Thoughts on different touring philosophies

[dallastxcpa]

We are resort type family. We own DVC and most everyone we travel with buys AP's so there is no feeling of getting our money's worth out of a park day. We love to sleep in a little. Enjoy the resort and usually schedule one table service each day. We have often just found a shady space in the parks and spent quite a bit of time enjoying an adult beverage or just visitng while the kids play in a splash pad or on the playgrounds during Flower and Garden. Honestly I wish they had those playgrounds year round.

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

I used to be Commando all the way. But now I've mellowed into SOMEWHAT Spontaneous. I do plan which park we visit each day and our ADRs around them, but I leave it open now for park hopping.

 

[Ambear]

I think my style is a mix of all three... I like staying at the resorts and love eating at table service restaurants. I love going into a park with no real plan and just doing whatever. But I also like to plan certain days to make sure I can get all of my must-dos done, especially if there is something new I haven't done before.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

Hate Commando we are all about the resorts, in fact debating no park tickets for our next trip.

Just curious (not knocking your choice) if you don't go to parks what else is there to do in the Orlando area? I guess for me my personal mindset is if I wanted to hang at a resort and take advantage of that, my choice would be on a beach somewhere.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

I used to be Commando all the way. But now I've mellowed into SOMEWHAT Spontaneous. I do plan which park we visit each day and our ADRs around them, but I leave it open now for park hopping.

This is why I don't think I'm hard core commando. I do go and go right for the rides, I have my FP+ for 4 of my 5 days (not sure if I'm going on Friday or Saturday for my last day) but no ADRs, I don't feel the need to be there past whenever I get done riding the rides I like (usually by 3 pm) nor do I do a comprehensive spreadsheet (other than to list my flight, car rental and FP+ info). True story, someone I work with is down there now and he had prepared a spreadsheet with a schedule right down to the minute each day. Let's hope for him no rides are down or delayed!!

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

This is why I don't think I'm hard core commando. I do go and go right for the rides, I have my FP+ for 4 of my 5 days (not sure if I'm going on Friday or Saturday for my last day) but no ADRs, I don't feel the need to be there past whenever I get done riding the rides I like (usually by 3 pm) nor do I do a comprehensive spreadsheet (other than to list my flight, car rental and FP+ info). True story, someone I work with is down there now and he had prepared a spreadsheet with a schedule right down to the minute each day. Let's hope for him no rides are down or delayed!!

LOL! I do use a pretty comprehensive spreadsheet, but it's mostly for ADR and FP+ and just a basic plan for the day. But I always leave the option open for hopping or DD shopping or whatever. I used to be "we got to get on as many rides as possible". But now I'm just more chill about it. I guess that comes with age. LOL

 

[Ntw25]

I'm commando, my husband is spontaneous, and our five year old is resort. This last trip made me crazy! I like to be up and at the park early, and those two wanted to sleep in. We missed some of our FP due to their slower pace. I promised them I would try to be more relaxed, but we came home this week and I felt like we got barely anything done. Considering we don't go to Disney often, it was a rough touring time for me. LOL

This made me laugh, I think that we are a in a similar boat. I am definitely commando, my wife is spontaneous and hates the fact that I am commando, daughter is lazy resort, one son commando, one resort.............its going to be fun.

I have a cunning plan though. I have organised the trip, have the FPs booked and the dining. My idea is to appear to be spontaneous by not letting on what the plans are. Leading the team gently through the parks, but being at the right place at the right time. We do not have to do RD because I have FPs for the rides that everyone wants, I have booked the right meals as well so fingers crossed that all goes well. With 7 of us including one at 18months there are going to be bumps along the way, but heres hoping for the best.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

LOL! I do use a pretty comprehensive spreadsheet, but it's mostly for ADR and FP+ and just a basic plan for the day. But I always leave the option open for hopping or DD shopping or whatever. I used to be "we got to get on as many rides as possible". But now I'm just more chill about it. I guess that comes with age. LOL

That is what I do. But the person I was talking does it right down to the minute. Let's hope no rides break down, no one has to use the bathroom at an unscheduled time and that all ride wait lines fit into their schedule!

 

[Masonmj84]

Interesting reading the comments of some who say they are "commando" and can't understand the "resort" mentality because if they wanted a resort type vacation, they'd go somewhere other than Orlando or Disney (e.g., to a beach, etc.).

I think some people like to do "resort" style at Disney because a vacation that is a blend of theme parks, resorts, pool time, and table service restaurants provides a balanced mix of entertainment and relaxation, instead of all of one or the other. It's sort of like one stop shopping (instead of having one vacation that focuses on being relaxed (e.g., a beach resort) and another (e.g., Disney) that focuses on being entertained, you can have both in the same vacation).

In contrast, while an all resort vacation can be supremely relaxing, it can also lack variety. And some families, especially those with younger children, need variety. But those same families also need down time, else the kids (and sometimes adults) can get worn out and cranky. Some people are also not beach people (for example, I've never been to a beach in the continental US that I thought was all that great).

People also love the immersive theming of the Disney resorts, especially the variety of theming from resort to resort. Along those lines, we love to do split stays and have table service dining experiences in a variety of deluxe resorts. Experiencing the different resorts and eating in a variety of different restaurants is, to us, the most fun aspect of WDW (even moreso than the parks). I know of no other vacation destination where one can get this kind of variety combined with immersive theming.

 

[W.E.D.]

We used to be commando guests. On our last trip--2011, SOOO long ago--we decided to change our style to more of a Resort orientation. We decided we'd had multiple visits and we would start enjoying the overall experience of WDW as opposed to just the attractions. Nothing wrong with any of the styles. I think it depends some on your outlook, age, family size, number of visits, length of time you can afford to stay, etc., etc.

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

That is what I do. But the person I was talking does it right down to the minute. Let's hope no rides break down, no one has to use the bathroom at an unscheduled time and that all ride wait lines fit into their schedule!

Wow!! I don't think I could ever do that! LOL

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think it is a good mix of activities. One thing that puts me off though is that the scenery is so blah. I guess I associate relaxing vacations with beautiful landscapes whether the beach, or a lake, mountains, etc. And I guess when I buy tickets, I want to get the most for my money.

 

[ols386]

I'd have to go with the spontaneous philosophies.

I make just a few ADRs. Certain restaurants that are my faves.

Like spending time at the parks, but only for a few hours per day.

Like sitting by the resort pool relaxing.

Enjoy resort hopping.

Have been known to take some time out for shopping at area shopping centers/malls.

Enjoy a good afternoon nap.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

Wow!! I don't think I could ever do that! LOL

Me either. Wouldn't be fun.

 

[chelseabun76]

I like the term 'modified commando'. We made rope drop every morning. We tried to hit as many rides as we could each day, but we didn't try for any fp+ after our 3 were done. We stayed in the park the entire day until after the fireworks were done, but then left directly afterwards instead of trying to fit in some more rides. We didn't use the resort much other than one afternoon of swimming and of course crashing at night. And we had a blast.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

I like the term 'modified commando'. We made rope drop every morning. We tried to hit as many rides as we could each day, but we didn't try for any fp+ after our 3 were done. We stayed in the park the entire day until after the fireworks were done, but then left directly afterwards instead of trying to fit in some more rides. We didn't use the resort much other than one afternoon of swimming and of course crashing at night. And we had a blast.

I no longer stay on site (have friends that live 30 miles to the north), but when I did, I would stay in the All Star Resorts as I found myself just using it for sleeping and swimming. Would rather go a few extra days then spend the money on a deluxe resort.

 

[aVASTGrl]

Interesting reading the comments of some who say they are "commando" and can't understand the "resort" mentality because if they wanted a resort type vacation, they'd go somewhere other than Orlando or Disney (e.g., to a beach, etc.).

I think some people like to do "resort" style at Disney because a vacation that is a blend of theme parks, resorts, pool time, and table service restaurants provides a balanced mix of entertainment and relaxation, instead of all of one or the other. It's sort of like one stop shopping (instead of having one vacation that focuses on being relaxed (e.g., a beach resort) and another (e.g., Disney) that focuses on being entertained, you can have both in the same vacation).

In contrast, while an all resort vacation can be supremely relaxing, it can also lack variety. And some families, especially those with younger children, need variety. But those same families also need down time, else the kids (and sometimes adults) can get worn out and cranky. Some people are also not beach people (for example, I've never been to a beach in the continental US that I thought was all that great).

I don't vacation at the beaches in the continental US either, but when I think of a Resort type vacation, I'm sorry but Disney just doesn't cut it for me, so I would never spend the money to do JUST the resorts at Disney when I can get MUCH better service and a nicer experience elsewhere.

I do agree with you in that, what Disney DOES offer is a nice mix of activities. So while I would never go to Disney without Park tickets, I do enjoy a nice resort/pool day here and there! And of course the shopping

 

[mickeyluv'r]

For me, "commando" is someone rope-dropping, making rides the top priority, park-hopping, FP-ing as much as possible, and/or closing down the parks every night. Doesn't really have anything to do with resort choice and dining philosophy. Someone who stays at a value resort or off-site, brings own food, avoids expensive sit-down meals, etc. would maybe fall under the "budget" category.

I'd say that should be some kind of category as well - the BUDGET spectrum.

Some folks try to go as low as possible, others see WDw as splurge time, and most fall some place in between. All three have a big impact on touring style.

WEATHER is also a big category I touring style; some folks drop at the first drop, toehrs slug it out no matter how much water/wind/cold/heat there is.

 

[Masonmj84]

I don't vacation at the beaches in the continental US either, but when I think of a Resort type vacation, I'm sorry but Disney just doesn't cut it for me, so I would never spend the money to do JUST the resorts at Disney when I can get MUCH better service and a nicer experience elsewhere.

I do agree with you in that, what Disney DOES offer is a nice mix of activities. So while I would never go to Disney without Park tickets, I do enjoy a nice resort/pool day here and there! And of course the shopping

I agree that, for the resorts alone, Disney doesn't cut it (there are a lot of other vacation destinations where the resorts provide a lot more bang for the buck than a Disney resort, many of which are in far more scenic locations than Orlando). Along those lines, I too, would never go to Disney without park tickets.

But I think when you combine the park experience with the resort (and dining) experience, you can have a vacation experience like no other (especially given the variety of resorts and restaurants).

And, in our case, it's not hard to do it all in the same day. We've been to WDW many times and know what we like (and don't like) as well as touring strategies that enable us to avoid long lines. In addition, our trips are usually at least 8-10 days, which gives us lots of park days. So we can hit a lot of attractions by simply visiting the parks between RD and early afternoon, especially since we don't feel the need to do everything. This allows for lots of resort and dining time, especially since we typically do split stays at deluxe resorts that are close to whatever park we are visiting.

My ideal Disney day is about 50% park time (mostly morning and evening), 30% resort/pool time, and 20% dining time. Obviously, that isn't for everyone but it works for me.

 

[MasterGracey84]

Commando: Guilty as charged. I don't get to make a visit to the parks as often as I would like. So, I take full advantage of what I can when I can. This makes for excellent sleep should you have a day of rest available after touring ha.