WDW Commando Club

[afwdwfan]

Well, I'm typically the lone commando in my group, but the way I see it, I don't get to go to WDW very often and when I do, I want to do it ALL!!!

 

[stitchywoman]

My DBFF my "trainee" got her shoes in yesterday...I told her she has to break them in NOW...so that she doesn't kill her feet later...I am drawing out our hourly timecard now so I can figure out if we are getting everything need be done.

 

[princessmom29]

I guess I would qualfy as a commando too. We have been twice and are planning a 3rd trip for March. I start planning at least 7-8 months in advance. I make ADr's at 180, we are always there for rope drop and tyically don't leave until fireworks or later. DD was 5 on our first trip, and we had the idea of gonig back to the room for naps, but we just couldn't make ourselves do it! I don't plan down to the minute, but I do know what we have to get done early, what order to get fastpasses in, where we need to be by when to fit in shows ect. I have been know to enlighten others about this kind of thing while standing in line!
This trip will be a little more wide open b/c we are doing QSDP and only planning a couple of ADR's. We decided we didn'twant ot be tied to sit down meals every day so that we have more park time.

 

[Disney Commando]

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?

Also good points And IMO we have both proven the most important point yet. I think you and most here would argree on most planning threads we both would have been rubbed in the ground and outcasted for our full agenda's

As everyone can see we are both extreme Commando's, we could go back and forth and at the end of the day have a great plan put together, and play nice in the sandbox

Thanks

I have seen here that a few of you are planning trips soon. If anyone would would like to list what they have planned, If there are any parts you would like to improve on, or looking for ideas, feel free to post them.
Be sure to state what level of Commando you are, so everyone can answer accordingly

 

[Sweety_tweety]

Well, I'm typically the lone commando in my group, but the way I see it, I don't get to go to WDW very often and when I do, I want to do it ALL!!!

I am with you. My first visit only 2 out of 7 of us had been to DW. We did the 4 Disney Parks and Universal and Islands of Adventure in 6 days. My SIL said never again! They always take a break day in the middle. By the end everyone was calling it Mickey Boot Camp!

I did get some very good advice from a Disney Veteran--she told me to make a list of what we all want to see and then let each person pick one "must see" thing--everything else is a plus. I have done this ever since--I always try to include new things on the list.

I would love to hear other people's approach. I love to see and do as much as I can.

 

[Disney Commando]

Well, I'm typically the lone commando in my group, but the way I see it, I don't get to go to WDW very often and when I do, I want to do it ALL!!!

You are member #61. Another fellow Dis Dad, being the lone commando is a real challenge

I guess I would qualfy as a commando too. We have been twice and are planning a 3rd trip for March. I start planning at least 7-8 months in advance. I make ADr's at 180, we are always there for rope drop and tyically don't leave until fireworks or later. DD was 5 on our first trip, and we had the idea of gonig back to the room for naps, but we just couldn't make ourselves do it! I don't plan down to the minute, but I do know what we have to get done early, what order to get fastpasses in, where we need to be by when to fit in shows ect. I have been know to enlighten others about this kind of thing while standing in line!
This trip will be a little more wide open b/c we are doing QSDP and only planning a couple of ADR's. We decided we didn'twant ot be tied to sit down meals every day so that we have more park time.

You are member #62. I like the enlighten others on line, I look at it as these are the one's that have put you down for planning overboard They are usally open to our way of planning while at the parks and are struck by lack of planning

 

[Disney Commando]

I am with you. My first visit only 2 out of 7 of us had been to DW. We did the 4 Disney Parks and Universal and Islands of Adventure in 6 days. My SIL said never again! They always take a break day in the middle. By the end everyone was calling it Mickey Boot Camp!

I did get some very good advice from a Disney Veteran--she told me to make a list of what we all want to see and then let each person pick one "must see" thing--everything else is a plus. I have done this ever since--I always try to include new things on the list.

I would love to hear other people's approach. I love to see and do as much as I can.

You are member #63. Yes that was great advise, getting everyone involved, gives everyone something to look forward to, and things run alot smoother when everyone is happy

 

[Katems]

My name is Katems and I'm a proud Commando!!!

For the most part my family appreciates my anal planning and for the last few years my DD 14 has even thoroughly enjoyed reading through my Unofficial Guides. I even threw out my '99 and '05 editions, and gave away my '08 edition, as we Commandos do not have time for outdated info!! My husband and DD 14 are well aware of utilizing morning EMHs and then getting the heck out of that park and heading to a park that had EMH the day before. They understand what ADRs are and why they are important, and all about the magic number '180'. They know it's important to scarf breakfast in the room and run for rope drop. DD 9 is learning the ropes, too. We currently have two different schedules for our August trip that we need to choose between....we're all pondering it!

My husband's brother lives down there (wife works at Disney!!!) and he wants us to come to his house for a barbecue. Um....sorry, not on either of the schedules, therefore no can do!!! LOL!!

 

[Disney Commando]

My name is Katems and I'm a proud Commando!!!

For the most part my family appreciates my anal planning and for the last few years my DD 14 has even thoroughly enjoyed reading through my Unofficial Guides. I even threw out my '99 and '05 editions, and gave away my '08 edition, as we Commandos do not have time for outdated info!! My husband and DD 14 are well aware of utilizing morning EMHs and then getting the heck out of that park and heading to a park that had EMH the day before. They understand what ADRs are and why they are important, and all about the magic number '180'. They know it's important to scarf breakfast in the room and run for rope drop. DD 9 is learning the ropes, too. We currently have two different schedules for our August trip that we need to choose between....we're all pondering it!

My husband's brother lives down there (wife works at Disney!!!) and he wants us to come to his house for a barbecue. Um....sorry, not on either of the schedules, therefore no can do!!! LOL!!

You are member #64. I wish I had a relitive that worked for Disney, I'd have the bright light on them, trying to get some good info

 

[princessmom29]

You are member #61. Another fellow Dis Dad, being the lone commando is a real challenge



You are member #62. I like the enlighten others on line, I look at it as these are the one's that have put you down for planning overboard They are usally open to our way of planning while at the parks and are struck by lack of planning

So true. I think I explained the fastpass system to someone every day of our November trip. I was floored the first trip by how many people show up with absolutely no plan at all. We had a breakfast ressie in Norway on thaksgiving day, and I remember thanking my lucky stars I wasn't the guy who walked up ahead of us without a ressie and pitched a fit because thery were booked for the day!!

 

[dvczerfs]

I am with you. My first visit only 2 out of 7 of us had been to DW. We did the 4 Disney Parks and Universal and Islands of Adventure in 6 days. My SIL said never again! They always take a break day in the middle. By the end everyone was calling it Mickey Boot Camp!

I did get some very good advice from a Disney Veteran--she told me to make a list of what we all want to see and then let each person pick one "must see" thing--everything else is a plus. I have done this ever since--I always try to include new things on the list.

I would love to hear other people's approach. I love to see and do as much as I can.

mickey boot camp!!! commando, your gonna have to work that into your threads slogan some how.

 

[dvczerfs]

I am with you. My first visit only 2 out of 7 of us had been to DW. We did the 4 Disney Parks and Universal and Islands of Adventure in 6 days. My SIL said never again! They always take a break day in the middle. By the end everyone was calling it Mickey Boot Camp!

I did get some very good advice from a Disney Veteran--she told me to make a list of what we all want to see and then let each person pick one "must see" thing--everything else is a plus. I have done this ever since--I always try to include new things on the list.

I would love to hear other people's approach. I love to see and do as much as I can.

dont forget when planning your trip to leave a few things out. (dont tell anyone in your party) when you are leaving to go home, start the, "ohhhhh we forgot to ride dumbo. we forgot to ride space mountain.) that gives you a reason to have to go back. if you are married to a "non believer" which i asked 26 years ago before i asked her to marry me, make sure you do it on the way home or as you are leaving. dont wait!!

 

[~armywife~]

WAIT!!!!! ... are there really people out there who DON'T have a binder, decorated on the outside with mickey and travel dates and their families name ... a binder with color coded sections, complete with a day by day calender of events/times/park hours AND the menus of all the places you have ADRs and of all the QS you MIGHT go to ?

..... and people who don't know which park they are starting at on each day, when rope drop will be, when the parades and fireworks are, and which rides are going to be the busiest?


how is this possible?

ok, just kidding ... i know there are A LOT of those people out there and that I may be in the minority of over-planners. i'm glad to see that there are others out there! i think there is a lot of fun in the planning and i love printing it all out so we have it at our fingertips, plus it helps get the family in the WDW state of mind ... plus, it makes the actual trip seem sooo much more relaxed.

 

[dvczerfs]

WAIT!!!!! ... are there really people out there who DON'T have a binder, decorated on the outside with mickey and travel dates and their families name ... a binder with color coded sections, complete with a day by day calender of events/times/park hours AND the menus of all the places you have ADRs and of all the QS you MIGHT go to ?

..... and people who don't know which park they are starting at on each day, when rope drop will be, when the parades and fireworks are, and which rides are going to be the busiest?


how is this possible?

ok, just kidding ... i know there are A LOT of those people out there and that I may be in the minority of over-planners. i'm glad to see that there are others out there! i think there is a lot of fun in the planning and i love printing it all out so we have it at our fingertips, plus it helps get the family in the WDW state of mind ... plus, it makes the actual trip seem sooo much more relaxed.

i always wondered how many people walk around with that info on a card or paper in there pocket while at the park? if they do, how they set theres up and what it looks like? mine is simple, the day and date on the top. am = m.k pm = epcot. than under each am or pm, i have our adrs and special events. on the bottom right side of the paper i have all four parks hours. the emh times are all ready in the park hours. anyone else carry this info with them??????

 

[Hooked On The Mouse]

I think we are commandos. Planning a year ahead of time, excel spreadsheets with numerical values assigned to each attraction, up before dawn and in the parks till late at night, resort pool - what resort pool? We are cruel parents who force our children to spend the whole day every day on rides or at character meals. Thank you for creating a place where it is okay to be ourselves.

 

[dvczerfs]

I think we are commandos. Planning a year ahead of time, excel spreadsheets with numerical values assigned to each attraction, up before dawn and in the parks till late at night, resort pool - what resort pool? We are cruel parents who force our children to spend the whole day every day on rides or at character meals. Thank you for creating a place where it is okay to be ourselves.

the children can be a drag sometimes!!! i gotta pee, im hungry, im tired!!

 

[Hooked On The Mouse]

I forgive them if they have to pee, but dh holds a grudge!

 

[dvczerfs]

I forgive them if they have to pee, but dh holds a grudge!

 

[jake&samsmom]

WAIT!!!!! ... are there really people out there who DON'T have a binder, decorated on the outside with mickey and travel dates and their families name ... a binder with color coded sections, complete with a day by day calender of events/times/park hours AND the menus of all the places you have ADRs and of all the QS you MIGHT go to ?

..... and people who don't know which park they are starting at on each day, when rope drop will be, when the parades and fireworks are, and which rides are going to be the busiest?


how is this possible?

Color coded travel binder with calendar, schedule, and menus, ADR #'s ??? That would be me!!!

 

[TaraBara]

I'm not sure if we would qualify as commandos because this is the first time we will be going to WDW with a plan. I guess we are commandos in training! We went for only 2 days a couple years ago and boy, were we uneducated! We stayed offsite, arrived at MK mid-morning, stood in line to get tickets, took the boat over, then walked into the park probably around 11am. We then proceeded to wonder what we should do and where we should go! We stood in long lines for characters and rides. We also assumed they did fireworks and the parade every night. Boy, were we wrong!!! We just happened to go on a princess and pirate party night so we lost out on quite a few hours of fun when the park closed to us non-ticket holders!

This time will be much different!!!! Our first real wake up call was reading the UG. I must say that we both enjoyed that book thoroughly!!!! We have been planning like crazy for the last month or two and I have spent huge amounts of time on this board! We are still figuring out our touring plans, but definitely plan to stick to a schedule this time. We will be arriving at rope drop if it kills me (not a morning person).

We may not be bringing binders with us to the parks, but you can be assured we will have our touring plan in our back pocket with all the necessary info on it!!!! Our kids will be 7 and 4 when we go and my husband doesn't even want to stop for characters because it might interfere with the plan!