what does"commando style" touring mean to you

[jann1033]

just curious cause some seem to feel any planning at all =the dreaded commando style while I always thought it was the drag the screaming, scared, tired and hungry kids on space mountain because it is 3:02pm (the YOUWILLENJOY THIS %&*$VACATiON type of parenting that makes such oustanding kodak moments and facial tics that last long into adulthood)

 

[disneyjunkie]

To me commando means getting up at 5:45 each morning.

Catching the first bus that leaves the resort in the morning.

Not returning to the resort until the parks close.

Going crazy if you have to stand in line more than 10 minutes.

Making 10,000 possible trip schedules, before you leave home.

Thinking/dreaming about your next trip while watching 4th of July fireworks.

Comparing the 4th of July fireworks to Wishes.

Knowing the 800 number to CRO by heart.

Knowing more about WDW than some of the CRO CMs.

I'm a happy commando. I think I'd pass out if I tried to relax while at Disney. I know I'd go crazy if I didn't have a detailed plan.

 

[Disney Ella]

What Disney Junkie said! Although if I actually tried it, I think DH would revolt. He's just finally understood why it is so important to get to MK at opening time. If it were up to him, we wouldn't make it to a park until noon.

 

[beaglebiz]

I thought "commando style" meant no underwear!!

 

[Disney_1derland]

I was a teenage Theme Park Commando.......

Arrive 45 minutes before opening, be the first to *The Rope*, sprint to the most popular ride and ride it until the wait is longer than 10 minutes and move on. Go, Go, Go without stopping to rest EVER. Methodically work the park and the lines (this was before fast pass). Stay until closing, heck, stay until they drag you out kicking and screaming. Wash, rinse, repeat.

I grew up 1/2 hour from Disneyland. I practically lived there. In my high school years in the summer the park opened at 8am and closed at midnight. I wouldn't be caught arriving late or leaving early.

I was totally mystified by WDW's early closing hours even in the middle of summer.

But now.....I have two kids, age 4 and 2. Commando is no longer in my vocabulary. My kids are up at 6am every morning, so park opening for me will be about the same. BUT....we will leave when the whinies begin. We will rest. We may even swim. And I will remember to stop and see the Princesses. I may even smell a rose or two. And I will *definitely* take the time to see the magic reflected in the eyes of my children and those around us.

Now....being a planning commando is another thing entirely. My Inner Theme Park Commando<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/1033.gif' border=0></a> lives on right here on the Dis, in full view of all of you and I don't even feel the need to apologize!

 

[wdwdvcdad]

Originally posted by beaglebiz
I thought "commando style" meant no underwear!!

you said it before I culd!

 

[Disney_1derland]

I didn't know you ever got off the disboards long enough for someone to beat you to a good opportunity for a sarcastic post <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/29/29_1_9.gif' border=0></a>

 

[chrisn]

Get up before the Roosters
Get to park 40 mins-1 hour before park opens
Rope drop to most important E-Rides
Ride Em Hard all day long
Shut the place down
Repeat again tomorrow
Repeat again tomorrow
Repeat again Tomorrow

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I think Chevy Chase had all the characteristics of a commando in "Vacation". I know that is how my husband used to be. He would not let me even get a carriage to hold my 4 year old but rather carried him because he felt it slowed him down. THEN he would say the vacation was for the kids! I remember one time my poor son was so tired when we got back to the hotel after the latest showing of the Hoopty Doo Reivew; we put my son on the bed. He NEVER moved but was in the exact position when he woke in the morning still dressed!! Thank god he is now 21 and does not have to be tortured by an obsessed father anymore. Sometimes people need to be reminded that it is a vacation not a reality show with a big prize for the most activities participated in by a visitor.

 

[anditoo72]

I get my Park Commando Style from my Dad- It's all his fault, but I wouldn't have it any other way!!!!!!! We do get up and to the parks before opening, I do have schedules for each park and exactly what to do next including where we will be going for lunch (counter service mind you). Although, I do schedule breaks and am mindful of the children when they get tired. I have thought of where the best places for them to take a nap (Hall of Presidents) ect within the plan of course. We don't usually stay until park close though because the kids are still young!!!!! Although I have planned a four hour nap break in the middle of the day one day so we can go back and see the parade and wishes. I do have to say if my plan gets messed up, I don't freak out about it (like my Dad) I try to make up what we missed later.

 

[The Sweetness]

Commando touring is when you are so regimented, and is such a damn hurry to do everything, you forget to relax a bit and enjoy yourselves

Ive done this plenty, but not this time. I WILL NOT BE A CRANKY CONTROLL FREAK ON VACATION (maybe I should go to my room and write that 1,00 times )

 

[Amirah95]

Commando Style to me is this...for example from May 2003. Notice the rides are in order and we are up at 6am and at the park at 8:00am to get a good parking space. Everyday is written like this with some added notes in my Palm and we follow it. One time my DH got so frustrated that he took my Palm away fro me after three days into doing this. I felt sooooo lost! He finally gave it back to me two hours later.

We also threw in the Carousel, Judge's Tent, Barnstormer and Minnies House and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority because we had extra time!

Disney 2nd Day--5/11Sun
Hours: 9am-7pm
Magic Kingdom
Dinner: Tony's Town Square--Con# 27057875 @ 6:05pm
**3pm Share a Dream Parade

Rides:
FRONTIERLAND--
1. Splash Mountain (FP)
2. Big Thunder Railroad (FP)
TOMORROWLAND--
1. Extraterrestrial-20mins
2. Buzz Lightyear (FP)
3. Space Mountain (FP)
4. Indy Speedway
FANTASYLAND--
1. Peter Pan's Flight 3mins (FP)
2. It's A Small World
3. Winnie Pooh 3 1/2mins (FP)
LIBERTY SQUARE--
1. Haunted Mansion (FP)
ADVENTURELAND
1. Pirates of the Carribean

Daily Budget:
Parking- $7.00
Food- $30.00
Disney Dollars-$40.00
Misc-$20.00

 

[Ms. WDW]

Originally posted by disneyjunkie
To me commando means getting up at 5:45 each morning.

Catching the first bus that leaves the resort in the morning.

Making 10,000 possible trip schedules, before you leave home.

Thinking/dreaming about your next trip while watching 4th of July fireworks.

Knowing more about WDW than some of the CRO CMs.

I'm a happy commando. I think I'd pass out if I tried to relax while at Disney. I know I'd go crazy if I didn't have a detailed plan.

I did make some "minor adjustments" to the original quote. But I do alot of planning. I am however, very flexible and wouldn't die a thousand deaths if I had to change around something a little. Mind you I did say a little!

 

[tevagirl]

The first word that pops into my head when I think commando is SISTER-IN-LAW. We stayed in the cabins at FW. She had her cabin, we had ours. We would stumble out onto the deck at 7:00 in the morning, in pj's, coffee cup in hand, hair sticking up all over the place, one eye still shut, and there she would be......sitting in her golf cart in our driveway, her kids behind her (looking alot like us), with this look on her face that said "You are a bunch of pathetic losers". She's a crazy woman.

 

[Amirah95]

I'm just like your sister in law but my DD9 and DH is ready to go! LOL! My DH calls me GI Jane when we get out to Orlando.

I don't think that the Commandos should push their style on others. Do whatever works for your family and she can do whatever works for hers. It's still all good!

And as far as making a few minor adjustments...I don't know, I don't cope well with those either. LOL! I remember we were at Epcot and Test Track had broke and we had to wait 30 mins for it to open again. I was going BONKERS! DH had to cool me down with a smoothie from one of the carts.

 

[tci1212]

Tevagirl,
Don't dis your sil on the boards!

 

[tevagirl]

Originally posted by tci1212
Tevagirl,
Don't dis your sil on the boards!

.....that's the crazy woman!

 

[DISFANS3]

You can SLEEP when you get home. Commando style for us, We get up early anyways so this is no problem, First bus out... Have you gone a vacation with inlaws who like to sleep untill noon, never again for us.... two weeks until we leave for WDW-Pop century, 10 days this trip.. I will call this trip the No INLAWS NO FRIENDS NO PHONE TOUR...... Time to pack the bags.......

 

[etwinchester]

with family members (10 others) most whom you had to push in the morning to get ready to go. Then when we got to Epcot, they made it as far as innoventions and decided they didn't feel like walking around the world showcase. We got there at like 9:00 or 9:30 and it was around 11:30 when they were tired. Give me a break...

Needless to say, I had to speed visit the countries. I was NOT a happy camper. Why spend over $250 for park hopper tickets when you don't want to do anything and complain about everything... This family member also visits the Wildwood boardwalk and decides after 3-4 blocks, they want to go back...(geez, you never get past the same damn spot)

NEVER AGAIN will I go with family members or that many (or at least the one aunt). We stayed off site so we drove in one vehicle which was the mistake.

If for some reason other family members do come down, they can come and go as they please. I'll be staying ONSITE for now on and taking Disney transportation. If your tired, go back...

 

[Amirah95]

We always go with a group but we meet up like once or twice to do dinner or breakfast...NEVER a park! My sister-in-law is a cry baby and she is always too hot. She is 23 years old for crying out loud. Never have one car because that is a nightmare too.