Are you able to relax in Disney?

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

I don't know if I'm posting this on the right board? But DH and I were having a discussion. We just sold our home and after all of the effort and hard work we had talked about rewarding ourselves w/ a two week vacation to Disney.

Now, DH says he doesn't believe we could relax there. That we'd (read me ) always want to be go, go, go, going.

I say no. Sure, the first week we'd be going (and be in serious tour mode ) and seeing all of our favorite attractions but by the second week we'd be able to just relax.

His response was, "Yeah, but if you're not "doing" something in Disney then Disney is boring."

WHAT?????????????

Of course, that is the most ridiculous thing I've heard!!

I suggested, sleeping in late. Actually sitting down at breakfast (instead of grabbing a biscuit and running to the parks). Going swimming at the pools (he's not a swimmer, though), reading a great book in the warm breezes. Spending time in downtown. Trying some of the great restaurants in the parks. Walking around Fort Wilderness.

So I ask, can you relax in Disney and if so, how and what do you do?

Thanks for your time.

 

[julsmom]

I agree with your suggestions. Especially being there for two weeks, you can find it relax if you want to. We did 9 days last time and it was so great because we took it slow. We did sleep in. I do not like having to always run to get somewhere. You miss alot. Our friends could not even believe the characters we saw. Also remember that there is a spa at GF and SS. I find it interesting to look into all the 'other' things you can do at disney.

 

[civileng68]

Well, honestly it's hard to relax there but, not because of Disney itself, because of you individually. I personally (even at 27) get excited when we go and never end up relaxing.

However, if you do want to relax, you can do it. It's VERY possible. You just need to plan out how you are going to spend your time (not a micro plan but just overall).

Tell yourself "today, we're just going to go in the park, find a shady spot with a bench, sit and talk a while." When you go from place to place, go slowly.

If you want to go see a fireworks show or parade, go very early and just grab a bench or a seat of sorts somewhere and just sit and talk.

go to a part of the park less occupied (there are nooks and crannies in the parks that you can literally find yourself all alone) and just sit there, relax and talk.

Though most people think it's way off limits, and as much as I go, I've never seen anyone stopped from doing it...............when in Epcot, over in the area by Test track and Misson Space, there's alot of beautiful grassy mounds that you can just lay back on. Sit on the curb area and lay back onto the grass and you can actually fall asleep if you're not careful.

If you can just plan to make sure you take it easy, you can definately relax, but, you have to make yourself do it.

Personally, I wish I could do it more. Every time we come back from WDW, I'm completely worn out.


oh, and if you want to relax............I suggest spending time at the hotel/resort at the pool. Make sure to spend some time OUTSIDE of the parks.

We went on a 2 week honeymoon in 2003 and we spent alot of time at the resort.

OH YEAH, AND VERY IMPORTANTLY: SLEEP IN!

 

[cabanafrau]

I'm not sure. I sure would love to have the opportunity to try out the 2-week plan someday! In two weeks, I'm sure it would be possible to build in plenty of enjoyable downtime. I'm wish, wish, wishing I have the opportunity to try that out someday!

 

[nhpooh]

I do think you can relax at WDW. Yes the first week as you said would be go, go, go. But the second week could be spent enjoying the resort and visiting other resorts. Taking your time eating at different places. I would love to do this, but my DH is go, go, go. We did this one day awhile back and it was wonderful. Relaxing by the pool was so much fun.

And as far as WDW being boring, NO WAY!

 

[ADP]

You absolutely can relax; however, it is up to you. Going to the pool in the afternoon, or sitting at the pool bar are great ways to relax. If you get tempted by all of the other activities then it maybe tough because of the crowds, etc.

 

[DisFam95]

DH and I sat in the big chairs in the lobby of WL and just listened to the music and watched people for 1.5 hrs!!!

We hung out in the bar and had a drink. Had a looong dinner at AP. Wandered the MArketplace.

We've always been able to relax (well..before bring the kids along )

 

[supersuperwendy]

We always stay at an Epcot resort because we love to stroll the world showcase! We've been to the Food and Wine Festival twice and really enjoyed it! My parents always go horseback riding at Fort Wilderness! We spend time walking at a nice pace just holding hands and enjoying the sites and sounds! It is very possible to relax if you put your mind to it!!!!!

 

[Bill From PA]

After years of 7 day WDW vacations done Commando Style, we started taking trips with 10 park days 3 trips ago. Without setting out to do things differently, we just found ourselves ambling along in a less hectic way. The extra time was certainly a factor, but also having done much of what there is to do in WDW on previous trips reduced the sense that we had to hurry up or we'd miss something. The knowledge that we'd be right back there in about 365 days didn't hurt either.

Bill From PA

 

[BounceyOne]

I find disney very relaxing, I love to people watch.

I like to get an icecream and sit at the top of Main street and watch the people hurry by.
We watch the shoes, the excitement, you look for the people that have never been and the people that don't want to be there

Relaxing at the hotel depends on where you stay.

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

Thank you all!! These are some really great suggestions!

I don't know where he came up with that crazy idea about "If you're not doing something in Disney, it could be boring." Honestly, he's never done anything else. We've always just mainly done the parks and DTD.

I definately am the go getter at the parks. He loves all that we see and do but I am by far the driving force of this twosome at Disney.

I think it's because everytime we go on a Disney vacation we always say, "We need a vacation from the vacation" and because we just want to go and do he doesn't think we can relax.

civileng68:: You had some great suggestions! By the way, do you run the DisneyMouseRadio on Live365? DisneyMouseRadio is the reason I got a paid subscription to Live365. It's a great station!

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Wow ... Delaware! I'm from New Castle originally

Okay. Relaxing in Disney. It's really, really hard.

However, my hubby said basically the same thing to me back in 2000, he wants to relax on vacation, not have schedules, not be rushing around to ADRs, not be too exhausted from our vacation, etc.

While I initially thought his "solution" would be a very, very difficult pill to swallow, I would never go back to the way we used to vacation in Orlando.

First -- and I'm putting on my flame suit -- stay off site. Rent a vacation home or a big timeshare from someone. Get one with a jacuzzi in your master bedroom four feet from your bed. Each day, plan for relaxing back at your home away from home (not a hotel) for a few hours after a morning at the parks. There are many, many excellent local massage therapists who will come to you for a good, Swedish massage. If you opt for a timeshare place, there may be a massage therapist there.

For me, it was very hard to relax and not want to always be in a park when I'm surrounded by Disney 24/7. The thought of staying in a cramped hotel room off I-Drive was not appealing, but having all the amenities -- and space -- of a home or large condo was a very different story.

Just a thought if a compromise might be needed.

Best of luck in working this one out. I've been in your shoes

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

I guess it's all how you define relaxing.

We are going next month and dh is already complaining about it not being a relaxing trip. He knows that I like to from open to close everyday. So he thinks WDW vacations are among the least relaxing trips ever.

Yet to me it is relaxing. Yes I am going nonstop all day and most of the night but just being there relaxes my mind. True I get tired but I am so happy there that I don't care. Having nothing to do but have fun is relaxing to me. Does that make sense?

How about you split the time between the parks and a Disney cruise? Now, the cruise truley was relaxing. I didn't feel the need to be on a constant go all day. We actually slept in on the cruise.

 

[Lezah]

When you take a 2 week trip it is totally possible to relax in WDW. You don't have to commando tour unless you only have 1 week or less!! There are ways to stop and smell the roses, literally!! We love to take our time and do EMH in EPCOT (our favourite park) and just wander around World Showcase and stop where we want and have a snack and people watch and just relax!! You can also resort wander too wherever you like to just rest and relax. Sleeping in and getting a later start. Going to the water parks. Wandering DTD and hanging out there. There are so many areas that you can go to you just have to chose your faves. Have fun!!

 

[civileng68]

civileng68:: You had some great suggestions! By the way, do you run the DisneyMouseRadio on Live365? DisneyMouseRadio is the reason I got a paid subscription to Live365. It's a great station!

Yes I do! Thanks for the kind words! Glad you enjoy it.

 

[mrsltg]

Well, I think you can relax but who would want to????

Seriously, dh and I are celebrating his 40th at WDW in 60 days , it was planned to be a "relaxed" trip without the kidlets and their incessant "I want to go on Small World", "I'm thirsty" (You had water 10 hours ago - what's the problem???), "I need a nap" (You can sleep when you're dead), "Is it time for our one bathroom break per day?" (I told you to wear pull-ups - I don't care if you're 5).

Anyway, I thought this trip would be relaxing. However, DH informed me the other night he thinks we should look into picking up a speed habit so as to stay awake and alert as long as possible.

I think it *can* be relaxing if you want it to be. We have two days of nothing planned (well, nothing on the spreadsheet - I have plans) and we'll just see where the day takes us.

If I had two weeks I think I could slow it down. Though, honestly, I feel different at WDW. I have unlimited amounts of energy and zest! I want to go go go and worry about sleeping when I get home. Hmmm... I don't think I'm helping you here....

 

[NMAmy]

Yep--our last 2 week trip was the most relaxing one ever. We went over Christmas--the week before Christmas we accomplished everything we wanted to in the parks. The second week--we slept in, we watched movies in the room with popcorn from Tubbi's, we wandered around different resorts looking at Christmas decorations, we sat outside and read. It was great. I really wish we could do that again!

 

[David R]

I know I only go to Disney for a few hours at a time but the other day we went to Typhoon Lagoon. We found a secluded area away from most of the action, we laid down under some trees, next to a small creek and rock formations and I read a book, I ended up falling sleep for about half an hour, woke up, we rode the lazy river one time around, read a bit more to get dry and headed home.

Those few hours we spent there were the most relaxing moments in months. You should try it!

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

Well, I think you can relax but who would want to????

Seriously, dh and I are celebrating his 40th at WDW in 60 days , it was planned to be a "relaxed" trip without the kidlets and their incessant "I want to go on Small World", "I'm thirsty" (You had water 10 hours ago - what's the problem???), "I need a nap" (You can sleep when you're dead), "Is it time for our one bathroom break per day?" (I told you to wear pull-ups - I don't care if you're 5).

Anyway, I thought this trip would be relaxing. However, DH informed me the other night he thinks we should look into picking up a speed habit so as to stay awake and alert as long as possible.

I think it *can* be relaxing if you want it to be. We have two days of nothing planned (well, nothing on the spreadsheet - I have plans) and we'll just see where the day takes us.

If I had two weeks I think I could slow it down. Though, honestly, I feel different at WDW. I have unlimited amounts of energy and zest! I want to go go go and worry about sleeping when I get home. Hmmm... I don't think I'm helping you here....

I really enjoyed your writing style!! This is hilarious (sp?) and this is usually how I am! I don't have kidlets but I am so like that w/ DH. "What do you mean you're hungry??? You had cereal 4 hours ago!!" "Bathroom?? Again?? Didn't you just go (8 hours ago)?"

Maybe that's why DH doesn't think we can relax at Disney. It's me. All me!! AHHHHHH!!

Thanks for sharing your insight. I enjoyed it.

 

[Kim1964]

I definitely think you can relax there, even with kids. I'm a total Type A personality, but I went into our last trip determined to relax and have fun with my family. So much of our "real life" is rushing from here to there, that I just don't want to do that on vacation. It's true that we don't see every single thing there is to see, and we don't go on every single ride at every single park, but we have fun and we know that we'll be back someday and can try other things then. I made the mistake in 2004 of being highly scheduled with the trip, determined to cram as much in as possible to "get our money's worth". It was a miserable trip. Now I define "getting my money's worth" as enjoying the time with my family, and it works well for us to go at a more relaxed pace. I do make dinner ADRs, but that's it for scheduling. Everything else is what we feel like doing at that time.