[DoomBuggy05]

I am new to DC, but I consider myself an expert planning and pulling-off WDW trips. I have been to MNSSHP, MVMCP, I am an honorary member of the Hoop de Doo cast and have been to WDW 4 times in the past 4 years. I realize that I am a puppy compared to all you big dog WDW fanatics, but I have done my research. I know for a fact from all of the threads I have read and all my personal experiences at the parks, I do WDW and I do it well. Thank you all. Here's my problem and question: Some friends of ours called me and said they were planning a trip to WDW over Spring Break last year. They knew we were WDW veterans and wanted my advice on trip planning. I gave them everything I knew. Everything from old Passporters, where to buy new Passporters, ideas from this and other blogs and my own (at a great cost in experience and money) advice.

My first advice was don't go during Spring Break. My second advice was to stay onsite. My third acvice was read and follow the Passporter. They didn't heed that advice or any other. But they did send me a nasty email when they got home about how horrible and crowded WDW was and how they would never go again.

What do you do? I can only do so much, and now they won't even talk to us. I know the answer, but they are good friends.

No advice to other friends in the future???

DB05

[llama]

Originally Posted by DoomBuggy05

I am new to DC, but I consider myself an expert planning and pulling-off WDW trips.
What do you do? I can only do so much, and now they won't even talk to us. I know the answer, but they are good friends.

No advice to other friends in the future???

DB05

First of all welcome to DC! We can always use another Disney fanatic!

Secondly, as the old saying goes: "With friends like these, who needs enemies?"

I cannot imagine anyone getting mad over such a thing. You gave them great advice - they chose not to use it. Their loss. I wouldn't lose any sleep over them. As for giving advice - just log in here. Someone who really wants to make the most of their visit will be happy to take good advice!

[Princess D]

Originally Posted by llama

"With friends like these, who needs enemies?"

I cannot imagine anyone getting mad over such a thing. You gave them great advice - they chose not to use it. Their loss. I wouldn't lose any sleep over them. As for giving advice - just log in here. Someone who really wants to make the most of their visit will be happy to take good advice!

WELCOME!!!

I agree with llama!!
Your "friends" sound like babies who want to blame their bad trip on you instead of themselves for not heeding your advice!!
Just a thought but maybe...
Give them some time to cool down, then give them a chance to say their sorry for the nasty email. If they can't, or won't, do that they must not have really been a "friend", like I am sure you were.
This is tough...good luck.

[quartz7]

Welcome doombuggy!!!

Sorry about your "friends". Anyone in their right mind would know that spring break is a very crowded time.
You gave them the right advice, what more could you do.

You can give your advice right here on DC. We'll listen!

Once again, Welcome to all us DisneyNuts!!!

Janelle

[KarenWDWCP]

Ugh, sorry to hear about your experience, Doom. Giving Disney advice is always tough because it is so fun to do but you never know if people will take your advice or not. It is a shame that your friends asked for your advice, didn't take it, but now blame you for their bad experience. I have found that in giving Disney advice to people who have never been to WDW, it is always a crapshoot as to whether or not they will use your advice well or not.

I agree with the previous posters, give your friends some time to cool off and maybe they will actually listen to your advice next time!! And definitely don't stop giving WDW advice to other friends - you are providing a valuable service!!

Karen

[Cavey]

Well, one thing to keep in mind is that no matter how well a person "knows" Disney, we will all have personal preferences and "do" Disney differently. When friends ask me for advice, I refer them to The Unofficial Guide and answer any questions they have, but I don't try to make their trip "my" trip. I figure, they can read the Guide and decide for themselves if they want to follow the advice it gives.

As to their email, are you sure you're not reading too much into it? Sure they might have been expressing frustration over crowds 'n such, but it may not have been directed at you. Emails (& posts) are so easily misread (and I have dozens of PM's to prove it. )

I'd call up your friends and ask them over for dinner. If they say "no," then just drop the matter. Either they weren't very good friends, or in time they'll get around to touching base with you.

[dznygrl]

Oh DoomBuggy, that is not something anyone wants to deal with. I'm sorry to hear your friends took their frustration out on you!

Llama said it best - don't lose sleep over them. Hopefully they will come around. And if they are truly mad at YOU for their yucky vacation, then they will need to work through that themselves.

You did nothing wrong, and the fact they were angry at you is just silly!

(You gave great advice, by the way!)

Oh and as Llama also said...we're happy to hear your advice here!!

[CerealBoxQueen]

I think the vacation experence depends on who you have with you.
I don't like the rides, being severely afraid of heights, and when I went with my stepmother all she did all 4 days was fuss and moan about bringing me.
When I went with my father, it was better, we all just chilled and had fun.

It really depends on who you go with and taking everything with a little bit of kindness, no matter how frustrated you are.

[lovemysons]

Welcome to DC. You tried your best, that's all you can do. They'll get over it.

[Dana]

Originally Posted by DoomBuggy05

I am new to DC, but I consider myself an expert planning and pulling-off WDW trips. I have been to MNSSHP, MVMCP, I am an honorary member of the Hoop de Doo cast and have been to WDW 4 times in the past 4 years. I realize that I am a puppy compared to all you big dog WDW fanatics, but I have done my research. I know for a fact from all of the threads I have read and all my personal experiences at the parks, I do WDW and I do it well. Thank you all. Here's my problem and question: Some friends of ours called me and said they were planning a trip to WDW over Spring Break last year. They knew we were WDW veterans and wanted my advice on trip planning. I gave them everything I knew. Everything from old Passporters, where to buy new Passporters, ideas from this and other blogs and my own (at a great cost in experience and money) advice.

My first advice was don't go during Spring Break. My second advice was to stay onsite. My third acvice was read and follow the Passporter. They didn't heed that advice or any other. But they did send me a nasty email when they got home about how horrible and crowded WDW was and how they would never go again.

What do you do? I can only do so much, and now they won't even talk to us. I know the answer, but they are good friends.

No advice to other friends in the future???

DB05

No, I wouldn't avoid giving other's advice just because these people are salty. Anyone who would act like this is and never really was a true friend. How childish.

[BuzzLightyear]

Hey doombuggy.
I get asked for advice so much, yet so many people just don't comprehend the whole Disney Vacation thing.
It really is very hard to give advice to someone not willing to go the extra steps and do some research on their own.
You did your best and gave all good advice.

[DisneyTeacher]

Welcome to DisneyCentral!

I cannot imagine placing blame on my friend because I had a bad vacation, we are adults and make choices. Doesn't sound like these people are very mature to me, you had nothing to do with how their vacation went. Reach out and make an offer and if they turn you down then they weren't much a of a friend to start with. It's too bad they didn't listen to your advice, they may have had a better trip. One thing I have to remember is that not everyone is going to love Disney as much as I do. No matter how much I hope they will it's not for everyone. Maybe these poeple are just not the Disney type and no amount of planning would change that.

[MissDisney]

DoomBuggy, can I be frank? These people wouldn't have enjoyed a trip to WDW if they had been there during a deserted week in May with 78-degree, blue-sky days and a free suite at the Grand Floridian! Sorry to dis your friends, but they deserve it! You did absolutely nothing wrong, and you were so kind to share your love of WDW with them EVen if they had a few glitches -- golly, even if they hated the trip altogether -- they should have had some class and graciously thanked you for your help!
P.S We always tell our friends that spontaneity and Disney don't go hand-in-hand! The best way to enjoy a trip to WDW is to plan the heck out of each and every day and then arrive expecting to be flexible! People should listen to the experts!

[livvyb]

wow, what an awful way to "thank" you for your advice. SOunds like they really didn't want advice as they didn't follow what you had to offer. Blaming you for their bad trip is certainly in poor taste after not following the tips you had to offer!
I wouldn't take it to heart; friends can be real insensitive at times. You can decide how you want to handle the situation. If these were real close friends I would mention that it is unfortunate they didn't enjoy Disney but you aren't too surprised after they didn't listen to your hints. Or you can just let it go and feel sorry for them as they will never "get" the wonder of Disney World.

THis is the perfect forum for you though as advice is always appreciated! I leave in 28 days and sure am learning a lot form people like you who have been to the park more than my one visit 6 years ago.

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by MissDisney

DoomBuggy, can I be frank? These people wouldn't have enjoyed a trip to WDW if they had been there during a deserted week in May with 78-degree, blue-sky days and a free suite at the Grand Floridian! Sorry to dis your friends, but they deserve it! You did absolutely nothing wrong, and you were so kind to share your love of WDW with them EVen if they had a few glitches -- golly, even if they hated the trip altogether -- they should have had some class and graciously thanked you for your help!
P.S We always tell our friends that spontaneity and Disney don't go hand-in-hand! The best way to enjoy a trip to WDW is to plan the heck out of each and every day and then arrive expecting to be flexible! People should listen to the experts!

I think Miss Disney's summed it up perfectly! You can't take responsibility for their miserable time, DB05.

And as for advice, "The best way to enjoy a trip to WDW is to plan the heck out of each and every day and then arrive expecting to be flexible!" sounds perfect to me.