Afternoon Break Ideas Needed for Non-Resort Guest

[christophfam]

Our party consisting of DS (9), DD (6), myself and my parents (70s) will be driving (45 minute drive from my parents house) into WDW for one day at MK during spring break. The hours on the particular day we are going are from 9-11. Long day. I need some advice on the best way for all of us to get a break midday.

Since we don't have a hotel room to go back to, I've thought about going to the GF for a late lunch or early dinner. I'm not sure though that this would be much of a break and may just add to our walking since we have to walk to the monorail and then on to the restuarant. Maybe we should just have a long sit-down at MK? I guess I could really use some advice on this one. I don't mind getting all tired out in one day, since we will be relaxing the rest of the vacation, but I would like to make it until we've seen wishes.

Thanks for your help!

 

[shatzjsl]

The monorail is right outside the gates of MK and 1900 Park Fair (if that's the restaraunt you go to) is just down the stairs from the monorail at the GF. Not much of a walk. It would make a nice break in your day to have a late lunch there. Plus you will get to meet Cindy!!

The monorail also stops inside the Contemporary so Chef Mickey's is an option that is a lot of fun. The Contemporary also has the biggest arcade at WDW if your kids like arcades.

Then there is the Polynesian and O'hana's for a nice lunch break.

 

[Shelby5514]

If you want to stay at MK but just sit and relax try the pathway behind the toontown train station and the Indy cars. I know we've walked this a few times and there are some nice benches in the shade and I've never seen more than a few people back there. You could also plan on doing all the sit down shows late in the day. I know when we want to relax we hop on the TTA and just ride around. It's usually never busy and the CM let us stay on as long as we want, last year we rode it about 10 times around. (We've done this at Spaceship Earth too!)

 

[LindaR]

One year, (my DD was 9) we went in September (very hot and humid) and she asked for a break but didn't want to go back to the hotel (we were onsite), so we jumped on the monorail and rode without getting off.......back and forth, for 45 minutes! My daughter even dozed! The A/C was blasting, we put our feet up on the seat (no crowds), and just zoned out. For us, this was the perfect break without leaving and it rejuvenated us enough to go for another 4 hours!

Sometimes you just need to get away from the mass of people, find a quiet place, and let your mind take you away from park touring, even if you physically can't leave.

 

[wdwrich]

Just an FYI- 1900 Park Fare and Chef Mickey's do not serve lunch.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Grab the boat to Ft. Wilderness and eat a nice lunch or dinner at Trails End, relax on the porch, visit the petting zoo.... or

Take the boat to the Wilderness Lodge, get a bite to eat at Roaring Forks (a grill type counter service place), and sit just outside at the tables and enjoy the view. I'd recommend sitting in the WL lobby too, but sometimes Whispering Canyon can be a little loud.

You could do the same thing at any of the other MK area resorts.

 

[wendy1974]

WOW! That is a l-o-n-g day-14 hours. I definetly think that it would be worth it to break it up and go to one of the monorail resorts for a late lunch and like a previous poster said make sure they have a video arcade for the kids and the adults can find a comfy place to sit and rest.

Also, let me recommend the following attractions in MK for a good catnap:

The Hall of Presidents (comfy theater seats in the dark and airconditioning)
The Tommorowland Transit Authority
Mickey's Philarmagic (another comfy theater)
It's a Small World
The Haunted Mansion
The theater at the back of the camera center next to Tony's

I think the most important thing is to walk slowly and take your time getting to each attraction. I have seen many a child have a meltdown in the afternoons at MK and chances are yours will so you want to give them as much time as possible to rest during the day. In 14 hours you should be able to do everything the park at least twice

 

[shatzjsl]

Just an FYI- 1900 Park Fare and Chef Mickey's do not serve lunch.

I stand corrected. I forgot that it was a late breakfast at 11:10 (last seating) when we ate there last year and considered it lunch and we ate dinner at Park Fare around 4:30 (first seating) so I must have been thinking lunch.

 

[tjmw2727]

I agree with the suggestion of the WL, you may just feel as if you have gotten away!

We always plan a sit-down late lunch when spending the entire day at a park, our preference is for about 2ish. If not the WL then any of the monorial resorts would do the trick. I think my second choice would be Kona Cafe at the Poly or Concorse at the CR. The arcade is bigger at CR but Poly is very nice as well.

Have you considered getting a room at one of the value resorts or even close by but offsite for the one night? I think that arriving at MK by 9am and staying until 11 is a very long day for everyone. This has you leaving your home by 8 and not returning until midnight. With a FL Resident discount you could get a room for as little as $50.00. Considering what you pay for park admission it may just make or break your day and you would have a place for your afternoon break? Just an idea ~

Have a wonderful day!

 

[wendy1974]

tjmw2727 that is a great idea. I can't believe that I didn't think of that. IMHO that would be well worth it and getting a Florida Resident discount would be the icing on the cake. I would highly recommend doing that. Not only would you have a place to nap for a couple of hours but the kids could hit the video arcade and the pool too!

 

[christophfam]

Thanks for your help. I'd like to stay in the area, but it won't work for us this trip. Would WL be a better choice than GF? I want to keep the walking down to a minimum since MK will be taxing enough for my mother's bad knees. Thanks shatzjsl for the info on how close 1900 is to the monorail, that helps a bunch. I guess I am still a bit torn. I do definitely want to go to a resort for our break, but not sure which one. Does GF have an area we can relax in before dinner? I checked and they do have an arcade and I was able to get an early dinner with Cindy at 1900. But, I do like the idea of WL too- never been there and from what I've read it would be a bit of an oasis. Relaxing on the porch sounds wonderful!

Thanks too for advice on how to relax at the park. We'll need to do both!