Breaking the "Theme Park Commando" Habit

[joeytdog]

Three Words

Tour Guide Mike

 

[bangzoom6877]

Well, I have not been to WDW as a DVC member yet (just bought into DVC a couple of months ago). However, we were at the World in July and while I did a TON of planning, our actual trip was awesome because we did not wait in any long lines despite the fact that it was busy summer season. Not Christmas time busy, but busy nonetheless.

Here's what I did: I used Tour Guide Mike and it helped tremendously. Before that, I had made up daily itineraries for each park and saved them onto my computer. I was dead wrong with many things in my original itinerary according to TGM. I read and read many articles on his website and decided to listen to him (a common quote he says over and over again is "after all, that's what you're paying me for!"). I listened. I paid attention. I completely turned our original plans upside down and re-did everything according to TGM.

I am proud to say that the LONGEST line we waited on was when DH went to grab a FP for Exp. Everest at AK and texted me from there asking if I was okay with him just waiting the 30 min. wait and then if he would meet me to go to Festival of the Lion King. I said it was fine, because I was in DinoLand USA with the kids and we were enjoying ourselves there. By the time we had left to walk to get to Festival of the Lion King, it turned out that he had started walking as well from where he was, and we ended up arriving at the line at the exact same time. Couldn't have planned it more perfectly! So that wait was worth it especially since the kids were occupied.

By using TGM's advice (5 days at the parks and it worked every time), we were able to see all the attractions we had on our list before 2PM. Most of them we saw before lunch which was usually around 11:30, then we did some after lunch as well. Then we took an afternoon break which was so nice. We chose to go back to our room and relax and nap, or just watch TV (loved the DVC info on there! ), but others would choose to relax in the pool at their hotel. We then only returned to the park if we had a dinner ADR, which was twice (once at Epcot where we enjoyed strolling around the WS and once at MK where we just enjoyed walking around and viewing the shows by the castle). Other nights we had a dinner ADR at a resort restaurant.

So, I do know that we will be much more relaxed if we do not get to see an attraction on future trips than we would have on this past trip, had we missed something on our list. We did not know for sure we would be DVC members when we were on that trip. However we did know we wanted to go back every other year and stay longer.

DH and I decided while we were on that trip that if we really do get to live out our dream and go every other year we would stay 10 nights instead of 5, and still only go to parks 5 or maybe 6 days. The other days would be to relax, shop at DTD, enjoy the pool at the resort, etc. Ideally, going to a park every other day and resting a day in between to really enjoy our vacation. While I will continue to use TGM as a reference for planning, I am now "primed" for Disney parks and know much more what I am doing. And I will be able to relax at the World and take time to take it all in!!!

 

[OneMoreTry]

I agree with those who say that the best trips tend to include less parks and more leisurely enjoyment of the resorts. However, it is very hard for me not to plan and get all uptight about schedules. There is just so much fun stuff to do.

For me, watching disney-made DVD's about the parks makes it much more difficult to take off the commando hat. It's kind of like theme park porn. And the more I read about the best strategies for riding the rides, the more I feel I have to follow them.

So this next trip I'm reading no tips, not going to the "theme park attractions and strategies" board, and watching no disney dvds about the parks.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

One of the purposes of joining DVC was to not have to do "commando" type park touring anymore.

I am trying to make our touring plans for 12-20 to 12-26 (in three weeks). I am trying to take into account the crowds, of which I have no clue, having only been in January. We are trying to see all the special Christmas things and still ride main rides and still "relax" at the AKV. Somehow, I only think this is possible if there are more hours in a day than I have! How do you all change your mindset? How do you plan for a very crowded time?

We truly did change our mindset, and I think it's because we know we'll be back. We don't feel the need to see every thing, every time. Each visit, we spend 6 - 8 days. We do 2 theme park days and 1-2 water park days, depending on whether we're spending 6 or 8 days.

If you don't plan on going down over Christmas again soon, my plans would be different than if I knew I was going over Christmas most years. With that said, here are my learnings on planning during a crowded time (we go Easter week sometimes):
1) If you aren't cooking, call at the 6 month mark and make lunch and/or dinner reservations where you can. Otherwise, you will not get in anywhere. This saves us a ton of time and aggravation! In fact, we are going to WDW this April, and I have my entire trip planned out, including where I need to make dinner reservations. I just can't make them yet, because Dis is implementing a new system and isn't taking reservations for April yet.
2) Do you truly take advantage of the Extra Magic hours at the parks when you go? If not, don't go to a park with Extra Magic hours. We notice that they are much more crowded, as other people are doing the parks commando-style!
3) Pick the one or two rides that you really want to hit and go get fast passes immediately. For the really popular rides, they go quick, and you'll probably only get 2 or 3 fast passes at most during your visit.
4) If you're going to something like Festival of the Lion King, get there early. Otherwise, you won't get in to see it.
5) If you ride buses, plan a little extra time to get to where you are going, especially if you have a reservation.

If you've never been at Christmas, you will love it. It is unbelievably beautiful, and even more magical! Have a safe trip, and a wonderful time!!!

 

[podsnel]

I don't know. See? Wasn't that helpful?

I'm SERIOUSLY going to try to break the habit (15 years in the making) next week at SSR. I'll let you know how it goes.

I've never been obsessed with planning anything like some of you guys. I made my FIRST ADRs EVER for next week. I've never believed in the planning part because I'm on vacation (so shoot me but that's the way I feel). I have, typically, run my family around the parks like a crazy man trying to ride rides and see shows ever since I first set foot in the MK about 15 years ago.

I swear I'm gonna break the habit next week. I swear I am!

My name is Bob and I'm a commandoholic. There. That's a first step...

HI BOB! OMG, that was a really funny post!

Anyway, I've just begun traveling in WDW with the new, laid back, non-commando attitude. It's nice. And about 4000 times every minute, I repeat in my head, "It's ok- you'll be back again soon." And THAT is the ONLY thing that stops me from running myself around like a nut!

 

[jblrn2b]

Oh No! That would be too much for me! I can't wait to get to that point. I guess I'll have to be Bob and begin with admitting my weakness.

 

[Mississippian]

I like being at the park at opening when there are no lines. I'm often ready to leave by 11 a.m. I may not have seen everything, but I've seen a lot without waiting much in line.

Of course, having to be at the rope at opening time is "commando," but it leaves most of the rest of the day free to do whatever.

 

[ldo]

even if the park opens at 8, we have never been able to get there before about 9:30. You can still do plenty from 9:30 until noon or 1 PM, esp. using FP. That leave us the rest of the day to relax and then Maybe go back for dinner and to walk around and see fireworks. Sometimes, we even eat dinner in condo and just go back for 2 hours at closing.

 

[deide71]

I agree that having the AP's really helps defeat the commando side. We have 3 kids ages 9/6/5 and our motto is to leave the parks before we stop having fun...usually about 1 or so. Sometimes we come back for fireworks or parades, but often we just hang out at the resort.

It is true that ultimately knowing you are going back keeps you from feeling you have to hit every ride or see every show. DVC has definately made our vacations much more relaxing.

 

[Pennyguy23]

We go WAY to often to be commando. We really just relax and enjoy the days. We will ride may a 1 or 2 rides a day. Thats about it. Maybe more if we are at BCV or BWV since we are walking distances away. Our trip next month we might ride 3 or 4 rides in the 10 days we are there. It is way to busy to even think of waiting in those lines. Not worth it to me. We just love being there and enjoy the warm weather. (well hopfully its warm this year, last year it was so cold we had to wear our winter jackets at night )

 

[tinkercat]

Three Words

Tour Guide Mike

I totally agree! We just joined DVC on our last trip, so I can't speak to the whole DVC aspect of it, but we did use TGM and it was a godsend! We traveled 11/20-11/27 and while a previous poster mentioned that the Saturday before Thanksgiving was busy, we NEVER waited more than 10 minutes in line for anything that day.

We did the TGM commando style touring in the AM and then by lunch had accomplished so much that it was truly easy to relax and take it slow. It was great, and I'll definitely use TGM in the future.

I know it may sound crazy, planning things out so much, but those plans are what enabled us to relax and enjoy the trip SO much more than we would have been able to with 3 small kids otherwise.

 

[starbox]

I think you have to be a bit commando during Christmas/Spring Break - maybe not in terms of running ragged and doing everything - but I do think you need to research what is available, decide what you want to do, and have a plan.

We've found it helpful to have each family member make a "Top 5" list - the five things they want to see or do, and we make sure those things get done.

For Christmas this year - we've actually made a "no rides" policy - we're there 2 days/3 nights only to see the shows and events that only take place at Christmas - the rides will be there when we go back.

 

[Coach81]

This past summer I sat the family down and gave everyone a list of their top 5 rides or shows that they "had to see" before we left. Each family member filled it out, then I compiled all the lists into one master list. We then went to the trip with the attitude that we would do everyone's must do things at least once.. and then enjoy the rest of the trip with a much more laid-back attitude. Well, turned out the parks were not nearly as crowded as we expected, and we were easily able to see and do everything on the lists, and much more!

We are now in the early stages of planning for a Christmas visit next Christmas ('09). We are already warning the boys that we will not be able to ride but just a few rides, and that we are going mainly to see all the wonderful decorations.

I can tell you, we are getting better and better with our "non-commando" style, and our DVC has helped us a great deal with it!

I would suggest deciding what is your top priority- riding rides or enjoying the atmosphere. If it is riding the rides, I would get there very early in the morning, ride as many rides as I could.. then leave the parks and try to return again toward the evening to ride some more..

Good luck, have fun!!!

 

[photobob]

Some very sound advice here. What I try to do is go to a park at opening and do the major attractions with a combination of short lines and fast pass until lunch and then have a nice TS lunch and then we really slow down from there. After lunch we usually head back to the resort for a nap and/or a swim. We may go back for a leisurely evening of an attraction or two and maybe fireworks.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

For Christmas this year - we've actually made a "no rides" policy - we're there 2 days/3 nights only to see the shows and events that only take place at Christmas - the rides will be there when we go back.

Okay...this is almost as bad as that darned D-I-E-T word!!! I can break commando, but I'm not sure if I could truly adhere to the "no rides" pollicy.

All kidding aside, I totally understand about the Christmas events and the short stay. When we go to AK, my "must do" is Festival of the Lion King. I would give up anything else in the park to see it. We've had one opportunity to go over Christmas break, and while we did do MVMCP, I wished we had gone to the different parks to see the shows and lights.

Hope you guys have a wonderful visit, and the kind of weather we had a couple of years ago (not a drop of rain for 7 days, and 80 degrees!). Enjoy the holidays!

 

[starbox]

Okay...this is almost as bad as that darned D-I-E-T word!!! I can break commando, but I'm not sure if I could truly adhere to the "no rides" pollicy.

All kidding aside, I totally understand about the Christmas events and the short stay. When we go to AK, my "must do" is Festival of the Lion King. I would give up anything else in the park to see it. We've had one opportunity to go over Christmas break, and while we did do MVMCP, I wished we had gone to the different parks to see the shows and lights.

Hope you guys have a wonderful visit, and the kind of weather we had a couple of years ago (not a drop of rain for 7 days, and 80 degrees!). Enjoy the holidays!

LOL! Well, we'll only be in parks two days and I want to see all the EPCOT world showcase stuff - I figure all that and the candlelight processional will take the whole day (and trying to make it to Osborne lights afterwards).

The second day is the MK, and realistically - it's just the parade, castle, and fireworks I care about, so there probably will be time for some rides. But our favorite and the one on everyone's "list" when we make them is EE and we won't go to the AK this trip. Also, no way will we do Toy Story Mania.

We'll actually be at Disney on DH and I's 16th anniversary and I just really want to see the castle with its lights.....