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Post by bakerworld on Feb 3, 2024 14:43:07 GMT -5
I guess I would ask you if you had never been to WDW, do you still think planning WDW would be easier than the Outer Banks? Maybe you will still say ‘yes.’ Isn’t a trip to the Outer Banks something like 1)make a hotel reservation, 2)drive with stops at Starbucks or any fast food for bathroom breaks and a snack, 3) enjoy? Maybe there is a restaurant reservation or two. I’ve never been to the Outer Banks, but I feel like I could hop on a plane today, rent a car, and make that trip happen right now. Perhaps I’m oversimplifying this and overcomplicating WDW? I think for many , a trip to OBX is getting a rental home from Saturday-Saturday. Some rental homes have linen service, which costs extra. Otherwise you bring your own linens and towels. There isn’t pool/beach towels either, so bring those. Then many people cook, and rental kitchens are not amazing. You’re on an island and so if you want it, bring it. The nearest Walmart could be 1-2 hours away and it’s a 2 lane road most of the way. Restaurants may need reservations, but many of them don’t take reservations. So if you’re late, you’re waiting a hour with cranky kids. They also roll up the streets at 9pm, so you need to take care of evening entertainment yourself. We always go with family, which causes other issues. If you don’t like hanging at a pool or doing beach things, there isn’t much to do. Vacations are all complicated. You can plan as much or as little as you like. OMG! Yes!! And the cleaning!! Sometimes I would just say, F it, I'll pay the charge. Those vacations weren't vacations for me! Laundry!! Cooking!! Babysitting Tweens - on & off the sand cause no lifeguards. "Hey, don't those kids look far away." I can't swim like that. Riptides!! "Janet, you never come out at night. NO, cause I'm exhausted and sleeping." |
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Post by helenabear on Feb 3, 2024 14:43:34 GMT -5
Funny this showed in my feed yesterday  |
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Post by pooh bears mom on Feb 4, 2024 7:49:34 GMT -5
I hate the genie plus system. I have paid for it and still only gotten two rides. It stinks. I have no problem with dining reservations, but genie plus - it stinks.
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Post by WDWGoof on Feb 4, 2024 11:48:04 GMT -5
Gone are the days of a relaxed Disney. Last week, Hubby took one for the team and agreed to a sit down restaurant (torture for Mr. antsy who can’t sit that long). I make the reservation in our room and head out to the Turf Club. Show up to check in. She asks for my phone number. I give but also ask why she needs it. Says to be notified when table is ready. Tell her I don’t have a phone so will have to notify me a different way. I get told I “have to have a phone.” Nope, what’s plan B? She walks away, literally shaking her head and mumbling. We then watch her seating everyone else who showed up after us until hubby and I were the only ones standing there, being ignored. I walk up and ask if our table is ready to which now two cast Members are lecturing us that Disney requires cell phones. In total disbelief, I asked her if she’s done and can we have our table now. She walks us to a half filled room to an empty table. Dinner ruined cause we are ticked off being degraded and treated that way. This is with me knowing Disney. Can you imagine how newbies who are unfamiliar with a lot more may be treated?
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Post by Eeyorelover22 on Feb 5, 2024 6:56:36 GMT -5
Funny timing of this post.... As most of you know, my wife owns a travel agency that specializes in Disney travel. From a travel agent perspective, its a nightmare trying to explain to WDW newbies all the things you need to do and learn for their Disney vacation. Just last night, I went with her to a new clients home to go over there May WDW vacation. (Yes, my wife makes house calls with clients. That's why she is the best!) This vacation is for a family of 4, plus the grandparents. She (and I) spent two hours going over the app, genie, lightning lanes, virtual queues, park hopping, dining planning, etc. The look of confusion on her clients faces said it all. But at the end of her visit, they mostly seemed to get a grasp of everything. I have an email sitting in my in-box from a friend who is going with her family for the 2nd time. They are a family of 4 with 2 boys. She went probably 5-6 years ago and everything is different for her as far as planning. She has asked lots of questions from the very beginning which was back in Sept/Oct time frame when they were looking at resorts and airfare. Her comment in the email was that she watched lots of videos to gain knowledge and it’s conflicting and she’s asking me for advice on very specific park plans. It came in on Thursday I think and I responded to her that I received it, but I had to wait to give it proper thought and a coherent thought because we had some major events going on at the end of last week and I was too distracted to give it the proper attention. It is their 2nd trip and probably their last due to the cost, not to mention how complicated things seem. Those are her words, not mine. I sort of believe Disney has made it more complicated on purpose to profit off of the non planner  One example is the dining plan and people leaving snack credits left which is money in their pocket. No research on VQ, Genie+ and ILL which can give them more money in their pockets. People don’t know about rope dropping, etc etc etc. We were at AoA meeting my nephew and his wife’s extended family. While sitting there my niece’s brother asks a question about the dining plan (I really have no idea how different this is now…won’t ever use it) and he’s not sure if his quick service works on the first day. We brought my nephew, niece and 2 sons and my parents subs from Earl of Sandwich so they didn’t have to worry about it. The niece looked to me to confirm and I said that I thought it started on check-in day, but nothing on check out day. They are a group of 16. 8 grandkids of my niece’s parents. Cannot imagine that planning; it still gives me hives! |
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Post by swat08 on Feb 5, 2024 13:52:50 GMT -5
Gone are the days of a relaxed Disney. Last week, Hubby took one for the team and agreed to a sit down restaurant (torture for Mr. antsy who can’t sit that long). I make the reservation in our room and head out to the Turf Club. Show up to check in. She asks for my phone number. I give but also ask why she needs it. Says to be notified when table is ready. Tell her I don’t have a phone so will have to notify me a different way. I get told I “have to have a phone.” Nope, what’s plan B? She walks away, literally shaking her head and mumbling. We then watch her seating everyone else who showed up after us until hubby and I were the only ones standing there, being ignored. I walk up and ask if our table is ready to which now two cast Members are lecturing us that Disney requires cell phones. In total disbelief, I asked her if she’s done and can we have our table now. She walks us to a half filled room to an empty table. Dinner ruined cause we are ticked off being degraded and treated that way. This is with me knowing Disney. Can you imagine how newbies who are unfamiliar with a lot more may be treated? Reading this got me angry for you lol! They didn't need to do head shaking, mumbling, and lecturing. Guess she thought she was punishing you by making you wait longer than the others. I didn't know they actually "required" it. You were very patient! |
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Post by baymaxfan on Feb 5, 2024 15:29:40 GMT -5
Funny timing of this post.... As most of you know, my wife owns a travel agency that specializes in Disney travel. From a travel agent perspective, its a nightmare trying to explain to WDW newbies all the things you need to do and learn for their Disney vacation. Just last night, I went with her to a new clients home to go over there May WDW vacation. (Yes, my wife makes house calls with clients. That's why she is the best!) This vacation is for a family of 4, plus the grandparents. She (and I) spent two hours going over the app, genie, lightning lanes, virtual queues, park hopping, dining planning, etc. The look of confusion on her clients faces said it all. But at the end of her visit, they mostly seemed to get a grasp of everything. I have an email sitting in my in-box from a friend who is going with her family for the 2nd time. They are a family of 4 with 2 boys. She went probably 5-6 years ago and everything is different for her as far as planning. She has asked lots of questions from the very beginning which was back in Sept/Oct time frame when they were looking at resorts and airfare. Her comment in the email was that she watched lots of videos to gain knowledge and it’s conflicting and she’s asking me for advice on very specific park plans. It came in on Thursday I think and I responded to her that I received it, but I had to wait to give it proper thought and a coherent thought because we had some major events going on at the end of last week and I was too distracted to give it the proper attention. It is their 2nd trip and probably their last due to the cost, not to mention how complicated things seem. Those are her words, not mine. I sort of believe Disney has made it more complicated on purpose to profit off of the non planner One example is the dining plan and people leaving snack credits left which is money in their pocket. No research on VQ, Genie+ and ILL which can give them more money in their pockets. People don’t know about rope dropping, etc etc etc. We were at AoA meeting my nephew and his wife’s extended family. While sitting there my niece’s brother asks a question about the dining plan (I really have no idea how different this is now…won’t ever use it) and he’s not sure if his quick service works on the first day. We brought my nephew, niece and 2 sons and my parents subs from Earl of Sandwich so they didn’t have to worry about it. The niece looked to me to confirm and I said that I thought it started on check-in day, but nothing on check out day. They are a group of 16. 8 grandkids of my niece’s parents. Cannot imagine that planning; it still gives me hives! I never even considered the Disney dining plan in when I started this post. That adds yet another layer of complexity. Maybe you are right. Maybe the concept is that greater than options/complexity, the increased likelihood that Genie+ and ILL will be purchased or the dining plan is not "optimized." Whatever the case, it seems like the parks have been very crowded recently so the complexity is clearly not scaring away very many people. |
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Post by fuzzylogic on Feb 5, 2024 19:44:23 GMT -5
I never even considered the Disney dining plan in when I started this post. That adds yet another layer of complexity. Maybe you are right. Maybe the concept is that greater than options/complexity, the increased likelihood that Genie+ and ILL will be purchased or the dining plan is not "optimized." Whatever the case, it seems like the parks have been very crowded recently so the complexity is clearly not scaring away very many people. I think this post sums things up nicely. "optimized". It's hard for a planner to think that someone else could enjoy something without the level of planning or optimization that you put in. Example: Dining Plan. You: Musssst maxxximize. Must squeeze every drop out and verify if I'm saving $100 or losing $100. To you it is a tool to optimize. The other 99%: Dining plan? Cool... I can buy this now and not have to worry about food later. See the difference? You have to plan with this detailed optimizing and study. Most do not. Example: Southwest. I: Must check for deals. I literally check every day if I can save a point or two. I take many flights per year completely free because I, probly like you, am a planning guru. It comes easy to me and I enjoy it. Everyone else (and trust me... I've flown with lots of other people): Buy flights now? Ok done. They will not look back on it again until flight day unless I tell them. Most ppl just don't care about all this optimization. And Disney doesn't require it either. You can if you want, and even what you "can plan" is way lower than what I'd call the heyday of Disney planning around 5 years ago. But you definitely don't have to, and for most guests it really is much simpler. This "article" LOL said everyone needs a literal paid class to go to a theme park else they'll be dumbfounded, befuddled, and unable to get to a park on a bus. And that's just not true. |
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Post by baymaxfan on Feb 5, 2024 22:40:04 GMT -5
I never even considered the Disney dining plan in when I started this post. That adds yet another layer of complexity. Maybe you are right. Maybe the concept is that greater than options/complexity, the increased likelihood that Genie+ and ILL will be purchased or the dining plan is not "optimized." Whatever the case, it seems like the parks have been very crowded recently so the complexity is clearly not scaring away very many people. I think this post sums things up nicely. "optimized". It's hard for a planner to think that someone else could enjoy something without the level of planning or optimization that you put in. Example: Dining Plan. You: Musssst maxxximize. Must squeeze every drop out and verify if I'm saving $100 or losing $100. To you it is a tool to optimize. The other 99%: Dining plan? Cool... I can buy this now and not have to worry about food later. See the difference? You have to plan with this detailed optimizing and study. Most do not. Example: Southwest. I: Must check for deals. I literally check every day if I can save a point or two. I take many flights per year completely free because I, probly like you, am a planning guru. It comes easy to me and I enjoy it. Everyone else (and trust me... I've flown with lots of other people): Buy flights now? Ok done. They will not look back on it again until flight day unless I tell them. Most ppl just don't care about all this optimization. And Disney doesn't require it either. You can if you want, and even what you "can plan" is way lower than what I'd call the heyday of Disney planning around 5 years ago. But you definitely don't have to, and for most guests it really is much simpler. This "article" LOL said everyone needs a literal paid class to go to a theme park else they'll be dumbfounded, befuddled, and unable to get to a park on a bus. And that's just not true. I think there are plenty of people who enjoy trips without planning. In fact, I am one of them. Most of my vacations have very little planning (airfare and hotel only) and I enjoy those vacations just as much, if not more. I also agree that the article is way overboard. I didn't/don't necessarily agree with everything the article said. It was simply a post to touch on some of the confusion (or perceived confusion) that surrounds going to WDW. Many others chimed in with their anecdotal stories that support this concept. Is it the majority? Most probably not as WDW seems to have no problems getting people to go. An interesting poll would be for a family with children who have never been to WDW or go once every 10 years or so. I would genuinely like to know if they spent $5000+, 1) would want to experience as much as possible, 2) only want to hit the "big" things, or 3) don't care what they do/see. Of course, we'll never be able to do that poll as most everyone here does not fit into that category. |
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Post by brp on Feb 6, 2024 1:25:08 GMT -5
I never even considered the Disney dining plan in when I started this post. That adds yet another layer of complexity. Maybe you are right. Maybe the concept is that greater than options/complexity, the increased likelihood that Genie+ and ILL will be purchased or the dining plan is not "optimized." Whatever the case, it seems like the parks have been very crowded recently so the complexity is clearly not scaring away very many people. I think this post sums things up nicely. "optimized". It's hard for a planner to think that someone else could enjoy something without the level of planning or optimization that you put in. Example: Dining Plan. You: Musssst maxxximize. Must squeeze every drop out and verify if I'm saving $100 or losing $100. To you it is a tool to optimize. The other 99%: Dining plan? Cool... I can buy this now and not have to worry about food later. See the difference? You have to plan with this detailed optimizing and study. Most do not. Example: Southwest. I: Must check for deals. I literally check every day if I can save a point or two. I take many flights per year completely free because I, probly like you, am a planning guru. It comes easy to me and I enjoy it. Everyone else (and trust me... I've flown with lots of other people): Buy flights now? Ok done. They will not look back on it again until flight day unless I tell them. Most ppl just don't care about all this optimization. And Disney doesn't require it either. You can if you want, and even what you "can plan" is way lower than what I'd call the heyday of Disney planning around 5 years ago. But you definitely don't have to, and for most guests it really is much simpler. This "article" LOL said everyone needs a literal paid class to go to a theme park else they'll be dumbfounded, befuddled, and unable to get to a park on a bus. And that's just not true. Brilliant post. I am an optimizer. I'm the guy who checks flights to see if they've gone down in price and calls the airline. I do the same with hotels and rebook. I nuance all of my travel and am practically OCD about these things. And I fully realize that I'm not most people (my peeps can be found here, TUG and Flyertalk). But I know that we're not the norm.
I think that most people can "set it and forget it" and have a great time. To them, what I do would be stress. To me, it's what I enjoy and wonder how I had time to do before retirement. I track hotels and airline status on spreadsheets. Then I optimize the spreadsheets. Love this shit. Most don't.
Which is why, for example, DDP was one and done for us. I did run the numbers. I couldn't order what I wanted. Had to order that for the value proposition. Was it more food than I wanted? Sure. But the value proposition...
Most like the prepaid nature and certainty of the DDP and don't play these games. I'm a nerd. I can run the numbers of prepaid vs. As I Go.
BTW, the Happy Hour at STK in DS is the real deal for this.
Spot. On. Uber planning is not needed for most folks. Mole hill envisions its existence as mountain.
Cheers.
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Post by johnb on Feb 6, 2024 8:25:46 GMT -5
For me it's airfare, rental car vs. rideshare math (cost to rent vs. what we'll likely spend on Uber/Lyft), resort (if we're not using our DVC points, I tend to switch our resort and/or room category frequently) and Disney gift card discounts.
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billo
One Bedroom
Posts: 205
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Post by billo on Feb 6, 2024 9:37:16 GMT -5
She (and I) spent two hours going over the app, genie, lightning lanes, virtual queues, park hopping, dining planning, etc. The look of confusion on her clients faces said it all. I almost thought you were going to say, they considered cancelling. heh |
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Post by bakerworld on Feb 7, 2024 13:29:55 GMT -5
Gone are the days of a relaxed Disney. Last week, Hubby took one for the team and agreed to a sit down restaurant (torture for Mr. antsy who can’t sit that long). I make the reservation in our room and head out to the Turf Club. Show up to check in. She asks for my phone number. I give but also ask why she needs it. Says to be notified when table is ready. Tell her I don’t have a phone so will have to notify me a different way. I get told I “have to have a phone.” Nope, what’s plan B? She walks away, literally shaking her head and mumbling. We then watch her seating everyone else who showed up after us until hubby and I were the only ones standing there, being ignored. I walk up and ask if our table is ready to which now two cast Members are lecturing us that Disney requires cell phones. In total disbelief, I asked her if she’s done and can we have our table now. She walks us to a half filled room to an empty table. Dinner ruined cause we are ticked off being degraded and treated that way. This is with me knowing Disney. Can you imagine how newbies who are unfamiliar with a lot more may be treated? This really deserves an email to whomever. About 2 years ago I made a late dinner reservation for Cinderella's Castle. It was when the expense was decreased because it was character-less. We hadn't eaten at the Castle in like 15 years and I just missed the experience. My husband, who walks faster, got to check in before me and listened to the spiel about reservation not guaranteed due to the parade route. He immediately went ballistic. Now, if I gotten there in time it wouldn't have been an issue because I know it was a required warning. Sure enough they let us thru to the castle about 5 minutes later. I did explain it to him and he understood but he couldn't unhear. Still, I don't know how they could 'fix' that warning. It is what it is as we walked thru the parade route to get into the Castle. |
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Post by helenabear on Feb 7, 2024 20:06:40 GMT -5
Well I know some who just went for a day and felt it was too complicated. We tried to help before hand and were hoping to get the partner interested in Disney more. Total bust. Again I think the people here who are saying "you don't need to plan" really are just so good with going often and skipping if needed. Those on once in a lifetime or rare trips are not. It's a much bigger deal.
I do like looking for deals but I also know how to set up some alerts to make sure I don't miss some. It's about being a penny pincher and not at all related to one location of travel vs another.
I got way less annoyed booking a cruise than I do now helping others do Disney. If it were easy that meme I posted wouldn't be out there with so many people laughing in agreement.
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Post by fuzzylogic on Feb 7, 2024 22:03:42 GMT -5
Well I know some who just went for a day and felt it was too complicated. We tried to help before hand and were hoping to get the partner interested in Disney more. Total bust. Again I think the people here who are saying "you don't need to plan" really are just so good with going often and skipping if needed. Those on once in a lifetime or rare trips are not. It's a much bigger deal. Everyone here who is "so good with going often", got their start taking "once in a lifetime or rare trips".  You don't need to get someone interested in Disney more. That'd be like thinking you can teach them about... beekeeping... or model trains... or whatever... and just cuz you want it doesn't mean they will love it like you do. They will develop the passion for Disney if it's right for them. Let them go. Share with them what you love; not what they have to do. Inspire them more than make it complicated. "If you don't go at 7am, wait in line for the park, book this when you walk in, and diligently watch your phone to book at [blah blah]" is terrible advice. Why not... "go here, we love it because... and if you go early, you can get on a couple rides easy... then you can get lunch and get back to the hotel because the pool at your hotel has... I'm guessing G+ isn't what you love about Disney. If it's not, then why focus your conversations on that? It's like when someone asks you how was your day and you talk about the traffic. If you had 5 min to talk to someone about Disney would talk about the part you like least? Or how you love the people, the atmosphere, this ride in particular, and that one experience that made you so happy you still go back as an adult... |
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One example is the dining plan and people leaving snack credits left which is money in their pocket. No research on VQ, Genie+ and ILL which can give them more money in their pockets. People don’t know about rope dropping, etc etc etc. We were at AoA meeting my nephew and his wife’s extended family. While sitting there my niece’s brother asks a question about the dining plan (I really have no idea how different this is now…won’t ever use it) and he’s not sure if his quick service works on the first day. We brought my nephew, niece and 2 sons and my parents subs from Earl of Sandwich so they didn’t have to worry about it. The niece looked to me to confirm and I said that I thought it started on check-in day, but nothing on check out day. They are a group of 16. 8 grandkids of my niece’s parents. Cannot imagine that planning; it still gives me hives!
