WDW Commando Club

[BELLEDOZER]

Totally agree!!! Had a great time at the Monroe, WA swap meet, but it was huge!! DS8 was terrified of the heavy crowds, so I had to give him constant reassurance the entire time we were there. Bonus was finding a Sonic Drive Inn close to the border YAHOO!! Don't have them up here in the Great White North. Am start to think of getting a GAC for him when we do visit WDW, as he's got a variety of learning/language problems. It mirrors Down's Syndrome in many ways, yet he shows no outward appearances of it. Heavy crowds and long lines over 30 mins really bother him, so it might be an idea to get one when we do visit. We don't treat him any differently than our DS9, but there are at times with his behavior that I notice it more. Cuteness is his self defense mechanism, and he's got all the teachers at his school wrapped around his little finger. It's our Thanksgiving up here in Canada, so I'm off to prep the turkey. Have a great day!!

Trish

 

[Xclusive2WDW]

I received my Unofficial Guide to WDW 2013 edition yesterday I am completely ecstatic!!! This is my first time purchasing any Disney travel material and I love the book already. It's making me super excited! I'm looking forward to several trips with the kids and I haven't even booked/ finished planning the one hunny and I are going to do solo, lol. By the way, the day before the book came I received a call for an interview. It's a little while off but I will keep you all posted, thanks to all who wished me well.

 

[redoschi]

I received my Unofficial Guide to WDW 2013 edition yesterday I am completely ecstatic!!! This is my first time purchasing any Disney travel material and I love the book already. It's making me super excited! I'm looking forward to several trips with the kids and I haven't even booked/ finished planning the one hunny and I are going to do solo, lol. By the way, the day before the book came I received a call for an interview. It's a little while off but I will keep you all posted, thanks to all who wished me well.

I loved the UG, we bought one 2007 edition for our last trip and it was pretty helpful!
I know several things have changed since then (specially Toontown turning into New Fantasyland), but after the massive planning using my knowledge of the parks, the Disboards (and WDW Commando Club! ) and all other sort of free online info (wdwinfo, allears, disney food blog...) I'm unsure if I should buy the new Unofficial guide.
I believe that the planning tips probably won't have changed much, am I correct?

 

[Disney Commando]

I received my Unofficial Guide to WDW 2013 edition yesterday I am completely ecstatic!!! This is my first time purchasing any Disney travel material and I love the book already. It's making me super excited! I'm looking forward to several trips with the kids and I haven't even booked/ finished planning the one hunny and I are going to do solo, lol. By the way, the day before the book came I received a call for an interview. It's a little while off but I will keep you all posted, thanks to all who wished me well.

Good Luck with your interview, hope you get the job

 

[Disney Commando]

I loved the UG, we bought one 2007 edition for our last trip and it was pretty helpful!
I know several things have changed since then (specially Toontown turning into New Fantasyland), but after the massive planning using my knowledge of the parks, the Disboards (and WDW Commando Club! ) and all other sort of free online info (wdwinfo, allears, disney food blog...) I'm unsure if I should buy the new Unofficial guide.
I believe that the planning tips probably won't have changed much, am I correct?

I've never read any of the books, but that is only going to be 1 way of doing things

If you go with multiple sources of tips, info, encounters, touring plans etc, and take a little from each, you can come up with a Awesome plan of your own

 

[Xclusive2WDW]

I loved the UG, we bought one 2007 edition for our last trip and it was pretty helpful!
I know several things have changed since then (specially Toontown turning into New Fantasyland), but after the massive planning using my knowledge of the parks, the Disboards (and WDW Commando Club! ) and all other sort of free online info (wdwinfo, allears, disney food blog...) I'm unsure if I should buy the new Unofficial guide.
I believe that the planning tips probably won't have changed much, am I correct?

I like it, but I also have a little over a year until I hope to be going to Disney so it is a GREAT way to pass the time. I actually would probably say wait until the 2014 comes out next year. You will (no matter how much you know) learn some things. I just believe that after the new Fantasyland Expansion and they have more time to evaluate the Art of Animation Resort, it would be more helpful to DISveterans. I probably will purchase another one, either 2014 or 2015 for the updates about MK, since I will then be taking the kids (as of now I don't really spend time and never really have even when I was younger in Fantasylad/Toontown). I would actually say to look at their website touringplans.com because they have a lot of really good resources. For $12 bucks (cost of a yearly subscription) to have some personalized tour plans that can update immediately as your in the parks and can adjust based off of the way your day is going (i.e. bathroom breaks, snacks, unexpected magic moments, ect. . .), now that is what I am looking forward to using. Technology to help me in my Commando way of Disney life- you gotta love it!

 

[Xclusive2WDW]

I've never read any of the books, but that is only going to be 1 way of doing things

If you go with multiple sources of tips, info, encounters, touring plans etc, and take a little from each, you can come up with a Awesome plan of your own

Exactly! I did a ton of research before purchasing it. I have never purchased a vacation planner or used a travel agent or the like, as I enjoy planing just about anything. I don't care for the order of their touring plans, too much park criss-crossing. I'm a Commando and all, but for the enjoyment of being efficient with my time, not just because. I saw ways I could modify their touring plans just as you said. I know the world so well I'm very comfortable with how I do things. That's why I am going to subscribe to their site to have access to the instant plans. It will allow me to do it my way but make use of their extensive research and touring algorithms. It's also a good read and for someone who has never been "in charge" of younger ones while at wdw, it's a nice solid foundation of information to then add on others experienced advice.

THANKS!!! I will let you all know how the interview goes, but I really appreciate you all thinking of me. Once I get the job I will budget, you know the regular stuff, rent, utilities, DISNEY TRIP!

 

[Disney Commando]

Exactly! I did a ton of research before purchasing it. I have never purchased a vacation planner or used a travel agent or the like, as I enjoy planing just about anything. I don't care for the order of their touring plans, too much park criss-crossing. I'm a Commando and all, but for the enjoyment of being efficient with my time, not just because. I saw ways I could modify their touring plans just as you said. I know the world so well I'm very comfortable with how I do things. That's why I am going to subscribe to their site to have access to the instant plans. It will allow me to do it my way but make use of their extensive research and touring algorithms. It's also a good read and for someone who has never been "in charge" of younger ones while at wdw, it's a nice solid foundation of information to then add on others experienced advice.

THANKS!!! I will let you all know how the interview goes, but I really appreciate you all thinking of me. Once I get the job I will budget, you know the regular stuff, rent, utilities, DISNEY TRIP!

Modifying is the key, you would be surprised on how many will follow published touring plans to a tee, this becomes textbook and if something dosn't pan out it can lead to a deer in headlights moment Just by modifying a plan you automatically have other things to do if something does not work out,it's like a built in backup plan, while others would be stressing what do I do now, you would have somewhere to go You never know what you are going to encounter

 

[Xclusive2WDW]

Modifying is the key, you would be surprised on how many will follow published touring plans to a tee, this becomes textbook and if something dosn't pan out it can lead to a deer in headlights moment Just by modifying a plan you automatically have other things to do if something does not work out,it's like a built in backup plan, while others would be stressing what do I do now, you would have somewhere to go You never know what you are going to encounter

My dad had a term for people who did crazy stuff like that. . . stuck on stupid. I have read reader comments of the book, who are in effect yelling at the writers because they got too stressed out while following some of the touring plans. Just like you said, these people got stuck, and not because of big things like ride malfunctions or emergencies, but rather because of "unscheduled" bathroom breaks and character spotting. It's like "seriously?" you can't work around a bathroom stop? One lady no lie wrote that they should have a detailed map of all the bathrooms and incorporate them in the plans. Really people? We can't do that ourselves. That's the thing about Books and sites and public advice, people start to shut their brain function off. Ok, I'm done complaining. . . well almost. . .

Can I say that it is scary out their in Disney forum land? People are arguing over EVERYTHING. Can't we just discuss a mouse and get along? ok, NOW I'm done.

 

[Disney Commando]

My dad had a term for people who did crazy stuff like that. . . stuck on stupid. I have read reader comments of the book, who are in effect yelling at the writers because they got too stressed out while following some of the touring plans. Just like you said, these people got stuck, and not because of big things like ride malfunctions or emergencies, but rather because of "unscheduled" bathroom breaks and character spotting. It's like "seriously?" you can't work around a bathroom stop? One lady no lie wrote that they should have a detailed map of all the bathrooms and incorporate them in the plans. Really people? We can't do that ourselves. That's the thing about Books and sites and public advice, people start to shut their brain function off. Ok, I'm done complaining. . . well almost. . .

Can I say that it is scary out their in Disney forum land? People are arguing over EVERYTHING. Can't we just discuss a mouse and get along? ok, NOW I'm done.

Your kidding right, people are complaining about bathroom breaks , My rule of thumb is that before you get on a long line visit the bathroom, but I know a lot of people don't do that just by how many are cutting through the lines to catch up with their families (who saved their spot and are now conveniently up at the beginning of the line)

Whoever writes that book should put in random bathroom breaks just for the fun of it, but they would also be helping people out since some don't know when they should take a minute break

 

[Disney Commando]

Curious if anyone knows about this, The little Viking museum in the tower in Norway

In August my son and I were waiting for my wife by the entrance of the Norway Pavilion, when we saw a couple people come out of the tower (as soon as you walk in to the pavilion to your left before the bakery dining area) so we went over to see what was inside It was a Viking Museum wasn't big had a few displays, but I never even knew it was there

It strengthens the strategy of being observant of what's going on around you, you never know what you might discover

 

[twokids0204]

Curious if anyone knows about this, The little Viking museum in the tower in Norway

In August my son and I were waiting for my wife by the entrance of the Norway Pavilion, when we saw a couple people come out of the tower (as soon as you walk in to the pavilion to your left before the bakery dining area) so we went over to see what was inside It was a Viking Museum wasn't big had a few displays, but I never even knew it was there

It strengthens the strategy of being observant of what's going on around you, you never know what you might discover

I believe it is called the Stave Church... and yes, inside is a small museum.

We went through it a few times in August, you can also walk the perimeter of it.

 

[Disney Commando]

I believe it is called the Stave Church... and yes, inside is a small museum.

We went through it a few times in August, you can also walk the perimeter of it.

walking the perimeter was interesting seemed it got narrow in spots, there was some neat stuff in there, has it always been there if it has it's pretty well kept secret

 

[Disney Commando]

Looking over my rough plan for Nov, with night EMH's at a disturbing low amount of day's, it looks like I might have to do 3 parks at least 1 day of the trip, I got a full plate planned and if I have to hop to another park just for for a show or event, then hop somewhere else, I'm up for it, I'm not afraid to cover some ground to get something in, I'm more then confident I can make up any hopping time, with early ADR's and wise usage of time at the few EMH's that are happining that week.

Since we don't like going back to the resort till at least 11 DTD will be the alternative playground on non EMH nights

 

[Disney Commando]

Ordered the Photopass Plus tonight, I don't do the photo's so I guess my wife will tell me once she starts doing the pics when we get back, if it was worth the extra $50 or not

 

[Xclusive2WDW]

Looking over my rough plan for Nov, with night EMH's at a disturbing low amount of day's, it looks like I might have to do 3 parks at least 1 day of the trip, I got a full plate planned and if I have to hop to another park just for for a show or event, then hop somewhere else, I'm up for it, I'm not afraid to cover some ground to get something in, I'm more then confident I can make up any hopping time, with early ADR's and wise usage of time at the few EMH's that are happining that week.

Since we don't like going back to the resort till at least 11 DTD will be the alternative playground on non EMH nights

DTD is always a great alternative I find. Sometimes we commandos really have to go. . . well, commando! How many days are you going? I'm sorry if I am late on this as I have heard you mention the trip many times before. I'm still getting used to everyone's plans.

 

[Disney Commando]

DTD is always a great alternative I find. Sometimes we commandos really have to go. . . well, commando! How many days are you going? I'm sorry if I am late on this as I have heard you mention the trip many times before. I'm still getting used to everyone's plans.

We will hopefully be arriving at ASMovies around 10:30am on Nov 4th (all depends on what time the train gets in) and will be staying until Sat the 10th till around noon.

This is the week where the parks transform from Halloween to Christmas so there is a lack of night EMH's

 

[Xclusive2WDW]

We will hopefully be arriving at ASMovies around 10:30am on Nov 4th (all depends on what time the train gets in) and will be staying until Sat the 10th till around noon.

This is the week where the parks transform from Halloween to Christmas so there is a lack of night EMH's

Is that just during the transition or is that all during holiday time? That does make it an adventure.

 

[redoschi]

Curious if anyone knows about this, The little Viking museum in the tower in Norway

In August my son and I were waiting for my wife by the entrance of the Norway Pavilion, when we saw a couple people come out of the tower (as soon as you walk in to the pavilion to your left before the bakery dining area) so we went over to see what was inside It was a Viking Museum wasn't big had a few displays, but I never even knew it was there

It strengthens the strategy of being observant of what's going on around you, you never know what you might discover

I remember entering there two trips ago. I wanted to see it again last trip but we tried getting in during EMH evening and they were closed already!

Will surely see it again next January though!

 

[Disney Commando]

I discussed our QS credits with my wife and we have decided that we would see our TS almost as snacks, Say we have a ADR dinner (the main feast) at 5, around 11:30 we would use a QS and share the meal, then use the other one later in the night, for my son's QS he is a growing boy and will eat whenever he feels like he is ready ,we will also be using our snack credits 1 at at a time and share them, since my son's favorite snacks are popcorn and pretzels they are easy to share. One thing I can't stand is wasting food, and I see alot of people around the parks throwing alot out since they over bought, I'd rather munch all day on different foods then get more then we can eat at one time and end up throwing it away