How do YOU stop and smell the roses?

[megrod74]

DH and I are type-A and OC, therefore we're commandos when it comes to the parks. But I'd like to try and turn us into more laid-back Disney-goers. I was hoping some nice folks here could tell me how they 'smell the roses' when they are at Disney. It can be in the parks or resorts. Even general strategies.

Also, if you could write your responses in outline form so that I can just copy and paste them into our itinerary.

Just kidding.

Thanks for your help in relaxing us!

 

[decker96]

On our last trip we took breaks in the afternoons out of necessity, we had two (now have three!) small children 5 and 2. We stayed at POR and one afternoon while they napped, DH and I sat on the walkway outside our room and just took in the scenery. It was very quiet, I think most people were either at the parks or napping as well! I noticed alot more little things, all the different plants, flowers, trees, how nicely everything was landscaped. We waved at the families going by on those surrey bikes. It was fun actually and very relaxing.
Had we been childless, I would have loved to resort-hop. We would have left the parks after lunch and strolled around some of the resorts (monorail resorts if we were at MK, Boardwalk resorts if we were at Epcot or MGM), just checking them out to decide where to stay next time!

 

[disney1990]

We were like that too on our first trip in 1990, and our trip in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996. Do you see a pattern? Well once I realized that we were going to keep going back, I learned to relax -- a bit. One of the things we do is have tea at the Grand Floridian. It's a nice peaceful 1-1.5 hour break in a relaxing setting. I can't wait.

We'll be there in just 30 days.

 

[GarrettJD]

We just got back from our second trip, and we managed to relax a lot more than last year. We took a 2-3 hour break every day, and that really helped us stay energetic. Last year we didn't do that and we got home exhausted. We're not quite as tired this year

 

[slimplaw]

I love to sit and watch the fountain in Epcot and listen to the accompanying music. I also am very happy in a rocking chair in front of the fireplace at WL.

 

[tigger53]

i started taking my kids to disney when they were 4 and 6 yrs. old and every trip was commando style. they are now 19 and 21 and this is probably our last family trip together and i have sworn to myself (and them) that i'm going to be so laid back and enjoy everything on a slower pace,. they just look at me and smile. i like to have a plan and everything but this trip i so want to be low key and just take it as it comes. however i don't think they can handle "laid back" because when i gave them a run thru of my plans , especially about going back to the room or pool to mellow out they very loudly voiced their objections. so we'll see what happens. secretly i think i'm not cut out for mellow and laid back . once my feet hit disney ground i'm off and running.

 

[vicb]

We have been 3 times now and each time we find ourselves spending more time:

relaxing at our resort pool (have stayed Poly and BWI)

strolling thru Epcot WS just enjoying the atmosphere, performers and food

A few memorable "smell the roses" activities we have done were:

strolling Main St. USA while our kids were on Pirates Cruise, we bought chocolate covered strawberries and people watched.

renting a surrey bike on the BW, we rode around and around and had a ball. We laughed sooooo much.

 

[HenDuck]

Roses??? There are roses???

 

[flyball]

After multiple trips to the world, we've also slowed down a bit. We realize we don't have to do everything every trip. Specifically, though, one year we were down there and had to stay an extra night (boo hoo!) because of an impending hurricane. We didn't have park admission for the extra day, so we rented surrey bikes (we were at the WL), rode over to the Fort Wilderness camp ground, and visited all of the horses that are stabled there. It was such a relaxing experience and neat to see where they house the horses! Our girls were 7 and 8 at the time. They don't remember a lot from that trip, but they do remember attempting to pedal that bike together and the afternoon we spent with the horses!

The girls are 11 and 13 now, and we're planning on spending a lot more time in WS eating and watching the entertainment. Last August we realized we didn't allow enough time for that portion of Epcot. We also relaxed at the AKL pool and on our balcony, so much so that sometimes we found ourselves reluctant to leave our resort in the evening! The ambiance at AKL lends itself to relaxation!

 

[Sinclare]

Laid-Back is more of a way of life than something most people can just up and do. Take my father for example, if there is anything to worry about, he will; if there is anything to notice that is bad (ie, the carpet isn't brand new, there is a paint chip missing from a wall, something smells that no one else can smell>>I swear that's the worse one, he can smell spoiled milk a week before it sours).

I've never actually seen him fully relax; the closest was toward the end of vacation when he would almost get his mind off of work/bills/stuff for a day or two.

On the other side of the fence I'm the complete opposite. I'm not going on vacation as a job, I'm going to enjoy myself and make memories.

If you really want to try and be laid-back for a bit do this:

1: Know the general knowledge things like...don't go to MK on Monday/Saturday, pick out the things you want to do but don't set a date/time to do it, plan and get tickets to the things you want to do but same as above.

2: When you get there do what you feel like doing when you feel like doing it. When you get back at night think about what you would like to do tomorrow and if you wake up still wanting to do that then go ahead, if not then do what ever you decide then.

3: Don't try to be laid-back because if you think about it then you're not doing it. Enjoy the moment because there is no tomorrow until it gets here.

Remember, having fun is not a job; it's what happens when you're not paying attention to life. Remember when you were a kid? Yup, that's it....I guess that's why we enjoy WDW so much.

 

[Niagara2]

This post made me smile as each trip we literally smell the roses/ There are beautiful rose gardens in Epcot and it happens to be a shortcut to the front gates from WS. So each trip as we wander down that glorious path we always talk about what it means to stop to smell the roses and my two DS's always pull me to different type roses to take a sniff. It is actually a tradition with us the Stop and smell the roses. It will always remind me of all our trips over the years as we walk the path in years to come. It is our special place.

 

[caskar]

So many ways, now. We, too, used do the camando style touring of the parks. But after we bought into DVC, we realize we will be back many times at BCV to enjoy the parks. So, we take it slow and take in the beauty of Walt Disney World. We may ride the boats to the monorail resorts, WL or FW. We always ride the monorail into Epcot. Something special about making the loop and seeing World Showcase. Last summer we walked over to Epcot many nights and looked at all the different gift shops in the countries. Then we would end up eating a Snickers soft serve ice cream cone while we waited for Illminations to start. After the show we would slowly walk back to BCV or walk over to Boardwalk just for the fun of it. We return in two weeks for a lenghty stay of 19 days. Some people wonder what we will do for all that time. We smile and say, "anything we want."

 

[megrod74]

Thank you, everyone, for your insights!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Well I'm allergic to roses, so if stopped to smell them, I'd probably get very ill!

But seriously, we just take our time getting from one attraction to another. We get snacks and sit on a bench for short breaks, sit in the rocking chairs in Liberty Sq. etc.

 

[laurabelle]

My absolute favorite spot to stop and smell the roses in WDW is at World Showcase in Epcot, the zen garden in Japan. My kids get a kaki gori, hubby and I get an Ichiban, and while he and I relax by the little waterfall, the kids play around the bridges, look at the fish, take pictures...it's really lovely.

 

[sugermouse]

Bottom line for us is, WE DON'T!! However, on our upcoming trip we are going to do some more relaxing activities such as renting the water mice and playin miniature golf. Will we actually smell the roses, I doubt it......

 

[MPLsDad]

Playing checkers where they keep the horses on Main Street USA is one of my favorite memories spending time with my DW while my DS napped in his stroller. It's right near the barber shop! Also, strolling through the Osbourne Lights at Christmas time is excellent fun and very relaxing since there isn't really a line!

 

[mmccoy]

Its funny you talk about being more laid-back, because that was my goal for the trip we just returned from.

And, I think it worked.

As someone else said, its a total attitude change. What helped me with it was the discovery that so many little things exist (Hidden Mickeys, Butterfly release at Epcot, details on attractions), and the sad fact that I had missed them all on previous trips because I was so determined to ride every ride.

So, we spent a little longer just looking at stuff, and appreciating the effort Disney expends in putting together the parks. I didn't get to ride everything this time, but like others said, I'll be back!

 

[karemore]

I've always been a commando style, park hopping, Disney maniac.

But in April it was our honeymoon, and DH's first trip to Disney since 1977.

I knew it had to be different.

I laid the ground work....we will be at the gate when it opens each park day....and we will go to several main attractions first thing in the morning.....the rest of the time we will be flexible.

And it worked.

Fastpass helped big time. It's easier to stop and smell the roses when you know you can walk right onto the attractions!!! lol

We ate at off times, which was a nice peaceful way to enjoy the flavors of Disney without the noise and long lines.

We had the Tangier courtyard to ourselves one night when we ate about 4 pm.

Another day we had the entire upstairs of the Harbour House (not sure what it's called, near Hall of Presidents)

We sat and enjoyed a great meal overlooking the people walking below us....it was great.

We also sat and ate lunch one day on the path beside the castle on the Tomorrowland side...it was quiet, and shaded....and much to our delight, Mickey and Minnie showed up!! We got our picture taken with them, and it's one of our favorite shots of the trip.

Wow, I'm rambling on......it was actually easier to stop and smell the roses than I thought it would be, in part due to Fastpass.

Good luck!!!! lol

Karen

 

[Tiziminchac]

There is so much to enjoy about WDW, other than the rides, that it's almost a shame that people do the commando thing in the parks. But that's just me. My family used to be like that. I still remember my Dad, back in the 70's. jumping off the tram and racing to the ticket booths to get tickets for the family. We still tease him to this day. But after all these years, I always go knowing that if I miss it, I'll catch it next time. I know that won't work for everyone. Some people may only get one trip . I've never used a FP in my life. And never plan on it. If the line is too big I just walk by. But the off season is my favorite time to visit, so lines are never really a problem. Everything is always clean, the landscaping is out of this world. The CMs are nice. There's so much more than just rides to enjoy and that's what makes WDW special. IMHO.