Late August, break or no? Pop Century related...

[aprincessatlast]

We did this on our first trip with a 1 year old in the late summer. We were go go types. We had really worked up to it with walking everyday etc up until the trip. We spent no time in our room.

We stayed at POP too, and I was not used to that type of resort for vacation. It is fun but unique in a way. It seemed so loud and crowded. That was our first and last time going commando. It was ok but certainly not one of our favorite trips. It was our next visit there years later that I realized we were on the same schedule of the masses at the values on our first visit/commando trip. It's only a room right? So up early and come back late seems to be the motto of many who stay here. Made for uncomfortable bus rides and crowded mornings/nights. So that time we stayed at POP we took breaks mid day and enjoyed the pool. We were off the schedule of everyone else and enjoyed the resort and "vacation"much more. Personally though we feel WDW is more than just the parks so I say take the breaks!

 

[tlmadden73]

We are going to disney world on Aug 26, staying 11 nights. We're from central PA, so obviously not used to florida humidity.

Staying at Pop Century. Its me, my wife and our 5 year old girl. Should I absolutely plan breaks to the resort in middle of day? Rope dropping and pre opening breakfasts each day.

If so, what kind of time am I having to plan for transportation back to Pop? (buses)

I am sure it was answered above. In general I am not a fan of afternoon breaks as it takes a long time to get to the hotel and back (especially Pop). BUT . .I am taking much shorter trips usually (like 4 nights) and time is precious.

For you:

1) You are going for 11 nights .. taking afternoon breaks won't eat into your time at all.
2) You are going with a 5-year old .. you'll want afternoon breaks to avoid cranky meltdowns.
3) It's going to be hot, humid and probably have a thunderstorm EVERY afternoon .. you simply may need to take afternoon breaks due to weather.

I went that same time of year last year (and stayed at Pop) and we took an afternoon break from MK mainly because it was pouring at lunch. I would have stayed in the park as it was not hot and humid anymore, but was outvoted.
It was a long trek (probably took 20-30 minutes, but worth it as everyone needed a nap (my son was 3).
If you go early and stay late with an afternoon break, it is the perfect way to avoid getting your energy sapped from the heat and humidity.

Because of that afternoon off everyone (including my son) was a much happier camper in the evening and we were able to enjoy the night activities and had very short waits on everything that we went on.

 

[brockash]

We are going to disney world on Aug 26, staying 11 nights. We're from central PA, so obviously not used to florida humidity.

Staying at Pop Century. Its me, my wife and our 5 year old girl. Should I absolutely plan breaks to the resort in middle of day? Rope dropping and pre opening breakfasts each day.

If so, what kind of time am I having to plan for transportation back to Pop? (buses)

Animal kingdom, we're going all day so that its a 1 day park. Hollywood studios we figure shows in afternoon should keep us a little fresh. But Epcot and MK may need breaks.

I did buy a camelbak water backpack to load with ice water in mornings. Is it as bad as some people making it out to be? Thanks!

Are you taking/renting a stroller? If so, we'd just stay and let her nap in the stroller when she wants to. When we first started going with kids, we had planned on doing a break every day, but it ended up being way more of a hassle than anything else, so we stopped after the second day. Now we just plan on doing some of the longer indoor things (CoP, Monster Inc., Philarmagic, People Mover, Ellen's ride, G.M.R., Small World, Pirates) during the afternoons to get out of the heat and to take a little break. We have also ridden the train for a while and if kids are napping, sometimes we'll just grab a snack and grab a seat and people watch for a while. I'd also plan for an off day or 2 during your 11 days.

ETA: We do open to close for all parks, but AK.

 

[RustManFan]

I would personally prefer to take breaks closer to the parks rather than run back to the resort. From Epcot you could go to Boardwalk for awhile and maybe even get your lunch there. At least a cool snack. Same with MK. I would break by visiting Poly or GF or CR and getting a cool drink or lunch. Then you can see other resorts, take a break from the heat and then head right back. Enjoy the monorail! Maybe take a boat to WL or FW to lunch there!

 

[IhrkeFamily]

Another vote from a family that goes the last week of August and doesn't take a break. Feels like in WDW you are 15 minutes in the sun then 15-30 minutes in a/c. And if we need a longer cool down we head for a seated longer attraction. Mister fans have been a savior for us to help keep cool when out in the sun. Or hopping from shade to shade Best is to test out what works for you. If you are getting worn down and cranky and want to head back to the hotel then you should. If not, then stay longer. Each person/family is so different. Do what makes you happy

 

[Kathryn777]

Yes. My father once pushed us through without breaks. My brother was...6 ? He got heat exhaustion and was sick for days. It is a LOT if you're not used to it

 

[MissouriPrincess]

Our whole family curls up and takes a nap in the room in the afternoons at Disney. We crank that AC. We are planning a trip in July this year, and we plan to do the same. Heck, we're not opposed to summer naps at home when it is so hot. We really are night people, though.

 

[mindeola]

We do breaks year round. It just helps us enjoy ourselves more!

We stayed at Pop last year and it was never an issue getting busses to and from the resort. WE rarely waited so our trips were about thirty minutes tops each way.

 

[vratiana]

We are going to Pop in early September with 2 boys (4 & 6). I love the idea of taking an afternoon family nap in the room. However I imagine the reality would look more like this: one or more kid falls asleep in the stroller right as the bus pulls up, we schlep half sleeping boys and a double stroller back to resort. As soon as we get to the room, my husband passes out into a virtual coma and my boys are suddenly wide awake terrorizing me in the room while my husband sleeps soundly. Two hours later, we head back to the parks more tired than before (at least me!) and now have missed valuable park time.
Due to this fear, last trip we stayed in the parks doing cooler attractions and/or having a relaxing meal. The boys passed out in the stroller some days and not others. I might get the nerve up to try a break this trip just to test my theory

 

[DisneyFive]

Just be aware of how long the breaks end up being. Figure 45 minutes at least to stop what you are doing in any given park, make your way back to the bus stop, and then take the bus back to the resort. Same for getting back to an attraction at any given park. Then there is the time to change into swim suits (if that's what you are going to do). ...or the time to wind down in the room and actually take a nap, etc...

It can eat up a very large portion of the day. We tried mid day breaks on our second trip (mainly because I was fighting a cold early in the trip), but for us it just became more of a hassle than a benefit. We use afternoon indoor attractions, and 5pm dinner reservations as ways to cool off and recoup, rather than going all the way back to the resort.

I'm not knocking afternoon breaks. For some, they are a necessity, for others like us they are more of a hassle than a benefit. We have gone late Sept when temps aren't quite as hot as August, but still within 3 degrees on average. We've had years where it averaged 94F with 80+% humidity for inst

Dan

 

[redsbe]

Yes been in August and we would take mid day resort pool breaks, usually 2-4p including bus travel. Other tips are to use RD and evening EMHs to reduce waits when temps are lower, NEVER spend long periods staying out in the heat and direct sun (including parades, plenty of less popular spots do not require lining up hour ahead of parade), drink plenty of fluids all day including in morning even before you feel the heat, take every chance to seek and stand in shade, and build some time to spend in A/C shops.

 

[dlavender]

It can eat up a very large portion of the day. We tried mid day breaks on our second trip (mainly because I was fighting a cold early in the trip), but for us it just became more of a hassle than a benefit. We use afternoon indoor attractions, and 5pm dinner reservations as ways to cool off and recoup, rather than going all the way back to the resort.

Agree 100%. I would rather take it slower for a full day than have to rush to get a break in. The resorts are nice, but they aren't the reason we go. We go for the parks. I'd rather ride the people mover/watch CoP/Country Bear Jamboree/Hall of Presidents/Play on Tom Sawyers Island/or even ride Stitch (that's a tough call, still), or other more laid back experiences than go back to the resort for 3-4 hours. Some people do swear by those afternoon breaks, though. Different strokes...

 

[Missymoe4]

We are going to disney world on Aug 26, staying 11 nights. We're from central PA, so obviously not used to florida humidity.

Staying at Pop Century. Its me, my wife and our 5 year old girl. Should I absolutely plan breaks to the resort in middle of day? Rope dropping and pre opening breakfasts each day.

If so, what kind of time am I having to plan for transportation back to Pop? (buses)

Animal kingdom, we're going all day so that its a 1 day park. Hollywood studios we figure shows in afternoon should keep us a little fresh. But Epcot and MK may need breaks.

I did buy a camelbak water backpack to load with ice water in mornings. Is it as bad as some people making it out to be? Thanks!

I have been going to Disney in August for all of my life. Be prepared to be very hot and sweaty (as you have). I do take breaks but that is because I do love the pool (and I don't swim all too often up in Chicago).

You can take breaks in the park, and not necessarily have to go back to your resort. Find a cool spot and let your little one cool down, take a nap, etc. I have seem plenty of families in QS locations hanging out and relaxing. I'm not savvy on kids areas (I don't have kids of my own), but I think you can swing staying in the park all day if you take it slow during the hot afternoon hours (3-5 pm kill me). Go to shows during this time, find a cool, dark area, maybe stop for a light snack and take your time eating, and you should be okay.

Although I would like to tell you to go back to the Pop, I feel like you'll be wasting a lot of time traveling back and forth. However, it may also save you.

Good luck!!! Have an awesome time!

 

[Nettester]

I'll be honest. We stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge when my kid were 9 and 6. They are pool loving kids, so we definitely got to a point in the afternoon they got hot and tired and just wanted to come back to the resort and swim. However, we ALL got super lazy and comfortable once at the resort and we only made it back to the parks ONCE for the evening. I can't believe so many kids are totally up for going back to the parks after the break.

We had a car, but the hassle of parking and more shuttling and walking from parking lots, I think it's easier and more comfortable over all to take Disney transportation. Last November we stayed at Pop, and the bus system worked great. I don't think we'll ever be getting a rental car again.

 

[Missymoe4]

We are from PA also and travel to FL in August as well. We always plan a break in the afternoon. We like RD as well, so it can be a bit overwhelming in the afternoon. My DD is going to be 18 in August, and she likes to have a break also. She used to want to swim during our breaks, but now we take a little nap so that we are refreshed for the evening. The humidity is definitely intense in FL in the summer. As soon as you open the door in the morning, it hits you like a wall. I don't know how else to describe it. Even though we like TS meals, we need a break on top of that.

...lol...that humidity does hit you like a wall.
But I love it...

 

[GillianP1301]

We will be there the same time as you and this will be our 5th year doing that same time of year. For us, midday breaks really don't work, we just end up going stir crazy in the room and wishing we were in a park.

My son was 4 the first year we took him and that year and the year after, our approach was to do an early morning ADR and then tour a park until we were tired. Sometime that was early afternoon, sometimes it was closer to dinner time, whenever it was, we would head back to the resort and enjoy the pool. We planned for one late night each trip (we go for 10 days) to catch the fireworks. Once he was 6/7, we could go a bit longer each day and we could handle 2 or 3 late nights in our schedule.

This year he's 8 and we'll take the same approach and throwing in the MNSSHP for a really late night, so we'll see how that goes. For the late nights, I try to make sure I don't have a really early ADR the next morning. We wake up pretty early regardless, so I'll do a 9:30ish breakfast instead of 8:00ish.

My biggest tip - try to keep sleep and eat patterns as close to home as possible. This will help with cutting down on meltdowns from being overtired and/or hungry. We do 3 TS meals a day, which works well for us because we know we have built in breaks. The lunch one is particularly important because it's a good chance to rest and to cool down and of course eat, which we would have to do anyway.

 

[lovethattink]

We did opposite. We are from Central FL and vacationed in Central PA last August. Going again in July.

The heat here in FL is definitely different due to the humidity. Be sure to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

I'd suggest reading this post by @yulilin3 on her Star Wars thread. She has great tips for beating the heat. http://disboards.com/threads/offici...ssert-party-launch-bay.3439569/#post-54255250

 

[msb578]

We did opposite. We are from Central FL and vacationed in Central PA last August. Going again in July.

The heat here in FL is definitely different due to the humidity. Be sure to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

I'd suggest reading this post by @yulilin3 on her Star Wars thread. She has great tips for beating the heat. http://disboards.com/threads/offici...ssert-party-launch-bay.3439569/#post-54255250

I agree about the humidity. It gets humid up here, but the numbers don't lie. As dew points go up, the moisture in the air goes up exponentially. It's not the same. Also, the angle of the sun is higher in Florida. Temperature is measured in the shade...

 

[lovethattink]

I agree about the humidity. It gets humid up here, but the numbers don't lie. As dew points go up, the moisture in the air goes up exponentially. It's not the same. Also, the angle of the sun is higher in Florida. Temperature is measured in the shade...

My son can't control his body temperature. So we have to be very careful with him outdoors.

We went to the MK the other Sunday. It was 93 degrees and humid. We're not even in August yet! We were only there for morning and early afternoon. I'm use to the heat and it did me in that day. I was beat. DS did ok with his cooling vest.

 

[Minnesota!]

I anticipated August to be a lot worse than it is. Sure, it's hot and humid, but is so tolerable. We like the midday break to go back and rest a bit, shower, swim, take advantage of our resort, etc.