New Plan needed

[lovedisney123]

After quite a few medical issues and the addition of medications that do not always agree with me, I am finding I am no longer the person I was just two years ago (the last time I went to the parks).

So we have a trip planned for our spring break and I am starting to realize that I can not do what I used to do.

So I was wondering, for anyone who has gone to Disney parks with less energy than they would like and the need to take a break during the day..... What is a good plan.

We will be staying at Boardwalk. I thought that would make it easy for me to return to our room when we are at Epcot, but of course I want to visit all of the parks.

So any suggestions on how to enjoy Disney world without going all day long non stop.

 

[only hope]

I would arrive at the parks at opening to ride with short lines, take as long a break as you need in the middle of the day, and have fp+ set up for the evening.

 

[hershey2014]

After quite a few medical issues and the addition of medications that do not always agree with me, I am finding I am no longer the person I was just two years ago (the last time I

So we have a trip planned for our spring break and I am starting to realize that I can not do what I used to do.

So I was wondering, for anyone who has gone to Disney parks with less energy than they would like and the need to take a break during the day..... What is a good plan.

We will be staying at Boardwalk. I thought that would make it easy for me to return to our room when we are at Epcot, but of course I want to visit all of the parks.

So any suggestions on how to enjoy Disney world without going all day long non stop.

Im in the same boat as you are. My energy is no where near where it was years ago. We are going in november. Im a littlw nervous but were going to take it slow. And once my energy starts to drop we're going to head back for a nap.

 

[Caseheidi]

In 2008 we did a week in WDW with my parents who have the same problem. We ended up renting scooters for them to ride for the week. They just could not physically do all the walking without being in pain. It allowed them to conserve energy so that they could truly enjoy the attractions and shows. They also took a day out of the parks in the middle of the week to rest. I believe they just stayed in the condo we rented and relaxed reading and watching movies.

I have to admit DH and I find that we enjoy our time more if we do a non-park day for every two/three days in the park. It gives us more time to rest, and we do not burnout on over stimulation. We love Disney, but it is so different then our normal life that we can become exhausted very quickly.

 

[karrit2000]

A couple of years ago I had to undergo surgery twice within a few months. I had two Disney trips that had been planned for the pin event and the Food & Wine Festival. Fortunately both trips ended up falling during my recuperation periods. I rented a scooter for both trips. It made the trips seem more normal since I was able to spend as much time as I wanted in the parks without being tired out. I'm back to normal now but I kind of miss the scooter especially when it's really hot.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think that strategy is important. First, I always remember that it is okay to prioritize what I want to do, and that it is better to enjoy what I do rather than suffer though more. I am not getting any younger! LOL!

Staying at an Epcot resort is convenient to get back to the resort for a break, so maybe hit the park early and leave after lunch. Consider an ECV, especially in Epcot and AK. There is a lot of walking! IF you want to be in the park at night, plan a late arrival, with the morning to relax. Don't be afaid to build in a day off.

We do this all of the time, an find that we enjoy our trips so much more than when we tried to get it l done.

 

[Delirium]

Standing in line ususally takes more out of me than walking around. Try doing some of the 'walk-on' attractions that get you off your feet in the middle of the day instead of waiting in a line for something else.

Hall of Presidents, The Train, Tiki Room, Riverboat, Carousel of Progress, and Peoplemover at MK.

Ellen and Living with the Land at Epcot.

HS has multiple shows that fit the bill.

AK has Nemo, Lion King, and Flights of Wonder

Sometimes, those are better alternatives than trekking all of the way back to the resort, which depending resort and what park you are at, can present travel challenges.

 

[gzmtlock]

Staying at BWI is a great idea - easy boat access to both Ep and HS. If you're comfortable with an ECV, it will most certainly help maintain your energy longer. As to how to plan your days, I prefer early start-afternoon break-back into parks for the evening, especially if at BWI. I'd get hoppers and spend half the day at Ep/HS and the other half at MK/AK (since travel to those parks will be a bit more effort from BWI). I also like to plan lunch as a non-buffet, TS. Get out of the heat, off my feet, sitting comfortably eating good food that someone brings to me - sounds like a great way to spend an hour or so!

Like several PPs, we have found this approach much more enjoyable overall. Those in our family with high energy can spend the midday break at the pool, while some of us nap/rest.

 

[lovedisney123]

Thank you for all of the ideas. I really hope this trip goes well. I told my DH to feel free to go with out daughters to things without me if I can't handle it. I like the idea of starting early and then taking a break. It is going to be hard because I usually lead our family through the parks with them trying to keep up with me!

 

[BalooFan]

I travel with someone who needs to take a kinder, gentler approach to WDW. I never spend a full day in a park (even when I'm not traveling with this person). I plan a morning in a park and then leave for the resort after lunch. I recommend arriving at the park early enough to take advantage of lower crowds, but not so much before rope drop that you are standing around for a long time waiting to enter the park. We then spend the hottest part of the day at the resort. Air conditioning, hydration, and a nap can increase your energy for later. I then plan to return to a park in the evening. When staying in the Epcot resorts area, I try to make dinner ADRs at a nearby resort or Epcot. Then, if someone wants to skip the evening park activities, they are close enough to the resort after dinner to return without too much exertion. I think the most important thing is not to feel guilty and force yourself to do things you aren't up to. Also, make sure your family understands that you might want to take a break on a shady bench when they are enjoying an attraction and that they shouldn't feel guilty doing things without you.

 

[lovedisney123]

Good idea! I need to talk to them and make sure they know that it is OK to go do something without me when I need to take a break. I think taking a nap might be a good idea so I can enjoy the evenings. I love the fireworks. I don't want to miss them.

 

[danceintherain]

We always take a break every day.
It does work best if we arrive at Rope Drop, and then leave around noon. Since we travel during slower times, often this means that we don't return to the parks in the evening. That's ok with us, because we go frequently enough that if we miss something we can catch it later. We also have small kids, so late nights aren't as easy as early mornings.

Anyways...just listen to yourself. It can actually be really enjoyable to take things slower.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

Great choice in resort! We use FP+ to book our morning FPs at the parks and leave around lunch to relax at the resort. Then, we head to Epcot at night. You will need park hoppers for this but you'll love being able to travel back in a few minutes to your resort at the end of the night!

 

[GPC0321]

I think the mid-day break is definitely the way to go. I'm going with my parents in March, and I'm planning on us heading back to the resort every day for a break. Partly this is because I know they'll appreciate it, and partly it's because I want some pool time! We're paying to stay at this place, might as well make the most of it!

My Disney priorities are: eating, looking at cool stuff, watching shows, parades, and fireworks, swimming, relaxing, riding a few things. And cupcakes. And ice cream. And hugging Tigger.

You may find you really enjoy the slower pace. I can't think of a better place to sit back and soak it all in. And frankly, I get worn out just reading some of these non-stop, go, go, GO plans people have.

 

[MataHari22]

I used to tour commando style, and park hop, and go to the parks on arrival day, and on departure day if my flight left late enough (which it usually didn't.) I'm now a 2x cancer survivor and I simply just cannot do that anymore. I do go during the slower times, usually October, though this year, we will be going down in November, but also a slower time. I do not live close to an airport and I need to take two flights to get to WDW. We get up super early and I never get any sleep the night before. So, when I get to the resort, it is just unpack, and eat at the resort and call it an early night and hopefully get some good rest to start the trip off rested. Since I spend two days out of my trip traveling, I make my trip for 8 nights, this way, I have 7 days in the parks. I do 3 days in MK, but 1 is either a MNSSHP or MVMCP, I have two days for Epcot (one day is from rope drop to close, and the other is just a partial day), 1 day for AK, and 1 day for HS. If you need to take a break during the day, and you know that will go well for you, do it. Get to the parks at rope drop and go back when it starts to get crowded and then break at the resort and go back in the afternoon with scheduled Fastpasses. For me, with the shorter park hours when I go, I do not go back to the resort to take a break. I find it more tiring. I'm not a pool person, and I don't take naps, I wake up feeling worse and with a headache. If I leave the park, I lose my momentum. So, I make sure that I do at least one nice long table service meal a day, and I enjoy seeing all the shows, getting off your feet and in the AC is restful. I may have nodded off in Hall of Pres and maybe Ellen.... I try and tour the parks with minimal walking. Example, try and do Fantasyland and Tomorrowland on one day, and Frontierland , Adventureland, and Liberty Square on the 2 day. Give yourself permission not to feel like you need to do everything. If you're tired, or not feeling well, pack it in for the day, and rest up for the next. Trying to stick it out when you are feeling awful ruins that time, plus possibly the next day too, if you need the rest. Last year, much to my dismay, I had to leave AK early. I didn't want to, because I really wanted to be there at night, but it was the right call, and I was able to get rest and start the next day feeling better. I don't park hop, and I don't travel to other resorts or parks to eat my meals, I just stay at that park and eat there. The one exception, is I have started to eat at a resort prior to going to our hard ticket party. This year, we have an ADR for afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian before we go to MVMCP at 4pm. That morning, I just will wake up whenever and relax at the resort, since it will be a late night.

I found once I gave myself permission to go slower and not feel badly or guilty about it, because always being an a type personality that was hard, it went better and was more relaxing for me. It has worked out pretty well for me the past two years, and I'm hoping I will do well this year, too. I do push myself a bit much, but I no longer work, so when I get home, I can catch up on sleep and rest up.

I hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[Nancyg56]

Good idea! I need to talk to them and make sure they know that it is OK to go do something without me when I need to take a break. I think taking a nap might be a good idea so I can enjoy the evenings. I love the fireworks. I don't want to miss them.

I think that one of the nicest things your family can do for you is to head out somewhere and let you enjoy the resort. I already shared that we like to break every day, but we never all stick together during the break. I like to relax with a book at th pool, (and a cocktail, truth be told) my Dhmay head out to the "beach" and lay down on a hammock, my DGD will often take a short nap, and my DD and her DH will head back to the room.

I love that we all vacation as a family, but I also like that I get my own time. I love them, they love me. But we do need some down time that belongs to us alone. If you take your break, and your family heads in a different direction, you will all have a special time.

My DS and his DW vacation with her family and it is a command performance all day every day. He said that by the time they come home they are all at each others throats. I can honecstly say that has never happened to us, btu we do plan some down time with no strings attached daily.