WDW Commando Club

[theduck619]

Hey Ron, who do you ask to get the monorail transportation cards? The driver or the person directing the que?

 

[Disney Commando]

just booked our christmas 2012 trip. 406 days to plan . glad to see the commandoes are still going strong!!!!

Congratulations Looking forward to hear what you are planning

Hey Ron, who do you ask to get the monorail transportation cards? The driver or the person directing the que?

The CM's at the queue, remember not everyone one has them, so you might have give it a couple tries, best spots I've found were the resorts

Bus cards ask the Driver
Boat you can ask the CM at the queue or on the boat

Good Luck

 

[theduck619]

Congratulations Looking forward to hear what you are planning



The CM's at the queue, remember not everyone one has them, so you might have give it a couple tries, best spots I've found were the resorts

Bus cards ask the Driver
Boat you can ask the CM at the queue or on the boat

Good Luck

Thanks . I was thinking it would be fun for my FIL and I to try and get as many as possible.

 

[zianha]

Hi Commandos! I'm so out of the loop since i started a new job in August! I think I'm finally adjusting to my new schedule so I've got alot of catching up to do! I haven't even had enough time to commando plan my May trip!!!

 

[Disney Commando]

OK ran into a snag on planning next years WDW vacations

was going to go the last week of June (but it is 4th of July weekend and since I'm the iceman at work, they don't really want me to take it off)
The 2nd week we were going to go was Jersey Week in Nov, but my wife works in a school and she has to do a workshop day that week

So now I have to cut back to 1 week at WDW looks like August 19-25 we would be staying off site since my Inlaws are giving us thier timeshare, I already have 5 days worth of PH's (have to use by Oct), Will not be doing the DP, I'll use our Disney Rewards and pay OP, Will be coming up with a whole different breed of Commando planning, since we won't have EMH's, we will be using the minivan to get back and forth (will probably save a lot of travel time) All in all I think everything will go smoothly

 

[Disney Commando]

Hi Commandos! I'm so out of the loop since i started a new job in August! I think I'm finally adjusting to my new schedule so I've got alot of catching up to do! I haven't even had enough time to commando plan my May trip!!!

Congratulations on your new job Better get hopping ADR's are coming up quick

 

[jmm476]

OK ran into a snag on planning next years WDW vacations

was going to go the last week of June (but it is 4th of July weekend and since I'm the iceman at work, they don't really want me to take it off)
The 2nd week we were going to go was Jersey Week in Nov, but my wife works in a school and she has to do a workshop day that week

So now I have to cut back to 1 week at WDW looks like August 19-25 we would be staying off site since my Inlaws are giving us thier timeshare, I already have 5 days worth of PH's (have to use by Oct), Will not be doing the DP, I'll use our Disney Rewards and pay OP, Will be coming up with a whole different breed of Commando planning, since we won't have EMH's, we will be using the minivan to get back and forth (will probably save a lot of travel time) All in all I think everything will go smoothly

Sorry to hear about your change in plans, but sounds like you've got it under control. One trip next year is better than none.

 

[theduck619]

OK ran into a snag on planning next years WDW vacations

was going to go the last week of June (but it is 4th of July weekend and since I'm the iceman at work, they don't really want me to take it off)
The 2nd week we were going to go was Jersey Week in Nov, but my wife works in a school and she has to do a workshop day that week

So now I have to cut back to 1 week at WDW looks like August 19-25 we would be staying off site since my Inlaws are giving us thier timeshare, I already have 5 days worth of PH's (have to use by Oct), Will not be doing the DP, I'll use our Disney Rewards and pay OP, Will be coming up with a whole different breed of Commando planning, since we won't have EMH's, we will be using the minivan to get back and forth (will probably save a lot of travel time) All in all I think everything will go smoothly

Sorry to hear that Ron

My FIL is excited about the transportation card quest. It will be fun to add that with our silly hat quest

 

[zianha]

Congratulations on your new job Better get hopping ADR's are coming up quick

Thanks! I am sooooo behind on planning right now! I've spent most of today trying to decide what to do. Me and my kids are CS peeps and decided we won't do Ohana or Sci-Fi this year so no ADRs this trip! I'm trying to decide whether to stay off site this trip or not. We're driving this time and since it's not looking good for free dining for May/June, I'm thinking off site may be the way to go this year. Yes, I realize free dining isn't really "free" but figuring in food costs it saves me money vs other discounts which are currently non-existent for my travel dates anyway.

What to do, what to do!!

 

[BELLEDOZER]

Ron....sorry to hear that you've had a change in plans, and will be only going once next year. Take heart that at least you'll be going once, which is better than skipping a year entirely. Some friends of ours are planning a trip to DL next year, and DH is hinting that he'd like our family to join them, as our kids get along really well with their grandkids. I've told him forget it, as I want to see WDW alot more than revisit DL again. While I do love DL, I've been far too many times these past couple of years, and want to explore new territory so to speak. Maybe after the WDW trip I will be more receptive to going back to DL, but for now the WDW trip is at the forefront of my savings, even though it's over 3 yrs off in the future. And will start saving for it as of next month. To me DL is safe, as I've been many times, now it's time to give the kids new adventures in a different Disney park.

zianha...since you are driving down to visit WDW, maybe I'm wrong in my thinking, as I've haven't visited yet, but in my mind since you are driving down instead of flying, you have much more options to look at in regards to lodging then those of us who have to fly. Since you have your own transportation, I can't see staying off site to be much of a problem, since you can drive to the parks, and catch one of their trams to get to the parks, once you have parked in one of Disney's parking lots. The thing that you have to look at is how much you are going to have to pay for parking in the WDW lots, and factoring this in would it still be cheaper to stay off site, versus on site. You have still a little time to figure it out, just be sure choice you make is the right one for your family. Have a great day!!

Trish

 

[Disney Commando]

Sorry to hear that Ron

My FIL is excited about the transportation card quest. It will be fun to add that with our silly hat quest

Dave, here's alittle info you might not find anywhere else

- There is a Boat Tranportation booth at MK that you can most likely make a quick score on some boat cards (they have some in the booth plus alot of boat CM's hang out there)

- HS there is a Transportation booth that you can most likely score Bus cards

- There are 4 cards (water taxis) that you can only get on the water taxis at DTD (something I didn't know until the last day, a Boat Capt told me)

- If a Monorail CM does not have any cards, ask if they have any Monorail wing stickers

While I was on the hunt for the cards, I got these tips from various CM's They paid off quite well

Happy Hunting

 

[Disney Commando]

Thanks! I am sooooo behind on planning right now! I've spent most of today trying to decide what to do. Me and my kids are CS peeps and decided we won't do Ohana or Sci-Fi this year so no ADRs this trip! I'm trying to decide whether to stay off site this trip or not. We're driving this time and since it's not looking good for free dining for May/June, I'm thinking off site may be the way to go this year. Yes, I realize free dining isn't really "free" but figuring in food costs it saves me money vs other discounts which are currently non-existent for my travel dates anyway.

What to do, what to do!!

Your Driving, are your parents coming with you

 

[juliebug1997]

Dave, here's alittle info you might not find anywhere else

- There is a Boat Tranportation booth at MK that you can most likely make a quick score on some boat cards (they have some in the booth plus alot of boat CM's hang out there)

Happy Hunting

I just asked (like thirty minutes ago) them for cards and they said they were on back order. So disappointed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[zianha]

Your Driving, are your parents coming with you

No they're not! I'm just not letting them pull the "you can't drive" bit this year! We'll be in Orlando for 11 days next trip and I plan to see a few sights in Orlando this time. It's been several years since I've spent any time off of Disney property.

 

[Disney Commando]

I just asked (like thirty minutes ago) them for cards and they said they were on back order. So disappointed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wouldn't throw in the towel just yet In August I was told that a couple times (It might be true, but since not all CM's carry them, it could be a nice way of saying they don't have any) I would keep asking around and hope to run into a CM that has some (the worst they can say is no)

No they're not! I'm just not letting them pull the "you can't drive" bit this year! We'll be in Orlando for 11 days next trip and I plan to see a few sights in Orlando this time. It's been several years since I've spent any time off of Disney property.

That's good to hear, you got me alittle worried, after the last trip, Glad you got it worked out

 

[Disney Commando]

I was asked a question at work today about my next trip to WDW, she was quite shocked with the answer

Q - Your next trip to WDW are you staying at the new Arts & Animation Resort, since you do Commando planning and have to do everything

A- No
Explanation- I will visit it, but will not be staying there this time around even though I really want to stay there on a upcoming visit.

On our next trip it will be open, but only a 1/3 of it, I can't justify spending full rate for a room when only a third will be open, no matter how much I want to stay there (maybe if they only charged 1/3 the price)

I told her we will be staying there only after it's 100% done

Then she asked about FantasyLand, I told her we will visit what is opened, but I'm not making it a top priority, once again it will only be a section open, (I just can't spend a huge amount of time, without getting the full package) plus everyone and there brother will be there

Plus alot of usefull info will be had from those who go before us,(hate finding out info after the fact) like my co worker said I would have to do everything

 

[theduck619]

I was asked a question at work today about my next trip to WDW, she was quite shocked with the answer

Q - Your next trip to WDW are you staying at the new Arts & Animation Resort, since you do Commando planning and have to do everything

A- No
Explanation- I will visit it, but will not be staying there this time around even though I really want to stay there on a upcoming visit.

On our next trip it will be open, but only a 1/3 of it, I can't justify spending full rate for a room when only a third will be open, no matter how much I want to stay there (maybe if they only charged 1/3 the price)

I told her we will be staying there only after it's 100% done

Then she asked about FantasyLand, I told her we will visit what is opened, but I'm not making it a top priority, once again it will only be a section open, (I just can't spend a huge amount of time, without getting the full package) plus everyone and there brother will be there

Plus alot of usefull info will be had from those who go before us,(hate finding out info after the fact) like my co worker said I would have to do everything

Sure, we do everything, but that does not mean we do those things without planning or common sense

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I couldn't agree more. Just because you are a Commando, the fact that you are makes planning a trip with far more realistic expectations, than those who don't plan anything other than their hotel and air. Then find themselves overwhelmed when they do get there. For me the planning stage is half the fun, and passes the time till the trip. It also gives us a realistic idea of what to expect, and makes the trips far more relaxing.

 

[Poppin]

I couldn't agree more. Just because you are a Commando, the fact that you are makes planning a trip with far more realistic expectations, than those who don't plan anything other than their hotel and air. Then find themselves overwhelmed when they do get there. For me the planning stage is half the fun, and passes the time till the trip. It also gives us a realistic idea of what to expect, and makes the trips far more relaxing.

I do absolutely agree...but then there is another school of us who have had the wonderful opportunity to be there a gazallion times (us since '71) ..and.... who have the luxury of doing non-commando trips. I wish this opportunity upon all of you. We worked to get it. We got it. We enjoy it. We love it. We savor it. Go for it!!

 

[Disney Commando]

I for one am a Commando by choice, I've been to WDW enough that I could relax if I wanted to, but I Love WDW and can never get enough, If I'm going on vacation to relax and hang out it's not going to be a Disney vacation

Believe it or not, we find the Commando way very relaxing and rewarding I'm convinced it keeps me young My son is 6 and has been to WDW 7 times, he is very active and can't get enough, He is already asking when we will be there again He cries when we leave

I don't care if we go on rides a dozen times if my son is happy, It's things he will remember long after I'm gone and hope he will do it with his family (I hope I'm around when he has little ones, even if I need a scooter I'll be there)

IMO even if someone goes to WDW on relaxing vacation, somewhere along the line they will go Commando, if they realize it or not