Help me plan "non-commando" trip

[disneyfreak2127]

I usually am a planning obsessed Disney Mom. I'm trying to get away from that. Here is the deal. We are a family of 4 (DH, myself, DD11 & DS 4/almost 5). We will be arriving at BCV for June 1-10. We have AP's and old hopper passes that have waterpark days left. Help me plan a non-commando style vacation with time to stop and take in all that is Disney. Since we have AP's am not afraid to just enter park for a few hours or even just for dinner.

Also, we would like to make ourselves relax and enjoy the newly refurbished SAB. I just seem to over analyze the whole thing. Somebody help me make a flexible itinerary.

TIA!!

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

If it were me, I'd check out the Unofficial Guide, or TourGuideMike for the best days to visit each park, and then since you have so much time to play with, plan either morning or afternoon/evening visits to each park, leaving at least 3 or 4 days free for water parks/ miniature golf/ Disney Quest. Don't schedule a late night and then an early morning for the next day. You may want to try to go to the parks on a mostly every-other-day basis. Once the park days are set, you can set up your Priority Seatings to fit in (which you can always cancel and probably change around once you are "on the ground".)

Then you will have structured each day to allow for plenty of downtime - visits to the pool, walks around Downtown Disney, dinner and videos at your villa. You can always change your mind and add park time once you're in the moment.

Have a great trip - sounds like a lot of fun!

 

[missypie]

"Commando" has negative associations, but then so does waiting in very very long lines.

My preferred method is:
1. Visit each park on multiple days.
2. Be first in line at rope drop.
3. In the first couple of hours, you can ride so much. Once the lines get long, get a fast pass, then take time to slow down, shop, eat, visit with characters, visit less popular rides.

 

[kirbsam]

missy pie, that is exactly how we tour. I would only add, we usually take a break somewhere mid afternoon, and cruise to a different park in the evening. It is a great way to tour, and that first hour or two, you get so much done.

 

[Disney Fool]

Hmmmm....Beach club villas. How about sleeping in, everyone prepare their own breakfast. After you've had that second or third cup of coffee, stroll (ahem, I said "stroll") out the door, stake a claim at SAB, soak in some sun; have a light late lunch either at the pool or back at the villa. Change clothes, and head out to the park when it's much cooler. Try eating at Epcot for dinner, and watch Illuminations. Or, hang out at Boardwalk for the evening. No Pressure, just relaxing....go on a back stage tour, or one of those things you've been meaning to do, but never found the time.
sit on a park bench with an ice cream cone and watch the "World" go by.

 

[Leota]

For a relaxing , non-commando trip - How about not planning anything, but going where you feel like at the time? That's how we do most of our trips - Every time I try planning, it usually goes out the window after a couple days anyways because we don't like the stress of having too many plans.

Just make a few Must-Do PS arrangements, keep them if you feel like it at the time or not. You have AP's, so clearly you've been before & will go again, no need to rush. Also, if you feel like doing MK for a couple hours for the fireworks or Epcot for that "I'm just dying for sushi" dinner, it's not like burning a hopper/MYW day - that gives you alot of freedom to do what you want. One of the reasons we love APs......

 

[MonkeyBoyThom]

Commando... commando...


Yikes! When I first read that title I was thinking of the other meaning of "going commando."

 

[PrinceJohn]

yessir - considering how many hours we plan to be in the parks, going commando would be just too uncomfortable. I loved the Friends episode when Joey went commando in Chandler's clothes. Man, I miss Friends.
By the way, if you want a good commando story about Ariel in the Grotto - check out my post on the "Most Shocking Things.." post on this board. I'll paraphrase, Ariel was commando and her mersuit was way too low-cut in the front... If this gets out, the line for the Grotto will need a fastpass...

 

[newholidayx2]

for our Aug "non-commando" 2 wk vacation
we're planning 4 early mornings (1 at ea park), then pool time
rest of the days - mornings pool time, then some park time midafternoon/night

 

[momof2inPA]

Just wake up in the morning and do whatever the weather dictates or whatever is the consensus. Don't make any PS's, and don't rush around to make it to any shows. Skip the park openings. If the first park you visit is very crowded, hop to a different park.

When we were there last week, it seemed that everyone was using their books and rushing too much. It makes for a tense atmosphere.

 

[trappednabox]

yessir - considering how many hours we plan to be in the parks, going commando would be just too uncomfortable. I loved the Friends episode when Joey went commando in Chandler's clothes. Man, I miss Friends.

a little off topic but...
I still love friends and that was my favorite episode!
COULD I BE WEARING ANYMORE CLOTHES!

 

[disneyfreak2127]

I usually think of "commando park touring" rather than Friends. But you all just made me laugh at myself. That is such a good thing to do now and then.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Since I can't figure out that blasted new countdown thing you won't be able to see that we have been to WDW 7 times since we were first bitten by Tinker Bell and the Mouse in 1999. We joined DVC in May of 2003 and we were able to stay at BCV this last Thanksgiving for our first trip "home."

My theory on this post was to get some sense of how to plan (or not to plan) since I know this will not be our last visit. Thanks again!!!