Sorta Personal but...

[Dagger]

I just mentioned to my wife who has never been to WDW before that if we arrive in Orlando by 10:30 AM we may be able to make it to AK by 1:00 PM or so and have lunch and dinner there and she is already moaning about (oh we have to get transportation to the hotel and then we need to get checked into the rooms and then you want us to rush out to AK? We need to eat cause we are going to be hungry blah blah blah) and not listening to me explain that we are paying for the use of parks and all for each and every day and that it isnt like going to the shore where your just paying for your motel or hotel and then just paying for what ya want to do. WTH am I suppose to do?

Leave her in the hotel! If my husband gives me grief this trip, I am just going to the parks without him....meet ya there :lol:

 

[MaXXimus]

Sounds like a darn good plan to me, Ill meet ya at the MK turnstiles at 8:00AM on the nose... LOL... we dont need no stinkin rest, we dont need no stinkin food all we need is "The Magic" to keep us going all day and night. (And for those of you with minds in the gutter... get it outta there... LOL)

 

[TimeTrip]

I believe he is staying at WL not AKL.

Actually, I was assuming he was at AKL because of the desire to go to AK. Nemo is saying he's at WL. I'm not sure anyone knows for sure what hotel he is at.

Regarding the "hit the ground running", you're going to be there for 7 days. IMO, there's really no good reason to need to do so if you're there for that long. If you're gonna go gung-ho off the bat, I fear for how busy you are the full 5 days you'll have at Disney.

Of course if your intent was just to go to AK just to relax and walk around, then you should convey that to your wife, but I'm thinking you want to go around and ride rides and see shows too.

I'm also assuming you have a length-of-stay pass? or maybe a 6/7 day expire pass?

 

[Nemo14]

Actually, I was assuming he was at AKL because of the desire to go to AK. Nemo is saying he's at WL. I'm not sure anyone knows for sure what hotel he is at.

According to a previous thread, he's staying at WL:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=120138

 

[wannabeBelle]

his wife into the Disney way of life here are my suggestions:
1. spoon feed things one step at a time. Don't overwhelm her by dumping a ten stage itinerary on her.
2. focus on getting to the hotel - use DME to expedite the process
3. the hotel will hold your bags until you're ready to check-in so do that later and instead grab a quick bite (plus the check-in lines are often shorter late in the evening)
4. suggest AK as a great place to walk - if not interested ask her if she'd like to check out the property and go ride the monorails
5. Epcot is a great alternative - walking, shopping, dining - good romantic atmosphere
6. hide the "plans" - lunch, dinner, etc. make things seem more spontaneous by leading her to places at about the right time.
7. when you want to try something new ask her to take a walk - less threatening when there's no idea of a destination in mind

Your attitude is the key. If you hide the objectivity and act calm she will follow suit but you can still meet your goals. Whatever you do DON'T PUSH - it will just detract from your enjoyment and hers.

Works for me - hopefully it will work for you.

Wow CRO, you are good!!!! I couldnt agree more. I also dont think I would hit AK the first day in as it is the earliest closing park of the bunch usually which . Go to one of the parks that is open later that day so you dont feel rushed, such as EPCOT. I also usually make my dinner reservations for Raglan Road for those late nights as this is in Pleasure Island and doesnt actually close till about 2 in the morning!!! You definitely wont feel rushed eating dinner there!!!! And the band Tuskar Rock is great for Irish Music ( they rock it out and vary the style as it gets later) Have a WONDERFUL time!!! Belle

 

[TimeTrip]

According to a previous thread, he's staying at WL:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=120138

Ahh.. thanks for the clarification.

 

[tink rules]

I still say plan, but don't over plan....

It doesn't matter if someone hasn't ever been there before...or will never (never say never) go back again....

Some people go just for the parks.... that's fine. But there is a whole resort to enjoy also and you won't enjoy it if you run until you drop - and you will if you push too much.

The great thing about the resort is it is easy to get around and unless there are little kids involved - everyone gets to go and do what they want and get around easy.

& please... don't study and memorize the itinerary guides that they have in all the guide books... Even they will tell you it's just for an idea - not to tell you that you should run from ride to ride to show to monorail to restaurant to ride again....

If you overplan, you will kill your vacation. Trust me... there are lots of people here who will tell you that.

Go... relax...your daughters are old enough to do on their own a bit and still spend some time with you.

And yes, we do call it the shore... the beach is every where else... the Shore is Jersey....

 

[MaXXimus]

Would you feel comfortable letting 16 and 19 yr old girls roam around the WDW area unsupervised? I mean I know their ages are mature but looking at the vast area and umteen wackies out there... where should we draw the limit if any?

 

[unkadug]

Would you feel comfortable letting 16 and 19 yr old girls roam around the WDW area unsupervised? I mean I know their ages are mature but looking at the vast area and umteen wackies out there... where should we draw the limit if any?

I can't think of a safer place for a 16 and a 19 y.o. to roam.

In fact alot of teenagers go to the parks unsupervised everyday.

While a certain amount of "free" time is to expected, this should be a family vacation. Enjoy it together. It will mean ALOT in the future to your girls. :wave:

 

[Nemo14]

Would you feel comfortable letting 16 and 19 yr old girls roam around the WDW area unsupervised? I mean I know their ages are mature but looking at the vast area and umteen wackies out there... where should we draw the limit if any?

Personally, yes i would, but only you know how mature they are - I would specify that they must stay together, and check in with you by cell phone on a regular basis (by your own definition of regular, could be hourly, maybe at specific times). You can limit them to staying in the same park that you are in if that makes you more comfortable, but my own kids are allowed now to venture into different parks without us.

 

[MaXXimus]

Staying within the same park would probably be the wifes preference but maybe I convince her between now and then it is safe to allow them to raom as long as together.

 

[Nemo14]

Staying within the same park would probably be the wifes preference but maybe I convince her between now and then it is safe to allow them to raom as long as together.

It might be wise to let them prove themselves first by staying in the same park but keepingin touch - It's hard for us moms to let go a little you know...

 

[MaXXimus]

I can understand that... wife had a hard time letting kids stay out past dark even when they turned 14. LMAO...

 

[Nemo14]

I can understand that... wife had a hard time letting kids stay out past dark even when they turned 14. LMAO...

When my kids reached sixth grade, they were each on safety patrol at their elementary school. We used to laugh about it, since we wouldn't let them cross the main street by themselves at that point, but there they were assisting with crossing younger children.