First time offsite-touring strategy?

[Runnergal]

We are staying at the Waldorf for the Princess Half Marathon, in part because we don't plan on doing wdw parks every day (3yo wants to go to Legoland, older dc want to go back to universal). But we will do at least one day in wdw, most likely MK and maybe DHS if we go another day. My question is, for those of you who have stayed offsite, how do you structure your day? We will definitely do rope drop, or close to it, but then do you stay until closing? We are not commando-type people- we always take a break midday and go back later for a nice dinner. My kids are a range of ages-from 2-10. I know this is very family-specific, but I just wanted to get a general idea of what others have done.

 

[TMJR]

We stay offsite and always do RD. Sometimes, we stay until 2 or 3 and call it a day, and sometimes we leave at lunchtime for a break and head back in the evening. We stay at Windsor Hills, so going back and forth is reasonable.

 

[AndiSlamberg]

RD is key! I would skip it on days where the park has a morning extra magic hour though! We've also been in the park from open to close, just make sure to take a long lunch break in the middle of the day when it's hottest. Also perfect time to do some of the longer indoor rides/shows to cool down.

 

[lovndisney12]

Agree - don't go on an EMH day. RD. Then you can take breaks in a variety of ways:
1) Mid afternoon TS either in park or at monorail hotel nearby
2) Indoor / sit down rides - Hall of President's, Country Bear Jamboree, Mickey's Philharmagic, Carousel of Progress (this is probably my favorite because it is dark, usually not crowded, and fairly long)
3) Multiple rides on Transit Authority / People Move and/or train
4) Go to one of the Resorts like the Grand Floridian and lounge around in the hammocks by the beach (probably could do Polynesian too)

 

[lovndisney12]

Oh - I thought of one more - do the full loops of the monorail