Commando ready to retire!

[Brier Rose]

I really want to plan a more relaxed itinerary, but find myself wanting to add in more park time.
We have been to WDW 32 times in the past 13 years, so we've been there enough that we should be able to easily slow things down, which we want to do, but every time I start itinerary planning I keep adding more and more park time!
Any non-commando Disers out there wanna check my itinerary to see if it's a good combination of rest time/play time??

Staying 10 nights total...first 5 at POFQ and last 5 at BWI - Jul. 22 - Aug.1
It will be me, DH, DD13 and DS6.

- We usually leave here at approx, 3:30am, so we should arrive at POFQ about 10:00-10:30am. Plan to just hang out here all day..swim, rent boats, nap. Dinner at O'Hana at 6:30pm then back to resort for bed.

- Up early this morning to be at MK opening, MK 9:00am - 1:00pm, lunch at the Plaza, then back to the resort. Swim, rest..etc..Then take the boat over to DTD for a little shopping and dinner at RFC.

- Sleep in this morning, hang out at the resort again, swim, rent boats,etc.. Then head over to MGM at about 5:30pm. Hope to catch the last showing of the new stunt show, and then dinner at HBD. This is MGM EMH night, so plan on staying till closing 12:00am, I believe. 2nd showing of Fantasmic!

- Sleep in late as we need to, then head over to BB some time around 2:00 or 3:00pm. I know it usually gets very crowded in the summer, but we've usually had pretty good luck going in the late afternoon, especially after one of those typical Florida afternoon showers! Dinner at Boatwright's at POR.

- Early up this morning to be at Epcot opening, Epcot 9:00am - 1:00pm, lunch in Mexico, and then head back to the resort. Swim,boats,naps,etc..Maybe run over to AK for and hour or two for EMH???

- Check out of POFQ, then breakfast at Chef Mickey's at 10:30am. After breakfast check into BWI. Swim, nap,etc..Maybe dinner at ESPN and then over to MK for EMH 8:00pm - 1:00am.(or maybe just skip ESPN and go straight over to MK)

- Sleep in, maybe hit the pool again, head over to Epcot about 3:00pm, and plan on staying till closing at 12:00am (EMH). Dinner at Le'Cellier.

- Sleep in, then head over to AK for the rest of the day. Illuminations Cruise tonight!

- Early up this morning to be at MGM opening, MGM 9:00am-1:00pm, lunch at Sci-Fi Dine In. Return to BWI, dinner on the BW somewhere.

- Early rise this morning to be at MK opening, MK 9:00am - 1:00pm, lunch at CRT, then back to resort to pack, swim, etc.. Maybe back to park this night to get in a just a little more park time before we leave in the morning???

- Early am drive home

So what do you think?? Could I add in more park time and it still be relaxing enough? Does it look good as it is?

 

[Micca]

Brier Rose I am a recovering park commando We have also been to WDW about the same number of times as you. When we go now, we make our dining plans and pick our park days based on the lowest attendance figures.
We no longer stress over getting on all the attractions or making all the shows/parades. We enjoy just being at WDW, whatever happens while we are there is fine.

 

[babar41]

Brier Rose...
Reading your itinerary made me start shaking. I think you did a great job of scheduling rest and relaxation.

The reason I started shaking is you made me realize I am a commando! I could never be at Disney and sit by the pool, the parks are calling to me. Every year I promise my DH this year will be different. But I just can't help myself. Something about being at WDW... I turn into the energizer bunny. Must go to the parks!

Good luck to you. You have definitely made it the first step, to slow down the itinerary. Me? Don't think I could do it

 

[mitros]

Well, since we live within an hour and a half ride of WDW, and have been there well over a hundred times since 1988, we no longer have to do commando type visits. We are also DVC members, so we go at least 2 weekends a month and just spread everything out over the year. Since we know we will be back in a few weeks after each visit, we don't have that nervous "hurry up and see this, that and the other thing" it is all relaxing now.

 

[Rozzie]

Brier Rose...
Reading your itinerary made me start shaking. I think you did a great job of scheduling rest and relaxation.

The reason I started shaking is you made me realize I am a commando! I could never be at Disney and sit by the pool, the parks are calling to me. Every year I promise my DH this year will be different. But I just can't help myself. Something about being at WDW... I turn into the energizer bunny. Must go to the parks!

Good luck to you. You have definitely made it the first step, to slow down the itinerary. Me? Don't think I could do it

you described me to a tee!!each time I promise no commando, I think I have even raised my right hand several times. My DH never believes me, and sure enough, each time, wake up calls at 545am it is....

is there any hope for us? we are going end of summer for a quick trip and I had to jump up and down promise no commando, we'll see how it goes....

 

[Micca]

I just wanted to add that possesion of APs is a stress reliever. If you're going more than 7 or 8 days a year, get APs. Unlimited access to the parks helps a lot.

 

[babar41]

you described me to a tee!!each time I promise no commando, I think I have even raised my right hand several times. My DH never believes me, and sure enough, each time, wake up calls at 545am it is....

is there any hope for us? we are going end of summer for a quick trip and I had to jump up and down promise no commando, we'll see how it goes....

No hope at all!
My DH husband just looks at me and says "sure, sure, sure" and then he starts laughing at me. He knows I can't help myself. Up early, run till I drop. And at the end of the vacation I'm the one holding Mickey's leg begging "Please don't make me go, let me stay just one more day!" We only go once a year for 8 or 9 days, have to make the most of every minute because it has to last me another 12 months! Hope you have a great time when you go.

 

[Briarmom]

Brier,
I think your 'schedule' looks great. Now I have a question for you!
I am not as much of a commando as many, but I do like to have a PLAN OF ATTACK so, how do you get your children to go along with it. I have a ds6 who has his own ideas about where to go and I want to make sure he has the best time possible (our next trip to WDW will be Nov, but just he and I are going to DL in a couple of weeks-leaving baby Briar with Dad). How do I convince him that if we start at a, and then go to b,c,d,etc we will get more done?
Briar

 

[newholidayx2]

Im hoping DS13 & I can relax more in August. This is our first 2 wk vacation and our first time with APs
Im not planning on a park until our 3rd full day (want those APs for next Aug before a cruise). We'll take more pool/waterpark time.
Once we activate those APs we'll have 4 days when we'll be at the parks at their openings (once each). Have lunch at 1 and then head back to the resorts/pools.
Our 2nd wk Im planning on the pools in the morn, late lunch and parks at night (once each late hrs, other times their reg closings)
This is whats "Planned" at this time. We'll see what happens once we get to WDW - lol

 

[Leota]

I am a Recovering Commando.

I had no choice. I have health issues & was coming home sick for WDW every time. My doctor's finally begged me to TRY to take it easy. So, last Oct., I took it easy & discovered that you could have a great, relaxing vacation & not get sick from it! lol

I think your schedule looks great. I'll tell you, tho, the real secret to relaxation at WDW is to not really have a schedule. Make PS seatings (esp. now with MYW Dining Plan - no more spontaneous table service) for your must do meals. And then, go where your fancy takes you. You've been enough that you know the ropes. Then stay as long as you feel like & move on to do what you feel like next. (BTW, I wouldn't recommend that to first-timers or only timers)

Last trip, I had a general idea of where I wanted to be on what days so I could make my dining arrangements. But, that was totally up for negotiation. We'd do a few hours in a Park, eat, swim, rest. Maybe a couple more hours in the Park - whatever we felt like. It was all about relaxation & all about going with our internal flow. Heaven

Have Fun! Relaxation in the World is not only possible, it is Fabulous!

 

[Allan]

We have 12 days till our next trip and plan on doing the same as you. We just want to relax and swim during the day and go to the parks at night. Can't Wait!!!!

 

[babar41]

Brier,
How do I convince him that if we start at a, and then go to b,c,d,etc we will get more done?
Briar

I'm not Brier, but I couldn't resist answering you. Directing children through Disney is a lot like herding cats through a room full of rocking chairs. They go where they want!

Best suggestion I have for you is involve him in the planning. Show him a map of MK and list the rides you are going to want to see and have him help plot out how to go. At the park give him a copy of the itinerary and have him be the guide.

Second suggestion... have patience when the itinerary goes out the window!

Have a great time! You have brought back memories (very fond memories) of my first time at Disney when the kids were young!

 

[DisFlan]

We gave up commando mode years ago. We still do a bit of it at the MK on night we arrive, but that's just sort of a family tradition. We don't do it with any specific rides in mind. It's fun to run around from ride to ride - for about an hour - just reveling in being back at WDW. Then we grab a bite (usually Pecos Bills for a chili dog), take a few pics of ourselves by the castle, maybe watch a parade or the fireworks, shop a little and go back to our resort.

I agree with LEOTA. Relaxxxx! We don't do planned itineraries. We've been there too often to take them seriously. We did it a couple of times years ago when our son was small, but we found we have a much better time when we arrive and just roll with the punches. More happy surprises happen this way! We make a couple of PS's for the week, but that's about it. We've been bunches of times before and we know we'll be back. Each morning we decide what we feel like doing that day. If we want an unplanned-for restaurant for dinner that night, we call and get a PS (usually successfully, btw.) And if we miss something, big deal. We'll catch it the next time.

The big plus in doing WDW this way is that we don't return home worn out from our vacation. Because it really was a vacation, not an attraction marathon.

DisFlan

 

[Briarmom]

I'm not Brier, but I couldn't resist answering you. Directing children through Disney is a lot like herding cats through a room full of rocking chairs. They go where they want!

Best suggestion I have for you is involve him in the planning. Show him a map of MK and list the rides you are going to want to see and have him help plot out how to go. At the park give him a copy of the itinerary and have him be the guide.

Second suggestion... have patience when the itinerary goes out the window!

Have a great time! You have brought back memories (very fond memories) of my first time at Disney when the kids were young!

Thanks for the reply! My ds has been to WDW and DL several times, so part of my problem is that he takes out the map and says something like "ok, we'll start at Splash mtn, then go to small world, then Jungle cruise..."(just an example). So I am having a problem convincing him to try to stick to 'closer together' rides.
I guess I am not TOO worried. I want him to have a lot of fun on this trip!!

 

[Candace]

Brier - I have no advice for you since I have never been the commando type, but I just want to suggest that you should look into buying DVC! Anyone who has been 32 times in 13 years, has probably spent more than a DVC membership would cost. It 's wonderful for those true DisneyWorld fans. Check it out! Just my 2cents.

 

[babar41]

Thanks for the reply! My ds has been to WDW and DL several times, so part of my problem is that he takes out the map and says something like "ok, we'll start at Splash mtn, then go to small world, then Jungle cruise..."(just an example). So I am having a problem convincing him to try to stick to 'closer together' rides.
I guess I am not TOO worried. I want him to have a lot of fun on this trip!!

The biggest problem is those little ones have way more energy than we do, and when they finally crash we are the ones who get to carry them! Ahhhh, I remember those days.

OK, here comes suggestion #3... use this as a learning experience. Take 20 cans, label them according to rides or attractions he is going to want to see. Then label 7 areas in and around the house (the front yard could be main street, back yard Adventure land, living room Frontier land... you get the idea). Put the "rides" in their proper "lands". Then give him a list (or tell) of which cans he needs to pick up in which order (make sure this list has him running back and forth with nothing together). This is a race, so time him. After he has finished getting all the cans, do the race again, this time in order. Compare the times, telling him that all that time that was saved gives him more time to ride more things.

Good luck, just remember, no matter how hard you plan, all bets are off once you walk through those magical gates!

 

[Briarmom]

The biggest problem is those little ones have way more energy than we do, and when they finally crash we are the ones who get to carry them! Ahhhh, I remember those days.

OK, here comes suggestion #3... use this as a learning experience. Take 20 cans, label them according to rides or attractions he is going to want to see. Then label 7 areas in and around the house (the front yard could be main street, back yard Adventure land, living room Frontier land... you get the idea). Put the "rides" in their proper "lands". Then give him a list (or tell) of which cans he needs to pick up in which order (make sure this list has him running back and forth with nothing together). This is a race, so time him. After he has finished getting all the cans, do the race again, this time in order. Compare the times, telling him that all that time that was saved gives him more time to ride more things.

Good luck, just remember, no matter how hard you plan, all bets are off once you walk through those magical gates!

Good idea! I think your closing sentence says it all, though. I am going to just try to keep to the 'which park, which showtime, which food' on this upcoming trip and leave the 'what we're doing' a little more lax.

 

[DisFlan]

I just want to suggest that you should look into buying DVC! Anyone who has been 32 times in 13 years, has probably spent more than a DVC membership would cost.

Candace - I thought of suggesting that, too! When I think of what we spent on WDW resorts prior to owning DVC - OUCH!

DVC also seems to offer a more laid-back approach to Disney when we're there. We never feel rushed or confined. It's a great way to visit WDW.

DisFlan

 

[Brier Rose]

Brier Rose...
Reading your itinerary made me start shaking. I think you did a great job of scheduling rest and relaxation.

The reason I started shaking is you made me realize I am a commando! I could never be at Disney and sit by the pool, the parks are calling to me. Every year I promise my DH this year will be different. But I just can't help myself. Something about being at WDW... I turn into the energizer bunny. Must go to the parks!

Good luck to you. You have definitely made it the first step, to slow down the itinerary. Me? Don't think I could do it

Your post made me laugh! I was shaking as I was typing out my itinerary because as much as I DO want to relax, I just can't escape the feeling that I NEED to be in the park!
With me it's not even so much a ride I need to ride, or a show I need to see, it's just being there soaking it all in.

On our last little short trip in April though, it finally hit me. We were in the pool one morning, and had to get out to go to a park. None of us wanted to, especially DS, but we did anyway. It sounds crazy, but that one little thing I have regreted enough to revise the way we vacation. It was just crazy!! I want to make time to do ALL the things we like..rather than be so one sided.

It's really gonna take me a while to get used to though. I've been having
nightmares about being at WDW and we have 1 hour before we have to go home and we haven't done anything! I frantic and running around trying to fit it all in. Oh my gosh that panic feeling!

OK, I think I need counseling! LOL

 

[Brier Rose]

Brier,
I think your 'schedule' looks great. Now I have a question for you!
I am not as much of a commando as many, but I do like to have a PLAN OF ATTACK so, how do you get your children to go along with it. I have a ds6 who has his own ideas about where to go and I want to make sure he has the best time possible (our next trip to WDW will be Nov, but just he and I are going to DL in a couple of weeks-leaving baby Briar with Dad). How do I convince him that if we start at a, and then go to b,c,d,etc we will get more done?
Briar

Hey Brier!
I have to say I've never really had trouble getting my kids to go along with a plan. I guess they were so little when we started going, they just know how we usually do things. My DS6 likes it all, so as long as we're doing something, he doesn't mind. He knows we'll get around to his favorites in due time, and since he's having fun..no big deal.
The one time I tried to go without an planned itinerary it drove my DD13 nuts! She said, "Please don't ever do this again"! SO either way we go I guess I'll always have some sort of plan, even if it's PLANNED relaxation!