Commando or Laid Back - what works for you?

[El Tel]

On my previous two trips to WDW I planned down to the level of what rides to go on and when. Then went 'commando stye' to try and achieve it.

This time I've put emphasis on hitting the right park on the right day and book my ADRs (I'm doing the DDP so haven't much choice), but I'm not planning when to do rides and attractions or trying to cram every second of every day.

Do you think I'm doing the right thing?

What works for you?

 

[ACDSNY]

Laid back...I like to soak up the Disney magic and atmosphere.

 

[Shubunk]

I once saw people that had a note book and actually planned how long it would take to wait in line, how long it would take to walk from ride to ride, and they actually put what times they were allowed to use the restroom. I thought that was WAY too much planning. You should make your ADRs and plan what days to go to what park and the rest just leave alone. Your bladder will decide when you should use the restroom and you stomach will tell you when you are hungry It is bad not to plan at all but planning too much is also not good.

 

[MomofKatie]

My philosophy is to plan like a crazy commando before the trip, then "go with the flow" once we get to WDW. Since I've planned everything, I don't feel like I need to run around when I get there. All that pre-planning makes the actual trip very nice and smooth.

 

[tmt martins]

We set a general where are we going on what days and what rides are a must.

But we go on the fly from there and DW just joins us when she gets up and about.
DD & I can run all day so we are at the parks for EMH and leaving the night EMH as well.

So we are always going but not trying to fit everything in in one day and my spread sheets stay in the room just for reference to what we want to get in and our ADRs for the day.

 

[denecarter]

My philosophy is to plan like a crazy commando before the trip, then "go with the flow" once we get to WDW. Since I've planned everything, I don't feel like I need to run around when I get there. All that pre-planning makes the actual trip very nice and smooth.

EXACTLY!!!!!

 

[helenm29]

The first time we went to DW I think we definately did commando! there's so much to see and so little time to see it! but we try now to pick out favorites first and then just drag along to the rest at a snail pace. This time we are going for 12 days so we can just enjoy everything! only 2 more full days to go and we'll be there! WOO HOO! Helen

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I used to be commando, but with the kids (they can't keep up) I take it low key commando.

However, the older we all get, it will be me and DH that won't be able to keep up with the kids.


However, now that we own DVC we know we will be back, so we take it a lot slower. I'm going in 6 weeks and then again in February of 07 so we will enjoy this trip at a slower pace. I even have a few mornings we are sleeping in and several afternoons scheduled for the resort (BWV) and pool.

 

[helenabear]

I used to be super commando. I think starting on our honeymoon we learned to be laid back more. I also learned the love of going during more of the off season. Fewer people means less stress. Now that I go a couple times a year (on average) it seems that I am laid back no matter how long or short of a trip I have

 

[PattiPB]

We enjoy the laid back approach, but I think part of that is being a DISer. Most people active on here aren't "single visit" travelers. If someone truly was going for a once in a lifetime trip, they would have to be commando to see it all...or stay a month!!!

Part of what relaxes me is always knowing that I will be back. I never panic about missing something, KWIM?

 

[ryley26]

Always commando in the AM and laid back in the PM. It works for us and the Kids.

 

[Amy&Dan]

My philosophy is to plan like a crazy commando before the trip, then "go with the flow" once we get to WDW. Since I've planned everything, I don't feel like I need to run around when I get there. All that pre-planning makes the actual trip very nice and smooth.

This is exactly what we do! I love making my plans (sort of my hobby sadly enough ) but know that the best laid plans might have to be thrown out once you get there due to many factors you can't plan for. But knowing what park we will go to each day, having the ADR's set, knowing what the hours are, what nights Spectro is running, etc. help make things go smoothly and keeps us from having to be commando to get it all done.

 

[LaraK]

Always commando in the AM and laid back in the PM. It works for us and the Kids.

That's exactly what we do....I plan my mornings very carefully (ADR's before the park opens so I can be at an interior rope drop, what rides, etc...) I can usually hit my "must do's" within an hour and a half of opening. Then we pull back the throttle and enjoy for the rest of the day. The only other thing I absolutely plan each day is a nap (must have with the little ones) and the Dinner ADR so we know what park we'll go to after nap time.

 

[momrek06]

My philosophy is to plan like a crazy commando before the trip, then "go with the flow" once we get to WDW. Since I've planned everything, I don't feel like I need to run around when I get there. All that pre-planning makes the actual trip very nice and smooth.

Yup, we are a COMMANDO family all 4 of us....BUT that being said...ONE OF THESE DAYS...sooner than later...I am going to go to the World and just sit back and enjoy the VIEWS...something we NEVER do...

So for now...it is COMMANDO!!!!

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

Definately laid back. At being about 14 years old, my mom does the planning. Its not much before we get there. She plans out our resteraunt reservations and what parks on what day. When we're actually in Disney World, our planning is minimal. For example, what rides to go on depending on their wait time. However, I don't really consider that planning . . . Its just sort of . . . spur of the moment.​

 

[Donald is #1]

I definitely take a more laid back approach now. My first trip was very commando style. I think that we crossed the parks (only MK & EPCOT back then) many times. But for my trips after that, we have taken a much more laid back approach. We still spend the entire day and evening in the parks, but we sit down a lot more to rest but also to appreciate the parks and we pick the top 2-3 things for that park. Once we do our top choices, we take everything else as it comes.

 

[FigNewton]

I even show SIGNS of starting commando and my wife reins me back in!

 

[jess20k]

I used to be the commando type when we would go, but for the past 3 trips I am more laid back, it definately is more enjoyable now. Plus, we go more often than in the past, when I felt like I had to rush around.

 

[Fish Almighty]

When I saw the title of this thread, I thought it was discussing whether or not to wear underwear at Disney. Guess I'm still really new here. I was trying to figure out what "laid back" underwear was.

But I guess we're semi-commando before going, but once we're there, we're definitely laid back.

 

[katedrew94]

I used to be a park commando but once we joined DVC we got to go more often and then we became more laid back. Now I plan like crazy before we go in terms of what park we'll be at on what day and our dining, but otherwise we go with the flow.