Break times at the Parks

[disney09]

I've been reading a lot about taking a break when it's too hot... I'll be traveling in September with DH, DD7 and DS4. I'm not sure we'll do that since DH and I like to sleep in and get to the parks around 10:30am, specially after 2 or 3 days in the parks!!
Above that, I'm not sure they'll want to take breaks (maybe once or twice, but no more) since it's my kid's first time to WDW, and DD7 has a lot of energy...
So, which are your favorite rest-places in:

MK
Epcot
DS
AK???

 

[ObsessedwithWDW]

Magic Kingdom go on the Transit Authority or the Train or Hall of Presidents to cool off.....

Epcot head for Spaceship Earth.....

Animal Kingdom there are lots of hidden benches....

MGM head for the backlot tour....

BUT I think what people are saying when they say take a break is head back to the hotel for REAL downtime...though I am struggling with this as well.....my DD will be 10 months so she should sleep ok in the stroller....we shall see!!!

 

[Perditamarie]

Checking out the various movies in the various countries in World Showcase can be refreshing. The American Adventure has great AC, the boat ride in Mexico is relaxing and the movie in France is beautiful and nicely airconditioned as well. A few times, when we were really, really lucky, the kids would nod off into a nap while we took a leisurely stroll around WS, but that can be mighty hot. If your DS happens to nod off in Epcot, head to WS and have DD do the crafts at the kidcot stations in each country. That will keep her busy while DS gets some shuteye.

At DS, the Muppet show can be good for an afternoon pick-me-up as it is also in an air-conditioned theater.

At AK, the Lion King show isn't air-conditioned, but has fans blowing and the show is fabulous and relaxing as well.

I guess my point is, get thee to a theater, preferably an air-conditioned one!

 

[DW2006]

We are taking what another poster referred to as ''real downtime'' we will hit the parks when they open (my kids are up by 7 am everyday anyway, sleeping in is not yet in their vocab...lol) have a counter service lunch or have a light lunch when we get back to the cabin. We are staying out at Ft. Wilderness so the boat ride will be a fun thing for them anyway. I know my kids are going to be over the top excited. But I also know my kids, when they get off schedule after a few days they are wound so tight they don't know what to do with themselves. So I am thinking for better enjoyment for the full week that following our ''downtime'' schedule we do here at home will benefit us all. KWIM. So the plan is to hit the parks when they open, come back and stay 1-3 and then hit the parks again in the afternoons. Here at home we have a daily ''quiet time'' the oldest read or draw in their bed the two youngest nap. We may change these plans, of course, we're always open to change...but my thinking currently is that a down time would be best overall.

 

[disney09]

Thanks everybody for your good advices... I'll try to hit the hotel for a midafternoon break but I know it will not happen very often.. when my kids are too tired they can sleep in until 9am easily... just last weekend they slept until almost 10am!!! that's an oddity but they were very tired...

 

[Deb & Bill]

When you sleep until 10, you miss those prime hours when you can get on lots of attractions without a long line. When you sleep until 10, you arrive with the other late sleepers and wind up standing in longer lines.

We go to the parks when they open, hit our favorite attractions, get something to eat and then head back for a swim. Later in the afternoon, we hit another park until evening. It has worked for us for 9 years.

So weigh your options, doing the attractions or waiting in lines???

 

[LaraK]

I agree...If you go when the parks open, you can hit many more attractions. Often, I see half of what I'm going to see in the first hour and a half (in fact, I try to schedule breakfast before the park opens so that I'm right there for the rope drop.

On the other hand, I may sell my soul to the devil to get to sleep in until 10...that hasn't happened in years. It is a vacation, right? (My kids are up by 6 at the latest)