Lunches in the Fort?

[baboiler]

We are at the Fort the last part of July. The family is very much looking forward to it.It will be our first trip with our 3 and 6 year old daughters. This board has been very helpful for planning. Our plan for the 6 days we are spending in the parks is to come back to the Fort for lunches and to sit in the air conditioning for awhile. I am a bit concerned about transit time. It sounds as if you may wait awhile for busses. Plus just the overall time it takes to travel between parks and the Fort. Do many of you do this (lunches at your RV's)? We are also looking at generally following touring plans for the parks and I'm worried there is not enough time figured into them to travel back to the campground for lunch. I hate to waste to much of the day going back and forth but also part of our budgeting for the trip included saving a few $ by eating lite lunches at the campsite. I would appreciate any input or experiences anyone may have had.

 

[DisCamper]

You are there 6 day you will see everything. You will find it nice to break up the day. We always come back midday eat and swim. Than go back to the parks in evening when there are less people

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) It could kill a lot of time.
2) I would say it might use 2-hrs for a round-trip.
3) Not counting food-prep and eating time.
. . . 20-min to walk to front of park
. . . 03-min to walk to bus lanes
. . . 05-min to average wait for next bus
. . . 15-min ride to WL
. . . 10-min average wait for next internal bus
. . . 05-min walk to RV site from bus drop-off
4) Now, double that to return to park.
5) This could take 3-hrs out of the day.

NOTE:
I know a lot of folks who do got back for lunch.
But, they plan for 4-5 hrs rest in middle of the day.
Eat, then either veg-out or swim.
Then back to the packs when it is cooler.
Works great for them.

 

[DisCamper]

We also use this time to switch parks. We never spend all day in the same park

 

[dblr]

We do this all the time it makes for a nice break & recharge to spend the evenings in the parks. We always drive to all the parks but the MK, with the free parking and not waiting for the bus it seems to work out better for us, not everyone likes this plan but when the kids were little it seemed best for us. This way strollers were only needed to get to the truck and could be left in the truck for when we went back.

 

[FloridaTeacher]

We always take a midday break to see about our dogs and just to rest and recharge. Also nice to save $$ by eating lunch in the rv. The only park we use Disney transportation for is Magic Kingdom (we take the boat). If you're able to, you can save time (and it's just easier) by driving to the other parks. You have free parking since you're staying at the Fort.

 

[5stljayhawks]

BABoiler -

Ahhhh 6 days of parks in July, this will be the most fun.. now how do you manage not to burn everybody up or overheat and have kid meltdowns?

For the most part we eat lunch at the camper, especially if we are hitting extra magic hours in the evenings. My kids 7/5/3 have all been good nappers, and it never hurt for me and the DW to pull an hour nap either. If you are not planning any off days, IMO feel a few napps are a must.

When we stay at the parks during lunch we normally brown bag a majority of the food and then by a few things there, lowering cost. Also catching a sit down show is a great way to spend 20 min in the AC. (hall of pres/ Bears / Teiki room) Also there was a 20% off food coupon back in Dec, not sure if this still on going This was on the daily schedl. To be used at select rest. from 10-12 and 3-5....

I would agree with Rusty - time travel back and over min is 2 hours, push to 4-5 hours if you throw in a nap, but also at that point, you won't be in the heat of the day and well rested for a late night of fireworks and parades. If you throw in a nap, we also eat dinner before we go back

touring plans - I look at when extra magic hours are and for what parks. On EMH evening, I don't plan early morning stuff. There are lots info out there about planning and a few good apps for phones.

 

[bama_ed]

We pack a picnic lunch each day in the parks. It will have to be inspected before you go in so no glass or alchohol. We have soft cooler but any sack will be ok for a few hours. Once inside the parks we rent a locker to stash it in till its time to eat.

I dont park hop and hate to take the time to go back to the Fort unless its the MK. And I have to wonder about your kids stamina for evenings in the parks even with a nap break. It might work if they get a good nap in and the parks are open late. But often I see kamikaze families in the parks dragging kids around who are having meltdowns. Multiple days of this will wear everyone down.

Just accept you wont see/do everything this trip and instead try to maximize the FUN factor.

Bama ed

 

[baboiler]

I appreciate the responces. Besides our 6 days in the park we have 2 days scheduled to stay at the fort. Our first full day there and then a day in the middle of our trip. I had not planned on driving to any of the parks but it may be something to concider. I am thinking a 3hr or so break from the July heat may be a good thing for the girls.

 

[featherface]

For us it depends on how far away and easy to get to the park is. At the Fort going to the MK is easy, not to mention our favorite park. We generally have breakfast at camp and take snacks with us for lunch or to hold us untill lunch. If we plan to return to a park then we try to leave by 1:00 and return after 5:00. But if a park is to far from were we are staying or to time consuming/difficult to get to then we just stay in the park untill about 3:00 and then dont return. Sometimes we buy lunch and sometimes I pack it.

 

[gillenkl]

We usually eat lunches at the parks or other resorts and dinner back at the RV after our afternoon swim break.

 

[cruising spud]

On our Disney park days, we always hit the parks before opening. And, this means that by lunchtime we are all tired and hungry, so we always go back to the fort for lunch and a nap. Then, in the late afternoon we go back to the park.

I would say that with two young children you are going to need a break, or you will have meltdowns.

 

[retired and happy]

I have to agree with PP's, that a meltdown is a danger for small children on an all-day schedule at the parks. I'm glad to see you have planned a down day in the middle of the visit, but long days in the heat are not much fun for anyone, especially the young ones. If we get to vote, I vote for midday breaks. Oh, and we never drive to any of the parks. We take the boat to MK, the boat and monorail to EPCOT, and busses to HS and AK. That has worked for us for many years. We also don't try to stick to a rigid schedule, but prefer to flow with whatever we want to see or do at the time. You won't see and do everything in one visit, so just start planning your next trip while you're on this one.

 

[DisCamper]

The best thing to do is play it by ear. Your there 6 day no need to kill everyone the first few days

 

[mstmp]

Def. take a break - enjoy each other and the time! That is our plan

 

[cdekim]

We usually pack a lunch for the kids, find a nice shady spot and eat then continue the fun until 3:00. We head back to the camper for rest and dinner then back out around 7:30 til ....Oh and if we stay a full week we alternate staying at the campground for a day then a park the next...much more relaxing.....the grandkids love the pool at the campground and need the break !