What is your touring style?

[Dallas_Lady]

DH and I are going for our anniversary. It will be in September, which I know will have shorter hours. We will be there from Wed at 1pm to the following Tuesday at 4pm (5 full days, 2 travel days).

We want to get in as much as possible. All 4 theme parks and at least one water park, DD and DQ. We will have UHP.

DH wants to go commando. I am worried about burn out. I think mid-day rests would be good, but with shorter hours, we may be wasting valuable time. I don't want our vacation to leave us exhausted, but he doesn't want to waste any time (and hence waste money!)

So, as adults with no kids, what's your touring style?

 

[100AcreWoodFriend]

I think some of it would depend on your sleep style. My DH and I are early risers and are usually in bed by 10:00 each night. So when we go to Dis, we get up early and do the character breakfasts an hour to 45 minutes before the parks open. That way, as soon as we're done eating, we can just walk out into the park we're in and start our day.

Usually by 2:00, we're pretty pooped, so we would go back to our room, hang out in the pool or jacuzzi and maybe take a nap. Then we'd go to MK if they were having a late night, or we'd book dinner somewhere nice, like Citrico's in the Grand Floridian. Then we'd do the monorail and stop at the Poly and Contemp to look around, or go to Epcot for the evening fireworks at 9:00. Another night, we'd do dinner at the Boardwalk or at Downtown Disney and shop around.

There's always something to do if you don't have kids with you in DD or the Boardwalk.

Have fun!

 

[wbk]

We develop a schedule of what park we're going to be in on a given day. The primary reason we do that is for the purpose of meals. By scheduling a given park, you then set where you need priority seating. If you find that you need a nap, then take it. It's a joke around our house that I build nap time in, but we usually only do it a couple of times if we're fatigued. I alsways look at it that there will be a "next time" too. So if we don't see it or do it this time, we will next time.

 

[JenniBarra]

Our style is somewhat variable. Our most recent trip was my husband's first trip without anyone else in tow. (I went to WDW once around '85 with my parents and sister and the second trip was with extended family.) Since we were with grandparents last time, our pace was often slower than what we would do on our own. We had a lot of "goals" for our time, but we also had other times where we purposely were more laidback (wandering around AK).

 

[Disney Doll]

We have gotten away from that "commando" style touring, and into a more relaxed pace. We usually go to a park in the AM, hang there for awhile, go back to the hotel around 2-3PM, go to the pool, go for dinner, and do an evening thing(PI,BW,IllumiNations). It's more relaxing, and we don't go home from vacation exhausted.

 

[RussH]

My touring style probably matches my clothing style which is the "I have none" method. Learned years ago when at WDW you need to be adaptable to have the best time. I never get a PS because simply I have no idea where I will be at any given time.
I think there are a couple of reasons for this.
Firstly I use my AP to hop anytime I want. This was the biggest change from hopper media where one must be in a park every available second to get their monies worth. Now I go early hit a few big line attractions then go to another park. On really hot day's back on the resort bus and jump in the pool for awhile.
Secondly I have been to WDW a lot in the last few years which helps in the timing of what/where. I know where most everything is and which attractions or shows I like and the ones I wont do again.

You might want to try a day of both styles. Do the attack method at MGM or MK and a split/break day starting at AK in the morning then Epcot after the mid daybreak.
Have a great trip whether you come back refreshed or unconscious and twitchy.
RussH

 

[Gillian]

If DH really wants to do the commando thing, plan for full days on Thursday & Friday with a relaxing day on saturday. I think this will be a good plan for September, because I hear the weekends are crowded anyway.

I personally like the early to rise plan. In fact, I could plan Disney Doll's days! It's a really nice way to vacation. You get a lot done in the AM & then you can just hang out & enjoy the rest of the day. Walk slowly, savor the sunshine, people watch, have a mickey bar

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Thanks for your suggestions!

Since Saturday is mid-trip for us, its a proven busy park day, and our anniversary, I think we will use that as our "rest day." It will probably be the only Spectro/MK fireworks day, so we will ht that in the evening, but go mini-golfing and swimming during the day.

On our other days, we are going to do the early-morning commando approach and take advantage of the light crowds. And then have more leisurely evenings.

But by all means, keep the tips coming! I have only been to WDW once, with my family. DH has never been. I doubt we will become frequent WDW travelers, so I want to make the most out of this trip.

 

[nativetxn]

I did one Commando style trip, I was lucky to make it home alive

My touring style depends on how many days I have available. If I only have 5 days or less I tend to not take breaks and see as much as possible.

If I have a week or more then I'm more relaxed and make sure I visit my favorite attractions as many times as possible.

Katholyn