Commando or Laid Back - what works for you?

[Hoopfamily]

All go no quit big **** harry stamper. Gotta go go go go go.

 

[MoreorlessaDisneyfan]

It all depends on how many times you've gone there over the years. Once you start getting into double digits, you usually end up doing it "laid back". At least, that's the way it is with our family. With the exceptions of 1989, 1996 and this year, we've gone down to Disney every year since 1988. Our family is at the point where we just take it easy.

Sincerely,

John "MoreorlessaDisneyfan" Kilduff

 

[resol37]

I didn't vote in the poll because we're definately somewhere in between. We go with plan - which days we're going to do which parks, which rides to see first. I usually have an itinerary for each day, but it usually goes by the wayside after the first day. I don't think we've ever made ADRs.

 

[Shubunk]

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?

Good point

 

[Clotho]

My philosophy is to plan like a crazy commando before the trip, then "go with the flow" once we get to (the park)

This is my plan, too. As a Virgo, I ADORE making lists and plans, and highlighting stuff, and poring over maps. I plan where I want to be and what I want to accomplish, but beyond that, once I get there, I want to be riding that wave. I want to feel I can stop and take something in if it strikes me to do so, to change my mind and not feel I am missing out.

That said, part of the pre-planning includes planning some free/open time, where if I miss something I planned for a particular day, I have "free days/times" already scheduled in to push things back to.

So I am a mix of commando and laid back! I love strolling around and just taking in the magic!

 

[Becky_Boop]

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 what we do. I love to plan, so it's great to make a list of every single ride and place we go to, just to fall back on if things get hectic. It made the trip smoother. When we got there, we were able to do much more than expected, and just followed the basics of the plan. If you can go every 6 months, it's fine to be laid back. Right now, we aren't sure how many trips to WDW we're going to do, so it's a little bit commando for us.

 

[eblack0409]

We are very "go with the flow" at Disney!

 

[mom22boys]

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.

Welcome to the DIS!

 

[mdfdisney]

I wouldn't exactly call it commando style, but our pace is definitely not laid back. We do plenty of pre-planning, get to the parks before they open and try to stay ahead of the crowds. My motor runs the fastest, so I lead the pack. I go at the slowest speed I can stand, which is a little faster than the rest of the family can keep up with

As others have said, we start with a plan, but play it by ear. Staying late if everyone is enjoying themselves, leaving early if it is crowded or the group is getting cranky, taking breaks when our legs are tired or changing parks if our attention is waning.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I think commando for the 1st trip, then laid back for all other trips. For my first trip, I'm going to have a list of things to do in each park and meals are planned out. I plan to stick to it, but after that for the next trip, I plan to just go with whatever.

 

[WhatAWonderfulDay]

Commando till about 12:00 or 1:00pm...then alllll relaxed.

It works quite well.

 

[S. C.]

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?

ITA

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

I was commando for the first few trips. However, our last trip was the first with kids (preschool, toddler) and we were very laid back (spent about 5 hours in the parks per day). Laid back was very nice - no pressure, just hanging out in Fantasy Land, etc. However, I don't think I could have been laid back if I hadn't already experienced WDW several times - so, I am glad I got the commando phase over before I tried to tour with the little ones.

 

[Carnator]

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.

Thats what we do also

Dec 06

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

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?

completely agree 100 %

 

[AKLRULZ]

It's a vacation - we're laid back and go with the flow. Helps that we go so often, I'm sure - but we've done commando before and it's just not fun.

 

[kydeb1346]

This is my plan, too. As a Virgo, I ADORE making lists and plans, and highlighting stuff, and poring over maps. I plan where I want to be and what I want to accomplish, but beyond that, once I get there, I want to be riding that wave. I want to feel I can stop and take something in if it strikes me to do so, to change my mind and not feel I am missing out.

That said, part of the pre-planning includes planning some free/open time, where if I miss something I planned for a particular day, I have "free days/times" already scheduled in to push things back to.

So I am a mix of commando and laid back! I love strolling around and just taking in the magic!

Another Virgo here and do everything the exact same way you do! Used to commando but now will be more relaxed starting with our next trip in May 2007. I have figured out there really is no reason to be commando when it's a group of only 2 adults.

 

[Brise Nannie]

Without a doubt "Laid Back" worked best for us in all cases. We've done both and the LB approach was so less stressful and so much more enjoyable. It was amazing...I didn't plan a thing and yet we got to do everything we would've planned. It was like the less I planned, the more I was able to find a quick bus to the right park, get a seat to the desired show, and find the shortest line on the popular ride. Go figure!

 

[PaulaSB12]

Laid back holiday for me. I did a 15 day holiday this year and its 21 days next year so I have the time to potter, though next year I intend to spend 5 days with trips to Kennedy, Universal, Seaworld, Busch gardens and a day shopping.

 

[Kristina]

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.

I second that (or third or fourth it since I didn't read all the replys ) I plan plan plan and know a whole lot going in, and even bring an info sheet in a plastic protector with us to the parks (a different one everyday!) but then kind of forget all about it other than when our ADR is and just go with the flow. I already know where to sit for the parades and when to line up, what the CS places are serving and where the best snacks are, where a few hidden mickeys are and when the crowds will start to arrive. However I can not take it easy at the resort, have never tried the pools and can't imagine even going for a half day to a mall shopping .

Now I admit, I would love to try the pools sometime if I wasn't so darn tired! You all look like you're having a wonderful time out there relaxing and having fun but well me, if I'm awake, then I'm at a Disney park! !