The "Death March" style vacationing.

[MomofKatie]

We are trying to give up on the "death march" type of touring, but it's really hard to change. DD and I are doing a 10 night/11 day trip next month, with 10 day passes, so we are going to slow down and do some things we'd not normally do, like:

-actually sleep in a few mornings
-only spend partial days at the parks, and do other things the rest of the time
-see some shows and attractions we usually skip because they take too much time or aren't absolute "must sees"
-let DD stand in line for characters, even if there is a long line
-take a behind-the-scenes-tour
-do some-GASP!- offsite dining and activities

 

[bopper]

Our family has learned we can only do 2 "death march days"in a row, then we have to have a sleep in/relax day or EVERYBODY GETS CRANKY!

 

[LUVMICKEY]

As many times as we have been to WDW, and we still do everyday in the park with a good pace and plan. I have tried to talk my DH into doing a more relaxed version for I can't tell you how long and it just never seems to work out that way. I really have to wonder myself, if I would like vacationing there at a different pace. Even after all these times, we are still wanting to make sure we get everything in we want to do. All our favorite things and there are many.

 

[3smithboys]

We were at the World last Christmas week and went totally commando and had a great time. We are going back this year the same week, and I decided that we were going to take things a little easier.... that was until I starting making the touring plans. When I DH saw them, he just just and let me get on with it. I can't help it - it works for us!

I am so excited to leave - only 12 more days!!!!

 

[pearlieq]

I gave up death march years ago. I also gave up lines. But more power to you!

As long as you enjoy it, that's all that matters!

AMEN to that! And amen again!

I've always wanted to know what people who went from dawn to dusk do all day in the parks. Do they have large groups or little kids? Do they ride everything 12 times? Do they stop every 3 feet for pictures and characters?

DH and I can get through the Magic Kingdom at a deliberate but reasonable pace, including stopping for a TS meal, and at least one snack, in about 6-7 hours. If we get there by 9:00am, we're done by 4:00pm, easy. We've ridden everything we like to ride (which is nearly everything), had seconds of our favorites, and even spent some downtime on a bench or the train or something.

We always have to split our visits up into 2 days because if I go for the morning I'll never make to the fireworks, not because I'm tired, but because, frankly, I'm a touch bored.

So really--solve a mystery for me. For all of you "death marchers" - what are you doing all day and what takes so long? I'm dying to know!!!

 

[Tomh]

I'm kind of somewhere in between. We tried the mid day break, maybe it was because there were too many people in our group, kind of pulling in different directions, but the breaks wound up accomplishing nothing for us, and we stopped after about the second day.

For the most part, I get up early, get to the park at, or close to rope drop, and stay until closing, or close to it. During the day, I go from ride to ride to ride, walking at a pretty brisk pace. Pretty much everyone was working to keep up with me. I also was the one who ran for fastpasses. Honestly, I was pretty proud of myself as I'm overweight, and out of shape, and coming from New York, I wasn't at all sure how well I would fare in the heat and humidity at Disney.

On the other hand, I also schedule one table service meal each day, and if my kids find a diversion that they enjoy, I have no problem stopping to let them investigate and play. We spent quite a bit of leisurely time just walking and looking in the world showcase, and in Animal Kingdom as well. I don't mind stopping to smell the roses, but if there aren't any roses in sight, then I am on the fast track to the next ride.

 

[terbethk]

haha, yup. That's us too.
DH is in the army, so he runs like 20 miles a week, so he's in great shape.
Me...on the other hand.
I can't even tell you how much pain I was in.

Hopefully next trip, we'll be able to slow down a bit.

 

[mickeymedic]

DH and I used to approach the parks commando-style. But after 5 or 6 trips over the course of 5 or 6 years we have decided that we can slow down the pace just a little. If we don't see it all this time, we will see it next time. There will always be a next time...we LOVE vacationing at WDW.

We will be doing just 1 park this year...as a day-trip from our Cocoa Beach vacation. We will be doing MK from opening until closing - which will be a first for us. On multi-day trips, we always get Parkhoppers and go from MK to Epcot for the evening. We love eating in Epcot.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

AMEN to that! And amen again!

I've always wanted to know what people who went from dawn to dusk do all day in the parks. Do they have large groups or little kids? Do they ride everything 12 times? Do they stop every 3 feet for pictures and characters?

DH and I can get through the Magic Kingdom at a deliberate but reasonable pace, including stopping for a TS meal, and at least one snack, in about 6-7 hours. If we get there by 9:00am, we're done by 4:00pm, easy. We've ridden everything we like to ride (which is nearly everything), had seconds of our favorites, and even spent some downtime on a bench or the train or something.

We always have to split our visits up into 2 days because if I go for the morning I'll never make to the fireworks, not because I'm tired, but because, frankly, I'm a touch bored.

So really--solve a mystery for me. For all of you "death marchers" - what are you doing all day and what takes so long? I'm dying to know!!!

I guess a lot of this depends on what time of year you go. I've been in Nov., Jan. and Feb. and we've made great progress through the park. The days are cooler and the crowds are lighter. However, if you go during peak times or the summer you have no choice but to slow down a bit and it just takes more time to do everything. I learned that this year when we went in August.

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

Went with my (adult) daughter - was her first trip this past May. She giggled and skipped to the bus stop on our first evening - - until...she saw the people coming off the bus...She said, "Mom, those people have been here a few days haven't they?" I nodded my head, yes dear, they have been here awhile. She said, "OH MY GOD! Are we going to look like that later in the week?" I replied, "yes, dear, we will." - Oh, and yes, we did...

 

[Marty Joe]

Until now, my DW and DD were at a dead run at WDW. I hardly had time to take a picture - I would stop for a sec to compose a shot - turn around - and they were gone! We have had chats about this. We normally go twice a year (10 days in June or July & a long weekend some other time) and have done/seen it all.. I am not going to run a marathon anymore. If we get seperated, I will see ya at the beach at the Poly trying to find the bottom of a Mai Tai!

 

[3smithboys]

Maybe I'm not a true commando... we are at RD, at the parks until the afternoon, go back for a rest/swim, and then head back for the evening. We have a sit down meal everyday. I guess I consider myself commando since I go with a fairly detailed tour plan! There is no way I could drag my 3 kids around all day from RD until the end of the day - I think I would have a major meltdown!

 

[BarbieGal457]

This will be me next week!! I think it's half "I need to do everything while I'm here since I don't know when I'll be back again"' and half "I'm so excited to be here that I'm running to everything out of the sheer joy of being back."

My poor Dbf though he'd be getting to relax on his vacation, I dispelled that belief right away. This isn't a cruise after all...it's Disney! We'll have time to sleep when we die

Seriously though, if he gets sick of my touring style I've told him he can go back to the hotel and relax but that I'm going to stay in the park. The adrenaline of just being back at Disney can keep me going all day.

You have just described me to a T!! Last trip my DBF thought he was going to sleep in, swim, etc. He also thought there would be no lines... ...we went in January and the lines were so minimal to me, yet obscene to him! That was his first trip, so hopefully he's more prepared this time. I love that excitement of rushing all over, it takes over as soon as I get to the resort!!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I had to laugh when I saw your title. It's great.

That's how we used to tour too. DH and DS13 still tour that way but they do sleep in later.

I've slowed down and DD9 prefers to go slower and take breaks too but we also get to the parks at rope drop while the guys are sleeping in.

Usually DH and DS keep going while DD and I head to the resort for a break. At least we did it this way in Sept. 08 and it worked well.

 

[thecapells]

Count me in with the "Death March" group.
Although I like to call it "good planning."
We're up at Rope Drop (or earlier - we usually grab breakfast in the parks before opening to get a headstart).
Then we go until a TS meal for dinner (sometimes for lunch too).
I use the meals to relax, entertain the kids, try something new, and get some downtime.
But then it's off the races again.

We have 3 little ones (DS21 months, DD4, DS6) and just got back from 9 days.
We had a blast and saw everything (including lots of new stuff for us).
This time around, we added little excursions for each person to enjoy to get some "alone" time and additional downtime.
Check out my trip report (in progress) via the link in my signature for the details of our non-stop journey through the parks!
Other than splitting the baby's head open, we had a blast!

 

[dburg30]

Don't forget the Zombies you see on the monorail and busses on the way back to your resort. You know, the ones that sit there with a blank look on their faces with "dead" eyes. Guess they've been doing the Death March all day!

If I dont resemble that remark, I havent done enough that day!

 

[kirrrby]

Last December at EMH Rope Drop for EPCOT, we had a woman and her sons/daughters make a chain with all arms linked and Death Marched (more like life or death RUN!!!) all the way to Soarin'. Too bad the CM's blocked their way because they were being rude.

 

[TDC Nala]

I have been there enough that death marching is neither preferred nor necessary. Whatever I dont ride or see I can ride or see in March...or May...or June...or September...or October...or December.

 

[eliza61]

Actually I'd rather be drawn and quartered than ever do Disney that way but vacations are for having a good time so every body gets to do it their way. That's the great thing about Disney. Those of us who think rope drops are a communist plot to take over the world can still go and "chill" at the same exact place with the "death marchers"

 

[dburg30]

I have been there enough that death marching is neither preferred nor necessary. Whatever I dont ride or see I can ride or see in March...or May...or June...or September...or October...or December.

See, now you're just showing off