Breaks in middle of day and/or in middle of trip

[dougsmom98]

If you were going during the hot summer months, I would say that you would have to take a midday break. In November, you won't need a midday break. I like your second plan except, I never tour on our departure day. We have done 5 days in the parks in a row but we were pretty tired in the end. I would do 2-3 days in the parks in a row tops and then throw in a rest day.

 

[flipflopmom]

We went with the FULL intention of midday breaks. Sun, we didn't take one, 2 year old slept in stroller, rest of us took it easy in the pm. Monday, MK, we did. DH and I slept, the DD's didn't. We ended up with a much crankier child that day. To our surprise, she slept much better in the stroller than going back to the room. For us, sleep, not just rest, made the difference for her. So we stayed in the parks, gave her plenty of chances to nap in the stroller, and used middays to visit some A/C places, longer lunches that we weren't really hungry for, but enjoyed the break from the heat and crowds. Yes, she fell asleep at dinner a few times, during our Wishes cruise, and sitting for an hour before Fantasmic. Did I care? Nope, b/c she was getting what she needed. Our nine year old did GREAT with no room breaks, in fact, best week of our lives.

So.... make a plan, and be prepared to change it daily! We didn't have much problem rearranging ADR's once there to make things fit into our schedule, mood at the moment! (Cancelled two, added two, change time on one..)

 

[Madzac]

As you can see, I think everyone has a different strategy that works for their family. I never was a break taker, or even one who took a day off from the parks. We dont get there every year and I wanted to see all! Once we had kids and took our first trip, we planned maybe two days with mid day breaks. It was really tough to leave for me, but needed. The kids didnt always sleep, but getting a swim and just some down time with less stimulation was good. By the 6th day of a 7 day trip, we were wiped out. We slept in, did DTD, napped, all of us, and didnt go the the parks until 4pm.

This past trip I mixed it up. We had 8 days. The first day we went all day. then we alternated. We would take an afternoon break from say 1-4pm. The baby would be put down to get a full nap (he did SO much better!) and our 4 yr old would take a dip in the pool and then nap which made a huge difference. Then we would head back to the park for dinner and evening parades/fireworks. I made sure if we were up a late night at this, that we didnt have rope drop the next day, we slept in and had a character late brunch and then toured the rest of the day without a break.

You may have to play it by ear and see how everyone does. My family going a length such as your trip would want your original plan... we want to be in the parks! We would go 5 days on then a break day. We dont usually take full days away from the parks, but would in a trip your length. Also, you could always go for just a couple hours to see a parade or hit a favorite ride if you wanted.

As for parks closing early, we dont take a break our AK day since it closes early. We plan to head right back to the resort after it closes though and an early bed. I would think you could plan mid day breaks just on those days you intended to be out later.

 

[princess63]

Hi, everybody!

Haven't been to WDW in years, but planning to go hopefully sometime next fall. I definitely think you should take a midday break, especially with young ones. If you plan on staying on-property, this shouldn't be too difficult. It takes time away from the parks, but there's not much point in being there if you're too tired to really enjoy them.

As for the two plans, I think you should make up an itinerary for each, and see how the kiddies (and the adults!) are doing after the two days are up. If they're up to going a few more days without a break, I'd say go for it. If not, at least you won't have to worry about rearranging all of your plans.

Hope you all have a great trip!

 

[daisax]

I don't take mid-day breaks for the physical relaxation (though it does help) -- I take it for the mental relaxation. I really appreciate stepping away from the high intensity of the park atmosphere, closing the door behind me, and gearing up for the evening out.

I find I'm much better tempered the rest of the day, and I've found children I've traveled with are much fresher as well, even if they don't actually nap.

 

[BabyPiglet]

I feel like if you have plenty of midday breaks, the midvacation breaks really aren't necassary.

That said, I wouldn't take a break at AK. It might be the hottest park, but it's also the park that can be done in one day if you do it right. Get there as early as possible (when it's still a little cooler), take a lunch ADR at one of the TS (relaxing in the AC for a while), and ride KRR plenty of times to cool off, haha. It can be done, and IMO should be done, without a midday break.