Favorite strategy for a break in the parks?

[Mikie]

We have never successfully executed the "go back to the resort for afternoon break" strategy. We're not late, but not quite rope-droppers and we don't stay until close because we still have travellers young enough to need an earlier bed time, regardless of nap/no nap.

HOWEVER, we DO recognize the need to chill out and take a pause from all the zooming around. What are your favorite strategies for taking a slow-down time without completely returning to your room/pool? A couple loops on the monorail? A long, slow attraction? a relatively quiet spot to people-watch? Specific locations would be GREATLY appreciated (especially in DHS - I can't seem to remember any slow rides or peaceful seating there?)

 

[wareagle57]

At DHS you could do One Man's Dream or the Animation Academy. Both are indoors and will take up a good chunk of time.

Anyone know if they will let you stay in the Muppets theater? Or do you have to get up and walk around every time?

 

[Luv2Run]

Near the Hall of Presidents at MK, there's a porch that has three or four rocking chairs, and if I need a rest I'll sit down in one of those, especially during the parade in the afternoon. For one, since it's elevated, you have a better vantage point, and secondly, you're out of the way of foot traffic, so less chance of being disturbed if you want to close your eyes for a bit. I've seen children nappin gin their parents' laps quite a few times there.

Also at MK, there's a series of benches near the lake by BTMRR. I know it's a smoking area, but I like that it's out of the way and near the water, so it's a bit quieter than the other areas with benches.

At EPCOT, there are benches in the area outside Mission: Space & Test Track. I only use those on overcast days, though, since they're metal and there's little to no shade over there. I've even seen some exhausted dads out napping on the grass outside of Mission: Space, lol.

If I think of more, I'll come back and post them.

 

[morethananyonex]

We have never successfully executed the "go back to the resort for afternoon break" strategy. We're not late, but not quite rope-droppers and we don't stay until close because we still have travellers young enough to need an earlier bed time, regardless of nap/no nap.

HOWEVER, we DO recognize the need to chill out and take a pause from all the zooming around. What are your favorite strategies for taking a slow-down time without completely returning to your room/pool? A couple loops on the monorail? A long, slow attraction? a relatively quiet spot to people-watch? Specific locations would be GREATLY appreciated (especially in DHS - I can't seem to remember any slow rides or peaceful seating there?)

FOOD!

Our best afternoon breaks (that are not at the resort) always seem to involve food in one way or another . At Epcot we like getting a snack somewhere in World Showcase or we walk out International Gateway, get ice cream at one of the resorts and walk around the area. That could work for your DHS day too. Take the boat to one of the Epcot resorts and walk around, relax on the beach, the boardwalk, whatever. You could walk there too, but it's 15-20 minutes, and you wanted a relaxing break .

 

[babydoll65]

If your at the mk, we usually go to the campground. It's a nice boat ride,they have a small playground for the kids and you could have a nice lunch at the Trails End Buffett.

 

[LumosQ102]

In MK - behind the Christmas shoppe in Liberty Square, near where Tiana meets. It's lovely & peaceful back there but you can still see the castle we've even skyped home from back there.

You could take the train around the full loop too. Or nap though the carousel of progress.

In Epcot I'm fond of the UK area - either in the gardens (as long as the band isn't playing) or in the lower seating by the lake. Canada by the falls is great too, but no chairs that I can remember.

In HS Streets if America are usually pretty quiet, or do the backlot tour if you want an extended sit down. - just don't sit on the left hand side if you're after a nap, you'll get a damp awakening!!

In AK, head over to rafiki's planet watch for a quiet train journey & then a lovely air conditioned space. There are lots of hidden spaces to sit dotted around AK, but they get very hot. Of course.

Wishing you a wonderful trip.

 

[DVCMikey]

We have two little ones. We have actually been sleeping in a bit, then going to the pools, then taking our naps then head out to the parks after lunch for some fun, dinner than fireworks or show and then head back or stay up late at DTD

 

[goofy4tink]

If you're at DHS and want a break, take the boat to the Epcot resorts. You can hop off at a resort and check it out, maybe grab a snack. Or, just stay on the boat. It takes about 25 mins from DHS to Epcot..so an hour total if you just stay on the boat.
If you're at Epcot, you can do the same thing...ride the boat to DHS and back.

At MK...I like to take the monorail around the loop. Or take a boat to FtW and back. You can grab a bite to eat at either FtW or WL, and then back on the boat to MK.

If you're at AK? Bus to AKL...you can find a spot to just sit and watch the animals..really nice to do during the day when there aren't a lot of people around.

I really like getting out of the park for a few hours midday, especially during the hotter months. Getting to an nearby resort is a good break.

 

[sparkylauren]

Movies at the world showcase were dark and quiet enough for my then 14 months old to take a nap. He has also napped on the carousel of progress, we sat in the lobby for the hall of presidents through one show and let him continue to sleep as we watched the second show. There are a lot of quiet, dark attractions that you can cool down in!

 

[Brad Bishop]

If you just want to get away from it and take a break:

Magic Kingdom:
- Tom Sawyer's Island
- The path between the Fantasy Land Train Station and Space Mountain
- The little alcove on Main St that few people wander into (middle of Main St, on the East side - across from The Emporium entrance (though that whole other side is The Emporium).
- The path on the East side of the castle, by the wishing well is usually pretty quiet. The path on the other side is normally not too bad.
- BTMRR - just keep heading past the entrance over to the exit up by the river and there's some seating/out of the way bits there.
- Usually between Pirates and the parade route near Splash Mountain is less traveled
- Go to one of the resorts (monorail or boat ride), buy some drinks/snacks and just take a load off. It doesn't have to be your resort.
- If you walk past the monorail on the paver-path, West towards the Grand Floridian it's very quiet except for the odd whoosh of the occasional monorail going by. I think there are some benches there, too.
- Near the front of Main Street, East side, I think, there's a back area you can go into that no one seems to know about and it has various cartoon cutouts, etc. Very quiet and indoors.
- Oddly, in front of Autopia (the cars) it's usually a little less traveled and there are seats along the middle planters.

Epcot:
- Again, nearby resorts out the back gate, though this is a bit of a busier area
- The Land isn't a bad place to grab some drinks/snacks and hang out.
- There are places around World Showcase that are just areas to sit by the lake. Those are nice unless there's some Festival happening (Food & Wine or Flower & Garden) or it's close to time for Illumincations.

Hollywood Studios:
- The counter service areas over by Tower of Terror and Rock n' Roller Coaster always seem a bit busy to me, but there is that counter service area over by the Backlot Tour that seems to have less traffic
- As mentioned before: The Walt Disney Story is quiet, cool, and kind of neat. You're not really relaxing too much except during the movie, if you choose to go in. You're mainly looking at museum pieces from Disney's life. Cool, yes, but I don't think of it as a place to sit back and relax for a bit.
- Take the boat to the resort areas over by Epcot
- I think if you walk past the entrance to Tower of Terror there's a little alcove there that has some benches. It's where the ride lets out but it's fairly quiet.

Animal Kingdom:
- When exiting Bug's Life, if you turn left, it gets quiet fast because it seems like an odd way to turn but it's certainly valid.
- Between Asia and Africa there are areas where you can just sit down and take a break in the shade by the water.
- Over by Flame Tree BBQ, if you walk down far enough, you'll be in an area by the water which is nice.
- The nature trail over in Asia isn't a bad way to go. People know about it but it's not normally on their radar unless they happen to get a glimpse of it getting off Kali.
- The nature trail over by Kilimanjaro Safari is similar but I think most people pick up on that one right away and do it.
- (mentioned before) Rafiki's area. Take the train to it. It's off the beaten path and it doesn't catch the eye as well for those getting off of Kilimanjaro Safari.
- That whole front area before the bridge that opens up to the Tree of Life isn't bad during non-opening, people rushing out times.
- The whole park gets nice after ≈3PM. People seem to his Animal Kingdom early and then kind of leave between 1-3PM and 3PM on it's usually a lot quieter.

 

[labdogs42]

There are some great ideas here!

I second the suggestion of the boat ride to Epcot for a DHS break. I love that ride!

Also, at DHS, grab a cupcake and a nice shady seat outside Starring Rolls for an afternoon break.

 

[Mikie]

awesome ideas everyone, thanks! I asked the question selfishly for my elementary kids (okay, ME) but the extended family we're traveling with will benefit a ton for their littler ones - I think the parents will want to stick with the group vs. a long nap break, but the little guys will benefit a TON from these tips!

Brad - wow! You must either have designed the parks personally, or be a "break time" guy after my own heart

 

[lustergirl]

Ride the MK loop and stop at the POLY, GF, AND THE CR. Grab a bite to eat or perhaps a nice cold drink and relax a little.

 

[SchmittyUD]

TTA peoplemover in MK!!!!

 

[Donnainnj]

We like to break up the hot days with a table service lunch, and another way to beat the heat, but not as relaxing, is we hop on the monorail to the Contemporary Arcade.
Donna

 

[MichaelaF]

Lots of great ideas here!

One of my favorite secret break spots near the MK is the Carolwood Pacific Room at the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge. It's cozy and hidden and quiet. We spent a fair amount of time in there (we were staying at the Villas) waiting on family members etc, and there was very rarely anyone else in there. The few times there were, people just popped their heads in and left. You can easily take the boat over to WL, fill up your mug or get an ice cream and go over for some break time in there. My husband has even been known to nap in their amazing rocking chairs!

 

[leebee]

My family has found that out "down time" needs to include air conditioning. It's great to rest while riding the train around MK's perimeter, but if it's beastly hot out, we need some a/c to be really refreshed- at least, the grown-ups do! We also try to do as much sitting-down as possible, to rest tired feet and legs and re-energize for the evening!

I don't know how little your kids are, but we used to carry a deck of cards (Uno, Old Maid, Go Fish) in our park pack. When it was "time" we'd head to one of the counter service locations that wasn't too busy (Columbia Harbor House is often our destination), buy everyone a tall, cold drink, and sit and play cards while enjoying the beverage. Other ideas we use:

AT MK:
Ride the train around the MK perimeter- the whole way. Stay on if the kids fall asleep!
Ride the resort monorail all the way around.
Take the ferry to the TTC, then hop the monorail to Epcot and back to the TTC, then take either the monorail or ferry back to MK.
Take a boat to WL, go inside and get a nice cool drink while sitting in the lobby, then take the boat back to MK.
Hall of Presidents

DHS:
Definitely ride the boat over to the Epcot resort area and back. It's fun, it's interesting, and it's a great way to get a break.
We find a/c hard to come by at DHS, but try to take a break at the Commissary- drinks and a card game, if it's not too busy. You could even play "I Spy" just do it sitting down. Little-little kids can always play- we used to schlep around a few of the small(2"-3" long) resin figurines that DD lovingly called "the guys" so she could have some quiet down time.

Epcot:
Friendship boats to DHS and back.
Go see one of the movies. China has a great one, but any long movie in a dark, air conditioned venue works. Sit on the floor.
Ellen's Universe of Energy is air conditioned, long, dark, and somewhat mind-numbing. Even if kids don't fall asleep, you'll get about 25 mins of sitting-down time.

AK:
Another hard place to find a/c. We will sit down by the water behind Flame Tree BBQ; it's pretty there, and quiet. It can be hot, though.
Train to Rafiki's Planet Watch.

I have been known to get a decent snooze in HM, Spaceship Earth, Muppets, Ellen's Universe of Energy, Hall of Presidents. Even though the kids stay awake, they are entertained and quiet- and I am refreshed!

 

[Mikie]

Epcot:
Friendship boats to DHS and back.
Go see one of the movies. China has a great one, but any long movie in a dark, air conditioned venue works. Sit on the floor.
Ellen's Universe of Energy is air conditioned, long, dark, and somewhat mind-numbing. Even if kids don't fall asleep, you'll get about 25 mins of sitting-down time.

AK:
Another hard place to find a/c. We will sit down by the water behind Flame Tree BBQ; it's pretty there, and quiet. It can be hot, though.
Train to Rafiki's Planet Watch.

I have been known to get a decent snooze in HM, Spaceship Earth, Muppets, Ellen's Universe of Energy, Hall of Presidents. Even though the kids stay awake, they are entertained and quiet- and I am refreshed!

Thanks! I can't believe this will be my 6th trip and there are so many tips I didn't know about. I didn't realize there were many movies in Epcot WS.

And, no offense to Ellen and Bill Nye but I'm not sure I've ever made it through that whole attraction awake it's just always something we must hit about halfway thru the day when I'm crashing!

 

[mm1971]

We have never successfully executed the "go back to the resort for afternoon break" strategy. We're not late, but not quite rope-droppers and we don't stay until close because we still have travellers young enough to need an earlier bed time, regardless of nap/no nap.

HOWEVER, we DO recognize the need to chill out and take a pause from all the zooming around. What are your favorite strategies for taking a slow-down time without completely returning to your room/pool? A couple loops on the monorail? A long, slow attraction? a relatively quiet spot to people-watch? Specific locations would be GREATLY appreciated (especially in DHS - I can't seem to remember any slow rides or peaceful seating there?)

Three words, baby!

Carousel of Progress

 

[leebee]

You'll find movies in Epcot in the following countries: Canada, France, USA, China, Norway. I think that's all of them. THey are usually scenic and interesting, but also in the dark, air conditioned, and we can always find a little floor space if our feet are done! (although maybe France and USA are actual theaters… it's been awhile).