Mid-Afternoon Break

[danny1649]

Do you and your family take a afternoon break while in the Parks?We like to go over to Tom Sawyer Island and wander a little and get a rocking chair and put our feet up for a short rest.Or do you like to return to your resort for a swim and a nap?Or you just go on touring with no need or don't want to take afternoon break?

 

[sarahsmom73]

We returned to our resort every day for a swim, lunch and a nap and had a truly magical Easter vacation! When all of the crowds were streaming in we were on our way out!

PS ~ EPCOT is a great place to go in the afternoon and evening!

 

[BonSchwe]

We returned last week and we took a break every day. I guess it might depend on the ages of your kids. We have a DS14, DD12 and DS4 (and don't forget DH) who needed some rest time everyday. We would always have an early start, eat lunch wherever we were, then back to the room for a nap, swim or whatever. Sometimes I would go do some laundry and chill out by the quiet pool. All the laundry buildings are near one. It was imperative that we took that break. About 4:30 we would all be ready to head out to whatever and dinner somewhere. Sometimes I had talked to people staying offsite and they weren't going back to the hotel because of the inconvienance. Their kids would be crunched up in the stroller and you know they were hot and it was only lunchtime. I couldn't imagine being there the whole day.

 

[redskiesx25]

Last year (april 2003) we took a rest everyday at around 3-4. We went every morning when it first opened (even early so we were like the first people there) and it was tiring. We stayed at POR and it was just an easy bus ride back. But that was also when i had my brother and my mom, this year we are going with the 21 people in our family (aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, ect.) so i dont know how easy that will be.

 

[eljojo]

Are the resort pools packed if everyone goes back mid-afternoon to swim? Maybe that would be a good time to head to the parks, lol (if we can take the heat).

 

[redskiesx25]

Well, yes and no. When we went back we usually didnt swim, but we sometimes just went down to the pools. They were overly crowded, but there was deff. people there. But if your hotel/resort has a few quiet pools, go to them, they were never crowded at ALL (there usually wasnt anyone in them) at POR.

 

[WhispyPixie]

We usually take afternoon breaks and some of our most special family memories have been made at these times.

We have stopped and gotten dole whips and just chilled in an aread over there and wandered some shops.

We love Tom Sawyer's Island and the coke floats while those that want to wander the caves can.

Sitting on the beach at the resort or by the pool and swimming is also a favorite!!

 

[TerryU.]

We always take afternoon breaks. When it starts to get really hot and crowded we head back to the resort. We have lunch, go swimming or just take a nap. It dosen't matter how old or how young you are, you need to take a break. We usually head back out around 4:00. My BIL went last year and he stayed off property, they stayed in the park the whole day, by the time the fireworks started his girlfriend and her son were so cranky and tired. He said he will never stay off property again. I tried to tell them not to do that. You need a break!

 

[CamColt]

Most days, especially at MK and AK and during the summer when we do EE, we usually go back to our hotel, take a dip in the pool, grab a bite to eat(or my favorite lunch, frozen drinks by the pool)then wash up before heading out for the evening. A swim and a shower really help to recharge us.
With that said we have also been able to do about 8 hours straight at Epcot and 8 another day at MGM before calling it an early night and just hanging at the pool for the evening. For some reason in the heat AK & MK really seem to wear us(well, the kids) out fast.

 

[stacilee]

We have learned over the years that the benefits of taking an afternoon break are many.

The grueling Florida heat really drains you of energy. If you put you chin down and keep plugging along you are missing so much enjoyment. Even if you have crosstrained for commando style park touring, by day 3 or 4 you are wiped out!

We always head back to our resort, have a swim or just lie in a poolchair and watch the kids swim. When they get tired of swimming we go up to our room dry them off and get them into fresh pj's and turn the tv on quietly and stretch out on the beds, which always puts everyone to sleep.

My DH has an amazing internal clock. After an hour or so he wakes up and has a nice quiet shower. When he is finished he gently wakes me up ( if you wake me up too fast I am really cranky- for hours- I can't help it) and I get the shower next. While I am in there he gets the kids dressed and soon we are all ready to head out for dinner and then spend the rest of the evening in a park.

You feel so refreshed doing it this way. Our family really seems to NEED to "escape" the parks and all that ENERGY (even "good" energy can sometimes be stressful) for a while each day.

This schedule allows us to fit a couple of e-ticket nights into our visit which are great because you can get so much done on those late evenings when park attendance is so limited. If it weren't for this tactic I would never attempt e-ticket nights with young kids.

We find that our Disney "vacations" are getting a little harder as we get older. This type of touring really does make it feel like a vacation and is a great way to compromise without having to compromise your health when you get back to the real world and have to go right back to work.

 

[drogerstn]

We normally take breaks by going back to our resort, especially if the parks are open late. On days that we won't go back to our resort for a break, we will plan a long midday meal at a full-service restaurant.

 

[kazd]

Can you please tell me what an e-ticket is please.

Thanks

 

[DisneyKraZy]

We always take a mid-day break. Usually between 12-2 we go back to the resort for lunch and a swim or nap. If we did not take these breaks, by the 3rd day, we would all be so cranky that no one would have fun

Melissa

 

[danny1649]

Welcome to The Dis,glad to see you I think you want to know about E-nights at MK.If you are a resort guest and are using a park hopper ticket you can buy a E-Night Ticket which allows you to stay in MK for 3 hours after park is closed to genral public.Which means you can do major attractions with little wait several times.The other answer to your question is years ago when Disneyland opened you got a book of ticket's with coupons lettered A,B,C,D, and E.The E ticket's were for the major attractions.Hope this helps you.

 

[kazd]

That counts us out then, we have got a villa somewhere, I think its in Kissimee. Best check the address we fly out on the 29th.

 

[WDWLVR]

It is just DH and I and yes we always opt for an afternoon break. Sometimes it is just to go back to the room to read or take a nap. Sometimes a swim.

We definately do it on the days we have events planned for the evening like MVMCP or the Member Homecoming events we have coming up in a couple of weeks.

 

[MinnieGi]

We always take a mid-day break. Our DD just loves the pools! We also usually rest in the room for a little too before heading out for dinner.

 

[zippehsmom]

I'm another fan of afternoon breaks. You feel so refreshed after a nap and a shower.

Now, I hope my 18 month old will sleep when we get back to the room.

zippehsmom

 

[dougsmom98]

We're in the minority here, but we didn't take afternoon breaks on our last trip. I am not sure if we will this time either. Our kids are now 3 and 5. We always get to the parks prior to opening and get as much as we can done before the lines get too long. We then have counter service lunch someplace in a place that is covered and shaded and we take our time eating and relaxing. After lunch we do a few more attractions and then stake out a spot for the parade. After the parade we may or may not do a few more attractions and then head home around dinner time. Our kids are pretty active and if we went back to our hotel, no matter how tired my DH and I were, the kids would not rest. We found ourselves getting cranky with the kids because they were full of energy and we weren't. When there are five people in one hotel room it can kind of get to you. We found it was easier to stay in the park because we could at least sit and rest our feet while we ate and watched the parade. We also didn't go back to the park at night except for the final night of our stay. This trip we will probably see a few more of the night shows so we may be forced to go back and rest before that. We are also renting a two bedroom villa so there will be more space so we won't mind hanging out back at the hotel.
-Amy

 

[Praise2Him]

We are also in the minority. We have 3 teens who like to sleep late, so we usually alternate early entry with a late day. We rarely take a break during the day.