WDW Commando Club

[Disney Commando]

Hello,
I am new to DIS but I am beyond in love with WDW!!! I'd love to join the commando club. I was trying to read through from the beginning before I joined but two days in I'm only at page 23. I will come back to give my full "story" in a bit, but I must say. . . I'M SO HAPPY I FOUND YOU ALL!!! Others who don't do commando on some boards can be so mean. I am just really glad to find you all, what a great resource.

Thanks!
I guess I should start from when I was a kid (you know waaaaaaaay back when considering I'm 24 now, lol). We would go with my granny, great granny, aunt, cousin, dad, mom and once my brother was born he came too! We would go every year, usually at the end of summer when it was super busy. I didnt mind, at the time a 2 hour wait for a 2 hour ride was part of the fun. Once my parents took me (when I was two) during Christmas and that trip has my earliest memory of anything, so how cool is it that my first memory was shying away from Minnie at MK during the Christmas parade (More like I began to bug out as she got closer, but once she stepped back into the parade I was a happy camper again).
We always did everything that we wanted. Back then there were only 3 parks. Once AK came along we changed the time of year to non-busy April and May dates. One tip I give to people with children, my dad would have us get our homework for anything the teacher knew of after spring break, BEFORE spring break. We went to school in MI so school's down south would be on spring break the week before us, then our spring break, then he would schedule our vacation. Technically we would be out of school a extra week, but because we got extra school work we never fell behind. That worked pretty much perfect because FL weather was nice and warm and we were still before the college kids or HS seniors graduated.
The last time I went we went in November and decided that was definitely the time to go! Low crowds, great weather, especially good for first timers. I thought my family was the only family that could hold conversations and weave them with Disney movie sayings. I know WDW better than I do Detroit (where I'm from). I remember when McDonald's was only a cart at MK with 4 options. . . hamburger/cheeseburger, 6 piece nugget, fries (one size) and or a big mac. I remember and still refer to DHS as MGM. I know you need to be at RD head to SM and the Indy Karts then over to CP (ADR of course) then attack FL from the back (we usually bi-passed FL altogether, it was more of a way to get to Frontierland!)

All in all, I am one Army brat that trained and ready at all times for a WDW adventure!!!

You are member #216 I see you already noticed on some other threads how some will blast our ways like we are the Dark side, but some are set in there ways and don't want to think out of the box, here we all have our own opinions and ways of touring, there are a ton of ways to tour the parks so why do people even bother arguing about it

I also like going in Nov, IMO it's a lot cooler, with a lot more stuff going on

Do you have any upcoming visits planned

 

[Xclusive2WDW]

You are member #216 I see you already noticed on some other threads how some will blast our ways like we are the Dark side, but some are set in there ways and don't want to think out of the box, here we all have our own opinions and ways of touring, there are a ton of ways to tour the parks so why do people even bother arguing about it

I also like going in Nov, IMO it's a lot cooler, with a lot more stuff going on

Do you have any upcoming visits planned

Yes and no. I am currently unemployed, however, as a way to stay positive and keep my spirits up, I started planning a trip for hunny and I next November. I have complete faith that I will get to the world AND get get there sometime next year. I just don't have exact dates (Nov 14-23rd looks promising). Which leads me to disclose exactly why I am a Disney Commando Cadet. . . I have a complete tentative itinerary (TI) for a 9 night/ 10 day trip. Hunny, while I am sure he loves me, believes I am obsessed. I have a budget, prices of different rooms we would stay at that could fit in any budget so depending on when/ type of income I have we can still live it up, Dining Plan cost (including tip allotment and approx savings). I have a restaurant list by location. This includes must-do's (CP, CM, Boma, Sunshine Season's) and stuff hunny picked. He has not been since he was a child and I have not been in 5 years I have planned trips before, but never planned and paid for one of my own (I have even done budgets for others) so I am very excited.

I was beyond thrilled to find you guys!!! Aside from the rude (and yes they can be rude for no good reason IMHO, it's planning geesh) people around the internet, it was good to meet others who planned not just the day but understood the love and excitement of it all. Hunny has been a really good sport I must admit. He has endured more than other men might. He looked at a few you tube videos I found (I am looking for more vids on tips. the world/ anything Disney). He also picked some restaurants he wanted to try and while he thinks I have gone OCD on the planning, he is completely committed to commando! lol He loves amusement parks like I do, I just have to take him so he can see WDW is sooooooooooooooooooooo much more than an amusement. It's a lifestyle !!!!!

So you all would not think me weird if I discussed my plans? Because while I don't have exact dates. . . I have a few questions and tips. I'm super excited!

 

[redoschi]

On the other hand the Space Center could be interesting

I guess someone else might have commented on this (I'm still reading through page 46 of the thread! ), but decided to give an advice to fellow Commandos:

Kennedy Space Center is a great attraction, I've been there 3 times in the past (including on my very first trip to Orlando when I was 5)! I've always been a science oriented guy and I think going there as a kid contributed to my fascination with space and science!
Horizons and Wonders of Life helped too! I hate that those 2 are gone now!

Its been 12 years since my last time there (we had to cut it from our plans on our last trip back in 2007) and lots of new attractions were launched over these years like the Shuttle Launch Experience.

I know most of you are usually on tight schedules in your trips to Orlando, but it is worth it to take a day out for KSC (most likely it won't be a full day, you'll be back in time for dinner and a nice evening at a park or DTD)!


I can't believe it that so many people have visited Orlando so many times, but sometimes have never gone to off-site parks. Sea World, Busch Gardens Tampa and Universal/Islands of Adventure are also must do attractions for me on every trip (but of course as plane tickets are a huge part of the budget, when we go we stay for 10+ days and want to enjoy all that Orlando has to offer!)


I was planning a visit there for my trip in January with DFi, future DMIL and future DBIL, but so far I'm being outvoted on this. My DFi isn't very fond of space stuff, she prefers other earth-bound sciences and they are preferring to do an extra half day at Sea World or Typhoon Lagoon (if the weather permits) with the rest of the day for shopping.

 

[AirGoofy]

The last time I went we went in November and decided that was definitely the time to go! Low crowds, great weather, especially good for first timers. I thought my family was the only family that could hold conversations and weave them with Disney movie sayings. I know WDW better than I do Detroit (where I'm from). I remember when McDonald's was only a cart at MK with 4 options. . . hamburger/cheeseburger, 6 piece nugget, fries (one size) and or a big mac. I remember and still refer to DHS as MGM. I know you need to be at RD head to SM and the Indy Karts then over to CP (ADR of course) then attack FL from the back (we usually bi-passed FL altogether, it was more of a way to get to Frontierland!)

All in all, I am one Army brat that trained and ready at all times for a WDW adventure!!!

Hope you find work soon and sorry you had to endure the negative ones out there. I only went to WDW once when I was in 8th grade, on Saturday, to Epcot only, during Spring Break. So, I don't have those memories, but have made them with DW and my dds. We have been in March, April, May, June, September, and October. I do want to try Novemeber/ December though. Even though September is hot, I still like September the best for the low crowds and MNSSHP.

I guess someone else might have commented on this (I'm still reading through page 46 of the thread! ), but decided to give an advice to fellow Commandos:

Its been 12 years since my last time there (we had to cut it from our plans on our last trip back in 2007) and lots of new attractions were launched over these years like the Shuttle Launch Experience.

I can't believe it that so many people have visited Orlando so many times, but sometimes have never gone to off-site parks. Sea World, Busch Gardens Tampa and Universal/Islands of Adventure are also must do attractions for me on every trip (but of course as plane tickets are a huge part of the budget, when we go we stay for 10+ days and want to enjoy all that Orlando has to offer!)
.

There are other attractions? We always say we are going to try others, but still have not yet tried them. My dds are 10 & 8, and now finally old enough for all the coasters at Universal. I also want to do Sea World. We are DVC members, so I know we will be vacationing there for another 30 + years, so I think we'll have time.

 

[Disney Commando]

Yes and no. I am currently unemployed, however, as a way to stay positive and keep my spirits up, I started planning a trip for hunny and I next November. I have complete faith that I will get to the world AND get get there sometime next year. I just don't have exact dates (Nov 14-23rd looks promising). Which leads me to disclose exactly why I am a Disney Commando Cadet. . . I have a complete tentative itinerary (TI) for a 9 night/ 10 day trip. Hunny, while I am sure he loves me, believes I am obsessed. I have a budget, prices of different rooms we would stay at that could fit in any budget so depending on when/ type of income I have we can still live it up, Dining Plan cost (including tip allotment and approx savings). I have a restaurant list by location. This includes must-do's (CP, CM, Boma, Sunshine Season's) and stuff hunny picked. He has not been since he was a child and I have not been in 5 years I have planned trips before, but never planned and paid for one of my own (I have even done budgets for others) so I am very excited.

I was beyond thrilled to find you guys!!! Aside from the rude (and yes they can be rude for no good reason IMHO, it's planning geesh) people around the internet, it was good to meet others who planned not just the day but understood the love and excitement of it all. Hunny has been a really good sport I must admit. He has endured more than other men might. He looked at a few you tube videos I found (I am looking for more vids on tips. the world/ anything Disney). He also picked some restaurants he wanted to try and while he thinks I have gone OCD on the planning, he is completely committed to commando! lol He loves amusement parks like I do, I just have to take him so he can see WDW is sooooooooooooooooooooo much more than an amusement. It's a lifestyle !!!!!

So you all would not think me weird if I discussed my plans? Because while I don't have exact dates. . . I have a few questions and tips. I'm super excited!

We would not find it wierd at all, just gives you more time to come up with a great plan, Hope you can find a good job soon so you can get to WDW sooner

I guess someone else might have commented on this (I'm still reading through page 46 of the thread! ), but decided to give an advice to fellow Commandos:

Kennedy Space Center is a great attraction, I've been there 3 times in the past (including on my very first trip to Orlando when I was 5)! I've always been a science oriented guy and I think going there as a kid contributed to my fascination with space and science!
Horizons and Wonders of Life helped too! I hate that those 2 are gone now!

Its been 12 years since my last time there (we had to cut it from our plans on our last trip back in 2007) and lots of new attractions were launched over these years like the Shuttle Launch Experience.

I know most of you are usually on tight schedules in your trips to Orlando, but it is worth it to take a day out for KSC (most likely it won't be a full day, you'll be back in time for dinner and a nice evening at a park or DTD)!


I can't believe it that so many people have visited Orlando so many times, but sometimes have never gone to off-site parks. Sea World, Busch Gardens Tampa and Universal/Islands of Adventure are also must do attractions for me on every trip (but of course as plane tickets are a huge part of the budget, when we go we stay for 10+ days and want to enjoy all that Orlando has to offer!)


I was planning a visit there for my trip in January with DFi, future DMIL and future DBIL, but so far I'm being outvoted on this. My DFi isn't very fond of space stuff, she prefers other earth-bound sciences and they are preferring to do an extra half day at Sea World or Typhoon Lagoon (if the weather permits) with the rest of the day for shopping.

I've never been to Kennedy Space Center,(think my son might like it when he gets a little older it seems interesting), but I was in the Cape on our Honeymoon, we decided to go on a gambling cruise, This is something I would not recommend, food was awful, and it was really cheesy, but I like going gambling and with Atlantic City less then a hour away from me, it dosn't measure up

I know you said you have Gatorland planned your next trip, we really liked it there and my son can't wait to go back, the one thing that I would suggest is to look at the package plans, otherwise it's ala cart once you get inside

 

[QueenElinor]

If you go to KSC, do the Lunch with An Astronaut. They are not kidding when they say these people have the "right stuff". It will be motivational and inspirational for any kid- and a lot of adults.

On another trip we actually got to see Atlantis take off. I bought tickets for the first day of her launch window, and by some miracle they actually went ahead as scheduled. It was literally the most awesome thing I have ever seen.

And the party wasn't bad, either.

Anyway, as for introductions-

I am sort of a mid-level commando myself. I just love to plan vacations and have horrible memories of my first clueless trips to WDW. I've found that planning is more essential at WDW than almost anywhere else, with the possible exception of sub-Saharan Africa. Looking forward to learning from the experts!

 

[Disney Commando]

If you go to KSC, do the Lunch with An Astronaut. They are not kidding when they say these people have the "right stuff". It will be motivational and inspirational for any kid- and a lot of adults.

On another trip we actually got to see Atlantis take off. I bought tickets for the first day of her launch window, and by some miracle they actually went ahead as scheduled. It was literally the most awesome thing I have ever seen.

And the party wasn't bad, either.

Anyway, as for introductions-

I am sort of a mid-level commando myself. I just love to plan vacations and have horrible memories of my first clueless trips to WDW. I've found that planning is more essential at WDW than almost anywhere else, with the possible exception of sub-Saharan Africa. Looking forward to learning from the experts!

You are member #217 It sounds like you had a amazing day at KSC, I'm sure when we finally go my son will love it

Wow a sub-Saharan Africa trip, did you go on safari, I would love to do something like that, but since I won't fly it seems unlikely at this point, once my son turns 9 we will do the Safari Trek and he talks about it all the time asking how many more days till I'm 9

I like it when we talk about other places, since some go to WDW for a lot of days and it is nice to try somewhere new, if it only helps out 1 member, it was worth talking about

 

[QueenElinor]

Nah, I didn't really go to Africa, but that's the only thing I could think of with similarly complicated logistics!

We did go to Europe last year, and I had to coordinate a lot of tickets and reservations, but not minute-by-minute like at WDW. I've only done general planning in WDW- getting there early, choosing the less busy park, getting ADR's and maybe making it to the popular rides first thing, but that's about all. We missed a lot of things, esp. shows which I'd like to see this time around.

 

[Xclusive2WDW]

So far I am looking to a 9 night/ 10 day trip. I will be using the DxDP as it comes out slightly better than breaking even (that's me looking at the menus and ordering what I would normally not what's included. Sometimes I may not order an appetizer and dessert so really my savings on the DP are going to be pretty substantial to the experience hunny and I will get to have.) I plan on doing 5 WDW park days, staying on base, lol, I mean on-site and having one full free day at WDW and 2 days at Universal. No car (this could change later but for now not including it) and I am looking between AK or BLT (my current planning goes off of a AK stay as the resorts location presents the bigger challenge). Arriving early on arrival day and leaving late on departure day. Rough sketch of plans is as follows:

Day 1: Arrive, eat lunch at Fulton's. DTD and mini golf. Dinner at Jiko. AMC movie at Fork and Spoon or just dancing around DTD (or both )

Day 2: MK- Crystal Palace Bfast either prior/ at RD or late if MK has am EMH. Dinner at Be our Guest. DQ after unless EMH in PM. Will probably hit everything in the am a few times, then go to a nearby resort or something midday, then finish the park later in the afternoon. As a family we always started at MK and I like it that way so EMH is not a necessity on this day.

Day 3: Epcot (FW)- RD arrival (of course, we are commando-ing after all). Lunch at Coral Reef. Head to MGM (DHS for post 00's DISers) and Dinner at Mama Melrose's (with Fantasmic pkg). I need this to be a EMH day (preferably a pm EMH for MGM for late night TOT rides!).

Day 4: Early Bfast at Boma. Day at Universal Studios and night time at City Walk.

Day 5: Free Day! (Sunday) Brunch at House of Blues, Spa, Para-sailing, Hotel Pool, Dinner at CG. Hoping this will be a MK fireworks night. Stop at QS (ESPN/ Boardwalk area/ EoS) for sandwiches for Day 6.

Day 6: Universal IOA. Dinner at Chef Mickey's and dessert at Citricose.

Day 7: AK- RD arrival (morning EMH) late breakfast at Tusker House. Blizzard Beach. Late Dinner at Marrakesh.

Day 8: Tongo Toast stop at Captain Cook's. MK. Lunch at Kona. Epcot (WS)- Dinner at Teppan Edo.

Day 9: BB. Lunch at Sunshine Season's. MGM. Dinner at Cape May. end at whichever park has pm EMH.

Day 10: WGP Bfast and Fork and Spoon (if we didnt get in on day 1). This day has some built in lee-way. I figure hunny can choose a resort breakfast buffet we go to WGP for lunch.

Soooooooooooooooooooooo. . . I know it's a lot to take in, but this is where my head's at. I tried to plan things in the same area, even if I listed it in wrong order, similar locals tend to be on the same day to avoid too much ripping and running. My two major questions are: Will all/ most QS locations pack items to-go even if they are hot? (e.g. WGP). I plan on taking snacks home. In the event I fly which snacks travel well and how? Thank you!

 

[redoschi]

I know you said you have Gatorland planned your next trip, we really liked it there and my son can't wait to go back, the one thing that I would suggest is to look at the package plans, otherwise it's ala cart once you get inside

Yeah, we're planning of going to Gatorland, it will be a first for us. Always heard of it, but when we got to it we couldn't find a time slot to insert it!

The only package I've read about was the Zipline one, what kinds of things are a la carte if you have the regular ticket?
Has anyone here done the Zipline? I'm thinking of doing it, but my DFi isn't buying that idea! For her, anything that could get me killed before the wedding is a no-go!

Wow a sub-Saharan Africa trip, did you go on safari, I would love to do something like that, but since I won't fly it seems unlikely at this point, once my son turns 9 we will do the Safari Trek and he talks about it all the time asking how many more days till I'm 9

I'd love to go on Safari in Africa! We're actually considering going to South Africa for our Honeymoon next year!
I'll tell you guys later if we'll actually do it!

 

[Disney Commando]

I canceled our Whispering Canyon ADR due to the menu change, this the ADR's for the week (hope there are no more menu changes)

Sun - Bongo's - 4:55 dinner
Mon - Ohana - 5:10 dinner
Tues - Le Cellier - 1:20 lunch
Wed - Teppen Edo - 4:00 dinner
Thurs - Boma - 4:55 dinner
Fri - T-Rex - 1:30 lunch
Sat - Ohana - 7:35 breakfast

Now I have to figure out the what park when, there are not a lot of EMH,s going on this week (this is the week they take down the Halloween & transform to Christmas) + I want to get my fill of the Food & Wine Fest

 

[stitchywoman]

Ok guys I am finally out of the hotel! Woohoooooo. Had to wait for my friends parents thi morning. They were supposed to go on an hour timeshare mandatory presentation for their club and it ended up being 3 hours instead. So yay. Ugggg. We are now sitting inline at the parking gates at universal. We start at animal kingdom tomorrow! B-)

 

[AirGoofy]

I canceled our Whispering Canyon ADR due to the menu change, this the ADR's for the week (hope there are no more menu changes)

Sun - Bongo's - 4:55 dinner
Mon - Ohana - 5:10 dinner
Tues - Le Cellier - 1:20 lunch
Wed - Teppen Edo - 4:00 dinner
Thurs - Boma - 4:55 dinner
Fri - T-Rex - 1:30 lunch
Sat - Ohana - 7:35 breakfast

Now I have to figure out the what park when, there are not a lot of EMH,s going on this week (this is the week they take down the Halloween & transform to Christmas) + I want to get my fill of the Food & Wine Fest

We went to Bongos on our Disneymoon and thought it was great. We keep saying we will return when dds are old enough. Great music and great food.

 

[Disney Commando]

So far I am looking to a 9 night/ 10 day trip. I will be using the DxDP as it comes out slightly better than breaking even (that's me looking at the menus and ordering what I would normally not what's included. Sometimes I may not order an appetizer and dessert so really my savings on the DP are going to be pretty substantial to the experience hunny and I will get to have.) I plan on doing 5 WDW park days, staying on base, lol, I mean on-site and having one full free day at WDW and 2 days at Universal. No car (this could change later but for now not including it) and I am looking between AK or BLT (my current planning goes off of a AK stay as the resorts location presents the bigger challenge). Arriving early on arrival day and leaving late on departure day. Rough sketch of plans is as follows:

Day 1: Arrive, eat lunch at Fulton's. DTD and mini golf. Dinner at Jiko. AMC movie at Fork and Spoon or just dancing around DTD (or both )

Day 2: MK- Crystal Palace Bfast either prior/ at RD or late if MK has am EMH. Dinner at Be our Guest. DQ after unless EMH in PM. Will probably hit everything in the am a few times, then go to a nearby resort or something midday, then finish the park later in the afternoon. As a family we always started at MK and I like it that way so EMH is not a necessity on this day.

Day 3: Epcot (FW)- RD arrival (of course, we are commando-ing after all). Lunch at Coral Reef. Head to MGM (DHS for post 00's DISers) and Dinner at Mama Melrose's (with Fantasmic pkg). I need this to be a EMH day (preferably a pm EMH for MGM for late night TOT rides!).

Day 4: Early Bfast at Boma. Day at Universal Studios and night time at City Walk.

Day 5: Free Day! (Sunday) Brunch at House of Blues, Spa, Para-sailing, Hotel Pool, Dinner at CG. Hoping this will be a MK fireworks night. Stop at QS (ESPN/ Boardwalk area/ EoS) for sandwiches for Day 6.

Day 6: Universal IOA. Dinner at Chef Mickey's and dessert at Citricose.

Day 7: AK- RD arrival (morning EMH) late breakfast at Tusker House. Blizzard Beach. Late Dinner at Marrakesh.

Day 8: Tongo Toast stop at Captain Cook's. MK. Lunch at Kona. Epcot (WS)- Dinner at Teppan Edo.

Day 9: BB. Lunch at Sunshine Season's. MGM. Dinner at Cape May. end at whichever park has pm EMH.

Day 10: WGP Bfast and Fork and Spoon (if we didnt get in on day 1). This day has some built in lee-way. I figure hunny can choose a resort breakfast buffet we go to WGP for lunch.

Soooooooooooooooooooooo. . . I know it's a lot to take in, but this is where my head's at. I tried to plan things in the same area, even if I listed it in wrong order, similar locals tend to be on the same day to avoid too much ripping and running. My two major questions are: Will all/ most QS locations pack items to-go even if they are hot? (e.g. WGP). I plan on taking snacks home. In the event I fly which snacks travel well and how? Thank you!

Looks good, I see you are a park hopper, I always park hop, some will say it takes time to hop, but I like to do it to keep things fresh during the day, I'll make up the time lost somewhere during the course of the day

Yeah, we're planning of going to Gatorland, it will be a first for us. Always heard of it, but when we got to it we couldn't find a time slot to insert it!

The only package I've read about was the Zipline one, what kinds of things are a la carte if you have the regular ticket?
Has anyone here done the Zipline? I'm thinking of doing it, but my DFi isn't buying that idea! For her, anything that could get me killed before the wedding is a no-go!

I saw the Zipline, I thought it was crazy Zipping over all those gators.

But some other things you can get in the package is Train ride, Gator food to feed them, & Gator wrestling (you don't really wrestle them, they have a 6-8footer calmed with tape around it's mouth, you can get a pic sitting on it hold it's mouth, it was pretty cool

 

[Disney Commando]

Nah, I didn't really go to Africa, but that's the only thing I could think of with similarly complicated logistics!

OK you got me good on that one

Ok guys I am finally out of the hotel! Woohoooooo. Had to wait for my friends parents thi morning. They were supposed to go on an hour timeshare mandatory presentation for their club and it ended up being 3 hours instead. So yay. Ugggg. We are now sitting inline at the parking gates at universal. We start at animal kingdom tomorrow! B-)

Timeshare presentations, they are only quick if you buy, otherwise they try to pressure you to buy, guess they figure you will give in if they keep you there, Have a great time, AK love that park

We went to Bongos on our Disneymoon and thought it was great. We keep saying we will return when dds are old enough. Great music and great food.

That's good to hear, We have never been there before, but we try to add at least one or two places we never ate before into the mix

 

[QueenElinor]

Ok guys I am finally out of the hotel! Woohoooooo. Had to wait for my friends parents thi morning. They were supposed to go on an hour timeshare mandatory presentation for their club and it ended up being 3 hours instead. So yay. Ugggg. We are now sitting inline at the parking gates at universal. We start at animal kingdom tomorrow! B-)

I once got up and walked out of a timeshare sales pitch at Westgate. The salesman literally tracked us to the parking lot and tried to flag down the minivan- we nearly hit him on our way out!

I'm having trouble making a touring plan and have a question for you Commandos-

I can't ride anything rough- consequently I am the designated FP fetcher most of the time. I've been trying to incorporate this into my touring plan at touringplans.com but it's not working. Is there any other touring plan that works better, or do you use any commercial plan at all?

Also, if I get a FP at TSM or KS right when the park opens on a moderately busy day, when will the return time be? How about Soarin' on a slow day?

Thanks!

 

[Xclusive2WDW]

I am indeed a park hopper and proud I find that it actually saves time because I can eat a park where I may not want to spend the day. That comes in handy whether you use a DDP or not because some parks (AK and DHS for example) I don't eat too much in, atleast not TS meals. Yes, it also breaks up the trip quit well

 

[AirGoofy]

Also, if I get a FP at TSM or KS right when the park opens on a moderately busy day, when will the return time be? How about Soarin' on a slow day?

Thanks!

From my memory, we did TSM FP, we usually go there 1st in AM, grab FP, and then ride it standby. I think they were around 1 or 2 PM. For Soarin, FP first thing and then ride is about 11:00 AM.

 

[Disney Commando]

I am indeed a park hopper and proud I find that it actually saves time because I can eat a park where I may not want to spend the day. That comes in handy whether you use a DDP or not because some parks (AK and DHS for example) I don't eat too much in, atleast not TS meals. Yes, it also breaks up the trip quit well

My excuse to park hop is dinner, besides Epcot I always eat at a Resort or DTD I want a really good meal and so far I have not found it in AK, HS or MK, they all have a couple of good QS restaurants, IMO for really good food you probably would have to leave the park (unless your in Epcot), if you are looking for high end the Dolphin with Bluezoo & Shula's is a good place to go

Evereytime I eat at a park it seems really rushed, If I have a nice steak in front of me I want to enjoy it

For the question you had about QS to go, you can get Earl of Sandwich to go, most of the QS places use black plates & black plates usually have lids to fit them, so before you order I would ask if they have lids for the plates

 

[MaMudduck]

I canceled our Whispering Canyon ADR due to the menu change, this the ADR's for the week (hope there are no more menu changes)

Sun - Bongo's - 4:55 dinner
Mon - Ohana - 5:10 dinner
Tues - Le Cellier - 1:20 lunch
Wed - Teppen Edo - 4:00 dinner
Thurs - Boma - 4:55 dinner
Fri - T-Rex - 1:30 lunch
Sat - Ohana - 7:35 breakfast

Now I have to figure out the what park when, there are not a lot of EMH,s going on this week (this is the week they take down the Halloween & transform to Christmas) + I want to get my fill of the Food & Wine Fest

COMMANDER! you need to update your "ticker" when exactly are you going again?
I keep trying to figure out if you're there at the same time as me?

Off topic- where's Bongo's-never been there, DTD?