WDW Commando Club

[Disney Commando]

Everything still goes on. Definitely check out Steve Soares website a week before you go so you can make plans based on times listed. It's quite the juggle to see and do all.

Thanks for the info I will be checking out Steve's website before we go Seems like the WS is turning out to be a huge venue between reg shows, storytelling, the pavillion itself, & Character in each Country it is a full plate Hopefully DS will ease up alittle on GMTT this year (I am including several visits in the plans) and we can get it all done

Last year after about the 5th time on GMTT my DW was concerned about our plans (had no idea he would like the ride so much) I told her that I had good news & bad news. Of course she asked for the bad news 1st I said the bad news is that we have lost our way (thinking we were going to pick up pace double time now) The good news is we are way AHEAD of schedule Alot of things worked out better than planned on the trip and made great time

 

[fallen_angel727]

I'm definitely the commando when it comes to our trip planning. We're headed down July 19-29 July 2011 and I've already put together a sample itinerary It's killing me that I have to wait until January to find out the Fantasmic!, Spectro and EMH days as those are the days our entire 11 days trip will be planned around. Likewise I'm dying to make my ADR's whihc I can't even plan out until the last the show dates and times are set. I'm pretty sure I'm driving DFi crazy as more time is going into this then into planning the wedding

 

[Disney Commando]

I'm definitely the commando when it comes to our trip planning. We're headed down July 19-29 July 2011 and I've already put together a sample itinerary It's killing me that I have to wait until January to find out the Fantasmic!, Spectro and EMH days as those are the days our entire 11 days trip will be planned around. Likewise I'm dying to make my ADR's whihc I can't even plan out until the last the show dates and times are set. I'm pretty sure I'm driving DFi crazy as more time is going into this then into planning the wedding

You are member #114. I can't say much on Wedding planning, since I had no say in anything on mine My only job was to show up. We did WDW for our Honeymoon, biggest tip get the hats, we were walking though the stores wearing them and were stopped by the Dapper Dans who sang "When you wish upon a star" just for us (talk about a magic moment) also in the parade Minnie spotted us on her float and pointed to my wife and then the ring finger, my wife nodded yes, Minnie did alittle dance & blew a kiss, I was filming so we always have some great honeymoon memories at WDW

 

[Minnie Lor]

Thanks for the info I will be checking out Steve's website before we go Seems like the WS is turning out to be a huge venue between reg shows, storytelling, the pavillion itself, & Character in each Country it is a full plate Hopefully DS will ease up alittle on GMTT this year (I am including several visits in the plans) and we can get it all done

Don't forget about the Kim Possible thing to do in each country. Lots and lots to do in WS.

I'm less than 3 weeks away and I would so love to go ahead and pack. So much to do between now and then. I updated my detailed packing list and I did go thru my "Disney box" to see what I would use this time. Then I separated the few items into groups of checked vs. carry-on vs. purse. I also double checked that I could carry everything that was a "must" in a tiny bag that is about the size of a cell phone. Yay! No bag check for me. I was on the fence about purchasing a waist pack from the Disney Store while they were having their free shipping this weekend. I hate the look of waist packs/fanny packs but carrying a purse that's too full of stuff is no fun.

 

[Disney Commando]

Don't forget about the Kim Possible thing to do in each country. Lots and lots to do in WS.

I'm less than 3 weeks away and I would so love to go ahead and pack. So much to do between now and then. I updated my detailed packing list and I did go thru my "Disney box" to see what I would use this time. Then I separated the few items into groups of checked vs. carry-on vs. purse. I also double checked that I could carry everything that was a "must" in a tiny bag that is about the size of a cell phone. Yay! No bag check for me. I was on the fence about purchasing a waist pack from the Disney Store while they were having their free shipping this weekend. I hate the look of waist packs/fanny packs but carrying a purse that's too full of stuff is no fun.

Do you have a copy of the Secrets Document

 

[Minnie Lor]

Do you have a copy of the Secrets Document

I have the copy from a couple of years ago.

 

[Disney Commando]

After visiting many theme & waterparks on the East Coast this year, I've noticed a disturbing trend.

Seems like they all have somekind of fastpass system, but at a cost
The avarage was around $15 per person

I'm fearing that WDW might also try to revamp the FP system in the next few years into one that you have to pay extra for

I'm sure I'm not the only one here that has wondered about it

Look at the Parking scene, Bad enough you have to pay, but this Preferred parking is crazy, I guess Valet parking will be coming to the parks next

 

[jmm476]

Just got back late Monday night! It was such a fantastic trip, but I'm going to need at least a week to catch up on my sleep. We had our wake-up call at 6:30 each morning (thank you Stitch and Mickey!), and stayed out until 1am or later every night!!

My commando touring plans allowed us to hit everything we wanted, sometimes 2 or 3 times. And I slyly put us in a great spot for each afternoon parade (my friend had no idea that it was planned). It was such a great trip, I didn't want to come home. Thank goodness I'm going back in January or I would be very depressed right now...

 

[Disney Commando]

Just got back late Monday night! It was such a fantastic trip, but I'm going to need at least a week to catch up on my sleep. We had our wake-up call at 6:30 each morning (thank you Stitch and Mickey!), and stayed out until 1am or later every night!!

My commando touring plans allowed us to hit everything we wanted, sometimes 2 or 3 times. And I slyly put us in a great spot for each afternoon parade (my friend had no idea that it was planned). It was such a great trip, I didn't want to come home. Thank goodness I'm going back in January or I would be very depressed right now...

Now that's what I like to hear Glad your trip was Awesome When you catch up, Please fill us in on the details

 

[jmm476]

Now that's what I like to hear Glad your trip was Awesome When you catch up, Please fill us in on the details

Will do! I'm planning on doing a TR and dining review. I just have to wait to get the pictures off my friend's camera, since she took most of them (better quality camera than mine).

 

[Disney Commando]

Lorie are you doing MNSSHP If so have you ever done it before.

 

[diamondcharl]

O.K. I feel right at home here! My DH is getting FED UP with me. He should know by now that this is how I roll at the World! Every weekend I plan a get-together with the other couple who are traveling with us. It always ends up the same way.... they all start talking about something else and I feel like a substitute teacher trying to get control of the class. This time DH made me promise that I wouldnt overplan everything cuz we are going on Oct and he feels sure that we could be more relaxed with our schedule. I agreed to it but am secretly making a spreadsheet! I look at it like this... in the end they will thank me!

 

[Minnie Lor]

O.K. I feel right at home here! My DH is getting FED UP with me. He should know by now that this is how I roll at the World! Every weekend I plan a get-together with the other couple who are traveling with us. It always ends up the same way.... they all start talking about something else and I feel like a substitute teacher trying to get control of the class. This time DH made me promise that I wouldnt overplan everything cuz we are going on Oct and he feels sure that we could be more relaxed with our schedule. I agreed to it but am secretly making a spreadsheet! I look at it like this... in the end they will thank me!

When I'm traveling with non-commando's I still have spread sheet. So if they stop in the middle of the park and say "what should we do next?", I can get us all in the right direction. The rides or attractions are put in order to get the most out of your time but also so you don't forget anything. So even though it's a detailed spreadsheet that I've spent gob's of time on, I treat it like a guideline.

 

[diamondcharl]

When I'm traveling with non-commando's I still have spread sheet. So if they stop in the middle of the park and say "what should we do next?", I can get us all in the right direction. The rides or attractions are put in order to get the most out of your time but also so you don't forget anything. So even though it's a detailed spreadsheet that I've spent gob's of time on, I treat it like a guideline.

That's the way I look at it!

 

[Disney Commando]

O.K. I feel right at home here! My DH is getting FED UP with me. He should know by now that this is how I roll at the World! Every weekend I plan a get-together with the other couple who are traveling with us. It always ends up the same way.... they all start talking about something else and I feel like a substitute teacher trying to get control of the class. This time DH made me promise that I wouldnt overplan everything cuz we are going on Oct and he feels sure that we could be more relaxed with our schedule. I agreed to it but am secretly making a spreadsheet! I look at it like this... in the end they will thank me!

You are member #115. I'm with you on the spreadsheet, even though you agreed not to go crazy, but like Minnie Lor said you might get the ? somewhere in one of the parks " What do we do next" In fact I would say the odds are in your favor that it will happen, and when it does All eyes will be on you But being prepared with the spreadsheet will be able to come up with a quick plan of attack

 

[Disney Commando]

This might be extreme but I hate to waste time in the parks A couple of years ago I purchased a childfinder unit from Brickhouse Securities for 2 reasons 1- welfare of my son 2- to find them if we separate I tag my son, wife & backpack and I carry the main homing divice.

My 2 main reasons are 1- can never be too careful with your child (too many wackos out there) 2- If I go to get a fastpass etc. seems like they are never where you are to meet up ( wifes cell phone just rings drives me crazy)

After doing my task I want to catch up with family ASAP, this works kinda like a GPS (hot, cold, fishfinder type) but you will find them rather quickly

I know that some phones now have GPS tracking for other phones, since my plan is up next month (would like to stay with verizion) does anyone know phone plans that might offer this Every minute wasted you could be doing something else

 

[Minnie Lor]

Lorie are you doing MNSSHP If so have you ever done it before.

I'm not doing MNSSHP this time. It's a budget trip. We went a couple of years ago and thought it was fabulous. Got a great pic of headless horseman. Also the imagineers did a great job with the lights on Main Street. Everyone should do it once.

 

[DisGal520]

One nice thing about commando is that the average commando has probably seen and experienced more in the parks than non-commandos. Maybe.

On a recent day trip with a family who had 'been plenty of times and seen everything' we were walking from the parking lot to the TTC and I said shall we take the monorail or the ferry boat? They had never taken the ferry boat - always the monorail, so we tried the new way for them.

The little girl had done POTC numerous times in the past but never ridden Aladin ride nor done the Enchanted Tiki Room. So we did those for her. None of them had tried a Dole Whip. I'd like to say they are now converts.


For all the times folks go, there is always more to do and see. They have invited me on another trip because I had them try new things.

 

[Disney Commando]

One nice thing about commando is that the average commando has probably seen and experienced more in the parks than non-commandos. Maybe.

On a recent day trip with a family who had 'been plenty of times and seen everything' we were walking from the parking lot to the TTC and I said shall we take the monorail or the ferry boat? They had never taken the ferry boat - always the monorail, so we tried the new way for them.

The little girl had done POTC numerous times in the past but never ridden Aladin ride nor done the Enchanted Tiki Room. So we did those for her. None of them had tried a Dole Whip. I'd like to say they are now converts.


For all the times folks go, there is always more to do and see. They have invited me on another trip because I had them try new things.

Funny how things that are overlooked can change the whole trip
It seems like nomatter what time of the year you go there is always something different going on.

Our next trip one of my goals is to visit as many resorts as I can to check out the Christmas Decor, (I'm sure some are better than others, any ideas)

I for one have never been to any of WDW waterparks (not really prime season the last few trips), so for now I still have plenty of things I've never done at WDW, will probably take another 10years to get everything possible done

 

[APB513]

Lorie are you doing MNSSHP If so have you ever done it before.

I'm not doing MNSSHP this time. It's a budget trip. We went a couple of years ago and thought it was fabulous. Got a great pic of headless horseman. Also the imagineers did a great job with the lights on Main Street. Everyone should do it once.

I've done MNSSHP twice and I agree with Minnie - everyone should do it at least once.

In 2006, we sailed on the Disney Magic with 1 day pre cruise and 2 days post cruise at WDW. Since we weren't going to be at WDW for very long, I wanted to make sure we got the chance to go to the Magic Kingdom (my favorite park ) MNSSHP was the solution.

We arrived at the MK at 4pm and were admitted with our MNSSHP tickets. We didn't partake in any of the MNSSHP activities because being the commandos that we are, we were only interested in riding the attractions.

We walked onto almost everything! It was great.

The next year, I wanted to enjoy some of the MNSSHP activities so in addition to riding the attractions, the boys went trick or treating, we watched the parade and the boys took a great picture in front of the horseless hearse at Haunted Mansion.

Our next trip one of my goals is to visit as many resorts as I can to check out the Christmas Decor, (I'm sure some are better than others, any ideas)

I would recommend that you visit the Monorail resorts and check out their holiday decorations. We went on Christmas Day 2007 and spent several hours touring these resorts. Everything was beautiful! The Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian is my favorite.

We also took the boat from the Contemporary to the Wilderness Lodge to check out the decorations there. We even got to see the Fire Rock Geyser erupt.

I would also recommend going over to Fort Wilderness and checking out the decorated campsites. These guests go all out decorating and it is beautiful. This past Christmas we had dinner at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. After dinner we took a carriage ride through the settlement. The decorations were amazing!! It was a great way to end the day!

Checking out the Christmas decorations is one of my favorite things to do at WDW. No matter which resort you visit, you won't be disappointed!