Attempt at a stress free tour.....help!!!!

[serenitynow]

We schedule a "free" morning or afternoon when each person has their own personal time to see, do, go, swim, nap, shop or whatever they want. Later, we meet back up at a nice ADR for dinner and we share our adventures. This gives everyone a little alone time and makes the stress of constant togetherness easier to bear. I am always amazed at things that other people see or experience at Disney World that I have never really paid attention to, especially the kids and grandkids. Also I think it gives everyone a little more patience to endure the group things they are not interested in (Princess breakfasts for the guys, character meet & greet for the teens) knowing that they will have a big chunk of time to do any darn thing they choose.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Ditch your ADR's. It's very freeing not being tied down.

Agree wholeheartedly with this.

OP, I know you said it's not really an option. But, we've found that most of the stress related to a Disney trip revolves around what, where, and when to eat. It's even prevalent here on these boards...there's is no greater angst of any subject here than eating at Disney.

Besides...if you're an actual "food snob", you've probably been dissappointed many, many times at Disney anyhow. The food really, really isn't THAT great...anywhere.

 

[dramadrew]

I might make a FP the night before and thank goodness now you don't have to make 3

I thought I read something about this new change. Could you or anyone else familiar with it explain this better? After the first fastpass, you're able to make one at another park? Are you able to make one at the same park? Like the parks that are tiered, could you select a tier one after you used the first one as long as it's day of? If I can understand this better, it might make my trip less stressed too. Thanks!

 

[loves to dive]

I thought I read something about this new change. Could you or anyone else familiar with it explain this better? After the first fastpass, you're able to make one at another park? Are you able to make one at the same park? Like the parks that are tiered, could you select a tier one after you used the first one as long as it's day of? If I can understand this better, it might make my trip less stressed too. Thanks!

There is a sticky for this, sorry I don't know the link but you can do a search on FP and I'm sure it will pop up. I'd love to explain it but since I don't really use the system that much and certainly don't use it the way most people do with booking all the FPs and using them I don't really know all the ends and outs. I do know you can book, 1, 2 or 3 in the beginning now when you used to be forced to book 3. I'm pretty sure you can book 1 in MK and another one in another park the same day in one booking but not sure. I know you can book 1 in say MK, use it and immediately book one in another park now instead of having to book 3 in MK and use them before you can book in another park. Sorry we are just that laid back that we rarely book more than 1 or 2 at a time and we hop all over the place. We just don't mind standing in line, silly I know.

 

[lustergirl]

I always go in with the idea to relax. I hit the parks early, go back to my room to relax, and come back out at night. I need the break and my knee will thank me.

 

[xipotec]

You guys are always able to read my DIS mind....

1. I promise to limit my ADR to one per day.....we do have favorite places to eat and that meal can make the day.
2. I solemnly swear not to get upset about BTMRR being closed.
3. I will not obsessively ride my favorite rides more than once (maybe twice)....well HM I have to ride at least 4 times.......
4. I will not attend every parade or Fireworks......
5. I will not run to meet every character.... ( unless it's Stitch)
6. I will sleep in .....a little.....I get too excited to sleep late.
7. I WILL go back to the resorts early SOME nights....to chill at the resort.
8. I will not hunt obsessively for the perfect trip keepsake.
9. I will force myself to walk slowly around the parks...not my usual fast walk almost run.....
10. I will stop at least a few times a day, take a deep breath, look around , hug my family and remember how ,luck we are to be at WDW!

Thanks for the support "group mind" think........ its helping me realize change.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

If I was to go to WDW and realize that there will be more crowds on certain days and during a specific time of year, I usually always take my days slowly or plan it differently. One thing I have done to make my vacation more relaxing is take a park tour. I know they cost extra money, but they are very informative and you might learn something about Disney that you never knew before. You also might get on certain rides with no wait (Doesn't always happen). You also get to go into areas that guests will never see (depending on the tour). Then before/after taking a tour, I always plan my fastpasses for the rides that I really want to ride. After that, I'll enjoy the park by walking around, see shows, or just go back to the resort and relax.

 

[toonaspie]

This thread was very reassuring though I'm not as lucky as you guys. We'll only be there for 3 days plus 3 hours the final day and we're lucky to make these trips once per decade. It's been stressful trying to plan this out but I gotta remember that this trip is for my friend's graduation. I'm just the one who knows how to plan this stuff better. We're on the QSD plan so we're doing only one ADR max on the first three days and I might drop one or two of them before we go anyway. Did I mention that we're going in mid December when the crowds will be at their peak? Fortunately we've seen a good number of the stage shows via Youtube videos so that cuts down the necessity to see certain attractions. I already know which handful are a must, which handful to skip. The rest lie somewhere in the middle. May the FPs serve me well.