WDW Commando Club

[Disney Commando]

I let my DH go on union related business trips all the time. He feels bad that I let him go fly solo all the time, while I'm stuck home with the kids. This coming year he's got 1 trip to Maryland, possibly a quick trip to Toronto, 3 days in Portland Oregon for the ATHS vintage truck show, and a couple of day trips. I went solo to DL in Oct/10 for 9 days and had a blast. I plan on going the last week of Nov/13, but can't start booking anything until DH locks in his vacation time. This trip will be for 6 days. DL is the one place where I don't mind going solo. The kids are royally PO'D at me right now, but they know I'll be bringing them back some cool Christmas gifts. It gives me a break from the kids and re energizes me. Once again I'll be booking this trip DIY, and have already scored 4 1 day hopper passes free. Have a great day!!

Trish

Nice score on the passes, that saves a ton of cash right there

 

[AirGoofy]

I can't wait for the AAA Jan newsletter to arrive to see what kind of free stuff they are offering if you book a trip to WDW or a Disney Cruise during the month of Jan (for anytime during the year), this when I always book the price is pretty much the same (few bucks cheaper) as if you booked with Disney, but you get the free gifts + the AAA perks

Got to get the most out of your dollar

What AAA perks are there?

 

[Disney Commando]

What AAA perks are there?

There are 3 big AAA perks

- AAA Wishes Fireworks Viewing
- AAA Storytime
- AAA Diamond Parking (don't usually drive to the parks but this gives you front row)

There is a small discount, but if Disney offers something extra, it requires a non discounted price, so say Disney offers free dining, AAA will honor but you will have to pay the non discounted price ( as required by Disney), plus you still get any perks and free stuff AAA offered when you booked

 

[AirGoofy]

There are 3 big AAA perks

- AAA Wishes Fireworks Viewing
- AAA Storytime
- AAA Diamond Parking (don't usually drive to the parks but this gives you front row)

There is a small discount, but if Disney offers something extra, it requires a non discounted price, so say Disney offers free dining, AAA will honor but you will have to pay the non discounted price ( as required by Disney), plus you still get any perks and free stuff AAA offered when you booked

I knew about the booking and Wishes, but not the other two. What is the Storytime, and do you have to book thru AAA to get it? DW has AAA, but we book with DVC.

 

[twokids0204]

I knew about the booking and Wishes, but not the other two. What is the Storytime, and do you have to book thru AAA to get it? DW has AAA, but we book with DVC.

We did Storytime in 2009 when book through CAA (Canada's version of AAA)

Back then it was held in Tony's Town Square (not sure where it is Now, as Mickey, Minnie, and the Princess have take over that spot).

But it is where a Disney Character comes out for a private one on one with the kids, reads a story to them and they play for a bit, that do a meet and greet.

Snow White was there for ours....

2009 - ages 4 and 6

 

[AirGoofy]

We did Storytime in 2009 when book through CAA (Canada's version of AAA)

Back then it was held in Tony's Town Square (not sure where it is Now, as Mickey, Minnie, and the Princess have take over that spot).

But it is where a Disney Character comes out for a private one on one with the kids, reads a story to them and they play for a bit, that do a meet and greet.

Snow White was there for ours....

2009 - ages 4 and 6

That sounds really cool. I'm sure you have to book through them to get it.

 

[twokids0204]

That sounds really cool. I'm sure you have to book through them to get it.

 

[Disney Commando]

We did Storytime in 2009 when book through CAA (Canada's version of AAA)

Back then it was held in Tony's Town Square (not sure where it is Now, as Mickey, Minnie, and the Princess have take over that spot).

But it is where a Disney Character comes out for a private one on one with the kids, reads a story to them and they play for a bit, that do a meet and greet.

Snow White was there for ours....

2009 - ages 4 and 6

That sounds really cool. I'm sure you have to book through them to get it.

Yes you can only get story time if you book with AAA, we have had Snow White twice & Mary Poppins 3 times now, I know Alice & Aladin also do it but have never had them, one thing that is really cool about this is they might only have at the most 20 kids so it is really personal. It has changed spots a few times now, it use to be at MK, then went to Epcot in Norway & currently is held at Innovations West

If you book through a agent, the cost is almost the same as if you book with WDW, but I like to get the perks without having to pay extra

If you book with AAA you can also book these events 180days in advance, and they do require a reservation

 

[Disney Commando]

I see they are getting ready for more NextGen tests, I'm not a big fan of NextGen since it can make you really LAZY while at the parks, but looking at in a Commando way, if you can get out of places faster & have reserved viewing for Illuminations etc, we can really add a ton of touring time to our day

 

[Xclusive2WDW]

I see they are getting ready for more NextGen tests, I'm not a big fan of NextGen since it can make you really LAZY while at the parks, but looking at in a Commando way, if you can get out of places faster & have reserved viewing for Illuminations etc, we can really add a ton of touring time to our day

What's NextGen

 

[Disney Commando]

What's NextGen

NextGen is everything from RFID (radio frequency identification) readers for a new style of ticket, to booking a ADR and pre selecting your menu items (think you will feel rushed at lunch or dinner), to the Fastpass + system that will allow guests to plan out their day, by letting them pre choose the time they want to do attractions, and reserve spots for shows, parades, fireworks etc.

Right now most of this is still in testing, the RFID's are limited but are in all 4 parks

Now as a Commando, you might say this is Great, it's like a little kid in a candy store, Well I fear the big problem will be the average guest who will not be there on time expect to get right in, cutting in front of everyone, cause they are the only ones in the park In the Big picture I can't see any huge advantage of any of this except a cut in labor, it is happening everyday in company's everywhere

 

[Xclusive2WDW]

NextGen is everything from RFID (radio frequency identification) readers for a new style of ticket, to booking a ADR and pre selecting your menu items (think you will feel rushed at lunch or dinner), to the Fastpass + system that will allow guests to plan out their day, by letting them pre choose the time they want to do attractions, and reserve spots for shows, parades, fireworks etc.

Right now most of this is still in testing, the RFID's are limited but are in all 4 parks

Now as a Commando, you might say this is Great, it's like a little kid in a candy store, Well I fear the big problem will be the average guest who will not be there on time expect to get right in, cutting in front of everyone, cause they are the only ones in the park In the Big picture I can't see any huge advantage of any of this except a cut in labor, it is happening everyday in company's everywhere

Thanks! I don;t like any of the new stuff even as a commando. The RFID is just a big brother reminder. The problem with huge conveniences is HUGE inconveniences when things go wrong. The ADR/ pivk your food ahead of time/ ADR for QS I am thoroughly against. I mean, if it works like to-go, where you can like place a order a few hours ahead of time at QS, ok, that's cool. But I think they are completely overdoing ADR's. It can get to the point where planner or not, no one will really be able to eat where they want when they want. Being a commando is about maximizing time and the quality of the time you spend, not all out control over every second. The fastpass+ plus system, well fastpass is hard enough for some. IDK, there is something to be said for simplicity. While I don't enjoy waiting in 2 hour lines in blazing heat all day everyday, there is nostalgia in taking time. When 15 minutes become "too long" for folks to wait, I think were missing the point. Just MHO

 

[Disney Commando]

Thanks! I don;t like any of the new stuff even as a commando. The RFID is just a big brother reminder. The problem with huge conveniences is HUGE inconveniences when things go wrong. The ADR/ pivk your food ahead of time/ ADR for QS I am thoroughly against. I mean, if it works like to-go, where you can like place a order a few hours ahead of time at QS, ok, that's cool. But I think they are completely overdoing ADR's. It can get to the point where planner or not, no one will really be able to eat where they want when they want. Being a commando is about maximizing time and the quality of the time you spend, not all out control over every second. The fastpass+ plus system, well fastpass is hard enough for some. IDK, there is something to be said for simplicity. While I don't enjoy waiting in 2 hour lines in blazing heat all day everyday, there is nostalgia in taking time. When 15 minutes become "too long" for folks to wait, I think were missing the point. Just MHO

I agree with you, although you would be able to plan what you want to do IMO it would be a Dictated trip, I often wonder what the lines would be like if there was no FP's , Everyone would be somewhere but would the lines really get any longer, or just less people riding the rides multiple times with the FP

 

[TunaSled]

Being a commando is about maximizing time and the quality of the time you spend, not all out control over every second.

Succinct. There is a nugget of wisdom right here.

 

[Xclusive2WDW]

Succinct. There is a nugget of wisdom right here.

Well thank you fellow Michiganian!

And Commando, I am looking forward to using FP for the first time on this next trip. I just have to say again, for me there is a bit of nostalgia waiting in lines. We used to go with my great grandmother, grandmother, father, aunt, cousin and mom. Being in line together cracking jokes and hanging out. There is something to be said about the pause a line causes you to take. I think your absolutely right, I think the lines would stay just as long but people may not ride certain rides over and over again.

 

[AirGoofy]

Thanks! I don;t like any of the new stuff even as a commando. The RFID is just a big brother reminder. The problem with huge conveniences is HUGE inconveniences when things go wrong. The ADR/ pivk your food ahead of time/ ADR for QS I am thoroughly against. I mean, if it works like to-go, where you can like place a order a few hours ahead of time at QS, ok, that's cool. But I think they are completely overdoing ADR's.

I agree with You about the meals. I like having the ADRs, but I hate having to make them 6 months before the trip. I like having the opportunity to select where we will eat, and I choose the times around our plans, i.e., an ADR breakfast before the park opens. But, I don't want to be ordering my food hours before I eat it. I like to scan the menu as a part of our meal experience. As for QS, just how hungry will I be in two hours to order food? Too much for me.

 

[Xclusive2WDW]

I agree with You about the meals. I like having the ADRs, but I hate having to make them 6 months before the trip. I like having the opportunity to select where we will eat, and I choose the times around our plans, i.e., an ADR breakfast before the park opens. But, I don't want to be ordering my food hours before I eat it. I like to scan the menu as a part of our meal experience. As for QS, just how hungry will I be in two hours to order food? Too much for me.

Exactly. It just seems they are trying to get us to plan or plans ya know? Like someone else said, soon there's going to be a fp line for the restrooms

 

[Disney Commando]

Well thank you fellow Michiganian!

And Commando, I am looking forward to using FP for the first time on this next trip. I just have to say again, for me there is a bit of nostalgia waiting in lines. We used to go with my great grandmother, grandmother, father, aunt, cousin and mom. Being in line together cracking jokes and hanging out. There is something to be said about the pause a line causes you to take. I think your absolutely right, I think the lines would stay just as long but people may not ride certain rides over and over again.

I'm going to show my age now, I remember when there were no FP's and had to use a ticket to get on a ride or see a show, this is where dad had to break out the wallet since you always seemed to need more tickets, then it went to everything included, it wasn't till my Honeymoon that I got to use a FP, if things keep advancing in ten years when you get to a park you will just sit in a chair and it will take you to the choices you selected (like on Wall-e)

 

[Xclusive2WDW]

I'm going to show my age now, I remember when there were no FP's and had to use a ticket to get on a ride or see a show, this is where dad had to break out the wallet since you always seemed to need more tickets, then it went to everything included, it wasn't till my Honeymoon that I got to use a FP, if things keep advancing in ten years when you get to a park you will just sit in a chair and it will take you to the choices you selected (like on Wall-e)

bwaaaaaahahahahaha, right! I don't remember the days of needing a ticket per ride/ showing your ticket after entering the gates. But I do recall the pre-fastpass days. To be honest, I miss em. I like the fastpass system, I just don't like the "it's gotta be bigger better faster stronger. . . two seconds after we created it" mentality of today's society. It's warp speed

BTW everyone, Happy Holidays!!! Hope everyone is safe and has lot's of Joy, Peace and Love plus that extra Disney Magic. I for one am thankful to be apart of the DisBoards Commando Club As most of you know, I have ventured (fearfully) out onto the boards from time to time and it can be scary. But here, I feel the magic and the love of all things Disney and I appreciate you all for being so generous with you helpful knowledge! Merry Christmas

 

[MaMudduck]

Happy Holidays!!! Hope everyone is safe and has lot's of Joy, Peace and Love plus that extra Disney Magic. I for one am thankful to be apart of the DisBoards Commando Club As most of you know, I have ventured (fearfully) out onto the boards from time to time and it can be scary. But here, I feel the magic and the love of all things Disney and I appreciate you all for being so generous with you helpful knowledge! Merry Christmas

Yes Merry Christmas & a prosperous New Year to everyone, and don't be scared of the disboards, it just a bunch of Disney freaks in the lonely world of the internet that understand the WDW obsession.