Doing Disney Different - RELAX!

[lady_hlh]

On our first trip I tried to cram in as much as possible and we were all so tired and stressed out by the end of our vacation. I took a more relaxed approach on our second trip and we had a much better time. Our third trip was so relaxing because all I did was book our ADRs and we spent as much time as we wanted relaxing at the pool at OKW. Our 4th trip is coming up soon and I am planning on the same approach as last year where we just have our ADRs booked and we do whatever we feel like doing during the day with no set plan.

 

[SplashMountainMama]

My cousin and I are doing a "girls only" getaway for 3 night this August and, except for our ADR's and a chosen park for each day we have nothing planned. We've never gone together and each of our previous trips have been of the "cram as much in as you can" variety so this is way outside the box for both of us. We are really looking forward to taking time to enjoy the little things.

 

[eeyoregon]

We are going in Sept. and I am so not a planner.They have planned out which park we are going to which day, where our meals are, what times they are, etc. So the combo of the two will be interesting.

It may be interesting but you have no other choice if you plan on eating while you are there in September With free dining in full swing you HAVE to make reservations if you wish to eat at any table service venue.

We (me and DS12) are planning on the wake up when we wake up and do what we wanna do plan in August. BUT we had to make some commitment for dining or we knew we would be eating hamburgers the entire time.

Hope you have a fantasmic trip!

 

[mytwinklestar]

We have had the blessing of being able to make multiple trips since our son was five years old. This year, we are APs for the first time. We have done the NONstop, hectic, rigorously scheduled visits and the last minute, throw the plans together, lets just go trips. The relaxing trips are most enjoyable, hands down. Yes, you must schedule your ADRs if you want to eat at particular restaurants. However, we leave the remainder of our schedule open. We utilize the EMHs, though I know that many on the boards do not enjoy the parks with the EMHs. We find the evening EMHs to be the best to take advantage of riding those attractions that have extremely long lines during regular park hours. What works for us is to go to a park in the morning... maybe a rope drop... IF we are up and ready. Enjoy that park, using the fast passes and minimal lines at park opening... then we usually either have lunch and return to the resort or return to the resort for lunch. After lunch, we do one of two things... and sometimes both... but we might take a dip in the pool or take a nice afternoon nap. We then freshen up and return to the park about dinner time. Many of those who have attempted to do the commando day are now heading back to their resorts about this time. We have ADRs for dinner and then close the park of our choice. Evening EMHs often are not crowded because the little ones cannot go until such late hours. With our naps, our kids do just fine. Closing the park is one of our most favorite times... we take our time exiting... taking pictures with nearly no one else in them but our family... walking through the shops at a comfortable pace... because we know that the bus lines will be LONG... but we relax and leisurely make our way out of the parks - which makes for less time in a bus line. If we do the evening EMHs, we usually sleep in the following morning. These types of trips are much more pleasant for everyone IMHO. I wish you a fantasmic trip - whatever way you do it... it is Disney!

 

[Cinders Mum]

mickeyfan1226

If you plan your days then you can do without the park hoppers. But if I recall correctly the park hopper add on is around $45 yes? (Sorry we have different ticket options here) over the 13 days, that doesn't cost a lot, I'd be tempted, if you can do it, to add it in.

We have a plan of what is the ideal park for each day, with the back ups all stored ready if we are not in the mood for the original plan. My biggest hurdle is getting my guys up in the mornings, and then to get them to take a break during the day and then back later in the day/evening. They just want to keep going till they fall down. LOL

 

[ChristusG]

We try to do a "relaxing" trip each time we go to Disney. We do an annual week-long trip in the fall and occasionally do an extended weekend trip or two through the year.

We plan a few ADR's but not for every meal....not even daily. We wake up when we feel like it and head to the parks then. If a line is over about 20 minutes long, we do not wait. If the kids want to play in the downtown disney fountains for an hour, we do that. We usually end up staying in a park late at night, but we dont get there till around 10 or 11 AM, most of the time. We always plan a day or two to do "whatever." If that means swimming in the pool for half a day, then that's what we'll do. Or we'll hop on a bus and go to another resort and rent surrey bikes, or get some ice cream or something.

It works for us.

I guess that for someone who doesnt get to go to Disney often, this would not work. But for us, we know what we like to do, we see what we like to see, and get to come back fairly often if we want to.

 

[crisi]

When you become a regular, its actually pretty easy to relax. If you don't get to it this trip - next trip.

We do make a list of stuff we "need to do" in each park. And we try to knock those off quickly. We still get up early - knock the stuff off our need to do list, then generally have plenty of time to do what we want to do. We still make ADRs - because eating well is part of relaxing to us.

 

[mickeyfan1226]

I sat down a figured what we would save by not adding the hopper and water parks and really it is not worth it to not get them. I think I will get the add ons and that way we don't have to stick to a plan and if we want to go to the water parks more than one day we can. We only do this everyother year so I say "what the heck just do it"

mickeyfan1226

If you plan your days then you can do without the park hoppers. But if I recall correctly the park hopper add on is around $45 yes? (Sorry we have different ticket options here) over the 13 days, that doesn't cost a lot, I'd be tempted, if you can do it, to add it in.

We have a plan of what is the ideal park for each day, with the back ups all stored ready if we are not in the mood for the original plan. My biggest hurdle is getting my guys up in the mornings, and then to get them to take a break during the day and then back later in the day/evening. They just want to keep going till they fall down. LOL

 

[livie1205]

we are in the middle...we plan our ADRS but that is about it.we are going for 56 days in dec this year and we are only buying a 3 day park pass (not even a hopper) we are going to a park one day then the next not, and then back and forth...we are staying at AKL club level and we are doing things like the sunrise safari and maybe a day at disneyquest...we will just wait and see...

 

[hoosiergirl7]

The first few times we went it was non-stop. Now we're trying to do things at a more leisurely pace. Granted we spend most of our time between MK and Epcot too. We avoid AK all together and spend a part of the day at DHS.

We are going back in Oct and with the exception of ADR's because we are on the DDP everything else is up in the air. We currently have 6 day Park Hoppers and I'm thinking about downgrading them to 5 day hoppers. The Saturday that we are there DH & DS will be in a taekwondo competition at Disney WW of Sports and I'm thinking after they're done we won't do much except maybe head to DTD for dinner.

We'll do as we please and if we don't make it to everything the DS thinks we need to do then we'll just save it for another trip as we expect to do Disney every year.

 

[eeyoregon]

We avoid AK all together and spend a part of the day at DHS.

How is this possible?? Help me understand how anyone could skip Animal Kingdom? IMHO it's the best park and has the best shows. I could understand if you were on a tight time line because there is sooooooo much to do there and it takes a day or two but to skip it all together?? Oh dear....

 

[notafan]

I want to go to Disney and relax. Is that at all possible?
QUOTE]

Not with my family. Probably why I'm "not a fan". My first trip to DW with my wife and in-laws was hyperplanned and every other trip back has been just as bad. Unfortunately, I have another trip coming up that will be just the same. I envy those that find it relaxing. My wife and kids will run like maniacs at disney and I have to go along since the kids are small, yet they get to relax when we get back home and I go back to work more tired than when I left.

 

[Whipperwhirl]

Im also just planning items that require reservations - ADR, Pirate cruise, BBB - Granted Im hoping they will sort of guide my family to which parks we visit on a given day but other than that - Im leaving it to them - What do you feel like doing today is what I want to ask!