How do I take it easy at Disney?

[kylenne]

I had to scroll way too far to read this. If you value your time and money, then taking it easy isn't really in your vocabulary when it comes to WDW. Obviously that doesn't mean you have to go-go-go 24/7, but everyone has a different threshold of what they can do in the limited time they have there.

The problem with this mentality imo is that it falls into the trap of conflating quantity vs. quality when it comes to park time and this is often how people end up making themselves and their families miserable. "We spent too much money to come here, we can rest at home" is a recipe for kids throwing tantrums and adults screaming at each other, berating CMs when things go wrong, etc.

It's precisely because I value my time and money so much that I make myself take it easy and take breaks, because I don't see the value in squeezing out 3 extra rides at the expense of exhausting myself when I could do 3 less and rest so I'm refreshed for the next round of touring. I may spend less total time at the parks by breaking up the trip with resort days, taking long resort breaks in the middle of park days, etc. but it means that I enjoy the time I am in the parks far more, because I haven't pushed myself to the breaking point to "do it all".

Many times those smaller moments when you're sitting on a bench people watching with a dole whip or something are some of the most memorable anyway. And tbqh as a neurodivergent person pressuring myself like that to "get my money's worth" isn't in my vocabulary. My brain and body will make me pay for it if I don't, like I found out last month and ended up having to get DAS.

 

[scrappinginontario]

The problem with this mentality imo is that it falls into the trap of conflating quantity vs. quality when it comes to park time and this is often how people end up making themselves and their families miserable. "We spent too much money to come here, we can rest at home" is a recipe for kids throwing tantrums and adults screaming at each other, berating CMs when things go wrong, etc.

It's precisely because I value my time and money so much that I make myself take it easy and take breaks, because I don't see the value in squeezing out 3 extra rides at the expense of exhausting myself when I could do 3 less and rest so I'm refreshed for the next round of touring. I may spend less total time at the parks by breaking up the trip with resort days, taking long resort breaks in the middle of park days, etc. but it means that I enjoy the time I am in the parks far more, because I haven't pushed myself to the breaking point to "do it all".

How often do you visit on average? Each person has the right to their opinion.

We visit once a year (and not always that often) so we are in the camp of 'fit in as much as possible' because that works for our family. And we're allowed to tour that way without being told we're going to have tantrums, scream at each other or berate CMs.

There is no way to quantify who 'enjoys themself more' as each person and family is allowed to determine what that is for their family.

Many times those smaller moments when you're sitting on a bench people watching with a dole whip or something are some of the most memorable anyway. And tbqh as a neurodivergent person pressuring myself like that to "get my money's worth" isn't in my vocabulary. My brain and body will make me pay for it if I don't, like I found out last month and ended up having to get DAS.

Your style of touring works for you and I respect that.

Others are allowed to tour differently as that works for them.

 

[Schlek]

Thanks everyone for the great ideas. I think my biggest issue is the mindset. We are starting to go a couple of times per year now so hopefully that will alleviate the FOMO and thinking we have to get on every ride. My favorite times of the day at Disney is rope drop and at night so the mid afternoon break comes in handy. I like a lot of the other ideas and maybe we just need to try some of them out. I think I like the sleep in and use LL. I also like rope drop and leaving early and enjoying dinner and not going back to the parks. Sometimes it is important to just sit back and enjoy the great atmosphere of Disney World.

 

[Brian Noble]

I think my biggest issue is the mindset.

Yep! It absolutely is. And in my experience there are two ways to crack this nut.

The first is to ask: Why am I coming to WDW? Is it (a) to ride a bunch of rides, or is it (b) to get a break from the real world and (if not going solo) spend some focused time with family and friends? If you are there for reason (a), then ride a bunch of rides! That's great. But, I've found that I go for reason (b), and if that is why I am there, then the parks (and resorts, and restaurants, and yes even the buses) are the stage on which the real action takes palce.

The second is to realize that this vacation will cost $X, and X is not a small number. But, you are going to spend $X no matter what, and so the only question is how much fun is the trip, and how happy are you while you are on it. I can't speak for anyone else, but I know that for me, it is much easier to do "too much" (and be tired, cranky, and just slogging from thing to thing) than it is to do "too little." Every time I end up leaving a park a little earlier, or skip an attraction becuase time is tight, or linger longer than planned over a meal, it ends up leaving me in a better mood. Getting in more rides, or more hours in a theme park, or whatever makes each of those rides/hours less expensvie, but if they are not fun because everyone is tired, what's the point?

 

[Brian Noble]

The other thing I have found helpful: Make a short list of things that you really want to make sure you do. That could be an attraction, or a restaurant, or a tour or "magical extra", or whatever. Try to keep that list to no more than about three things per full vacation day, not counting arrival and departure. Then, make sure you do those things, at which point everything else is a bonus.

 

[fbarker]

We've finally started taking midday breaks to either go back to the room out at the pool. The first time we did it, we intended to go to the pool but naps seemed to be more appealing once we got back to the room.

On my last trip (which was a solo trip) I ended up taking nap breaks on my two heavy park days. They provided me with enough boost to get through the rest of the day once I went back to the parks.

So I am just wondering that when you take a solo trip do you enjoy go on the rides as a single?

 

[hardcorestitch]

Yep! It absolutely is. And in my experience there are two ways to crack this nut.

The first is to ask: Why am I coming to WDW? Is it (a) to ride a bunch of rides, or is it (b) to get a break from the real world and (if not going solo) spend some focused time with family and friends? If you are there for reason (a), then ride a bunch of rides! That's great. But, I've found that I go for reason (b), and if that is why I am there, then the parks (and resorts, and restaurants, and yes even the buses) are the stage on which the real action takes palce.

The second is to realize that this vacation will cost $X, and X is not a small number. But, you are going to spend $X no matter what, and so the only question is how much fun is the trip, and how happy are you while you are on it. I can't speak for anyone else, but I know that for me, it is much easier to do "too much" (and be tired, cranky, and just slogging from thing to thing) than it is to do "too little." Every time I end up leaving a park a little earlier, or skip an attraction becuase time is tight, or linger longer than planned over a meal, it ends up leaving me in a better mood. Getting in more rides, or more hours in a theme park, or whatever makes each of those rides/hours less expensvie, but if they are not fun because everyone is tired, what's the point?

I lean towards reason A at this point… I pick up to 3 “spotlight attractions” that I go on first regardless of wait time (no need for Lightning Lane at this point). All the other attractions are a bonus if time permits.

 

[DisneyFive]

The other thing I have found helpful: Make a short list of things that you really want to make sure you do. That could be an attraction, or a restaurant, or a tour or "magical extra", or whatever. Try to keep that list to no more than about three things per full vacation day, not counting arrival and departure. Then, make sure you do those things, at which point everything else is a bonus.

This.

We did this on our very first trip back in 2010 and it was so helpful. I think it was a suggestion of our friend of ours who had been to the parks before. Wise advice. It gave a sense of accomplishment every day knowing that you got your big three things done each day. I’d say in almost all cases that is attainable and everything on top of that was gravy . It made every day feel successful.