This is the year that IT happened.

[Jordan's MOM]

We just returned from a wonderful week long stay at the WL and WDW. What made this trip so special was that we have gotten to the point where we no longer feel that need to "do it all" We have discovered that WDW is so much more that the "big rides" and we enjoy ourselves so much more by just relaxing and let the magic take over. We spent several hours in the parks on different days and only rode one or two things. I did do a lot of planning ahead of time as to park days, PS, and special events, but once there we just melted. We never rushed, ( ok that once we tried at catch a bus that was leaving- Missed it anyway ), and if we had a wait for a resturant, we just enjoyed that rest time. We KNOW there will always we another trip. If we got tired we just went back to the resort and chilled out for a while. This was a dream trip. Anyone else feel the same way??

Jordan's mom

 

[mtdevine615]

It took us a couple of trips to get it. You can't see everything in one trip (unless that trip is for about a year) so why try. We have a much better time when we just go at our speed. We were once sitting on a bench when this Father came by dragging his family behind and we heard him remark "How can they just sit on a bench when they've paid all that money to get in", that's when we relized that most people don't get it. There's so much more to Disney then just the rides.

 

[nativetxn]

This is one reason I love my annual pass. I don't feel as though I <i>must</i> remain in a park. I take my time, don't rush and just relax more these days. Makes for a very pleasant trip.

Welcome back!

Katholyn

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

We feel this way, and that is what makes our seasonal passes so great. We don't feel like we have to get $50 worth each day! We can go and do a few favorites and soak it in. We enjoyed AKL so much our last visit and did not feel the need to stay in the parks all day either. YES, it makes for a most wonderful trip!

 

[joshsmom]

DS7 used to run from ride to ride--dragging me and grandma along with him. This time is going to be different because he is moving much slower since his kidney transplant in September. He doesn't know we're going in just a few weeks--he will find out the day before we leave (his 8th BD). I've found that one of my favorite things to do is sit down and watch "the World" go by. It's relaxing to smell the flowers and just BREATHE! There is SO MUCH MORE to WDW than rides. It's a whole different world! So, I've learned that slowing down and just "being" is a good thing!

 

[capnho]

We used to do the commando thing as well, but we've slowed down a lot on our last few trips. We know WDW isn't going anywhere, and we know there will be plenty more trips.

I don't have an annual pass, but even though the park tickets are expensive I don't feel compelled to run around like a maniac so I can "get my money's worth".

Besides, in entertainment $$ terms, $50 isn't what it used to be. I just watched 68,000 people sit out at Gillette Stadium for the Patriots-Jaguars game in the snow. Most of those people paid $100 or more for a three hour game in terrible conditions. The Simon & Garfunkel show here in Boston last night had tickets starting at $75 and going way up from there. Given the entertainment you get at a WDW park, $50 a day is really pretty reasonable.

 

[Snowysmom]

We were in WDW this past July and did not feel that we had to do and see everything. Our first trip in 1996 with the kids was commando all the way. Other trips were busy too. This time we took a day to relax and just do some quiet things. Also, the days we went to the parks we didn't feel the need to run everywhere and left when we got tired and went to the pool. It was the second best trip we have taken(the first with the kids was actually the best because of seeing their faces light up at everything but it was tiring!) We will understand it now too and no more commando trips.

 

[siouxi31]

Us too! We just went 11/29 through 12/6. Each year, we relax more and more. This year we kept saying, "So, what would you like to do now?" and then we would all think about it for 1/2 hour and take our time doing it. We haven't made PS in 7 years and have never needed to. When we're hungry we decide where we want to eat and just show up. We never had to wait long. Everything we do is on Disney property because it's just so nice being there.

 

[sbelyo]

You're all absolutely right....

In fact one of my fondest memories is last year sitting on the shaded bench accross from where the horses are on main street just watching the world go by. I was so relaxed and comfortable. It's strange how disney can do that to you.

And about that comment that guy made dragging his family behind is so true. I've heard similar ones made and just thought to myself that "Boy they just don't get it do they". Those are the people that come home and badmouth disney saying it's a rip off and so on. I think that if you are on vacation, you shouldn't need a vaction from it when you come home.

 

[JLS]

I am a "go go go" type of person, always planning and afraid of missing anything. I really didn't get this concept about Disney trips until this past year. I took my best friend to WDW for her first time there to celebrate her graduation from graduate school. There were four of us (my husband, me, another friend and the friend of honor). We only had 4 days there and I planned very carefully and packed everything in so we could absolutely maximize our time by seeing "everything" including spending a day at Islands of Adventure, doing the major shows, nice restaurants, etc. Well, several months after the trip, my friend was remarking at what a good time she had, but she made the comment that she would love to go on another trip there when "we don't have to run everywhere." After her comment sank in, I realized that my obsession with making sure that everyone else had the "best time" and saw "everything" to get their money's worth had in fact made things not as fun for my friends/guests, who in reality didn't really care that they saw "everything" and just wanted to relax and have fun.

Lesson learned. All trips from now on will be of the relaxed sort. No more Commando! Commando types may feel like they see "everything" but sometimes they really don't see as much as others who take the time to just relax and soak in the atmosphere.

 

[Kallison]

Dh and I went alone in October to a conference at the Dolphin. I spent a couple of days by myself in the Parks and sat on benches, ate ice cream, hardly ever got into a line, just walked around and took pics with characters. I had such a BLAST. In the pictures that CM's took, I'm smiling from ear to ear. A few people commented to my friends that I was a little looney and why would I want to do go DIsney World all by myself!

 

[disyidkid]

One of my favorite things to do at Disney is to walk around the world showcase at Epcot alone. It's just so exciting and relaxing at the same time. And since I'm the type that needs to be sure everyone else is having fun, it's nice to have some time for me!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I so very much enjoy my quiet times at WDW!!!!!!!

 

[TowerBellhop]

Originally posted by Jordan's MOM
We never rushed, ( ok that once we tried at catch a bus that was leaving- Missed it anyway )

If this ever happens to you again, you can play my favorite game - "Go Somewhere Else" Its where you get in line for a bus to a hotel that isn't yours. This is seriously my favorite game at WDW. Sorry if my message sounds snotty, I'm not meaning it to be Quite honestly, I love going to the different hotels, just looking around, planning where I want to stay "next time", getting a bite to eat wherever I end up. Plus, I can always get a bus to Marketplace/PI/WestSide, and get back to my hotel. Just thought I'd share

Take care,
Jay

 

[erikthewise]

I'm jealous of all you people! We're not there yet.

Our two boys are still very much interested in doing a lot of attractions. Once a year is a lot longer wait for a 7yo than it is for an adult, and they won't be children forever, so I'm inclined to indulge them. And as long as you're doing attractions, I think it best to get there when the park opens and do the commando thing before it gets too crowded. Of all the things you can do at WDW, standing in line has to be the worst!

On our recent trip we did have a couple occasions to spend some time in MK without the boys, and it's like being in a different world! It feels completely different when you just forget about the attractions and let go. I hesitate to say one approach is better than the other; I like the attractions too! But it's nice to be able to see it from both perspectives.

 

[MinnieGi]

Knowing that there will be another trip helps tremendously toward a relaxing mood at WDW. We are DVC members and AP holders and know another trip is around the corner so we never feel the need to rush. Another thing that has helped slow us down is that 3yo DD is much more of a show/character interaction kind of person than heavy on the rides. We so enjoy our trips and do not feel burned out afterwards since we actually have relaxed while there!

 

[vicb]

I agree that knowing you will have another trip there helps soooo much!

On our first trip I was so uptight, DH didn't really think he wanted to go and I worried it would be our only trip there. First day, DS age 3 freaked out on SE at Epcot, refused to go on any dark rides (including Small World) or go inside any buildings! That night at MK he put a coin in the wishing well outside of POC (because he refused to go in there!) and wished he was home!!

Next day the fear of dark indoor rides continued for DS and DD announces she doesn't want to go to MGM, "let's just swim at the pool mommy!".

I almost cried... but DH bought me an ice cold beer at the Poly bar and we just laughed about it. There was a huge snow storm back home and he made me realize how great it was to "just be there". I enjoyed the rest of the trip very much, we never made it to MGM, went to TL instead, never saw any of the night time shows or parades either.

Went back 3 years later and now DH really likes WDW and we are making it an every other year trip. Each time we find more "new" things to do so it stays fresh!

 

[Micca]

I'm a recovering park commando. It took two dozen trips, but now I just want to go to WDW and chill out. I just enjoy being there. Rides, shopping, dining...it's all good.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Each and every one of our, over a dozen, trips has been unique and different. When our children were young we did the 'get all you can' tours and when they were teens we did things apart and together, our first trip without kids was an eye opener and totally different from any others. Coming back with our grandkids was a special event. Each and every trip is different and many of the things that make it unique are the people we meet and talk to. Taking the time to inhale the magic rather than gulp is what makes all the difference in the world. If your feet hurt and you are frustrated and tired you just plain are not enjoying yourself and what is the point?

Gotta love those AP's but my heart goes out to those who are on their first or second trip and fear that this might be the last, bent on getting every drop of 'fun' out of their trip and having less than a perfect time due to weather, illness etc. I feel their pain and just plain want to hug them and tell them to stop, relax and just enjoy the moment they are in rather than fuss about what has gone before and what they might fear is around the bend and that things will go much better.

One last piece of advice from this granny - whatever you do DO NOT let someone else ruin your day. If someone does something untoward, just shrug it off and go on to enjoy yourself. Sure is a lot better being who you are than being a spoilsport type of person. We can walk away from them but they are stuck with themselves!

SG/Linda