I have anxiety for my friend over her Disney trip

[Deleted]

Anyone who has been to Disney will probably be with me. 

She's going for Christmas week.
Staying 25 minutes away. 
Hasn't bought tickets.
Didn't know about fast passes. 
Wants to do the Asherkus Princess breakfast or lunch but hasn't booked anything.


I'm trying to help guide her but at this point her chances of getting any good fast passes and/or reservations is pretty slim, right? 

[lostrn]

Oh. I don't think she'll leave with a very good impression of a Disney vvacation

[tripleshot]

Eeek! How can you plan on spending thousands of dollars without researching and buying tickets? Especially over a holiday?

[dancelnow]

My boyfriend is doing this with his daughter over Mardi Gras break. He's going to hate it and he so stressed because he hates crowds but he also hates feeling like he has to follow a schedule so hasn't done any of that.

[elleblue]

If she can throw money at the problem she should hire a VIP guide for part of one of the days. They can help arrange her reservations.

[stephm0188]

LOL. She's going to be one of those people who leaves hating Disney.

[orval]

Can't you get fast passes when you get there? I always have. Maybe is has changed in the few years since I have been there. You can buy your tickets at any hotel or at the gate. I would not stay on site since it is way cheaper to stay offsite. Not a big deal if you just go with the flow.

[pantsparty]

So...if you just go to Disney you'll hate it?

I can understand needing to pre-plan for one of those character dinners, but it seems kind of ridiculous that in order to have a good time at Disney, you absolutely need an extra layer of bullshit on top of your tickets. LOL.

[lilafowler]

Dec 10, 2016 13:50:16 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I, Orphan said:

I have never once in my life had anxiety over something Someone Else is doing.

[stinkyfeet]

Dec 10, 2016 14:16:35 GMT -5 pantsparty said:

So...if you just go to Disney you'll hate it?

I can understand needing to pre-plan for one of those character dinners, but it seems kind of ridiculous that in order to have a good time at Disney, you absolutely need an extra layer of bullshit on top of your tickets. LOL.

Normally no, but the week her friend is going is hands down the busiest week of the year.  I'm not a big planner, but when we were there Christmas week I was REALLY glad I was traveling with people who were planners. I wouldn't have enjoyed myself nearly as much. And if had been my first visit, I don't know if I would have wanted to go back.  We had an amazing time though, because we were able to do and see our "must do's" and everything else was just a bonus.

[nachos]

Yeah - the last time we went to Disney I booked the whole trip in under ten days prior to departure (and we were there over Christmas).

We had a fabulous time, stayed on site, and never missed out on anything. I get more stressed thinking that people have gone crazy over booking everything so far in advance!

[stephm0188]

Dec 10, 2016 14:16:35 GMT -5 pantsparty said:

So...if you just go to Disney you'll hate it?

I can understand needing to pre-plan for one of those character dinners, but it seems kind of ridiculous that in order to have a good time at Disney, you absolutely need an extra layer of bullshit on top of your tickets. LOL.

Nah. You can go to WDW most times during the year and just show up and be fine, if you are willing to go with the flow.

Christmas though? The parks often fill to capacity and go through various phases of closures. The very first phase will shut out anyone who hasn't purchased a ticket, so OP's friend could very well spend money on traveling and lodging and wind up shocked that their day at Disney may not happen. 

[liverandonions]

I'm new to Disney stuff and I certainly don't have anxiety for someone else's trip, but we got our Asherkus reservation today...for June.

[Deleted]

I'm going Christmas week. I'm actually hoarding dining reservations because I heard quick service lines can be two hours long. Tell her about touring plans.com reservation finder. You have to pay for it but it works. People cancel 24 hours out or get charged. I'll be canceling at least one.

[sassycat]

My daughter literally just landed in Florida with her 2 year old. She planned this a whole year ahead as she wanted to get the most of the experience. It was pretty hard to get any dinner plans with the characters even a year in advance, so if she was planning that good luck.

I havent been to WDW for way to many years and there was none of this stuff way back in the "old" days.
Just a question for those that have been recently, Does Mickey and Minnie still walk around the park? or are they at a premium price too.

[Mrs. ChanandlerBong]

Dec 10, 2016 15:13:14 GMT -5 sassycat said:

My daughter literally just landed in Florida with her 2 year old. She planned this a whole year ahead as she wanted to get the most of the experience. It was pretty hard to get any dinner plans with the characters even a year in advance, so if she was planning that good luck.

I havent been to WDW for way to many years and there was none of this stuff way back in the "old" days.
Just a question for those that have been recently, Does Mickey and Minnie still walk around the park? or are they at a premium price too.

They don't walk around, they have designated meeting spots. You just wait in line or can fast pass some
characters. The only time it'd be an extra charge is if you're doing a character meal. Those are more expensive because of the character interaction.

[nicbreeful]

Over Christmas? Hasnt booked anything??

That seems.. not smart.

[dale]

Dec 10, 2016 15:13:14 GMT -5 sassycat said:

My daughter literally just landed in Florida with her 2 year old. She planned this a whole year ahead as she wanted to get the most of the experience. It was pretty hard to get any dinner plans with the characters even a year in advance, so if she was planning that good luck.

I havent been to WDW for way to many years and there was none of this stuff way back in the "old" days.
Just a question for those that have been recently, Does Mickey and Minnie still walk around the park? or are they at a premium price too.

If you want to get the most for your money you need to plan ahead. Dining reservations (if you want sit down meals) should be made at the 180 day out mark for the hard to get meals. The "big" characters really don't wander anymore. Meeting Mickey in Magic Kingdom is in a building on Main St. 

We have travel plans for April and I'm still trying to get one last reservation for breakfast. 

[CloudBee]

If she doesn't seem bothered, then she's probably the type of person who doesn't want to plan every detail of a Disney trip.

We went over spring break about 2 yrs ago and didn't book a single reservation or fast pass until we were in the park. Some fast passes are held until the day of, so it's not like they won't get to go on any rides. And with the new FP system the standard lines (without a FP) seem to move at a decent pace even when they're long.

Staying 25 minutes away means she probably doesn't expect to eat dinner at the park every night.

[CloudBee]

Dec 10, 2016 15:22:47 GMT -5 freedom said:

I feel like the overzealous planners who want the most out of their experience are sometimes the most disappointed

YES! The Disney board on here stresses me out. No way and I reserving my spot on rides before I even arrive in FL.SaveSave

[cville]

Dec 10, 2016 15:22:47 GMT -5 freedom said:

I feel like the overzealous planners who want the most out of their experience are sometimes the most disappointed

The people who overplan only to be disappointed are the same people who had serious post-wedding withdrawal. At every stage of life they'll find a way to suck the fun out of fun. Like that poster's MIL who demanded that she be thrown a retirement party to her exacting specifications rather than being all "YAY NO MORE WORK LET'S DRINK!!"

And I planned all the big meals and reserved like 3 rides at Disney. No, wait, I had the free Disney planner people do it for me.

[DotAndBuzz]

Dec 10, 2016 15:22:47 GMT -5 freedom said:

I feel like the overzealous planners who want the most out of their experience are sometimes the most disappointed

Definitely.  When we go during the low season, I make one seated meal reservation, and 2, maybe 3 ride/character fast passes each day.  Sometimes we do them, sometimes not.  We roll with what the kids want to do at one park each day. It's very chill, and lots of fun.  

But Christmas week at Disney is packed.  They literally have to cut off entrance to the parks because they are at max capacity.  Seeing how full they are during "low" season in February, I cannot imagine how insane that week is.  No reservations at all, let alone tickets?  Now?  I guess I just hope her expectations are very very low.  I don't have doubts about customer service, because that is always impeccable, but it is going to be a solid wall of people with insane wait times.

[MrsAxilla]

What rides do you need reservations for? I know I haven't been in several years, but I don't remember any of them bing THAT great....

[panicked]

This is Christmas at Disney.

[eddy]

Dec 10, 2016 14:16:35 GMT -5 pantsparty said:

So...if you just go to Disney you'll hate it?

I can understand needing to pre-plan for one of those character dinners, but it seems kind of ridiculous that in order to have a good time at Disney, you absolutely need an extra layer of bullshit on top of your tickets. LOL.

This is what keeps getting me as we consider planning our Disney trip. It has to become a fucking hobby/obsessions to do it "right."

What the fuck kind of vacation is that?

[Deleted]

Second hand Disney Anxiety is my 3rd least favorite kind of anxiety.

[panicked]

Regular Disney vCations do not require advanced planning, if you are breezy and don't have specific goals in mind.

Christmas at Disney is a WHOLE OTHER BALLGAME. You absolutely need an advanced plan or you will be miserable. It's crowded, the lines are ridiculous, and even quick service (I.e. Fast food) can take hours to get.

[karinothing]

Christmas Disney looks horrible even with planning.

[TR]

Dec 10, 2016 16:54:14 GMT -5 panicked said:

This is Christmas at Disney.

Well there you go. No amount of reservations is going to make that fun so why bother?

[carrotsmakemefat]

You are all making Disney seem like pure hell. Not the happiest place in earth. F that noise.