Not Following DisneyWorld Suggestions out of Spite?

[muse1983]

Lock

Last year 6 family members from my mothers side of the family decided to take a 3 weeks vacation to WDW. Knowing what a huge Disney dork I am they came to me for trip advice. Well to make a long story short, frequent e-mails and a 6 page word document later they ignored every single small tip I gave them and then complained about how "miserable" they were the entire time they were there. I'm still trying to figure out why they refused to take into account anything I suggested....

 

[Mr. Morrow]

First of all please don't take this post as me whining but I can't help be bothered by it and wondering if this has ever happened to any of you guys.

Friends of our left for DisneyWorld last week to stay for a week, they have a 3 year old son. I am a DisneyWorld fanatic, I stay on the forums, read all of the books and get excited at the smallest changes and unique happenings in all of the parks (much like 99% of you here do). So I suggested a few things to them (they hadnt been in over 15 years), places to make reservations to eat, suggestions for days to visit the park, shows to not miss especially for their 3 year old son (for example I told them to not miss the Finding Nemo show in AK, their son LOVES Nemo.)

Anyways they are heading back today and basically did everything the exact opposite to what I suggested. They didnt make a single reservation (and had to wait due to it), went to MK on Monday(and it was extremely busy) and blatantly refused to go see the Nemo show at AK.(which honestly made me angry, their son would have LOVED it). I just found it odd that they did everything exactly different from what I had suggested.

Has this ever happened to someone when trying to help someone out when visiting Disney?...

Yes people are stupid :shrug:

 

[xdan0920]

My advice to you:

Do not give out advice to others concerning WDW. It is an exercise in futility. Unless someone has a pretty good understanding of the amount of planning involved with having a really great Disney Vacation, they will be hesitant to heed advice from someone who in their eyes is way over thinking things.

 

[bgraham34]

Welcome to my world, I know the pain. especially my family will not listen to what i have to say. Then they come back and complain they could not get any dining reservations. Well if you had listened to me then it would have been fine.

 

[UberPlannerMom]

Yeah- a friend of mine recently went to WDW. When she announced she was going I told her we had done tons of research into when to go to certain attractions to get the shortest lines, things about the kids,etc. and if she would like any of that info to let me know since going with kids is so different from going without kids. YIKES! You would have thought I called her a big dummy and stole her boyfriend... I got the nastiest reply about how she knows enough about Disney without me. It was one of those responses that makes you say fine I will never help you again! UGH!:fork:

 

[UberPlannerMom]

My advice to you:

Do not give out advice to others concerning WDW. It is an exercise in futility. Unless someone has a pretty good understanding of the amount of planning involved with having a really great Disney Vacation, they will be hesitant to heed advice from someone who in their eyes is way over thinking things.

Oh my goodness you are so right. My mother-in-law told my hubby last trip that she would never go on a trip with me because I plan things and it is too stressful to actually decide in advance where you will eat. It made him really apprehensive about the trip... afterwards he told me he didn't know Disney could be so fun and that it was great to know that at a certain time we would sit down, if he got drenched he had dry clothes, what park he would be going to each day, etc. He thought the planning made the trip less stressful... go figure! And now he is the one who says we will never take his family with us on vacation because they don't know how to plan!:ROFLOL:

 

[rsoxguy]

I have experienced this a few times. Quite honestly, it has never bothered me in the least. I have always believed that recreation is enjoyed individually. A hundred people can go to WDW on the same day, and they can all leave with different experiences while still maintaining the same level of joy and satisfaction at the end of the day. Offering advice is a nice gesture of kindness and concern, but it should always be offered with an understanding that it may not be heeded.

 

[muse1983]

im glad im not the only one in this boat then haha

 

[mickeysshoes]

I have not had this exactly but I understand how you feel. I have helped several people with how to book a vacation, answer questions about resorts and the dining plan. What there is to do and stuff like that...give them links to check things out and help them plan. To find out later that they changed their mind for what ever reason. What a complete waste of my time and effort. :hammer:

 

[sweetpee_1993]

If I give advice to someone and they don't take it to heart that's their decision. I don't usually get mad about that.

Several years ago a coworker mentioned he was taking his family to WDW for their first trip. I asked the obvious questions (what hotel, what ADRs, etc.) but he just blew me off saying his wife handled all the planning. He got back from his trip and told us all about how he hated it & how miserable they were the whole time. Everything was too expensive including parking, they couldn't get into any restaurants, and the crowds were brutal. Every day they'd be so exhausted from the heat & crowds after arriving late because they slept in & stayed off-site that they'd leave early never seeing any night time shows or anything. I knew even before asking that the wife must not have known what she was doing. I explained that the proper planning makes all the difference but they were so put off by their experience they never want to go back. Oh well. :shrug:

On the flip side, I spent hours and hours with our dearest family friends helping them plan for their trip the week after Easter in 2009 (crowds of historical proportions that year). They listened to every word I said, the wife spent many more hours reading the books I suggested, created touring plans, etc. Even in that crazy time they had the trip of a lifetime. They did everything they wanted and then some. It was so rewarding when they came back & shared all their pics and excitement with me.

I've also helped a fellow Cabbage Patch collector I "know" from the online club we belong to. Many many emails and help with all the details and same thing. She came back so jazzed with pictures and stories to share. It was awesome!

I've helped friends & family so many times. I love doing that stuff. A few times I've been asked "What do I owe you for your time?" My payment comes when they get back and share their adventures with me thru pictures and stories of all the fun they had. That's the best part!

 

[RiversideBunny]

People listen when their ears are open.

 

[Tomi-Rocket]

I'm not sure that person was much of a friend to begin with! :fork:

Yeah- a friend of mine recently went to WDW. When she announced she was going I told her we had done tons of research into when to go to certain attractions to get the shortest lines, things about the kids,etc. and if she would like any of that info to let me know since going with kids is so different from going without kids. YIKES! You would have thought I called her a big dummy and stole her boyfriend... I got the nastiest reply about how she knows enough about Disney without me. It was one of those responses that makes you say fine I will never help you again! UGH!:fork:

 

[Master Yoda]

Just learn these three words for when they complain about their trip to you.

"Told you so"

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Just learn these three words for when they complain about their trip to you.

"Told you so"

:ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL:

Yeah! Neener Neener Neeee-neeeer!!!! :lol:

 

[GMRO]

Yea I hear ya! Wife and I have been to the world 12 times in the last 15 years. We don't know it all...but we have a pretty good understanding of what works and what don't.

I always enjoy the folks who ask you for advice and maybe 1 to 2 mins into your suggestions they start to talk about something totally different. Personally I've learned to just deal with it. I don't even go back to the conversation or try to help...I just let it drop where it ended. If they don't want to enhance their experience and listen to folks who know a bit about it - that's their choice. Just as we decide to ask on boards like this and gather more info to help us enjoy and live the magic more.

Don't fret. Maybe they won't go back per the poor experience they had...and that will just shorten the lines for folks like US! I’ll take B2B rides on SM any time!!!

Good thread!

 

[Martian Crab]

Imagine the gall, wanting to plan their own vacation! What's wrong with these people?! Seriously...Isn't exploring and discovering the parks with your family part of the fun? Sure you could save them some time here or there but there's something to be said for spontaneity.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

People want to discover places for themselves.

If I'm going someplace, I don't need elaborate tips either, just a few maybe, like 'this hotel is excellent, do see that show'. However well intended, most people prefer their own imperfect schedule to the perfect one of another.



Also, WDW nowadays requires military planning. We, obedient cattle that can't stay away, have been disciplined into abiding. Newcomers, or those that haven't been in two decades, or sane people in general, will just want to have a relaxed vacation, without tight schedules and lots of running around.

 

[DABIGCHEEZ]

You did your part and their decision was to do what THEY wanted to do for whatever reason. Why get upset over it?:shrug:

 

[mike10]

Same here with spontaneity we didn't plan a thing. We stop and ate when we got hungry sometimes it was at 3pm other times it was 2pm with sometimes not at all lol.

Never waited more than 20 mins in line, never had to wait to eat lol but then again the places I ate was the "fast service" places outside of Planet Hollywood and Rainforest Cafe.

But maybe it's because I went at the last two weeks of October. If you guys don't mind me asking but for this big planning trips when are you guys going to WDW?

 

[blackthidot]

If they see it...say the following...

Be mad at me
Beat me up


They will just do the opposite so you'll be fine.