WDW Commando Club

[zianha]

zianha, there's nothing wrong with going solo to WDW. I did a solo trip to DL for 9 blissful days in Oct/10 to DL, and had a blast. I could go Commando to my heart's content, without the family complaining about it. Go and have a blast, then go bug the kids when you get back about how much fun you had without them. Maybe it will give them the incentive to get with the Commando plan for the next trip.

I've been dreaming about a solo trip! My kids think it's gotta be a crime if I go without them. I told them I WILL have my solo trip eventually. My sister even offered to keep them if I can work out a Summer trip since my kids go to school in a different town than my nieces and nephew.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

Shandale if you ever have the opportunity for a solo trip to WDW or DL for that matter, no matter how much the kids whine and complain about it go. From my experience it's worth it. For me it's cheaper to go to DL than WDW, and the photo geek in me demands some solo time to take pics to my hearts desire, without the family rushing to the next attraction. It give you a different perspective on things, and gives you some badly needed time for yourself. My solo trip I took over 1700 pics over 9 days. The average is around 300 on a family trip. Need I say more??

 

[Pmctn]

Well I think based on the reactons of friends I'm a commando. When I showed the daily plan spreadsheets on my phone to some friends who go to Disney a lot, I got the "Wow, you even have free time built in" response. I guess we'll find out in 18 days.

 

[Disney Commando]

Well I think based on the reactons of friends I'm a commando. When I showed the daily plan spreadsheets on my phone to some friends who go to Disney a lot, I got the "Wow, you even have free time built in" response. I guess we'll find out in 18 days.

You are member #190 I know what you are talking about with the "free time" I try to give myself a few hours of "free time " a day, my friends can't figure out how we get so much done and still get to ride a lot of rides multiple times

What are your plans, we would love to hear them

 

[Disney Commando]

I did a quick VA trip this weekend (Kings Dominion & Busch Gardens) one thing I love is finding out new things even though I've been there many times


Kings Dominion - this is a park for the roller coaster lover, by far some of the best coasters I've been on, Characters are Snoopy & Gang

What did I learn- this year they added Dinosaurs Alive, this has got to be the best display of Dinosaurs I've come across, (my son loves Dinos so I've been to many), they are life like, they breath, move, and even roar, it is $5 extra per person, but well worth it

Busch Gardens - this park has some of the best shows and landscaping, I really didn't learn anything new except for the new coaster that will open next month is nothing like I thought it would be, in fact I really didn't see much of it at all, seems like it is inside and below ground level I guess I'll be able to tell you more in June, since 95% of the ride was well hidden

I did learn on Sat mornings from April till Oct Historic Williamsburg has a Farmer's Market, we loved it everyone is so layed back and friendly, a lot of great homemade items, we picked up Pumpkin bread, Coconut pound cake (reminds me of O'hana's so we got 2) also a crab salsa

We still have Jamestown & Yorktown to visit, but my wife is leaning on my side to buy property in the area

 

[AirGoofy]

Well I think based on the reactons of friends I'm a commando. When I showed the daily plan spreadsheets on my phone to some friends who go to Disney a lot, I got the "Wow, you even have free time built in" response. I guess we'll find out in 18 days.

Welcome. We used to do extreme commando - 7 day visit, 7 Theme parks, EMH, etc. Now, I'm to old for that ..... We go commando every other day and really enjoy the free time. Any favorite strategies or tactics?

 

[Pmctn]

This will only be my 2nd trip. We went when dd was 13 mos, and wandered around the park for a day before getting a stomach bug.

This trip it is me dw, dd8, ds6, and the dgp's. My wife and I are both planners and she turned it over to me. So our plan looks like this 7 days 6 nights made up of 4 park days 1 day off and 2 travel days.

Arrive afternoon Wed May 2. Staying POFQ. Check in and explore hotel, maybe swim some.

Thurs May 3 - MK, EMH RD (Oh did I mention our kids are early risers? ds6 came came to our room saturday morning at 6:15 dressed for his 8 am soccer game) Fantasyland 1st thing then some Adventureland, CRT for Lunch, Splash mt after lunch. Back to the hotel for pool & Naps. Back for ADR at the Plaza at 7 then MSEP and Wishes.

Fri May 4 - HS RD straight to JTA (Big deal for the kids, huge SW fans) May split up for TSM fastpasses not sure yet. Star Tours, ToT, Character Meets. Lucnh at Pizza Planet. Back to Hotel around 2. Dinner either at POFQ or DTD, with a Star Wars cake for dessert

Sat May 5 - AK RD(This is a tough day to plan) - KS 1st. Then Fp for EE. See FoLK & Nemo, Kali Lunch @ Yak & Yeti. Back to the Hotel. Dinner ADR @ O'hana, Water Pagent and Wishes on Poly beach

Sun May 6 - Worship in the morning and lunch with old family friends. Hang Around Pool Dinner ADR @ Chef Mickey's

Mon May 7 - MK 8:05 ADR @ CP. Family to Rapunzel 1st thing. I'm getting FP for Space Mt. Morning in Tomorrowland Then hop the train to Adventureland / Frontierland. dd8 w. dw and dgm has a 2:05 @ BBB. ds, gp & me will be doing whatever he wants (probably space or buzz) back to hotel to rest and change for 7:00 ADR at 1900 Park Fare. If they can stay awak for wishes we'll do it.

Tues May 8 Easy morning. maybe swim some while we pack up for an afternoon flight back home.

 

[blondietink]

These commandos are TIRED! We have been here for 8 days. Going to Stormalong Bay this am to relax a little, then to MK for the afternoon to finish our Sorcerer's Quest and then back to BCV's for movie on the beach tonight. Epcot is absolutely beautiful with the flowers and can't get enough.

 

[twokids0204]

These commandos are TIRED! We have been here for 8 days. Going to Stormalong Bay this am to relax a little, then to MK for the afternoon to finish our Sorcerer's Quest and then back to BCV's for movie on the beach tonight. Epcot is absolutely beautiful with the flowers and can't get enough.

As a commando, sometimes you need a vacation from your vacation.

 

[AirGoofy]

This will only be my 2nd trip. We went when dd was 13 mos, and wandered around the park for a day before getting a stomach bug.

This trip it is me dw, dd8, ds6, and the dgp's. My wife and I are both planners and she turned it over to me. So our plan looks like this 7 days 6 nights made up of 4 park days 1 day off and 2 travel days..

Great plans. Remember they have changed FP policy so you now have to return at the specific times or they won't let you on. I liked having the nap during the day as well.

 

[blondietink]

Great plans. Remember they have changed FP policy so you now have to return at the specific times or they won't let you on. I liked having the nap during the day as well.

Yes I will say that this policy has been a bummer on this vacation. It did help a lot though at Toy Story Midway Mania and Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin. However, we missed the one we got for Soarin'. At least I can keep them for the scrapbook. Also in the past if I asked for one of the Fastpasses back after they took them, I would always get one back. But now they all refuse to give one back. UGH!

 

[Disney Commando]

These commandos are TIRED! We have been here for 8 days. Going to Stormalong Bay this am to relax a little, then to MK for the afternoon to finish our Sorcerer's Quest and then back to BCV's for movie on the beach tonight. Epcot is absolutely beautiful with the flowers and can't get enough.

Yes I will say that this policy has been a bummer on this vacation. It did help a lot though at Toy Story Midway Mania and Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin. However, we missed the one we got for Soarin'. At least I can keep them for the scrapbook. Also in the past if I asked for one of the Fastpasses back after they took them, I would always get one back. But now they all refuse to give one back. UGH!

I'm glad to hear the new FP system worked in your favor on a couple of rides, I can't wait to hear your pro's and con's on it, I said at the start that in some way it may work in our favor, although it may take awhile if you had a positive it is a start for the Commandos to figure out some kind of guideline

After 8 days of touring, I would think you would be tired, and you earned a well deserved rest I'm guessing that there are a lot less people there this week over last week, I would really love to check out the flower displays at Epcot, I'm not big on flowers but from what I've seen they are incredible I don't know how my nose would hold up though

Glad your having a Great time, can't wait to read all about your trip, and have a great rest of trip, already at 8 days, WoW I wish I could get that much time off in a row to be there

 

[AirGoofy]

, I would really love to check out the flower displays at Epcot, I'm not big on flowers but from what I've seen they are incredible I don't know how my nose would hold up though

I have outdoor allergies (why I live in KY makes no sense), but we went during flower festival. The topiaries are excellent and they did not trigger my allergies.

 

[mieshie75]

May i please join, my hubby says i deff. quailfy for a commando. We are going for my second time his 5th. I have planned out evey second of my trip. Down to a list of rides and what order we need to do them in. I also figured out our dinners and lunches according to where we will be in the park. I also figured out how much time we could spend at each ride to get in all the rides in the park on one specific day. If a ride wait time is over its aloted time we fast pass and then go back later (hoping it frees up a few hours) If you have any tips I really want to hear them. We are there May 18-22.

 

[Disney Commando]

May i please join, my hubby says i deff. quailfy for a commando. We are going for my second time his 5th. I have planned out evey second of my trip. Down to a list of rides and what order we need to do them in. I also figured out our dinners and lunches according to where we will be in the park. I also figured out how much time we could spend at each ride to get in all the rides in the park on one specific day. If a ride wait time is over its aloted time we fast pass and then go back later (hoping it frees up a few hours) If you have any tips I really want to hear them. We are there May 18-22.

You are member #191 Sounds like you have been doing some serious planning


I would change one thing and I'm sure most of the Commandos will agree

Besides shows, parades and eating that are set times, save yourself a lot of stress and rushing around and do away with ride order and how long you can spend at each one, instead make a list of the rides you want to do for the day, you never know how the crowd is going to shift, and could cause a lot of stress and rushing

 

[Disney Commando]

I really got to start planning WDW trips closer together, still have another 119 days to go

Funny thing is I wanted to do a June & Nov trip, BUT my wife works in a school and that was their last week she said no way she would be able to get off, WELL guess What, it didn't snow this year and now they have it off

The week I wanted to do in Nov, she said she had to go to workshops, but now we find out she did them last year and works only 2 days (prime time to use a couple sick daysg) this is still possible, it would be only a 2 month spread between trips, but I'm game

I should have just booked the weeks I had planned and taken the insurance Next year I think I might take the gamble

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I've been kicking around dates for our 2015 trip. Debating between late Aug and Dec. Our family is getting smaller and smaller lately, and am toying with going the week leading up to Christmas. And spending Christmas day at WDW instead of home. Any thoughts how busy it would be during that time, and if it's worth going to see the decorations?? DH is game, and it give's me more time to come up with the money for the trip. The kids have 2 weeks off school during that time, so it's workable for us. Any thoughts or tips would be appreciated. Have a great day!

Trish

 

[AirGoofy]

May i please join, my hubby says i deff. quailfy for a commando. We are going for my second time his 5th. I have planned out evey second of my trip. Down to a list of rides and what order we need to do them in. I also figured out our dinners and lunches according to where we will be in the park. I also figured out how much time we could spend at each ride to get in all the rides in the park on one specific day. If a ride wait time is over its aloted time we fast pass and then go back later (hoping it frees up a few hours) If you have any tips I really want to hear them. We are there May 18-22.

You definitely qualify. That is some planning. I agree with our leader, I wouldn't be too rigid with ride order. We tend to decide what land in MK to do in a certain order, and like you, have a wait time limit.

 

[AirGoofy]

I've been kicking around dates for our 2015 trip. Debating between late Aug and Dec. Our family is getting smaller and smaller lately, and am toying with going the week leading up to Christmas. And spending Christmas day at WDW instead of home. Any thoughts how busy it would be during that time, and if it's worth going to see the decorations?? DH is game, and it give's me more time to come up with the money for the trip. The kids have 2 weeks off school during that time, so it's workable for us. Any thoughts or tips would be appreciated. Have a great day!

Trish

Those are two of the months we haven't been, so can't give you much help. But, I so want to do a MVMCP.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I've been to the MSSHP at DL for the past 2 years, once solo and once with the family. It does appeal to me in the sense that we would be seeing the Christmas season at the world, and the kids are Christmas crazy. I could pull the kids out of school a couple of days early if need be, as they really don't do alot of learning the last couple of days before the Christmas break. It's something I'm starting to think about somewhat seriously, and will have to haunt the WDW Christmas threads over the next couple of years to see if it's something that the family would really love. DH knows that I'm a Commando planner, so he knows I'll research it to death before making any decisions.