"Laid back" WDW?

[GillianP1301]

This has a lot to do with personality and really your own definition of "laid back". To me, laid back in WDW is planning 8 hour park days instead of 12 - 14. Personally, laying by a pool starts to drive me bonkers after an hour or two so that is not enjoyable or relaxing to me. But for others, it may be. If you're going to force relaxation or down time, then it probably won't work for you because you'll be sitting wishing you were on an attraction somewhere. If relaxation and lounging by a pool is important to you and something you enjoy, then that will work for you.

 

[4Spen]

Our trip this June is supposed to be more laid back. We are staying 11 days in Florida and 7 of those are at the Beach Club. We plan to do 4 park days/3 off-Waterpark/pool days. Other than dinner reservations and FP+ I've planned nothing else. I almost scheduled a fireworks party but then realized that was another "appointment" to get to so I decided against it. All our FP+ are going to be in the evening as well. We're going to sleep in or rope drop, whatever we decide that day, but have NO FP+ scheduled to get to early. I'm hoping it's more relaxed.

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

The more times you go, the easier it gets to have a laid back trip.

 

[Belle61513]

In addition to what others have recommended (using FP's effectively, longer trip, etc). We're still pretty commando (it's just DH and me) but I've been scheduling breaks in the last couple trips and it's helped. We go for a week (8 days and come in early the first day and leave late the last day).

For our upcoming trip, we're commando'ing the first 2 days (Sat/Sun) because my FL family will be joining us and it's our only time together, plus we'll have the adrenalin of the beginning of the trip. Then, Monday we have the whole morning "off" to sleep in, go to the pool, and will eventually make our way to DS for a late lunch before HS. Then 2 days later (Wed) we have an early AM at AK but we have the whole afternoon/evening off to leisurely monorail (bar) hop before a late dinner at Cali Grill (which we find VERY relaxing). We also plan mid afternoon breaks back at the hotel (to swim, nap or both) before switching parks for the evening.

Also, we always come back on Saturday to allow Sunday as a full day of "recovery" back at home. Sometimes we don't even do laundry or go food shopping...we just lay on the couch with our feet up lol.

 

[Belle61513]

The more times you go, the easier it gets to have a laid back trip.

Ha! This has not been my experience, @Fantabulously Cherry I have the worst FOMO when I know what I'm missing. My SIL/BIL went last year for the first time and barley did anything and had a super relaxing trip but they also didn't know/care what they were missing. I was like "how was SDMT?!?!?!" and they were like "we didn't do it, the line was too long" I was like "nooooooooooooooo"

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

Ha! This has not been my experience, @Fantabulously Cherry I have the worst FOMO when I know what I'm missing. My SIL/BIL went last year for the first time and barley did anything and had a super relaxing trip but they also didn't know/care what they were missing. I was like "how was SDMT?!?!?!" and they were like "we didn't do it, the line was too long" I was like "nooooooooooooooo"

That happened to me as well. My DH never got to do the Backlot Tour.

 

[ColonelBulldog]

Lots of good stuff here, So a quick question, My family is going for the first time for all of us May 31 for 5 park days. I am a planner but my sister is not and she has 4 kids from 7-16 mo. Is their any trick to make it seem like a laid back trip yet still accomplish a good amount and have enjoyment by all (other than Fp+)? Or maybe a better question is what are the must see things on a first trip, or what can be missed with out regret?

 

[DisneynBison]

Make sure you find out what everybody's "must do's" are then plan to get them in. If you miss something someone really wants to do they will always remember it. If you miss going out to Toms Sawyers Island but nobody knew or cared about it, then it is no big deal. You are never going to be able to do it all but get each person's prime thing in and it will be a memorable trip. Enjoy all the things you get done and don't worry about the things you don't.

 

[Mikie]

Lots of good stuff here, So a quick question, My family is going for the first time for all of us May 31 for 5 park days. I am a planner but my sister is not and she has 4 kids from 7-16 mo. Is their any trick to make it seem like a laid back trip yet still accomplish a good amount and have enjoyment by all (other than Fp+)? Or maybe a better question is what are the must see things on a first trip, or what can be missed with out regret?

That is NOT a quick question!
In my experience, if you have some planners and some not - make it "seem" Laid back by not telling the non-planners all your plans! Talk ahead to find out if they have any rides they've heard about and must do, whether they want parades and fireworks, what kind of hours they think they,d like to keep. Then you make plans and just act as tour guide when you're there. My family's non-planners did NOT want to see my notes or heaven forbid a spreadsheet, but in the parks I'd just walk in the direction I had planned, or say "let's go ride Peter Pan!" As though it was a spontaneous idea. . . They followed along and weren't totally aware that it was planned out!

I feel like if you find out whether they've already heard about anything and know they want to do it, it definitely must be in your plans. I would think a first trip (or any trip!) has to include at least one parade and at least one fireworks/night show. Some rides, some shows, some character meets. Find out if there are any in your group who like more thrill rides and if they're tall enough; look up height-restricted rides and plan them into your plan or out of it as needed, then focus on the many family-friendly rides. Really, if you don't know what's out there, everything is fun and you won't know anything you missed! If you are willing to plan a bit and pick some of those rides, shows, and characters, all the better.

I love **************.net as a general resource.

 

[sweetnjmom]

While I've certainly planned a lot, I think I have also left us some space to be both spontaneous and laid back if we want to. Each day in my trip I have a mix of plans and time to do nothing if we want (with exception of our AK day). We got 6 day hoppers instead of 5, because I knew we'd be completely bored by a full "rest" day. Plus we are going into this knowing we won't ride every ride or see every attraction. We'll see what we see, ride what we ride, and enjoy our time at WDW.

 

[ttintagel]

Last trip, we devoted a whole day just to riding the Monorail around to all the deluxe resorts. It was Christmastime, so there were a lot of decorations and things to look at, but, honestly, the resorts are so nice in themselves that I think it would have been just as fun in the Spring.

We started with a leisurely late breakfast at the Kona Café at the Polynesian and finished with drinks The Wave Lounge at the Contemporary. We discussed going either to the TTC or back to the Polynesian to watch the fireworks and the Electric Water Pageant, but we were too tired.

Next time, we've talked about going to one of the resort salons for manicures during the Monorail Hop Day, but we don't have kids, so obviously YMMV.

 

[DisneyFive]

Our trip this June is supposed to be more laid back. We are staying 11 days in Florida and 7 of those are at the Beach Club. We plan to do 4 park days/3 off-Waterpark/pool days. Other than dinner reservations and FP+ I've planned nothing else.

Well, to be honest, there isn't much more you could plan.
ADR's - Check
FP+ - Check
Park/week schedule - Check

That's about all you can do unless you want to go crazy and do an hour by hour breakdown of each park. Even I don't go that far.

Only doing 4 park days will definately help slow things down though, for sure.

Dan

 

[rainboots]

Last trip, we devoted a whole day just to riding the Monorail around to all the deluxe resorts. It was Christmastime, so there were a lot of decorations and things to look at, but, honestly, the resorts are so nice in themselves that I think it would have been just as fun in the Spring.

We started with a leisurely late breakfast at the Kona Café at the Polynesian and finished with drinks The Wave Lounge at the Contemporary. We discussed going either to the TTC or back to the Polynesian to watch the fireworks and the Electric Water Pageant, but we were too tired.

Next time, we've talked about going to one of the resort salons for manicures during the Monorail Hop Day, but we don't have kids, so obviously YMMV.

This sounds so fun!!! I may have to plan that!

 

[hakepb]

Only having 4 park days would stress me out and put me in a rush around mode.

I prefer at least 8-9 to take things more slowly

 

[rainboots]

Lots of good stuff here, So a quick question, My family is going for the first time for all of us May 31 for 5 park days. I am a planner but my sister is not and she has 4 kids from 7-16 mo. Is their any trick to make it seem like a laid back trip yet still accomplish a good amount and have enjoyment by all (other than Fp+)? Or maybe a better question is what are the must see things on a first trip, or what can be missed with out regret?

I would follow Josh's touring plans loosely from easywdw.com. I had them printed for each family, so they could see I wasn't making up the order we were touring in. It sort of asserted me as the knowledgeable 'leader' (some may say over zealous know it all, but I don't think so!).

 

[ttintagel]

I would follow Josh's touring plans loosely from easywdw.com. I had them printed for each family, so they could see I wasn't making up the order we were touring in. It sort of asserted me as the knowledgeable 'leader' (some may say over zealous know it all, but I don't think so!).

Yeah, to me, knowing where I'm going next relieves stress. I hate that whole "What now?" conversation after you get off a ride. I do like to leave myself open to changing the plan depending on circumstances, but having the touring plan to fall back on makes me less overwhelmed.

 

[Judyfun]

We go often, I was just there the beginning of March, going back in May and again on October. I agree with staying deluxe, this trip we are headed to Wildness Lodge as we normally stay at Boardwalk Inn. Arrival day will be pool/ strolling the grounds, nice dinner at the hotel, then maybe taking the boat and watching fireworks from in front of MK or if our room allows for it, watching from our room.

 

[dsdeleon]

We are in the middle of a laid back trip! Staying at AKL certainly helps because there are so many activities for the kids. We have not done the parks except MK at and after Wishes and very late AK (6-8). This is when I love FP+ and crowded park days. We just pop in to the parks after everyone leaves and enjoy the scenery off the balcony all day, maybe a couple hours at the pool to cool down as well.

 

[jrandall]

That is NOT a quick question!
In my experience, if you have some planners and some not - make it "seem" Laid back by not telling the non-planners all your plans! Talk ahead to find out if they have any rides they've heard about and must do, whether they want parades and fireworks, what kind of hours they think they,d like to keep. Then you make plans and just act as tour guide when you're there. My family's non-planners did NOT want to see my notes or heaven forbid a spreadsheet, but in the parks I'd just walk in the direction I had planned, or say "let's go ride Peter Pan!" As though it was a spontaneous idea. . . They followed along and weren't totally aware that it was planned out!

I feel like if you find out whether they've already heard about anything and know they want to do it, it definitely must be in your plans. I would think a first trip (or any trip!) has to include at least one parade and at least one fireworks/night show. Some rides, some shows, some character meets. Find out if there are any in your group who like more thrill rides and if they're tall enough; look up height-restricted rides and plan them into your plan or out of it as needed, then focus on the many family-friendly rides. Really, if you don't know what's out there, everything is fun and you won't know anything you missed! If you are willing to plan a bit and pick some of those rides, shows, and characters, all the better.

I love **************.net as a general resource.

YES! I am going with 2 other adults ((husband & MIL) who have never been & are the opposite of planners. I am worried but I think I am going to take this approach. I want to be prepared & I think I need to be yet I'm expecting them to wander into a store for hours and messing up my plans so I'm going to be subtle about my plans!

 

[DisneyFive]

We are in the middle of a laid back trip! Staying at AKL certainly helps because there are so many activities for the kids. We have not done the parks except MK at and after Wishes and very late AK (6-8). This is when I love FP+ and crowded park days. We just pop in to the parks after everyone leaves and enjoy the scenery off the balcony all day, maybe a couple hours at the pool to cool down as well.

Just gotta say..... I'm jealous.

Da