Afternoon "rest" strategies? (8 & 10 yr old)

[hemmie]

We will be going in May and staying at AKL. I know many recommend heading back to the resort for an afternoon break every day and returning in the evening, but AKL is so far from MK especially, that we would probably rather try to find restful things to do either within the park (e.g. a show or Tom Sawyer) or at a nearby resort. I'd like to make a list of options.

For example, our MK day, what about going to the Polynesian to hang out at their beach/hammocks? I know we can't swim in the pool unless we are a guest, but is it weird to kind of set up camp for an hour or two?

What about in or near Hollywood Studios? We will be there on a Friday of a Star Wars Weekend, so I'd love some sort of relaxed mid-afternoon break for the family, but I'm worried if we go back to AKL, it will be hard to motivate to go back into the chaos.

Thanks in advance!

 

[agavegirl1]

When I went with a 9 and 11 year old, we adults needed the downtown more. We used the following strategies for "rests"...

Tom Sawyer Island and a boat ride (WL and back with some wandering around the resort) at MK

HISTK play area and boat ride to/from Boardwalk for DHS

Watching all the movies in the Countries at EPCOT combined with snacks and sitting in the various garden spots.

Animal Kingdom was not yet completed (open for onsite guests for free) so we only spent a few hours there on our travel day to home.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Just ride the train for a for a rest. Also Find at a quiet spot for lunch such as the second floor of the Columbia harbor house. While not exactly a rest I schedule the crystal palace at 3:00 just to get us out of the heat for a bit. I wouldn't leave the park as it is a lot of walking to the front then you have to go through security and put your tickets again.

 

[hemmie]

Love these ideas! Thanks! I am adding them all to my list

For our HS day, what about taking a mini-golf break at Fantasia? Or is that more trouble than it's worth? (i.e. not restful) How do people get there from HS?

 

[Disneychick75]

We've never gone back to the resort for a rest.
MK-Carousel of Progress and Hall of Presidents for downtime
Epcot-Ellen's Energy Adventure is good for about 45 minutes.
DHS- The Great Movie Ride, Muppets 3D, and Voyage of the Little Mermaid
AK- It's Tough to be a Bug, Nemo Show, Festival of the Lion King

For Fantasia, take the boat ferry to the Swan/Dolphin from DHS. It's across the street. Be careful because it's very busy and cars and buses go pretty fast. We laugh a lot when playing mini golf and I think it would be a nice break.

 

[bc7ate9]

For resting at the Magic Kingdom, I like attractions like the Hall of Presidents or Carousel of Progress or the People Mover. At Hollywood Studios, the Walt Disney: One Man's Dream exhibit/movie is usually pretty quiet and nicely air conditioned. We've taken Epcot breaks by going to the Polynesian. We get the huge bowls of Dole Whip and enjoy them by the pool/beach - then we take the Monorail all the way around to the Transit Center (I feel a little silly when I can see the Polynesian from the monorail when we get there and realize it would be quicker to walk...but not walking is kind of the point.) I think a lot of the movies in the World Showcase at Epcot require you to stand? I know that China does - I'm not positive about the others.

 

[sharonabe]

One other MK day break...take the monorail to EP and back. You have to get off at TTC to change trains, but the roundtrip from TTC to EP should give you a pretty good, restful, break.

 

[kiramay]

We liked scheduling a big meal around 2:30 or 3. That way we were in the park but taking an hour or so to sit and rest. The two days our dinners were later, we just went back to the resort afterwards and made it an early night.

 

[ucfknight]

At Epcot, just head to the American Adventure, find a quiet seat off to the side, and let everyone take a 25 minute nap.

 

[gwmort]

Its been a while sine we've been over there, but from MK my parents used to take us on the boat ride over to the campground. There was a nice buffet there and a corral where you could see horses and a playground, etc... Was a nice break.

One of my favorite things was to rent a pontoon boat and cruise around the lakes.

 

[ktlm]

We never take mid-day breaks. We've always been open to close people and DD(7) is right there with us. Of couse, it depends on how high energy your kids are. What we do is schedule our big TS of the day for lunch most days- that gives us a nice hour or so sit down break and time to recharge for the rest of the day. As far as things in the park. At MK, Philharmagic is a good idea, or Carousel of Progress (tends to induce naps in our family), or the Monster's Inc. laugh floor. You could always stop in to Gaston's tavern for a Chocolate Crossiant, or just grab a Mickey head ice cream bar from a cart and sit on a bench a little bit. EPCOT, in future world Ellen's Energy Adventure is a 40 minute ride, Living with the Land is 15 or 20 minutes, and the movies in WS are a good place to recharge. As far as DHS, it is very show heavy- it feels like a pretty restful slower day to us because we are moving from show to show. Also, the Great Movie Ride is 20 minutes. At AK, there is the Nemo show or Flights of Wonder. If it is hot day, we try to plan to do some indoor airconditioned shows, movies, or long rides durhing the afternoon to get out of the heat.

 

[Canooknic]

Rest time = Mickey head ice cream time!!! It's the only way we could get our boys to stop last year! They're like Energizer bunnies!!!!

 

[mlneryder]

All great ideas. Anywhere you can get out of the sun and relax will work.

 

[summermac]

We try to schedule TS for late lunches to get our breaks.

 

[JimmyV]

A lot of these responses focus on seeing shows in the parks. I won't add to that list, as they have mostly been covered. But it seems as if you are looking to escape the crowds in the parks to unwind a bit, so here are some suggestions:

From the MK, head over to the Contemporary (monorail or walk) and rent a pontoon boat. (Can also be done at the Grand Floridian) One of these will easily fit your whole family, and there is no better relaxation (for me) than being on the water. And this activity still makes you feel as if you are enjoying Disney magic, as opposed to punting and just taking a nap. Here's a link: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/motorized-boats/ The kids will love cruising around the lakes.

From DHS, take a boat over to the Swan and Dolphin pool area. While all pools are technically for guests, the ones here seem less patrolled, unless someone reports otherwise. Mid-day, there shouldn't be any issue with finding a spot to sit down. However, I would caution that you would have to lug around another set of clothes/towels if you plan to swim in the afternoon, or rent a locker to stow your stuff for the day. Not sure you could get a pool towel without a room key.

And yes, mini-golf is an option. Just walk across the street from the Swan/Dolphin pool area. But I question if mini-golf in the afternoon heat would be any more relaxing than simply staying in the park.

The Dolphin Hotel has a terrific Ice Cream parlor called the Fountain. You could certainly take the boat to that resort and get a mid-afternoon snack to cool you down. And the Beach Club has Beaches-N-Cream, but I prefer the more quiet atmosphere of the Fountain.

 

[hemmie]

These are all wonderfully helpful ideas & suggestions! Thank you so much. I think a lot will depend on weather (rain/heat), crowd level, how much sleep we all have gotten in the nights leading up to each park, etc. Our boys generally do have a ton of energy, but going from rope drop to Wishes and then taking WDW transpo back to AKL is a LONG day no matter how you slice it.

Re: HS, again we will try to get there for rope drop to try to get into Jedi training (on SWW, yikes!), and I'm really torn as to whether to push it to try to make it to Fantasmic. Normally I'd just play it by ear, but I'm wavering between the Mama Melrose package and 50s Prime Time (far prefer to eat at the latter, but the package is tempting... unless we are too exhausted for Fantasmic). Decisions, decisions... all four months in advance!

Thanks again - love my growing list!

 

[frozengurl]

Two Words:
PEOPLE MOVER

 

[Imhere]

We will be going in May and staying at AKL. I know many recommend heading back to the resort for an afternoon break every day and returning in the evening, but AKL is so far from MK especially, that we would probably rather try to find restful things to do either within the park (e.g. a show or Tom Sawyer) or at a nearby resort. I'd like to make a list of options.

Don't overestimate how far AKL is from MK. It's 12 minutes on the bus.

It's a few minutes longer than from some other resorts.

We have stayed at AKL twice.

If you want to go back to your resort in the middle of the day please don't let the decision hinge on a longer bus ride. It's a couple minutes, really.

 

[hemmie]

Don't overestimate how far AKL is from MK. It's 12 minutes on the bus.

It's a few minutes longer than from some other resorts.

We have stayed at AKL twice.

If you want to go back to your resort in the middle of the day please don't let the decision hinge on a longer bus ride. It's a couple minutes, really.

Really? I keep hearing different things; I have in my notes (from three different sources):
Magic Kingdom: 12 miles, 15-20 mins on bus
Unofficial guide says: 36 is typical, 51 on a bad day

 

[Suellen]

Don't overestimate how far AKL is from MK. It's 12 minutes on the bus.

It's a few minutes longer than from some other resorts.

We have stayed at AKL twice.

If you want to go back to your resort in the middle of the day please don't let the decision hinge on a longer bus ride. It's a couple minutes, really.

Really? It seems like it takes 12 minutes just to get from the Bus to the parking lot exit.

I say plan to head back to the hotel for some pool time. It will be hot then. The parks are also usually open later then and night time for the parks after a nice afternoon swimming is awesome!!

Use the evening magic hours since the kids are a bit older and usually can make it out longer!

For inside stuff at DHS we love the animation building and the class.
Epcot we love innovations and the Flower and Garden center (depending when in May) they also usually have the Flower and Garden play structure set up. MK I'd say... Laugh Floor, People Mover and then over to Mickey's Philharmagic for the hotter part of the day. My 8 year old still likes the Dumbo play center... we don't ride the ride but go in and climb and play and it is air conditioned. Also you can bring swim suits and play in the water area in the new Fantasyland. We also like to do a table service lunch for air conditioning and down time.

Love May... awesome time to visit!