WDW Commando Club

[dvczerfs]

Pretty much no matter what week you book something is going on in at least 1 Park, It could be a Holiday, F & W Feast, Jersey Week, Pop Warner, Right now its what someone on another tread referd to as The Billions Of Brazilians (DW & DS are there now and have confirmed this)

You can check some boards on crowd levels, but it is really just a guess, since you really have no way to tell what park everyone will be at, what time, location in the park etc. All factors can lead to unexpected crowds and turn into a commando nightmare

If you come across unexpected crowds, How do you deal with it

we go at rope drop to each parks am emh. stay till around noon-1pm. go back to okw for lunch and a rest or just hang out. we head back to the parks around 4-5pm. i plain at least one adr everyday but the day of arrival. that gives us 8 hours a day or so in the parks, time to hang at the resort and we stay well rested the entire time. we try to hit the rides we really want to hit early in the am. that way if the parks are crowded in the late afternoon,we do the short line rides or just sit and enjoy the park. as dd17 calls it, creepin!!!

 

[dvczerfs]

crowded parks are also o good thing, it gives a another reason why you have to come back so you can hit the rides you did get on!!

 

[Disney Commando]

I have revised 1st post to club status I just have to get the member role call onto it yet.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

I’m in!

Everyone in our house is a WDW freak and we all add into the planning and execution of every trip. I’m in charge of time management, transportation and park layout exploitation. My DW in charge of trip planning, bargain acquirement, and on site recon. We’ve both committed “The Unofficial Guide to Disney” to memory and reread the major parts every trip. Between us, we can pretty much completely dismantle a park is day. We’ve also been down there enough times to know what events and attraction we can bypass this trip (because we know were going back). We’re currently planning a trip down in December just before Christmas (we’ve already got all the ADRs, Park order and maps put together).

My first rule for taking on the parks is: Remember to add travel time into all schedules. Not leaving enough time to deal with the bus/tram systems or adding in the walking time (especially at EPCOT), will throw the best plan into the hopper quickly. It also helps to keep in mind the limitation of all members of the group and build in ADRs and down time for a good rest (I know where some of the most comfy chairs are in most of the parks).

I’m looking forward to hearing everyone else’s ideas and tips. If we do this right, this thread can become one of the most useful one’s on the board.

 

[perfectparanoia]

My tip is to sit when you can. If someone else is going potty: sit. If someone is in line for a snack: sit. Your runner is getting a fastpass (and you can't squeeze in another attraction, of course): sit.

There is always a rock or bench around (though I have been known to camp out on the ground, too) and it will make you better able to get your feet through the whole commando day (and night)!

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

You are member #54. Your DH sounds like my DW She yells at me all the time for being on the Boards, but it seems funny that when we are at WDW, I don't hear anything about all the time I spent planning anymore

Yup! thats how it works...
Although last trip when we were in epcot eating at asker ( 1st character meal)
My Hubby had a tear in his eye when he saw our daughter's face light has ariel walked out...

He leaned over & said, " Thank you for all the wonder things you do. Every penny we spent was worth it for that smile"
Now had you seen the BIG fight we had a few weeeks before hand.. you would never believe he would have said that..
I was bawling by the time ariel got to our table...

 

[stitchywoman]

DH and I are both die hard commando. We are this way with every trip, never stopping and trying to see all an area has to offer, but when it comes to Disney we get down right frightening to be around. Very few of our friends can or care to try and keep up with us. We are GO GO GO from the minute we wake up till the second we fall asleep. This trip in August we are taking DBFF and she is one of the few who has even tried to keep up with us at Disneyland. We will see how she does at the World. I trained her to get good shoes so hopefully that will help.

 

[Kitikat]

We would like to join the commando tour'ers...we are getting ready for our 3rd trip and almost have every thing planned...we don't plan minute by minute but know what we want to have done by a certain time. We are up every morning by 6:30 and at bus stop by 7:15..being early has also given us perks of opening 3 of the 4 parks several time..and getting things done early gives us time in the middle of the hot days to enjoy other things like eating at other resorts..or nap before enjoying the rest of the evening in the in the parks.. We also agree about only sleeping and showering in our rooms...

We are all happy to say we tour this way...our kids enjoy it too

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I have the days picked for the parks, I have the touring plans for each park for each day printed out, I very few ADRs so we can have more park time. We make rope drop every park day. I have our clothes picked out and labeled for each day based on the park we will be at. I bring extra touring plans in case the crowds are more than I expected and we want to hop to another park. I live and breath DISboards.

PS-I have spray on sunscreen so I can spray the kids and keep moving.

 

[Plucker001]

OK, no more lurking. I'm in too! I would classify my family as semi-commando. We go enough that we try to take it slow but sure enough, about halfway through the trip all I ever see is my husband's back as he commandos (can you even use that as a verb?) through the park!

We book ADR's 180 days in advance and plan our day around that, try to get to the parks at rope drop or as early as possible, and get Fastpasses throughout the day (my husband is often crisscrossing the parks to get them.) Also, when we go to MK we hit all the Fantasyland rides first thing in the AM b/c it seems like that is the land that gets the most congested as the day wears on... If we are eating CS meals for lunch, we try to go around 11:30 to beat the lunch crowds. That's pretty much it I guess...

Thanks so much for starting this!

 

[Disney Commando]

I’m in!

Everyone in our house is a WDW freak and we all add into the planning and execution of every trip. I’m in charge of time management, transportation and park layout exploitation. My DW in charge of trip planning, bargain acquirement, and on site recon. We’ve both committed “The Unofficial Guide to Disney” to memory and reread the major parts every trip. Between us, we can pretty much completely dismantle a park is day. We’ve also been down there enough times to know what events and attraction we can bypass this trip (because we know were going back). We’re currently planning a trip down in December just before Christmas (we’ve already got all the ADRs, Park order and maps put together).

My first rule for taking on the parks is: Remember to add travel time into all schedules. Not leaving enough time to deal with the bus/tram systems or adding in the walking time (especially at EPCOT), will throw the best plan into the hopper quickly. It also helps to keep in mind the limitation of all members of the group and build in ADRs and down time for a good rest (I know where some of the most comfy chairs are in most of the parks).

I’m looking forward to hearing everyone else’s ideas and tips. If we do this right, this thread can become one of the most useful one’s on the board.

You are member #55. Another fellow Dis Dad I like your thinking about trying to make this one of the most useful threads on the board, With as many commando planners that we have here it seems very possible

DH and I are both die hard commando. We are this way with every trip, never stopping and trying to see all an area has to offer, but when it comes to Disney we get down right frightening to be around. Very few of our friends can or care to try and keep up with us. We are GO GO GO from the minute we wake up till the second we fall asleep. This trip in August we are taking DBFF and she is one of the few who has even tried to keep up with us at Disneyland. We will see how she does at the World. I trained her to get good shoes so hopefully that will help.

You are member #56. Good Luck with your trainee, you will have to let us know how it worked out

We would like to join the commando tour'ers...we are getting ready for our 3rd trip and almost have every thing planned...we don't plan minute by minute but know what we want to have done by a certain time. We are up every morning by 6:30 and at bus stop by 7:15..being early has also given us perks of opening 3 of the 4 parks several time..and getting things done early gives us time in the middle of the hot days to enjoy other things like eating at other resorts..or nap before enjoying the rest of the evening in the in the parks.. We also agree about only sleeping and showering in our rooms...

We are all happy to say we tour this way...our kids enjoy it too

You are member #57. It is great that your family, all agree. Everything works out alot smoother when everyone is a Team player
T-Together
E-Everyone
A-Achives
M-More

I have the days picked for the parks, I have the touring plans for each park for each day printed out, I very few ADRs so we can have more park time. We make rope drop every park day. I have our clothes picked out and labeled for each day based on the park we will be at. I bring extra touring plans in case the crowds are more than I expected and we want to hop to another park. I live and breath DISboards.

PS-I have spray on sunscreen so I can spray the kids and keep moving.

\

You are member #58. What is the name of the spray on sunscreen I usally get burned up, since I don't like to stop and rub it all in

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Coppertone Sport, it is in a blue can. Sam's had them in 3 packs.

 

[Disney Commando]

OK, no more lurking. I'm in too! I would classify my family as semi-commando. We go enough that we try to take it slow but sure enough, about halfway through the trip all I ever see is my husband's back as he commandos (can you even use that as a verb?) through the park!

We book ADR's 180 days in advance and plan our day around that, try to get to the parks at rope drop or as early as possible, and get Fastpasses throughout the day (my husband is often crisscrossing the parks to get them.) Also, when we go to MK we hit all the Fantasyland rides first thing in the AM b/c it seems like that is the land that gets the most congested as the day wears on... If we are eating CS meals for lunch, we try to go around 11:30 to beat the lunch crowds. That's pretty much it I guess...

Thanks so much for starting this!

No more lurking you are member #59. Looking at your sig with 3 upcoming trips you must have a whole lot of planning going on

 

[mjp12831]

Just home from an 8 day trip - it featured two 3 park days 16 and 17 hours each. Our "short day" was our AK day on Saturday when no park has pm emh - AK had am emh so we were there at 8 and left when it closed at 7. Seemed so funny to be going back to the resort at 7 without having anything to do. I feel guilty that we "left time on the table". Last day was MK - am emh at 8am, off Space at 3:20 and run to the bus to Riverside to catch the 4:30 Magical Express at the resort. Our late morning was the 9 am start at Blizzard - other than that, hit am emh every day, so the 6:50 alarm was always set. We also made almost all the pm emh with our hoppers.

We have 3 kids dds 9, 7 and 6. No stroellers, lots of blisters and band aids.

Love this post and that there are others like us out there

 

[mjp12831]

We would like to join the commando tour'ers...we are getting ready for our 3rd trip and almost have every thing planned...we don't plan minute by minute but know what we want to have done by a certain time. We are up every morning by 6:30 and at bus stop by 7:15..being early has also given us perks of opening 3 of the 4 parks several time..and getting things done early gives us time in the middle of the hot days to enjoy other things like eating at other resorts..or nap before enjoying the rest of the evening in the in the parks.. We also agree about only sleeping and showering in our rooms...

We are all happy to say we tour this way...our kids enjoy it too

You're joking about going to the resort in the middle of the day and napping - right?

 

[Disney Commando]

Coppertone Sport, it is in a blue can. Sam's had them in 3 packs.

Thanks! I'm going to pick some up

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

OK, no more lurking. I'm in too! I would classify my family as semi-commando. We go enough that we try to take it slow but sure enough, about halfway through the trip all I ever see is my husband's back as he commandos (can you even use that as a verb?) through the park!

It’s a verb now (and a dang good one might I add )

Coppertone Sport, it is in a blue can. Sam's had them in 3 packs.

I’ll have to look for this as well. I wonder if you could find something similar in a “trial size”? That would take up much less space in the day bag.

 

[Disney Commando]

Just home from an 8 day trip - it featured two 3 park days 16 and 17 hours each. Our "short day" was our AK day on Saturday when no park has pm emh - AK had am emh so we were there at 8 and left when it closed at 7. Seemed so funny to be going back to the resort at 7 without having anything to do. I feel guilty that we "left time on the table". Last day was MK - am emh at 8am, off Space at 3:20 and run to the bus to Riverside to catch the 4:30 Magical Express at the resort. Our late morning was the 9 am start at Blizzard - other than that, hit am emh every day, so the 6:50 alarm was always set. We also made almost all the pm emh with our hoppers.

We have 3 kids dds 9, 7 and 6. No stroellers, lots of blisters and band aids.

Love this post and that there are others like us out there

You are member #60. AK day is real short day unless you go during p.m. EMH's, alot of upkeeping I am usally at WDW in the Fall, the hours are cut back in all the parks, the best you can get even with a p.m.EMH is 12am. We find ourselves in DTD or the Boardwalk alot after closing time.

 

[Disney Commando]

You're joking about going to the resort in the middle of the day and napping - right?

I'm going to say it's not crazy at all Here's my reasoning, not everyone on this thread is the same Commando level, some are beginners, some mild , some extreme.

So on a extreme level, now summertime, temps 90-100, out the door a 7am & doing p.m. EMH's till closing.

1st day leave hotel 7am, end of day EMH's MK till 2am get to bed 3am, 2nd day out the door at 7am (4hrs sleep max), HS pm EMH till 1am get to bed by 2am, Day 3 out the door at 7 (5hrs sleep max) Epcot till 12am, hit the Boardwalk till 1:30 get to bed 2:30. I'll stop there

A midday nap (2 or 3 hrs) in A/C during the hot point of the day,even on a extreme level in the summer will make a world of difference on later performace IMO It is better to make a hasty retreat than a bad stand

 

[mjp12831]

I'm going to say it's not crazy at all Here's my reasoning, not everyone on this thread is the same Commando level, some are beginners, some mild , some extreme.

So on a extreme level, now summertime, temps 90-100, out the door a 7am & doing p.m. EMH's till closing.

1st day leave hotel 7am, end of day EMH's MK till 2am get to bed 3am, 2nd day out the door at 7am (4hrs sleep max), HS pm EMH till 1am get to bed by 2am, Day 3 out the door at 7 (5hrs sleep max) Epcot till 12am, hit the Boardwalk till 1:30 get to bed 2:30. I'll stop there

A midday nap (2 or 3 hrs) in A/C during the hot point of the day,even on a extreme level in the summer will make a world of difference on later performace IMO It is better to make a hasty retreat than a bad stand

Decent point - the debate here is going to be what costs you more park time - the midday trip to the resort and nap OR not quite being able to close the park for PM emh. The argument for the mid day 3 hour break is that the latest hours (especially at MK) have significanly shorter ride queues than mid day. The other side of it is that if you are only missing the last hour/hour and a half of park time - this is only an issue when pm emh are at MK because other pm emh close pretty early (home from MK at 1 or 1:30), it is significanly less park time missed than the 3 hours you missed earlier in the day.

I was being a little sarcastic in my post about the nap, but personally I wouldnt be able to relax if I wasnt at a park in the middle of the day - I'd be shemeing on where we were going next and what we could be doing if we werent at the resort. Yes, I realize I have a problem.

I just added up our sleep time for our 7 nights - came to total of 45 hours averaging 6.5 hours per day. Kids are all off school now and wife is a teacher, so they come home and crash - I have to go to work, but I can suck it up - right?