Commando Tripping

[k5thbeatle]

I've read a lot where people refer to their trips as "commando" type trips. First off, to make sure we are all talking about the same thing I am referring to this phrase to mean using every waking moment (or at least nearly so) trying to do and see as much as possible while on your trip. Usually (but not always) this leaves one exhausted and "needing a vacation after one's vacation!"

I don't mean that it is bad or not right to do this but being a bit older and wiser we plan just as much r&r as we do "activities" (on all our trips not just wdw). Of course I now laugh because I remember our first trip or two and we were definitely doing the commando thing.

Ok, so where am I going with this? Just curious how many still do this "commando" type tripping and if not now did you when you first visited wdw (be honest)? Do you think first timers are more prone to try and see it all more so?

 

[the kabuki]

As my kids' have gotten older, we tend to do more commando type park tours, only because they beg for just one more ride, one more attraction, etc.

This past Jan I was surprised to find that they were able to get up at 7 am, hit the parks by 8:30/9 and stay till 10 or 11. Every night of the 6 we were there, our rental car was one of the last ones left in the lot. This with no afternoon breaks!! And no whining, complaining they're tired, nothing! Had that started we would've been out of there for a break. DD3 took her naps in the stroller

Now if I can only get them to do this when it's time for spring cleaning!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well--when we first went to WDW (1975) we had no need to "commando"--it was just the MK then, and a lot less there then now!! We spent two leisurely days, seeing EVERYTHING!!
THings are a lot different now--
I guess it depends on how much time you have, and if you plan on going back. With us, it's always 7 nights (usually twice a year). So no need to commando, or even wait in long lines.
BUt if time is limited and you won't be going back to WDW, then I can see why folks want to commando. We know several families like that, and most all of them returned from WDW sick and/or exhausted.

 

[Leota]

The first trip we didn't really commando. My DS was a pretty sick 4 year at the time & we had to protect his health.

Trips 2-6 were pretty commando tho. He was healthier & getting older. He wanted to go non-stop & so did I. This phase did NOT make DH love WDW, tho.

Since then, we have done all the attractions, we know our favorites & we do include as much R&R as we do Park time. We take long breaks swimming, lounging & napping. We enjoy leisurely meals, which are events in themselves.

I used to come home sick every trip. So did my son (we both have serious chronic health issues) My doctor basically ordered me to stop running wild on vacation. I tried it, we loved it & now we don't come home sick from vacation anymore. Now we come home from vacation feeling refreshed & rejuvenated.

 

[Elysiannn]

My very first ever trip to WDW was with my brother and his family and their style is extreme commando style. I joked about this because all my pictures were of the sights and just the back-sides of my family as they rushed on. It was a hard first time BUT I was able to see and do just about everything (except for shopping - that is not a part of their commando tactics)

Since that first time I've gone back solo which is better because I can take my time to smell the roses and shop till I drop. I think some of the best memories I've had going solo is taking a slower pace and drinking in the atmosphere.

As a part of a commando team it was much a blur the first time. But the cost of going I wouldn't debate one or the other being the best way to do it. It's all relative. Ely

 

[Hopefully]

OUr first several trips were "commando". I had every minute planned. We usually had a "melt down" somewhere during the week and I ended up disappointed that my plan didn't work. NO MORE! Now we see the things we enjoy in the parks, take our time at a leisurely pace, and enjoy ourselves. A much more enjoyable trip!

 

[goofydad621]

maybe my first 5-10 trips I had the additude that I wasn't at Disney to sit around the pool I could do that at home allot cheaper But I am learning as I get older to slow down and enjoy all the small things that WDW has to offer, Don't get me wrong I enjoyed them before but just not as long

Now I can turn the alarm off if everybody else is tired and not have MY day ruined.

I still don't include allot of down time for myself that to me is not relaxing I get more stressed by stiing around then doing something. Besides I'll get all the rest I need once I'm dead.

Have a Disney Day

 

[nluvwithmickey]

Well for the price I pay to go to WDW, I definitely want to see and do as much as I can....however I do love to stay at the resort and lounge with my refillable mug while I watch everyone rush to the parks.


What I'm saying is when I'm at the parks, it's pretty much an all day thing. But I love having a few non-park days where I can soak in the atmosphere and take it really easy.

The fact that you know which attractions are your favorite ones, the actual location and how to get there without checking a map cuts a lot of time off your touring and you get so much done faster. Using FP, and knowing a few tricks of the trade.....makes commando touring less stressful. I am the official FP runner and therefore the rest of my family can save their energy and can last the whole day...no more worries about getting lost.

 

[ncbyrne]

I always love this topic. Every family and even individuals have difference paces that suit their personality. DH and I are Type A commandos. Not just at WDW, but all the time. We have 5 married kids and 6 grandkids. Only one of my kids does WDW the same as DH and I and we really enjoy our trips with them. One of our DDs won't even consider traveling with us. LOL....
DH and I have perfected our commando style over the years. We know exactly what we want to see and do and we have learned (thanks to DISers) how to tweek every day/hour to fit in everything without wasting time. We still do commando the same as we always have (being the first car in the parking lines in the a.m. is always a fun challenge) and one of the last to leave in the evening makes for a wonderful vacation and fun memories. However, we will not be doing the p.m. EMHs - we'll see those parks the day AFTER those evening hours. We only stay out late one evening on each trip and that's so we can go to PI.

 

[kirbsam]

for us, commando means getting up early and going hard for four hours or so...then a rest...and then back somewhere in the evening. we get more done in the first four hours at a park then you can get done all day, if you dont get there right at opening. so we are well rested, yet still are able to see everything because of our half day style. one early am at ak, one early am at mgm, one early am at epcot, and two at mk, will guarantee no waits for the major rides.

 

[jpeltier]

We are commando pretty much the way kirbsam is. We go at pretty good for the first few hours but after that we're done for the day. If you want to ride all the
thrill attractions,you pretty much have to get there early and go for it. Our daughter is 11 and we always allow her to bring a friend. If we don't push it, all of our time is spent in line-UGH.The upside is we've done the parks about lunchtime or earlier so we escape both the early June heat and the crowds.

 

[babar41]

The first time we went to WDW was in 1984. DH (who at that time was DBF) rented a huge motor home and we drove from Wisconsin to Orlando with his 4 kids and my 2. Ages were 18, 16, 14, 12, 8, and 4. DH could actually see $ signs with wings in front of his eyes everytime we weren't active! I think he had actually figured how much this vacation was costing per minute. Needless to say this was my first commando experience. The breaking straw came when he got us up at 4 a.m. to catch the 5 a.m. boat to the CR for a character breakfast. Here we all were gathered at the boat dock (surprise we are the only ones there) waiting for the 5 a.m. boat.... which comes at 7 a.m. He lost his leader role that day!

Been back many times, we still do commando but I am the one who does the planning. Truth is I have become obsessed and am guilty of overplanning. DH just laughs. He now wants me to schedule "days off" during our stay... Don't think that will ever happen. But for our next trip I am trying to plan 1/2 days off. No promises though!

 

[WDW_Converter]

My first few trips were when I was a late teen and I would plan out everything for my family. My last trip was with my girlfriend and she had never been to Disney so I tried to "commando" it but that is not her idea of a vacation. When we go back, and I swear we will, were going to take it easy and enjoy all of the little details you can observe while hitting our favorite attractions.

We want to go strolling around enjoying the landscape of the parks and resorts next time. Search for some hidden Mickey's, we are going to make it a game between us who can find the most. The loser gets to by a snack or wears a funny hat one day in the park. I think you miss this when your working off a strict plan.

 

[Shooby doo]

When we first started going,it was Commando all the way!! We would get home & wonder why we were so worn out! Our first trips were for 14 nights & then they kept opening more new parks & then all of a sudden 14 nights was a military exercise. So we now go for 21 nights & can now fit in a few "splodgy" days (our term for them!!) although the temptation to still fit in extra park visit is very strong!! SD aw:

 

[msmayor]

My attitude is that I live by a schedule and calendar every day of the year, juggling everyone else's activities and schedules. On vacation, I want to leave that behind.

We loosely plan the days, knowing in advance what major things we want to do, and just make sure that at some point during the trip they get done.

This upcoming trip (one week away!), I've actually done more planning that ever only because of the free dining plan. We normally only did one sit-down character meal in the parks each trip, preferring to eat off-site to save $$ (we always have a car) or doing just counter meals. This trip is a treat, with a sit-down meal each day, so I made ADR's for those.

I like to let the magic happen.

 

[jann1033]

i guess we are latent semi-commandos...we spend every waking min doing something but don't fly around like madmen doing it. there is just too much i want to do, never been a lay by the pool type person( bores me to tears) hate taking naps. we do how ever take long sit down lunches, sit on a bench and people watch if we are tired ect.."the stop and smell the roses" approach someone mentioned on another thread. we also go off season so the heat & crowds are not the tiring factors as at other times

our first trip we were pretty much clueless, later trips have always been well planned but kind of like they are now, a little less down times when the kids were teens and wanted to gogogogo( they went to illuminations every night, not hubby and i)

 

[Bellefan66]

As many posters have said,many "moons" ago,we had no need to use a"commando" approach,as it was just MK. However,last trip,we did,only because we had a week,and as we all know,it costs quite a chunk for a fairly large family(we are 5)so we wanted to see and do everything. Yes,at the end of the night we were very tired. I would laugh every night as we were riding the tram to the parking lot...we looked like we were refugees! I have to say,no one really complained,as we DID do and SEE everything,and my guess is,next trip will be no different. I can say,I do forsee it being somewhat more laid back,as two older kids are now almost 20 & 17,so they will be off alot by themselves,and that will lessen some of the hype. All in all,it's just my personality,"Gotta go gotta go gotta go right now!!

 

[k5thbeatle]

Interesting replies. Funny when I think of the time we visited WDW when it first opened and we tried to see everything but felt like there was just too much and we were spent at the end of the day! And to think it was only the magic kingdom and even at that not all of the attractions were even started.

When my wife and I first went together we often laugh about our first trip or two. Up at dawn and on the go till dusk trying to experience as much as possible. It was a sin to sleep in. Now when we visit we still have things we want to do but now their is no rush. We are as likely to sleep in and hang out by the pool as we are to get up early and walk about.

Getting older but wiser!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

This was our first trip (2 single moms, 2 kids 10 and 6) and we definitely didn't go "commando" by your definition.

We did research in advance, get to the parks at openings most days, and come in with a plan to see as much as we could in a short period of time. But we also left when we felt like leaving (on the days we got there early this was generally around 1:30 and we didn't go back), skipped things that weren't a high priority or that had a long time, and spent plenty of time enjoying the pool and eating lesiurely meals. And one day we woke up and changed our plans simply because the six year old said "I don't want to stand in line today, can we go to the Beach instead?" which is exactly what we did.

I don't understand the logic of driving yourself to exhaustion because you're spending too much money. I'd rather be broke, and happily floating in the pool, than broke and exhausted, dealing with tantrumming kids while watching a fireworks show.