afternoon resort breaks

[wdwjeffc37]

Another vote for breaks. We always have Park Hoppers and usually go to a different park after our break for our FP+. We RD the first park so we can get a lot done in the morning and get our FP+ for another park in the afternoon/evening after our break. We spend maybe two or three hours at the resort swimming and napping then we are ready to go until park close wherever we end up for the night. We love the MK and EPCOT WS at night. If we do late EMH then we will get a later start the next morning and make our FP+ depending where we re going.Resort breaks with Park Hoppers are the way to go.

 

[Chuckers]

I'm normally a solo traveler and I always take mid day breaks. I also usually park hop so my break is between the two parks. But, even when I don't, the break really helps me enjoy the night time. I LOVE the parks at night and by resting a little during the day, I really feel I get the most out of my stay. My last trip was with a friend and we still did the mid day breaks.. I think it really helped to avoid meltdowns for both of us. I like to plan breakfast character meals before RD in MK and AK and there is no way I would survive getting up that early and trying to stay pleasant through the day with out a nap

 

[jrandall]

I'm thrilled to see this post. I have been having anxiety about bringing 2 toddlers to the park & have decided to either leave in the afternoon for the day or leave early afternoon, go back to the resort, and go back in the evening. I'm thinking we will probably do the half days but I don't know. I am not sold on the idea that napping in the stroller will help them last the day. I think they need downtime from the stimulation of the parks to be happy. My main goal is trying to make this as relaxing of a vacation as I can but that is extremely hard considering it is disney & nothing about a disney trip is relaxing lol! Even picking fast passes is stressing me because I know my selections may not go as planned once there! I'm going into this vacation thinking they will probably only want to be at the pool and so any enjoyment they get from the parks is going to be an added bonus! Haha!

 

[philschrek]

Ours napped just fine in the strollers and that could have gotten them through the day. The biggest thing is that with a rest they can have some downtime away from the crowds and stretch out and move around without us being paranoid they'll get lost in the crowd! Our trip last year with four kids was actually the most relaxing we've had, and FP+ helped that honestly! It's a little stressful planning ahead but once you get there those FP+ rides you don't have to worry about fitting in when the lines are low (or having to wait a long time).

 

[Happyjen27]

I agree with not taking a break at AK, that's the park we don't break for either.

But every other park we are in need of a break after 4 hours. Not always for sleeping, just for getting away from all the stimulation, etc.

We would go to Rope Drop, then stay 4-5 hours, then go back to the resort. If we have last night plans (MSEP or late dinner reservations) we would take a nap and then get right back at it. If we did not have late night plans, but, had early morning plans the next day, we would just chill, play cards, watch TV or swim.

I can't imagine a time when I would not take a break, even as a grown up. My way isn't for everyone, but, it's what works for us. I would rather enjoy 4 hours than struggle through 9 hours at a park. YMMV.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

to OP esp if you want daughter to sleep at resort start doing some car trips near nap time to see if you can move her from car to bed and have her go back to sleep. not being able to get grandson back to sleep after ride to resort ruined our rest plans plus our first night dinner when that was when he fell back to sleep. also will your son be able to relax and rest if she is cranky and not resting? leaving a park and going back to resort is a lot different than just taking little one straight to bed at home​

 

[tlmadden73]

A lot of factors:
- Which park? (Don't need a mid-day break at AK .. it closes early usually .. just opt for a late lunch or early dinner at Tusker House
- How long are you planning on staying at night (until close?)
- Are you planning on getting there at rope drop?
- How long is your vacation (How many park days)

Personally I'd vote for in-park breaks just because (unless your resort is super close to the park of the day) of the time involved of getting there and back just doesn't seem worth it. But, I am an efficiency freak.

I think there are plenty of places to grab a show or find some shade and just chill out.

My wife and son (2 years,2months at the time) opted for no breaks in October.
We didn't get there right at rope drop (close, within the first hour) .. and we had no plans of staying past 8.
Our break at MK was by the Splash Mountain queue away from a lot of the traffic .. my son napped for like 90 minutes there.
Our break at AK was in the shade near a CM entrance in DinoLand ... we also had a late lunch (4:15 PM) at Tusker House that helped break up the day (we hopped to DHS afterwards)

 

[Magic Band Defender]

We almost always take a mid-day break. We do rope drop, get a ton done, then leave around 12:30 when the parks get hot and crowded. We always stay on property and like to use our 2-3 hour break to swim, nap or just enjoy the beautiful resort!