Morning Break & FOF Parade?

[bksomody]

Question for all those who do afternoon breaks. Is it possible to take an afternoon break & still see the FOF parade? How do you schedule your break?

My problem is I love RD but by 11:00-12:00 I'm done and ready for a break but I also want to see the FOF parade. I feel like if I stick it out I'll be exhausted and I can't do them on separate days because my 2nd day is a late arrival to watch the fireworks after a day at Universal. Is it possible to RD MK, go back to the hotel for a break and return in time for the FOF parade? To me it seems like traveling in & out of MK is quite time consuming.

 

[Bobb_o]

What constitutes a break for you? You could easily take a nice little break at any of the monorail resorts (And probably WL too) but if you're not staying there that might not accomplish what you want (swimming, napping, etc.)

 

[ArielSRL]

Our situation is similar but not exact. We are doing rope drop one day with a CP ADR for 10:15, planning midday break but have to be back by 3:30 for my oldest son's Pirate's League appt. Based on our touring plan, we will probably only get 4 attractions in before our ADR, then we are leaving right after breakfast (I am figuring by 11:30). Figuring an hour back to SSR (12:30), we will probably only have 2 hours: time for a quick bath for the boys and a semi short nap. No swimming during this break. Planning to head back to MK at 2:30 for our 3:30 appt.

 

[Heidi K]

So far, we have always done an afternoon break, and have never seen an afternoon parade. You could probably manage it if you left the park by 11 or 11:30, though. We don't usually leave for our break until 12:30 or 1.

 

[jcemom]

I have not found it worthwhile to take a break if seeing an afternoon parade. There just isn't enough time. A break isn't satisfying, IMO, when you're rushed and constantly worried about getting back to the park in time for the parade. The only exception may possibly be if it's a morning EMH day, giving you an hour's head start. The down side is that by parade time EMH days are usually way too crowded for my liking. Still, it's an option. If you do attractions from 8am until 11am you've gotten a good three hours in. Then you can take a break and be back by 2:30pm.

In general, if we're taking a break where we go back to our resort, I need a minimum of 3 1/2 hours from the time I leave the park until the time I return. Anything less and you spend more time on travel than you do on break, not to mention the extra walking in and out of the park, to your car or the bus stops, etc. It becomes more tiring to take a break than not.

Alternatively, a "break" at one of the nearby resorts is a really good option. We do that sometimes too. Make a lunch ADR, ride the monorail, enjoy a leisurely meal, check out the resort, lay on a lounge chair on the beach, whatever. That doesn't work if the goal of your break is to nap or swim, of course. (When DD was little we found that she napped very well ON the monorail lol, so I'd often ride two or three loops with her while she slept.)

 

[bksomody]

I have not found it worthwhile to take a break if seeing an afternoon parade. There just isn't enough time. A break isn't satisfying, IMO, when you're rushed and constantly worried about getting back to the park in time for the parade. The only exception may possibly be if it's a morning EMH day, giving you an hour's head start. The down side is that by parade time EMH days are usually way too crowded for my liking. Still, it's an option. If you do attractions from 8am until 11am you've gotten a good three hours in. Then you can take a break and be back by 2:30pm.

In general, if we're taking a break where we go back to our resort, I need a minimum of 3 1/2 hours from the time I leave the park until the time I return. Anything less and you spend more time on travel than you do on break, not to mention the extra walking in and out of the park, to your car or the bus stops, etc. It becomes more tiring to take a break than not.

Alternatively, a "break" at one of the nearby resorts is a really good option. We do that sometimes too. Make a lunch ADR, ride the monorail, enjoy a leisurely meal, check out the resort, lay on a lounge chair on the beach, whatever. That doesn't work if the goal of your break is to nap or swim, of course. (When DD was little we found that she napped very well ON the monorail lol, so I'd often ride two or three loops with her while she slept.)

I agree with so much of what you said. The constant checking the time does not make for a relaxing break and becomes more exhausting. I feel like at Disney I'm always watching the time and worried I'm going to be late. Also the extra walking out of the park and back in is just as exhausting. Plus traveling takes up a lot of time. I'm staying at BCV and the buses can be hit or miss. I'm trying to make this trip a little more laid back and relaxing so I'm thinking I will have to choose between RD and the parade.

 

[bksomody]

What constitutes a break for you? You could easily take a nice little break at any of the monorail resorts (And probably WL too) but if you're not staying there that might not accomplish what you want (swimming, napping, etc.)

For me a break would be 2-3 hours at the hotel with nap. I'm realizing that it probably won't work. I think that unless you're staying at a resort close to MK it's not worth the travel time to leave and come back unless you're staying at MK really late.

 

[twinsmama]

We never take an out of the parks break, but we do take it easy for about 1.5-2 hours within the park which really restores our energy. We have a table service lunch and take our time eating and enjoying sitting indoors, then we do rides like people mover, the railroad, etc. This has in the past been enough of a rest for us to take on the afternoon

 

[bksomody]

Our situation is similar but not exact. We are doing rope drop one day with a CP ADR for 10:15, planning midday break but have to be back by 3:30 for my oldest son's Pirate's League appt. Based on our touring plan, we will probably only get 4 attractions in before our ADR, then we are leaving right after breakfast (I am figuring by 11:30). Figuring an hour back to SSR (12:30), we will probably only have 2 hours: time for a quick bath for the boys and a semi short nap. No swimming during this break. Planning to head back to MK at 2:30 for our 3:30 appt.

Do you figure an hour going back to SSR and an hour back to MK or an hour total traveling time? Are you using the buses?

 

[ArielSRL]

Do you figure an hour going back to SSR and an hour back to MK or an hour total traveling time? Are you using the buses?

An hour each way. I'm not sure on the bus. We will take the bus to MK for rope drop, but my dad may come later (right before our ADR) and he may drive the car. If so, we would take the car back. We will, most likely, drive the car back to MK after the break.

 

[JennyMP03]

I love RD too, but I don't think it works well with an afternoon parade if you like taking a midday break. When I take a break, it's at least 2-3 hours like you said because I want to swim/shower/nap. I actually missed FoF last time I went because I unsuccessfully tried to power through after rope drop one day, but realized we had to return to the resort for a break when I saw how exhausted my cousin was at lunch. I was pretty tired, too!

It may work better to let your FoF be a late arrival day. Sleep in a bit, swim at the resort, and maybe get to MK for a late lunch ADR around 1 and FoF afterward. FP+ reserved for after the parade. This is probably the route I'll go when I try to see FoF next time. I prefer rope drop, but rope drop with no break crushes me by 3-4 PM.

 

[purple figment]

You could save some time by taking a taxi instead of the bus. In the morning you could take it to the CR and walk to the MK for rope drop. Then for your break walk back to the CR to get a taxi back to the BCV.

If you are able to nap in the lobby of one of the nearby hotels, there are relatively quiet out of the way places at the CR and the WL (especially in the Villas area). It might not be as relaxing as a nap in your room, but if you are planning to leave after FOF would this be enough to tide you over? I am guessing that when you nap in the afternoon, you usually go back to the park and stay until the evening, but in this case you could leave around 4:00.

 

[JJsmama]

Our situation is similar but not exact. We are doing rope drop one day with a CP ADR for 10:15, planning midday break but have to be back by 3:30 for my oldest son's Pirate's League appt. Based on our touring plan, we will probably only get 4 attractions in before our ADR, then we are leaving right after breakfast (I am figuring by 11:30). Figuring an hour back to SSR (12:30), we will probably only have 2 hours: time for a quick bath for the boys and a semi short nap. No swimming during this break. Planning to head back to MK at 2:30 for our 3:30 appt.

Since you asked... I wouldnt keep that schedule if I were you. In June, i would not give up prime attraction time to go to breakfast at 10:15, especially since you want to leave at 11:30 for a few hours. The afternoon crowds are miserable as is the heat. (We go in June every year.) and you won't be ready yet for a long break at 10:00. I would change the breakfast ADr to lunch or do a sit down after leaving for the rest break.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Ok, not a cheap way to take a break, but, do you like spas? You could book a treatment at Senses at GF - manicure, pedicure, massage, facial - they have a relaxation area with an indoor water therapy area, chaise lounges, tea, small snacks, etc. You could certainly even take a nap in one of the chaises! Personally, I would book a treatment for, maybe, noon and spend the rest of the time hanging out in the spa. I would just bring a bathing suit if you want to use the pool. They also have showers there. Then head back to MK to watch the parade!

 

[ArielSRL]

Since you asked... I wouldnt keep that schedule if I were you. In June, i would not give up prime attraction time to go to breakfast at 10:15, especially since you want to leave at 11:30 for a few hours. The afternoon crowds are miserable as is the heat. (We go in June every year.) and you won't be ready yet for a long break at 10:00. I would change the breakfast ADr to lunch or do a sit down after leaving for the rest break.

I actually didn't ask. I was offering my input to the OP. But I do appreciate your thoughts. It is a bit of a conundrum that is mostly caused by the 3:30 Pirate's League appt. Unfortunately, that's the latest appt they offer. Our break won't actually start til about 11:30 and my youngest sometimes naps at 1 so it won't be too far off from that if we get back at 12:30. Also this is 1 of 3 MK days, plus it's a Sunday (which is considered one of the least busy MK days of the week). Using touring plans, the waits aren't predicted to be that bad throughout the day, so honestly we are ok with the plan.

Again, thanks for your input.

 

[bksomody]

It may work better to let your FoF be a late arrival day. Sleep in a bit, swim at the resort, and maybe get to MK for a late lunch ADR around 1 and FoF afterward. FP+ reserved for after the parade. This is probably the route I'll go when I try to see FoF next time. I prefer rope drop, but rope drop with no break crushes me by 3-4 PM.

This is what I'm thinking about doing. I was thinking arriving around 2:00 to watch the parade. I have a BOG reservation fro 4:15 then fp+ for after 5:30. My only concern is that this is when crowds are probably the worst, especially during Easter week.

 

[bksomody]

Ok, not a cheap way to take a break, but, do you like spas? You could book a treatment at Senses at GF - manicure, pedicure, massage, facial - they have a relaxation area with an indoor water therapy area, chaise lounges, tea, small snacks, etc. You could certainly even take a nap in one of the chaises! Personally, I would book a treatment for, maybe, noon and spend the rest of the time hanging out in the spa. I would just bring a bathing suit if you want to use the pool. They also have showers there. Then head back to MK to watch the parade!

Oh this sounds great. Maybe not this trip with the family but maybe the next time when it's just me & DH.

 

[bksomody]

You could save some time by taking a taxi instead of the bus. In the morning you could take it to the CR and walk to the MK for rope drop. Then for your break walk back to the CR to get a taxi back to the BCV.

If you are able to nap in the lobby of one of the nearby hotels, there are relatively quiet out of the way places at the CR and the WL (especially in the Villas area). It might not be as relaxing as a nap in your room, but if you are planning to leave after FOF would this be enough to tide you over? I am guessing that when you nap in the afternoon, you usually go back to the park and stay until the evening, but in this case you could leave around 4:00.

A taxi is a great idea. We used taxis for hotel adr one year and it was great. It picked us up at our door and dropped us off at the lobby door. No worries about parking or waiting in line. This could be an option.