Do you leave the parks in the middle of the day? tips?

[HatboxHaint]

No.
I know my attitude isn't shared by all, but any minute I'm not on the park is money I'm giving them for nothing in return.

Done WDW 3 times with a family. We have mostly driven to the parks. We always try the buses but after the 1st bus ride that takes too long or too crowded I default back to driving. MK to me is awful whether you drive (parking/TTC/Ferry/monorail waits, especially back at night) or take the bus (especially back at night) unless you are in some kind of off "week" (is there really an off season now?). I hate waiting on something at midday knowing this is cutting into our nap/pool time since there is so little time if you want to make it back to the parks. It just takes a significant chunk of time to make the break happen from MK especially. AND I have come to realize that our trips with little ones are MK focused so we are staying at BLT to combat the MK transportation. The same could be said of the other hotels with direct lines to the MK I think, but BLT/Contemporary is the only one you can walk from and walking is the only mode of transportation you truly have control over at WDW.

 

[joanchris]

Our last trip was the first one where we left almost every day for a break. We drive down, and stayed at Bonnet Creek that visit. My older daughter has health and developmental issues, so she needed a nap. The rest of us would go float around in the lazy river, just chill and decompress. Then head back to the rooms to relax/change and get ready for the evening. We really enjoyed that trip, everyone was happier and able to stay out til park close if we wished, without issue. Just my 17 year old and I are going on the next trip and we have worked in breaks into almost every day--also because we have park hoppers and are staying on site for the first time in years, we want to be able to go back and swim--enjoy the resorts--then stay for park close (after doing rope drop). No way we could do both without a break.
Our Christmas trip we didn't take breaks, mostly because parks opened earlier and closed earlier than other times we've been. We were exhausted without the breaks! I think it would have been more enjoyable if we had taken them. We were also worried about not getting back into the park due to capacity closures (we didn't have hoppers)

 

[Xennia]

we are going to WDW the last week of april for spring break. We usually stay at the parks open to close. This time I am worried about the heat (we always go in the winter) and the NE spring break crowds.

I think we might want to leave in the heat of the day and return in the evening, but afraid once we leave we might not make it back.

We are staying at POR- sounds like Epcot might be the best park to leave and return to, or maybe MK. Epcot would be the shortest bus ride. How difficult is it to just pick up a taxi at POR- will we have to call for one? I thought a taxi to Contemporary Resort would be the quickest way to get back to MK.

Also, DH isn't coming on this trip. its me and 11yo, 8yo.
thanks
D

Always.

I never stay all day. We nap, have pool time and enjoy our vacation.

 

[vinotinto]

We don't "nap" but we do take some type of break or sit down lunch, especially if we are planning on making it to any evening event (wishes, illuminations, etc.). The kids often just watch a little tv and I do some reading. We may also go to the pool (but not every day).

 

[Chucky!]

We were off-site last year and it was difficult to get back to our resort, but we did often leave the park, one day got on the first bus that came along and got a drink and sat out for an hour, another day we caught an uber to some local shops to pick up some things and then returned in the evening.

Our next trip is a year away but planning on doing a mix of late starts/earlier finishes/park hopping with resort lunches/breaks at hotel.

We never to RD to close

 

[JiminyGuyMaine]

We tried the mid day break, just didn't work for us. Total momentum killer. We now just let the littles nap in their stroller, and ride the people mover or other indoor shows from 2-5. COP is a great relaxer.

I'll second this sentiment. We tend to just search out more relaxed attractions to satisfy our need for rest. Heck, it's the only reason we do the Universe of Energy at all anymore - Grab the seat furthest back, use the backpack as a pillow, and close your eyes, relishing the A/C while reciting the words by heart. I know that there are many blogs/threads full of ideas for attractions which can serve as a rest/cool down. And then, once you're recharged, you're right there. No need to bother with buses or boats.
I do know that there are many who swear by their afternoon breaks at the resort, though! This is just how we personally handle the heat and fatigue.

 

[jneal3285]

I'll admit that I haven't read all of the replies, but here's our latest break "hack":

If we're at MK and our daughters need a break/nap--- we hop on the resort monorail. They always fall asleep by the time we reach Contemporary. We take a nice, quiet stroll down to the pool/dock and relax in some lounge chairs while the girls nap in the stroller next to us. We split a meal from the QS at the pool and, if the mood strikes us, we order a couple of drinks from the Sand Bar and just decompress. When they wake up, we head back to the monorail and pick up where we left off. We're all happy because we got a break and feel recharged enough to finish off the day on a high note.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

We never take taxis in Disney, the buses run every 20 minutes or so, and it's easy to get back to the hotels from the parks.