Do you still hit the parks "commando style" ?

[jeankeri]

We still arrive at opening and make a bee-line for the big rides (Space Mtn, Everest, Toy Story & Soarin'), but then our day becomes, "What would you like to try next?". And we always leave shortly after 2 to swim .

 

[karebear06]

The first couple of days we are all over the place from morning till night. Then it catches up with us and we will then take our time and just relax.

 

[brack]

We used to do this but have now been going to WDW several times a year, for at least a week at a time, so we really take it very easy now.

 

[Whidbey5]

My kids have another name for commando: Dad's Death March! LOL! And yes, we've charged through the parks to make sure we didn't miss anything.

This last trip to D-land, however, DH worked really hard at relaxing (not easy for him!). We actually went back to the GC in the early afternoon to swim and relax! Unheard of in the past!

 

[Mama of Indybride]

I still do commando for the first couple of hours or so every day, always beginning at rope drop. I love being able to get my favorites done before the masses hit. If I can do them more than once, great, but it's not the end of the world if I miss something. Lunch and onward, it's all about leisure, a break back at the resort, and maybe a return to the parks later. I try to hit each of the nighttime shows once during a trip, but if I don't it's no big deal since I know I'll be back

I agree! We get some of our faves done first thing, hopefully during early entry or magic hours, and then maybe something new, and then we all go for FOOD!

Then a swim at the pool, some time in the lounge, and using fastpasses we collected earlier, and we are in bed before fireworks sometimes!

My DH is a slow walker / gatherer of information, I was experience as much as I could and do it again. We definitely have had a meeting of the minds with our AP's, and our staying in spacious accomodations (we don't own yet, but we do stay n 2 or 3 bedrooms at the Grand or a time share in Florida, we are just trying to decide where to buy in at DVC right now)

It is the best of both worlds!

 

[cmul04]

It kind of depends on the trip. At Christmas, we definitely suit up and head out into battle, just for self defense, or we'd never ride anything. And the kids are getting too old to miss that much school for those leisurley 10 to 14 day vacations, so with shorter trips, we are hard pressed to take it easy.

That being said, we do PREFER a slower style and look forward to a time when it fits our family, too. DVC sure has the loveliest places to kick back and smell the roses, if you have the inkling.

 

[Sheribo]

Generally, our commando days are pretty much over, unless we have guests who have never been to Disney (yes, apparently it does happen). Sometimes, though I don't really like it, you have to take one for the team and "do everything", what we do for family and friends! Thank goodness that's not too often.

Exactly! We haven't done commando for some time now but we're taking friends who want to do it all. Difference this time is that everyone on our November trip is 14 and up.

Anyone have a commando plan they'd like to share?

 

[janni518]

Our last trip our kids were older (teens) and able to go off on their own. This enabled my hubby and I to take a more leisurly pace through the parks. The kids were also more open to doing some of the non-thrill type stuff which slowed things down a bit.

It is one of the reasons I wanted to join DVC. I don't enjoy the commando style touring but felt I had to do it to get my money's worth and make my family happy.

We also used Tour Guide Mike this trip which worked out really well.

 

[micki1]

I guess I must be an odd duck. I am in my mid 50's and wouldn't be able to stand a day without a park. We've owned DVC for 4 years and although i may stop for a couple hours to go pool side, I'm there for the parks. I enjoy the resort in the early am before the parks and when the park is closed, I'll sit out by the pool with a cup of tea and relax. But for the most part, I find relaxing a very boring time. I'd much rather be running to my next adventure. When my DD and I go for our girl trip in 3 weeks. we plan on heading to MK every night after whatever park we've been in just to try and get in the mountains before heading back. Sorry if I'm rambling but I'm getting anxious to go. Pixie dust to all however you choose to do Disney

 

[pixie08]

We usually do not do commando anymore (why when we know we will be going back- and often??) but now and then we get the itch to see a lot more than we would on a "lazier" trip. No matter what we always try to schedule a day or two when we are not in the parks.

 

[jamstew]

I guess I must be an odd duck. I am in my mid 50's and wouldn't be able to stand a day without a park. We've owned DVC for 4 years and although i may stop for a couple hours to go pool side, I'm there for the parks. I enjoy the resort in the early am before the parks and when the park is closed, I'll sit out by the pool with a cup of tea and relax. But for the most part, I find relaxing a very boring time. I'd much rather be running to my next adventure. When my DD and I go for our girl trip in 3 weeks. we plan on heading to MK every night after whatever park we've been in just to try and get in the mountains before heading back. Sorry if I'm rambling but I'm getting anxious to go. Pixie dust to all however you choose to do Disney

I'm with you, and I'm in my early 60's. The only time I'll be out of the parks is for an afternoon break and to sleep

 

[the who #3]

i am 67 and still stay from am until the park closes. could not possible miss the fireworks. one of my most enjoyable times is when the mk has extra majic hours until 3:00am. my grandson and i love to do that together. that is a very special treat. i quess you never outgrow it. after i am at wdw for a week i find it hard to settle in a nights sleep and i suddenly realize that it is the nightly fireworks that i really miss. at home we would probably think it was too much noise but at disney it is a celebration of a most extraordinarily beautiful day. and i never fail to think of that once i am at home and be so greatful that i am lucky enough to be able to make that trip to my home away from home.

 

[NancyDVC]

No not anymore! After all as DVC members 'we'll be back!'. We do go to all the new attractions and of course some very favorite must sees. In general we take it leisurely enjoying the shows, parades and especially the 'unexpected' shows that seem to pop up all over. I love the streetsmosphere players at the studios. They are the best and so many people walk right by and miss one of the best parts of that park.

We do get to the parks early and take a break midday/afternoon and return in the evening.

I do have one teeny little 'commandoish' thing that I like to do. We start at MK, take the monrail to Epcot, walk through Epcot and take the boat to the Studios and then the bus to AK. We must go into each park and shop or eat or watch a show. It makes my friend nuts but I enjoy it! Okay so I'm a little bit crazy but isn't that what we are all about? Don't of your friends/family think that you ar Disney nuts??

 

[noname70]

...Don't some of your friends/family think that you ar Disney nuts??

yes-I'm sure most of us get "don't you get sick of going there so much?"

 

[bobbiwoz]

i am 67 and still stay from am until the park closes. could not possible miss the fireworks. one of my most enjoyable times is when the mk has extra majic hours until 3:00am. my grandson and i love to do that together. that is a very special treat. i quess you never outgrow it. after i am at wdw for a week i find it hard to settle in a nights sleep and i suddenly realize that it is the nightly fireworks that i really miss. at home we would probably think it was too much noise but at disney it is a celebration of a most extraordinarily beautiful day. and i never fail to think of that once i am at home and be so greatful that i am lucky enough to be able to make that trip to my home away from home.

Wow! Wonderful!!!

 

[vascubaguy]

Nope, no commando for us anymore.

I'd say it is a combination of DVC and use of FastPasses that toned us down. We used to get up early and had to be there when the gates opened and we didn't leave until the park closed. And, if another park was still open when that one closed, we just hopped over. It's been a couple years, but one trip we hit all 4 parks in one day (we wanted to ride all our favorites one last time before leaving).

Now we tend to sleep in a little later and we get to the parks when we get there. We get whatever FPs we want and then grab something to eat, or ride something with short wait. Then get another FP and go use the other FP... We still don't take advantage of all the resorts have to offer. We might go swim or use the hot tub, but it's still just a place to sleep (for now at least).

 

[Inkmahm]

We have always hit Disney commando. We purchased DVC earlier this year and now we are hoping that we can take it a bit more leisurely. Although it might just be in our blood to go commando in Disney. We will find out in November

We did before DVC and we still do after DVC. The only difference is that if we DO happen to miss a favorite attraction, it is no longer the end of thw world. We know we'll be back again in a few months and then will have another chance to see it.

 

[Sheribo]

We also used Tour Guide Mike this trip which worked out really well.

Tour Guide Mike? I'm not sure what/who that is.
We take Pal Mickey but never thought of a whole tour guide!

 

[micki1]

bobbiwoz, maybe our water isn't so bad after all. I hope to be commandoing when I'm 80ish. Pixie Dust to ya

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Like others, it depends on who's with us. We just about always take guests, and invariably they haven't been to WDW ever, or haven't been since there have been four parks.

So, I bust our collective chops until after lunch, and then take the temperature of the group. If it's gotten to be an ordeal, then we'll shut down until later in the evening. If they're still game, we'll keep gettin' after it. What's funny, though, is that sometimes when we head back to the resort for chillin', I find myself getting antsy just sitting around.

We've been to WDW plenty of times, but part of the joy of DVC is sharing with others who might not otherwise get to go.

When we lived in the area, and went just about every Saturday, we did a lot of just sitting, people watching, snacking, catching a show or an attraction or two.

I don't guess there's a "right" answer to this one.