has anyone tried an "afternoon break" in a resort lobby???

[pampam]

There is a woman that sits daily in the GF lobby. She comes there with a suitcase covered in stuffed animals. We have seen her so many times, we thought she lived there like Eloise at the plaza. Finally curiosity got the better of us and we asked her. She is not a guest, she used to come there with her now deceased husband, and she visits daily to remember him and enjoy the atmosphere. The Gf staff is aware of her, and as of June 2015 she was not asked to leave.

I too have seen her, but never stopped to talk to her. She seems like a pleasant person. However, I have never seen her stretched out on a sofa taking a nap.

I believe the OP said their child was 8 years old, and I'm sure they said they don't use a stroller. I personally think it would be much more convenient to nap and recharge at Hall of Presidents MK, , Ellens Energy in Epcot, and Great Movie Ride in HS. I personally can't think of a quiet spot to re-energize at AK. The Conservation Station can be air conditioned yet it could be noisy. It is quite a trek to a resort to find a restful lobby from AK anyway.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

if you see a person sleeping in a chair in the lobby, how do you tell if they are "squatters" or simply someone with reservations at that hotel waiting for their room to be cleaned, waiting for their family at the snack bar, killing time between checkout and DME pickup, or any other number of things that could cause them to be cat-napping in a spot somewhere?

They're all carrying signs that say, "GF Lobby or Bust."

 

[PamNC]

Absolutely - I love doing this. In fact, last trip we took a break in the lobby of the Poly due to a big rainstorm. Great ambience and Lapu Lapus are nice. Gotta' try a Dole Whip. The only thing I don't like is the Coffee bar closes in the afternoon. It would have been nice to have a Kona cup! Nonetheless, this is a great idea. Also nice to head over to the GF. Lovely hotel to say the least.

 

[Kalliope]

Last week at POR, when we were headed to get drinks after bus dropped off at South depot, I noticed that the couches in the lounge were PACKED with people. Sitting, laying, backpacks and disney bags everywhere...I wondered what they were doing. Thought maybe taking a "break" but that seemed like an out of the way spot for a break?? To ride a Bus that far? It was a little annoying when we wanted to grab a drink there ourselves and relax. But we just let it slide, cause we really had no idea what they were all doing!

They were either waiting for DME or a DCL pick up.

 

[TeresaNJ]

The Villas at Wilderness Lodge would is a wonderful place to get away from it all for a while. Just a short & very pleasant boat ride from the MK. You can grab a snack at Roaring Forks, then head over to the Villas to either rock on the chairs outside, or chill in the Villas lobby, or the Carolwood Pacific Railroad Room. Mid day there are very few people hanging about, so I don't see a thing wrong with doing this. Who knows, maybe the OP will love it so much they'll decide to spend their next vacation onsite. I don't see why all the animosity toward the OP for considering doing this. We love to resort hop, hang out & take a break. We always stay onsite, but should we be restricted to the specific resort we're paying to stay at?

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Personally I'd rather take the bus back to our resort. We actually head to the parks in the morning and evening and take a break in the afternoon. I can't see napping in a public place, I'd rather be in the comfort of my own room.

Now - I could see using the resorts as a break from the crowds. We'll usually go explore the resorts.. Maybe we'll eat at the Contempo Grill or go explore the Poly.. but napping in the lobby sounds a little outrageous.

That's not to judge people that do it, it's just personal preference.

 

[CT Disney]

The Villas at Wilderness Lodge would is a wonderful place to get away from it all for a while. Just a short & very pleasant boat ride from the MK. You can grab a snack at Roaring Forks, then head over to the Villas to either rock on the chairs outside, or chill in the Villas lobby, or the Carolwood Pacific Railroad Room. Mid day there are very few people hanging about, so I don't see a thing wrong with doing this. Who knows, maybe the OP will love it so much they'll decide to spend their next vacation onsite. I don't see why all the animosity toward the OP for considering doing this. We love to resort hop, hang out & take a break. We always stay onsite, but should we be restricted to the specific resort we're paying to stay at?

To the bolded parts...I think there is confusion because different people seem to be responding to different ideas of an "afternoon break" in one of the deluxe lobbies.

I don't think a single poster has said it's not OK to head over to a Deluxe to eat, drink, shop, or sit down and take in the atmosphere. Nobody has said that you should be restricted to the specific resort you're staying at.

I think the thing that has people a little more riled is that the OP specifically mentioned taking a snooze on one of the comfy lobby couches. I believe she also mentioned that she was looking for a place that her 8 1/2-year-old could "get horizontal".

IMO, if you know that someone in your party is going to need a nap, you should head back to your room and your bed. (With the exception being those kids that can nap right in their strollers.) Lobby couches should not be used as beds for people who want to get horizontal and snooze.

 

[mort1331]

The way I see it, as soon as you pass by the welcome to Disney World sign, you are on property. No difference to catching a quick nap at the parks, on the beach, or in any lobby. They are not sleeping in your bed, eating your food. Unless they are taking your napping spot on the couches that some of you say is tacky, then I dont see the issue.

 

[tomatecerise]

We have a dinner at Narcoosees at 5:30pm but at 3pm or so We are in the Grand Floridian relaxing, listen the piano and the orchestra. I was in the edge to fall aslpeep lol! Very laid back atmosphere.

 

[Retro Magic]

I'm pretty much obsessed when it comes to the resort lobbys lol. On my upcoming trip, I cannot wait to spend time at AKL, Poly and GF!!!! It may not mean anything to some, but for me it's a hi-light to just be immersed in the lobby atmosphere and relax.

 

[SDSorority]

YES we do this all the time!! Our favorite mid-afternoon break spots are:

2nd floor of the Wilderness Lodge Lobby, by the small fireplaces
Convention Level of the Contemporary (really nice bathrooms up there, almost always empty too!)
Side entrance of the Boardwalk Inn side of the Boardwalk lobby, near the elevators
Animal Kingdom Lodge (Jambo House) near the fire pit
Boardwalk rocking chairs under the overhang on the back side
Yacht/Beach club rocking chairs under the overhang near the pool
2nd Floor of the Beach club overlooking the lobby

 

[katallo]

We see the lady at the GF each trip. I think she has been coming for years. When we stay onsite we usually relax in the lobbies, but when we stay offsite it's just easier to go there and enjoy the pools and amenities. If we are eating in the BW area, we usually have a drink at the Boardwalk Inn bar and relax at bit.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

There is also a fairly chill spot in Epcot in the Innoventions West area...near where they do the Visa M&G.

Just an empty space with many benches.

We were joking they should set up a Disney Pillow Kiosk right there...they'd sell a bunch. Lots of folks snoozing and some kids "getting horizontal".

 

[TiffanyA]

Wow, I never realized how worked up people can get about things. It's TEMPORARY and its not like they are staying the night. Who does this even harm?

My dad is notorious for being to fall asleep anywhere. My mom likes to take her time shopping so he has conked out on mall couches more time than I can count. He and my grandmother both took a short nap a few years ago in Frontierland rocking chairs waiting for the rest of us while we went on Splash.

Actual hotel napping: He also fell asleep in the lobby of the Dolphin hotel after breakfast because a few of us came down late and he was waiting for us to go to the park. On another visit, he fell asleep after lunch one day at the Contemporary while my mother was shopping. We were actually staying at Contemporary at the time, but how was anyone to know that? Didn't realize people even potentially saw him as some "freeloader". And really, we're talking about a CHILD doing this.

To the OP, I see no reason not to do just what you've asked about!

 

[maxiesmom]

Wow, I never realized how worked up people can get about things. It's TEMPORARY and its not like they are staying the night. Who does this even harm?

Who does it harm? No one. But is that how we measure what we should and shouldn't do? Would people think it is ok for me to cut my toe nails in the lobby? Do calisthenics? Being able to do something does not equal something that you should do.

 

[linana514]

Back in May I enjoyed a nice cat-nap in a rocking chair, with my feet up on a barrel or something, on Tom Sawyer's Island, while my DH and kids explored the island. It was great.

We also spent a good bit of time waiting for our Ohana reservation in the Poly lobby. The chairs were comfortable enough but the best thing was the TVs playing cartoons for the kids. My kids don't need naps but a good 30 minutes or so of zoning out in front of cartoons can help them refresh and be ready for round 2 of park touring.

 

[princessjadesmom]

Wow, I never realized how worked up people can get about things. It's TEMPORARY and its not like they are staying the night. Who does this even harm?

My dad is notorious for being to fall asleep anywhere. My mom likes to take her time shopping so he has conked out on mall couches more time than I can count. He and my grandmother both took a short nap a few years ago in Frontierland rocking chairs waiting for the rest of us while we went on Splash.

Actual hotel napping: He also fell asleep in the lobby of the Dolphin hotel after breakfast because a few of us came down late and he was waiting for us to go to the park. On another visit, he fell asleep after lunch one day at the Contemporary while my mother was shopping. We were actually staying at Contemporary at the time, but how was anyone to know that? Didn't realize people even potentially saw him as some "freeloader". And really, we're talking about a CHILD doing this.

To the OP, I see no reason not to do just what you've asked about!

I agree 100%!

 

[katallo]

I agree. We have been lucky enough to stay at quite a few deluxe hotels as well as offsite. I've never thought twice to see someone doze in a chair. For one thing, I have no idea where they are staying...might be there. I will say one thing bothered us. We had lunch with another couple at the Contemporary last year. It was the cafeteria style in the lobby. A man came in, went to area that had lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, etc. Somehow he had a paper plate. Stacked everything on the plate and took mayo packets for dressing?? He then went to the coffee area and took small containers of half and half. Opened and drank. It was very odd.

 

[TiffanyA]

Who does it harm? No one. But is that how we measure what we should and shouldn't do? Would people think it is ok for me to cut my toe nails in the lobby? Do calisthenics? Being able to do something does not equal something that you should do.

I've cut my fingernail in the lobby before actually... but I had just jammed my finger, torn off my nail and was bleeding. My mom whipped out a nail clipper and some bandaids out of her bag.

Anyway, I'm more of a live and let live person. I try not to let too much offend me, because if I did, I am not sure I'd be a very happy person.

 

[MissPrincessKendall]

To the OP I think the aforementioned places to rest in the three MK resorts are a perfect refresher. I think the people getting all upset over this are acting ridiculous! Disney can be exhausting and long and hot, sometimes you need a break. If a child needs a nap, let her take a nap. The couch pes anywhere in disney have been slept in many times before and will continue to be slept in. People. Just love to complain about anything on here...