Can this vacation be salvaged??

[Dsnylvr8]

Friends of mine just booked a trip to Disney for December 26- Jan. 3rd. They have both been a couple times before, but don't plan things and aren't the type to research things online. I tried explaining to them how that is the busiest week of the year, but they don't seem to truly get how it might affect their vacation. What can i do to help them so that they don't find themselves waiting 6 hours a day and have only been on 3 rides? Have any of you had friends/family like this?

ETA: They had a choice of the first week of December, the last week in January or the week that they chose(Dec. 26-Jan3rd). I told them either of the other two would be better, but they said " They want to go the week of Christmas/New years because they heard it is more fun that week than the other weeks"

 

[A Mickeyfan]

If that is when they have their dates set, you cannot do anything about it for them, except when they come home a nice little "told you so" ..but that isn't very nice to do to friends. They will have to learn the hard way, and they will not do it again if they find it that bad. There are many that go then and they deal with it.. maybe your friends might be in that group.. You cannot tell someone when to go or not go.. you can advise and that is what you have done.. In my opinion, leave it alone

 

[CanadianPaco]

I think it's nice that you want to spare them the agony they may face but sometimes there are lessons you have to learn on your own.

We're going at Christmas but I am a savvy planner - rope drop, touring plans, FPs. We know to expect crowds but also want to see the fun of a DIsney Christmas.
Good luck!

 

[starstruck93]

LOL! Oh My.... Yeah, they sound pretty hard headed. It sounds like they may have to learn the hard way... you know... by waiting in line for 2+ hours for Soarin! I'm guessing that they do not have ADRs either right? Yes.... never has DH ever appreciated me so much as the night of MVMCP when we bypassed the 50+ people in line at Crystal Palace trying to get a walk-up ressie. I think I might consider sending them a few links to some threads from the Dis where people discuss the crowd levels for that particular week.... preferably the threads with posts where people use this little guy alot! Good luck.... but it sounds like they may have their mind made up! HTH! April

 

[canopynut66]

Friends of mine just booked a trip to Disney for December 26- Jan. 3rd. They have both been a couple times before, but don't plan things and aren't the type to research things online. I tried explaining to them how that is the busiest week of the year, but they don't seem to truly get how it might affect their vacation. What can i do to help them so that they don't find themselves waiting 6 hours a day and have only been on 3 rides? Have any of you had friends/family like this?

ETA: They had a choice of the first week of December, the last week in January or the week that they chose(Dec. 26-Jan3rd). I told them either of the other two would be better, but they said " They want to go the week of Christmas/New years because they heard it is more fun that week than the other weeks"

Wish them well as have been there "once" during that time and can see the same things form November on and half the crowds. All you can do is advise them

 

[mdsoccermom]

Did they ask for your help? If not, then who cares? It's their trip. Maybe it won't matter one bit to them to wait on lines and ride fewer rides. Maybe they'll be happy just being there.

It's quite arrogant for you to assume they'll be miserable and will only be happy with your help.

 

[d1gitman]

here we go again....

in case you forgot, it's their trip, which means you don't have to worry about a single thing.

plan/no-plans, research/no-research, peak season/value season....it doesn't matter....it's possible to have a great trip under any combination of those circumstances and in fact, people do!

maybe their way doesn't work for you but lucky for you, it's not your trip.

 

[DbleTheFun]

yup, I agree with above posters... no "Vacation to be salvaged"... it may be the exact trip they want. Maybe they want to go with the flow, people watch and got caught up in the madness (Albeit magical) that is Christmas week at WDW. Luckily for you, it's not your concern since you arent going with them.

Wish them a great trip, and look forward to hearing about it upon their return. It could turn out it's exactly what THEY wanted.

 

[Dsnylvr8]

Did they ask for your help? If not, then who cares? It's their trip. Maybe it won't matter one bit to them to wait on lines and ride fewer rides. Maybe they'll be happy just being there.

It's quite arrogant for you to assume they'll be miserable and will only be happy with your help.

here we go again....

in case you forgot, it's their trip, which means you don't have to worry about a single thing.

plan/no-plans, research/no-research, peak season/value season....it doesn't matter....it's possible to have a great trip under any combination of those circumstances and in fact, people do!

maybe their way doesn't work for you but lucky for you, it's not your trip.

Actually, they have asked for my help several times, since they know i go to Disney several times a year. The frustrating part is that they ask, but then don't listen to the advice. They don't want to make ADR's because they dont want to be tied down to a certain place/time. They don't like getting up early on vacation so they don't want to go to RD. They keep basically saying, we don't like those suggesting, what else can we do.

So yes, they have been asking for my help. But thanks for calling me Arrogant for wanting to help my friends.

 

[Dsnylvr8]

yup, I agree with above posters... no "Vacation to be salvaged"... it may be the exact trip they want. Maybe they want to go with the flow, people watch and got caught up in the madness (Albeit magical) that is Christmas week at WDW. Luckily for you, it's not your concern since you arent going with them.

Wish them a great trip, and look forward to hearing about it upon their return. It could turn out it's exactly what THEY wanted.

That would be great for them if they wanted to "go with the flow and people watch" but they don't. They are normally thrill ride types, and go to Six Flags alot. They have been talking about how excited they are to ride all of the big rides, ToT, RnR, EE ect. I'm trying to think of ways to help them.

 

[mdsoccermom]

Actually, they have asked for my help several times, since they know i go to Disney several times a year. The frustrating part is that they ask, but then don't listen to the advice. They don't want to make ADR's because they dont want to be tied down to a certain place/time. They don't like getting up early on vacation so they don't want to go to RD. They keep basically saying, we don't like those suggesting, what else can we do.

So yes, they have been asking for my help. But thanks for calling me Arrogant for wanting to help my friends.

Then if they don't like those suggestions, then they don't like them. Advice is not mandatory to take.

And yes, it's arrogant to assume that if they don't do it your way, they will have a miserable time.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

If they have asked for your help, you can make the suggestions but that's all you can do...give them the suggestions and guide them. If they don't take it then its up to them. You have help them and its off your hands b/c its their vacation and they want to do what they want so I would not get so stress over it.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Don't waste your time on them. Do not help them plan and do not try to convince them to plan anything. My best advice would be to ignore thier calls that week and let them roll to VM. delete the messages without checking them. I suspect you might get more than a few "I hate disney" calls that week from them. If you don't hear from them then assume they had what they consider a good time.

When they tell you about your trip and tell you all they did at AK was the Safari and walked by Dinoland just smile and nod. When they mention going to MK and not riding Hautned Mansion, Pirates of the Carribean, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan's Flight, It's a Small World, Space Mtn, Buzz LIghtyear SpaceRanger Spin, etc just nod and smile. When they say Epcot, well we just skipped that altogether we didn't have time, we really like the room and wanted to walk around at DTD, just nod and smile. When they tell you they never made RD and skipped the parade and fireworks to swim,.......nod and smile. When they tell you how much they loved the food and never ate anywhere but the food court.......nod and smile. Get the picture? and yes everyone one of those examples are real from a co worker of mine who begged me to plan thier trip and then promptly ignored my advice this summer. But you know what? She fell in love with Disney and talks non stop about going back. Guess that food court at CBR and the pool are really that awesome.

 

[bdkane]

Maybe you can find a picture of a holiday week line... a 2 hour wait holiday week line, oh yeah... one with parents tending to some youger children after 2-3 hours in line... you know what they say - "A picture is worth a thousand words"

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

OP as nice as it is of you to want to help your friends, you can only do so much for them. Since they have already been a few times they know what Disney is all about and I'm guessing they have their own vacation style. If I were you I would prepare a list of which parks have EMH for the days they are there, write down the times for them, which rides are must-do's, which to FP, which restaurants need ADR's etc. all the info. you think they may need. The next time they ask for your help just give them this sheet of paper and you are DONE! What they do with it is up to them. Do not stress about something that is not yours (the vacation) and you have no control over. Save your planning for your own trip.

 

[Dsnylvr8]

I think i will just have to let them go, even though i feel bad, my friend recently lost her job and i know they spent alot on this trip, so i want them to have a good time. The last time either of them went was when they were kids. Around 10 or 11, so i'm afraid they don't have the best idea of what Disney is like. Oh well, you live and you learn! Maybe they will be more receptive to ideas when they plan their second trip!

 

[hill6]

Simply wish them luck and wait to hear the complaints. I loved it there at Christmas, but you pay a premium to be there and you deal with tremendous crowds.

 

[BradyBz12]

If you decide to try and pass along some info...

Single busiest week of the entire year at WDW. Capacity closures are common. For a good idea of what that looks like, check out the photos on THIS THREAD.

FWIW, this past year MK closed 4 days Christmas week - almost always around 11-11:30 a.m. On 3 days it reopened around 3-3:30, the other day was NYE and it reopened at 9:30pm

HS and AK both closed one day each - pretty close to the same times. I didn't read any reports of EP closing.

You're definitely in better shape staying onsite, and this is good info to have...

The turnstile master computer at each park keeps track of both entries and exits. When a park capacity closes (which is done in stages) there has to be a certain number of people exiting, with the total "in park" below a certain number, before they start allowing people in again.

I am low enough on the totem pole that I have no idea what these numbers are.

There are four stages to park closing:

Stage 1 - The parking lot entrance is closed. You can only access the park if you are using Disney Transportation.

Stage 2 - The ticket windows are all closed (and the automated Ticket Vending Machines are turned off). Unless you already have a ticket you cannot get in.

Stage 3 - Only people with Annual Passes or current Resort IDs will be allowed in.

Stage 4 - Nobody is allowed in.

Note - having restaurant reservations in a park, even with written proof, will not override a stage closing for you.

Also, if you are staying at a Disney owned and operated Resort and have a ticket, you are guaranteed entry into A park. Not necessarily the one you want (unless you want to go into AK). And if you have entered and left a park and do not have a hopper you may not get into anything.

The keys to crazybusy times at WDW...

4. Rope Drop
3. Fast Pass
2. Good Touring Plan

...and the #1 key to having a great time at WDW with thousands of your new best friends??

1. Good attitude and realistic expectations

Top 3 things to ruin a WDW vacation during crazybusy times...
3. Not making a plan and thinking you'll be able to just "wing it" and do everything you want without ADRs or a clue
2. Not being ok with standing in masses of people or waiting in lines for rides/shopping/food/bathrooms.
1. Expecting to "do it all"

Go expecting it to be crowded and having to wait in line and being prepared and ok with that.

Go with your short list of "must dos" and consider everything else a bonus.

Go with the attitude that you're just going to have a wonderful time just BEING AT WDW!

 

[Elliott]

I sympathize with you and you are not arrogant These folks are your friends. You care about them and you care about their opinion. You also love WDW and you want them to love it too, if not for any other reason than to not think you are crazy for loving it so much!
....However....
It sounds as if you have given it your best shot. Some people will hang on every word, become TGM subscribers and do everything you say. Others won't. One of three things will happen. 1. They will go, hate it due to their chosen philosphy, and never go back. 2. They will go, hate it and realize your were right and heed your advice next time or 3. They will go, love it and then you can be WDW lovers together.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Actually, they have asked for my help several times, since they know i go to Disney several times a year. The frustrating part is that they ask, but then don't listen to the advice. They don't want to make ADR's because they dont want to be tied down to a certain place/time. They don't like getting up early on vacation so they don't want to go to RD. They keep basically saying, we don't like those suggesting, what else can we do.

So yes, they have been asking for my help. But thanks for calling me Arrogant for wanting to help my friends.

If they ask and then don't listen, maybe they are only asking because you come across as well versed in Disney and they really don't want to hurt your feelings. I don't want you to think I am putting you down, I am not.. but people are like that. They ask for advice only because they feel they have to.. but they really don't want it. What else can they do, they can go and do what they want, when they want.. no hints or tips from anyone. I never have ADR's when I go, I never plan where I will be at what time etc.. I go with the flow for the most part.. and maybe they really just want to do that too.

I am leaving tomorrow morning for a 3 night stay.. all I know at this point is I am going to the MK tomorrow morning when I get there. Sunday I plan on going to Epcot.. no clue for Monday or Tuesday before heading home..No clue about whether I will stay in the MK tomorrow or park hop.. Where will I eat?...where ever when I get hungry. What time will I get to the parks?.. when I get there.. I have no set in stone plans.. and that is how I like it. Not everyone has to be on a set schedule.. that is what work & school are for.. trips are for fun.. and to me, schedules are not fun...

you want to salvage their vacation.. let them do it their self.. it is their vacation..