Maximizing Time Vs. "Vacation"

[OLT2004]

How do you do it???

 

[Robo]

How do you do it???

AM EMH vs. sleeping in.

We do the EMH.

 

[Anne's Family]

I rest and recover from my vacation when I get home.

Unless, of course, I've done a solo trip, then I'm not QUITE as tired.

 

[Pakey]

We use our last scheduled day of vacation to rest after getting home.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We go to the parks when the open, leave around lunch time and head back to the resort. Take a nap, watch a little TV, go for a swim (my husband might go for a run if he didn't do that before heading to the park). Then back to a park at dinner time for the evening fire works, parades, etc. If we go to the water parks in the summer time, we'll go when they open, stay until they start to get crowded (like around lunch time) and head back to the resort.

 

[SGMCO]

We Pace ourselves!!
Park Commando--Been there Done That--Don't want to do it again!

I make a list of the most important things you would like to
do on the trip in the order you would like to do them, make
sure you have some down time to spend at your resort, swimming ect.

My DH has a hard time getting up early in the morning PLUS we are on a
2 hour time difference from where we live, so I don't push him to get up
and go to the parks early.
My DS and I will get up a early and head out the door and to the
restaurant or wonder around the resort while my DH sleeps.
When he's ready to get up, he is in a better mood than if I forced him
to get up early.
Then we all can enjoy our Vacation and not be so tired
by the end of the trip.
We always have a great trip and we see just as
much as those who get up early for the rope drop.

 

[preschoolmom]

Welllll, We are driving (about 18 hours) - so... I figure the kids can sleep for two days in the car - all the way home

 

[disneyjunkie]

I rest and recover from my vacation when I get home.

We can relax at home for free.

 

[alldiz]

The only thing I have set is my dinner ADR's....

No more alarms Get to the park whenever

Come back in a few hours swim....
get ready for ADR's....which means cocktail time
Have a nice relaxing dinner....
then we might go back to park....or maybe not....

Since I bought DVC I look at the hotel as the primary destination....
with some really cool things to do
Kerri

 

[klmall]

This may not be the answer you're looking for! Well, you go enough times over the years that you stop having to tour "commando style" and can be selective about what you want to do.

And if you're lucky, you can split up sometimes and do your own thing. DH won't get up for rope drops no matter what and hates thrill rides but has no problem with me doing these. We meet later. He gets to sleep in and enjoy a real vacation!

When DS is along, he likes to tour big time with me and like PP have suggested we pretty much go early, tour hard and everyone relaxes in the afternoon. Sometimes, I go back out to photograph by myself in the PM. Then it's an ADR somewhere and an evening activity/parks and back to rest but no late, late nights for us anymore.

We also draft a list every trip of what everyone feels is a MUST DO; especially important on short trips and skip the rest. If you're not using a touring plan site or Tour Guide Mike to help you might consider trying these. Even after 10+ trips I wouldn't go without these to help maximize my touring time and maximize my relaxation time. And like PP suggested, we like having a little time back home to decompress before returning to work which means for us that driving just won't cut it since we arrive tired and come home tired.

 

[disnut8]

We also do no alarms. That's a true vacation for my husband. He doesn't care if we wake up early naturally but as long as we don't have an alarm set. We usually will get to a park around 11:00 or so. Then we do a few things, take a break for some lunch (counter service and maybe one or two table services). Then hit the parks harder after a good meal. When we are tired and had enough, we go back to the room and relax with some TV watching. We might stay out until 10:00 a couple of nights but that's about it. We walk at an average pace and don't run anywhere. It'll still be there in the next five minutes.

 

[MulanMom]

As a PP mentioned, DVC and going to WDW frequently has eliminated the need to do the park commando-style. I still plan beforehand and the "must do" items are scheduled as well as ADRs for a few places we want to eat at, but we try to keep our schedule as unstructured as possible. I plan with spontaneity in mind, if that makes any sense. If we have an open day and are deciding what to do, it's helpful to know which parks have EMH, etc. We also try to alternate days...if one day is a "be at the park at opening day" or stay out late, we leave the next morning unscheduled so we can sleep in.

Surprisingly enough, it's been easier to do the above during busy times like the summer when the parks are open late and the weather is consistently warm for swimming!

good luck in finding what works for you in striking that balance.

 

[Micca]

I am a recovering WDW commando. For many years we did the hardcore touring, now we relax and take it all in. We've been 35-40 times, and I think we only settled down after 25-30 trips.

 

[deide71]

We generally do the parks every other day, using the day between to enjoy the resort, shop, and my DH plays golf.

This trip we are shaking things up a bit...5 nights at the world, followed by a 3 day cruise. We will probably hit the parks 3-4 times in the 5 days, and use the cruise to relax!

 

[amery]

Anyone vacationing in Orlando should accept the fact that it will be an 'active' vacation and is unlike a trip to the beach. The scenery is going to change by day and night. Most of the meals will dictate what parks you will be in and when.

I do agree that going commando isn't all that much fun especially when traveling with those who like to smell the rses along the way. We always stay offsite when we come down which can make it a little difficult to take a break because by the time you get back to you car and then back to the resort and return, you've been upwards to 3 hours without breaking a sweat.

For what park tickets costs these days, I prefer to stay in the parks. That said however, I do believe that with some creativity, it is more than possible to see, eat and do it all while still feeling like you are on a vacation and actually return home somewhat relaxed.

in 2002, I pulled off 8 parks in 11 days. That was no picnic as I was part of a group of 7, most of whom had their own agendas during the course of that week but we managed to get through it.

At the end of the day, it's still your vacation as well as everyone elses so sometimes, you have to make a sacrifice or 2.

 

[praline3001]

This question depends on so many factors!
See my DH is an Eagle Scout and a scout master. For him a vacation means back packing 150 miles into the mountains, carrying everything he owns on his back! My boys are the same way. To them a day in the park (unless its summer) doesn't wear them out.
Here are some factors that will make it more labor intensive for you:
1. weather .. the heat of summer will wear you out quick, making more resort time a must to keep that fun vacation feel ESPECIALLY if your a yankee and not use to 100 degree weather!!!
2. How in shape you are! DH and I are in really good shape. We have been with friends/family that have been out of shape and a little "fluffy". By the end of the day they were DYING trying to keep up with us and we felt like we were being held back hahaha
3. How many younger kids in your party makes a big difference. Even the best of kids need to be watched out for and taken care of. A couple with no children can get a lot more done during the day while still having a relaxed vacation feel.
4. As stated the time change can make you feel out of sorts! For our family its only an hour time change but for some families it could be a 3 hour time difference!
5. Where you are staying can make a big difference too. If your staying at a monorail resort, the travel time and fighting with transportation is not an issue for 2 parks. It doesn't SEEM like a big deal but by the middle of the week and your standing at the bus stop watching 3 full busses drive by on the way to YOUR resort and your tired and want to just relax.. IT CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE.
6. Where you eat can also make a big difference! If you pick all character meals or loud "zoo" type places your going to wear yourself out quicker making it not seem like a vacation. We always try and reserve TS in the middle of the day for a quiet (or at least quieter) location. This is REALLY important for our family. It gives us a midday "break" from lines, and the general hub that is Disney without leaving the parks. Some people prefer to go back to their resort miday and we prefer to have a long quiet lunch in the park.

Room serivce breakfast is a must at least twice while we are there so says MOM
Also BEFORE you go make sure everyone has their jobs to be responsible for! You don't want mom coming back to the room, bathing all the kids, getting all the clothes out for the next day, going over the plan for the next day, changing ADR's, washing any clothes, putting the kids to bed, and general organizing of the suitcases to fit all the junk you bought that day!!! Remember MOM is on vacation too! Your party is only as strong as your weakest link so if there is only 1 person doing all the "work" that person will be your weakest link

 

[marianas00]

Well said Praline 3001! Each trip I try to schedule a special experience such as a Wishes cruise, spa treatment, or fishing excursion. The experiences are private and very relaxing. The treat really makes me feel as if I am on vacation.
WDW has wonderful services and that is why we keep going back. Two votes for TGM or other planning programs. You don't really have to go commando if your plan puts time on your side. Try not to get caught up in how many things you do, but rather allow yourself to be caught up in how great each experience at Disney truly is and enjoy each magical moment.

 

[daisax]

Another vote for a mid-day break (even in cooler weather). I found we get MUCH more done with two 4-5 hour park sessions and a couple of hours break in between than one day straight through (assuming you're staying on site).

Even if you don't sleep, just getting out of the commotion and putting your feet up and letting your muscles and mind relax make all the difference. Sometimes it takes a bit of effort to get back up and out, but once I'm in the car I find I'm raring to go again, and when I return to the room that night I'm not a complete basket case.

If it's warm enough to swim, even a brief swim in the pool at night will help you relax enough to fall asleep more quickly and get better rest.

 

[Homesick for Disney]

I actually enjoy the rushing around, always doing something, and neverending possibilities. I am going to suck my WDW trip for all it's worth, and not because of the money I've spent. It's the only way I've ever done Disney, and I'll probably do it this way until I am too old.

 

[hsmamato2]

We've done both commando and extremely laid back...last time we were there for 15 days,and went into a park 4 times......
but for busy times, I don't leave the park, but find an out of the way corner somewhere,and we stop and have a snack,put up our feet,and people watch for a while-in Moms case, 'snack' is a large coffee the kids chill,dh and i relax for a 1/2 hour or so,and then we move on to whatever.... we can stop wherever,whenever along the way like this,as Disney is FULL of little spots that are out of the crowd and noise- tickets are so $$$ we can't leave when we've used one....so we save our sanity this way- plus we like a lot of activity anyway-