vacations.
 

agent86

New Member
Anytime anyone from my place of employment is going to MCO for vacation, everyone tells them to come talk to me. I just give them general advise about what to see, how to maximize your time, what websites to visit prior to leaving, etc. Several have come back and thanked me for "saving" their vacations.

Same goes for my workplace as well (and I imagine most members here would probably say the same). But the difference is that co-worker can still opt out of coming to talk to you. They are not a "captive audience" on an airplane or standing in line somewhere. Not everyone wants to be told about all the details about a place before they go there. Some people like to discover it for themselves and are still able to have a good time even if they end up missing something or doing it "incorrectly". I think the OP was more upset just because someone didn't want to listen to him go on and on about every minute detail just to show off how much he knows about WDW.
 
It sounds to me like someone who sits next to you while watching a movie, and they've seen it dozens of times and this is your first time, and they're pointing out EVERYTHING in the movie. The plot twists, the continuity errors and flaws, funny moments, etc. I doubt many people would want someone to randomly start talking all about WDW while you're at the turnstyles.
 

agent86

New Member
It sounds to me like someone who sits next to you while watching a movie, and they've seen it dozens of times and this is your first time, and they're pointing out EVERYTHING in the movie. The plot twists, the continuity errors and flaws, funny moments, etc. I doubt many people would want someone to randomly start talking all about WDW while you're at the turnstyles.

Exactly! Just as most people just want to enjoy a movie without a running commentary, a lot of people just want to enjoy their vacation without having to worry about doing all kinds of planning ahead of time. It doesn't mean those people have made a mistake or that they deserve to have a rotten vacation just because they didn't plan ahead.

And wdwCC (post #8 of this thread) sounds kind of mean-spirited IMO. Her way of "consoling" the OP was to basically state, "Look at it this way, they probably had a terrible time because they didn't listen to you." If you're hope is that someone had a terrible time just because they didn't listen to you drone on and drone about all the minutiae of WDW, then clearly you don't sincerely have a desire to help people get the most out of their WDW vacation.
 

wdwCC

New Member
So in other words, it would make you feel better to imagine someone having their day in the park ruined simply for not standing there listening to all of your unsolicited advice? It sounds like it's more about getting the attention of spouting off one's "expertise" and less about genuinely hoping a family just enjoys their visit. :rolleyes:

Don't over examine the post. Of course I don't want anyone to have a bad day in the parks, I didn't say that, didn't mean, didn't infer, wasn't even thinking that! :brick: Anyone having a bad experience hurts Disney as well as people on the board. I just pointed out it would be another case of a man being wrong. :lol: (My DH would argue that point). :) That's all, nothing more. It was a humorous post!!!! :brick::brick:
 

goodtimes5286

New Member
Personally I don't like talking to anyone not in my party at the parks (but anti social so w/e). When people try to start a conversation I usually try to give them a one word answer to end it. With the exception of teenagers doing crazy stuff, I usually start laughing and then when they start talking I don't have a problem talking back (I guess because they act like me?).

So in the future just don't talk to ANYONE, and then you wont get your feelings hurt :king:
 

NiarrNDisney

Well-Known Member
I remember once I was in line outside of the Universe of Energy and an older couple asked "What kind of ride and effects were involved on the attraction?"
They were concerned due to the wife having a PaceMaker, so I not only mentioned how UoE was but I proceeded in telling them about a couple of the other rides and attractions they may want to avoid since the wifes condition. They ended up sitting next to me on Ellens Energy Adventure and at the end of the ride thanked me for the advice. My party and I later saw them near the Land and they had mentioned to my mother that they were glad to know the info we had shared, they were going to ride Mission Space and after reading the warnings while in line decided to wait for their party instead. So yes other Guest have listened to me, and I am always Happy to Help!
 

LoriMistress

Well-Known Member
I only give advice when people ask for it. I don't get offended when people don't take my advice. I figure if they don't want to take it--that's their lost.
 

Monty

Brilliant...and Canadian
In the Parks
No
I freely offer advice to people I overhear talking about something they clearly don't understand. If someone is convinced that FPs "cost extra" or Disney Transport "costs extra" or is "only for Resort Guests", I'll volunteer the correct information. The only people who might be upset by that [other than Agent86 and albino_pygmy :rolleyes:] would be someone deliberately lying to their group to avoid something they personally don't want to do... I have no issue with exposing their lie! :lol:

There is no comparison between exposing the plot to a movie and providing helpful advice to a newcomer. If someone is obstinate and wants to fly by the seat of their pants in WDW, more power to them, but the majority of people are gracious when provided with information that will save them time, money or heartache. The concept of being a good Samaritan should never be lost, lest we also lose a part of our humanity.
 

fosse76

Well-Known Member
I hate to say it, but in all likelihood, the wife was probably just being polite by "taking in" the information, and the husband was probably just more blunt. Personally, when I go on vacation, I like to plan to a certain extent, but I also enjoy playing things by ear and being spontaneous. I know a lot of members of these boards can't comprehend how someone could take a trip to WDW without planning out every last detail and reading every guidebook they can get their hands on. But believe it or not, it is possible to just "wing it" at WDW and still have a fantastic time. I've known countless people who have done just that. I also have personally been in situations where I'm traveling somewhere and have already done the extent of pre-planning that I wish to do, and I get stuck having to listen to some "expert" on the place I'm visiting going on and on about the things I "have to do" and "can't miss" (usually I seem to be stuck next to this person on the plane). To me, that's kind of like someone ruining the ending of a movie before I've seen it.

I have to agree. When I go next week (first time without free dining), I have absolutely no plans. I plan to wing it. Though I enjoyed the dining plan when I had it (for free), I found it restricted my mobility too much. I don't want to have to plan to be at a specific park at a specific time. I have a vague idea of attractions I want to experience, but have no itemized listing of when to do it.

My best example was my one and only trip to the Animal Kingdom in November. I arrived around 11:00am, and immediately got a FP for Kilimanjaro Safaris. But I was starving, so instead of having an early lunch, I had a bagel. Instead of scarfing it down to squeeze in an attraction or two before the safari, I ate slowly, taking in the atmosphere around me. It drizzled a little bit, and by the time I got to KS ALL the animals were out, and many kept blocking the road so the vehicles had to stop. It was the BEST time I had on the safari. I spent an hour watching a gorilla by the safari exhit...no one else joined me there. It was very relaxing and calming. The rest of the day was exactly like that. I didn't rush to do anything, I just played it by ear. I went through ALL the walkthrough exhibits at a leisurely pace, I went on most of the rides, and I went on the PlanetWatch for the first time. The reason I didn't return to DAK that trip was because the day was so perfect that I felt another trip during my visit would have ruined that experience. Every other time I visit DAK I had a specific plan of things to do that I couldn't just enjoy being there because I was too busy trying to get everything in.

With Epcot, the only attraction with a significant wait is Soarin', so I FP it and do everything else first. Since I usually do Epcot in the evenings, I usually get everything done I want to do in the one visit. During this same trip, I had pretty much done everything I WANTED to do by the end of the third day, so I had no idea what to do on the fourth and fifth days. It was pretty much a "rinse and repeat" at the MK, Epcot and DHS. So I literally would go to one park, go on a few attractions, and then go to another park. Where I went depended on what mood I was in and for what. It worked out nicely.
 

Montyboy

New Member
If someone wants to save me time, trouble or money, I'm all for it.

There is a big difference between ruining the end of a movie and telling someone the monorail is free to all guests. But I’m funny about learning from the experiences of others.
 
I freely offer advice to people I overhear talking about something they clearly don't understand. If someone is convinced that FPs "cost extra" or Disney Transport "costs extra" or is "only for Resort Guests", I'll volunteer the correct information. The only people who might be upset by that [other than Agent86 and albino_pygmy :rolleyes:] would be someone deliberately lying to their group to avoid something they personally don't want to do... I have no issue with exposing their lie! :lol:

There is no comparison between exposing the plot to a movie and providing helpful advice to a newcomer. If someone is obstinate and wants to fly by the seat of their pants in WDW, more power to them, but the majority of people are gracious when provided with information that will save them time, money or heartache. The concept of being a good Samaritan should never be lost, lest we also lose a part of our humanity.

I would not be upset if you helped someone out by correcting misunderstood information. What I do see a problem is when you start listing all the tips and tricks off the top of your head and really bombard a total stranger with all your theme park knowledge. I've seen this happen many times before, really annoying other guests, and to top it all off, half of what they were suggesting was all wrong! I went to go appoligize to this person and correct what I overheard, and they pretty much ran away from me. I have no problem in striking up a conversation with someone and just have a friendly talk and mention little things here and there off to the side, rather than you unleashing everything you know in 5 minutes.
 

kadesha

New Member
During our recent trip we were at a table at Crystal Palace behind some first-timers. They were asking the waitress questions and she answered them all WRONG! They asked what they needed to do about evening EMH and she told them that they would need to get in line for a wristband. I turned around and said that that isn't necessary anymore, all you need to do is show your resort ID when you ride rides. They all gave me a dirty look and the waitress said "they'll need to get a wristband, I would know." She proceeded to answer 2 more questions wrong and when she walked away I turned to the people and gave them the correct answers. They looked at me like I was crazy, so I doubt they took my advice. I just wonder how long they walked around looking for the line for their wristband, and I hope they weren't too terribly disappointed when Donald Duck was not at LTT, and I hope they enjoyed their view of the fireworks from Mainstreet, where they most likely arrived 5 minutes ahead of time like the waitress suggested.
 

shmmrname

Active Member
I'm sure people MUST sometimes listen... but, there's always people that will scoff at the advice. I will say that I'm often listening to the many conversations around us on the bus, just to get an idea of plans/opinions. It's kind of like people-watching.....
 
They didnt really ask for the advice, so I can understand some people not digging you giving them unsolicited information even if its good.

My girlfriend likes to plan the trips pretty hardcore. She enjoys it and its part of the fun of having a trip for her. She makes the spreadsheet, all that stuff. I prefer none of that. I like some very vague schedules, for example "Magic Kingdom to start this day". Thats probably good enough for me. I can wing it from there.

So I guess, dont sweat it. I dont think they were trying to be rude or anything like that.
 
I often get asked for information, advice and directions while in the parks. I almost always wear a Guest Name Tag [similar to a CM Name Tag, but coloured instead of white]. People regularly assume I'm a CM. If I can answer, I do. I do make sure if they have kids that I point out that I'm not a CM, some parents have tried to tell their kids to look for someone with a Name Tag "just like this man" - I'm always quick to correct that.

I chat with folks in lines all the time and often get thanked for any information I provide.

Just out of curiosity, you do this name tag just for people to come and ask you for information about Disney parks? Or is it because the group you travel with does this? Or you work for Disney it some way other than CM? Help im confused:)
 
Just out of curiosity, you do this name tag just for people to come and ask you for information about Disney parks? Or is it because the group you travel with does this? Or you work for Disney it some way other than CM? Help im confused:)

I was wondering that myself, and also frown upon guests who use those guest nametags and wear them proudly in the parks and act like a CM. Those were ment to be souvenirs worn outside the parks. If you want to wear something with your name on it, go get some ears.

I doubt they're a CM, because if a CM were to visit the parks, they'd try to blend in as much as possible so they can enjoy themselves without having to 'work,' Trust me, I know ;)
 

George

Liker of Things
Premium Member
I strike up conversations with people and have given advice when appropriate. I don't download all the info accrued from 35 years of WDW visiting all at once. :lol:

I was wondering that myself, and also frown upon guests who use those guest nametags and wear them proudly in the parks and act like a CM. Those were ment to be souvenirs worn outside the parks. If you want to wear something with your name on it, go get some ears.

I doubt they're a CM, because if a CM were to visit the parks, they'd try to blend in as much as possible so they can enjoy themselves without having to 'work,' Trust me, I know ;)

I disagree with you on the nametag thing. You bought it. Wear it where you want. Plus, any confusion about whether or not you're a CM is quickly rectified by telling a guest to look for the white nametag. I also have never seen groups of people wearing their nametage, chests puffed out, proudly proclaiming that they are giving knowledge out to all the unknowing, illiterates.
 

kc1296426

Active Member
I often get asked for information, advice and directions while in the parks. I almost always wear a Guest Name Tag [similar to a CM Name Tag, but coloured instead of white]. People regularly assume I'm a CM. If I can answer, I do. I do make sure if they have kids that I point out that I'm not a CM, some parents have tried to tell their kids to look for someone with a Name Tag "just like this man" - I'm always quick to correct that.

I chat with folks in lines all the time and often get thanked for any information I provide.
What's a Guest Name Tag, and where do you get one? :confused:
 

krankenstein

Well-Known Member
I was wondering that myself, and also frown upon guests who use those guest nametags and wear them proudly in the parks and act like a CM. Those were ment to be souvenirs worn outside the parks. If you want to wear something with your name on it, go get some ears.

I doubt they're a CM, because if a CM were to visit the parks, they'd try to blend in as much as possible so they can enjoy themselves without having to 'work,' Trust me, I know ;)

So wait, let me get this straight, you buy those name tags to where somewhere besides WDW? :brick:

If Disney didn't want you to where them in the parks, they wouldn't sell them. :hammer:
 
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