more first timer questions

[vicky1bfc]

hi all

we are going on our first trip to wdw in febuary with our 5 year old daugters
iv been reading the posts on here a lot and noticed that some of you go back to you hotel ect for a break mid afternoon,then go back later on.

we were wondering if this is a good idear for us and if we did would we lose a day off our passes,we have the 5 day hoppers,

any advice would be a great help.

 

[Goofyish]

It's amazing how much walking you do in the parks, so an afternoon break is a good idea - especially if you plan on going to one of the night time parades or firework shows.

You can leave a park, and as long as you get your hands stamped you can return on the same day, to any park, without using up another day of your pass

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

I agree you just need a little break we go back to the hotel mid afternoon for a clean up, and with a 4yr old she needs to cool down, dp takes her to the pool for a little bit while i get ready then we go back!

Its great for feeling refreshed again, you do so much walking, with the heat, etc it takes alot of you. So its nice to have a hour or so to cool down and change

 

[edie w]

If I remember rightly you are staying on the Hwy 27?

Check the park opening times and the weather forecasts. We always go in October and never go back to our villa. This year we has some special offer 10 day hoppers, so we did do some "short" days, but definitely spent 5 whole days til closing time in the Disney parks.

At that time of year it isn't too hot, and the park hours are shorter. I can't imagine leaving the parks and going back. It would have taken at least half an hour to get out of the parks (more from MK) and get back to the villa, and we were only at Indian Creek (near Splendid China). Adding on even just an hour for a nap and/or swim that takes a good 2 hours out of what can be a quite short day. Instead, try planning a sit down in a play area where your DDs can go wild while you sit in the shade, or taking a longer lunch break. I really think they will be fine for the 8 to 10 hours of park opening.

You might consider strollers, but my nephew (nearly 4 at the time) preferred to push his while Dora the Explorer and/or the shopping bags rode in comfort!

 

[mike230652]

vicky
You wouldn't lose a day ...they're hoppers so you're OK.

I agree with edie though. The crowds will be pretty light that time of year, you don't need to get there at rope drop. Go later in the day, you'll still get to see everything with time to spare.

We were on HWY 27 in 2001, it will take you 20-30 minutes from your villa to get to WDW, park up and get to the park gate. Doing that 4 times will take at least 2 hours out of your day, plus whatever time you rest up for, say another 2 hours, that's at least 4 hours gone already!!

I'd suggest a stroller as edie did.

mike

 

[SimonY]

Park hours are important as well. I've never been in February but in November when I have the parks open later in the mornings and close earlier in the evenings (say around 9.00am to 6.00pm depending on the park). Taking a break in the middle of a short day would restrict your options.

When we took our kids (8, 5 and just under 2 at the time) we tended to get there reasonably early in the mornings and then finish early - normally by 5pm. We would then grab a bite to eat on the way back to the hotel and they would all be asleep pretty quickly after that. The youngest two wouldn't have watched any fireworks so we didn't expect to stay for things like that anyway.

For our lot I would say that breaks in the schedule (i.e. rest days between park days) were more important than breaks in the days.

 

[Disney owl]

Been in May & August & staye d on 192 & recommend taking a break. Our kids are older but it was def worth it.