Is this a silly way to tour WDW?

[shalom]

Is it silly to only "tour" and see attractions in the morning and spend the rest of our time swimming, relaxing or exploring other resorts?

Some call that the "sane" way.

I'd be concerned about the time change, but if you've got that covered, sounds to me like you're good to go.

 

[SFMommy]

Thanks everyone! I am afraid of booking 7 park days go go go commando like we do at DLR because we sometimes feel like we need a vacation when we get back! I am afraid that we will burn out very quickly at WDW! Especially since we have to take into account all the transportation times. I think that I have convinced my DH that we should stay longer at WDW because it will be a half parks half "hawaii-like" pool vacation.

Of course, if the crowds aren't too bad and we have energy, then we can always hop into a different park after an afternoon rest.

Thanks!

 

[Canuck16]

Its not a silly way to tour, but if you're used to the "go go go" at DLR, you'll feel the same at WDW - possibly moreso. There's a lot more to see and do. If this were going to be my potential once in a lifetime trip, I wouldn't be satisfied knowingly missing attractions.

It will be busy, yes, but if you plan strategically and utilize touring plans that are available through various sites, you can maximize your time.

FWIW, we do the parks in the morning, leave around lunch to relax and go in the pool, and then visit another park (or the same one) around dinner time. This might even be a good strategy so you still catch night time entertainment, and you can take advantage of later park hours and PM EMH.

I agree with this.
We were there last May and had 10 day PH and we didn't get to see and do everything. We did RD with a break in the middle of the day and then back to the parks for the night time activities and we had a BLAST!!!

We flew direct from Seattle and we hardly had any issues with the time change.

Have fun and enjoy your WDW trip no matter what option you decide to tour with.

 

[dkrauss]

I think that I have convinced my DH to take a week off of work and go to WDW over Easter 2016. So we could have 7 park days if we want. We will be coming from San Francisco and it will be our first (and maybe last) trip to WDW.

I am assuming that Easter will be crazy busy. So I was thinking of getting to a park at RD and leaving after lunch. Then we can relax at our resort and enjoy SAB (I think we will stay at BC or YC). And then have an ADR for dinner at a resort (1900 Park Fare, Ohana, Hoop Dee Doo). Or we could hop into Epcot and have dinner at the WS.

Is it silly to only "tour" and see attractions in the morning and spend the rest of our time swimming, relaxing or exploring other resorts?

At DLR I am programmed to go, go, go as we are usually on there for 4 days. And there isn't as much other stuff to see in DLR. So we spend most of our time in the parks there.

Thoughts? Thanks!

Your thought of only doing parks in the morning at RD is the way we do it! Silly..............no way! Now remember Easter will be packed and you'll need to make sure you get your ADR's especially for dinner on Easter Sunday. Otherwise like I said we do this during each visit........maybe not for every day but............most definitely when we feel the parks could be more crowded!!!

Doug

 

[shalom]

Its not a silly way to tour, but if you're used to the "go go go" at DLR, you'll feel the same at WDW - possibly moreso.

Not necessarily. I can see being "go go go" at DLR just because doing that means it's possible to see everything. Trying to see everything is a reasonable goal.

WDW, OTOH, has so much to offer, particularly if you include all the live entertainment, and especially if you include things like the resorts and many of the things they have (performers at the boardwalk, carriage rides, all the water craft, etc.), that there is no possible way to "do everything." For me, at least, recognizing it was impossible to do everything meant I was much more relaxed -- since I can't "do everything", and it's inevitable that I'm going to miss some things, then so long as I'm having a good time, it's all good!

 

[mrzrich]

If you want to adjust yor bodies on the first day, I recommend an Animal Kingdom after 3 day. That park empties out after 3.

 

[nkereina]

Not necessarily. I can see being "go go go" at DLR just because doing that means it's possible to see everything. Trying to see everything is a reasonable goal.

WDW, OTOH, has so much to offer, particularly if you include all the live entertainment, and especially if you include things like the resorts and many of the things they have (performers at the boardwalk, carriage rides, all the water craft, etc.), that there is no possible way to "do everything." For me, at least, recognizing it was impossible to do everything meant I was much more relaxed -- since I can't "do everything", and it's inevitable that I'm going to miss some things, then so long as I'm having a good time, it's all good!

I agree it's not possible to see and do everything at WDW in one trip. But if this is my one and only trip to WDW, I'm certainly going to take every effort to see and do as much as possible. For me, that would mean taking advantage of all touring opportunities rather than just touring the morning as OP suggested. If OP is cool knowing they'll miss some things, then it's a fine strategy. But for someone who feels compelled to be on the go at DLR, I'd think they'd feel the same at WDW.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Not silly at all, although you might consider adding some park time and FP+s on a few evenings. Can only see the fireworks or Illuminations at night!

Our typical M.O. is to hit morning EMH or rope drop, exit the park when it starts to get crowded (usually some time between 11:00 and 1:00, depending on the park), hit the hotel to swim/relax, have a nice dinner somewhere, then head back to a park in the evening with FP+ in hand for a few rides, and also to see MK fireworks or Illuminations. Works great for us.

 

[pigletgirl]

Our family finds that a midday break is a must. Otherwise we have cranky people on our hands and we don't want that. If you do choose to tour that way, be sure to pick and choose the must dos and go from there. The thing to remember about WDW is that you cannot do it all in one trip. If you keep that in mind, you'll have a great vacation!

 

[ThistleMae]

Wow...this is your vacation! Vacation being the key word. Its how you want to enjoy it. You'll figure it out. I love being at the pool in the morning (I get up very early) going to the parks around 9:30/10 and staying till the afternoon. Then I go back to the room before dinner, get in another swim and then off to dinner and back to the park for evening fireworks and favorite rides. It's a nice, easy schedule and I don't feel I miss anything. That being said...I have been to Disney a couple of times, so I know what I want to see and what I don't...so planning is simple. Also I usually stay around 10 days so I have plenty of time to be casual and still see everything. This year I'm going 10 days, two non-park days, just to hang our and relax and visit other resorts to see the Holiday decorations. Going in November. For me...the important thing is not to rush. I prefer ENJOY! Have a great trip.

 

[DizDaD7]

Sounds just about right to me...!

 

[shalom]

But if this is my one and only trip to WDW, I'm certainly going to take every effort to see and do as much as possible.

I guess the question is whether someone most wants to "experience everything WDW has to offer," or whether they most want to have a great WDW vacation with their family (or other group). Some individuals can certainly tackle WDW the way they do DL and have a great (if exhausting) time, but you get a group of four or more and the odds that everyone is good with going that hard for that long drop considerable.

 

[DisneyParkLover]

I think it sounds like a very nice way to tour! Even commando style, you can't see all of Disney in 7 days. We haven't seen it all in 6 trips! Plus, relaxed evenings give you a chance to experience resorts, dining, Downtown Disney, etc. which are all part of the experience! I agree with several PPs that you should either alternate some mornings and evenings or return on a few evenings as the evening entertainment is really excellent! I think with hitting rope drop/EMH plus some strategic planning with FP+ that you should be able to do everything that's important to you.

 

[nkereina]

I guess the question is whether someone most wants to "experience everything WDW has to offer," or whether they most want to have a great WDW vacation with their family (or other group). Some individuals can certainly tackle WDW the way they do DL and have a great (if exhausting) time, but you get a group of four or more and the odds that everyone is good with going that hard for that long drop considerable.

I agree with you. Although, I think you can maximize how you spend your time in a day and still have a great vacation. Sometimes, especially folks who are used to DLR, don't realize how huge WDW is and just how much there is to do. WDW is the size of San Francisco - literally! It's a city within a city. I personally prefer the relaxed strategy for sanity reasons, but other folks might be interested in seeing all they can and truly getting their money's worth. WDW is one of the more expensive trips you can take. I only point this out to play devil's advocate - it's another strategy to consider.