Parks, Resorts, Dining, how do you spend your time?

[Markstudy]

When I first started going to Diseny, I'd do 100% parks.

Now I go and do 40% of my time doing Resort activities, with 30% of my time spent in the parks, and 30% in the restaurants.

I guess after you go enough times....the Resorts and Restaurants seem to become more of an attraction. I'll still ride the Haunted Mansion for the 75th time but I'm more excited about spending an extra two nights at a new resort.

What do you do?

 

[MomofCKJ]

Well this is DH and I's first trip since 1997 and it will be the first ever trip for our kids who are ages 9,7, and 4. This will be 100% parks! I mean yes we will eat, we are on the DDP, but our resort will be for sleeping and resting in the afternoons. We don't plan to spend much time there otherwise. We are at Pop and while I am looking forward to staying there this trip for us is really all about the parks.

Allyson

 

[AKLRULZ]

I personally don't get the appeal of commando touring - it's a vacation after all - who wants to come home needing another one (unless it is back to Disney!)? I am not sure how to measure it because there are some days we'll spend just a couple of hours in the parks and other times where we'll spend most of the day - hard to define.

 

[notnothin]

Since we don't have kids this point, I'd say for us it breaks down like this:

65% parks
25% dining
10% resort activities

I imagine those numbers will change over time, but for us, we still have a great time enjoying attractions and shopping at the parks.

 

[hniki234]

I'd have to say we usually spend 80% of our time in the parks, 15% at restaurants, and 5% of our time at the resorts. This time around we'll probably explore the resorts a bit more. Especially since I think the parks close earlier in December. We try to squeeze every spare moment we can out of the parks. They're just so much fun. I do enjoy the restaurants, too, though.

 

[Markstudy]

bump just to collect a little more poll data

 

[The Mick]

Well, I'm from Tampa and have never stayed at a resort...when I go I just make the 30 minute drive. So the resorts have minimal impact for me except for the rare occassions we go and walk around some of them just to see them.

So I'd go 80% parks, 20% dining...

 

[Disney_Mama]

It used to be 100% parks then we bought DVC and realized that we will be back again and again. so now we enjoy about 50% parks and the rest at the resort and dining.

 

[Eeyore2003]

I voted 50/25/25, which would be if you include Downtown Disney as a park. If you just mean the regular 3 parks then it would be down to 33%, but we do allot of other things besides eating and the resort then too.

 

[canwegosoon]

I voted 50%parks 25% Dining/25%Resorts. Although I think it is more like 50/30/20. DH loves TS so we spend a lot of time on dining. We go at least once a year so there is not a big push to see everything. We always do a few new things, and then fill in with classics. At the resorts we use the pool and rest-but not much else.

 

[Eeyore2003]

the regular 3 parks

DUH!!! FOUR regular parks.

 

[MelanieC]

We do 80%parks/20% dining.

We also spent 2 days at the beach including doing a hot air balloon one of those days.

 

[Annam26]

We've been there only twice, so we love the parks! Resorts are just for sleeping.

ETA: I wish we would do a trip that lasted at least ten days. Then we'd explore more at an easier pace. So far we've only done five day trips, and so spending as much time as we can at the parks is a must. The last day we do explore other resorts and do other stuff, but that's because we don't have any more park tickets. It's bittersweet doing the resort tour, because it means we're about to leave.

 

[Leota]

We used to be more about the Parks too. But, as the OP said, we've been enough that it's becoming more about the resorts & restaurants for us. I put us at about 1/3 for each. I might even say 40% dining, 30% resorts, 30%parks at this point. I definately plan my park touring around my meals & lounging time at the resort is a daily priority. Even my 17 yo DS tours this way now with us.

WDW vacations used to be all about sensation stimulation. Now it's more about rest, relaxation & fine dining.

 

[pooksma]

Having a 5 yr old DS who is quickly becoming a commando in the parks has made me vote 70/10/20

 

[Markstudy]

Did everyone vote?

 

[goofy4tink]

Back in my early trips '99 and '01, it would have been about 90% parks, 10% eating. Now, looking at trip number 11, it's become more like 40% parks, 30% resorts, 30% eating. We try not to wear ourselves out in the parks...we know what we like to see and do, so not much aimless wandering around. We enjoy trying different restuarants on each trip now. Also like to spend a bit more time at our resort...at least we do if we're at BWV!!! DVC and APs have turned us into very laid back vacationers!!!

 

[Markstudy]

At this point in the voting, two trends stand-out to me

50% park time is tied at 22 votes, with 80% park time also at 22 votes

100% park time at 8 votes, is almost tied with- "less than 33% park time" at 11 votes