I hate waiting in long public lines! Too much time in life is wasted waiting in long lines to enjoy things!
So do I stay at home squirrelled away in my own personal “fortress of solitude“? Destined and doomed to live out my days as an impatient hermit?
Of course not!
In fact, we just got back from our local public Drive-In. We watched “The Last Air Bender” and the latest Shrek movie “Shrek Forever After“. The kids enjoyed them (especially Shrek). But what compelled me to go on a Thursday night (a work night) with the movies starting at 9:30pm?
Lack of people at the Drive in during that time! There was only about 30 cars that night! If we were to wait until this weekend, the number of cars could be double or triple the number! So by going on a less popular day, it was like we owned the place.
Here is a List of some of the Benefits of Excellent Scheduling
- When arriving at the Drive-In, there was no wait to get in, we drove up, paid to get in, and drove straight in.
- Once in, we got prime choices for spots to choose from.
- We didn’t have to wait in long food lines
- Bathroom break were quick without any lines.
- People were more quiet since there wasn’t as many people.
- The intermission play area for the kids wasn’t crowded and much safer.
- Nobody was parked to either side of us, so we adjusted our car to get the best angle for viewing the screen.
- Exiting was quick with no waiting in a line to get out.
By taking out the crowd factor, the experience was extra special! It was almost like they were playing the movie just for us (or at least if almost felt that way).
The same is true of dining out earlier during the day (4:30), and on a day in the middle of the week instead of the weekend! Not only is the service better, many places will offer a earlier bird pricing on a weekday to boot!
There is a huge gain if you go to an amusement park during a week day instead of the typical weekend. Line rides are much quicker!
Next I plan on trying the same technique with wave running! We use to go on the weekends when it was super crowded in the lake and less safe. But now since I sometimes work early, I’m going to try going during the middle of the week on a day that I get out earlier than usual. Hopefully, my experience will be the same as with the rest of the activities I mentioned above.
Can you think of an activity that is more enjoyable by staggering the time and day, so that the crowds are at a minimum?
-MR
I am an early person. I love an early lunch and an early dinner (and the occasional 4th meal 🙂 ). I notice my kids are now leaning that way too. It is great because you don’t have to wait in lines, and it also frees up other activities for the evening because other people are eating. For instance, we love sand volleyball. If we eat early, then go play, the courts are almost always open. At Disney, we eat our meals early and then go on some of the more popular rides during the traditional lunch/dinner times.
We try to do all our activities on the discount days. Laser Tag on Tuesdsay, Movies on Wednesday. When I do something really doesn’t matter, I just want to pay as little as possible.
How was Airbender?
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@everyday tips
If you’ve seen the cartoon, it was very similar, actually too similar for me. I felt like I just watch a different version of the cartoon. Still, my kids enjoyed it.
I won’t be so quick to go see the sequel though (I’ll definitely get the DVD rental)…
I like your Disny idea! Very Clever!
Say, I forgot about kids eating free on certain days of the week at certain restaurants!
That sand pit fun sounds awesome!
Awesome tips and it sounds like you guys had a great time. I’m like you, I hate crowds and long lines. The best time we ever had at Disneyland (we used to live an hour away and would go often) was when it was pouring rain! Everything was still open, even the water rides and there were absolutely no people! It was great. Now we do our best to plan opposite of the rest of the general public. We only eat out if the restaurant is empty and plan our vacations when no one else would dare go.
@Jesse
I’m surprised more people to do this little trick. After all, who wants to wait for 1 hour to be seated at a restaurant during rush hour…
That Disney Idea sounds like a pretty good one too!