Too Much Info?

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jrice4760's picture
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Joined: 01/16/2014
Posts: 120
Too Much Info?

I've been a little surprised that I enjoy reading other people's trip reports. I think it's a mixture of gathering information and tips, along with vicariously visiting the WDW parks.

Back in 2014, I even provided a pre-trip report for my family's (and friends) vacation:

http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/jrice4760s-pre-trip-report

A good time was had by all, and I should have reciprocated by writing my own trip report. I will try to redeem myself next time.

Live trip reports can take on a life of their own, and I find these particularly interesting.

This leads me to my questions/concerns:

Is there a concern, on this board, of posting too much information about your trip?

In my pre-trip report, for instance, I stated up-front that we were to be on vacation from 17 May 2014 till 24 May 2014. In other words, my home would be unattended for 8 days. At about 10 days from the beginning of our vacation, I even began a day-to-day countdown! If someone had been cyber-stalking me, this bit of information could have been a vital piece in a larger puzzle. Had I been posting live (to WDWFG, or Facebook, or Google+), near-real-time info of my whereabouts would have been available.

Yes, I know that the chances are slim, and that this forum doesn't have the viewership of larger social media sites, but stranger things have happened. How much is too much information?

In my occupation, we are reminded (with regularity) about the risks of posting too much information.

I would like to know your thoughts on this. Post your tips/tricks, along with any experience in this matter.

The Colonel's picture
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As far as protecting my privacy in a trip report, I have a few hard and fast rules:

I never give dates in a pre-trip report. I will after the fact though. In fact I went in July of 1973. See no issues with that.

I never give my name, address, social security number, date of birth and mother's maiden name in my trip reports unless it's required under the context of the story.

I never give my family's names in order to protect the innocent.

I rarely give my PIN number directly in a trip report. But those studying numerology can probably spot it every time.

I do give my house safe combination in trip reports, but I mix up the numbers to make it a challenge for a would be burglar.

I never post a picture of myself at SAB in a speedo.

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MrHub's picture
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We have gone over this same question several times here. Just remember, this is a totally open forum and yes anyone can read it. It's is entirely up to you to decide how much information you want to post.

jrice4760's picture
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Joined: 01/16/2014
Posts: 120

As I was writing my original post, you, Colonel, came to mind immediately. And I do apologize for dredging up a previously covered topic.

Kristen K.'s picture
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jrice4760 wrote:

Is there a concern, on this board, of posting too much information about your trip?

Unlike most people, my house is never empty. There are six of us, and someone is always home. In fact someone is always here and usually awake, because we all work different shifts and schedules. Our dogs get very upset if everyone is gone even for a couple of hours. Luckily I'm not quite as popular as some Disney personalities, so I haven't had to worry about stalkers. I do have Disney friends that have dealt with that issue and its just weird. I would never post personal information such as reservation or identification numbers, but I don't usually get too concerned with basic planning info.

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I have nothing worth stealing, in fact if anyone was to break in they may leave the place tidier than they found it hahaha silly

The Colonel's picture
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jrice4760 wrote:
As I was writing my original post, you, Colonel, came to mind immediately. And I do apologize for dredging up a previously covered topic.

Obviously you've seen the speedo picture. I apologize.

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crazycatperson's picture
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I never post advance trip info anywhere I use my real name. Only after the fact.

But if someone manages to get past that, I also live in a gated community.

jrice4760's picture
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The Colonel wrote:
jrice4760 wrote:
As I was writing my original post, you, Colonel, came to mind immediately. And I do apologize for dredging up a previously covered topic.

Obviously you've seen the speedo picture. I apologize.

laugh laugh Fortunately, no! My retinas are still intact.

It's that I have noticed that there is no advanced notice of your trips, you just begin posting those awesome photos and discussing your trip.

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There is always someone at our house as well since we are a four generation household. In addition to that we have two Akitas that each weigh 120 lbs. These are Japanese dogs that were bred to hunt bear! Shock

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I discuss trip info but I also don't share any personal information on here. I don't know if anyone on here actually knows my first name.
I also have a pretty strict rule about posting pictures of myself or my DH. I just don't do it. I like the fun and people on here but I still keep it relatively confidential.

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I don't really feel unsafe sharing info. I don't provide any personal information that I haven't already made public as a result of running a client-based business. The information that I have to share on Trulia and Zillow to maximize my earning potential in real estate puts me at a much greater risk than anything that I share on this site. As far as travel dates, my house is on a reasonably busy street and my neighbors watch over our house like hawks when we're away. Plus, Benn and I don't always travel together, so I might be traveling and he might be home guarding the homestead. As far as giving details on where we'll be, those details are always subject to change and we visit one of the most crowded vacation destinations in the world. In a way, sharing info actually makes me feel safer. It's a sort of "trail of breadcrumbs". My sister-in-law used to post to Facebook at regular intervals as she was traveling back and forth to Florida with my nephew lone. If she went more than an hour or so without posting her location, we knew that something was wrong and we had a precise last known whereabouts that was much more recent than 'she left her home in Virginia 9 hours ago.'

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Trip Reports:
December 2013: 10th Anniversary, 1st DVC Stay | April 2014: Birthday on the Boardwalk | May 2014: Star Wars Weekend, Navigating WDW with a wheelchair | August 2014: Villains Unleashed | September/October 2014: MNSSHP, F&W, Tower of Terror 10-miler | March/April 2015: Disneyland and California Coastal Cruise | November 2015: Wine & Dine Half, Food & Wine, 1st Disney Cruise | February 2016: Presidential Classic Gymnastics Meet | March 2016: "Work" Trip, Tours, F&G Festival | April 2016: Conference at Disneyland | Fall 2016: Festive Fall Fun | January 2017: Festival of the Arts | May 2017: AbD Backstage Magic | July 2017: AbD San Francisco | Sorry I had to give up doing trip reports. Too many time commitments right now.

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I'm much more of an after the fact kinda person. I run a beauty and lifestyle blog which covers a lot of local restaurant reviews, but even when I'm out and about dining, I won't post the pictures on my Instagram until much later in the day, not the exact time I'm sat there, away from my house. It's just more comfortable for me that way, and I wouldn't want someone randomly finding me (friend or foe!) because they saw where I was in a 'live' picture.

Same sort of goes for WDW, though when I travel with my parents, my Mum is NEVER happy if I do any social media/forum updates while away on the trip, even though it's only ever me in the pictures and I don't mention they're with me and their house is unattended. I will do the odd ones, it can't be helped, but my audience is so small I don't see it as a threat. If I was one of these big time you can google earth my house bloggers/youtubers it would be a totally different story though!

It's all about what you share and to who.

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