Planning a trip to Walt Disney World is fun, but there’s something to be said about the joy of helping friends and family with their vacations! From dining reservations to attraction recommendations…there are so many things that you can share to help!
NOT YOUR TRIP
Let’s start out with the best tip…and that’s to realize up front that you are not planning your personal trip.
This means that although your preferences are coming from a good place, you really have to share the pros and cons for the specific trip that you’re helping with.
What does this mean? Just because you like an attraction doesn’t mean that your friends will like it…and vice versa for dining and hotel preferences.
BE AVAILABLE
Just as planning my own vacation is a ton of fun, the same can be true with the process for your friends. Being available for ideas and advice is one thing, but take into account that the sheer fact that you’re on a trip planning website means that you are looking out for your information to share.
My take on this is quite simple – Don’t ruin a vacation by inserting yourself into the conversation at every point that you can. Vacations are supposed to be fun, and living vicariously through your friends could be an outlet, but that doesn’t mean that you have to be giving advice each and every time that you see them.
SHARE RELEVANT INFORMATION
One of the first questions that you’ll want to ask your friends is the timeframe that they’re looking at going (or have already booked). This will give you the relevant information to provide the best advice without making them feel like they’ve made a mistake.
This actually happens a lot! Something like this:
- Not relevant: Vacation is happening in November and you share that Halloween is the best time to be at Disney
- Relevant: Thinking about booking DURING a marathon….share that!
Want to share some good things with friends? Here’s a good start:)
- Colossal Money Wasters at Disney World
- Top Ten Disney Advance Dining Reservations to get ASAP
- Unconventional Disney World Planning Strategies
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YOUR BUDGET VS THEIR BUDGET
One of the reasons why people don’t reach out to friends for advice is because they think that we’ll judge their financial situation based on the decisions that they make.
Walt Disney World is incredibly expensive, so even if you’re “Scrooge McDuck” rich….doesn’t mean that you won’t enjoy a Bacon Cheeseburger at Cosmic Rays like everyone else;)
In fact, I’ve planned trips for folks of all backgrounds and the overwhelming response during the process is to be REAL and don’t focus on the dollars. If someone wants to stay at the Polynesian Village when your budget is more in the Yacht & Beach Club level, then why talk them out of staying where they want?
Remember – you gain respect and honesty when you focus on the activities and not the price tag!
DON’T GET UPSET
This has happened too many times to count, but if you see that one of your friends has “checked-in” to Disney on Facebook and they DIDN’T TELL YOU…
…you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life;)
Hope that this was helpful! If you think that I should add anything to the list, please let me know over at our Facebook page