WDW Commando Club

[Cinderella's Fella]

Guess I'm really dating myself now, Way back in the 70's Walt Disney World used tickets for the rides that were lettered A - E the E tickets were the popular or bigger rides, (ex. Jungle Cruise, Small World, Haunted Mansion etc) yup back in the day rides like this were the BIG ones

So the E ticket ride reference is just the Old School Disney way of the 70's of saying popular rides or attractions, a non E ticket ride would be a less popular rides and attractions

Term was used before that at Disneyland. Those e tickets cost more than the a tickets did too!

 

[Toadlover]

It seems this is me, this trip. Nobody else wants to research or plan! I need to know how much it will cost, when we'll go, when the kids will be out of school. I need a lot of information from my sister, but she refuses to reply to my texts! We are planning a trip with me, my 3 kids (see below), my sister and her husband and their 3 kids, and my mom and her husband.

 

[Disney Commando]

It seems this is me, this trip. Nobody else wants to research or plan! I need to know how much it will cost, when we'll go, when the kids will be out of school. I need a lot of information from my sister, but she refuses to reply to my texts! We are planning a trip with me, my 3 kids (see below), my sister and her husband and their 3 kids, and my mom and her husband.

You are member #265 There is still a lot of time before your trip, as it gets closer most likely someone will get with you to figure out what you are going to do, but on the other hand if no one does and leave it up to you, it could be easier on you planning since there will be no disagreements

 

[Toadlover]

You are member #265 There is still a lot of time before your trip, as it gets closer most likely someone will get with you to figure out what you are going to do, but on the other hand if no one does and leave it up to you, it could be easier on you planning since there will be no disagreements

Thanks for the welcome!

We already know that reservations need to be made, that kind of thing. Why my sister refuses to plan I don't know. Her daughter is in tv and so her schedule is tight, but she has to know what she's doing at SOME point, doesn't she? Either way, I wish my sister would just tell me this. It was easier when we were going this Christmas because we knew when we were going, but now its too soon to save up because Christmas is so astronomically expensive. So I suggested Spring break but now I hear that that's way crowded too so now I'm thinking June when they kids get out of school. *sigh* See why we need to all talk? I'd love to wave my magic wand, make reservations and pay for it all and just GO, but I can't afford that for one thing! Not yet anyway

 

[Disney Commando]

1 more day to prepare, 2 1/2 days before WDW,
As far as what we will be doing on our 9 days what I have posted already is what is in stone, as far as what's happing after noon each day will not be planned till the time comes, Being a Extreme Commando I get a rush putting a plan together that will work on the spotg, Don't get me wrong I have every bit of park info that you would need to know. The last couple years I've had a lot of fun doing Real Time Commando by planning minute to minute, This way of Commandoing really keeps you on your toes, I would not recommend this extreme way of touring unless you are a seasoned veteran, but if your up for adventure and can plan on a drop of a dime this might be something for you to try

I'll talk to you when I get back, Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained

 

[MaMudduck]

Have a great trip again! Seems like that's all I said to you in the last 6 months lol

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[kmedina]

Schedule looks good. Contemplating a visit to Harmony barber shop myself. Thinking of skipping it, since it will be a short trip.

 

[brettcw23]

Guess I'm really dating myself now, Way back in the 70's Walt Disney World used tickets for the rides that were lettered A - E the E tickets were the popular or bigger rides, (ex. Jungle Cruise, Small World, Haunted Mansion etc) yup back in the day rides like this were the BIG ones

So the E ticket ride reference is just the Old School Disney way of the 70's of saying popular rides or attractions, a non E ticket ride would be a less popular rides and attractions

Term was used before that at Disneyland. Those e tickets cost more than the a tickets did too!

I do recall either reading or seeing the details on the tickets.
Now it all makes sense.

It's going to bother me though that I can't remember where Iread or saw that. Grrr.

 

[AirGoofy]

1 more day to prepare, 2 1/2 days before WDW

I'll talk to you when I get back, Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained

Have a great trip again! Seems like that's all I said to you in the last 6 months lol

Definitely getting everything out of those APs.

 

[Phoenixrising]

I've got a question for my fellow Commando's. First off I'm sorry I haven't on much, as finances are tight, and have been battling a nasty knee that I'll get confirmation late Aug that I'm going to need surgery on it. I've been saving for the past couple of months, for a DISNEY trip sometime in Jan/17. When I checked my fav airlines website, I discovered that for around $400CDN more I can afford WDW staying at the Coronado Springs for a 7 day trip versus a budget hotel in DL for 5 days. Regardless the trip would be booked with this airline. So my question to my fellow Commando's is it worth going to WDW for 7 days?? Realistically we would have 5 days in the parks. Is this viable since none of us have ever been to WDW before?? I really wouldn't be able to book till Sept/16 as I couldn't afford to before then. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. At this point I'm researching both trips, and won't make a decision till around June/16 when I see where my finances are at. I've told the kids that we are going somewhere in 2017, but they don't know where we are going. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. I'm just saving like crazy, as I've also got a solo trip to Las Vegas later that year, I may turn into a trip to Baltimore for the family, proving I can find cheap airfare. Thanks and have a great day!

Trish

Trish

 

[AirGoofy]

I've got a question for my fellow Commando's. So my question to my fellow Commando's is it worth going to WDW for 7 days?? Realistically we would have 5 days in the parks. Is this viable since none of us have ever been to WDW before?? I really wouldn't be able to book till Sept/16 as I couldn't afford to before then. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. At this point I'm researching both trips, and won't make a decision till around June/16
:

I've never been to DL, but have been to WDW enough that i know I want to live there.

I normally do the 7 day trip, and 5 park days are great. Unless you do hoppers, you could get one park a day and then go back to your favorite one again. You have some options, depending on your flight times. You can go to the park the day you arrive, day you leave, or might even be able to stay at the resort one day during the week and enjoy it while relaxing.

I couldn't tell when you were booking the trip. Make you sure you give yourself enough time to book ADRs. If you are going in September, you may find more openings with lower crowd levels. But, if it free dining, many of the character meals will be booked 180 days out. Also, make sure you book the FP+ as early as possible.

 

[brettcw23]

I've never been to DL, but have been to WDW enough that i know I want to live there.

I normally do the 7 day trip, and 5 park days are great. Unless you do hoppers, you could get one park a day and then go back to your favorite one again. You have some options, depending on your flight times. You can go to the park the day you arrive, day you leave, or might even be able to stay at the resort one day during the week and enjoy it while relaxing.

I couldn't tell when you were booking the trip. Make you sure you give yourself enough time to book ADRs. If you are going in September, you may find more openings with lower crowd levels. But, if it free dining, many of the character meals will be booked 180 days out. Also, make sure you book the FP+ as early as possible.

I echo these sentiments. We always do 7 days at WDW. Even aside fromt eh Parks, there is really cool stuff to do. DTD is a great place to go, plus all of the other activities that are offered outside of the Parks themselves. We do spend every day at a park (at least one, we usually hop).

But we don;t always go rope drop to close. We try to balance days out so that everyone isn't tired and cranky. And by everyone, I mean me.

 

[Phoenixrising]

I'd be flying with Westjet, my Fav airline as usual. I try to fly with them as much as I can, as they have great service, and are a really good airline. They are a much better airline than Air Canada, our other Canadian airline. I would be booking June/July 2016 for mid Jan 2017. Westjet has really good online vacation packages. Talked it over with DH, and we've agreed to shoot for WDW for 7 days in Jan/17, but if I can't make up the extra money needed (which I think is around $400 to $500), then we'll go to DL instead. Although with me being a frugal person, and a super saver, I can't see it being a problem. We would be looking at Mid Jan, as to not interfere with DH many union related meetings every month. Probably book a midweek departure date as to save some money. The flight out is the pits, realistically not getting to the resort till around midnight. The flight back is alot better. Hopefully the outward bound flight will change for the better by the time I book. We tend to be very laid back when it comes to travel, so I wouldn't need to book any TS restaurants. Although we tend to be very Commando when it comes to the parks. I would get a one park per day pass, which is what we would probably do anyway. To be honest after 5 trips to DL, including 2 solo trips, I'm Disneylanded out. I would probably plan a DL trip after this one, just so I can show the family the finished California Adventure. MY DH is going to have fun, as I discovered my inner adrenaline addict on my last trip to DL in Nov/13, and can't wait to try every wild ride in the parks.

 

[brettcw23]

I'd be flying with Westjet, my Fav airline as usual. I try to fly with them as much as I can, as they have great service, and are a really good airline. They are a much better airline than Air Canada, our other Canadian airline. I would be booking June/July 2016 for mid Jan 2017. Westjet has really good online vacation packages. Talked it over with DH, and we've agreed to shoot for WDW for 7 days in Jan/17, but if I can't make up the extra money needed (which I think is around $400 to $500), then we'll go to DL instead. Although with me being a frugal person, and a super saver, I can't see it being a problem. We would be looking at Mid Jan, as to not interfere with DH many union related meetings every month. Probably book a midweek departure date as to save some money. The flight out is the pits, realistically not getting to the resort till around midnight. The flight back is alot better. Hopefully the outward bound flight will change for the better by the time I book. We tend to be very laid back when it comes to travel, so I wouldn't need to book any TS restaurants. Although we tend to be very Commando when it comes to the parks. I would get a one park per day pass, which is what we would probably do anyway. To be honest after 5 trips to DL, including 2 solo trips, I'm Disneylanded out. I would probably plan a DL trip after this one, just so I can show the family the finished California Adventure. MY DH is going to have fun, as I discovered my inner adrenaline addict on my last trip to DL in Nov/13, and can't wait to try every wild ride in the parks.

We did a Friday evening flight once and got into Kidani Village around midnight. We all slept well and were up and ready to go first thing in the morning!

While I've never done DL, I think you'll be surprised at the size difference between DL and WDW. I promise you that you won't run out of things to do!

 

[Disney Commando]

Definitely getting everything out of those APs.

We are back trip was AWESOME, already planning for Nov trip, looks like we may add at least a extra day

Definitely getting our monies worth on the APs, they already paid for themselves and beyond just on park visits, with all the reg store discounts and resort savings plus this time we got free Memory Maker they are also catching up paying for themselves with just discounts

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

We are back trip was AWESOME, already planning for Nov trip, looks like we may add at least a extra day

Definitely getting our monies worth on the APs, they already paid for themselves and beyond just on park visits, with all the reg store discounts and resort savings plus this time we got free Memory Maker they are also catching up paying for themselves with just discounts

Glad you had a great time and there were no mishaps. How did you get the free Memory Maker?

 

[kathy884]

I don't think of myself as a commando, but I want to post my over the top commando experience at DHS and support other commandos and say that a commando experience can be an absolute blast. This commando day is one of my fondest Disney memories.

First time of year -- December 21st -- busy season -- not as bad a Christmas week, but getting close to that season. // Group -- huge 10 people all ages 13 and over // Goal: Get the most out of our one and only one day at a Disney park and minimize waits in line

I was in charge of planning for the group. Some of the relatives called me and asked me what they could do to get ready / prepared for the trip. I was just kidding, but they actually took me seriously. I told some what would really help would be to start a jogging program, so we all as a group would be in good physical shape to dodge the strollers at rope drop and get to top attractions before the crowds. And OMG -- I couldn't believe it, but my out of shape relatives who were joining us for the trip actually started a jogging program. lol

I had a preliminary plan from touringplans.com laid out and the night before our DHS day sat down and went over it with my brother, my partner in crime, to tweak it and make it as appealing as possible for the entire group. We then went down to the condo lobby and printed 10 copies. For everyone who was going with us, we told them what time we would have breakfast ready and be leaving for the park. We told them two cars would be going at that time, and anyone late would need to find their own transportation to the park and meet up with us, as we wanted to be early people for rope drop and weren't going to wait for anyone. My brother got up early and made a huge breakfast for everyone going. At the same time, my mom and I made 15 sandwiches, as our plan had no time to stop for lunch and several of us would be carrying sandwiches, snacks, and juice boxes in cooler backpacks.

We then distributed the plan to every person and said that this is what a core group of us would be doing. Everyone could join us for all or part of this if they wanted and/or do their own thing, but this is what we would be doing. To my total and complete surprise everyone stuck with the group and the plan all day and loved it.

We arrived at the entrance to DHS 90 minutes before opening. This is when they actually did have an official rope drop and rope, and we were right at the front of that rope drop line.

Next thing, OMG, the rope was down and our party of nine jogs around the strollers and as a group jog over to Toy Story Mania which we had read is the longest line in the park. And we couldn't believe it, only two people in that big crowd actually made it over before we did. So we ride the ride, and there is still no wait (total walk on) when we get off, so we ride it a second time, and then have everyone pick up a fastpass for it.

And then it's on with the plan. My niece and nephew are so cute during the day with comments like, "Oh Aunt Kathy, this is so much fun, what does our plan say to get on next."

I LOVE plans with big groups especially, as there is none of that, "What do you want to do next. I don't know what do you want to do." It's so much easier and more fun to have a plan in advance I think, and the bigger the group the more I feel that way.

 

[kmedina]

I've got a question for my fellow Commando's. First off I'm sorry I haven't on much, as finances are tight, and have been battling a nasty knee that I'll get confirmation late Aug that I'm going to need surgery on it. I've been saving for the past couple of months, for a DISNEY trip sometime in Jan/17. When I checked my fav airlines website, I discovered that for around $400CDN more I can afford WDW staying at the Coronado Springs for a 7 day trip versus a budget hotel in DL for 5 days. Regardless the trip would be booked with this airline. So my question to my fellow Commando's is it worth going to WDW for 7 days?? Realistically we would have 5 days in the parks. Is this viable since none of us have ever been to WDW before?? I really wouldn't be able to book till Sept/16 as I couldn't afford to before then. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. At this point I'm researching both trips, and won't make a decision till around June/16 when I see where my finances are at. I've told the kids that we are going somewhere in 2017, but they don't know where we are going. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. I'm just saving like crazy, as I've also got a solo trip to Las Vegas later that year, I may turn into a trip to Baltimore for the family, proving I can find cheap airfare. Thanks and have a great day!

Trish

Trish

I think anything less than seven days at WDW is generally not worth it, because it is so large. There are exceptions, like if you're going to be in the neighborhood and have less time to visit or live somewhere nearby and can go as often as you'd like. If you live far away, like I do, you want to make the most of the trip. We usually spend 7-10 days. I would love to spend two weeks, but my husband cannot ever really get that much time off at once. We are only going to stay for 2 nights this December (and only visiting MK), because we are just visiting following a seven day cruise on the Fantasy.

I usually spend 2-3 days at Disneyland, but I also enjoy the trips more when we stay for 4. My husband is a leisurely stroller, so I am able to go more commando on short trips. Whenever we go longer, he wants to take things slowly. I like to relax at home and go on vacation.

 

[AirGoofy]

I don't think of myself as a commando, but I want to post my over the top commando experience at DHS and support other commandos and say that a commando experience can be an absolute blast. This commando day is one of my fondest Disney memories.

We arrived at the entrance to DHS 90 minutes before opening. This is when they actually did have an official rope drop and rope, and we were right at the front of that rope drop line.

Next thing, OMG, the rope was down and our party of nine jogs around the strollers and as a group jog over to Toy Story Mania which we had read is the longest line in the park. And we couldn't believe it, only two people in that big crowd actually made it over before we did. So we ride the ride, and there is still no wait (total walk on) when we get off, so we ride it a second time, and then have everyone pick up a fastpass for it..

That is a terrific story, and yes, makes you a commando. But, when touring with that large a group and wanting to get the fun stuff done, you really do need a plan. That was our old strategy with FP legacy with TSM. Grab FP and ride standby first thing in the AM before crowds, but never got three times out of it. We did manage that one year at AK with the Safari ride. We had a 8:00 AM ADR at Tusker House, got FP for KS, rode it stand by with no wait, had a short stand-by wait, and then legacy FP for three in a row.

I think anything less than seven days at WDW is generally not worth it, because it is so large. There are exceptions, like if you're going to be in the neighborhood and have less time to visit or live somewhere nearby and can go as often as you'd like. If you live far away, like I do, you want to make the most of the trip. We usually spend 7-10 days. I would love to spend two weeks, but my husband cannot ever really get that much time off at once. We are only going to stay for 2 nights this December (and only visiting MK), because we are just visiting following a seven day cruise on the Fantasy.
.

We don't need the 7 days anymore since joing DVC. Yes, DVC has spoiled us, but we enjoy it so much more. Now, we go annually to WDW, but only do parks every other day. Also, that day of rest helps as I've gotten older. Still, parks days are commando days.

 

[Phoenixrising]

I may try to squeeze the WDW trip in Jan/17 to 8 days depending on how much I can save between now and when I book. I know I will be able to afford 7 days, so I'm planning for that and am also looking at a trip to DL in Nov/17 solo. I've already looked at the Premier AP and decided it wasn't worth the cost, even with the discounts. I have to figure out the price difference, and see if I can afford the extra day. I really enjoyed DL at Christmas time, and want to see it again, with a camera that has a better zoom. I'll probably take the older Canon SLR to WDW, as I don't want to kill the newer digital camera with the high humidity there. For me even running solo or with the family, 5 days is more than enough to experience everything we want to when it comes to DL.