Oh, no! I have been labeled as a TP Commando!

[FreeTime]

I never would have considered our theme park touring ways commando style, but apparently my sis does. We were discussing our upcoming trip yesterday and I said we have to get up for early entry and then be ready to enter another land at the end of early entry, then after we do that we can do whatever. She told when of our others travellers that they will not be doing that and will eat in the parks etc, etc, etc and that we just like to hurry. I never thought we were commandos, just smart. We usually do early entry, do what we want to do and get out when the crowds hit or hang out and do the attractions that you overlook. Head back to our resort for lunch and a nap or swim, and then back in around 4-6. It sounds like she didn't like the last trip with us, I wish I'd have known sooner.


Just had to vent! Thanks for listening!

 

[inloveindisney]

I wouldn't worry about that. Now, my sisters are commando! I am refusing to stay with them too long on the upcoming trip. What they do is have a list of each ride they must ride, but in order. So, if they want to ride one ride and then the next ride on their list is clear on the other side of the park, that is what they do. I was worn out one day I went with them last time. They stay until the park closes, up before they're open and they don't relax at all during the day. They are in high school so I guess they have more energy, but geesh! It's exhausting just thinking about it.
I like to do the early morning/late night thing but when I get into a park, I just start at the beginning and go to the end. Unless there is something that you absolutely have to do first. Like the safari ride at AK. In my opinion, you have to be one of the first ones out on that one. There is usually at least one ride that deserves a run across the park first thing in the morning. LOL!

 

[califred]

You and I should vacation together.

Last year I was all excited to go, spent eons of time on here learning the ropes and then got to DW with the group (it was 19 people)... Every single day, except for the one we went by ourselves people were sleeping we did not get to a single park before 1030am. It drove me nuts! And my MIL wonders why we're going w/o her this year. I love them to death but I am an ealry bird and planner and they are night owls and fly by the seat of your pants type people.

This year we're going and taking my Mom and hope to be more like you, although we'll probably lunch in the parks and then go back to our resort. My Mom is like me so it should be nice.

When are you going to be there, we'll be there Oct 1-8..

 

[babar41]

There are worse things to be called than a commando!

I'm sorry, I know how you must feel to think she didn't like your past trips. Maybe she just isn't an early person. By nature I'm not an early bird either, but at Disney I'm the one dragging DH out of bed to hit the early openings, and he is the original early bird!

She will probably discover rather quickly the wise advise of her sister, to avoid the crowds you must go early and have a plan. Until then I would suggest having a schedule that would have meet up places on it. You and your family go ahead and go to early openings and proceed as normal. Your sister could meet up with you for example, at 10 in front of PoC or 11 at JC or for lunch at Tony's. I know you won't be viewing everything together, but maybe what you do see will have less stress if you both have control over your time.

In a couple of years I'm planning a grand gathering with all of our children, their spouses and grandchildren. I know some others won't be interested in having breakfast at 7 to make early openings, so for them there will be certain times of the day theay they can catch up to the rest if they want. We will wait 10 minutes, then on with the fun. If they miss that catch up they can meet us for lunch. Hopefully that way everyone will enjoy their trip, not have to be on someone elses schedule, not be ticked because someone isn't staying on schedule...

Hope all goes well and you have a magical experience. Let us know how it went!

 

[FreeTime]

califred-we will be there 16-21.

This is probably going to be the only big family trip that we are going to take and I just wanted it to be great. I guess the thing that I should do to make sure that it is great it realize that everyone has their own idea. We are all going to MNSSHP together. Maybe I should just plan a few meals together the other times or one early entry or late night together. I am just one of those people who want to say you are going to make your kids wait hours when we could get there early and wait minutes and do more. To top it off my mom said that she will just go along for the ride and hang out by the pool!

 

[Melissa]

I 've traveled with these people- good luck to you! You are smart they have no clue. When you are sliding down SM with no big wait, just smile and think about them over waiting for Dumbo. You tried to help. My dd at 5 could even see the difference and named us the Gogo Grays and them the Lala Labuls!!!

 

[thinkerbell]

When I read your title I thought it meant Toilet Paper Commando.

 

[kilee]

Different strokes for different folks. It's your vacation and hers too. I'd find a common ground and do those things together. Then go your separate ways. Everyone will have more fun that way. We travel extensively w/ family and large groups. We found this is the only way to do so.

 

[PKS44]

You are NOT a commando but the original definition if you are leaving in the middle of the day....Every discussion of Commando I have ever seen means going early and staying all day until closing--what you are is a planner...and apparently a good one...I agree that you need to let others do their thing...invite anyone who is interested to join you...arrange meet up places where you can recount the 6 or 7 rides you have done while they talk about the 45 minute line they stood on for the one or two rides they have done....then just smile and go on with your plans...

 

[jonestavern]

Different strokes for different folks. It's your vacation and hers too. I'd find a common ground and do those things together. Then go your separate ways. Everyone will have more fun that way. We travel extensively w/ family and large groups. We found this is the only way to do so.

this became our philosophy. DBil & crew would at earliest arrive @10:30
am often as not, after noon! We are 'opportunistic' commandoes, I guess
willing to be flexible when the parks situation demands it! we would meet up w/ DBil & traveling circus for dinners or rides--often for our 3+ time!--this worked well for the cousins, especially. Since we stayed onsite there was no transportation issues just hopped on the bus or ferry went back--no who's driving, who knows the way, how many fit into which vehicle, etc; so it was simple & felt safe & secure. DH is quite the planner & early bird, but he learned to 'let go' after 1 day & it went well. DBil had his vacation to his pace & we had ours & yet blended smoothly as needed. We all just had to re-order our thinking as to what made for a happy family vacation & we all came home very pleased & will all be going again!
Jean

 

[MickeyMacks]

Since we stayed onsite there was no transportation issues just hopped on the bus or ferry went back--no who's driving, who knows the way, how many fit into which vehicle, etc; so it was simple & felt safe & secure.
Jean

This is the key to travelling happily with large groups of mixed pace preferences. What a hassle it would be staying offsite and trying to figure out the dynamics when some want to go early and some want to sleep in!

I'm going in December with my DS8, my parents and my sister. Sis and parents are staying at CSR, which I picked for them for the beauty and laid back atmosphere as I know they won't be doing many early mornings or late nights and may want to take afternoon breaks (in those great hammocks by the Cabanas!).

Its ASMu for DS and me, we'll be doing most EMHs and will only be there to sleep and maybe get a swim or two in. I'm making a couple of late breakfast Ps arrangements, and lunch and dinner, as optional meet-up points for the laid back crew. I've made an itinerary for DS and myself and a loose "suggested" itinerary for them. I have a non-park first evening with us meeting up at CSR and going together to Ohanas for dinner, beachview fireworks and a nighttime monorail tour. Very laid-back family night of magic (I'm hoping).

The first two days I have suggested they do EMH with us while they still have the energy: AK morning on first day, a laid-back Epcot evening, then a MK early morning, to get oriented and experience early admission - and after that they can choose their own pace, sleeping in every morning if they like. DS and I will spend an afternoon visiting them at the CSR on one day so they can just stay put for the whole day if they like. We'll probably need the break by then too!

 

[Sammy]

When I read your title I thought it meant Toilet Paper Commando.

That's exactly what I was thinking too!!

 

[leighmidd]

My sister was witching and gritching about our last trip saying she didn't really like that my dh and I had planned the itenirary for every day of our trip (I believe the words "show-monkey" were used) but after we left she had had the best time of her life. She realized that in order to enjoy your stay you have to plan, plan, plan. She can't wait for our next trip.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

That's exactly what I was thinking too!!

I did wonder if she'd been caught helping Stitch roll the castle...
Kim

 

[mickyzzzzz05]

When I read your title I thought it meant Toilet Paper Commando.

Ok - add me to the list that thought this at first!

I am going with my 22 year old this December the 18th through the 23rd and I am really looking forward to this. She has grown up doing the early morning arrival at the park - touring until crowds get thick and then heading to somewhere to do lunch.

When I go with my husband we head back to the room for a rest but with her I think we will do some hotel sightseeing. Both of my daughters loved going to the hotels to see the holiday decorations. My husband would agree to go with me the last couple of years but I could see that he was bored out of his skull and just humoring me so it just wasn't the same!

The past 2 Decembers my parents came along. My dad is an early riser but my mom sleeps in till 10 or so. We agreed to meet for lunch somedays and we met for Fanstamic and some dinners but otherwise split up. This way we can both move at our own pace, stop and see what interests us and still spend time together enjoying Disney World!

If we had friends come to WDW with us I know that my husband would tell them that we go early to the parks and maybe we could meet somewhere for lunch....... That way we wouldn't feel cheated out of our early mornings!