A question for locals/regulars

[buttercup14]

I'm just nearing the end of my current visit to WDW, I've been a decent number of time but consider myself much more of a regular over at dlr. One of my favorite things about dlr is how you can turn up with no real plans for thr day and just do what feels right and seemingly spontaneous and magical things will happen (like random character/band/entertainment/wildliff/ magical CM encounters). I've been testing out this approch to touring here at wdw this visit, as I dislike all the planning and while it's not been horrible and I've still been able to do things, nothing magical or merorable has come from it, unfortunately I've been finding wdw feeling less magical every visit, despite trying to keep a positive view on things.

so my question for wdw regulars/locals is, if one comes to the parks regular and just wonders around, do random magical things happen and I just havn't gotten the hang of tuning into the right vibe yet, or is wdw just too much of a different bestie to dlr and needs the planning?

 

[jt'smom]

Lately, we've been popping in almost weekly for the past couple of months, and I'm not one to look for magical happenings, but the bonus for me is just the overall relaxed vibe. We do our FP's, and then just wander around, sometimes from park to park, doing whatever strikes our fancy. I don't know if I've ever really noticed anything magical, beyond just the fact that it's Disney, and I love it there, but not feeling pushed for time is the best thing about being local for me.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

I rarely plan a day in the parks earlier than the day before. I've had several great days in MK the last couple of weeks, just playing Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom and wandering around.

I did a lot of planning for my trip to DLR in April. Didn't encounter any "random magical things."

 

[glassslippergirl]

We're down to yearly trips for the last few years, but when we had APs and went every few weeks, we found the most magic in the street entertainment. The Dapper Dans serenaded me because of my birthday pin. We walked along Main Street and found a CM creating art on the streets with just a bucket of water and broom. DH, who is a musician, makes a point of interacting with the musicians, so that created a magical moment where the drummer in an AK show gave DS (then 2) a set of drumsticks to encourage the next generation of musicians. I've never been to DLR but grew up with regular trips to WDW. Planning has become a bigger part of every trip, but we go back because we do feel the magic.

 

[missnic]

We don't preplan much at all. The advantage is that you do not HAVE to do everything or your trip is ruined. You can go back next week and do it.
We typically make a dinner reservation for one night, and then maybe consult the park hours to see which parks we want on what days. Then possibly FP the night before, or on the ferry on the way in. lol Letting go of the pressure to fit everything in and just relaxing about it makes things way more magical - even if nothing 'special' happens.

 

[2buzzboys]

Magical - here and there. But when you go all the time you can't always expect magic. I expect heat , rain , lines , etc. What I try to do is something different when we go. Like we recently tried pin trading, hidden mickeys, maybe a different dessert , snack or meal , and when on a ride or walking around I try to get the kids to find things they never saw before.

 

[FantasyElf16]

I used to be at Disney almost every other week. My favorite part was always watching the shows I never saw or try and find the hidden mickeys, i've been trying to see all the neat things in the shops as well and eat at a restaurant that I haven't been to in awhile. I would also do rides that have small lines at first before hitting the fast roller coasters. Then the rest of the day we usually hangout and just look for things that we've never found before.