Anyone ever just relax??

[debbiepump]

I've been fortunate enough to go to WDW about a zillion times and the kids are now grown. I read post after post about folks agonizing over if their ADR's are ok, fastpass or no fastpass, which 'perfect' room should they ask for, bringing room maps at check in to get that room, DDE or no DDE, free dining or no free dining, spreadsheets on their trips......
Does anyone just go and enjoy? We may do two ADR's if that on a trip, make ressies the day of where we want to eat and if not available, oh well.
While in the parks I see these poor kids screaming their heads off, hot, tired and wanting to go back to the room for a nap and play in the pool and have that dish of mac and cheese or hot dog and not feel bad if they spill all over instead of sitting in some 'fancy' restaurant having to be good.
I understand that I'm very, very fortunate that we have been able to go to WDW more than once and that our kids are grown (and yes, they spilled, kicked and screamed).
I just read all these posts and am left to wonder if folks just can kick back, relax and go with the flow at WDW, if they did, they'd probably have such a better time.
That being said, I'm about as anal a person as they come but I guess through the years of getting older, have learned to step back, slow down and enjoy life. We've actually met and spoke to some wonderful interesting folks by NOT having that fastpass and standing in line.

 

[hogwartsdropout]

I suppose we go with the flow more than most people here.
We always go for 2 weeks so we have lots of time to spread things out and relax.
We do one character meal, no ADRs.
We don't plan where we're going each day either. Basically we just wake up early and say to ourselves, "where do we feel like going today?"
I like it more that way
Of course when we do get to our desired park, we do rush to certain rides.

 

[Disney_Freak56]

Actually, when it's just hubby and I, we definitely prefer a different kind of Disney experience than when our daughter was younger. She's grown now and we stay at Deluxe resorts, sleep in, enjoy our resorts more, and generally have a fairly relaxing vacation. We still make ADRs at our favorite places to dine and have had to move them to a different time upon occasion, but I have to admit that I love these trips almost as much as the trips with kids.

Our next trip is scheduled for August and it's with my sister and her three boys. This will definitely be a different type of trip. I have made all our ADRs already and we are staying at the moderate level. Nonetheless, we plan to have some down time -- will not have every single meal together -- they want Chef Mickey's, we want Boma. But it will be great to experience WDW through my 4-year-old nephew. His last trip was at 10 months and even though it was memorable to us, he says that all the photos of that baby in the pictures is not him -- it's a baby!

I guess my point is -- if I need to make one -- is that a person or family's trip is what they make it to be. I do believe everyone needs a down day after 2 or 3 days in the Parks. Commando touring is no fun for anyone. And if your kids are tired, then let them rest. They don't want to hear how much the trip is costing you -- afterall, the trip is about them, isn't it?

 

[grinningghost]

We do Disney much different now that our DD is almost 17. She goes off with her friend most of the time, and DH and I just wing it most of the time.

We've had great times "winging it". Got a free ride on a pontoon boat, just hanging out by the pool - alternating between swimming, sleeping and drinking - you can't beat it.

 

[mamalle]

we are fortunate to be able to go than most others since we live pretty close so we do have time to just chill. This trip we will be there for 6 days and only going to do parks until lunch time and thats it. one night we will go back over to the park to see fireworks but we are going to spend most of our time hanging out. Im only expecting us to go two days maybe three into the parks. dh is going to go bass fishing and we are going to wing it the other times. I have two PS and a hair thing at downtown disney scheduled for dd. I want it to be a relaxing vacation besides a fun one..

 

[mickeymousemom]

We do. Even though I had been to WDW a few times before my DH and DD's, it took us a couple trips before we learned that things would go smoother if we just went with the flow. When we didn't relax, it seemed ourvacation just became a big blur once we got home. We've seen most everything so there 's no reason to run, run, run. We relax, we don't stress over what room we get, we enjoy every moment. This year we have even decided to stop getting up early. We're going to ease our way out of bed, and when we get to a park, we'll get there. I don't stress over ADR's, though I do make them before we go. My family loves to eat and I want to make sure we can get into the restaurant we want. When we get there, we might change our minds...no biggie. I am the first to tell people...esp first-timers...to TAKE IT EASY. Even if you don't get to see everything this trip, you'll have better memories and much less stress. I think relaxing is the only way to go....and what better way to see the great details that abound in all the parks?

 

[disneynewbee]

I have little ones ages 12,3, and 4 months and we are pretty laid back on our vacations. We don't get to the parks at opening because if I wake my kids before they are ready they are monsters. We do make adrs because we love character meals but if it is conflicting with our schedule we call and cancel. We actually find the character meals relaxing because we can take our time and enjoy the characters. I guess our idea of relaxing is different from those with grown kids. We go for 2 wks at a time so that we have time to relax and spend a few days just hanging at the pool. We don't schedule the order of our rides but do keep in mind what we definately want to see. I know if I just went without a plan at all it would get kinda frustrating.

 

[princess angel]

I never could understand staying in the park open to close, that is not my idea of vacation. dh and I always have the best time when we just go with the flow. WDW has so much to offer, and so much to see, you won't see and do it all in one trip anyway, if you take it slow and take time to relax, you will enjoy what you do see much more! making it a way better vacation and experience!

 

[byoung]

We relax a lot more since joining DVC. knowing I will be back soon, we don't have to rush. Love the DVC.

 

[Canbarker]

I agree with everyone. This is our first time back to WDW in about 16 years so it is as if we are starting over again...much older and with our gift (a 5 year old..the rest in college). Although I am very anal, I have made reservations to eat, we are planning to go back to the hotel early afternoon each day and spend afternoon time at the pool and nap. The attractions we have planned to see all about our DD. That is what it is about in our eyes. I am more stressed about the stroller thing!

Thank you to all who contribute to these boards. They have been so helpful in our planning of our trip. I hope to make more so you will hear from me again.

 

[grinningghost]

I think laying by the pool is one of the greatest things to do at WDW. You don't have to worry about rushing to the next thing. You just lay there, sip a cool drink, maybe read a book or people watch and enjoy the atmosphere.

So many people (including us when DD was little) devote all their time to parkhopping that they end up having to leave without ever going in the pool.

We won't ever make that mistake again.

 

[lisamomof3]

I told myself when we decided to go back, that this trip will be relaxed and not as scheduled. It is just so easy to get all wrapped up in planning and overplanning. Yes, I have all my adr's planned, changed, and rearranged, I also know which days I want to go to which parks, and what rides to ride and shows to see. Beyond that our plans are to go early ride the rides and rush in the mornings. Then use the afternoon to swim, hang out, relax, then just go eat or see the closing fireworks at a park. We also have a couple of days that aren't planned. Those are our down days. I just get so excited thinking about our trip and wanting it to be great. Whatever happens I'm just glad I get to spend two weeks with my family soaking up the fun and making new memories.

 

[Chris Kringle]

I find that being organized helps me relax more. I like to research everything a head of time and knowing what to expect. I hate surprizes (frustrating ones anyway) that end up wasting time and taking us away from what we really want to be doing. We will be at Disney for a week in May and have ADRs for three nights. We are taking a couple days off to just hang at the resort. We plan to return to our hotel by early afternoon to swim and nap, etc. Some nights we'll go back out, some we won't.
For me, planning is fun and addicting, but I don't plan down to the hour. When I plan, I get to immerse myself in the Disney Magic even before I get there. Imagining what we'll be doing and where we'll eat and all that stuff gets me really excited and builds the anticipation.
We leave next Friday and I'm already having a hard time focusing on the here and now - I'm ready to go!!!

 

[slk537]

We definitely do!

I love to plan - I will make ADR's, agonize over which resort is available, how many points we'll need, what dates should we fly out, etc. but it is because I get so much joy out of the planning. To me that IS relaxing.

When we are actually at WDW, we are out the door between 9-10 in the morning. Once we actually caught the opening at MK and we were stunned. We aren't Park Openers.

We do what we want, when we want, and then back to the resort to relax. Dinner is about all we have scheduled most days and occasionally we'll scrap the reservations to do something else.

We travel to WDW twice a year so we are firm believers in the "We can do it next time" mentality. So we are among the WDW fans who are able to say "Yes, we holidayed at WDW and no, we don't need a vacation to recover from our vacation."

 

[RN2BIA]

My DH is the planner in our family. I have given up all hope of it being nothing but run run run. However, I did tell him that when our kids get tired, hungry, and ready to do nothing that the 3 of us would leave and he could run run run. I want to lay in the sun and feel it to the innermost portion of my bones - and then flip and do the other side.

 

[kam24]

We are taking our first family trip to WDW We usually do an island trip and just go with the flow and do what we want when we feel like it.
So we made a couple ADR's and then the rest of the time we'll just wing it! Only 13 more days!!!

 

[Tinkerbellmom33]

The only thing we plan is ADR's and the first few days we plan a little as to which park we'll go to first and that's even subject to change. We are guilty of doing a lot of the parks and swim at night. We do it all!!
The first time we went, we were smart and went back to the hotel for a swim and relaxation. The last two trips we spent all day in the parks. This time around we're "planning" on going back to how we did our first trip. The first two days we'll run a little and then relax. Especially when we switch hotels. We're renting from a DVC owner, so we're going to try to relax a little more than we do run!

 

[Tricia1972]

Speaking from the point of view of a person who went to Disney WITHOUT any real advance planning in 2004 I think that spending some time planning is crucial.

Without these boards and planning we took the Mears shuttle from the airport to the resort last time. We didn't get a grocery store stop and were victims to $3 waters, $3 snacks, and $3 COKE products (we're a family of Pepsi drikers) Now this trip we are going to the grocery store after arrival. We'll pick up a few snacks and not feel like we are hostages to Disney.

We stayed at a resort that is rated here as One of the Worst. We assumed that staying at a moderate resort was going to assure us Disney service and ameneties that we dreamed of. From reading here I know that this resort was not only not very good for us, most people here don't like it and have rated it as such.

Without a plan of action of which park on which day(s), rides and where they are located, we wandered around wondering what to do next or where to go, peering at maps, fighting heat and humidity, feeling overwhelmed and like we were missing things. After we came home we realized that we did miss a bunch of things that we would have loved to do - if only we knew that they were there.

After 18 months we have finally decided to give Disney another chance. My father will never ever go to Disney again, just from the experience of our first trip. This trip though we are planning. We are planning in some down time, but figure with a clear idea of our expectations prior to going and understanding that there is no way we can do it all - we will be much happier.

Our current plan to visit is every third year, though I would like to talk DH into every other year. Much will depend on how this trip goes. If this trip is as big of a disaster regarding service and feeling overwhelmed - I know that I will not be able to talk DH into Disney again for at least 5 years.

To everyone here who is helping me plan and obsesses about the details - I say thank you!

 

[CBCit]

I really am enjoying Disney so much more now that my kids are older and we have been there often enough that I no longer have to be a park commando. The only thing it seems you have to plan these days are ADR's if you want to eat in sit down restaurants so I made those for dinner and based them around the best park to end that day in(EMH for instance). Other then that no alarm clock setting and planning on pool time,etc. I don't know if I will ever break the habit of carrying around the little map though! Although I won't have to yell, what are you nuts,Birnbaum says on a 5 day trip we can't wait on line for that ride, no way!LOL

 

[OKW Lover]

We go to Disney just to relax quite a bit. We tend to make 4-5 trips a year (Why yes, we are DVC members and do have AP's, how did you know?) and when we are there by ourselves we do just relax. We'll go to one of the parks for part of the day and just wonder around, sometimes not even doing an attraction that day. We'll spend time at the resort pool, have a nice dinner, just enjoy each others company.

Other trips, say with friends, we adjust our schedule according to our friend's preferences because we know we'll be back some other time. So, in a couple of weeks with our 3yo grandson (and his parents), we'll do a lot of kid's stuff that we normally wouldn't do. We'll plan afternoon naps (actually, we often do that when its just my wife and I) and more child-friendly dining experiences. On a later trip with some good friends and their two older daughters, who are also DVC members, we'll do some more adult things.

For ourself, we don't feel the need to plan the trips in detail. But with others, its helpful to keep certain key events in mind during the visit. Key events might be setting aside a night to catch Spectro and Wishes at the MK - especially in the off season when it doesn't run nightly - or a night at PI.