If You Knew then What You know now

[ead79]

I wouldn't pay full price! I also wouldn't be so commando in my touring style as I was on my 1st trip.

 

[stacilee]

The first time I went I wore brand new shoes..............
Don't need to say more about that issue.

The first time I went I was the newbie and my DH remembered where everything was in the MK from the first time he went in the early 70's, more than 15 years elapsed between his 1st and 2nd trip and man he was going commando full out. The kids and I just tucked in our chins and tried our dardest to keep up! Other than crying almost all the way home because I loved disney so much, it was such a whirlwind that I couldn't remember what was where and which park I had seen things... it was all a jumble in my mind. That previous poster IS RIGHT.

SLOW DOWN!

WDW isn't going anywhere.

Now when I visit, I like to stop.

OFTEN.

Yes I am probably that stupid woman your curse as you swerve your stroller/scooter/DMIL in a wheelchair around me! " Oops sorry" I say.

You see, I stop now.

I look around.
UP, down,all around.

I like to close my eyes too, which makes me really dangerous.
I close my eyes because I am LISTENING.
I am SMELLING.
I am feeling the vibrations in the air.
I love that place so.
When I am there I love everyone else that is there too.
Every single smiling face.
The crying ones too.

You know who you are. You criers just like me. Gender makes no difference here all you tough guys. I have seen LOTS of you crying!

We are the one that gets goosebumps at the parades. Who talk to Mary Poppins and Cinderella like they are -- well, for lack of a better word-- REAL.
Ww cry tears of joy when we see someone FEELING joy and you are sooooo happy for them, because we feel it too!

WE get the magic. Too.

SO now I stop.

that is what I do differently.

So if you ram into some ladies achilles tendon this June, and want to say "Gosh dangit, woman, get the heck out of the way!"
It's okay, just smile.

It's probably just me.

 

[phyllis1966]

stacilee,

That is so sweet - and so true! Like you, I am one of the "criers" whose back-of-the-neck hair stands on end during parades and fireworks displays, and especially when I see my DD (5) grinning from ear to ear because Belle wished her a Happy Birthday from way up there on the parade float! The look of sheer bliss on her face brings a tear to my eye as she's hugging Chip or Pluto (her favorites), even though when we get home, she says that she knows those are really people inside costumes (why does she already know this when she's only just turned 5 a few weeks ago? ).

Like you, I now savor much more than on my first trip, before DD was born. Friends of ours (who were so-called WDW experts) had their TA book us all at rack rate at the YC (beautiful resort, BTW) and practically dragged us through MK, Epcot, MGM (no AK yet in May of 1997), Seaworld and Universal for 7 days! We missed so many of the little, special and magical things that make WDW as wonderful as it is! DH is a mover and a shaker, so it's sometimes difficult for him to "chill out" and let DD run around for 15 minutes through the water squirted by the Tikis in MK - it's one of her favorite things to do!

So, my #1 new rule is to relax and enjoy the little things, too.

 

[sweet maxine]

Good morning everyone!

I agree with stacilee, too. I have done the commando-style touring with my family when my kids were much younger. My twins were 6 y/o the last time we tried that, and I remember dragging them out of bed every morning so that we could make the early magic hour in whatever park it was being offered in. By the time we were inside the parks, the kids were so dulled out from lack of sleep, and no time for a decent breakfast, that we ended up leaving early for some much needed rest. I will never do that again!

Last summer with a 2 y/o in tow, we made no early mornings, and never had a problem with it. The one exception is riding on Dumbo, as we did have to wait about 30 mins. and immediately wanted to ride again. This year my grandson is 3, potty trained and a little easier to handle. I guess now we'll have to make time for all those potty breaks!! I do know that what made our trip so magical, if you will, was the fact that we didn't deny ourselves the chance to enjoy something on a whim.

I do try to incorporate as much touring knowledge as possible into my days, but when a toddler wants to ride the Magic Kingdom train non-stop for about 3 rounds, what do you say? I cherish the memory of the look on his face every time that train went around. I'm sure he'll want to do it again on our upcoming trip.

 

[mic_key_mouse]

stacilee. Great post. I am one of those 6'3" guys that get goosebumps at the parades and fireworks, interact with the characters like they are 'real', and cry when the 'magic' touches my heart. There are lots of us- and I have seen many guys wiping a tear from their eye during those 'magical moments'.

I think we can try to explain to newbies what it means to slow down and immerse yourself in the experience, but I am thinking that most people really don't take the opportunity to do so until their third visit, which is too bad

As I reflect back, the first two trips with my kids were 'attraction intensive'. Now with trip #6 coming up on 6/7 as a family, the boys- although they still love the rides- have slowed down and appreciate the magic. This has been one of the most rewarding things to watch during our trips- when they took off the blinders and the 'light went on' and they realized that WDW is so much more than the attractions. Now I can see that look in their eyes- that look that encompasses all the wonder and splendor that IS Disney.

Blessings,
mic_key_mouse

 

[Mortlives]

I wouldn't have tried to commando, either. The rest of my family does not do well in a commando-like environment. Since then, I've learned to relax. There's always next time. And we all know there'll be a next time.

I think I actually suffered from too much preparation the first time, so I started off with strategies, and must -sees that were based on other people's priorities. If I had it all to do over again, I would have read one book, ignored the strategies and must-sees, and just let DH and DS follow their noses.

Man, I miss the mouse!

Kungaloosh!
Mort.

 

[mickeyfan0705]

Do NOT stand in line at the Judge's Tent to see Mickey Mouse. We stood in line over an hour! Never again. Especially when we walked right up to him and saw him at the Character Greetings in Animal Kingdom. And saw him again at the character breakfast. We wasted a lot of time standing in that line...........

 

[heart4dis]

Because I read guidebooks and used an Unofficial Guide trip itinerary. It was great. We were there in April. It wasn't full peak spring break, but was building in crowds (we didn't know that then--now we love early December and would only consider going then or in the Fall). The itineraries definitely helped us see more, but we didn't feel rushed or upset if we didn't do it "all." We were very happy with what we DID do!

 

[Rpsemont]

Things we did on our first trip (Me, DH and DD (5):
Went in early Feb (slow time), scheduled the entire trip and did commando touring, stayed on site in a moderate, Used a town car service for airport transportation
What I would do the same - go at a slow time, schedule the entire trip, do commando touring - I know alot of people disagree with this, but the fact that we did SOOO much our first trip allowed us to relax more on our subsequent trips. BTW Commando touring ended up meaning we missed many daytime parades - we just couldn't take that time away from rides when the parks were closing at early most nights, for my first trip, I would stay on site again, but to me this is less important on subsequent trips.
What I would do different - RENT A CAR! The bus service our first trip was horrible! We ended up taking cabs on 4 different occasions.

 

[tomerin]

my first trips we different. no family to worry about just girlfreind and friends. planning was easy then, if you wanted to do something you did it did not have to worry about DW or Dkids.

now it is different............


our trip in 2002 was great and not so great. until i started plannig for this current trip i did not realize just how unprepared i was.

we really did not stay long enough, 5 days vs. 10 days this trip, so at times we felt like we had to go into the commando mode. this does not work well in the heat of july.

speaking of the heat, we didnt plan for the afternoon breaks. DS #2 very quickly overheated at MK by 11am one day. despite keeping him hydrated , he still had problems. so plan for that break. to be honest i enjoyed the dip in the pool also. going back to the parks later on after a resort break made he heat of the day better.

plan plan plan. but dont overplan. i tried to have a structured plan of attack for the parks but it fell apart rather quickly. read a guidebook, look on this board and get as much info as possible but be flexible. this time each day we have must do's but not every hour is planned. at MK have to do the mountains etec but the rest of the day is open. walk around leisurely, drink some Beverly( i know this is in epcot), just take in all the parks have to offer. take a little time out to take in your surroundings or just people watch. do the people you see franticaly rushing by look like they are having a great time.

this time we did not go for the silver package. we saved quite a bit of money by using an agent and booking seperately. the silver package was good for our first trip as a family but this time they changed it a bit. you used to be able to use wishes at many stores in DD to get some souviner T-shirts. you can no longer do this.

sorry this is so long but i am having so much fun with all of he info i am finding and just realizing what i have missed on my other trips and just how easy it will be to experience everything i want to this trip.


BTW great post stacilee

 

[stacilee]

Would you think it impolite of me to BUMP up this thread?

I think there is so much to be learned from all you DISers!

 

[mic_key_mouse]

You're a DISer, too Come on now...admit it....just a little kidding

 

[stacilee]

Okay, I'll admit it, I'm a Disser, although not nearly as knowlegable as most here on these boards!

 

[Jockaroo]

My first trip was my honeymoon in mid-July. The biggest thing I would change if I could use the way-back machine would be not wasting a precious day at Universal Studios (nearly 4 hour wait for King Kong, 3+ hour wait for Jaws and some drunk man spilling beer down my back, etc.) That was miserable. Except our first day when it rained the temps were over 100 each day and really nasty. I know I didn't drink enough so I was kinda cranky.

We did read some tour books that helped us strategize where to go and when. Lines were very long (pre-Fastpass days), but we did kiddie rides at night when the munchkins were leaving the park, skipped parades for hot attractions, etc. And the theming in the lines really made the time pass faster than US. In reality, we did get to do very many things in the three parks that were open at the time. But after the disaster day at US, I still find MGM to be my least favorite park.

Hubby said he would have stayed on-site also, but to me, I think he picked a very nice hotel for us and did enjoy my stay here. We do on-site now.

Before anyone says they would not wait in line for an attraction that long, realize we never saw any signs about wait time. We just saw a line that was "short" going into a building. Once we were in the King Kong building, we were trapped--layers upon layers of people lined up in ques. Horrid memory! Have done US again in fall and although had a nice day, it really is lacking in the magic.