I know I'm going back, but the commando in me doesn't.

[BuzzandWoody]

We are making our 1st trip home in a week. Matter of fact this time next week we'll be well into our 16 hour drive

We went to WDW this past May. And we'll be going in May 2002.

3 times in a year, WOW, think right now we are just taking advantage of our AP's. In the future maybe 1 longer trip or trade out to other places. Or get AP's every other year.

Can't help it but I want to do EVERYTHING and I know we don't have to. We'll be back, I keep telling myself.

And when we go commando it stresses out our dd's ages 5 and 2 1/2. Which in turn stresses out mom & dad!

So how many trips did it take you to realize you don't have to do it all?

 

[Caskbill]

Before DVC we would always do commando. Had to stretch every last penny of value we could on those tickets.

When we purchased DVC in '93 we got the free passes into the park for 7-years. So as soon as we started making DVC trips, we really cut back the commando style.

Now we have AP's, and still do very relaxing trips.

We did digress and do a commando once, last Jan 31. Just for the heck of it, we did 7-theme parks in one day. (Is that any kind of record?). They included Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Sea World, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, MGM, and Epcot.

If anyone's interest in the report and photos, go to my home page (Click the link at the bottom of this post).


Buzz and Woody, you'll find you can slow down considerably knowing you'll be back. Believe me, it's a lot more enjoyable going slow then trying to run and do everything. You'll be surprised at how much you'll find that's there, that you never saw before because it was too minor of an attraction to squeeze into your commando day.

Have fun.

 

[Lesley]

Our first trip on points is in 65 days....but our last trip...ages ago.....when we joined....in August of 2000 was very different for us than previous trips. We used to commando, but last time we just kept saying "We'll be back" and "if we get a chance" and "next time". It was such a wonderful feeling not having to do it all.

I'm afraid we may lapse into commando mode when we arrive in 65 days....but we'll be there for 2 weeks, our longest trip ever, and have ressies for May and plans for next December...so hopefully I'll realize there's no rush.

 

[Regina]

It's hard to give up the commando mentality. We still tend to overdo it.

For awhile, we averaged 10 days per trip, our longest was 17 days.

Now, due to the kid's schedules, we're finding that we're back to shorter trips. That means the combat boots get strapped on and we're in the parks from the moment that they open until they close.

On our last family trip, I insisted that we get to swim just once. It made a big difference to be able to squeeze in some relaxation.

And Caskbill, if I ever tried to hit 7 parks in a day, they'd be carrying me out in a stretcher.

 

[wdwnut]

hi: we stopped doing "commando" even before we bought into dvc. for a while there, our twice yearly trips always included a "newbie" for whom we tried to do it all. when we finally had a family only trip in the early-mid 90's, my kids and dh insisted on relaxation for that trip. (i still have a bit of the commando mentality) since joining dvc (2 contracts at bwv), even i've become more laid back, even on trips with newbies. i usually give them a birnbaum's guide a few months prior and tell them to let me know what they want to do.

 

[Chuck S]

The first trip to OKW slowed us down, before we'd stayed at the contemporary, and I guess the proximity to MK and the monorail always made us feel like we had to be on the go.

No more commando, it's so nice to be able to leave the parks in the heat of the afternoon, then stroll around DTD in the evening, maybe pop in to EPCOT for a relaxing dinner.

 

[reneesam]

I was born Commando!!!!

Every time I go to WDW, I go commando! I'm the queen of early entry (goodbye for now) and I'm the one who jockeys for position for whatever attraction was in my sites (Dumbo, Space Mtn, anticlockwise in Epcot.) I'm even commando on the cruise (Palo, no problem. Spa, whatever massage you want...I'm first in line! Win at bingo, kid in front row in show, first at Oceaneers sign ups, know all the song titles in adult trivia games.)

This time, I'm going with an toddler. It's our first vac since high powered cruise in January. DH swears I'll sleep in...I doubt it! I once sat through Rainforest Cafe with a wailing child (afraid of gorilla)because I had to "check off" that I'd eaten there. I got sick in August in Epcot (I think it was dehydrated) but forced myself to have mole chicken at San Angel Inn, because I was NOT about to let that PS go to waste!!!!

I love the guerilla aspect of WDW...it wouldn't be the world without it!

 

[CaptainMidnight]

There 's far too much to see and do to slow down to "Commando" speed. ;-D After all, getting up to be the early bird at early entry and take advantage of thsoe short lines, it was so nice to have seen several major rides before a lunch, where you could sit back a bit at Tony's and relax......

Then nap time with the 5 and 2 year old.... and back at it in the afternoon....

 

[ScottOKW2K]

For us - first trip, first day ! (Many thanks to Deb Wills).

Imagine first trip to WDW, Nov '99 right after thanksgiving. You and the DW & dd check in at Dixie Landings, and stay at Magnolia Terrace. Annual passes in hand, you venture forth to enjoy the "World". Did I forget to mention that you already have priority seatings for Crystal Palace and Cindy's breakfast, too.

(Another nod and quiet smile in Deb's direction.)

After a wonderful week at the World [ hardly a wait for a ride, busses with just the three of us SIX times during the trip ] we venture home. Relaxed doesn't begin to describe it - limp spaghetti would be jealous of how loose we felt.

Needless to say, by the time we were back the next November, we were proud owners at OKW. Sight unseen, we knew it was for us !!

 

[imgoingtodisney]

This is how we did it in October. You trick yourselves into thinking you are leaving after 6 nights and then add on another 3 nights. We had 5 day hoppers. Arrival day was pool, Chef Mickey's. Then we commandoed for 5 straight days. I thought everyone was gonna kill me. On our 5th park day, sitting at Rose & Crown for Illuminations, we told my MIL we were offered the stampede rate at WL. Not only did she want to stay 1 more day but wanted to add on 3 more! But everyone wanted to make use of the pool, etc. In other words the last 3 days were to be RELAXING. But 1 of those days we did go to Sea world.

 

[Peggy Sue]

We had no problem letting go of the commando mode and signing on for relaxed vactions. That being said, we can still get ourselves caught up in the disney magic, and before you know it a day has passed and we're exhausted for staying too late in the parks! We just returned from a short 4 day trip to enjoy the food and wine festival. We really had no intentions of checking our AK or MGM because we knew we were coming back in 3 short weeks for 12 nights. Well...we hit all 3 parks. In fact, our first day there we started out at MGM, went to Epcot, then back to the room for a couple of hours before heading over to MK for MNSSHP! By the time we got home for the party, we were dragging and asking ourselves why we "had" to do all that in one day...the answer...because we "wanted" too! The next 3 days were at a much more relaxed pace. So...for us, if we're out and having fun in the parks, we tend to stay, and sometimes "over do"...but we also block out some quality time to relax at the resort! have a great vacation. We are 8 days and counting....

 

[CaptainMidnight]

our commando tactics are all messed up now, without early entry courtesy of DVC. We used to know that early entry days were the days to start at those parks and then switch to another park around lunch time, since the early entry par will also turn out to be the busiest park. It was great to get several major rides in before lunch that you would otherwise take much longer to see. And then that very nice afternoon nap back at the resort, maybe a swim, and figuring out the evening's plans (if we already haven't made a dinner reservation). With little one's 2 and 5, this worked out well.

I'll need a whole new strategy, my plan to capitalize on the benefits of ownership have diminished.

I was thinking a new plan might be going to the parks every other day, commando, rest, commando rest, ..... maybe it would turn into a nice rythm.

 

[CrazyBoutDisney]

Never heard that word used for the "way to see WDW" but it is a perfect description for the only way my DH seems to know!! Now that we're DVCers, maybe I can learn him how to slow down and enjoy! Looking forward to our first DVC stay in only 8 more days!!! I'm having trouble sleeping already.........sooooooo excited!

 

[normr]

You just have to force yourself, start just with one day taking it easy around WDW,

 

[nezy]

I try to never go commando. In Feb. we were home for 10 days and only went to the parks two days! We were always doing something Disney, whether it be pool-hopping or going to the campground movies and campfires, or just watching the fireworks and water light show from the Grand Floridian! I don't do Commando w/ the 3 kiddies6,5,and 3. HOWEVER, last DEC. my DH and I stayed at OKW fro 3 days --no kids.WE went commando! It was great and easy to do w/o the kids.
We rode Space Mtn. 3x in a row. We got the most of our time w/o the kids. It was a blast.

So, for me w/ kids NO COMMANDO! Tommorow is another day at WDW in the DVC.

Before I go I want to do everything , when I'm there I am just happy to be there!
NEZY

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by BuzzandWoody
Can't help it but I want to do EVERYTHING and I know we don't have to. We'll be back, I keep telling myself.

And when we go commando it stresses out our dd's ages 5 and 2 1/2. Which in turn stresses out mom & dad!

I was going to suggest that AP would help you feel like you don't need to go so hard to get your daily pass' worth, but I see you already have an AP.

I can't add a whole lot to the thread, but I twinged a little on the part about stressing out your DD's. Please, don't turn our love of WDW into a stressful situation for your DD's! You know how it can be....the parents are so fired up about something and the kids get burned out after a few years and even mentioning the place gets them putting their fingers down their throats!

Especially with the age of your children, you have a lot of trips ahead of you. Force yourself to go to a pace that they enjoy. And maybe every once in a while, just you and DH can arrange a trip for just the two of you and "go commando" all the way!

 

[CrazyBoutDisney]

One man's commando anothers slow poke LOL. DW has not seen my commando LOL!!!!

 

[Partridge4ever]

I'm a commando. I admit it. I love checking off my list. I'm trying to do better for my husband's sake. His rule is parks 2 days, off 1 day. Max of 8 hours park time per day (no problem this year with shortened hours). He also wants me to curb park hopping. It's killing me! I may have to leave him in the room and venture out to the parks with the kids. They're up at 6:30 am anyway and in bed by 10.

If I knew I'd be back in 6 months, I might be able to slow down some. Our plan only calls for one trip a year, although last year we went wild and managed three trips. Still only a total of 11 days though. Another problem is my daughter wants to do everything every trip---can't cross off Chef Mickeys and try something else because she loves it, has to get Chip's autograph for the third time, etc.

Had to laugh at the poster with the screaming kid in Rainforest Cafe. My kids didn't cry, but they nearly fell asleep. We only had 2 days at WDW. In my defense it was a very reasonable 6 pm when we got our beeper. I had no idea it would be such an ordeal. Even though we were full from dinner, I ordered the $13 volcano brownie because by golly we were going to get the full experience. Didn't get a sparkler. DH laughed at me for thinking there would really be a sparkler. Ruined our schedule for the next day because the kids were too tired to be up in time for EE.