Anybody head to the parks after lunch?

[FunnyLady1966]

I've always been a morning hit the ground running person; especially in the parks...but I'm open to heading at lunch when many are heading out for an afternoon break and lunch. Interested in your thoughts.

 

[bakerworld]

For years our younger set (then 15y and 18y) didn't hit the parks for the first time until 3p. We'd go early, come back for a swim and then they would join us or go off on their own. I think if you are the type of WDW vacationer who doesn't have any 'must do' experiences or are tech savvy enough to work the G+/ILL then it's very doable.

When FP+ was around and we were there over labor day, we'd start the parks in the early evening. Our youngest (34y) tells us that arriving at the parks late afternoon or shortly before they close works for some of the top ride experiences.

 

[Her Dotness]

We typically take a room break after lunch at about noon, because even in late fall it can be hot...hot...TOO hot in the afternoon.

Actually, "we" means DH, as he likes to nap. I'm the rebellious 4-year-old who'll wander around our resort or head to DS if the mood strikes since you can't PH until after 2:00 anymore. (Drat you, Disney! I need my anytime-PH again.)

Whatever satisfies your inner kid is what you should do. That's what Disney is about, IMO.

 

[FunnyLady1966]

For years our younger set (then 15y and 18y) didn't hit the parks for the first time until 3p. We'd go early, come back for a swim and then they would join us or go off on their own. I think if you are the type of WDW vacationer who doesn't have any 'must do' experiences or are tech savvy enough to work the G+/ILL then it's very doable.

When FP+ was around and we were there over labor day, we'd start the parks in the early evening. Our youngest (34y) tells us that arriving at the parks late afternoon or shortly before they close works for some of the top ride experiences.

Makes sense.

 

[FunnyLady1966]

We typically take a room break after lunch at about noon, because even in late fall it can be hot...hot...TOO hot in the afternoon.

Actually, "we" means DH, as he likes to nap. I'm the rebellious 4-year-old who'll wander around our resort or head to DS if the mood strikes since you can't PH until after 2:00 anymore. (Drat you, Disney! I need my anytime-PH again.)

Whatever satisfies your inner kid is what you should do. That's what Disney is about, IMO.

If I hit the parks first thing then yes, I like to head back to the resort, lunch and maybe enjoy the pool until it cools off and head back closer to 5. But I LOVE walking around the resorts just looking so yes...do what your inner kid says to do. Life is TOO short!

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I've always been a morning hit the ground running person; especially in the parks...but I'm open to heading at lunch when many are heading out for an afternoon break and lunch. Interested in your thoughts.

Yes, we did this on our DHS day since it's such a busy park and it worked great. We arrived closer to 2, had a late lunch and did our best to stack our G+/iLL$ for early afternoon and into the evening. We slept in and relaxed since it's hard to get teens out the door early.

In 4 days of Disney, we did one early day and it was a 9am arrival, the rest of the week was after 11am and we had a great trip, got to do the majority of what was on our lists and had a good time.

 

[FunnyLady1966]

Yes, we did this on our DHS day since it's such a busy park and it worked great. We arrived closer to 2, had a late lunch and did our best to stack our G+/iLL$ for early afternoon and into the evening. We slept in and relaxed since it's hard to get teens out the door early.

In 4 days of Disney, we did one early day and it was a 9am arrival, the rest of the week was after 11am and we had a great trip, got to do the majority of what was on our lists and had a good time.

Awesome!!! I'm thinking this may be the way to go to avoid the heavier morning crowds.

 

[MrsPete]

I'm kind of interested in this -- it'd mean you could keep going until late-late. It'd probably be best on the day before you're planning a "break day". Which parks would y'all say lend themselves to a late-day visit?

 

[k5xs]

We are in our early 70s, so heck yes! Sleep in, head to a resort eatery for lunch, then take a leisurely stroll through a park.

We miss the good old days with the kids, but this isn't a bad consolation prize.

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

We have found that we all enjoying afternoon park entry. For example, our upcoming trip in May on our MK day we will go to Steakhouse 71 for lunch at 11:30 before we go to the park. On our HS day we will arrive at noon for our Hollywood Brown Derby lunch. Same thing on all other park days. It makes for a more relaxing vacation.

 

[scrappinginontario]

We were normally rope drop people. This year the 3 days we purchased Genie+ we took a different, more relaxed approach and it was wonderful! Headed to Disney Springs 2 mornings and a pool morning the other day. It was a nice treat to take the pressure off of ‘get up and go’ some mornings and head to the parks in the afternoon.

 

[md311mt]

Been going to Disney World with and without kids for over 30 years.
Rope dropped once and decided that was one and done for us.
We always arrive around noon.
We usually stay until closing so it’s still a long day but a very doable and relaxing way to tour.
We always ride and see everything we planned.
I know how to work the system fairly well, and can navigate the parks easily at this point, so that helps a lot!

 

[MamaMermaid]

If you're planning on staying until rope drop, it's probably worth it. If not, I wouldn't.

 

[FunnyLady1966]

I'm kind of interested in this -- it'd mean you could keep going until late-late. It'd probably be best on the day before you're planning a "break day". Which parks would y'all say lend themselves to a late-day visit?

That was my thinking. It would give you a breather and then you'd be able to possibly stay later and not feel completely wiped out.

 

[FunnyLady1966]

Been going to Disney World with and without kids for over 30 years.
Rope dropped once and decided that was one and done for us.
We always arrive around noon.
We usually stay until closing so it’s still a long day but a very doable and relaxing way to tour.
We always ride and see everything we planned.
I know how to work the system fairly well, and can navigate the parks easily at this point, so that helps a lot!

LOVE this. We did the rope drop and just like you; one and done. I think this may be the way to go.

 

[FunnyLady1966]

We were normally rope drop people. This year the 3 days we purchased Genie+ we took a different, more relaxed approach and it was wonderful! Headed to Disney Springs 2 mornings and a pool morning the other day. It was a nice treat to take the pressure off of ‘get up and go’ some mornings and head to the parks in the afternoon.

We for sure want the relaxed approach this year. I'm usually allllll about the itinerary but this is a first trip for 3 of our party and really, we want to take it all in.

 

[FunnyLady1966]

We have found that we all enjoying afternoon park entry. For example, our upcoming trip in May on our MK day we will go to Steakhouse 71 for lunch at 11:30 before we go to the park. On our HS day we will arrive at noon for our Hollywood Brown Derby lunch. Same thing on all other park days. It makes for a more relaxing vacation.

I love being able to relax and SOAK it all in. Lunch at BD is always great and those drinks?? Yum!

 

[Disneymom1102]

I have two young kids so we do morning, then back to hotel for break, and then back in the evening. Works out well especially if you are able to start stacking your LL. So, theoretically, if you went at 3:00 and were staying on site, you should theoretically be able to have 3 LL booked before you even arrived.
For us, a whole day morning to night is too much. We really enjoy the afternoon and evening so rope drop and then back after a break works perfectly for us.

 

[FunnyLady1966]

I have two young kids so we do morning, then back to hotel for break, and then back in the evening. Works out well especially if you are able to start stacking your LL. So, theoretically, if you went at 3:00 and were staying on site, you should theoretically be able to have 3 LL booked before you even arrived.
For us, a whole day morning to night is too much. We really enjoy the afternoon and evening so rope drop and then back after a break works perfectly for us.

I've done that before too. Get there early and leave at noon. Eat lunch at the resort, maybe pool time and a nap. That break DOES make a difference.

 

[megs1313]

Yep. we're not early risers and it's nice not to feel rushed.