do you really have to get there first thing?

[MAGGIED]

I am very much like Dallas Lady - like to plan and get going - although the hours that were recently posted for April threw me for a loop - because we didn't have them when I needed to do my PS for Cindy's I booked it for 8:20 am - thinking we will finish just about time MK is opening - have a head start on the lines and away we go!!!! Not so fast - seems that it was poor planning on my part because the same day I have PS at Cindy's is and early opening at the MK - so everyone else will be getting to the rides while we are having breakfast......must stop - I feel the frustration building......

 

[Buzz's_girl]

I have three kids, 6,5,and 4. Since it is Disney, and we only get to go once a year, we usually hit the parks early (I am a definite TYPE A vacationer.) DH is more likely to want to sleep in. We usually do a few days commando style and a few more laid back. Once I have seen all my "must do's" I am much more likely to be agreeable to a 'leisurley' park day. (leisurely meaning here, to not attack the park like a commando all day....maybe only for 1/2 the day.)

My advice would be to prioritize the things you MUST see, and see those things. Then, if you have any days left, take those to sleep in and relax.

Either way, enjoy yourself, it is Disney World!

 

[henrylovespooh]

How about picking one day of your stay to be "Early Day" and go to MK? Then your husband won't think that he's going to be rushing around all the time he's there. When we go, the only days we get up early are the days we are going to MK. We always do EMH mornings there, but if you think it will kill him to do that, pick a non-EMH day mid-week and be there when the park opens at 9 a.m. Go right to the rides you really want to ride, and then relax and enjoy your day.

The rest of the days, take it easy and sleep in. Use the EMH nights to try to avoid lines.

Maybe make "Early Day" the second full day you're there - this way if your husband notices a big difference between getting there early and late, you can do another early day while you're there.

 

[Disney Ella]

I agree with the people who say get to MK at opening. No matter what time of year we've been there, that park has always gotten crowded fast. If you are there at opening, you can go on several rides with little or no wait. By 10:30, 11:00, the crowds really pick up. My DH doesn't like to get up early either, but on this last trip, he told me I was right about getting to MK early when he saw the crowds two hours later. We take our time getting to every other park, but it's very nice to be able to walk around MK without large crowds for a least an hour or two in the morning.

 

[apagano]

I am a "night owl" myself. I have worked night shift for eight of the last ten years. I stay up late and wake up late nearly every day. However,
I make an exception for Disney trips. Even though it's really hard for me to be up and running by 7am, I do it at WDW because getting up ealry lets me get the most of my trip. But getting up early does not mean going full-tilt from dawn til dusk. It just means that you'll have experienced all the major attractions by the time the parks are full and the lines are long. By 3-4pm when the parks are jam-packed and it's hotter than heck, you can go back to the hotel, take a swim and have a siesta before dinner.

 

[Kallison]

My teens and tweens would not get early on our last trip, we would get to the parks around 9:30 to 11am. We took advantage of the EMH in the evening. That was great!

 

[MinnieM21]

I don't think you have to get there first thing. We would usually wake up a little later and get there after the park had opened. I hate waiting in line outside(quite impatient and I just can't stand it, I get SO excited). We didn't have to wait in long lines or deal with crowds. (we went in early December). I do suppose it depends on the time of the year you are going and if you have little kids, they might want to be there when the park opens, especially the MK! I would definately get to the MK early so you can see the opening ceremony with Mickey and all of the characters!

 

[Leota]

I love the Type A & Type B analogy. I have always been a Type A visitor. I have health conditions & my doctors have been after me to slow down a bit (I do some damage to myself when I go full tilt boogie, which is what I usually do in WDW)

I did a Type B trip to the World in Oct last year & guess what? It was MARVELOUS! I came home as healthy as I left for once. I felt rested, peaceful, happy, fulfilled, satisfied & a bit shocked. I was shocked that I had just as great a vacation as I do when I go commando style. Different, but every second as wonderful....

My DH is a Type B vacationer & I have promised him a Type B vacation in April. My DS (16) & I arrive a couple days before DH, so the first 3 days will be Type A, then after that, Type B relaxing & doing what we do, sleeping when we want (except for Tour days - we have a couple scheduled)

Just wanted to Testify that even a Type A can do a Type B vacation & enjoy it.

 

[newholidayx2]

This Aug we're planning on doing both - commando and relaxation
Our first wk while staying at Pop we'll be out at the parks more
The second wk while staying at WL and BCV we'll be enjoying the resorts, pool hopping, etc.

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

I think it depends on what time of year you will be there. It is amazing how much you can see and do with early entry mornings before others are rolling out of bed.