Touring styles, resort days, park days, what's yours?

[lacrosse_lady72]

What is your touring style? Do you go commando, are you there rope drop to gate close, do you hop around to different parks, do you take afternoon breaks?

And if you wouldn't mind, how long are you there? How many days do you typically spend at the parks, and how many at the resort?

We're planning on changing our style because we won't be getting park hoppers for this trip. We usually go to a park early, back to the room, then go somewhere else at night (usually the PM EMH park). But sometimes both of us don't make it there, or we get lazy and don't go. I feel like we waste so much time.

This time we're staying at the WL, 10 nights, 10-day ticket, no park hoppers, don't care about pool time but still want resort time, MNSSHP on the first night (transferring over from Universal so we won't be jet lagged), we like going to DTD a lot…

WWYD?

 

[Monykalyn]

We usually go 7 days, stay offsite, pretty much open-close (although that can alternate). Even when we only had 2 kids and they were younger-they were early risers-then we would generally leave earlier. We have always had PH although truthfully we didn't use them that much.

Last year we had the WP&M option as well and alternated early morning with a sleep-in/late night followed by rest day. We did DtD on arrival and departure day. The kids wanted to go to a beach for our rest day so we only had 1 waterpark day (5 day tickets-the WP day we did 1/2 day WP then late MK night)

This year-onsite stay for 6 days followed by week offsite (with an over nighter at RPR at Universal). 5 day PH but plan on adding a 6th day; planning early morning at one park, lunch ADR in park or nearby resort, back to resort, hop to different park with FP+ there. But we are mainly going for SWW so few days will be as commando as I can take We, too, are changing up touring style this year and twice the length of stay. With the kids older I wanted the option of more relaxed if we wanted it, with at least the 2 older ones could go off together if they wanted. Our off site portion will include Universal, DtD and just hanging at resort and evenings with friends, with one more SWW day (trying to squeeze 3 days in 2 separate weekends)

 

[librarymom2007]

Our style is to arrive at RD or close to it. We go until about 3 or 4 when we head back to the resort to spend the rest of the day at the pool. We do 6 nights.

 

[andiraye]

Last year we did five consecutive days days at POFQ. No park hoppers. First day was DTD then the rest in the parks. Would do rope drop, return to hotel for a break, then back to the same park for nighttime. On our last day we decided to skip the break and just go RD to close and take our break by chilling on the WDW RR and sitting in the shade and it was MUCH better. The travel to and from POFQ was exhausting.

This year we are staying at a nicer resort off prop. Doing six days. My parents, who are in their 60s and 70s are joining. Going RD to after wishes day after day is too much for them so we are alternating park days with pool days. Three of each. If my kids want more park day on the last day, I will take them back. But we are dong RD to close on our park days.

 

[Cando86]

We don't get park hoppers so stick to one park/day. I like being able to just focus on one park as opposed to hopping-I feel like we discover more.

We're rope droppers and are typically in the park for about 13 hours. During our September trip there will be two days we're attempting 8/9am-midnight. After these late nights, we won't be doing rope drop the next morning and instead arriving at the parks around 10:30/11.

Late trip we were there for 12 days and took three days 'off', so an average of one off day for every four. That seems to work well. This next trip we'll be there for eight days and are taking one day off.

 

[Frozen2014]

We went last October from Sunday to Saturday and stayed onsite.

On arrival day, we settled in to our resort and went to dinner ADR (Ohana).
On departure day, we had breakfast ADR (Chef Mickeys) and then packed up and checked out.

Went to park full day on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Mid trip, on Wednesday, we spent time at resort pool, went to outlet mall in Orlando (we rented a car). Then we went to Epcot for the evening (did some rides and saw Illuminations).
Our last day/evening, we attended the Halloween party (first half of day at Epcot), which was great way to end the trip.

We did not take breaks from the park as our kids are past naps and we didn't want to waste time traveling back and forth. For same reason, we did not feel the need for park hopper.

We had one ADR booked per day at the park we were at, or at a resort nearby.

I had a general touring plan with fast pass booked, which we used as a guide (and pretty much followed). We didn't rope drop but arrived early to mid morning.

Trip was amazing and this style worked perfect for us.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Hootch]

Our number of days has dropped slightly as we have added Universal to our trip.

Later this month we will be staying six nights at POFQ. We will be in the parks five days. We will park hop every day with a possibility of hopping to three parks one or two of those days. We will have one day during which we will not go to a major park. We will hit a water park one morning (we have multiple water park entries left over from a non expiring ticket), swim, do laundry and hit DTD for some shopping.

Typically we hit the first park at rope drop and leave between noon and 1 PM. We get to the second park around 4:30-5:00. If that park closes relatively early and the MK is open late (it closes at midnight every night this trip) we may head over there later.

 

[kwdw]

With ten days? I'd celebrate since I never get to go that long! I've learned 5 days is the min length trip that is worth it, and 7-8 is the most I can handle being away from work at one time. I rarely park-hop - even years I have an annual pass.

For 10 days - with a ten day ticket - I'd just look at park hours/EMH to plan which day I am going to each park and the highlights I need to see. I LOVE morning EMH at MK - so I would plan early mornings on those days - and head back to the room when I was tired in the afternoon (then make some nice dinner plans not in a park or DTD plans). I'd plan to make each of the firework shows once - and on those days - I probably would NOT start at rope drop. Once I've picked which park days based on those two simple criteria - I find the rest falls in place.

It's rare I plan to take a break mid-day because I find it a waste of time and energy. But - I MIGHT leave MK to go to a monorail resort for a meal and then back to MK.

Without hoppers - the big thing is to know how many days you are going to each park - and now with the crappy FP+ system - which day. It doesn't make sense to get FP's first thing in the morning or very late at night (IMO) - so you still have some flexibility to decide park arrival and departure times later. And also - as long as you get a few of the tough to get FP's lined up - 7DMT, A&E - it's likely you can edit most of your others just a day or two in advance. My trip just a week ago - I got a BETTER line up of FP's for our group the night before for two different days than I have planned in advance.

 

[MataHari22]

What is your touring style? Do you go commando, are you there rope drop to gate close, do you hop around to different parks, do you take afternoon breaks?

And if you wouldn't mind, how long are you there? How many days do you typically spend at the parks, and how many at the resort?

We're planning on changing our style because we won't be getting park hoppers for this trip. We usually go to a park early, back to the room, then go somewhere else at night (usually the PM EMH park). But sometimes both of us don't make it there, or we get lazy and don't go. I feel like we waste so much time.

This time we're staying at the WL, 10 nights, 10-day ticket, no park hoppers, don't care about pool time but still want resort time, MNSSHP on the first night (transferring over from Universal so we won't be jet lagged), we like going to DTD a lot…

WWYD?

My touring style is way different now than when I was younger and healthier. I would do a 7 day trip and I was the commando type, and would do the park hopper thing, staying in the parks from open to close and hitting the parks the day we got there or even on the day we left, if the flight was late enough. We would do the parks everyday, and DTD and Disney Quest one day. I never did a resort day. I was one of those people that didn't do relaxing vacations. I would feel like I was waiting my time, especially with WDW. Still feel that way. Maybe if I took a two week trip, then I would add resort days. Lol

Nowadays, I have had to slow my roll a bit. I like to have seven days at the parks, so I do a total of 9 days. Two of which are just travel days, no park time. We do not live close to major airports, there's no direct flights, so it takes a couple of hours to get to the airport and then we have two flights to get to WDW. It's long and tiresome. So, we just hang around at the resort when we get there and rest up for the next day. I usually do not do rope drop the day after we arrive.
This year, I didn't get park hoppers, hoping I do not regret it. I have been doing one day at DHS, 2 days at Epcot and 2 days at MK (one rope drop to close and one day with a late start), one day at AK, and one special event. Last year is was MNSSHP and this year it will be MVMCP.

I don't like to take breaks during the day and go back to the resort. I just feel like it takes up more time and energy to do. Or like I'm wasting valuable Disney time. Plus, I'm not really a swimmer, and I also am not really a napper. I tend to feel worse when I wake from a nap, if I can even manage to take one, and I will usually wake up with a headache. Instead, I just take things slowly throughout the day. I think it also helps that it takes me forever to eat. I have problems swallowing, so it easily takes me an hour to eat a meal. It's a PITA, but we are off our feet for at least 3 hrs a day, while I am trying to get some sustenance. I sometimes even schedule 2 TS meals on long park days.

 

[cakebaker]

We are at rope drop almost every morning ( but we don't rush to the headliners) and we close a different park at night. We take a midday break every day from around 12-4 but that can vary an hour or so each way.

Most of our trips are in the 5-7 day range. We've had trips as short as 3 days, as long as 13. This next trip in June will be 9 days. Because it's longer, we have scheduled in a couple of resort mornings to relax before heading to a park in the early afternoon, a change in our normal routine.

 

[caroline1851]

When my kids were 2 and 6, we went 7 nights, no hoppers. hit parks at rd and stayed until we were done (usually around 2-4). went back to resort for swimming, dinner and somewhat early bed. one late night for mnsshp. last time kids were 5 and 9, 6 nights, no hoppers. again, rope drop then til we were done for day around 2 or 3 then back to resort for dinner and swimming and early bed. no late nights. stayed at hs later to see Osborne lights the one day. this upcoming trip is just ds13 and me. we have hoppers though not sure if we'll use them. going with it's hotter and more crowded so planning to RD then leave around 1 then back to parks around 7.....

 

[tabistar]

We usually go for 6 nights, no park hoppers. We try for rope drop, but don't always make it- but get there within the hour and stay until dinner. Kids go to bed after dinner while dh and I relax in the room. We do Fantasmic! and Wishes once each; those are our only 2 late nights.

This time, we're switching it up: 8 nights with water parks & more. Our park days will be similar to above, plus 2 water park days (probably half days, then resort or DTD for the rest of the day).

 

[texasroni75]

Our touring plan has evolved over the years. We used to hit the parks every day of our stay, and decide at breakfast which park we were going to for the day. We'd get there at park opening and try to stay until closing.

Every trip after our first one we have purchased Park Hoppers. Now with FP+ we commit to one park each day ahead of time, try to make it to rope-drop, and stay there at least until all our initial 3 FP are used up (typically just after lunchtime). We then decide if we want to stay in that park the rest of the day, or we head over to our "second-choice" park for attractions, dinner and fireworks. We like to stay until closing, and since our last few trips have been in Fall, park hours end pretty early. I keep a list of attractions we want to try to get to each day. Most days we accomplish everything, but we are pretty flexible. We do very few if any TS meals, so that helps us to feel less stressed or rushed.

Our next trip I added two days for travel and for some resort down-time. So, it's an 8 night/9 day stay, but only 7 days of park hoppers. We shall see how I feel about being in Disney but not in the parks for 2 of our Disney days!

 

[mggeary]

We usually go RD to dinner time every day at parks.

This year we're staying off site at WBC, and we'll be trying shorter days, RD till 2-3pm with lots of resort pool time. Easy to forget how much the kids love and remember the pool and resort.

 

[djc9699]

We go for at least 10-14 days each trip. We drive a day and a half to get there so we want to make it worth the drive. We don't go every year but have been 5 times in past eight years. The first time we went was eight days with water parks and we didn't feel that was enough to really explore the parks. We like to just go at a relaxed pace. We hit rope drop most mornings and go hard and hit our favorite rides. We usually schedule a late table lunch to unwind and relax for an hour, then we either switch parks or explore the one we're in at a slower pace, catching a show at HS or going to tom sawyer island, walking trails at AK, or explore world showcase. We hit the rides again in the evening when the crowds thin again. We usually stay as late as we can handle. We do schedule one night at MK for parade and FW and one Fantasmic night. We are going at Christmas this year for two weeks. First time going in December and we are going to try to just absorb the atmosphere after our morning ride rush.