Subsonic Radio

My secretary is planning her family's first visit to WDW this summer. I've been trying to help her, but I don't want to over-influence her decisions. I told her the most important thing was to go with a plan.

While talking to her, my co-manager's secretary (who has been to Disney) came over and began giving her wrong information. She talked about how her kids really liked the Spiderman ride and Soarin.' I just could not convince her that Universal and Disney World were two seperate places!

So, I want to make sure that she's getting the proper information, but I also don't want to influence her decisions based on our family's likes and dislikes.

What do you do when giving advice to first-timers?

Give her a copy of the Unofficial Guide to WDW. Not only will this underscore (and create panic) about planning, it will also give her accurate information. I don't help plan any Disney vacation unless I am asked to help.

Calypso wrote:Give her a copy of the Unofficial Guide to WDW. Not only will this underscore (and create panic) about planning, it will also give her accurate information. I don't help plan any Disney vacation unless I am asked to help.

I agree totally. Just offer a used copy from your collection for their pre-trip reference.

I personally think the Unofficial Guide is the worst book to give a first timer. It's Disney-negative, it lays out unrealistic commando plans, and it is way too much information - rather suggest Passporter by Jennifer and Dave Marx. It is a much less intense book with excellent maps of each resort and park and it has "real" plans. It's written Disney-positive by two people are are huge fans of the parks and it has great pockets in the back to put travel info in. It's small enough to toss into a backpack, too. Further, it doesn't leave a bad taste in your mouth after reading it, very much unlike Unofficial Guide.

RREng77 wrote:

Calypso wrote:Give her a copy of the Unofficial Guide to WDW. Not only will this underscore (and create panic) about planning, it will also give her accurate information. I don't help plan any Disney vacation unless I am asked to help.

I agree totally. Just offer a used copy from your collection for their pre-trip reference.

We are never without our Unoffical Guide but also like the Birnbaums.

I like the idea of offering a used copy. That way she can decide if it suits her needs. Do you know when her trip is? The new editions usually come out in October.

I buy them a copy of the Unofficial Guide to WDW and tell them to thank me later

I tell them to pay for my food and I'm their own personal guide.

It's Disney-negative, it lays out unrealistic commando plans, and it is way too much information

I think most people can look beyond the above.

AKLRULZ wrote:I personally think the Unofficial Guide is the worst book to give a first timer. It's Disney-negative, it lays out unrealistic commando plans, and it is way too much information - rather suggest Passporter by Jennifer and Dave Marx. It is a much less intense book with excellent maps of each resort and park and it has "real" plans. It's written Disney-positive by two people are are huge fans of the parks and it has great pockets in the back to put travel info in. It's small enough to toss into a backpack, too. Further, it doesn't leave a bad taste in your mouth after reading it, very much unlike Unofficial Guide.

I like Passporter just fine, so I can't argue that. (Anything is better than Burnbaum's unrealistic guide). I don't think Unofficial guide is too negative; rather, it's realisitc. It gives you a good idea of what to expect, minus Disney's pixie dust that leads you to believe everything is wonderful. Plus, during busier times of the year, the touring plans are fantastic.

I offer advice when asked, and I help correct misconceptions when I hear them. I am not an expert but I will offer advice based on my experience if asked about accommodations, dining and touring. I try to remember that MY perfect WDW vacation may not suit others

Also, when I hear someone is going for the first time I ask them if they'd like me to point them to Internet sites for information. I always recommend, for any first-timers, that they go with a plan and book dining ASAP.

I love the Unofficial Guide. I still enjoy reading the new editions, even after having been to WDW a billion times. I think it is very realistic and provides useful information for first-timers. I, too, always recommend this to new Disneyers.

I love the Unofficial Guide. I still enjoy reading the new editions, even after having been to WDW a billion times.

Me too!! I have a ton of copies which I refuse to throw away and I will lend them to people considering a Disney trip. They usually end up buying the most recent version.

I would also go with Passporter. If they have kids though I would have to recommend WDW with Kids by Kim Wright Willey. But why stop with one or two guides? I go to the library and pick up a few and its all free.

All good suggestions. I also like to go to allears.net. They've got great info on everything from weather to what attractions (even hotel pools) are scheduled to be closed for rehabs. They've also got a section on what to expect when you're down there. Great for first timers.

I'd get them a copy of Passporter and turn them on to AllEarsNet for their excellent detail. I'd also remind them that there's no way they're going to be able to do everything so it's very important to have an idea of what everything is and then plan to hit the things that are most important to them and their family. That's one of the things I really like about the Passporter is that most of the book is written from the adult perspective but they also throw in comments from their kids and given the age of the kids over the years, that covers everything from their little toddler to the daughter who now seems to be a teenager.