Breaks or Commando? Veteran advice needed :)

[StephanieCG]

Before I get started, thanks for the help on my waterpark question a while back. We're going to work in if we can, but I'm not going to stress fitting that in.
Now for my next question - to break or not? especially with evening EMH
I've got two tentative plans worked out, with some flexibility built into each and I need some feedback.
I've been to WDW twice as a kid ('87 and '92). DH and I went to MK as gradnight chaperons in 2005, and we took a day trip to AK last May. We are staying at the Polynesian and we have the 5 day military salute ticket.
Here are my two iteneraries:

Plan 1: Commando!
Sept 20th - arrive at 3 (7 hr drive) Check into hotel and play, possibly DTD, flexible
Sept 21st - DHS 9 to 8, Hollywood and Vine (DD LOVES June) for brunch at 10:30, Sci Fi (onion rings and shakes) at 5:30, stay for one of the playhouse disney EMH dance parties, and leave
Sept 22nd - MK 9-2, rest, then MNSSHP
Sept 23rd - Epcot, and Biergarten early dinner
Sept 24th - AK 9-1 (We did this last year, so I'm not in a rush to do EVERYTHING here, but we missed lion king so I wanna see that and do the safari) Possibly a water park (BB) after this, then Ohana for dinner (hopefully)
Sept 25th - Final Day - Ohana breakfast at hotel and then MK one last time, leave at 2 or 3

Plan 2: We'll either be well rested or chickens with no heads!

Sept 20th - arrive at 3 (7 hr drive) Check into hotel and play, possibly DTD, flexible
Sept 21st - Epcot 9 - 1, hotel time 1:30 - 3:30, DHS 4 - 9 (PM EMH)
Sept 22nd - same as commando - Sept 22nd - MK 9-2, rest, then MNSSHP
Sept 23rd - DHS 9 - 1, hotel time 2-5, Epcot 5:30 - 9:30
Sept 24th - AK 9-1 (We did this last year, so I'm not in a rush to do EVERYTHING here, but we missed lion king so I wanna see that and do the safari) Possibly a water park (BB) after this, but that's flexible, then Ohana for dinner (hopefully).
Sept 25th - Final Day - Ohana breakfast at hotel and then MK one last time, leave at 2 or 3


The only major differences are splitting Monday and Wednesday between Epcot and DHS. I would love for DD to have fun at the Playhouse Disney dance party they do at DHS, but I'm not sure she (well, me and DH, she's got boundless energy) could do a full day in the park in the heat! I know she'd also love the H&V Play n Dine. I'm not on free dining, so I'm not sure if I want to spend the money on that if she's got plenty of time with June and Leo during EMH. Ugh I should have booked at one of the Epcot hotels if I knew the hours would split me between DHS and Epcot! Stupid hours not being released until a week ago! (I booked in Feb )

I'm also torn as to what Princess meal to pick, CRT or Akershus. I think I've read every post about them and I'm so torn still. Would we even *need* to do one if we get some good character time at MNSSHP?

Sorry if I'm rambling. My husband tunes out the disney talk. My sister, who offered to help me plan, just whines about how she can't afford it for her honeymoon next year. And my friends are the same way, jealous that we're going. I love these boards and depend on them for advice. It's so nice that there are other obsessed planners like me out there!

 

[ms*mountaineer]

My 2 cents:


I would not run my 2 yr old all day, every day in the parks. My kids wouldn't have done well with that type of schedule. One day here and there, sure - their adrenaline can keep them going. Too many days in a row, moods don't hold up well.

I don't know if your DD will nap during your breaks or not - sometimes just getting back to the hotel for a change of scenery is good, even if a nap doesn't happen.

I personally love the princess meals - either CRT or Akershus breakfast. I think it's a great way to meet princesses in a relaxed atmosphere. I would recommend Akershus because it's less expensive and just as nice. If you want to meet princesses, I suggest doing the meal because I'm not sure how many you will meet during MNSSHP. There is a lot to do during the party - so between the parade, fireworks, rides and other stuff, it depends on where your focus will be.

 

[SpecEdismyLife]

We went at the end of September a few years ago and really needed the afternoon breaks. We live in Texas and it gets hot and humid here too, but we were not prepared for the draining Florida heat, but since you live in Florida it doesn't sound like it would be an issue for you. We also found that the crowds really intensified the heat and draining feeling we got so we had to do the breaks. I always like to look at it with the "we'll be back" kind of mentality meaning we can try and get in as much as possible but we know we won't be able to do everything. I found after the first few trips to go with a general plan of how to do things but be flexible enough to bail on a couple in order to come home still feeling like it was a vacation! If we don't make it to a couple of our ADR's or other things it's ok. You could go with the commando plan since it sounds like you can handle it, but try to be flexible enough to not get upset if you have to cancel a couple of things in favor of the pool or a nap! I think you should try to do one of the princess meals if you can because they are great. If you can get CRT do that one but if not then the other is fine, but nothing beats eating in the castle!

I know what you mean about nobody wanting to talk to you about it, I get that here too!! You will have a great trip!

 

[djp0630]

I didn't think they do the Playhouse Disney concerts at EMH anymore. I would double-check that, before you bank on going to that.

Personally, what I am planning on doing, is taking a break on long days, mainly MK days as we are staying at Bay Lake tower, within walking distance. I have 3 days with breaks. The other days might be shorter days (I'm hoping). I've mapped out the plans for DHS & AK and we might be out of there by mid afternoon so to me the breaks don't make sense.

And for my Epcot day, I'm kind of playing it by ear. I have what I want to see in the morning, lunch at Akershus planned, then figure it out depending on moods. I'm not sure if my kids will nap in the stroller better than the hotel (my kids aren't the best nappers). If they do fall asleep in the stroller, maybe I'll take them to the Baby Care center so it's cool and let them sleep.

I think the key is to be flexible! Have a plan, but not so rigid you can't adjust. Have your must-dos, and do them first in the morning when the kids are fresh. I'm not having a lot of late nights either. Just MNSSHP & our first night since both Spectro & Wishes are on. But it's more like 9:30.

As for the princess meals, I haven't done either, but I am planning on doing both. Personally, I think CRT (although more expensive) is the epitome of Princess meal, as when else are you going to eat in Cinderella's castle. I've heard great things about Akershus, but I know to me, it's not the same as eating in the castle. But it's not about the food to me. I have free dining and I think it's worth it to me to take DD at this age when she loves princesses to eat in the castle.

 

[bwilcox]

We just got back last week from our first trip with DD2 and DS3. My kids don't take naps anymore-it is generally more important to them to be in bed by 8. So we planned on going at opening and staying until 6, then leaving to swim at the resort and get in bed. Well, that only lasted 1 day. My sweet DD2, who NEVER naps, was a screaming ball of fury by noon every day. She would scream and cry until she fell asleep in my arms. After an hour or 2 asleep in the stroller, she was good to go. Plus, it was so HOT, everyone was miserable by early afternoon. We changed our plans to take an afternoon break the rest of the trip, and while we didn't get to do everything I had planned, everyone was MUCH happier with the things we did get to do.
Moral of the story: be flexible in your plans, or at least have one for each way. Play it by ear the first day and see how your DD is. I learned Disney is very different from home- there is stimulation and excitement everywhere you look, and that and the heat can quickly wear a child down.

 

[ChuckGA]

If you child can sleep in a stroller and just become a little fussy when tired and not a full blown terror then Plan 1 seems to be the better choice. We have done it both ways with our children and getting there early and staying all day was far better than taking a break at the resort. Leaving the park and returning to the park takes a lot more energy and a significant amount of time than simply taking a break in the park. With the hours being shorter in September you should have no problem being in bed by 8 or 9pm except for MNSSHP and getting plenty of rest.

 

[rdearth]

We went with a 2 year 9 month old last year at this same time (and actually we'll be in a lot of the same parks as you guys this year).

We were staying on property and brought grandma, so breaks were loosely in the plans, but what actually happened was our daughter would fall asleep in the stroller (ours, not Disney's) whenever she wanted, so there was no need to take breaks at the hotel, just semi-breaks or slow downs at the parks.

I guess it also depends a little on the shape the adults are in, but we are far from marathon runners or even walkers and had no problems the entire week.

Also, remember that park hours are pretty short in September, so a scheduled 2-3 hour break (which could easily turn into 4 or more with unforeseen transportation issues) takes about a third of your park time from you each day. The guides and message boards you see touting breaks are often for those travelling in summer, peak months when you have twice the people and possible park times of about 14-16 hours a day.

I would do a park a day and not split up epcot and hs.

 

[rdearth]

Also, on character dining with the princesses. We did Akershus, but not CRT. I wasn't crazy about the food and may have been far more disappointed if I was paying by the meal and not on the dining plan (funny how that psychology works on you), but others seem to like the uncommonness of it all.

Princess-wise, our daughter got tremendous attention from all the princesses. Our daughter likes to color and every single princess helped her color. Some were friendlier than others, naturally, but I think that experience couldn't have been better.

And far cheaper and easier to get into than CRT.

Our plan for the week is:
9/21: HS
9/22: AK day MNSSHP night
9/23: Epcot
9/24: MK
9/25: Epcot F&W

 

[Mcbruns]

Before I get started, thanks for the help on my waterpark question a while back. We're going to work in if we can, but I'm not going to stress fitting that in.
Now for my next question - to break or not? especially with evening EMH
I've got two tentative plans worked out, with some flexibility built into each and I need some feedback.
I've been to WDW twice as a kid ('87 and '92). DH and I went to MK as gradnight chaperons in 2005, and we took a day trip to AK last May. We are staying at the Polynesian and we have the 5 day military salute ticket.
Here are my two iteneraries:

Plan 1: Commando!
Sept 20th - arrive at 3 (7 hr drive) Check into hotel and play, possibly DTD, flexible
Sept 21st - DHS 9 to 8, Hollywood and Vine (DD LOVES June) for brunch at 10:30, Sci Fi (onion rings and shakes) at 5:30, stay for one of the playhouse disney EMH dance parties, and leave
Sept 22nd - MK 9-2, rest, then MNSSHP
Sept 23rd - Epcot, and Biergarten early dinner
Sept 24th - AK 9-1 (We did this last year, so I'm not in a rush to do EVERYTHING here, but we missed lion king so I wanna see that and do the safari) Possibly a water park (BB) after this, then Ohana for dinner (hopefully)
Sept 25th - Final Day - Ohana breakfast at hotel and then MK one last time, leave at 2 or 3

Plan 2: We'll either be well rested or chickens with no heads!

Sept 20th - arrive at 3 (7 hr drive) Check into hotel and play, possibly DTD, flexible
Sept 21st - Epcot 9 - 1, hotel time 1:30 - 3:30, DHS 4 - 9 (PM EMH)
Sept 22nd - same as commando - Sept 22nd - MK 9-2, rest, then MNSSHP
Sept 23rd - DHS 9 - 1, hotel time 2-5, Epcot 5:30 - 9:30
Sept 24th - AK 9-1 (We did this last year, so I'm not in a rush to do EVERYTHING here, but we missed lion king so I wanna see that and do the safari) Possibly a water park (BB) after this, but that's flexible, then Ohana for dinner (hopefully).
Sept 25th - Final Day - Ohana breakfast at hotel and then MK one last time, leave at 2 or 3


The only major differences are splitting Monday and Wednesday between Epcot and DHS. I would love for DD to have fun at the Playhouse Disney dance party they do at DHS, but I'm not sure she (well, me and DH, she's got boundless energy) could do a full day in the park in the heat! I know she'd also love the H&V Play n Dine. I'm not on free dining, so I'm not sure if I want to spend the money on that if she's got plenty of time with June and Leo during EMH. Ugh I should have booked at one of the Epcot hotels if I knew the hours would split me between DHS and Epcot! Stupid hours not being released until a week ago! (I booked in Feb )

I'm also torn as to what Princess meal to pick, CRT or Akershus. I think I've read every post about them and I'm so torn still. Would we even *need* to do one if we get some good character time at MNSSHP?

Sorry if I'm rambling. My husband tunes out the disney talk. My sister, who offered to help me plan, just whines about how she can't afford it for her honeymoon next year. And my friends are the same way, jealous that we're going. I love these boards and depend on them for advice. It's so nice that there are other obsessed planners like me out there!

Disney World + Kid(s) = breaks

 

[Tomh]

To break or not to break, it really is such a personal thing, and depends hugely on the kid / parents. We started out trying to take mid day breaks last summer which lasted for all of 2 or 3 days. No one was settling down, or getting any kind of rest, and the breaks just wound up being energy expended traveling back and forth between the park and the hotel. DS4 napped when he needed to in the stroller, which honestly usually didn't happen until the end of the night, and that would be our cue to call it a day. His mood held up fantastically well, and we pretty much wound up going from first thing in the morning until closing time, or very close to it. You just have to try things out with your family, and see what works, then be willing to adjust mid trip if necessary.

 

[StephanieCG]

Wow thanks for all the advice! I love these boards.
I'm leaning towards breaks, but just heading out of DHS when we are done instead of sticking it out for EMH. I live over near Pensacola, so it gets really hot here, so I'm hoping that we get used to it a little by then.
Previous experience has told me that DD will pass out in the stroller when she feels like it, but lately she's been acting "too cool" for the stroller and climbs out! Hopefully she won't do that at Disney.
She does NOT like to nap if there is anything going on around her. She has a tough time falling asleep if we are in the same room, like at a hotel, which also makes me nervous about this trip too.

rdearth - how is EPCOT on the opening day of F&W? Is it super busy or does the busy-ness start Saturday? I was thinking of doing that too, I just don't know...DH loves food, but hates crowds more than he likes food.

I would love to play it by ear, and I think either plan could adapt to that. I'm such a dork I've got about 50 different park/day/time combos! It is comforting to know that others are like this too. DH thinks I am insane.

 

[edolee]

Depends on a few things... I would keep options open to some extent. First thing is how hot is it? If it is abnormally (or normally) hot then breaks are a MUST. If it abnormally cool, you might get away with more time in the parks. After a day or two of 90/90 weather you will be toast.

My general rule after going many times... Do we want to have fun? Then take breaks. Do we want to be miserable at about day 3? Skip the breaks. (I would add an hour to each break you mention).

Go swimming, take a shower, get a snack, take a snooze. Then go back refreshed late enough that things have started to cool off a bit.

Ed

 

[RMulieri]

Commando all day in the heat with a 2 yr old...Not a good idea.

 

[DoBug]

Another good way to see June and the Little Einsteins is Hollywood and Vine character meals at DHS. The characters came around several times and they danced around the restaurant with the kids. We've had both breakfast and lunch there and our DS had a great time. The food is OK not great.

I will cast another vote for the mid-day break - not just for the young kids but us too! You are getting some great advice from PP

have a great trip!

 

[DoBug]

sorry I just re-read your first post and saw that you already had H & V scheduled. my bad

my only other advice is to leave the parks before you think you need to. I am sure it is somewhat dependent on the child but our DS (first trip at almost 3 yo) would get overwhelmed after only 2- 3 hours in MK and just shut down. wouldn't do anything or tell us what he wanted. My uber-planner want to do it all self wouldn't notice til too late

 

[JennyDrake]

No question--include the breaks and plan to be very flexible. Hubby and I are pretty fit and are used to heat and humidity (we have a farm in TN) but I can tell you that days at WDW just kick our butts. It IS a vacation afterall. Schedule some long breaks and everyone will enjoy themselves more, I promise.

 

[rdearth]

Wow thanks for all the advice! I love these boards.

rdearth - how is EPCOT on the opening day of F&W? Is it super busy or does the busy-ness start Saturday? I was thinking of doing that too, I just don't know...DH loves food, but hates crowds more than he likes food.

I would love to play it by ear, and I think either plan could adapt to that. I'm such a dork I've got about 50 different park/day/time combos! It is comforting to know that others are like this too. DH thinks I am insane.

First Friday of F&W is definitely busier than the days before it's open, but it's not unbearable (at least it wasn't in 2008). But, since you're not on the dining plan and traveling with a young'un, you might not like it as much as others do. There were longer lines for the headline attractions (about an hour), but most of the kiddie things were short or no wait. The country section (I'm drawing a blank on what it's called) got more crowded as the day went on, but not so bad that you wanted to punch someone. I don't like crowds either.

Of course in 2008, we had EMH for Epcot until midnight. This year it closes at 8 pm, so that could change things quite a bit.

One more thing about the overall breaks and why I wouldn't make a strict plan for them with a two year old, you're not going to know when the best time to take a break will be. She might get cranky and tired at 4 pm one day and at 10 am the next and there may be a day where she doesn't get tired or fussy the entire time. That's why they're free under three. Too unpredictable.

In the next couple of months leading up to your trip, try to take walks around the neighborhood or wherever with the stroller and make it a fun thing to do and get her used to it. Also gets you in shape for it a little. Even tell the kid it's getting ready for Disney or something like that. It worked for our daughter. She was the same way about strollers, but soon felt like a princess being pushed around everywhere. Besides, kids aren't stupid, they might like to run around for a while at first, but soon enough they'll be in that stroller waiting for you to push them and even though they can't fully understand what taking a trip to Disney means at that age, I think they can figure out it means something kind of special.

 

[Disney4nonah]

If you child can sleep in a stroller and just become a little fussy when tired and not a full blown terror then Plan 1 seems to be the better choice. We have done it both ways with our children and getting there early and staying all day was far better than taking a break at the resort. Leaving the park and returning to the park takes a lot more energy and a significant amount of time than simply taking a break in the park. With the hours being shorter in September you should have no problem being in bed by 8 or 9pm except for MNSSHP and getting plenty of rest.

I'd just like to comment on this, NO i don't have kids. But have been to Disneyland with my toddler 3 Down Syndrome siblings when they were little (we're all adopted in our family) ANYHOO, I DIGRESS...
I agree with the ChuckGA that it expends a large amount of energy to leave and come back, If you can and don't want to leave the park take advantage of some of the air conitioned places. One I found at Epcot this time was the womens bathroom on the border of Future world right before world showcase by First aid. I ran in to use the bathroom and it was nicely air conditioned and there was at least two mom's sitting on the provided bench inside while their kids slept! might be something to look into as Epcot is large and you won't want to really come back after trudging all the way out. Bigger kids and your DH could look in shops of get a drink/ice cream and people watch...extremely restful... anyway it's an idea. Hope it helps...