Do you think the word "commando" is a complement or an insult?

[WaltD4Me]

Well, before I found the Disboards if I heard someone was going "commando" I figured they didn't wear undies, but now if I hear that term I say....

"What? Who's going to Disney World?"

Either way I don't consider it an insult.

 

[heffalump9]

I became a commando while luking on DIS between 2002 and 2003. Our 2003 trip was much better for it, our friends who were anti-disney came around on the 2004 trip (because for the first time they got to enjoy all the rides they wanted without wasting time), and as proud commando's we are gearing up for the Flower and Garden show next week. Long live my DIS friends and Commando's be proud because we get to see and do it ALL!!!

 

[Nik's Mom]

It's not an insult to me. It's just a style of touring the parks (one I followed before we had our little ones). I may have used the term on these boards. It's never meant as an insult though.

 

[Dementia]

I became a commando while luking on DIS between 2002 and 2003. Our 2003 trip was much better for it, our friends who were anti-disney came around on the 2004 trip (because for the first time they got to enjoy all the rides they wanted without wasting time), and as proud commando's we are gearing up for the Flower and Garden show next week. Long live my DIS friends and Commando's be proud because we get to see and do it ALL!!!

I'm exactly like you. Some of us only get to the parks every few years, and don't stay onsite so we don't have the luxury of "taking the afternoon break". I know what my family likes, what they don't like, so I plan "commando" for my DD(5) and I, and if anyone in my family or group wants to join, they can (they usually do, after they figure out I know more than they do). But I'm productive and I have a great time each time! Commandos Unite!!!

 

[mattr555]

Theres nothing insulting with wanting to see as much as possible and getting your moneys worth. I think if you dont have kids, the commando way is great as you can stay one step ahead of the crouds, see nearly everything and then retreat back to the hotel in the afternoon and laugh at all the people just arriving at the parks who will see half as much as you did.

I would never try commando with kids tho, kids just dont work that way. They live in the moment and telling them to ignore Mickey because you will see him later is a sure fire way to meltdown city.

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

I'd take it as a compliment. Sure there are those of us who like to walk around leisurely, not minding the 3 hour line waits when we fail to run to the back of the parks to get our fast passes, but when the term commando comes to mind I think "Wow, thats someone who REALLY knows their ways around the parks!"

I've never been called commando though. Won't someone follow me around at Cedar Point and see how "commando" I can be please?? I'd love the prestigious title bestowed upon those of us who know how to avoid line waits while maximizing our fun (and therefore our free time!).

 

[disneyjunkie]

I became a commando while luking on DIS between 2002 and 2003. Our 2003 trip was much better for it, our friends who were anti-disney came around on the 2004 trip (because for the first time they got to enjoy all the rides they wanted without wasting time), and as proud commando's we are gearing up for the Flower and Garden show next week. Long live my DIS friends and Commando's be proud because we get to see and do it ALL!!!

I love my commando trips! My son and I are leaving tomorrow afternoon. We can't wait to start our 9 days of nonstop fun.

 

[ncbyrne]

As a type A individual, I always thought of my touring style as commando. However, after reading through this thread and finding the various opinions on the definition, I'm not so sure. DH and I usually take trips from 9 days to two weeks. We don't go to the parks every day. We used to buy 6 day hoppers with the plus. (Things will change though, with the new My Way tickets). However, when we do go to the parks, we are there at opening. In fact, we find it challenging to be the first ones in line in the parking lot. We usually stay until park closing. We have a loose game plan - knowing which section to hit first, based on the parks daily schedule - but we don't have a ride by ride itinerary. We love WDW dining and schedule lunch and dinner PS daily. Since we don't go to the parks every day and since we do take long meal breaks, some might not consider us commandos. BUT...I do see it as a positive, so yes, we ARE commandos and proud of it, as others have agreed.

 

[kirbsam]

When I took my two girls for a weekend trip in january, they asked me with much enthusiasm, "Are we going commando?" they read that in the ug. I loved it and said yes.

 

[RC Fan]

I personally feel a 'theme park commando' arrives early, has done some research on what rides, etc, are available, has in mind which rides/attractions are a priority, and has a plan as to how to get through those rides in order to beat the crowds. I guess I never thought of a commando as never taking a break, and never eating at a sit-down restaurant. I do agree however, that I can sleep in at home. I also don't like sitting in a hotel room watching movies or just passing the time while on vacation. Let's go!!!

 

[Stitch Inside]

"Chicks dig me, because I rarely wear underwear and when I do it's usually something unusual." - Bill Murray in Stripes

What would be a good term for those that don't go "commando" in the parks?

 

[annsteere]

Our first trip (kids then 7 and 9) I went commando. Had gotten "must sees" from everybody and had 3 X5 index card for each day with our route listed. Follow Mom. No confusion and no dithering about what to do now. Everybody got to see and do what they most wanted.

Fast forward to DD in High school. We took her girlfriend and the three of us went for a few days before my DH joined us. Commando style in that teenage sleepy heads were at the gates when they opened and followed my lead on which things to do first. Girlfriend was impressed "Boy, your Mom knows just about everything about DisneyWorld." By Sat. night I realized that a part of my vacation had been too uptight, feeling responsible for planning, and too focused on getting the most bang for the buck. So, we left the parks and pigged out slowly at Olive Garden.

Next Thursday my adult children will join us for a long weekend in Orlando. We have 4 day PHs but expect to loiter on our Savannah deck at AKL and sip coffee together as a family and watch the giraffes on Sunday morning. Fri and Sat are our "do the park" days but three of us know that DH will be pooping out to enjoy air conditioning and cable TV for some break time in the afternoons. The chance for the four of us to be together is the treat in this vacation.

Call me Commando. I make the plan. We all enjoy it. As life goes on, the plan changes.

 

[ryley26]

We always go commando wife sets up the plan and we attack.We rode fourteen rides at MK before noon all the big ones. Kids love it they think of it as a race and see how many we can do. MUst say though one DB and DSl are our sidekicks and my other brother and wife can't take the rushing. SO as many have said to each his own.

 

[skiwee1]

I take it as an insult. I am very laid back and like to enjoy WDW. I really can't stand folks that think they have to get every last penny's worth out of it. The ones that think they just have to be there for the rope drop drives me crazy. Get a life! LOL!

 

[Sherrilatte]

There is a difference between planners and commandos and the commando style can be fun, unless the party is a part of those few who..

break in lines, mow down others with strollers and other moving apparatus, yell and swat tired kids and show no common courtesy at all to others in the renlentless pursue to see and do all...

Otherwise..... Go commandos Go!!!

 

[leighe]

I am commando - DH is not. I think it is almost pointless to go to a park if you don't get there as soon as it opens - or wait and go late in the afternoon. DH and I compromise and take 1 long trip instead of 2 shorter ones. That way we can do commando-day, sleep-in day, commando-day, sleep-in day, etc.

I also usually go with my sister around Christmas and we're total commandos.

 

[skiwee1]

I am commando - DH is not. I think it is almost pointless to go to a park if you don't get there as soon as it opens - or wait and go late in the afternoon. DH and I compromise and take 1 long trip instead of 2 shorter ones. That way we can do commando-day, sleep-in day, commando-day, sleep-in day, etc.

I also usually go with my sister around Christmas and we're total commandos.

We always get to the park later in the day. We enjoy having breakfast, hanging out by the pool, relaxing. We get to the parks always after noon and have always gotten on everything we wanted. Maybe because we go 30 days a year it is easier to enjoy it.

 

[Mysteria]

I don't think it's a compliment or an insult. It's simply a touring style.

Unless it's the no undies commando then it's a....well I guess it could be a touring style too!

Myst

 

[estnh]

Calling someone a commando is a compliment for the infrequent visitor, and an insult to someone who goes often.

If you have limited time in the world, with no plans for an immediate return, there is so much to see and do, one would be an idiot NOT to be a commando (we define commando as one who has planned carefully, and follows the plan to a tee). The first few times we went to WDW, we DID IT ALL.

However, if you have the ability and desire to return to the World year after year, you really don't need to do the commando style anymore. You should already know what you need to know to do what you want to do, and still be able to get some relaxation. If you're still doing commando style touring after five or six years worth of visits, you probably need a vacation from your vacation, and the term commando becomes a derogatory one.

 

[Dementia]

Calling someone a commando is a compliment for the infrequent visitor, and an insult to someone who goes often.

If you have limited time in the world, with no plans for an immediate return, there is so much to see and do, one would be an idiot NOT to be a commando (we define commando as one who has planned carefully, and follows the plan to a tee). The first few times we went to WDW, we DID IT ALL.

However, if you have the ability and desire to return to the World year after year, you really don't need to do the commando style anymore. You should already know what you need to know to do what you want to do, and still be able to get some relaxation. If you're still doing commando style touring after five or six years worth of visits, you probably need a vacation from your vacation, and the term commando becomes a derogatory one.

I want to thank you for posting this. It made me feel a LOT better. There have been a lot of times, I have posted an itin for critique and the first thing I would get are the "commando" insinuations as though it were a bad thing, and I was being looked at down someone's nose. As a result, I spent more time again and again having to explain that we DON'T get to go often so I DID want to maximize our time. As you pointed out, some people get to go to WDW often, some do not. I do think the distinction should be commando for those who don't go often (well-planned out) and leisurely for those who do (taking it as it comes).


*applause* I couldn't agree with your post more. Well-said!!