Mid day break- is it really necessary?

[sb682]

June is very, very hot. Mid-to-high 90's and very humid. On top of that, there are afternoon pop-up rainstorms almost every day. I would definitely insist on a break after lunch until 4 or 5 pm. Even if you're having a great time, most kids are melting in that weather and are glad to get on the nice, cool monorail or bus and go back to the hotel pool for a while. We are going this month but taking the after-lunch break; DS3 needs a daily nap and DH and I want some downtime, too.

 

[amym2]

We have found that it works well for us to alternate break and no break days. Our first day we don't take a break (we're too excited) and AK day we don't break. We typically go off-season, so part of it depends on park hours. And typically I need the break as much as the kids do!

We stayed at OKW last year and our kids (10 and 8 at the time) LOVED the pool. We spent hours there one day, swimming, playing in the sand, and doing the poolside activities (loved the ice cream drop and treasure hunt). I'd definitely plan in some pool time!

 

[rainynight]

We've been twice, once when our son was 2 and once for his 4th birthday. We didn't take breaks either time. We started the day early and ended with an early dinner (4:30-5) and then back to the resort to relax, swim and rest up for the next day. That worked best for us as taking time to and from the room midday just isn't appealing to us.

 

[msmama]

For us, once we get back to the room we have a hard time leaving, so breaks don't really work for us.

That said, we don't do rope drop to park close. Last trip my son was 4 and the latest we ever stayed in a park was until just after dinner.

I certainly don't think they are necessary, but it depends on your family.

 

[theduhaimes]

We never take a break but we do not go in the summer. We also rarely make rope drop -- we arrive closer to 10. We do a table service for dinner (this is our "break") and call it a night when the kids are getting tired and ready to go back to the room (usually around 10ish).

 

[sachilles]

I think the break is just as much for the grown ups. I'm on vacation, I'm going to take a nap. The mid afternoon sun along with increased crowds seem like a good time for it.

My son is at that weird age where he's starting to go without naps. Not sure I want to risk a meltdown, with the combo of the heat and go, go, go.
He's never been good about napping on the go.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

No we don't.

However, we try to keep the boys on the same schedule at Disney as we do at home.... That means up around 7 and at RD. Then to bed sometime between 8 and 9. We make our sit-down meal lunch because we never know how the boys will be by dinner.

Some days the boys fall asleep in the stroller in the afternoon and dh and I LOVE having the time to tour at a leisurely pace and soak up the atmosphere. We usually head back to the hotel around 5 or 6. Sometimes we grab a qs at the park... sometimes at the hotel... Then we swim for a bit, shower, and bed.

When we go in October the boys will be 4 and 6, so I am doubtful of the naps from now on.....

 

[growinupdisney]

We rarely take a mid day break and I have been with my kids ranging from 8mo to 17. When we have it wasnt even planned.

The only times that we have were when we went and was during springbreak

We were there at rd 8:00am and left right before the parade in MK, we had already done all the rides in FL and POTC,BTM,SM,HM and had lunch at CP.

we had FP for JC and SM so we just decided to take a break go swim at resort take a shower and we came back around 5:00 rode our fp rides and finished up with Buzz and Monsters INC. and had dinner watched wishes

The next time we did was 2 years ago we were there again during spring break which was the last week of April 29 to be exact because it was our wedding anniversary and the Royal wedding was taking place also we went to DHS and left a little after noon, we have never done this before but for some reason it was really hot that day and we were all miserable with the heat so we left and went swimming (we got FP for TOT and RR before we left so we would be able to rode when we got back) came back late afternoon in time for the fp window to ride did a few other things we had missed and watched Fantasmic

All that being said my kids have always napped nicely in their strollers and I have enjoyed them doing so it forced a little down time where were able to sit back and enjoy the parks a little more without having to leave. Even if we just sit and enjoy a snack it helps alot.

I would not plan and force and break back to the resort unless it something you all agree on when there I have seeen a read alot of families talk about they forced a break and their kids wouldn't nap in room and then go back to park and take nap then in stroller all that wasted time forcing a nap, travel time, etc. to turn around and just nap in stroller.

Just find a somewhat quiet,cool area to rest, relax, refresh yourselves in the park if at all possible.

 

[growinupdisney]

We rarely take a mid day break and I have been with my kids ranging from 8mo to 17. When we have it wasnt even planned.

The only times that we have were when we went and was during springbreak

We were there at rd 8:00am and left right before the parade in MK, we had already done all the rides in FL and POTC,BTM,SM,HM and had lunch at CP.

we had FP for JC and SM so we just decided to take a break go swim at resort take a shower and we came back around 5:00 rode our fp rides and finished up with Buzz and Monsters INC. and had dinner watched wishes

The next time we did was 2 years ago we were there again during spring break which was the last week of April 29 to be exact because it was our wedding anniversary and the Royal wedding was taking place also we went to DHS and left a little after noon, we have never done this before but for some reason it was really hot that day and we were all miserable with the heat so we left and went swimming (we got FP for TOT and RR before we left so we would be able to rode when we got back) came back late afternoon in time for the fp window to ride did a few other things we had missed and watched Fantasmic

All that being said my kids have always napped nicely in their strollers and I have enjoyed them doing so it forced a little down time where were able to sit back and enjoy the parks a little more without having to leave. Even if we just sit and enjoy a snack it helps alot.

I would not plan and force and break back to the resort unless it something you all agree on when there I have seeen a read alot of families talk about they forced a break and their kids wouldn't nap in room and then go back to park and take nap then in stroller all that wasted time forcing a nap, travel time, etc. to turn around and just nap in stroller.

Just find a somewhat quiet,cool area to rest, relax, refresh yourselves in the park if at all possible.

 

[dalayney]

We visit during Feb, so not "as" hot as if visiting during the summer. We try to avoid going back to the hotel, but our oldest son always used a stroller, and would just take a nap in it during the day. (the last time we went he ended up having 5th's disease (virus, went away in a week, and was really stiff every morning so, even at 6yrs old we rented a disney double stroller till he got up and around.. by noon he was great)

This trip is our youngest (7) son's 1st trip, and we're renting a stroller for him. No, he could get away w/going without, (obviously, LOL... he's 7! ) but we want to make the most of our vacation and time in the parks, and renting a stroller, for him to use part of the time, rest, and take a nap in, it's what works for us, and lets us stay in the parks. Well, that's how we roll.

Never saying we'd never go back to the resort for a mid day break... but we love staying there all day! (again, we go during a crowd level of 4-6 so I think that also makes it easier for us to stay in the parks all day/night)

 

[mm1971]

We are taking our 5 kids to Disney for the 1st time this June. As much as I keep telling myself, we can go back to the room for a midday break, I know I and they are not really going to want to leave! (Just being honest) My kids are 11, 9,8, 6 &5 when we travel and we are a pretty active family. My 9 yo is probably my earliest to bed most nights at home 8 or 8:30. It just depends on when we can get him to sit down long enough But at the same time, he can stay up quite late when we are active. If we didn't push it, my other kids get up at 6:30 for school and could easily staty up to 10-11pm.
Please be honest, but how important do you think that midday break is. My other concern is we are staying at OKW and it is going to be a longer bus ride just to leave and come back to most parks.
Thanks

Honestly, we only take the afternoon breaks on days when the park gets so busy we would rather relax and swim for a couple of hours and then return when the crowds start filtering out. We usually do the evening EMH as well so we have the extra time in the parks. I wouldn't say our pool time is always "rest". We tend to play catch and have fun in the pools. If crowds are not a significant factor, we will just stay for the day.

My kids LOVE pool time so we will usually find some amount of time throughout our trip to hit the pool(s) or WP's.

 

[melifeld]

In the past we have never taken midday breaks, but we also have always gone in January. We would get to the park at opening, usually have a TS meal for lunch to relax for a bit, then tour all afternoon. We would also leave the parks at dinner time to have a TS meal at one of the resorts or DTD. We also have never seen the evening parade at MK, Fantasmic, or done other nighttime activities in the parks, nor have we ever been to the waterparks or spent time in the pools because of the time of year.

This year we are going in July. We have decided that this is what we will do this year... Parks at opening, tour until about 1:00 or so, break back at the resort for pool and rest time, then dinner and back to the parks. It will be an interesting change, but I think with the July heat this will be necessary. And we will get to see and do the evening stuff and may even be able to close the parks. We will also be spending time at the waterparks this trip.

 

[Kari710]

I've only been to WDW once and my DD was 17mo and my DS was 3yrs 3mo old. And we did not go back to our room for any breaks or naps. DD napped in my arms and in the stroller. We were only there for 3 days so we wanted to see and do as much as we could. Probably not a good idea, because my DS was sick and feverish the last day he spent sleeping in the stoller. I wonder if we'd have taken breaks the two first days if he would have felt better on the 3rd day.

I would think, just my opinion, that the older the kids are the less likely they'd need a mid day break. But, then again, if there's plenty of time to be spent at Disney then going back to the room or for a swim is a great idea.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I just thought I would add one thing. Many have posted that their children napped in strollers during the day which is great.
My DD who was 16 months at the time of our last trip would never nap more than 30 minutes in a stroller, too distracting she never got into deep sleep. But during our midday breaks she would usually sleep for 2 hours. Then at night she was applied and lasted longer because she was rested and not overstimulated.

I'd like to add that my suggestion for a midday break for your family is to do just that, take a break. From the noise, crowds, lines, heat, etc. that may mean taking a nap or some going swimming, or just relaxing. But I o suggest considering the break when you go to WDW and at least being flexible if you find one members of your family could use the break.

 

[mommyarewegoingback]

We are also a rope drop family, split up, hit the rides, meet for lunch and go back to the resort for cooling off, pool, nap (even DH sometimes). Nowadays we just veg for a few hours. Then we head back around 5, nice and refreshed. Otherwise we are hot & tired, and don't feel like we're on vacation.
-Virginia

 

[bear_mom]

We didn't/don't do afternoon breaks, unless dds want a pool afternoon.

We are rope drop people, mainly due ot the fact that older dd is a morning person and never slept late and once she was awake so was everyone else. We would tour all day and then head back to the resort after dinner and get ready for bed so we all were still getting a good nights sleep.

When dds were younger we would limit the evening shows and would spread them out so there was enough rest time. We also tried to do a night show before we were planning on going to a water park, opens at 10 and easier to get ready.

On our first trip when dds were 4 and 7 we tried to do afternoon breaks, it didn't work for us.

Emily

 

[clutter]

I never go back to the room for breaks, but then again I don't do rope drop either. My kids and I sleep in and take our time in the morning and usually head out around 10 or 11am (sometimes later, or earlier if going to AK) and we then close the parks. My DD's have always taken naps during the day in their stroller.
All families and kids are different so you'd have to see what works best for your family when you get there. Also the parks aren't all that far from OKW, I've stayed there several times and find that except for MK the rides are pretty short.

We do the same, usually. One year we went after Christmas to New Years. Morning EMH was absolutely necessary! (We got in by 7:30am) So we went back for a break to escape the crowds. It just didn't work for us. Hated it! Later start and late nights just worked better for us. (DD started at 3, is now 15.)

Really, you can just see how it goes. You don't have to do the same routine every day. You might want to do early morning, rest, late evening followed by late morning, early or late evening. It really depends on what you want to do. Some rides are better for an early morning, and some are better after dark (astro orbiter!).

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

It really depends on the family. My kids never, ever got a decent nap in a stroller--others are far luckier.

One thing I'll mention is, it's so stinkin' hot in June, you all might want a break from the heat, humidity and crowds. We can only go as a family in the summer, and even my teens want to leave the parks and go swimming.

If you're not sure how your family is going to do, maybe figure on one long day, followed by an easier day. Epcot has the most walking, but there are plenty of places to get out o the sun. OTOH, AK can be so oppressive due to the lack of shade!

FTR, we loved OKW. It has more of a resort feel, rather than a hotel feel. We didn't have any bus issues at all. And the accomodations are spacious.

 

[Samar]

Depends on when you go and your children's energy levels My husband has *finally* learned that going Commando with our 3 just isn't going to happen anytime soon So in place of a mid-day break, we slept in, went to the parks late morning and usually stayed till closing. We also inserted a couple break days to enjoy the resort a bit (something my husband opted against in 2010 and kicks himself for now. lol).

 

[mommy2_3]

we wont be taking a mid day break. we are bringing 2 double strollers for our kids (ages 2, 3, 5 and 6). my kids have no problem passing out for like an hour or 2 in the stroller. we only plan on making rope drop once. and thats the day we go to the magic kingdom. we have to character breakfasts lined up. those are not till after 9am (my kids are up before 6am). we are driving so no need to wait on buses. i think on rope drop day we will prob. head in earlier. just depends on how the kids are. but like i said my kids are awesome stroller nappers (actually if they are tired they will fall asleep anywhere!)