Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The OP is dead on about planning Disney.

I haven't been in over 20 years, but if I am going to spend at least a grand (and this is assuming I go alone), I could comparison shop hotels on and off Disney property like crazy, make notes, price out the parks (whether it is a park hopper or something else), figure out the time of year it is the least crowded, and numerous other things, so I could enjoy my time there.

This goes for all vacations, not just Disney.

Also, why do people take their kids to Disney at a age they will not remember it? First time I went, I was 10 (my brother was 8), second time was late into my teenage years. We were able to enjoy all the rides because we were tall enough, and whatever Disney characters we ran into at the time, we ran into. I know, things have changed a lot, but I really think there are a lot of lazy people out there that want things handed to them and that is not the case. Travel agents can help (if you can afford it) as well, as a PP said.

So a great time is only worthy to be had if you can remember it? I do a lot of things with my toddlers now because they enjoy it NOW. I guess I'll just stop though, since they won't remember it anyway.

I stand by my statement, but everyone is different. I was in Hawaii at a very young age and do not recall a thing, and frankly, other than seeing pictures, it sucks not remembering a single thing.

Likes to plan/pats self on back for planning/tries to shame others for not doing things right = control freak/you are no fun.

When little Janie begged to ride the Dumbo ride one more time, she was dragged off to the next thing, because that wasn't on the schedule.

SuperMom makes everything all about her!

Anonymous wrote:The OP is dead on about planning Disney.

I haven't been in over 20 years, but if I am going to spend at least a grand (and this is assuming I go alone), I could comparison shop hotels on and off Disney property like crazy, make notes, price out the parks (whether it is a park hopper or something else), figure out the time of year it is the least crowded, and numerous other things, so I could enjoy my time there.

This goes for all vacations, not just Disney.

Also, why do people take their kids to Disney at a age they will not remember it? First time I went, I was 10 (my brother was 8), second time was late into my teenage years. We were able to enjoy all the rides because we were tall enough, and whatever Disney characters we ran into at the time, we ran into. I know, things have changed a lot, but I really think there are a lot of lazy people out there that want things handed to them and that is not the case. Travel agents can help (if you can afford it) as well, as a PP said.

So a great time is only worthy to be had if you can remember it? I do a lot of things with my toddlers now because they enjoy it NOW. I guess I'll just stop though, since they won't remember it anyway.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, we just went to Disney World for the first time and it does NOT need to be a big deal. Work with a Disney travel agent and virtually all of the fussy nonsense goes away. It's not a contest - go on whatever vacation you like, but don't boss other people into thinking they need to prepare a certain way.

Check your privilege.

Excuse me? Using a travel agent was free. This was an expensive trip for us and one we'd put off for a few years because every time we looked into it it seemed kind of nuts. Letting an expert book everything took pretty much all of the hassle out of the trip, and it didn't add any cost. In fact, it saved us money in the end.

I couldn't go to Disney without a plan. That's me though. Others can fly by the seat of their pants and be fine.

We did "wing it" part of the time and I was okay which surprised me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you spend way too much time in WDW. Branch out a little then maybe you won't feel the need to lecture everyone else. Somewhat different but we went to Disneyland over spring break for one day in the height of the crowds with two kids, one of whom is severely autistic. We didn't plan ahead much except to grab a few fast passes and a general plan to wend our way around the park. It was still awesome. DS (the autistic one) has asked every day since we got back when we are going again.

You can't "grab fastpasses" anymore.

Sure you can. You won't get Mine Train but there are definitely still FPs available same day.

Why do you care what other people do on their vacation? You do you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Some folks actually enjoy the planning but it isn't for everyone. Definitely stay home if you can't put time into planning. Lots more places to spend your money. Lots of sour faces and kids getting yelled at in the parks.

Why should I "stay home" if I don't enjoy planning? How about I go on a spontaneous beach vacation with my family and our neighbors' kids, like we did last summer? It was a blast.

.

"Lots more places to spend your money"

So we should either stay at home, or go to "lots more places"...which is it?

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, we just went to Disney World for the first time and it does NOT need to be a big deal. Work with a Disney travel agent and virtually all of the fussy nonsense goes away. It's not a contest - go on whatever vacation you like, but don't boss other people into thinking they need to prepare a certain way.

Check your privilege.

We took our twins when they were 5 and they barely remember it. We went back when they were 9 and it was awesome.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Some folks actually enjoy the planning but it isn't for everyone. Definitely stay home if you can't put time into planning. Lots more places to spend your money. Lots of sour faces and kids getting yelled at in the parks.

Gross. I feel sorry for you - a WDW expert? Gross.

Disney is magic for little ones. A five year old is going to have just as memorable a time as a ten year old.

The OP is dead on about planning Disney.

I haven't been in over 20 years, but if I am going to spend at least a grand (and this is assuming I go alone), I could comparison shop hotels on and off Disney property like crazy, make notes, price out the parks (whether it is a park hopper or something else), figure out the time of year it is the least crowded, and numerous other things, so I could enjoy my time there.

This goes for all vacations, not just Disney.

Also, why do people take their kids to Disney at a age they will not remember it? First time I went, I was 10 (my brother was 8), second time was late into my teenage years. We were able to enjoy all the rides because we were tall enough, and whatever Disney characters we ran into at the time, we ran into. I know, things have changed a lot, but I really think there are a lot of lazy people out there that want things handed to them and that is not the case. Travel agents can help (if you can afford it) as well, as a PP said.

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, we just went to Disney World for the first time and it does NOT need to be a big deal. Work with a Disney travel agent and virtually all of the fussy nonsense goes away. It's not a contest - go on whatever vacation you like, but don't boss other people into thinking they need to prepare a certain way.

. You used one of Op's suggestions.

Yeah, we just went to Disney World for the first time and it does NOT need to be a big deal. Work with a Disney travel agent and virtually all of the fussy nonsense goes away. It's not a contest - go on whatever vacation you like, but don't boss other people into thinking they need to prepare a certain way.