Do you try to "Do It All" on every trip?

[ExBellhop]

There was a point in 1997 (I think) where I kept a journal of doing "everything" at WDW in one trip - every ride, every waterslide, every show, every nightclub at Pleasure Island, etc... I knew I would be doing the College Program in the next couple of years and wanted to make sure I had one last pure experience before crossing over to the CM side of things. Then in 1999, my parents moved to Florida, and our touring experiences became a lot less structured - i.e. if we miss a ride on Space Mountain this weekend, we'll do it next weekend.

So, my question - as you have found yourself going to Disney more and more often, have you found your touring plan has shifted? Or do you still try to do every single ride, slide, and show on property every single time? Locals, do you tend to make a vacation out of it, stay on property, etc. or do you do more "drop in" type trips, i.e. stop by after work to wander through Tomorrowland and see Wishes?

We're getting ready to do a "do it all-style" Disney vacation for the first time in a long time, so I was curious where everyone else was at

 

[grammimouse]

We try to fit in everything that we can. However, we try to remember that we are on vacation to relax and get away from the stress of getting things done. To each his own.

 

[PSUGuy]

We became yearly WDW visitors in 1999 and the first several years we were Commando Tourists, RD every morning for EE, prior to EMH, PI 4 nights on our Hopper Plus passes and we set a brutal pace. In 2005 wifey and I went alone from New Year's Day til the 10th, low crowds once the holiday folks left and it was then that we changed. From then on we avoid the EMH park, hitting another at rope drop, our pace has slowed, not due to age but just our 'Smell the Roses' attitude. Every trip down we have a 'Must Do' list which we never completely fulfill, we just take the undone items and put them on top of next year's list. This Oct on top are the Tequila Flight in Mexico and we'll do Illuminations in the FP+ area. Last Oct we took an afternoon off, a Sat in F&W when WS is crazy crowded and we did a surrey bike ride in the Board Walk area. We're looking at para sailing in the MK lagoon as well.

Bill From PA

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I'm pretty sure between characters shows and attractions I did 95% of what the parks had to offer.

Dining, other amenities, and resort things I didn't get to do but I conquered the parks!

I also think if I had kids the Wilderness Explorer thing in AK looks like a blast

 

[beccasmom]

We have slowed down a bit, depending on who we're traveling with and what the weather is like. We (DH & I) tend to go at a slower pace in the hotter weather (it affects me more than him). The Hall of Presidents is a favorite. The kids go all day like crazy with energy to spare. In cooler weather with shorter lines, we tend to hit more attractions. And we have been visiting WDW on at least an annual basis since 1981. We consider ourselves fortunate in that regard. We try to include all the elements - water parks, pools, shopping, golf, bowling and of course the wonderful dining experiences....but not all on every trip!

 

[sheila <3 WDW]

I try to do as much as we can fit in, out of the things we desire to do. For example at DHS we have never done LMA or Indy, but I am making a point to do it next trip in case they are shut down in the future for whatever will come next to the park.

We try very hard to do the little kid/princess things at the expense of some of the more adult things. Last trip DH never got to ride RnRC because we were busy doing other things. Our kids will only be little for a short while and I want to enjoy that while I can.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

When I go with someone else, especially someone who's never been, I try to show them all the highlights.

When I go solo, I only do the things that I enjoy.

• I've never understood the fascination with Test Track. I can drive a real car.
• When I get off Space Mountain I feel like I've been beaten up so I don't do that anymore.
• I don't care for the Indiana Jones show so I don't bother with that anymore.
• I can't be bothered to fight the herd for the Toy Story ride.

 

[nat8199]

Nope. We skipped DHS last trip and will again in September. I have detailed touring plans, but don't even feel the need to do every ride at the three parks we do go to. We do a lot of TS meals. All that we focus on is making sure that the kids are having fun and that the adults are relaxed. If that means over an hour brushing goats at Affection Station two days in a row, then that is what we do.

 

[Mikie]

We know that in our 9day/8night vacations, we'll never do it "all", but we do basically try. We go to all 4 parks at least once each (we're not water park people). We do nearly every attraction at least once if we can, only skipping ones that no one is interested in (Stitch), but don't go out of our way to get to an out-of-the-way ride if we missed it for some reason. In general, we like shows and try to see several in every park, but have never made it to ALL shows - scheduling and logistics just too tricky. We have to get to Downtown Disney at least half a day, even if we're kind of pooped!

So, of course we don't do every single thing, but we never leave out whole parks or whole categories of attractions on purpose.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I'm pretty sure between characters shows and attractions I did 95% of what the parks had to offer.

Dining, other amenities, and resort things I didn't get to do but I conquered the parks!

I also think if I had kids the Wilderness Explorer thing in AK looks like a blast

Did you do all their backstage tours?
So much to do so little sleep.

 

[saskdw]

Our trips are typically a full 2 weeks, so we do get a chance to do lots. I wouldn't say we plan to do everything. Our first couple of trips we had every minute planned out and tried to do as much as possible. Now we just take it as it comes other than ADR's and FP+ reservations. Our last trip was for 16 nights this past December, so there was lots of downtime for relaxation, but when you're there for that long you do get to do lots. The FP+ and ADR's usually cover the must do's and then the rest of the trip just kind of happens!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I don't try to do it all. I plan what I like according to who is on the trip, where are we staying, how long, the weather, our budget etc.
There is way too much to do. Though we have a few "must do's" but even those change over the years.

 

[JanaDee]

There was a point in 1997 (I think) where I kept a journal of doing "everything" at WDW in one trip - every ride, every waterslide, every show, every nightclub at Pleasure Island, etc... I knew I would be doing the College Program in the next couple of years and wanted to make sure I had one last pure experience before crossing over to the CM side of things. Then in 1999, my parents moved to Florida, and our touring experiences became a lot less structured - i.e. if we miss a ride on Space Mountain this weekend, we'll do it next weekend.

So, my question - as you have found yourself going to Disney more and more often, have you found your touring plan has shifted? Or do you still try to do every single ride, slide, and show on property every single time? Locals, do you tend to make a vacation out of it, stay on property, etc. or do you do more "drop in" type trips, i.e. stop by after work to wander through Tomorrowland and see Wishes?

We're getting ready to do a "do it all-style" Disney vacation for the first time in a long time, so I was curious where everyone else was at

Even on our very first trip, I knew there was no way we could do everything.

 

[JanaDee]

I don't try to do it all. I plan what I like according to who is on the trip, where are we staying, how long, the weather, our budget etc.
There is way too much to do. Though we have a few "must do's" but even those change over the years.

We're the same.

 

[MissDisneyDora]

When we went on our first Disney holiday with my daughter I desperately tried to cram everything imaginable into our 7 day holiday and though it was absolutely brilliant, I ran us all ragged by the end of it. Now I am much more relaxed about things and rather than doing everything, we aim for a "Greatest Hits" where we visit the things we all really love with extra time to squeeze in other attractions if the mood strikes. I think you also have to change the way you visit the parks as your family evolves. I stay away from Epcot with my 5 year old as its too massive for her to walk and the World Showcase doesn't quite hold her attention. However, 4 years from now I reckon it will be a completely different story and we will really enjoy this park together.

x
Dora

 

[Tink415]

No, we don't try to do it all. 1st trip in 1994 we stayed 3 nights in the middle of a 10 night Florida beach vacation and did EVERY SINGLE ATTRACTION in MK EP and the Studios. It was exhausting and we didn't plan to visit again. Then we started visiting once or twice a year 1996-2006. I had to slow down the pace for my dh to agree to keep going, but we did all the restaurants and special things over the years. Since 2006 I still visit 2 or 3 times a year and family members take turns coming with me. We just had a 10 day vacation, went to MK 1 night for fireworks and that was it. Ate at Boma, Beaches and Cream, Roaring Forks, Tambu lounge. My dd and myself have annual passes, I have to say it bothered me to pay $105 for my dh to see fireworks, but he went for me and really has no interest. I'm going again for a long vacation this summer and going to try and do a lot cause I'm taking a break for a few years (that's my plan anyhow).

 

[angierae]

Definitely not. It's just too exhausting. I'm in the early stages of thinking about our 2016 trip and I am definitely planning alternating long days with shorter days.

 

[mortimor]

We always seem to do everything we WANT to do...but it does not include every attraction. We normally go for 9-10 day trips and while we continue to make RD every morning, we do slow down after our first 4 or so days at the parks. We are and will continue to be commando style guests. We still journal what we do each day and what rides we go on and any other interesting things that take place. It is fun to approach the last couple of days and realize all that we have done and have a few more "must do" things that are on the list.

 

[IvyWinter]

It depends on who I'm with. Last trip was a very quick, 3 day weekend with a fellow vet. we skipped AK, and hit all the major attractions we wanted in the other 3 along with Not So Scary. This next trip is with my boyfriend, who hasn't been since he was about 10. I'd like to try and do as much as possible (but probably skip sections i dont think he'll like at all, like most fantasyland rides). so really it depends on if im with fellow vets or playing a bit of tour guide.

 

[Alisha's mom Sarah]

I havent been there since 2010. I am taking my 3 daughters in Sept. We won't do it all, but I want to do most, at lest at MK. I have 2 days there, one at each of the others. 2 water park days and a day to do nothing. I hope 1 day will be enough,at each of the 3 parks. My DH isn't a Disney fan so it's just the girls and I going. It may be our last time... I want my 5 year old to be able to experience what she wants..