WDW Commando Club

[dvczerfs]

The problem is, I like to do everything commando-style and see and do EVERYTHING. The people I'm with, especially DH hate it and I'm no longer allowed to even speak of Disney in his presence.

So how does everything hide their commando-ness from others who don't "approve" of it?

DUMP HIM!!! tell him to straighten up or hes out the door!!!

 

[DisneyWitch]

You say it like that is a bad thing.

Don't get me wrong...Ice cream & Amaretto Sours is like a 7th concentric circle of heaven for me. But it ain't got Mickey, and I am not spending 12 months planning for it. lol

Geez...now I gotta make me an amaretto sour.

 

[Disney Commando]

I'd like to join your Disney Commando Club. I'll even wear britches! (trust me, you are all better off for it) The following is only my opinion, so apologies if I offend anyone.

I do dang near everything commando (in the "i can haz underwear" fashion)...if I have a new hobby, I have to read every book and spend countless hours on the intarwebz researching. If I want to learn about a particular topic, I immerse myself in it so I can get the most comprehensive experience possible. Same thing with this vacation. Why go through the hassle and expense of traveling if you're only going to experience a fraction of it? I might as well stay at home and spend the money on ice cream and amaretto sours.

As far as I'm concerned, being Commando is not about being OCD or being a Type A personality. It's not something to be ashamed of, or something we need to explain away to others. We should not feel we have to hide the fact that we feel it's important to plan, friends. This is about wanting to experience life 100 percent! I think it's a good way for us to show our families how much we love them - it shows them that we want everyone to have the best time possible! If we can make educated decisions on how to spend our leisure time - which in the US is precious and all too short - we can make that special time even more memorable. I don't want to remember my vacation as a disjointed mess and missing all the good stuff because I was too lazy to prepare.

OMG I think I just became Braveheart.

I've never been to WDW, but these boards, and all the others I'm on, have been invaluable to me. I've got books, lists, spreadsheets, etc., and am learning as much as I possibly can before going in order to have the best time I can.

Thank you all for listening!

You are member #76. I like your way of thinking I'm sure all of us here do all our massive planning with family & friends in mind, to see & do everything possible and have a great time for all involved, although the family & friends don't always see it that way, go figure:

 

[lynn_s]

Count me in for "commando planning". Hours on here, UG, TGM, ridemax, I'm studying it all!. Tons of spreadsheets, (including travel times to each park, and "total" travel time for the trip from various places when we were deciding where to stay), budgeting down to the pennies, etc.

Glad to have found ya'll as DH is NOT a planner, and will just go along with whatever I want to do. Last trip was Spring Break '03, and NOT planned. I can't believe all I've learned in the last few months!

Last trip we didn't do RD's (family is on alert that we WILL do RD's this year. Or at least I will and they can catch up later and miss rides if they are not ready when its time to go), but closed the parks. Even without a plan we got most of what we wanted to do done, but this year we'll get so much more done!

 

[Disney Commando]

Count me in for "commando planning". Hours on here, UG, TGM, ridemax, I'm studying it all!. Tons of spreadsheets, (including travel times to each park, and "total" travel time for the trip from various places when we were deciding where to stay), budgeting down to the pennies, etc.

Glad to have found ya'll as DH is NOT a planner, and will just go along with whatever I want to do. Last trip was Spring Break '03, and NOT planned. I can't believe all I've learned in the last few months!

Last trip we didn't do RD's (family is on alert that we WILL do RD's this year. Or at least I will and they can catch up later and miss rides if they are not ready when its time to go), but closed the parks. Even without a plan we got most of what we wanted to do done, but this year we'll get so much more done!

You are member #77. I just noticed when you will be at WDW this year, I always wanted to go that week

 

[jmm476]

DUMP HIM!!! tell him to straighten up or hes out the door!!!

Don't worry, if anything ever happens to DH, hubby #2 WILL be a Disney fanatic like me!!!

 

[dvczerfs]

Don't worry, if anything ever happens to DH, hubby #2 WILL be a Disney fanatic like me!!!

when dw and i first were dating, some people ask each other what they want out of life, kids,pets,religion, i asked if she loved disney enough to go twice a year? her reply was, "only twice a year?" 26 years and still talk about it like we were never there.

 

[jmm476]

when dw and i first were dating, some people ask each other what they want out of life, kids,pets,religion, i asked if she loved disney enough to go twice a year? her reply was, "only twice a year?" 26 years and still talk about it like we were never there.

See, that was my problem... I didn't ask until we were already married! Good thing I have other family and friends willing to travel there with me occasionally. I would live there if I could!

 

[Disney Commando]

My sister's family is going to WDW in 2 weeks, This will be her families 1st trip to WDW. They waited to around 120 days out to make ADR's IMO they are not that good by a longshot
Anyway last night I saw them at my parents house, now all of a sudden she is fishin' for info, when they 1st said they were going, I was trying to give them info, but kept getting the deaf ear

So now I will only answer her yes & no ?'s with no explainations, She always thinks I crazy anyway when we go to WDW with all the planning, Now I think I will let her find out why

 

[princessmom29]

You guys will appreciate this. My DH has a friend at work who is doing WDW at the end of Sept. with his wife and 2 small children. We were at a cookout and got to talking aobut it. They have no plan, thought fastpass was something you had to buy, and have no ADR's and they are gonig during FD! I spent a fair amount of time at the cookout enlightening them, and I think I actually got through! DH's friend asked for some planning resources at work on Monday, and I sent them 3 pages of typed plannign notes the next day, my "basic plannig" advice! Told them about rope drop, what to do first in each park, strollers, ADR's ( they are on QSDP so only want like 2. I think they will be ok) ect.

 

[michellelovesthemous]

...and have created an elder-Com and a mini-Com too tke for example our arrival day we get in at 7:30am after a red-eye from Seattle,wa bear in mind it is 4:30am to us!! off we run to breakfast cat POP and then a full day at DTD, Tea at GF and back to DTD for the night. I start planning in march, have dining planned,calculated and booked on 180days and re-tool all fine thoughts on a weekly basis. Pre-pack planning starts at 100 days and fully packed at t-7days. Upon arrival we go from 6-7am until we get back to the room sometimes as late a 1am. Little one has done this every trip and we never go back to the resort for naps, WHO HAS THE TIME?!?!?!

 

[mickeymom629]

Count me in! My hobby is planning my next trip! I love to make the most of the time we are there and I love changing my game plan several times before we go.

Our last trip was with DH and another couple (best friends) for the Princess Half Marathon. I planned for months! I kept telling the other couple to plan their trip the way they want (but she insisted that they would do what I plan)- letting them know to get tickets for the Atlanta Braves spring training game months in advance (DH and I are not baseball fans, but they are). Long story short, we had a great trip (weather was fantastic, we all finished the race, we were in DISNEY!), but much of my planning and goals to do things I hadn't done (see the flag retreat ceremony, see the refurbished HoP, etc.) and enjoy things I have done and wanted to do again, were thrown out the window. The other couple could not get moving as early as I wanted and we only made it to the park opening of HS on a day that I decided we'd leave them a note and they could meet us there. They weren't that excited about seeing TSM, but we got them FPs for when they arrived and then they wanted to go again, but there wasn't time They ended up getting us tickets to a Brave's game while we were there and all that was left were lawn seats , then we arrived late to the game because it started earlier than they thought and we had to stand . The evening of the marathon (when we were all a little sore), we went to the MK . That's when I wanted to see the flag retreat and leisurely stroll up MS. Instead, they wanted to take the train and we got off at Frontierland. They didn't know what they wanted to do, so I said, let's get a fp for Thunder Railroad. Reluctantly they did. They didn't want to do HoP, didn't want to redo HM, Pirates. Didn't want to do Tiki Birds. Finally DH and I went on Aladdin because there wasn't a line and they said that was a kiddie ride (mind you, they have been to Disney several times with their kids). Then our friend suggested the treehouse and his wife said yes and THAT'S what we did next! Then we sat on the rockers for an hour waiting for Spectro . I know I should have gone and done what I wanted, but I was trying to be a sport and DH was just enjoying anything. After Spectro, we got my favorite spot for Wishes! Then, they wanted to leave with the crowds so they could watch the Emmy's or some awards show on t.v. I said I was going to use my fp and they could all leave. They all stayed and we had a great ride on BTMRR and then had the best Jungle Cruise ever.

So sorry to rant...this is not even the half of our week with them. Needless to say, I AM a planner for my WDW trips and I am proud of it. I will never again be ashamed to plan and try to stick to it, even if I have to do it alone!!

BTW, they are still best friends and I would do a trip with them again, but I will make sure they know that I am doing my own thing. Of course, they may have decided they don't want to do a trip with me...

 

[Disney Commando]

...and have created an elder-Com and a mini-Com too tke for example our arrival day we get in at 7:30am after a red-eye from Seattle,wa bear in mind it is 4:30am to us!! off we run to breakfast cat POP and then a full day at DTD, Tea at GF and back to DTD for the night. I start planning in march, have dining planned,calculated and booked on 180days and re-tool all fine thoughts on a weekly basis. Pre-pack planning starts at 100 days and fully packed at t-7days. Upon arrival we go from 6-7am until we get back to the room sometimes as late a 1am. Little one has done this every trip and we never go back to the resort for naps, WHO HAS THE TIME?!?!?!

You are member #78. 3 gens of commando, Awesome That 1st day must be tough with losing 3 hours with the time difference

Count me in! My hobby is planning my next trip! I love to make the most of the time we are there and I love changing my game plan several times before we go.

Our last trip was with DH and another couple (best friends) for the Princess Half Marathon. I planned for months! I kept telling the other couple to plan their trip the way they want (but she insisted that they would do what I plan)- letting them know to get tickets for the Atlanta Braves spring training game months in advance (DH and I are not baseball fans, but they are). Long story short, we had a great trip (weather was fantastic, we all finished the race, we were in DISNEY!), but much of my planning and goals to do things I hadn't done (see the flag retreat ceremony, see the refurbished HoP, etc.) and enjoy things I have done and wanted to do again, were thrown out the window. The other couple could not get moving as early as I wanted and we only made it to the park opening of HS on a day that I decided we'd leave them a note and they could meet us there. They weren't that excited about seeing TSM, but we got them FPs for when they arrived and then they wanted to go again, but there wasn't time They ended up getting us tickets to a Brave's game while we were there and all that was left were lawn seats , then we arrived late to the game because it started earlier than they thought and we had to stand . The evening of the marathon (when we were all a little sore), we went to the MK . That's when I wanted to see the flag retreat and leisurely stroll up MS. Instead, they wanted to take the train and we got off at Frontierland. They didn't know what they wanted to do, so I said, let's get a fp for Thunder Railroad. Reluctantly they did. They didn't want to do HoP, didn't want to redo HM, Pirates. Didn't want to do Tiki Birds. Finally DH and I went on Aladdin because there wasn't a line and they said that was a kiddie ride (mind you, they have been to Disney several times with their kids). Then our friend suggested the treehouse and his wife said yes and THAT'S what we did next! Then we sat on the rockers for an hour waiting for Spectro . I know I should have gone and done what I wanted, but I was trying to be a sport and DH was just enjoying anything. After Spectro, we got my favorite spot for Wishes! Then, they wanted to leave with the crowds so they could watch the Emmy's or some awards show on t.v. I said I was going to use my fp and they could all leave. They all stayed and we had a great ride on BTMRR and then had the best Jungle Cruise ever.

So sorry to rant...this is not even the half of our week with them. Needless to say, I AM a planner for my WDW trips and I am proud of it. I will never again be ashamed to plan and try to stick to it, even if I have to do it alone!!

BTW, they are still best friends and I would do a trip with them again, but I will make sure they know that I am doing my own thing. Of course, they may have decided they don't want to do a trip with me...

You are member #79. I have to give you alot of credit, after the 1st day I would have dumped them A few years ago sortta the same thing happened with my MIL & FIL after the 1st day I told them we were going to go off and do our own thing we would meet up for dinner and some events other then that everyone's on their own

 

[Disney Commando]

You guys will appreciate this. My DH has a friend at work who is doing WDW at the end of Sept. with his wife and 2 small children. We were at a cookout and got to talking aobut it. They have no plan, thought fastpass was something you had to buy, and have no ADR's and they are gonig during FD! I spent a fair amount of time at the cookout enlightening them, and I think I actually got through! DH's friend asked for some planning resources at work on Monday, and I sent them 3 pages of typed plannign notes the next day, my "basic plannig" advice! Told them about rope drop, what to do first in each park, strollers, ADR's ( they are on QSDP so only want like 2. I think they will be ok) ect.

I could never understand it when people have no action plan for WDW I mean it's not like going to the County Fair or something
I hope DH's friend picked up on your pointer's, at least they were open to idea's. My sister who I tried to give planning info to (really didn't seem too interested at the time) so with it coming down to the wire, now she's looking for some tips. Well now it's alittle late and I will give them very few, since they didn't want to know in the beginning If I had to bet on how much they will get done on their trip (based on other trips they have been on) I'd say they will get in about 22% of what WDW has to offer

 

[kirby428]

Sign me up! Reporting for rope drop racing this November. Commandos beware: arrive late and your plans will wilt in the hot sun and long lines. Became a commando in 1988 before the internet hit my home and Sehlinger's book thickness was only three fourths an inch. Had to storyboard using only that. Worked like a charm until our first-visit-poor planning didn't take into account the need for rain ponchos. Getting wet then going into Horizons froze us out of the park early. Next beware the fatigue factor. Commando two days then expect body rebellion, late sleep and arrival when lines are Maxed out. Commando first two hours after rope drop then go into smell-the-roses mode.

 

[Disney Commando]

Sign me up! Reporting for rope drop racing this November. Commandos beware: arrive late and your plans will wilt in the hot sun and long lines. Became a commando in 1988 before the internet hit my home and Sehlinger's book thickness was only three fourths an inch. Had to storyboard using only that. Worked like a charm until our first-visit-poor planning didn't take into account the need for rain ponchos. Getting wet then going into Horizons froze us out of the park early. Next beware the fatigue factor. Commando two days then expect body rebellion, late sleep and arrival when lines are Maxed out. Commando first two hours after rope drop then go into smell-the-roses mode.

You are member #80. Nov. is a great time to go, as long as you are armed with a poncho & some warm clothes, you never know what it's going to do in FL. Our last 2 trips luckily it didn't rain and it wasn't too hot, got more then planned done The only downfall about Nov. is the EMH's are cut back, since the parks close earlier

 

[Disney Commando]

I see some of you use Ridemax, I'm not familiar with it, what exactly is it

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

This trip I will NOT Commando this time. Nosiree. I think it'll be harder with two kids anyways, in particular a tempermental 2yr old



Well, not much anyways....

 

[JennyMP03]

As a child, I always vacationed with my extended family in tow. It was never just me, little bro, Mom, and Dad-- no siree, we had Grandma, Grandpa, aunt, uncle, and two little cousins along for the ride!

Having up to ten people on each vacation, you'd think some serious planning would ensue, but nope. They all had a general idea of what we were going to do, but there was a lot of "Hmm, what do you think, Auntie? Oh, I don't know, what does Grandpa think? How about Lil' Cousin, what does he want to do?" Needless to say, by the time we made a decision, I don't think anyone really wanted to do anything anymore!

Gotta love 'em, but what a crew they were to travel with. I think this endless game of uncertainty and indecision turned me into the planner I am today. I don't schedule down to the minute, but even though most of my vacations are just with my (very meticulous) husband, I always print a basic itinerary. When we go to bed each night, we know what we want to accomplish the next day, and because of this, we usually get everything done but still have some room for flexibility. (I do enjoy the spontaneous surprises that you never plan for, too!)

My big, chaotic family is amazed when I tell them what we manage to do on just a weekend trip. The miracle of planning!

 

[Disney Commando]

This trip I will NOT Commando this time. Nosiree. I think it'll be harder with two kids anyways, in particular a tempermental 2yr old


Well, not much anyways....

You are member #81. I know you say that you will NOT Commando this trip, but sometime during the trip I'm sure some of your Commando ways will come out to play

As a child, I always vacationed with my extended family in tow. It was never just me, little bro, Mom, and Dad-- no siree, we had Grandma, Grandpa, aunt, uncle, and two little cousins along for the ride!
Having up to ten people on each vacation, you'd think some serious planning would ensue, but nope. They all had a general idea of what we were going to do, but there was a lot of "Hmm, what do you think, Auntie? Oh, I don't know, what does Grandpa think? How about Lil' Cousin, what does he want to do?" Needless to say, by the time we made a decision, I don't think anyone really wanted to do anything anymore!

Gotta love 'em, but what a crew they were to travel with. I think this endless game of uncertainty and indecision turned me into the planner I am today. I don't schedule down to the minute, but even though most of my vacations are just with my (very meticulous) husband, I always print a basic itinerary. When we go to bed each night, we know what we want to accomplish the next day, and because of this, we usually get everything done but still have some room for flexibility. (I do enjoy the spontaneous surprises that you never plan for, too!)

My big, chaotic family is amazed when I tell them what we manage to do on just a weekend trip. The miracle of planning!

You are member #82. Alittle planning goes along way, it's always good to know what you want to see or do next, I see far to often at WDW people with no plan that make a wrong turn and enter ConfusionLand