After-Work Disney?

[Chernaboggles]

My husband and I haven't been to Disney World in nearly a decade. In 2014, we're going to be spending the entire month of February in Florida (telecommuting, we have no kids). We'll be staying a few miles from the parks and working regular hours during most weekdays.

I'm trying to sort out how to take best advantage of our temporary proximity to Disney World, and am looking for some insight or advice. We both love it and will probably want to go as much as possible while we're there, but it's not a month-long vacation, we do have work some too. I've thought about getting annual passes, even though we might not make it back before they expire, so that we can go as often as we like and not worry about parking fees. On the other hand, while we'll have a few days off and weekends, I don't know if going to the parks after work is realistic, looks like they tend to close earlier in winter. Is it a total pipe dream to think we could go over around 6pm for a couple rides and fireworks? Should I give up that notion and just concentrate on planning 3 or 4 days of Disney fun? Help!

 

[Master Yoda]

The urge to do everything and stay all day will quickly disappear. After you have been there for a week or two you will think nothing of stopping by for just an hour or two. I would attend conventions in and around Orlando 3-4 times a year and I would always stop in just to go on PoTC, BTMRR or grab some fish and chips and watch Illuminations.

The slower pace is a much better way to enjoy WDW.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Knowing you will be there for the entire month, even with work time included, gives you a lot of freedom to decide how to use those evenings and weekends. There still will be plenty of time available to you to explore the parks in the evenings, do DTD, boardwalk etc. Yes, you can still get a lot done in the evening hours. The Annual pass may end up being a better deal even though you might not get back in a year, because buying one day tickets every time will add up. Run the numbers and see where the better deal will be. If it were me, I'd do as much as I could fit in, plan the evenings, weekends and fit in a 3 - 4 day stretch too. And don't just restrict yourself to Disney, take advantage of what the surrounding area has to offer, cause theres a whole lot to do besides.

 

[Chernaboggles]

Thanks Master Yoda & JIMINYCR! My fear was that we'd get closed out, or that the process of parking and getting into the park would take so long that there wouldn't be much point in going after work, what with the earlier winter closing hours. I'd much rather be able to do a little at a time, when we were there on our honeymoon we overdid it so badly the first day that it really impacted our trip. The AP is pretty good by the numbers, since the 'no expiration' passes get pricey fast. With Presidents Week (and the attending crowds) right in the middle of the trip, we'll have a good reason to do non-Disney exploring too.

 

[SyracuseOrange]

Very jealous! I have a couple freelance clients on the side of my full time job, and I've often thought if I had 1 or 2 more, that I'd be able to easily afford living in Orlando and working from home, visiting the parks whenever I want. (Especially by trading NYC's cost of living for Orlando's.)

This is something I strongly considered for a while, and developed a whole plan to actually do. I was actually planning sometimes on bringing my iPad to the parks/resorts, hooking up to the free WiFi, and working from there. I can't think of any place I'd rather work! Work on a project for a bit while I listen to the Dapper Dans, and then grab a seat on the TTA to answer some client emails. Sounds lovely, no?

This would have worked for me based on the nature of my work, but maybe it's something you can do too! You could even work "half day Fridays." Start a little earlier in the morning and get the bulk of your work done, and then at like 3pm head over the parks, still "on call" if you needed, but working from a much happier place.

I love your idea of doing it for just a month stretch. Do you have friends/family you're staying with? Or did you get a short-term rental? Now I kind of want to do the same thing...

 

[Chernaboggles]

We got a month-long rental via VRBO. For that long, you can get pretty good deals. You're right about the ipad/tablet! That's a great idea if we have a mostly empty day with just one or two quick work things that need to get done at specific times. Thanks!

We've been talking about a Disney vacation for years but we have a big dog that we don't like to board overnight, which means we need to drive instead of fly. We have flexible working schedules but limited vacation days, it's easy to start late or leave early, but being totally off and out of touch for a week is pretty tough. If you're talking about 2 days each way just of driving, the vacation starts to look pretty cramped and exhausting. We'd started talking about bringing laptops and working from the hotel room for a day or two here and there, to try and extend the trip,and then it occurred to me that we could just relocate for a month and use our vacation days to lengthen weekends or do a day at the parks (or wherever) in the middle of the week, plus evenings. We've got friends to look after our house and cats, we'll bring the dog along and use a doggy daycare if we want a full day at the parks. If it all works the way it's supposed to, it'll be great.

We've never done ANYTHING like this -we haven't even been on a real vacation in years!- so I'm both terribly excited and completely freaking out even though it's still 5 months away.

 

[SyracuseOrange]

Sounds amazing. Have a great time!

 

[Chernaboggles]

Thanks. Really glad I found this forum, so much helpful info!

 

[Andi❤Disney]

If you're worried about hitting the parks after work, you can always check the park schedules to see when the extra magic hours are & plan accordingly.

 

[Chernaboggles]

I thought extra magic hours were only for people staying at the resorts?

 

[jkl2000]

You'll be whistling while you work! Also, probably lots of birds, deer, and rabbits will come and help you.

 

[Andi❤Disney]

I thought extra magic hours were only for people staying at the resorts?

Ugh......my bad!

 

[Rage1]

Or if the WiFi isnt good enough there is always the verizon jetpack mobile hotspot. I use one everyday allday for work with barely any hiccups. It is 4G so it is supper fast and you can get it on there pay as you go plan so you dont have to keep paying when your not using it but will beable to start it back up when ever you need it. This option would atleast let you work on the way down and back up.