Magic kingdom rope drop till close?

[Mom2darlingboys]

We've done this for every trip since my kids were 5 and 8. They are schedule kids and used to a regimented bedtime, but stayed up all day no problem, without a trip back to the hotel. We plan to try that for the first time this trip as we will be going when it is pretty hot (plus I think mom and dad are now old enough to need the mid-afternoon break!).

You have the right idea. Take it easy, do lots of shows that give you indoor, cool rest breaks and I'd recommend scheduling a sit down lunch and dinner to recharge. I've heard lots of people talk about the wall you hit at 3 or 4 days of doing the parks commando style. We try to schedule a rest morning at least once every three days - sleep in, slow morning, park in the afternoon.

Have a great visit!

 

[sarkell]

We've done this for every trip since my kids were 5 and 8. They are schedule kids and used to a regimented bedtime, but stayed up all day no problem, without a trip back to the hotel. We plan to try that for the first time this trip as we will be going when it is pretty hot (plus I think mom and dad are now old enough to need the mid-afternoon break!).

You have the right idea. Take it easy, do lots of shows that give you indoor, cool rest breaks and I'd recommend scheduling a sit down lunch and dinner to recharge. I've heard lots of people talk about the wall you hit at 3 or 4 days of doing the parks commando style. We try to schedule a rest morning at least once every three days - sleep in, slow morning, park in the afternoon.

Have a great visit!

I'm not going to try this but it can be done bring a stroller for sure. We are doing 3-4 break the day we do rope drop then staging until late. And I just have 1 kid I'm bringing. Good luck!

 

[ougrad86]

My DS was 9 when we first went, we stayed all day at MK. But we did make a TS reservation for lunch, where is was cool (it is going to be hot!) and we could relax. I would make it for a quiet place, not a character meal, to give everyone a chance to unwind a little.

We are hitting morning EMH this time and the park closes at 1 am. We have decided to go back to the resort and take a short nap - we'll enjoy the evening much more because of it instead of just trying to make it to the end, which can happen after 18 hours straight!

Have a great time

 

[PeanutButterMom]

We're planning on Rope-Drop through Christmas Party (and the 2nd parade) BUT, it's not our first trip, and our touring plan is the "Best Of" series ( - we'll only be for a long weekend and focusing on our favorite rides. Our October trip was our first with the kids (7.5 and 4.5) - a 9 day trip, 3.5 of which were Magic Kingdom, and we STILL didn't get to all that we wanted to there! Also, we had a single stroller last trip, since my younger was NEVER a stroller kid, and my older (she's small - only 45lbs) has some stamina issues, we figured they would split it and only use it as needed - wrong! They both fought to ride in and any their little legs were tired (and both my kids play competitive sports and are very active normally). We're renting a double for our Long Days - I know they'll appreciate it and frankly, we do it! Also, we're staying at Bay Lake Tower, so we won't have to leave crazy early to make it to rope drop.

I say plan for a full day, but don't be upset if you miss things or have to change plans.

Also - ENJOY YOUR FIRST TRIP! You only get one of those

 

[Kate and Family]

My DS was 9 when we first went, we stayed all day at MK. But we did make a TS reservation for lunch, where is was cool (it is going to be hot!) and we could relax. I would make it for a quiet place, not a character meal, to give everyone a chance to unwind a little.

We are hitting morning EMH this time and the park closes at 1 am. We have decided to go back to the resort and take a short nap - we'll enjoy the evening much more because of it instead of just trying to make it to the end, which can happen after 18 hours straight!

Have a great time

Any recommendations for the QUIETEST restaurant. A break from the stimulation would be nice.

 

[TinkerElsasMom]

Rope drop to close is a ton of fun. Last year when my DD and I did it we built in air conditioned meal breaks. I highly recommend it. Being able to sit down in doors for an hour is a fantastic break. Use your fast passes in the mid afternoon. Spend your morning doing a couple of headliners and shopping. Take your time and don't rush.

 

[Mommytwotwins]

Last year we did 14 hours at MK!! We had a great time! I can't believe my kids made it all that time without a meltdown (and one has ASD). We were planning on leaving after our 5:00 BOG dinner but it started yo cool off a bit and crowds were not bad, everyone wanted to stay so we just kept going! Take several breaks through out the day to try to make it

 

[serene56]

Yea I'll do ok I might be alittle tired but we are planning to go to universal the next day so we are going to sleep in as well. I just don't want the kiddos to miss anything. My 8 year I don't see having much of problem. I'm brining a stroller for the 4 year old that day.

they may not miss anything but may be miserable doing it all.

I have been to the world 4 times and I have yet to do it all.

I think you are trying to fit way too much into a short amount of time.


I am all for the rope drop, leave at lunch and come back at dinner. Traveling with my family they were like you--- we want to see and do it all. but come Thursday they were now dealing with tired, cranky kids all day which made the day miserable.

 

[dramadrew]

I am glad I am reading this thread. I have a full day at Disney and I did not think much of it and needing to take a break. Although it has cross my mind since we're going to MK other parts of the trip this may be a good day to go back for a nap. I'll take that into consideration or do a low key attraction in the middle.

 

[smitch425]

This will be our 8th year in a row at Disney World, and we've never needed a break. We did go back to the resort one time last year to swim, but never to rest. Maybe we're just weird.

 

[GigiDisneyfreak]

We have 19 days till we go to disney world. 3 days. It's me my DH DDs 8,4. we will be going to epcot on our first day with an early breakfast at akrus at 8:30. Next day we will be doing HS. We have a ADR at 50s prime time for 5:30. The last day well be doing MK. I'm going to do rope drop to head to fantasy land first off. Our fast passes are scheduled after lunch. This is our first disney world trip. We want to see wishes so well be staying all day. We are also staying offsite. Any suggestions on how to make it from rope drop to wishes at MK?

My kids never had a problem staying all day but all kids are different. You know them best. Pace yourselves. There is a nice place to sit down and relax in every land. In Adventureland there is the Tiki room, Frontierland has the Country Bear Jamboree, Liberty Square has the Hall of Presidents, Fantasyland has Philharmagic, and Tomorrowland has Carousel of Progress and People mover. Make sure you bring a stroller so the 4 year old can nap if needed.

 

[MistyLRobertson]

they may not miss anything but may be miserable doing it all. I have been to the world 4 times and I have yet to do it all. I think you are trying to fit way too much into a short amount of time. I am all for the rope drop, leave at lunch and come back at dinner. Traveling with my family they were like you--- we want to see and do it all. but come Thursday they were now dealing with tired, cranky kids all day which made the day miserable.

I'm not worried how much well get it. I want to see the rope drop show and get to fantasy land early. Do the fast passes after lunch an whatever happens after that happens

 

[minmate]

I'm not worried how much well get it. I want to see the rope drop show and get to fantasy land early. Do the fast passes after lunch an whatever happens after that happens

That sounds like a good Plan A. I'm sure you'll have a sense of what your family will be able to handle from the previous park day experiences and will know what to expect heading into your MK day based on that too. Hope it's a great trip!

 

[Love Tink]

This will be our 8th year in a row at Disney World, and we've never needed a break. We did go back to the resort one time last year to swim, but never to rest. Maybe we're just weird.

Then we're weird, too. We go pretty much every year and have had kids at every age and we never take a break. My kids love the parks too much. It never would have occurred to us that going to MK for one full day could seem like a big deal.

I'm always amazed at how prevalent the "take a break" advice is on here. Personally, I find leaving the parks mid-day and then coming back to be exhausting. (We tried it. Once.)

There is so much to do at the Magic Kingdom. If you have only one day there, please don't think you have to leave in the middle of the day. If your kids demand it, fine. But don't assume you'll need it - it isn't necessary for everyone.

 

[momandseandodisney]

You can go over to the Poly and take a rest on the beach. They have hammocks. I would definitely say, you need a sit down rest some where. Otherwise find a park bench and sit and rest for awhile or go into the Presidents Hall of Fame. I think that is a 30 minute show.

How about heading to Tom Sawyers island, for a bit, the liberty bell boat, is a good (not too long of a break as well

 

[serene56]

im sorry. I didnt know its was a one day visit. Yes if it was a one day visit I would go from morning til night. but for a multi day stay (no-- it will catch up with you)

 

[maryj11]

Then we're weird, too. We go pretty much every year and have had kids at every age and we never take a break. My kids love the parks too much. It never would have occurred to us that going to MK for one full day could seem like a big deal.

I'm always amazed at how prevalent the "take a break" advice is on here. Personally, I find leaving the parks mid-day and then coming back to be exhausting. (We tried it. Once.)

There is so much to do at the Magic Kingdom. If you have only one day there, please don't think you have to leave in the middle of the day. If your kids demand it, fine. But don't assume you'll need it - it isn't necessary for everyone.

Yeah I was thinking if we went back to the resort to swim and rest it would be more of hassle with the bus ride back and forth, then if we swim taking a shower and putting make up back on. Feeling rushed to get back for ADR or fastpasses + times . That wears me out thinking about it . I would rather stay and have a break seeing a couple shows or eating at a restaurant.

 

[horselvr77]

If you have little ones you can always visit the baby station. We did that when we went and our son was 2. We went in September and it was hot. It was a nice place to cool down and it's quiet do he could nap. They have all sorts of stuff there. A play area, tv with cartoons, high chairs, breast feeding rooms. That's an awesome place to utilize. Last July we did rope drop and all say at the MK. My 2 1/2yr old made it. He napped part of the day.

 

[TinkerElsasMom]

I would have to agree with NOT taking a break. That is, unless you are staying at a Magic Kingdom Hotel where you can just hop on the monorail from MK or Epcot.

I highly advocate for an air conditioned lunch at a sit down restaurant. On our upcoming trip we purposely scheduled a CRT for a very late lunch so we could get out of the heat. Then we will hit the Mickey Philharmonic for more air conditioner time, or the Laugh Floor. Gives us a few hours of sitting down indoors and a break from the hustle and bustle.

At animal kingdom you can schedule a bugs life, Nemo! or lion king for a break.

At HS, great movie ride, voyage of the little mermaid, Hollywood and vine characters.

At Epcot the possibilities are endless.

Some people say NOT to do a character meal but I disagree. It's a way to meet the characters without having to stand in long lines in the sun. AND you meet mor of them.At CRT for example, you meet five princesses, in Storybook you usually meet between 2-3.

Take advantage of the indoor activities and restaurants. MOST people don't go every single year, so saving up a little extra money for character meals every day saves a ton of time and sanity.