How long for an afternoon break?

[jothp]

Hi, thank you for all your help so far. Can you please tell me how long you like to be at your resort for an afternoon break?

 

[chmurf]

well ... depends on what you want to do with your break

if it's for a nap then how long do you usually nap ?

we do pools breaks and most of the time we spend a couple of hours at the hotel

but the most important thing to consider is how you travel around property

if you have a car, then it's a bit easier
if you rely on disney transportation, then depending on crowds and time of day it can take up to 45 minutes or more to get back to your hotel, same thing back to a park
so your afternoon break time swells and eats into your day

you need to consider time at the hotel as well as time to and from parks
sometimes it's not worth spending 1hr on buses to have a 1 hour break at the hotel
on those occasions a late lunch at a nearby hotel plus a quick visit raound that hotel is as relaxing as going back to your rom


turn the question around and ask yourself how long you have for a break and is the transportation time worth it

if you're at animal kingdom and exit around 2pm and want to see fantasmic! at 6pm then a break at the boardwalk might be better than going back to your hotel

depending on your plans and reality on site, you might find yourself realising that you only have a few minutes before needing to head back

also consider that an afternoon break might imply that you might not fancy going back to a park and prefer calling it a day
so if you plan a break always consider that all the evening plans might not happen

 

[Elise79]

As a guide we usually leave a park around 1pm and have dinner booked for 6.30-7pm

How long you want or need will as the previous poster said will depend what you want to do with it

 

[DLPDreams]

We will be predominantly using Disney transport around WDW so as PPs have said, we need to take this into consideration. I am going with rule of thumb of we leave a park by 2 pm latest (after lunch somewhere), back at OKW by 3 pm, quick swim / nap with a view to leaving OKW again by 6 - 6.30 pm depending on our dinner reservations. This will give us about 2-2.5 hours 'rest' most afternoons - more than enough time for a dunk and nap I think!

I think in August it gets so hot, most people, if they've been at a park since opening, will be well ready to leave by 1-2 pm, especially if they have small children. There will be very few days where we do a full day - in fact, I don't think I have scheduled any at WDW, DC and shopping days, that's about it.

I also agree with chmurf - I know there will be nights where we just can't be bothered to go back out to a park, but I am planning a few nights just at OKW for that reason - if we can be bothered then we'll get the boat out to DTD etc. If not, it's a move night and drinks/CS at OKW! I hate the idea of being charged for a no-show TS meal just because we can't be bothered to go back out that evening - that imo is the danger with the 'new' system of charging for no-shows at restaurants, but I do understand that is why the do it!

Planning a WDW holiday takes it to another level doesn't it!

 

[chmurf]

I think in August it gets so hot, most people, if they've been at a park since opening, will be well ready to leave by 1-2 pm, especially if they have small children.

in august there will be severe afternoon showers or thunderstorms
the weather is no longer as predictible as it used to be ... you used to get a 30 minutes downpour everyday at the same time, and that helped thin the crowds

I haven't been in florida in august for 15 years so can't comment on how it goes now, but weather in august plays a role
heat is a factor but rain will also have an impact

getting out of a park for an afternoon swim at the resort may leave you taking shelter inside the room
monitor the forecasts on tv , and remember that weather is very localised. it may rain cats and dogs on MK and be sunny and cloud free over okw, or the other way around

the nice thing is that showers don't last long, and half an hour later it's just like it never rained at all

but include weather in your plans during the 'wet season'

 

[Elise79]

in august there will be severe afternoon showers or thunderstorms
the weather is no longer as predictible as it used to be ... you used to get a 30 minutes downpour everyday at the same time, and that helped thin the crowds

I haven't been in florida in august for 15 years so can't comment on how it goes now, but weather in august plays a role
heat is a factor but rain will also have an impact

getting out of a park for an afternoon swim at the resort may leave you taking shelter inside the room
monitor the forecasts on tv , and remember that weather is very localised. it may rain cats and dogs on MK and be sunny and cloud free over okw, or the other way around

the nice thing is that showers don't last long, and half an hour later it's just like it never rained at all

but include weather in your plans during the 'wet season'

You are right about the weather - several afternoons last July we didn't get to swim at all due to the storms. They will close the pools if there is lightening within 5 miles. And as a rule of thumb if you can hear thunder you should be out of the pool.

We also had a couple of evenings that were a complete washout - it started raining in the afternoon and just didn't stop. Luckily we always have a car and very few ADRs we book are in the park so we drive and use valet to save getting wet

 

[jothp]

Thanks for all your replies. I am planning to leave the parks around lunchtime most days but will be using Disney transport so understand that I will need to allow a fair amount of time to travel.

The idea of just visiting another resort to relax is a good one and I will look into it but the girls (mainly youngest! and me!!) will need to nap a lot of afternoons so they can cope with staying up in the evenings without getting overtired. The kids will probably want to swim too most afternoons. Thinking about what we want to do I guess my ideal would be to swim for an hour or so when we first got back to the resort to relax/cool off followed by a nap for an hour or two so that kind of answers my own question.

We will visit all the parks during the morning so it wouldn't be the end of the world if we missed our evening plans sometimes but with a nap I am hoping we should mostly be recharged and I will probably put in a couple of days with open plans for the evening.

Sadly we can't book the weather in advance like we seem to need to everything else so I guess we will just have to deal with whatever it throws at us.

 

[DLPDreams]

in august there will be severe afternoon showers or thunderstorms
the weather is no longer as predictible as it used to be ... you used to get a 30 minutes downpour everyday at the same time, and that helped thin the crowds

I haven't been in florida in august for 15 years so can't comment on how it goes now, but weather in august plays a role
heat is a factor but rain will also have an impact

getting out of a park for an afternoon swim at the resort may leave you taking shelter inside the room
monitor the forecasts on tv , and remember that weather is very localised. it may rain cats and dogs on MK and be sunny and cloud free over okw, or the other way around

the nice thing is that showers don't last long, and half an hour later it's just like it never rained at all

but include weather in your plans during the 'wet season'

As the 'wet' season runs right from June - November ish (doesn't it?), I guess it's hard to plan anyway. I am thinking that even if it rains, it's still warm and really we can't plan too much on this until we are there! As for swimming - it wouldn't bother me if we had to miss the pool and relax in the villa . Either way, we will be resting afternoons - the children will simply not manage without .

I think last August it hardly rained at all and was very, very hot - but this was unusual. Who knows what will happen this year .

Thanks for all your replies. I am planning to leave the parks around lunchtime most days but will be using Disney transport so understand that I will need to allow a fair amount of time to travel.

The idea of just visiting another resort to relax is a good one and I will look into it but the girls (mainly youngest! and me!!) will need to nap a lot of afternoons so they can cope with staying up in the evenings without getting overtired. The kids will probably want to swim too most afternoons. Thinking about what we want to do I guess my ideal would be to swim for an hour or so when we first got back to the resort to relax/cool off followed by a nap for an hour or two so that kind of answers my own question.

We will visit all the parks during the morning so it wouldn't be the end of the world if we missed our evening plans sometimes but with a nap I am hoping we should mostly be recharged and I will probably put in a couple of days with open plans for the evening.

Sadly we can't book the weather in advance like we seem to need to everything else so I guess we will just have to deal with whatever it throws at us.

You sound exactly like me and what I 'envisage'! Having been away a number of years now with the children, nap free long days are just a recipe for disaster in our household!

Like I said earlier, if we swim in the afternoon it's a bonus, as long as we get a rest (read nap!) we'll manage. As for rain in the evening - we can't plan for that other than to take ponchos/waterproofs/shoes that can get wet I guess ! As the holiday gets on, we may switch our plans, have a morning at the pool/lunch at OKW then visit a park after about 3 pm and stay out - that may be an option for you too as your body clocks adjust? We are also planning a day at TL, day at BB and one at DC which will essentially be 'pool/water' days .

 

[Kath2003]

Having done numerous summer visits - your best bet is to leave well before 2pm (think 12-1pm) as the second the storm clouds start gathering, everyone starts bolting for the exits. I've done 6 July/August visits and had one visit with 1 storm in 10 days, 3 visits with tropical storms or hurricanes (alongside the daily afternoon showers) and 2 trips with daily afternoon-shower visits. You never know what you will get so be prepared to roll with it and don't ruin your holiday by "trying to do it all"!

Personally if we arrive at opening, we tend to leave by noon and not return until ~5-6pm. We like the afternoons "off". We also don't do an early morning after a late night. We visit in April when it is cooler these days.

 

[chmurf]

you probably got this covered already but young kids who need naps will probably welcome the use of a stroller even if they no longer use them at home (and if they don't welcome it, you will )

i won't be opening the 'strollers for older kids' can of worm, but from experience DS at age 6 couldn't have done without, and still he walked 2 miles to school every day

that's a real life saver in the evening if the kids crash

 

[jothp]

As the holiday gets on, we may switch our plans, have a morning at the pool/lunch at OKW then visit a park after about 3 pm and stay out - that may be an option for you too as your body clocks adjust?

Yes I have been thinking about that as an option to mix our days up a bit.

Having done numerous summer visits - your best bet is to leave well before 2pm (think 12-1pm) as the second the storm clouds start gathering, everyone starts bolting for the exits. I've done 6 July/August visits and had one visit with 1 storm in 10 days, 3 visits with tropical storms or hurricanes (alongside the daily afternoon showers) and 2 trips with daily afternoon-shower visits. You never know what you will get so be prepared to roll with it and don't ruin your holiday by "trying to do it all"!

Personally if we arrive at opening, we tend to leave by noon and not return until ~5-6pm. We like the afternoons "off". We also don't do an early morning after a late night. We visit in April when it is cooler these days.

Thanks for that. I'm thinking if we snacked for breakfast we will want an early lunch and will leave the park straight after. On the days we have had a big breakfast we will probably not want any lunch but will leave about lunchtime anyway.

you probably got this covered already but young kids who need naps will probably welcome the use of a stroller even if they no longer use them at home (and if they don't welcome it, you will )

i won't be opening the 'strollers for older kids' can of worm, but from experience DS at age 6 couldn't have done without, and still he walked 2 miles to school every day

that's a real life saver in the evening if the kids crash

We managed with no buggy on our last trip to DLP when our youngest had not long turned 4 (slightly crazy I know!) so I'm hoping we'll be ok for this trip. To be honest I don't think our youngest would get in a buggy even given the option - even when tired she will do everything possible to stay awake if she thinks she may miss something!

 

[DLPDreams]

you probably got this covered already but young kids who need naps will probably welcome the use of a stroller even if they no longer use them at home (and if they don't welcome it, you will )

i won't be opening the 'strollers for older kids' can of worm, but from experience DS at age 6 couldn't have done without, and still he walked 2 miles to school every day

that's a real life saver in the evening if the kids crash

Good point. I have deliberated over whether to take our old Maclaren pushchair (in the loft) - some weeks I'm taking it, others I'm not . DD2 will be 7 but she's not a great walker at the best of times - having said that, we spent a weekend at DLRP at Halloween and boy, did we walk - we only had 3 full days so we didn't stop - crammed loads in! And tbh, she surprised me by being dead on her feet but never complaining!! I have a buggy bag for our pushchair so I am considering taking it and just not telling her - she will want it if I say! But see how she goes - 3 weeks of a lot of walking is a lot for a child, esp in humidity etc.

Also considering taking a booster carseat of our own and seeing if I can fit in said buggy bag as well! By law she won't need one, but as she'll still be in one in the UK, I'd feel better about it!

My only concern is whether Thomson will get antsy about carrying it as she will be 7! I don't want to hire one if I can help it, as the costs soon add up and I'm sure we won't need it every day - maybe evenings as you say chmurf.

Jothp - are you taking a pushchair or carseat???

 

[jothp]

Jothp - are you taking a pushchair or carseat???

No pushchair and not sure if we are going to hire a car but considering taking a booster seat if we do. At the moment both DD2 and DD3 use booster seats here but DD2 is virtually tall enough not to so would be happy enough for her to go without. Even though she wouldn't need one by law in Florida I don't think I would be happy with the fit of the seatbelt on DD2 without one - she is only about 1.15m tall.

 

[DLPDreams]

No pushchair and not sure if we are going to hire a car but considering taking a booster seat if we do. At the moment both DD2 and DD3 use booster seats here but DD2 is virtually tall enough not to so would be happy enough for her to go without. Even though she wouldn't need one by law in Florida I don't think I would be happy with the fit of the seatbelt on DD2 without one - she is only about 1.15m tall.

Sorry, we crossed posts. My DD1 has just stopped using a booster seat - she is 9 but very tall (11-12 clothes) and is over the limit for height in the UK - by a fair bit. All her friends no longer use, and bless her, she's so easy going she was happy to still use but I felt for her when friends got in the car and 'had to mention it'!! If she still had to have it, she would though! DD2 will clearly be in a seat for some time yet. I think it's about age 5 in Orlando when they stop but I could be wrong?? I wouldn't be convinced that the seat belt was in the correct place at that age tbh! But each to their own. We are hiring a car for a few days mid stay as we want to do DC and shopping etc. I think we'll also use the car for ADRs for those few days too - trying to plan my 'resort' evening ADRs for then to make use!

Yes, pushchair is still something I am torn over. If we have breaks every day then she may manage... I'll decide the week before we go . If I take it, it will probably sit in the villa, if I don't take it, you can guarantee I'll regret it .

 

[chmurf]

just for perspective the average walking distance each day at wdw is 10 miles

some consider that 1 day at wdw = 3 days at DLP in regards to heat, humidity, size and distance
sun and heat are killers, don't forget to hydrate. drink often, even if it's a sip, but in the parks, as soon as one of the kids says ''my head hurts'' or 'i have a headache' they need a rest ASAP, shade and fluids. it's the first sign of heat exhaustion. you can't ask of them to bravely walk back to the bus or the car at that stage. see them by first aid or if you have a stroller have them rest

it happened to DS on his first trip when he was almost 5... and it was in february ... nothing close to august...

wdw is not a vacation, it's a boot camp and it's exhausting, especially for kids who come from the cold
as long as you keep that in mind the kids will be safe, but always pay extra attention when they say they're tired ... sometimes they really are

 

[stephensmum]

On our first family visit ds had just had his 8th birthday & we hired him a buggy every day. We thought it was our only visit & did the parks military style. Bare in mind the heat, stephen loved the buggy just to get out of the sun. (We even hung a small towel over the top for shade).

Try to go for lunch between 11 & 11.30 to avoid the rush. You will properly find you will feel able to do a few more rides then before heading back.

 

[Elise79]

Our DD hasn't used a stroller at WDW since she was 4.5! She will turn 7 this summer.

She had done all seasons without a stroller including full days in Epcot. Last trip we were averaging 20k plus steps per day and she kept up just fine. There is no way on this earth I would be offering her the chance of a stroller as they are a pain IMO.

 

[disneyholic family]

Hi, thank you for all your help so far. Can you please tell me how long you like to be at your resort for an afternoon break?

we no longer go back to the resort for a break..
instead we have a long (air conditioned) table service lunch.

we started doing that 4 years ago. Not on purpose.
We were there on a dining plan for the first time, so had lunches scheduled almost every day (at about 1:00).
We found that the 90 minute lunch (which was how long it usually took), in a nice air conditioned table service restaurant, with unlimited soft drinks to re-hydrate ourselves, more than revived us for the rest of the day. So we didn't feel the need to leave the parks to rest.

 

[Elise79]

we no longer go back to the resort for a break.. instead we have a long (air conditioned) table service lunch. we started doing that 4 years ago. Not on purpose. We were there on a dining plan for the first time, so had lunches scheduled almost every day (at about 1:00). We found that the 90 minute lunch (which was how long it usually took), in a nice air conditioned table service restaurant, with unlimited soft drinks to re-hydrate ourselves, more than revived us for the rest of the day. So we didn't feel the need to leave the parks to rest.

Yes but with children that would not be a restful break - keeping young children sat a table for 90 mins isn't much fun.

With our DD she can likes to swim or just sit and play in our villa for an hour or so. We have drinks and snacks and she has some freedom to do what she wants for a while. She is good about asking nicely and standing in lines but I think it's nice to give her her own time. (I also like sitting on the balcony watching the world go by...)

TS meals always involve is having to "entertain" her and whilst yes we would be sitting in the air con I can think of things I'd rather do!

 

[disneyholic family]

Yes but with children that would not be a restful break - keeping young children sat a table for 90 mins isn't much fun.

With our DD she can likes to swim or just sit and play in our villa for an hour or so. We have drinks and snacks and she has some freedom to do what she wants for a while. She is good about asking nicely and standing in lines but I think it's nice to give her her own time. (I also like sitting on the balcony watching the world go by...)

TS meals always involve is having to "entertain" her and whilst yes we would be sitting in the air con I can think of things I'd rather do!

absolutely!!
i'm talking about grown up kids.
When the kids were little, we usually stayed in the parks until about 1 or 2 and then left for the day. We always said we would go back later in the day, but we never did.
We would go swimming or do something else - not in the parks.
But now that the kids are grown up, we manage to go from park opening to closing, but only with that long table service lunch in the middle.
we also don't do the parks commando style anymore.