What is your strategy for making your vacation last longer?

[zakatak]

Other than extending your days, lol...

Anyone notice that the first couple of vacation days seem to last for a long time, then they go like record speed after that? Any ideas on how to make the time go slower while you are on vacation?

We all know how slow it can go BEFORE we leave!!

 

[emmagata]

That's easy.

Just stay longer!!!!!


But you're right, it does seem that after the first few days we often say "It's only Tuesday? Seems like a week." then "WOW, I can't believe we leave to go home tomorrow!! "

That's when the crying starts.



That's also when my wife yells at me to knock it off and quit acting like a baby.

 

[Ratpack]

We always do two different parks each day, one in the morning and one in the evening. That seems to make it seem longer to us.

 

[Obsessed w/Disney in OH]

We go on the theory that sleep is an option at WDW...

We extend every day to the fullest...up early in the morning and go until late at night...definitely commando style. We figure we can rest when we get home!!

Last year, we flew home early in the morning. We stayed until closing the night before we departed and stayed overnight at the airport hotel. This November, we fly home late at night and plan to spend the entire day at a park until we absolutely have to leave for the airport.

Somehow, this seems to make it feel like we are there longer, but it's never long enough at WDW!!!!

 

[DrTomorrow]

Stay longer and keep busy.
I agree with the starts slow goes quick comments - it's the same for us when we go to Las Vegas. My theory is based on the half-way point: when you're in the first half, you have so many days left it seems endless; when you hit the halfway point, each day seems like a scarce item which zips by too fast.

 

[J. Thornhill]

I must admit that I was once a "Park Commando", but I have been converted in the last few years. Taking a rest in the middle of the day not only provides a physical break, but a much needed psychological break as well. WDW is an endless series of stimuli. A period of quietude (no TV!) really gives you a chance to absorb what you've done, contemplate and restrategize the rest of your day. I now believe that a midday rest (especially during Summer) is essential. More to the point of the thread, I think that it lengthens your memories and thus the feel of your vacation. Each day is divided into two distinct "spheres" of activity. You remember more, and the days don't fly by in a forgettable blur.

 

[goofyernmost]

REFUSE TO GO HOME!!!

 

[stanley]

You can quit your job then wait till the money runs out or my favorite - hide . There are so many place to hang out in WDW I would say you could spend several more days just hanging out in lobbies, etc. (LOL)
Actually, we have found that keeping busy the last few days seems to extend the time. As a hoot, we try to see how many parks we can fit in one day, usually the next to last is best; it seems like we added a day or two to the trip.(strange but true)

 

[mmeb144]

I tried this the last time we were there. Just take the afternoon break! Catch some ZZZZZ's, swim in the pool, (do the laundry!), etc. The vacation was much more relaxing and I wasn't as tired when we went home. Ok, I was a little tired, but not like in the past! The vacation seemed to last longer, but it was actually shorter than our last trip!

Marie

 

[Unofficial627]

Don't focus on how many days you have left. Just enjoy the vacation to the fullest!!!

 

[nicknamy1996]

My suggestion was going to be less sleep as well. But if lack of sleep makes your miserable then obviously don't do that. I like the midday nap idea. Get up early do a days worth of stuff, take a nap then stay up late doing another days worth of activities.

Our last trip seemed to last a long time all because of one night... We drove down and were expecting to get in around 7 or 8 (time for dinner and bed.) We were planning to activate our APs the next day and enjoy a park. Well with a little bit of a head start on our leaving time and some good weather and light traffic we made it to WDW by 6p. Checked in at ASMo and headed strait to MK. We were able to ride the Monorail to the MK,then do TTA and Buzz lightyear (This was a HUGE bonus because my boys (1 and 3) are nuts about TS and Buzz was to close that night for a refurb and not reopen until we had headed home.) We saw the fireworks and Spectromagic. Then we ate at Caseys on main st. The entire night which was probably around 3 hours made the entire trip seem longer. Not only was it a magical night, it really was like adding an entire day to our trip. At the end of our 1st full day (which was supposed to be our first park day) It really felt like we had been there for 2 days already, and this continued through the week.

Park hopping had the same effect. Do a park take a break do a different park. It will seem like 2 different days.


Good Luck.

 

[ktglads]

We've taken a liking to flying in the night before and leaving late at night. That way we don't lose half a day each time for traveling!

 

[palmtreegirl]

We're the opposite of most people, the more laid back we are, the longer our vacation seems.

When we race around like crazy time seems to fly by but when we take our time and relax it seems to last a lot longer. We always get a full nights rest and never leave without missing something we wanted to see. We use to be commandos and the vacation would fly by and we'd come home exhausted. Now we relax and take it easy and the vacation seems to last longer. And better yet, we come home rested and relaxed.

 

[megrod74]

I've also found that slowing down helps it to last longer. I periodically will stop to 'take it all in' and really savor the experiences. I find this way I can remember better and enjoy it more and it doesn't fly by as fast.
This also worked for my wedding day

 

[dizkidz2]

We found that switching resorts midway through our trip made it feel longer. We stayed and POR for 5 days then switched to AKL for 6. We also took an early flight out and a late flight home.

 

[Tinkbell]

If you're there for a week or more, take those afternoon breaks. Also, don't attempt to see an entire park in one day. That way, you always have something to look forward to. If you don't see it all on your trip, it gives you another reason to go back.

 

[Jen D]

We've taken a liking to flying in the night before and leaving late at night. That way we don't lose half a day each time for traveling!

This is a must!

A good plan is to take an evening flight if you can (some can't), priceline a hotel near the airport for about $25, and head to WDW first thing in the morning.


And get the last flight out possible the last day. So what that you get home after 1am? You can catch up on your sleep in your ho-hum, non-Disney life.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Zakatak............my strategy for having a more pleasant, and a longer lasting vacation is to go alone !! My DH and I have had 4 WDW vacations TOGETHER, and now I have had 4 WDW vacations ALONE, leaving DH at home with our two cats.

Ahhhhhhh ! Solo is much better. LOL ! 'Nuff said !

 

[Jay Since 72]

On checkout day, if you're out of days on your passes, head over to the Marketplace for a couple of hours before you go to the airport. It's nice to just walk around, do a last bit of shopping, and soak in a little more Disney atmosphere before heading home.

 

[Obsessed w/Disney in OH]

Another suggestion is to write a trip report. Every evening at WDW or while waiting in line, I jot notes about what we did or saw and little details about what happened that day. When I get home, I write the trip report to deal with the coming-home-blues. Reading and re-reading the trip report helps me to extend the vacation in my mind!