Yoo hoo, John!
JB> We're going back again this year, so what is everyone's opinion? Is
JB> it better to stay at the parks, maybe just taking it slow if you get
JB> tired, or better return to the hotel during the day?
Based on our six visits, and especially our last, I have come to
believe that the three biggest rules for enjoying WDW are:
        EARLY, EARLY, and EARLY!
Take the advice in the guidebooks and arrive at the turnstyles about 45
minutes to an hour before the "official" opening time, and hit the
ground runnin' (figure of speach that--actually running I don't
recommend). Even in the off-season, the number of attractions you can
visit before the crowds arrive is quite remarkable. We found that we
could do as much before 10:30 as we could between 10:30 and closing.
Unless you have a Disney hotel adjacent to the park you're visiting,
we've found that the afternoon break is not an efficient tool. In
summer, it can help you to beat the worst of the afternoon heat, but the
evening crowds and afternoon crowds are about the same. I've also found
that I've got just so many miles per day in me any more, and
interrupting them for a nap doesn't really increase the total.
In short, I recommend an early start, goining until you quit, taking
what rest you need at your hotel, and then spending whatever part of the
day is left in other pursuits. Tour the resorts, swim, shop, or drop in
on one of the parks just for the parade or fireworks. With such limited
expectations for the evening visit, you are more likely to be satisfied
with the results.
I think the big key to enjoying the parks is to avoid the "gotta ride
everything" attitude that encourages frustration, exhaustion, and causes
one to miss not only the less flashy pleasures, but the simple enjoyment
of the place. IMHO, YMMV.
()_()
 (_)  Bruce (low key tour guide) Metcalf
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 þ OLX 2.1 TD þ Ignorance may be bliss, but it'll never replace WDW.
--- GEcho 1.20/Pro
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