Help Me Have a More Relaxed Trip

[crostorfer]

I tried this, and then ended up back in Commando mode. I'm a firm believer in getting up for rope drop, doing 2-3 hours, taking a long, leisurely afternoon break to swim and have cocktails, and then going back in the evening. This last trip my family rebelled, and demanded to sleep in. I backed off and let them do it, (it irritated the crap out of me, but I did it), and we ended up losing so much time the two days we tried it, my daughter got upset and wanted me to wake her up early again.

 

[Keels]

I think the key to making a trip more "relaxing" is, honestly, expectations. When we're away from Disney, it's really easy to sit at home and say "Yeah - I'd be totally fine with only riding EE once!", but when you get to the parks you realize that you were just kinda fooling yourself and really wouldn't mind a day where you could just ride EE over and over again (this is obviously an exaggeration, but still).

I would say to map out the rides you would be REALLY sad to miss, and meals that you MUST DO. And then schedule them so rides and meals are in different places on the same day. This will force you to take a break via transportation and enjoy things in an alternate location than where you were at ... like, say you do FP+s in DHS - schedule dinner in Epcot. Make the leisurely walk between the two parks and stop somewhere at Boardwalk (Abracadabar or Ample Hills) or at a lounge at YC/BC for a drink and a snack, and then continue on to Epcot and explore things in the World Showcase before/after dinner.

But also, don't force yourself to miss out on things if you get to the parks and decide that you are enjoying the vibe and want to keep knocking out as many rides as you want!

These days, I only do rope drop if I have plans for later in the day at other parks and there is just SOMETHING I have to do ... like EE. I'll start my day at AK, ride EE as much as I can, grab a mimosa or bloody mary at Dawa Bar and then continue on with my day - even if the rest of that day includes just Disney Springs.

 

[rstamm]

Embrace that you are commando I have.
I told my son this last trip over Christmas I would try to relax after about 50 trips.
I’m normally a calm person but that Disney Magic fires me up and I can’t stop it’s always next attraction up and I don’t want to stop no matter how tired I am.
I asked him am I acting a little crazy because I could feel it happening and said yes! Lol
I give up I can’t change it’s just who I am when I walk through those turnstiles.

 

[missbrooke06]

I was accused of being too structured and the trip where I only did ADRs (as agreed by all) lead to everyone asking me each morning "But what do we do?"

We've compromised with fairly structured mornings and playing by ear after lunch (minus dinner ADRs). This has been a really nice solution for everyone.

 

[Ciandella915]

We decide what restaurants we want, and then based on the EMH of the week, I try to get dinner ADRs that line up with that. Then we wake up, do rope drop, and hit up the highlights until around noon, then we decide if we want to eat lunch back at the resort or in the park. Then we go lay out at the pool and take a nap, freshen up, and go to dinner and then hit a park (or vice versa if the parks all close at 9).

This last trip right before Christmas, we made an effort to not hit the highlights really and just walk on things that were less popular (Country Bears, etc) and skipped things like Space Mountain (we had never skipped that before). It was really nice. Of course, we'll be back in two weeks, so we knew we won't have to wait long to ride the more popular stuff.

 

[alex9179]

I remember reading a thread at one time about the psychology of MK, things that were done during design of the park that enhanced our experience even though we don't realize it. There is an old thread with that info, it dates back a few years, but I bet a lot of it is still relevant. I've looked at it a few times over the years and I will again before our next trip. Perhaps some of those ideas would give you the chance to slow down a bit in MK! to find it, search the forums (title only) and type: psychology of MK.

Reading it now!
https://www.disboards.com/threads/what-psychology-of-mk-do-you-know-about.2468670/

 

[gypsy_at_heart]

I don't know if I have a particular strategy, I'm just usually a pretty relaxed person in general. I like to have a mix of things planned - so that I won't stress about not being able to eat (I have food restrictions) and that I won't leave disney thinking I've missed out - and free time so my vacation actually feels like a vacation.

I usually check out a lot of menus, schedule one don't want to miss ADR per day and get an idea of other quick places I can eat in each park that have something I'd like to order and can order. I also pack allergy friendly protein snacks into the park so I can snack and am not hangry if restaurants are busy and I decide to put off eating for an hour or two past normal. I generally (except for one scheduling issue on my upcoming trip) leave myself LOTS of time between plans - fastpasses, parades, adr - so I'm not stressed about getting to places on time, it gives me the space to wander and enjoy my surroundings or pop in places. I also make sure to book trips with enough time that I won't feel rushed - I am not a 3 days ride every ride trip kind of girl. But I think the main thing is to understand that you won't, and don't need to, see everything. Schedule to do what is most important to you and think of everything else as a bonus. For me, this upcoming trip, I really wanted to do a couple workshops for the festival of the arts, so I booked those and scheduled my day around it.

For a normal day I usually start off with a nice leisurely breakfast, because I like not feeling hurried in the morning and it sets the tone for my day. I schedule my three (sometimes I cancel some the day of) fastpasses late morning and do the rides I really want to do in whatever park I've chose to start in for the day. Once I'm done those I often wander around for a bit, check MDE for whatever FP are open or go on what has a short line (I do not do crazy line waits), find somewhere fun to have lunch, and often find myself watching a parade I didn't realize was supposed to happen. I duck into stores, get a snack, and really do whatever I feel like. If I get bored in a park, I go to another one since I've already done my fastpasses. I never feel guilty about not staying until park close or being there at rope drop if I'd rather go relax at the hotel or have a nice dinner and drinks in Disney Springs. I hear a lot of people say they feel like they wasting their money if they aren't doing it all or going full out from morning to evening and I can see where they are coming from, tickets aren't cheap. However, for myself, I tend to see it more in the way of if I'm spending all this money on a vacation, I'd rather relax, enjoy it. Feeling like I had to do everything would just leave me feeling tired and stressed and not like I'd been on a vacation -that would be a waste of money to me. But to each their own.

Not sure if you have a savanna view, but one of my favourite things to do when I stayed at AKL was have a nice breakfast on my balcony watching the animals in the morning

 

[BigB0882]

For us, the biggest thing that got in the way of allowing us to take a break was dining reservations. They are a must-do in advance or you end up spending forever waiting for a table but they can also throw a kink into your plans if you want to just relax or go back to the room for a bit. When we go back I think I want to do dining reservations where we have no more than one table service per day and always make it for a later dinner, around 8 or so. I don't mind missing fireworks but that may be a concern for some. We like to go hard in the morning then when we get tired it is nice to have the option to head back and rest for a bit, knowing you already did a lot of things you want to do. When you come back later you can really relax in the evening and know the only must-do is your dinner reservation.

 

[srwarden1928]

Getting an AP helped me be less commando, but I am still very commando style. I did on my last trip, on arrival day, go to Epcot and ONLY did Food & Wine--not a single attraction. I did on departure day go to MK to only ride Splash Mountain. It had been closed on two consecutive trips and reopened that day. I did get a same day FP to Buzz, so I did ride that once, Splash 3 times, and headed north. Of course the nine days in between were pure commando, but I would never have done those days that way without the AP, and they certainly were not commando days.

 

[JenLovesMM]

Like another poster mentioned, sometimes ADRs are what keeps you into the park... our strategy for that was to do our table service either for breakfast (even pre-park opening) or a late brunch. For our family, that worked well because then the rest of the day we could be free to change parks, go back to hotel, etc without worrying about making a reservation on time. It doesn't work for those families that really want a sit down dinner but for us, it was really what made our days better.

 

[tlmadden73]

I need some help in changing my touring style! We’re usually commandos, in the parks from rope drop to park close, trying to do it all. Our trips have been great and tons of fun, but I’m ready for a change.

TL/DR bit: If you’re not a park commando, please share your tips for more relaxed touring styles. I’d love to know your typical daily schedule, what you do to make yourself actually slow down. Please help me leave my commando ways behind!

What I have done.
1) Rope Drop and plan all fast passes for before lunch.
2) Have only 1 ADR a day and always INSIDE the same park you are in for that day. Trying to time/rush somewhere else is stressful.
3) Take a break IN the park (don't go back to your resort (unless it is really close (like a monorail resort)).
(Going back and forth takes time and is not relaxing)
4) After lunch . .just be flexible .. go on rides with short waits, see what is available for 4th+ fast passes, etc. See shows you normally wouldn't when trying "commando" style.
5) Be okay with not "doing it all" .. you WILL be back.

So that's what I do .. plan the morning, let the afternoon be flexible.

 

[Delirium]

We're commandos and went the expensive route to do what you're wanting by first extending trips from 7 days to 10 days, and then to 12 days. We're dropping back down to 7 days next year, but don't want to give up the down time we've gotten used to. We won't have any 'park-free' days on the 7 day trip, but are building in some long mid-day breaks. And, for full disclosure, we're staying at Beach Club for the first time after 10 trips or so at the moderates. The proximity to Epcot and HS helps in being able to plan those mid-day breaks.

 

[Cactus girl]

You are totally making me laugh. I am a commando and you just can’t take the commando out of a girl. However, you can do this small trick that makes your Mr. ask if you have had a personality change. I give myself daily objectives.

Some days, the objective is to relax. This, I will plan the relaxation. Here is my “MK relaxation day plan”

RD—because how can you not? Choose 1 area of the park and stay there. Do all the things in that area that you want to. Visit all the shops. Everything. All. the. Small. Stuff. No crisscrossing to other lands. Make it a point to find something new. Grab a quick late-morning snack. If time allows, do that for a second land. Around 1, take the small boat to the GF. Kick around. Walk the grounds. Then, have a 2:00 ADR for high tea. I don’t know what it is about the tea room, but if just forces you to relax. (A side note, you can order from the bar and they will bring it to you with the tea. A few rounds of the smoked Old Fashioned keeps my Mr pretty happy.). Stay for an hour or two. Just look outside and relax.

Then, take the path to the poly. Walk around. Enjoy. Take the boat back to MK and take the other boat to Ft Wilderness. Walk around. Enjoy. Then, take the walk through the woods that connects Ft Wilderness to the Wilderness Lodge. Walk around. Have some snacks at the bar. They have some yummy specialties. By this time, you are pretty chill—but the commando part of you is super happy because you have knocked out four resorts. The water rides on the small crafts, the walk in the woods and the walk along the beach help counteract the high stimulation of the parks.

Usually we end the day with taking the monorail to Epcot and just wandering around world showcase and just sharing goodies from around the world. You could also go and have a lovely meal at the California Grill or Narcoossees to end the “chill” day.

We love the AKL. Some days when we go back for an afternoon break, we never leave. There is tons to do just right there.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[alex9179]

By this time, you are pretty chill—but the commando part of you is super happy because you have knocked out four resorts. The water rides on the small crafts, the walk in the woods and the walk along the beach help counteract the high stimulation of the parks.

That's me, right there. Park in the morning, chill but accomplished afternoon/evening.

 

[TiggerManiac]

You are totally making me laugh. I am a commando and you just can’t take the commando out of a girl. However, you can do this small trick that makes your Mr. ask if you have had a personality change. I give myself daily objectives.

Some days, the objective is to relax. This, I will plan the relaxation. Here is my “MK relaxation day plan”

This is fabulous! I’d love to see your relaxation plans for the other 3 parks!

I really want to go back to AKL in the middle of most days, just to take advantage of all their activities. But this is a great way to see the deluxe resorts all decked out in their holiday finery. I really loved doing that last year.

 

[wgeo]

I want to be more relaxed in the parks, but I've found that the first hour or so I'm still pretty keyed up. So I go with that and just let it be, but then I start to tell myself that it's ok to walk slow. I actually have to remind myself that i don't need to walk fast to get around the slow moving group with the stroller/little kids/distracted people ahead of me. And then I let myself (and kids do things we wouldn't normally do) and here the kids help. For example we were on the way to FOP at Ak and it was 10:30 in the morning and my daughter says - I really want a mickey pretzel. We almost never buy snacks in the park, and certainly not in the AM - BUT we wandered around for the longest time trying to find one and had so much fun - and then we SAT down and at the snack and took the time to look at things around us and people going by and it was great. Did we prob ride one less ride that day? Yes, but we had sooo much fun. So for me, each day it takes time, and really it's each time I walk into a new park that I have to get over the intial adrenaline excitment, but then it's just to keep telling myself to slow down and go with the flow and it works a little better each time!

 

[Cactus girl]

Ah, my best tip it to either rent a car and drive to the parks or just uber/Lyft it. I was amazed at the difference this made in the time getting to/from places and the psychological difference of everyone in the family. I now just budget for this and it makes everything pretty stress free.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

We tried something new on our trip this past March by having a “no park” day. We slept in, went to Disney Springs, and enjoyed spending time at the resort. This may not be ideal for everyone, especially if your trip is a shorter one; but it worked out nicely for us on our last trip and we would definitely do it again.

 

[Ceryssa]

I adopted this mentality on our most recent trip and we all enjoyed it so much more. First, we break the cardinal "Disney rule"--we SLEEP IN (I know, I know). Yes we get less done in the parks. But there are no early mornings, no fights to get up and going (none of us are morning people), no racing thousands of our closest friends to get on that ride a few minutes faster. We get up when we feel like it, we get to the parks when we get there, and we enjoy our FPs and whatever else we get done. We do love the parks after dark, so we'll often stay til close but not always; depends how we feel. After that, done. We spend time doing things like Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, Agent P game, wandering around Disney Springs or whatever festival Epcot has going on, playing in the pool, and enjoying the entertainment on the Boardwalk. We do lots of meals because we like to eat, but we book them the day before so we can be flexible based on how we're feeling and what the weather's like. Counterintuitive and contrary to pretty much any Disney advice you get I know, but it completely changed how much we enjoyed the trip.

I agree the animal watching at AKL is better in the afternoons (we stayed there Dec 19-23).

 

[Ceryssa]

Ah, my best tip it to either rent a car and drive to the parks or just uber/Lyft it. I was amazed at the difference this made in the time getting to/from places and the psychological difference of everyone in the family. I now just budget for this and it makes everything pretty stress free.

Oh my goodness yes. We used Lyft instead of cabs this time but for going resort to resort, it's fantastic. My kids started asking "can we just take a Lyft" rather than wait on the buses. I haven't tried it back from the parks yet because I was worried we wouldn't be able to get one but we'll have a car next trip and I'm so excited to be able to drive! I always do on my solo trips and it just makes life so much easier.