Another "should we break" ? - Hollywood Studios?

[Sharpdisney]

Hi again, I asked a question recently about taking a mid-day break at MK and got such good answers and ideas.

The other park I have actually planned a real break is HS. The way I think I have it arranged now is that we can work in about a 3 1/2 - 4 hour break. We will be there before RD because my DS wants to do JTA. Of course we'd like to also do Fantasmic but I do not have a FP for that so we'll need to do standby. Touring Plans gives HS a crowd of "4" that day, and easywdw lists it as Most Recommended. We are staying at POP which is supposed to be a "quick" bus ride back to the resort - I know I need to account for walking, walking, walking, not just the bus ride!

Basically, please tell me this is doable. If we need more time for a break, or it's hot or we are tired, I could leave after my lunch ADR which is at 12:10. But, we were hoping to stay to catch the 1:20 Lights, Motors, Action.

At MK, we decided not to do the break... there was just a ton of stuff to do and see, and being further away made the break too quick. But since we are a bit closer and there is less to do at HS, I'd really like to do the break that day. Thoughs????

 

[sharonabe]

My reply deals more with that ADR and LMA. With a 12:10 lunch ADR, you're going to be rushing to make that 1:20 LMA. There's no guarantee you will be seated at 12:10, and even if you are, figuring one hour to eat, only gives you 10 min to get to the back of the park to LMA before it starts.

If you leave after lunch, around 1:30, then you do have your 3-4 hr break before heading back for F! There is a 4:10 LMA, but that would cut your break short.

 

[DISNEYD14]

I'l be honest, mid day breaks never worked for us. Takes to much time to travel to and from resort IMO
HS is the only exception because of JTA that we would even try it. Luckily my kids opted not to do it.

We have 3 little ones so RD is tough, and we like to stay late which is even tougher with little kids who endured RD even with break and nap, because they never really happen during break.
Have you thought about making it a later lunch and doing the Fantasmic dinner package.

Then you could arrive at HS for RD and sign him up and head back to resort right away and come back at lunch.

We did our HS day in October by arriving at 12noon and staying through Fantasmic.

 

[Sharpdisney]

If we are a little late for LMA, I wonder if we will still get in? Just to see some of the cars racing around will be fun for DS I think.
If it makes any difference, our lunch is at Sci-Fi, which on the map at least looks like in the back half of the park already. I understand I need to go to the BACK BACK for seating at LMA.

 

[Mikie]

Like a PP, midday breaks never worked for us, but we were always out of the parks by 8:30 or 9 when kids were little. When we tried a break, they might fall asleep on the bus then not sleep in the room and it felt like a lot of bus riding for nothing. Some on DIS suggested to me using sit-down lunch plus a boat ride to and from Epcot as a break without actually returning for nap.

 

[MrInfinity]

Hi,
I posted in your MK thread about not taking a break there. HS however is a park that I think is particularly break-worthy. Mainly cuz it's so hot and plain, pavement everywhere, fewer comfortable things to be doing during the 12-6pm hours... a break here can be good. Especially if you just want to come back for Fantasmic.

Come early, get in JTA and a few rides at rope drop, use your 3 fast passes, then pick up a SDFP for whatever you can get in the evening, have lunch and leave.

I would skip LMA. It's just okay... and it cuts into having a useful break. If you do it, you won't be getting back to the hotel till 3.

 

[IndyRnRfan]

Anything is doable if you want to do it. We can suggest but it is your family and we don't know how you will be at the parks. If you need a break but don't think you can make it to the resort, hang out at a QS or chill out on a bench or curb for a while. If people need to sleep then you obviously have to head back to the resort. Like many have said, mid day breaks never worked for us but we waited until our son was 8 before we took him and he kept up with us all day and night.

 

[Sharpdisney]

Thanks again for some helpful tips.
I think we'll just leave it up in the air for LMA show at 1:20. I can ask the family (and depending on the weather), do you want to:

1) go see LMA and have just a 3 hour break or so back at the hotel?
2) Skip LMA for a longer 4 hour break at the hotel?
3) See LMA, and then just leave for the day? Sure we will miss Fantasmic, a bummer, but as I said before, we are not going to see and do it all - as long as we are having fun and enjoying ourselves and eachother's company, it doesn't matter if we are at F! or waiting out the rain in a gift shop trying on hats!
4) Do #1 or #2, head back for the break, and then say, we don't real feel like going back for F!. Let's keep swimming in the pool, or maybe go check out some other resort or more DTD time.

Thanks for helping me be realistic!!!

 

[mickeygirl78]

My family typically does mid-day breaks. We go for two weeks so it's easier for us to fit everything in. We enjoy being out of the parks at the hottest/busiest time and getting refreshed at the pool. Most times we stay at POP, the bus ride is really short (although you never know how long you'll wait for the bus to arrive).

I find there is not much to do at Hollywood Studios anymore, so I agree with someone else that said get there at rope drop, have your FP scheduled for prior to your ADR. Then play LMA by ear, if you are out of your ADR and it's not too late, go if you want.

I personally enjoy the mid-day break and it makes our vacation more relaxed and fun.

 

[bumbershoot]

How old is your son? Is the break for him or for everyone? We end up feeling that breaks actually cause MORE walking, MORE work...I don't much care for breaks.

The big wildcard, IMO, is Jedi. You have NO idea what time your son will be scheduled for until you have him scheduled. You might have all the take-a-break plans in the world, but Jedi might change them.