Doing Disney the "wrong way"

[musketeer]

Before you jump all over the title, let me explain. Most people probably have many different opinions on the right way to do a disney trip, and they are all mostly true for each individual. But I think there is probably a common agreement amongst those on these boards as to the wrong way to do a disney trip. It is so frustrating when people do that, then complain about it after. I just heard from an acquaintance who went to disney for the first time. Very little research done, went in with very few plans. Didn't go on the Tower of Terror because one person doesn't like roller coasters. Didn't go on Soarin' because Star Tours made someone feel sick, and didn't want to go on another simulator. Didn't get to Hollywood Studios early and so never was able to get a fast pass for Toy Story Mania.

It's so hard to watch someone go there, knowing full well how it's going to turn out. Oh well.

 

[polynesiangirl]

I think the biggest mistake the first-timers I know make is trying to cram every single thing into a 4-day visit. Then they come back and complain that it was so crowded and they didn't see everything and that they were exhausted and crabby from running around all day in the heat.

WDW is a BIG place. I haven't even seen everything and I have been there eleven hundred times, hahaha.

 

[Tuvalu]

Think of it this way ~ those who have a terrible time will unlikely return, making the parks less crowded for those of us who can't wait to return!

 

[WWWD]

Going to Florida during the summer and complaining that it was too hot. It's Florida and you are on pavement all day long.

 

[LieutLaww]

Wait, Florida is a hot part of the US ? Who knew !!!!

 

[G8rchamps]

We are on our second set of AP's and have found a new joy in taking relative newbies on a planned day or two. Everyone is different, but you do have to be careful how much you try to cram into one day. We recently went for one day and hit MK rope drop right through to fireworks (dinner break at Poly)- too much in one day for sure.

 

[Killnme]

The wrong way to do Disney is not doing it my way. You should always have a plan of attack, walk briskly (if not stay to the side) have a meeting place, and lastly if the kid is getting tired get out of the park for a nap and come back.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I think "failure to research" and "failure to listen to sound advice" are the common denominators of every "Disney complainer" I've ever heard. I can't blame people for an initial failure to research -- people don't necessarily expect that they need to spend hours familiarizing themselves with park layouts, resorts, attractions,Florida weather, Disney reservation systems and in-park technologies just for "a simple vacation..." but if they've gotten "sound advice" to do the research and then ignored it, the fault lies with them!

I'm sure you've all heard the same things I have from returning vacationers who didn't have a good time, but here are the ones that have stuck out to me the most (and all from people who were given the facts by more seasoned visitors and should have "known better"):

"We like to sleep in on our vacation, so we never got to the parks before 11:00am, and we didn't bother with Fastpasses ahead of time, because we like to be spontaneous. We'll never go back because the lines were always so long!"

"We didn't really have much fun, since we're not 'ride people,' and there wasn't anything else to do."

"It was raining, so we stayed in our hotel room."

"We made sure to plan our trip for [insert major holiday here], because we figured most people would want to be home celebrating and that the parks would be deserted!"

"I had a terrible time and didn't get to do hardly anything, and I don't understand what happened, since I got all my advice from a seasoned travel agent, Katiebug..."

 

[Bugz]

Bottom line....enjoy yourself and
dont overlook the small things.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

I agree Bugz.

 

[ParentsOf4]

One that I've encountered multiple times:

Going between Christmas and New Years because they think it will be less crowded since, hey, it's a holiday and people stay home with their families.

I've been asked about this at least a dozen times and warned them away every single time. Only about half have taken my advice. One example sticks out.

A few years back, someone I only vaguely know asked me about vacationing at WDW during Christmas break. I politely explained to her that it's the worst week of the year, to be avoided at all costs. She did not believe me.

She said I didn't know what I was talking about. (Of course, I've been to WDW multiple times while she had never visited so how could I possibly know what I was talking about. ) She said people spend Christmas at home with their families; no one wants to go to an amusement park during Christmas. She said the crowds did not seem bad on TV last year during the Christmas parade.

I told her the parade is taped weeks before, after the Thanksgiving crowd leaves. She actually called me a liar.

A couple of weeks after she returned, I heard through a common acquaintance that her trip was a "disaster" and that she wished someone had told her what crowds were like.

 

[Matt_Black]

"We didn't really have much fun, since we're not 'ride people,' and there wasn't anything else to do."

Really? You have to be actively NOT LOOKING for things that aren't rides.

"I had a terrible time and didn't get to do hardly anything, and I don't understand what happened, since I got all my advice from a seasoned travel agent, Katiebug..."

UNMAGICAL!

 

[Stellajack]

I remember my very first trip when I actually knew so little about WDW that planning was difficult. We listened to those who related their good and bad experiences, used websites, the Unofficial Guide, and made our plans with the limited experience and knowledge that we had. Our first trip was awesome and fun, but it really laid the groundwork for the next trip, and the next, and the next, etc.! There isn't really much one can do to force another person to plan, but you just KNOW that they will miss out on a lot of fun.

 

[Arthur Wellesley]

One that I've encountered multiple times:

Going between Christmas and New Years because they think it will be less crowded since, hey, it's a holiday, and people stay home with their families.

I've been asked about this at least a dozen times and warned them away every single time. Only about half have taken my advice. One example sticks out.

A few years back, someone I only vaguely know asked me about vacationing at WDW during Christmas break. I politely explained to her that it's the worst week of the year, to be avoided at all costs. She did not believe me.

She said I didn't know what I was talking about. (Of course, I've been to WDW multiple times while she had never visited so how could I possibly know what I was talking about. ) She said people spend Christmas at home with their families; no one wants to go to an amusement park during Christmas. She said the crowds did not seem bad on TV last year during the Christmas parade.

I told her the parade is taped weeks before, after the Thanksgiving crowd leaves. She actually called me a liar.

A couple of weeks after she returned, I heard through a common acquaintance that her trip was a "disaster" and that she wished someone had told her what crowds were like.

I also find it ironic when someone complains about crowds...yet they are part of the crowds themselves.
If you are vacationing at WDW and are upset about the place being crowded...guess what...YOU are part of the problem. Don't blame the thousands of others who are there for the exact same reason you are.

I guess it goes back to that old saying: "You are not stuck in traffic. You ARE the traffic."

 

[Minthorne]

Isn't planning like 60% of the trip?

Although as a "frequent worlder" I find I can do a trip the "wrong" way now and enjoy it still. Of course only if I'm not with first timers or kids.

 

[Launchpad McQuack]

The only true "wrong way" I can really think of is people I know who avoid Magic Kingdom because that's the "kid park," even though they have never been there.

I have a friend who went recently to Universal and decided to do one Disney park. He and his wife did DHS because that's the one that seemed like it had the most stuff he'd be interested in (beer, Star Tours, Muppets, ToT, RnRC). When we were talking about the other parks, he was like "why would an adult with no kids go to Magic Kingdom? Is there anything to even do there?" Another guy and I were both like "Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain... pretty much everything people mention when they talk about Disney World." I don't think MK needs to be everyone's favorite park, but it shouldn't be completely written off as a "kids only" place, either.

 

[bethymouse]

A wrong way would be for a 1st timer not to take advantage of the "chat" experience on the website. Also, a "newbie" needs to think about getting the free planning DVD. It is helpful. Although it has "bugs", the My Disney Experience app is good.

 

[EOD K9]

One that I've encountered multiple times:

Going between Christmas and New Years because they think it will be less crowded since, hey, it's a holiday and people stay home with their families.

I've been asked about this at least a dozen times and warned them away every single time. Only about half have taken my advice. One example sticks out.

A few years back, someone I only vaguely know asked me about vacationing at WDW during Christmas break. I politely explained to her that it's the worst week of the year, to be avoided at all costs. She did not believe me.

She said I didn't know what I was talking about. (Of course, I've been to WDW multiple times while she had never visited so how could I possibly know what I was talking about. ) She said people spend Christmas at home with their families; no one wants to go to an amusement park during Christmas. She said the crowds did not seem bad on TV last year during the Christmas parade.

I told her the parade is taped weeks before, after the Thanksgiving crowd leaves. She actually called me a liar.

A couple of weeks after she returned, I heard through a common acquaintance that her trip was a "disaster" and that she wished someone had told her what crowds were like.

I'll be going on a DCL cruise in December and going to the parks for NYE. I know exactly what I am getting into. I have been there enough that I don't have to hit the rides. For me, it will be about taking in the holiday ambiance.

 

[rsoxguy]

It is so frustrating when people do that, then complain about it after.

Here's the thing, oh noble musketeer. Life has always been about living the way that each individual perceives as best. It doesn't mean that everyone is always correct regarding all things, but individuality stands as a principle regardless. When dealing with the triviality that is WDW, it is best to know that some people wouldn't plan properly for a wedding, let alone a vacation. In any case, some will enjoy themselves throughout life with or without so-called proper planning, and others will always find misery during the best of times. Your place in all of this? Enjoy your own adventure and concern yourself less with the journeys of others.

 

[ParentsOf4]

I'll be going on a DCL cruise in December and going to the parks for NYE. I know exactly what I am getting into. I have been there enough that I don't have to hit the rides. For me, it will be about taking in the holiday ambiance.

It's not a matter of going during Christmas week as long as you know what you're getting yourself into. It's a matter of those who don't know much about WDW thinking it will be less crowded because it's a holiday that others will spend at home with family. As I sometimes explain to them:

"If you plan to spend this family holiday in Orlando, why do you think others are not doing the same?"

Going to WDW for Christmas and New Years because someone thinks WDW will be less crowded definitely is "Doing Disney the wrong way."