In general, I am a huge fan of Facebook groups. I love the sense of community and the wide range of ideas. But they can also quickly lead you down the rabbit hole. As you can imagine, I’ve joined many Disney planning and fan groups over the years. Here’s what you need to know about Disney Facebook groups and how to make the most of them!
The Good
Facebook can be a great tool for planning your vacation. Let’s start out with the fun parts of joining Disney Facebook groups:
Builds excitement for your trip
The wait between booking a Disney vacation and actually getting on the plane can seem long. Add a dose of magic to your day by checking in on the groups and surround yourself with talk of Disney.
Get a wide range of ideas
The best thing that comes out of Disney Facebook groups is the range of ideas from people all over the world. Looking for ideas about how to celebrate your child’s birthday? Here’s where you’ll find a near endless supply of creativity.
Collect unique tips
Speaking of which, these groups are also great for learning solutions people have come up with for unique situations. I browse through the groups daily to learn different ways to make trips less stressful for my clients.
Get the latest news
Whenever big news is released, it tends to spread quickly throughout the Disney Facebook groups. While you’ll want to be careful of the source (see below), it can be helpful when you’re waiting for an announcement.
Join a community of Disney fans
Facebook is all about creating virtual communities where people can share their interests and passions. You’ll find people from all over sharing their love of Disney, and you may develop some new friendships.
The Bad
And now we get to the rabbit hole. Here are some items you’ll want to seriously watch out for when interacting in Disney Facebook groups:
Incorrect information
Disney groups are filled with self-proclaimed “experts” and people eager to share their tips. While they usually mean well, too often I see advice that is just plain wrong. Examples include outdated information, games of telephone (“my friend told me her friend told her this…”), and facts derived from bad sources. Make sure that the information you are getting is accurate and up-to-date.
Isolated experiences
This also falls under incorrect information, but sometimes the stories you hear in these groups are the exception, and not the rule. This ranges from someone who experienced a single bad night at a restaurant to someone who got past Disney policy due to a Cast Member who bent the rules (or made some special magic happen). Be aware that every situation is unique and ultimately Disney reserves the right to stick to their terms.
Overwhelming advice
You know how when someone is pregnant, everyone feels the need to bombard them with advice and how THEY feel things should be done? Planning a Disney vacation is kind of like that. Advice and tips are great, but they become a problem when someone doesn’t understand your unique needs and wants (or they’re just too focused on their own). These groups can be really overwhelming, especially if it’s your first visit and you don’t know where to start. If you’re feeling this way, the best thing to do is to work with a travel agent who can help you process all the information so you can get the best advice for YOUR family.
Endless information
Part of the overwhelm comes from an endless supply of Disney Facebook groups and constant conversation. They can suck up hours of your day and leave you feeling inundated with too many ideas (both good and bad). They can also make you second guess your plans based on other people’s preferences. We’re all trying to spend less time on our phones and more with our families, so these groups often have the opposite effect.
Rumors spread like wildfire
I mentioned earlier that you can quickly find the latest news in these groups, but that also means rumors spread just as easily. This leads to even more confusion since you don’t know what’s true. While some may boast “insider sources”, many are just fan sites or conjecture. Never trust a rumor until it is confirmed by official Disney sources.
The Ugly
I wanted to finish with three of the “ugly’ things I’ve witnessed in Disney Facebook groups and pages over the years:
REALLY bad advice
I’m going to be completely honest here: some of the “advice” shared in these groups can cost families thousands of dollars. Examples include people selling partially used tickets, “tips” on how to cheat the system, travel agencies and personal “Disney tour guides” that have no credibility, and even ways to save money for Disney by opening up half a dozen credit cards and violating tax laws. If you see anything that borders on these examples, please speak to someone who can verify the information or report it through the proper channels.
“Mob” mentalities
I couldn’t think of a better way to summarize this one. People will say things on social media that they’d never say to someone’s face, and thus a lot of drama ensues. People also react to a post based on limited knowledge of the situation, and everyone feels they need to put their two cents in. What starts out as a simple question can quickly turn into a bombardment of opinions and attacks. Avoid the drama any way possible.
Scams
I’ve seen way too many posts claiming to give away a “Free Disney Vacation” when it should be obvious that the page is fake. Examples include titles such as “Walt Disney World.”, “Walt-Disney-World”, or any other combination that seems just a bit “off”. Disney does occasionally offer giveaways, but they are professionally done through their verified pages (look for the blue check mark by the page title). When these fake pages are liked/shared, they offer a means for hackers to access your profile and collect information about you. Please be careful never to interact with scams like these and warn others who may not catch that the offer is a sham.
Tips for Planning Your Disney Vacation
Now that we know all the benefits and potential pitfalls, here are a few tips to help you make the most of Disney Facebook groups:
Take everything with a grain of salt. Ideas are great, but always check with someone you trust to make sure the information you’re getting is correct.
Remember that every family has different needs and wants for their Disney vacation. What works for one family won’t necessarily work for another. Do what’s best for yours and let them do what’s best for them.
Work with a vacation planner who specializes in Disney Destinations. We act like a filter so you’ll get the best information and advice that is unique to your needs.
Interested in learning more about working with a vacation planner? I help families take all the stress and overwhelm out of planning their trips so they can simply focus on the fun. When you book your trip with me you get my personal planning and concierge services at no additional cost. I’ll be with you every step of the way to make sure you’re getting the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Request a free quote today, or feel free to email me with any questions at jtullino@themouseexperts.com!
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