How long of a break should we take in Sept.?

[G-gang]

This is our 1st trip to WDW as a family and we are staying at the Dolphin for our entire stay and plan on taking a break everyday with our 11, 8, and 6 year olds. How long of a break should we plan for and what time should we head back out to the parks? We are concerned b/c the parks close so much earlier in Sept . Also, how long is the traveling time from the Dolphin to the MK?
TIA

 

[jordanyosh]

It all depends on your stamina. Some families will go and go with no breaks(we're not one of those families). Another factor are your children. You may have a revolt when it's time to head back to the resort. Show them a itinerary of your plans before you head down to WDW. Then they know what to expect. Also you should find out what interests them at each park before you go. This will prevent the "She got to go on Peter Pan and I want to go on Dumbo before we go back to the hotel."

As far as length of break, that's up to you. We plan anywhere from 2-4 hours.

When planning your trip, schedule your late afternoon/evening parks according to closing times. MGM and World Showcase are open later. 8:30pm and 9pm respectively. The MK also has later closing times a few nights for Fireworks and Spectro. It would be wise to go to those in the afternoons. MGM and EPCOT will be easy for you as they are within walking distance.

Good luck and happy planning

 

[Lori-n-NY]

Hello,
You could also plan to start later in the day therefore you will not have to travel back to hotel . If you break in the afternoon you may miss the parade. At MK the parade usually runs at 3 pm. I would check the times for events and decide from there.

In AK I would not leave then come back because they are usually only open until 5. There are alot of shows there that you sit for and should be able to rest. (Lion King, Tarzan, even Tough to be a Bug is a sitdown 3-d show.) AK also tends to be the hottest park . It also depends on what you did the day before. If you had more of a lowkey day then you might be able to make an all day park visit. You could also have a sit down dinner which would allow you some rest time.
I found out I wasted alot of travel time trying to go back to resort and then my daughter wanted to swim which is relaxing but still tiring.
Make a loose itineary (sp?) and change things if needed.
I hope you get some more views to help you decide what to do.
Lori

 

[FloridaCat]

Being a local, the advice I would give you for July or Aug. would not be the same as Sep. The humidity starts to lower in the fall. Also shorter park hours means taking breaks at the parks. Watch the youngest and when they show signs of wearing out, then find a sit down shady spot and have a Mickey Bar or drink.

We always plan a "Resort Day", no parks. This gives the little people, and you, a chance to catch your breath. We have a late breakfast, hang out at the pool, have a nap and late dinner. The next day everyone is ready to charge out again.

If you have not done so, bookmark the Disney site. You can download park maps, do the PDF version. Then study them so you have a good idea what you want to see and what part of the park it is in. If you walk AK from gate to each section back to the gate you will have walked 9 miles.

So to cut down on wasted steps and time, get to know the park before you arrive. Also check the park hours up to when you head down. They can and do change right up to the 1st day of the month. When you check in ask for Park Hours Sheet, this will give you show times and the like.

Welcome and have the time of your life. This link will help all of you get into the mood from a ex-Peorian

http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Stage/7840/select.htm

 

[Gillian]

If I figured your dates correctly, you will be there the first week of september. After the Labor Day weekend crowds are gone, the parks will be EMPTY!!

If you can get an early start, you'll be done by lunch time most days. MGM is different because of the shows. What I'd plan is to go full speed until lunch, relax & eat when you get tired or hungry, then finish up at a more casual pace & go back to the hotel when you're ready.

We usually eat an early dinner and then head out again after, or have dinner at a park and then tour.

 

[G-gang]

Thank you everyone for your great advice! Lisa

 

[mickeysaver]

My honey and I went the last full week of September last year. I have to remind you to keep your plans open because it rained every day of our trip except for the last. There was a hurricaine out in the Gulf that sent in bands of rain everyday. Some days, it was just an hour or two of rain and others it rained most of the day. The humidity was horrible. The temps were in the mid to upper 80's, but the humidity made it feel much hotter, especially in the AK park. It certainly sapped our strength and made hydration a must even when we didn't feel like we were thirsty, we would drink water. Bring rain ponchos from home and a change of shirts/shorts/socks for all of your tribe. Trust me, it was a savior more than once for us. We rented a locker at the parks everyday and it was worth every penny.

I hope this helps. Mickey