Four main types of Disney tourists

[PrncessA]

We are a combo family, 1 & 2!

We like a nice resort to spend time at, even during mid-day breaks. We like ADR's and relaxing at meals. But we are up at the crack of dawn, in well past closing type as well. We don't go to Disney but every few years (5 right now) so we want to get our money's worth at the parks and at the resort.

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

Category 1: The Commando. The object of this type of tourist is to get the most theme park bang for their vacation buck. Knows how to take maximum advantage of the FP system. Often stays in the parks from RD until past closing. Typically stay off-site or in value resorts. Generally views table service dining as a waste of time and money. May come home sleep deprived.

Category 2: The Resort Lounger. This type of tourist approaches Disney like an all-inclusive resort that happens to have theme parks. Typically stays on-site in a deluxe resort, DVC villa, or moderate resort. Opts for a lot of resort time and may only spend 3-5 hours per day at a park, some days skipping the parks entirely. Usually enjoys table service dining and is often either on a dining plan or has TIW.

Category 3: The Local. This type of tourist is relatively local to central Florida and typically visits multiple times per year. Usually an AP holder, they may come for a whole day, part of a day, or just for a special event (e.g., F&W, CP, etc.). They may also opt for multiple, short overnight trips (for example, they may be DVC owners who come several weekends per year).

Category 4: The Uninitiated. This type of tourist is often a first time visitor who hasn't put much thought into their trip. Often stays off-site during a peak season and arrives at the parks after 11 am. Has little knowlege of the relative popularity of attractions or the workings of the FP system. Likewise, has little knowledge of the relative popularity of restaurants or the workings of the ADR system.

Obviously, these aren't hard and fast categories, as many guests are likely a hybrid between at least two. Also, I've excluded certain categories of guests like tour groups, competition groups, and conventioners.

If you had to break down Disney guests by their dominant category, what do you think the ratio would be?

What category most closely describes you?

None of the above. I'm not a commando. I have 3 little kids and I love TS, so we need to relax. I also don't do rope drop. On the other hand, I don't do resort days, I don't like mid-day breaks. I spend all day in the parks, know a lot about restaurants, rides, FP and such.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Category 1 would be us to a T

 

[GoofyGirl1717]

I guess my family doesn't fit.

We are a family that plans out about 60 percent of our time. We plan some meals, but not all. We go to the parks most days, but do to have the commando attitude. Maybe you need a 5th category. The experienced partial planner.

This is us too! I do A LOT of planning but have never made it to rope drop. We always ride everything we want plus I get to see the parades.

 

[2Tiggies]

We're category one, though we always stay in a moderate and this year have a split reservation at a Deluxe too. Although we are considerably more laid back in our touring style than we used to be, we still spend the majority of our time at the parks and like to hop from or to the EMH to make the most of operating hours across the parks. Oh yeah, I see TS dining as a waste of time We used to do plenty character meals but it is now limited to one (if that per trip).

 

[johde]

I would say I used to firmly be Category 1. Now, I'm more of a combination of category 1 and 2. My park tickets originally were plain park hoppers (before MYW). Now, I have tended to be MYW, 10 day Park Hopper, Plus Option No Expiration spread over 3 trips. When I use a theme park day I'm all Business I want to get bang for the buck definitively category 1. But, I also now plan a resort/water park day or 2 to relax. That are much more Category 2. Although I will admit at times my Category 1 ways creep back in and some of those days get filled with Universal, Sea World, Busch Gardens etc.

 

[ettinkerbell]

Twice a year for 30 yrs F&G and F&W dh golfs every day till noon, naps then TS - I park hop every day for 5 hours - nap and then TS - Mix of 1 & 2 (me) - hd mostly 2

 

[lovelygirl1975]

We are definitely number 2. We refuse to set an alarm clock on vacation. But, we naturally both wake up pretty early. So we relax in the mornings and we get to the parks around 9 or so. Then we do lunch, yes we love TS restaurants. The food is just as important as the parks. Then we had back around dinner time or earlier if we plan to come back for any night events. Dinner is more whatever we find to eat. Yeah we have the dining plan. DH likes that all inclusive feel.

 

[PJ]

I guess I'd describe myself as a commando planner, but laid back attendee.

Before we retired 2 years ago, for 25 years we went once a year for a week - stayed at Moderates or usually in our RV in Ft W. I've always been a planner - had quite a collection of Birnbaum and then Unofficial Guides - also joined the DIS in 1999 although you can see by my count I lurked a lot but never posted a lot.

But, we don't have kids and DH is NOT a morning person so I've done RD exactly once in 30 years.

Now we're retired and Winter 20 min from WDW with AP's and go 3-4 times a week. I still plan - I analyze the crowd level estimates and recommended parks and choose our park days accordingly. In fact, I set up a spreadsheet for the whole winter so I can decide at a glance where - or if - to go on any given day. (we only go if estimates are 4 or less, and only go to the most recommended park). I plan our park ADR's accordingly. People where we live laugh at me, but I enjoy our park days much more this way!

 

[Arenita]

I am a Category 2 with some lingering remnants of Category 1. My only deviation from 2 is that I don't do a Dining Plan (too much food for me) and have never purchased TIW. I will eat well...if I am with someone who enjoys that. When I bring kids, we eat to live.

Tomorrow, I will be doing the Single Digit Dance! The plan is for much Cat 2 relaxation, but also a Cat 1 "Trip Around the World in One Day" - opening AK at 8 am and closing MK at 1:30 am.

 

[mcd2745]

I'm another 1-2 hybrid. A lot of commando tendencies, although, getting up and out early enough to make RD is always a HUGE challenge for us, but once there we usually close down the park. We usually stay at moderates, but sometimes deluxe and we do make TS ADRs every day.

 

[DumboDash2006]

None really. Is it possible to be a mix of one and two? Except we'll be staying off site. We plan to be park commandos from rope drop until mid/late afternoon, getting as many rides in as possible. Then (most nights) we'll head back to our off site condo to RELAX.

 

[disworlddad]

Commando baby...but we do have reservations at Cali Grill.

 

[flateacher]

I am a CAT 3 but have been accused of being a CAT 1 by my husband!

I have lost count of how many times we have been - I think the only on-site hotel we HAVEN'T stayed at is the Poly (but don't worry I plan on getting there as soon as they finish fixing her up!).

I am so used to going and being able to walk on rides (even headliners) that when we have to wait I am like "Why are all these people here?!?"

 

[AnnaS]

We are now definitely number 2 - no dining plan. Have used TIW. Few ADRs at the resorts and parks. We actually only choose FPs for half of our stay. Don't like and don't know where I will be or how we will feel on a certain day at a certain time.

 

[supergoofy]

Going to need a 6th category for my family

We are newbies who are versed in FP+, touring and ADR's. We plan on doing RD and staying till lunch. Then back to the hotel/away from the park for a bit. Then do dinner and close the park. Avoid WDW at peak times both hours and seasons.

From your list my park touring will be a 3 part system.

1) From RD to lunch we shall go commando. I am planning it minute by minute.

2) From lunch till 3-4 hours later I'll let the group decide day by day what we do whether its swim or check out a resort.

3)Return to a park and grab some dinner and tour at a more relaxed pace.

While there we will have a mix of park time and resort time.

 

[Mickey6]

Our family also needs a new category, I plan everything around late EMH and dinner ADR's. We close the parks and sleep until noon the next day. Unconventional maybe, but we never wait in lines and there is something special about linking arms and skipping down Main Street, all by ourselves. Love it!