Is sleeping in on a disney vacation wasting time?

[yankeepenny]

I am NOT a morning person. I would rather get to the parks at 11, go back and swim at resort at 4, get dinner at 7 and then go to parks until 12.

if your family is all morning folks, just get up and do your thing. if some want to sleep in a little, you could always go a little later.

most of all, Enjoy!

 

[YankeePrincess]

I am not a morning person at all. I barely wake up to get to work on time. For some reason being in Disney makes me wake up early in the morning!

 

[KellyNY]

We do it differently. We sleep in late, relax, swim, and get to parks in afternoon, but we also stay for evening extra hours and love to swim at night. This works better for us then getting up early and having midday break. This way we also feel like on vacation and not on a quest to concur the world.

 

[Albytaps]

It depends...on one hand, we all know you get to ride a lot more if you're there early, but on the flip side...it can be pretty nice to sleep in and make it feel like more of a vacay. I suppose if you can take advantage of evening EMH, it might make up for some of it. i.e. if MK is open until 2am and you take advantage of it...rolling out at 11am the next day doesn't sound like as big of an issue IMO.

QFT!

It's wasting time to sleep in as much as it it is wasting time to leave the park early. Would you rather get up at the crack of dawn and waste time waiting for the rope to drop, or sleep in and take advantage of the cool night air. As a PP said, with DHS and DAK it may be better to get up ealry, but with MK and Epcot you can easily enjoy the rides at night.

Either way if there is a evening EMH's, I'm there!

 

[fla4fun]

OK..Who remembers the original game room from 20 years ago???

I'm really not sure how to handle this one. But before anyone chimes in, let me say I myself like good nights sleep and seldom get it thanks to the stresses of a demanding job and being a parent of two kids. You all know what I'm talking about!!!

Anyway, I also don't like to waste time. I'm usually the last one up but always the first one ready.

How should I handle our May trip?

Thanks All...
Jwill

Yes, I remember the old game room. In fact, I remember CR from all the way back to '71 - loved it then, love it now, but it sure has changed . . . .

I totally understand the demanding job and family responsibilities tiring you out. As some have said, you have to decide what makes a vacation great for you and your family - it's different for everyone. It also makes a difference if this is a once every so many years trip, or if you visit on a regular basis. The more frequently you visit, the less likely you are to feel pressured to get it all in.

In my case, I am seriously sleep deprived on a regular basis (averaging about four to five hours sleep per night) because of job hours and a long commute (that I don't have the ability to shorten right now), so when I go on a vacation one of my goals is to get a solid 8 hours sleep every night. I can do that one of two ways - go to bed early and get up early, or go to bed late and get up late. I kind of do a mix when I'm at WDW, although I seldom make it to rope drop. It's more about a well rounded vacation, where I get enough sleep, eat regular meals, and have some fun - while still arriving back home more rested than when I left. If I only visit 4-5 attractions in a day, I'm OK with that - in fact, there have been some Epcot afternoons where all I did was shop, eat, and people watch, and I had a blast!

So if you decide to sleep in some days, or all days, because rest is important to you, you can still have a great vacation. If you decide to get up for rope drop every morning, you can have a great vacation. It's all in what you want to get out of it. I just recommend that you be flexible enough that if you try it one way and it's not working for you, that you are willing to change it so it is working for you.

 

[aubriee]

I work night shift and never go to bed until between 2:00-4:00pm every day, even on my days off. On my days off, I usually get up around 10:00pm, eat something and then may try to go back to bed. But I can never sleep past about 2:30am. I'm always up wandering around the house around 2:00am (usually read or get on the computer). That's my normal routine. My body knows it, even on vacation. So I am always up very, very early, no matter what time I go to bed. Getting my body readjusted during vacation just doesn't happen. It knows it's supposed to be up during the early morning hours, wants to eat dinner at 2:00am, and then needs to go to sleep around 2:00pm-4:00pm.lol

We are definitely rope drop people. I hate crowds and want to get everything done, then go back in the afternoon for a nap. I go to WDW 4-6 times a year and alot of those trips are solo trips. Even on my solo trips, I get up early, make every rope drop, do what I want to do, then head back to the resort to sit by the pool, read, and take a nap. Then I head back out about an hour before dinner.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I would say it depends on what time of the year you go. I only go during slower times of the year, my past 3 trips were early May, September and early October. All three times with the assistance of fastpass we didn't wait more than 20 minutes for anything. With that said I also have been to WDW enough times that seeing "everything" isn"t a priority. My best advice would be to not look at wasting time but wasting your family's energy. Long days from sun up until Midnight are draining and when you're exhausted you cannot enjoy the vacation you spent so much money on, thats a waste to me.

 

[RobDIS]

For me getting up for RD is already sleeping in over an hour so it's not really an issue. I think making RD allows you to get so much more done at the park that I just couldn't skip it very often on a WDW vacation without feeling like I'd be wasting time.

But in the end, it's vacation so do what you want. The more people who sleep in, the better it is for those willing to get out of bed.

 

[dzorn]

Nothing is ever wasted on vacation if you are enjoying yourself.

Denise in MI

 

[noahdove]

This next trip we will get up and out for the bus by 7 am. I only scheduled 2 TS breakfast, the rest dinners as I want the girls to sleep in a tad. A big difference in getting to the bus by 7am or sleep til 7:30. My little granddaughter and I will have early bedtimes too, so that will help when we need to get up early. I would like for her to see a RD and if she sleeps at Disney like she does here, then we won't have any trouble getting to the bus early It's your vacation, take your time and fully enjoy what time you have and it will be a happy and memorable trip

 

[Mduff]

You may not have to make that choice - the kids may be up early all excited to hit the parks!

I try to get my kids (13 & 9) up early to get out early - we all love that early morning Disney air - but I don't stress out if we're dragging - I want everyone to enjoy our vacation. Then again, we know Disney isn't a restful vacation - that's why we cruise as well

 

[cluvsdisney]

Nothing is ever wasted on vacation if you are enjoying yourself.

Denise in MI

We did one trip that was go go go and I was miserable. I was tired and cranky by the end of the trip and I was exhausted when I got home. We slowed the pace and I enjoy our trips much better now that we sleep in, take it easy. We don't need to go on every ride or see every show every trip...it will (most likely) be there next time.

 

[HiHoOffWeGo]

In my earlier post Suellen & Jujube didn't like what I had to say.

I thought we were all providing our opinion on how we would look at RD. I am so sorry if I did not measure up to your way of thinking but those were my thoughts on the subject.

First off I used the We and a statement. What WE do. You do what you wish.

Second I have DGD 13, DGD 8 and DGS 4 who are up and want to go have fun. Now if I did wish to wast my vacation I have my own room and could just stay in bed.

Third we go every other year and for 10 days so we might have more flexability.

Fourth we get park hoppers and the way we do our vacation this allows flexability and we do not think it silly. Example: RD at AK but because the park is so big and not a lot of cover we leave about noon - 1pm to a water park then back to the resort to freshen up and on to Epcot for our TS ADR. (5 TS each trip are at Epcot) and if it is early enough we stay or if it is a late night at MK then we may take the monorail there. Now we may not want to do 3 parks and water in one day but we have the option. And we have but it was crazy! A note: We love TS at Epcot with all the places available without park hoppers we would not get to our favorites.

Fifth is about Myrtle Beach. In OUR opinion if we wanted to sleep in each day and lounge around that is where we would be and that is where we will be in June. Staying in a condo overlooking the ocean cooking our meals (this is a men cook and do dishes vacation) swimming and sunning, shopping and just plain traveling around doing nothing but what we wish and we sleep in every day. Eat out now and again and do stuff. A note here is we will spend 1000's less at MB compared to WDW. MB or a cabin in the great North is not so expensive if we decide to rest.

WE do our vacations our way and you do it yours. It is your money, we just don't wish to waist our sleeping till noon or we will go to MB. Now enjoy!

 

[luvthemouse71]

Personally, I dont understand it when WDW is treated as a "chore". Meaning, when people say " we got rides, attractions etc out of the way early". Some of my best times at WDW have been sitting on a bench with a Dole Whip Float, people watching.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

This is a no brainer. It's called "vacation" for a reason. If I wanted to get up early, I'd stay home and continue making money.

 

[jujube]

WDW is for family and we go with our 2 DD and their families. We all agree that sleeping in is for Sat. & Sun. at home. Three rooms so everyone can do as they choose. If you want to sleep in go to Myrtle Beach.

First of all you can't do WDW without park hoppers.

We plan our days but then go with how are mood swings us. Never, never follow the script to the letter.

AK because of it's size is a RD day and due to it's early close is always our short day and we plan this for the middle of the week.

MK is one day RD and one day till late close.

DHS is RD only for Star Wars.

Epcot is never RD but may be several evenings.

We always get up and get going and if we choose at any time do some resort time. If it is going to be a late night we get there when we do and have some down time that day to get ready for that night.

We have taken a resort day when we have pushed it to much but that is rare for there is DTD and resort hopping and meals here and there. So rest at home but don't overdo so much that it won't be fun.

In my earlier post Suellen & Jujube didn't like what I had to say.

I thought we were all providing our opinion on how we would look at RD. I am so sorry if I did not measure up to your way of thinking but those were my thoughts on the subject.

First off I used the We and a statement. What WE do. You do what you wish.

Second I have DGD 13, DGD 8 and DGS 4 who are up and want to go have fun. Now if I did wish to wast my vacation I have my own room and could just stay in bed.

Third we go every other year and for 10 days so we might have more flexability.

Fourth we get park hoppers and the way we do our vacation this allows flexability and we do not think it silly. Example: RD at AK but because the park is so big and not a lot of cover we leave about noon - 1pm to a water park then back to the resort to freshen up and on to Epcot for our TS ADR. (5 TS each trip are at Epcot) and if it is early enough we stay or if it is a late night at MK then we may take the monorail there. Now we may not want to do 3 parks and water in one day but we have the option. And we have but it was crazy! A note: We love TS at Epcot with all the places available without park hoppers we would not get to our favorites.

Fifth is about Myrtle Beach. In OUR opinion if we wanted to sleep in each day and lounge around that is where we would be and that is where we will be in June. Staying in a condo overlooking the ocean cooking our meals (this is a men cook and do dishes vacation) swimming and sunning, shopping and just plain traveling around doing nothing but what we wish and we sleep in every day. Eat out now and again and do stuff. A note here is we will spend 1000's less at MB compared to WDW. MB or a cabin in the great North is not so expensive if we decide to rest.

WE do our vacations our way and you do it yours. It is your money, we just don't wish to waist our sleeping till noon or we will go to MB. Now enjoy!

I don't really care what you post. We all have our opinions and post them. On message boards, it's hard to understand exactly what someone means.

If you meant we, perhaps before your list, you could have written, "This is how we travel to WDW" because the part I objected to was "First of all you can't do WDW without park hoppers."

As for the Myrtle Beach, I may have misinterpreted but again, it was not clear.

Peace and blessings to you too.

 

[Robo]

Personally, I dont understand it when WDW is treated as a "chore". Meaning, when people say " we got rides, attractions etc out of the way early". Some of my best times at WDW have been sitting on a bench with a Dole Whip Float, people watching.

I see it as achieving a goal.

Being able to do the more popular attractions by
using a plan of action, while others with similar goals
are having to stand in longer lines, eating up more "vacation time."

WDW offers so many "destination" attractions...
rides that ARE "must do" that they are (to many)
the principle reasons for choosing WDW in the first place.

If a guest can ride these attractions with less hassle,
that is often considered an accomplishment in its own right.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I can see your point, especially for busy times. But, i think with FP and park hoppers, even if you are not OCD about scehedules, you can do a lot.

 

[michsig]

My boyfriend and I love to sleep. On our last trip, we didn't get to the parks till 11am-ish, depending on when we finished breakfast. We took our time, and still did everything we wanted to and more!

 

[W.E.D.]

It depends on the person. My family has always been GO, GO, GO on vacation. DW's family is the opposite. So, I'm up at 6 getting ready for a.m. EMH and she sleeps in. I go solo and have a wonderful time. When I'm done, I head back to the resort and collect DW at the pool. Then we go do stuff together. We're both on vacation, so we both should get to spend our mornings how we like them.