Mid afternoon break?

[catherinen]

Hi Guys

We're visiting WDW for the first (and probably only) time next August for 16 days, and I wondered if you'd share your thoughts about leaving the parks and going back to the hotel (SSR) for a break after lunch, then returning later. Our party are me and DH and DDs 6 and 12. We've been to DLP annd have not bothered leaving for a break because it's taken so long to get back to the hotel. We'll have a car and plan to be at the parks before opening each morning.

Do we make sure we take a break, or plough on though?

Thanks!

 

[pacman9a]

Hi we found it paid to take a break in the heat of the afternoon in August, just to cool off and let the kids have a swim etc. we were able to go back and enjoy the evening and fireworks in one of the parks.

 

[london75]

visiting WDW for the first (and probably only)

No chance!

We're big believers in two parks per day even when not arriving until 11am or so. Stay until 3-4 then villa for a bit, back out at 7 somewhere and stay until late.

That's with the luxury of knowing we'll be back next year but even still, if you're at DLP a reasonable amount you won't feel the need to cram every hour of every park in.

 

[wayneg]

If you are at opening each day you will get lots done in the morning, parks don't usually get busy til after 11am, gives you at least 2 hours to get the popular rides done while quieter. Unless we want to see the afternoon parade(very rarely) we leave mid afternoon for some relax time, pool, nap, internet etc, then evening meal and sometimes back into a park.
Easy for us going so often but this is also just how we did it this August with relatives on their 1st trip, they really enjoyed the pool time each afternoon.

 

[jen_uk]

We get there for opening and then leave between 1-2pm for a snooze/swim. If we tried to stay all day we would end up having a miserable time as we would just be parked out and exhausted.

 

[cliveywolves]

Hi
Myself, DW and DD (6).. Most days hit the parks for 9-9.30am stay there till 2pm ish , back to hotel resort , then back to parks about 7pm .. Works well for us as DD always up early and in August mid afternoon is so so hot it gives you a nice little break to chill out and hit the pool etc...

 

[Invisable89]

DEFINITELY have an afternoon break especially if you're going in August - the heat & humidity is a killer! You'll be exhausted otherwise.

You can easily spread the Parks out if you're going for 16 days, that's what my family & I do (we go for 2-3 weeks). We leave inbetween 1-2pm or after the afternoon parade. We then go back to our Resort/off-site Villa & chill out for a good few hours & then we'll be refreshed enough to do whatever we've planned to do in the evening.

Also, by the time the afternoon comes around queues for the attractions get longer & longer & you can't guarantee there's going to be FP's left - depends on when you're going in August. So there's not alot of point hanging around, you might aswell do everything you want to do that day in the morning, you can achieve an awful lot, trust me.

Have a touring plan, that'll make things easier for you!

 

[catherinen]

Thanks so much for all your replies - we'll definitely take the break!

 

[Dimplenose]

The afternoon break can also be a good time for the kids just to do their own thing, watch TV or play.

On our first trip DS was 7. I thought he'd think he was in paradise visiting theme parks every day but by the 2nd day he was asking "when can I just play?" So we made sure to include some unwinding time in our room in the afternoon heat so he could play with lego and colouring.

 

[DISWolves]

Do not go commando style - by midweek you will be shattered, which can spoil the holiday
Also.....get yourself familiar with the FastPass system - this can save hours queuing on the popular rides.
if you plan on visiting the parks a number of times - it may be worth dividing the park into sections and working on one section at a time.
Make yourself familiar with park layouts, by looking at maps.
Most importantly (IMO) have a rough plan of attack for each day :good vibes

Definitely take a break - even if you just hop on the monorail and visit one on the monorail hotels to cool off.