Favorite strategy for a break in the parks?

[nat8199]

This is why we do TS lunches. You get a seat, air conditioning, food, and, if your not in MK, can have an relaxing drink.

I am also planning to PH from MK to Epcot a few days our next trip. The monorail rides should be a nice.

 

[BlueFairy]

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).

The USA movie is a show in a theater with animatronics.

Norway is at the end of Maelstrom, so you have to do the ride, I think.

France has a lovely air conditioned waiting area, and the movie is in a theater. The music is all classical and was the perfect recipe for a nap for our DD at 2. She fell asleep in the theater and we carried her onto the Friendship boat for the return ride across World Showcase lagoon.

 

[jessicamouse]

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

If you have little ones, the playgrounds are a good place for down time. At HS, you could go to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground and at AK you can go to the Dig Site over by Dino-land. At Epcot, the kids all love to hang out by the dancing fountains near Innovations. At MK, the splash area in New Fantasyland is fun (not really relaxing but fun for the kiddos!)

 

[CaryHaven]

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?)

Our demographic and tour style sounds exactly the same. I like TS meals to cool off and wind down, especially before my toddler gets too tired to eat lunch. After we eat, we love to souvenir shop in relative silence as our two nod off in their strollers. I like to keep them in air conditioned areas usually, but we will sometimes find a cool shady place and utilize stroller fans and a receiving blanket clipped over the stroller to help keep them cool.
I'm a big fan of people mover. The train is ok, but they do use the whistle and it starts and stops, unlike the people mover. Usually the whistle won't wake them up, but stopping and starting will. I've heard Tom Sawyer's Island is good. Hall of Presidents is also a nice cool break that is also educational. I always try to get in AC whenever possible! There are tons of great nooks and crannies throughout World Showcase. Last year I sat down in Club Cool (hallway) and misted the babies off and later went over and drank some free weird soda. It was great. I have yet to find a great quiet spot at AK. The boneyard is great, but my kids are pretty active in there, and they're young enough I have to chase them so I don't consider that a real break. We don't go to HS.

 

[wonderlandaddict]

We like to take the boat from DHS to Beaches and Cream at The Beach Club, but never during prime meal time. There is a game room next door, huge nice bathroom next door to that, and benches and a proch swing on the beach to sit and relax. This makes a very nice needed break, sometimes we go here from Epcot also.

 

[lmbcdb]

TTA peoplemover in MK!!!!

We ride it over and over. My precious 6YO DD just looks up at the CM and asks to ride again, and we don't have to get off.

Now, MY favorite spot @MK is Carousel of Progress. Oh, the A/C is awesome, and I get a good nap in. Hall of Presidents is good for a nap also.

We usually schedule a sit down meal at each park. This is our "break".

At Epcot World Showcase, it's good to get a snack or beverage and watch the street performers. I guess it depends on how long of a break you want! I also agree with an earlier poster about the movies. 15 minutes in a dark theater can do a world of good to everyone.

At HS, the ABC Commissary usually has good A/C and never seems too crowded. (probably because the food is so-so)

At AK, we only usually stay 1/2 day, so mini breaks for snacks are good. Restauransaurus is noisy, but has an out of the way corner that's made out of a old RV. It's quiet, cold, and hardly anyone is ever in there.

 

[Mikie]

Three words, baby!

Carousel of Progress

So I went and looked it up - again,I find it hard to believe I've never ridden this one! I know I haven't done it on any if my trips as an adult, but I find it hard to believe my parents wouldn't have done this one with me as a kid. Perhaps they did and I slept right through it!

 

[Prissyms]

We actually go back to the resort but when we can't at MK we ride Tomorrowland People Mover and then sleep in Carousel of Progress.
Epcot- if it's not too hot on the grass between France and Morocco with a crepe and ice cream
HS- One Man's Dreams
AK - The bar outside of Tusker House (lots of shade and lots of drinks )
But really for us, we make it our business to get back to the room for mid day breaks

 

[DisneyMOM09]

At Epcot head to the Innovention buildings. One is better (near the Land) than the other for a nice air conditioned rest. There are some benches and plenty of floor to sit on. Also a great place to charge your phone up; or for my sister a great place to relax and breastfeed.

 

[Missymouse18]

How bout the dark little air conditioned booths at Rafiki's Planet watch? Great place to get a snooze. Ellen's Universe of Energy is perfect for napping because it lasts forever, the seats are actually long pew-like seats, and every single time I have gone on it, I have seen children stretched out sound asleep.

 

[Punchy]

When I'm at Hollywood Studios and it's unbearably hot, we head over to the Backlot and sit down for an ice cold sangria. It's outdoors, but there are giant fans everywhere and the breeze feels delicious.

When I'm at Magic Kingdom, I often find it unbearably hot in Frontierland. We like to sit under the train bridge (near the washrooms) and eat ice cream. There's a play area for kids and the big, stone blocks are nice and cool to sit on.

I've always found the hike around EPCOT's World Showcase difficult in the heat, so this year we're going to try the ferry across the lake.

 

[katt789]

I usually take a slow walk through an air conditioned store, stop inside a counter service place for a longer extended meal to relax/eat.

At Mk specifically:
-Cop
-Peoplemover is a nice break breezing though the skies
-Hall of presidents, country bears, all places to take a nice little nap or at least sit down indoors!
-Also just grabbing a bench/piece of wall/ledge to sit on and eat an ice cream bar in the shade, bonus if you find an outlet to charge anything you might need ahaha!!

DHS:
-One Man's Dream, including movie can be a nice time
-Animation Academy is indoors, and there's a bit to do in there

Epcot: Any of the movies, or shops are good ways to cool down/slow down midday

AK: finding nemo is a solid 30 mins of air conditioned relaxing for us, and a nice show at that!

 

[TNDisneyNut]

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?)

I might get slammed for saying they are boring (because I have seen them and love them) but The Hall of Presidents at MK and the show at Epcot (name escapes me) are excellent places to nap and cool off! We really do go in with the intention of watching but when you are hot and tired, and it's so cool and dark in there.....zzzzzzzzz

 

[Pembo]

Take the boat to FW and back. It was very relaxing and quiet.

 

[circus4u]

People Mover then over to the Carousel of Progress.