Ugh! I made a post then my computer spazzed and I lost all I had typed.
We've done this a number of times. Almost anyone can manage one night, I should think. It gets crazy though when one goes that hard for five days in a row!
A few things have to fall into place to make it work. I would never plan a 2am night followed by a 7am breakfast ADR (with no show fee), but if the fates allow, commando days are entirely possible.
A few things need to happen to really make it all work:
1. nice weather. Being cold, sweaty, or soggy all day can zap one's energy. Commando days work best when it is just warm enough to happily wear shorts all night.
2. Being in shape/good health. Nuff said. Start walking! A head cold will also mess with one's endurance.
3. Eating well. It really helps to eat your fruits, veggies- and stay away from too much sugar/starch. Sugar bomb drinks give you an overload, then leave you feeling zapped. Drink water. One has to really look for veggies on WDW menus. most meal come with a garnish, not a real portion of good veggies. It helps to pay for an extra side veggie, or extra fruit. (or stop at the grocery store) Oh, same thing with drinking alcohol.
4. then again....one cocktail can mitigate the ache in your feet. Another tip for sore feet - even if you are tired- soak your feet in hot water for a few minutes in the bathtub or your resort hot tub (maybe during an afternoon break on the third day?)
5. Drink plenty of WATER!
6. As the evening progresses crowds drop. I find that very relaxing, and energizing. I much prefer late nights at WDW to visiting WDW when the hours are short (like September). We prefer nights to early mornings, but try to do both to take advantage of low crowds. mornings though are not as good as pre FP+. And really FP+ kind of mucks up going commando.
7. It often pays to kind of stay put. Late nights are great for re-rides. Both in the sense of re-riding something you already rode early in the trip, and in the sense of back-to-back re-rides. If you see no line for Test Track- ride it twice! You'll find you are not alone! The late night crowd is a hoot.
8. Late at night you can sometimes do tiny silly things. Once, when Maelstrom was very empty- the nice CM took a very quick picture of our family filling an entire boat. Nobody else was there. If you are very nice, some will even help you find hidden Mickeys. Another fun late night ride is Jungle Cruise.
9. If you aren't having fun, stop. That's our golden rule. If it feels like a death march, it is time to stop. Well, we also say, "Those that can't keep up will get left behind." And, "It isn't a real vacation unless someone comes home limping."
10. Invest in high quality walking shoes!!!!! Bring at lest two pairs of quality shoes and alternate. Also bring moleskin (or similar) in case of blisters. Cut it before you arrive. Conversely, I like to break in new shoes a few weeks before a trip.
In all seriousness, the key to making it work is that it has to be everyone's choice. If you have a child in a stroller, be prepared that they will fall asleep no the bus ride back (and can only do this if they nap in the stroller) It is wise to have a post trip day to catch up on your sleep before returning to work/school. (sleeping at home is free! we say! Sleeping at WDW means missing rides!)
It also pays to throw a few shows into the mix, or TS meals. If you do a quick breakfast, a walking lunch, make sure to include a TS dinner of afternoon show to break up all the walking.
If you really want to challenge your endurance limits, it pays to carry as little as possible. A forty pound backpack that digs into your shoulders is tiring.
It is also easier to be commando when staying onsite. That way, at least if you have multiple adults, if part of the group wants to retire, they can. When staying offsite it is much harder to split up.
When I am going to disney they are offering the emh til 2 am in MK. i plan on using this and then getting up at 7:45am the next day.
