Long Trip - Do you take a day off?

[Cando86]

I'm trying to figure out if a day off is necessary for an 11 day trip. On most days, I have breaks planned for us in the middle of the day and there are a couple days I'm allowing us to 'sleep in'. We're also 23 and 24 years old, so I think we COULD be okay without a day off. I just want to spend as much as time as possible in the parks, but I also don't want to burn out. What do ya think?

 

[girli565]

My last long Disney trip was 7 days long. We took one day to just hang at the pool and chill but usually my WDW trips are go go go.

 

[chessie]

I would plan some either or days. We used to always take an entire day off but with the magic your way tickets we buy them for the length of our stay. It’s only a few $$’s for the extra days and you don't feel like you've lost much if you decide not to go to the parks at all one day. You can always decide to go over to Epcot for a late dinner and illuminations or MK for a snack and Wishes. Don’t forget to take some time for resort hopping.

 

[KellyNY]

Even if we decide not to go to parks we still go in the evening for fireworks, no way I miss them even once. You may feel like you want to explore your hotel or another hotel or just stay and swim, but it is diffucult to say in advance, you will know you need a break when you will need it. It is kind of borring to spend the whole day at hotel, so you may to plan something in the evening.

 

[rstamm]

I'm trying to figure out if a day off is necessary for an 11 day trip. On most days, I have breaks planned for us in the middle of the day and there are a couple days I'm allowing us to 'sleep in'. We're also 23 and 24 years old, so I think we COULD be okay without a day off. I just want to spend as much as time as possible in the parks, but I also don't want to burn out. What do ya think?

We are in our 30's and 40's with a 10 year old.

We do 10-14 days trips and there is no sleeping in or afternoon breaks and no way would we do a day off.

We do a TS each day that is at least 1 hr of rest and shows are breaks for us.

You sound like us when you say you want as much time in the parks as possible.

There is plenty of time to rest and sleep in when I get home.

 

[richmo]

I assume you're staying onsite and getting length of stay tickets; otherwise, you'd likely be getting 10 day tickets, which would force you into a day off or AP's.

To be honest, I don't think you really need to plan for it. Maybe somewhere around day 7 you might want to take a day off, but it sounds like your schedule definitely isn't "commando", so I don't think you'll have Disney burnout. I'd say plan on hitting the parks, but if a day comes up you're more inspired to hang by the pool or go to Downtown Disney, then do it!

 

[Cando86]

Okay, you guys said exactly what I was hoping to hear! I just needed confirmation that it was okay to be a Disney park-hopping freak and to spend as much time as possible in the parks ! Thanks!!!

 

[Hannathy]

We are in our 30's and 40's with a 10 year old.

We do 10-14 days trips and there is no sleeping in or afternoon breaks and no way would we do a day off.

We do a TS each day that is at least 1 hr of rest and shows are breaks for us.

You sound like us when you say you want as much time in the parks as possible.

There is plenty of time to rest and sleep in when I get home.

I agree and I'm even older!

When I was 23 there is no way I would have even scheduled breaks! I would have been there at rope drop and stayed till it closed at midnight.....wait I just did that 3 yrs ago.

Sleep at home, sleep on the plane!

 

[OB1]

The good thing about a long trip is that you won't be rushed to try to get attractions and other things done. You will have plenty of time to do most everything you want to do. Because of this, you many not need to take breaks during the day.

I'm jealous that you can take such a long trip. HAVE FUN

 

[BayouMickey]

yeah i would just to kill the monotany of the trip. take a day off relax maybe do some shopping or swimming.

 

[Cynt]

I always factor a day or two as FREE days. I do what I want on those days...downtown Disney, sleep, tour, golf, parades, fireworks, etc. To me it just makes for a more relaxing trip.

 

[cymbaldiva]

If I got to go for that long at a stretch (I wish!) I'd probably take a day off ... I would love the luxury of time!

 

[ransom]

We go for 12 full days (plus two travel days, of course), and we do take two days off in the middle of the trip. Not entirely off of course, but we sleep in those two days and we spend most of our time outside of the parks those days.

 

[daisax]

I'm planning a trip now, and getting dining ADRs is proving to be so completely impossible (at least for the restaurants and times I want) that it's curiously liberating, because most days I won't HAVE to be at a particular park in order to be there for my ADR.

I'll make more calls when I'm there, but if I have to drive offsite to get a decent meal at a reasonable hour, so be it. I've always done a lot of table service, so this will be very new to me.

I always work in a break mid-day -- I get more done in two 5 hour park trips in one day than I would in one 12 hour straight park day.

 

[jackal]

It is me, DH42, DD15, and DD6 and we go for 10 nights, 11 days and we go nonstop the whole time. We are up by 6:30 a.m. for EMH and then do not roll into bed again until the late EMH's are done and we do this the whole 11 days! I don't know how my DD6 does it, but she keeps up pretty good. we do rent a stroller for her so she has a little downtime and every few days, her and I will go back to the room about 8 or 9 p.m. and get some sleep but really, we just go, go.

 

[ShannonMB]

Wow, some of you guys' stamina is amazing! I'm so impressed! We have only ever gone for 6 nights, and while we do go, go, go while we're there, I don't think I could keep it up for 11 days! I think if we ever get to take a trip that long, we will probably still go to the parks every day, but maybe take a few more days to sleep in some or spend time at the pool before heading out in the evening. Sounds sooo wonderful!!!!

Enjoy your long trip!

 

[chocovrdmicears]

If I was 23 ( which I am definately NOT) and DH was 24 (which he is definately NOT) and i was traveling without kids (which we definately DON'T) Then I would not feel the need to schedule a day off for an 11 day trip. I would be in the parks every day...that being said I would definately schedule some 'down time' to lay by the pool and sip fun drinks....I would be wandering around World Showcase many nights, peacefully exploring the shops, enjoying lovely leisurely dinners..sleep late a few mornings....*sigh*...

Ok..I'm back! Enjoy your trip..You are young, you are at Disney...have FUN.

 

[Greenfield1984]

I too have gone on longer trips and also do not like to take breaks. With the longer trips i just consider doing more things such as visiting the other resorts and other theme parks (universal and sea world). However i suffer from constant headaches and occasional migraines. So usually at about the halfway mark i get slammed with a migraine and end up sleeping half a day away to recover....and then jump right back into the parks . I really do not consider lounging by a pool or swimming to be relaxing. I consider it boring. So to each his or her own. U got more then enough time there to be flexible so theres no real need to plan each and every single day. I vote wing it.

 

[Donna]

I can't imagine a long trip w/o breaking it up with "off" days. Before DVC, we did the commando thing. Then we enjoyed our resort so much, we didn't feel the need to do a park every day, or at least not ALL day. Now staying at FW for a couple weeks, there are days we can't bring ourselves to leave the peace and tranquility of fort wilderness. Sometimes, we boat over to MK just to get an ice cream or see a parade. There's just no need to do/see it all. If you're always going and on the move, you miss alot. Plus, I don't want to feel like I need a vacation AFTER the vacation!!

 

[Planogirl]

Let your own stamina and tastes guide you. I personally get tired of the crowds and noise after some days and I need some time just to be away from it all. There is so much to do besides themeparks both onsite and offsite and I've enjoyed getting to enjoy a lot of it. But YMMV of course.