WDW Commando Club

[Disney Commando]

Well, I'm hopping on this wagon pretty late (44 pages late!). My family would be described as a "Commando Family." We don't have 1 commando that drags everyone else along... all 4 of us (Me 32, DH 32, DD 7, DD 5) get up early and go, go, go! The only one who slows us down is DD 5 who chooses the most inopportune moments to have to go to the bathroom. We all get annoyed with her, and I'm usually the designated "bathroom runner" to get her there and back in record time.

Here are my tips (I haven't read all 44 pages, so I apologize if these are duplicates).

1. Disney in January is the best way to commando! You don't get slowed down by heat or sun! You can accomplish way more when you're cold, because you walk faster to stay warm! Also, we always go in January (leaving in 2 days, actually!!), and we can walk on most all the rides with no lines, no waiting! This means we can frequently ride something 3 or 4 times in a row without waiting more than a few minutes.

2. I don't carry binders, papers, or laminated cards (I like to travel light, except for my camera backpack). I create a note in my iPhone for each day of our vacation. I write a list of everything we want to do and in what order for that day. I include any dining reservations or show times. If something changes, I can quickly edit my note. I've got my Disney apps handy as well for wait times and such. When that day is over, I bump the next day's note up to the top of my note list.

Ok... I paused my commando packing and last minute planning in order to write this. Gotta get back to the suitcases!

Nice to meet you all!!!!

You are member #135. I've never been to WDW in Jan, the last 2 trips were kinda jam packed with Holloween & Christmas events going on I do hear it is a lot warmer now then when I was there in Dec You have to let us know how you made out, Have a GREAT Trip

 

[zianha]

Ok Commandos, I'm pulling my hair out now!

My sister and her family decided to go to WDW the same time me and my kids are, and she's cool with either going along with my Commando touring plan or doing her own thing if she doesn't like it (can't keep up). But now my parents have thrown a new wrench into my plans!

First of all, they aren't even going to Disney at all!!! Well, except to visit us on a few days during my planned swimming time at the resort room, but they aren't going to any parks because they both have knee problems and decided it wasn't worth a ticket to any parks since they physically aren't able to wait in even a short line for any rides. Even with an ECV my mom can't stand for very long before she'd be done and have to stay seated the rest of the day.

Anyway, so they decided (for whatever reason) they want to go to Florida, stay off site and ????? (I'm not sure what they will even do!!) I think they only want to go because they think I shouldn't drive and they know I'm not taking the same route as my sister.

Today, my mom said "You're not going to the parks all 7 days you are there are you? I figure we can take you and the boys to the beach one day and to Kennedy Space Center on another because you'll want a break from the parks"

My brain then went:



:



I said "Actually, yes I plan to spend time at the parks each day! If I wanted to go somewhere else, I would have already added extra days." Now she's been working on my kids and telling them how wonderful and awesome the beach and the space center are so they will want to go...... Don't get me wrong, I think the space center is interesting and educational blah blah blah but since I had to do such a quick off site trip last year to WDW I'm fulling planning to spend all of my days this year at a park or on site somewhere!!! Now I'm gonna feel bad and have to hear about how I don't want to go with them.......

Do I change my plans now to spend a day away from the Parks and Resort to hang out with my parents??

 

[Minnie Lor]

Do I change my plans now to spend a day away from the Parks and Resort to hang out with my parents??

I hate it when people mess with my plans that I've worked so hard to juggle. I can be flexible and go with the flow but I still have a plan. BUT if you have 7 full days in the park, then I'd take off one day to go to KSC and beach. It will help ease the Disney overload and give you a much needed break from the magic. The next day that you go back to the parks you'll feel like you're seeing it for the first time this trip.

Are you park hopping? I'd do 3 days at WDW, 1 day at KSC, and 3 days back at WDW. I think your brain won't be so overloaded with pixie dust.

 

[Disney Commando]

Ok Commandos, I'm pulling my hair out now!

My sister and her family decided to go to WDW the same time me and my kids are, and she's cool with either going along with my Commando touring plan or doing her own thing if she doesn't like it (can't keep up). But now my parents have thrown a new wrench into my plans!

First of all, they aren't even going to Disney at all!!! Well, except to visit us on a few days during my planned swimming time at the resort room, but they aren't going to any parks because they both have knee problems and decided it wasn't worth a ticket to any parks since they physically aren't able to wait in even a short line for any rides. Even with an ECV my mom can't stand for very long before she'd be done and have to stay seated the rest of the day.

Anyway, so they decided (for whatever reason) they want to go to Florida, stay off site and ????? (I'm not sure what they will even do!!) I think they only want to go because they think I shouldn't drive and they know I'm not taking the same route as my sister.

Today, my mom said "You're not going to the parks all 7 days you are there are you? I figure we can take you and the boys to the beach one day and to Kennedy Space Center on another because you'll want a break from the parks"

My brain then went:



:



I said "Actually, yes I plan to spend time at the parks each day! If I wanted to go somewhere else, I would have already added extra days." Now she's been working on my kids and telling them how wonderful and awesome the beach and the space center are so they will want to go...... Don't get me wrong, I think the space center is interesting and educational blah blah blah but since I had to do such a quick off site trip last year to WDW I'm fulling planning to spend all of my days this year at a park or on site somewhere!!! Now I'm gonna feel bad and have to hear about how I don't want to go with them.......

Do I change my plans now to spend a day away from the Parks and Resort to hang out with my parents??

You got quite a delemia here I might be able to help but need to know a few things

- Do you want your parents to cancel or go
- where are they staying (Kissimee)
- what time is your down time
- does your sister want them to come
- do your kids want them there

got to get the big picture before I'll offer any advice, my parents also have knee problems, and I know how to chase them off, smelling like a rose

 

[zianha]

You got quite a delemia here I might be able to help but need to know a few things

- Do you want your parents to cancel or go
- where are they staying (Kissimee)
- what time is your down time
- does your sister want them to come
- do your kids want them there

got to get the big picture before I'll offer any advice, my parents also have knee problems, and I know how to chase them off, smelling like a rose

- Do you want your parents to cancel or go
Sad, but true.....I want them to cancel! They are only going because I decided to drive this year to save money and since I don't have a big, strong man in the car rolleyes she seems to feel obligated to "take us."

- where are they staying (Kissimmee)
Good question. I know she's planning to stay in Kissimmee, but since she just decided to go about a week ago, she hasn't made a reservation anywhere yet but whenever they used to go to WDW and stay off site, it's always been Kissimmee.

- what time is your down time
All my down time is planned for about 2:00- 5:00 depending on the day

- does your sister want them to come
Nope. Also note, we've both talked to my mom and asked why she's going when she can't do the parks, and she admitted she has no idea what they're really going to do.

- do your kids want them there
Yes they'd like that. We live 5 mins from my parents so my kids see them nearly everyday but they've never expressed disappointment when my parents didn't go on our last 6 years of WDW trips

My parents like going to casinos so I even suggested they do one of there normal trips and stay in LA. and visit the casinos they like there, but she only wanted to do that if me and my boys ride with them there and then fly out to FL from Shreveport. But since that still would cost me about $1000 in air fare, I declined to do that, so she suddenly decided they don't want to do a casino trip. I realize she's just worried about me driving "alone" but I feel like she's wasting money to go somewhere for her and my dad to mostly hang out in a hotel most of the time.

 

[think-like-tink]

Add me to the list! We walk hard and play hard at Disney. We treated my mom and my mil on two different Disney trips and they could not keep up. Both are in their 50's and should have been able. My dh and I have said we have this amazing energy while there. Even our young kids keep up...with afternoon breaks of course. The minute they wake up from a nap or a rest they are ready for more!

I plan hard too. I have a suit case that stays open when it gets close to the trip. Every time I do laundry, I throw a outfit or fave shirt in so I don't have to do the packing all at once. We have a "disney inside the park bag" that doesn't get unpacked. Huge fat disney pens for those must have signature books, and a water proof camera case. A must for that Florida rain!

 

[Disney Commando]

Add me to the list! We walk hard and play hard at Disney. We treated my mom and my mil on two different Disney trips and they could not keep up. Both are in their 50's and should have been able. My dh and I have said we have this amazing energy while there. Even our young kids keep up...with afternoon breaks of course. The minute they wake up from a nap or a rest they are ready for more!

I plan hard too. I have a suit case that stays open when it gets close to the trip. Every time I do laundry, I throw a outfit or fave shirt in so I don't have to do the packing all at once. We have a "disney inside the park bag" that doesn't get unpacked. Huge fat disney pens for those must have signature books, and a water proof camera case. A must for that Florida rain!

You are member #136. I too think you get a certain energy that keeps you going all day, I always find myself only starting to get tired during the ride back to the resort for the night (and of course maybe a quick nap during Universe Of Energy, or The Indiana Jones stunt show something about them makes me want to sleep)

 

[Disney Commando]

- Do you want your parents to cancel or go
Sad, but true.....I want them to cancel! They are only going because I decided to drive this year to save money and since I don't have a big, strong man in the car rolleyes she seems to feel obligated to "take us."

- where are they staying (Kissimmee)
Good question. I know she's planning to stay in Kissimmee, but since she just decided to go about a week ago, she hasn't made a reservation anywhere yet but whenever they used to go to WDW and stay off site, it's always been Kissimmee.

- what time is your down time
All my down time is planned for about 2:00- 5:00 depending on the day

- does your sister want them to come
Nope. Also note, we've both talked to my mom and asked why she's going when she can't do the parks, and she admitted she has no idea what they're really going to do.

- do your kids want them there
Yes they'd like that. We live 5 mins from my parents so my kids see them nearly everyday but they've never expressed disappointment when my parents didn't go on our last 6 years of WDW trips

My parents like going to casinos so I even suggested they do one of there normal trips and stay in LA. and visit the casinos they like there, but she only wanted to do that if me and my boys ride with them there and then fly out to FL from Shreveport. But since that still would cost me about $1000 in air fare, I declined to do that, so she suddenly decided they don't want to do a casino trip. I realize she's just worried about me driving "alone" but I feel like she's wasting money to go somewhere for her and my dad to mostly hang out in a hotel most of the time.

Now I think I see the bigger picture, Your mom wants to make sure her family is safe (I understand where she's coming from, alot of nuts out there) You and your sister are old enough,are Mom's yourselves, and more than capible of taking a trip without Mom looking over your shoulder ( Once agian I know where your coming from, In my case my Dad still thinks he runs my show, my parents live about 2 miles away, I'm ready to move out of state)

Since they mean well, I wouldn't just say you can't come or anything like that (don't want to hurt any feelings), As long as you can get your sister on the same page you might be able to change there mind in different way

Talk with your sister and come up with some stuff they might like to do (of course in down time), if you can come up with a bunch of stuff, like for examples. Dinner shows in Kissimee (they have a ton of them) look for ones that do lunch, DTD maybe Circus Ole or Disney Quest, The Boardwalk, If they want to go to the beach, say how about a water park (more for the kids to do), I know you said something about the Space Center, I know they run gaming cruises out of that area (kids can't go, but they can). Almost make it look like you are catering to them.

Now this can backfire big time (if they are $$ no object) but they might reconsider and you and your sister would come out smelling like a rose. If they lean towards your ideas, you guys can always back out (with those idea's) and come up with something else, saying you can't swing it money wise right now.

To just say no, it might make them want to go even more. If they think it's going to cost them a mint, and are going out of your way catering to them (might feel like a 3rd wheel) since they didn't book anything yet you still have a good shot of them not going

 

[zianha]

To just say no, it might make them want to go even more. If they think it's going to cost them a mint, and are going out of your way catering to them (might feel like a 3rd wheel) since they didn't book anything yet you still have a good shot of them not going

I'm not gonna win this "battle" so to speak with my mom. Today she made some comment about how she's not excited to go on vacation with us cuz my boys are typical kids and argue and fight over little stuff while on road trips. She actually said she's looking for air fare sales so she can buy me and my boys tickets to fly us to Florida so that she doesn't "have to drive you there" (Her exact words). I stopped her and said, "I specifically decided to drive to save money and to let the boys see some new sights along the way. Besides, you don't HAVE to go." She basically replied that I don't know how to deal with the highways and I don't know anything about the incidental costs of driving (i.e. gas....snacks....hotel room on the way and coming back) Yep, she pretty much thinks I'm too much of an idiot to think I would need gas, to feed my kids and get a hotel on the way and back....but I digress.

She plans to pay for Kennedy Space center for all of us including my sister's family of 5. By the way, she's gonna just find a shaded place to sit while the rest of us explore the center...... The bottom line is that she will only consider not going if I fly to Orlando!! Now, pardon me as I go pound my head on the wall while curled up and rocking in a fetal position!!

 

[jmm476]

Wow, that is terrible! I feel bad for you. What if (and this is going to sound terrible) you told her you were flying, but then you drove anyway. Is she going to know any better?

 

[zianha]

Wow, that is terrible! I feel bad for you. What if (and this is going to sound terrible) you told her you were flying, but then you drove anyway. Is she going to know any better?

I've thought of that......she'd know eventually when she called to check on if we arrived ok....plus she would actually go online and book the tickets since she wants to pay for it. I'm just gonna roll with it and make time to go with them to Kennedy even though I personally don't want to go but my kids said they might like it. Me and my sister talked last night and decided we shouldn't have told my mom about our trip til the day we left or something. You can believe she'll know nothing about the trip I want to take next December until I'm on my way! Of course I'll likely fly for that trip.....

 

[Disney Commando]

I'm not gonna win this "battle" so to speak with my mom. Today she made some comment about how she's not excited to go on vacation with us cuz my boys are typical kids and argue and fight over little stuff while on road trips. She actually said she's looking for air fare sales so she can buy me and my boys tickets to fly us to Florida so that she doesn't "have to drive you there" (Her exact words). I stopped her and said, "I specifically decided to drive to save money and to let the boys see some new sights along the way. Besides, you don't HAVE to go." She basically replied that I don't know how to deal with the highways and I don't know anything about the incidental costs of driving (i.e. gas....snacks....hotel room on the way and coming back) Yep, she pretty much thinks I'm too much of an idiot to think I would need gas, to feed my kids and get a hotel on the way and back....but I digress.

She plans to pay for Kennedy Space center for all of us including my sister's family of 5. By the way, she's gonna just find a shaded place to sit while the rest of us explore the center...... The bottom line is that she will only consider not going if I fly to Orlando!! Now, pardon me as I go pound my head on the wall while curled up and rocking in a fetal position!!

WOW She's a tough one Now if she buy's airline tickets for you guy's is she still going

If she's not, maybe taking her up on the airline tickets might be a good idea

 

[jmm476]

I've thought of that......she'd know eventually when she called to check on if we arrived ok....plus she would actually go online and book the tickets since she wants to pay for it. I'm just gonna roll with it and make time to go with them to Kennedy even though I personally don't want to go but my kids said they might like it. Me and my sister talked last night and decided we shouldn't have told my mom about our trip til the day we left or something. You can believe she'll know nothing about the trip I want to take next December until I'm on my way! Of course I'll likely fly for that trip.....

Sometimes non-disclosure is the best way to go! Hope you have a great trip even with the wrenches thrown in!

 

[zianha]

WOW She's a tough one Now if she buy's airline tickets for you guy's is she still going

If she's not, maybe taking her up on the airline tickets might be a good idea

Nope! If she were to buy the tickets then she wouldn't go! That's the thing! I told her I could buy my own airline tickets but I wanted to save a few hundred $$$ and drive. They want to go somewhere that they want (NM or LA to a casino) but I can't allow her to spend the money on our plane tickets when they can use that money and go where they want! Oh well, I'm not gonna stress about it anymore but now I've gotta redo my trip plans to add this space center/"look at the beach" day.......

 

[Minnie Lor]

Nope! If she were to buy the tickets then she wouldn't go! That's the thing! I told her I could buy my own airline tickets but I wanted to save a few hundred $$$ and drive. They want to go somewhere that they want (NM or LA to a casino) but I can't allow her to spend the money on our plane tickets when they can use that money and go where they want! Oh well, I'm not gonna stress about it anymore but now I've gotta redo my trip plans to add this space center/"look at the beach" day.......

Sorry it messes with your plans. I'll trade We're going for a week in May for our anniversary. I wanted to take a day off from the parks and go to the beach. It's been 30 years since I've been to the ocean. DH wants to take the day off to hang out and go play miniature golf.

 

[zianha]

Sorry it messes with your plans. I'll trade We're going for a week in May for our anniversary. I wanted to take a day off from the parks and go to the beach. It's been 30 years since I've been to the ocean. DH wants to take the day off to hang out and go play miniature golf.

How funny! I want to go do miniature golf instead of return to a park one afternoon! I know everyone is different but when I'm at WDW I love going to the parks every day even if it's only part of a day or atleast stay on resort and do something on site.

 

[Disney Commando]

Nope! If she were to buy the tickets then she wouldn't go! That's the thing! I told her I could buy my own airline tickets but I wanted to save a few hundred $$$ and drive. They want to go somewhere that they want (NM or LA to a casino) but I can't allow her to spend the money on our plane tickets when they can use that money and go where they want! Oh well, I'm not gonna stress about it anymore but now I've gotta redo my trip plans to add this space center/"look at the beach" day.......

I hope everything works out for you and she for some reason backs out On the other hand the Space Center could be interesting

 

[Disney Commando]

Has anyone done the Fantasmic Dinner package, We have been trying to see Fantasmic for a few years now, but never catch it since we already were doing stuff on those days.

My wife wants to make sure we do it this year.

In the package, it says you can use your DP, but is there a extra fee, we would most likely eat at Hollywood & Vine, but I'm not sure how the package works

 

[Disney Commando]

My wife informed me this weekend that for 2012, we will be going in June for the Star Wars events, of course she didn't have to twist my arm

 

[Disney Commando]

I came across a thread last night, that was saying there is a mini dolphin show at the Seas in Epcot, I've never seen this, but will be looking into it for August trip, to see what it's all about If they are doing this I have to go see it, alot of the less known things going on sometimes turn out to be my favs