No more breaks--how do we make it a full day?

[grover]

Plenty of trips under our belt but this December will be our first trip during the hectic holiday season.We are there over Christmas and New Years.

I've read about the parks possibly closing to capacity at times and we don't want to miss out on the evening's ADR;s and fireworks etc so we have decided that at least for Christmas & New Years Eve we will try to get there early and last the day.

We always take a mid afternoon break for a power nap or swim so this is going to be a new thing for us

Any tips on making it thru a very long busy day?

 

[jco_direwolf]

Plenty of trips under our belt but this December will be our first trip during the hectic holiday season.We are there over Christmas and New Years.

I've read about the parks possibly closing to capacity at times and we don't want to miss out on the evening's ADR;s and fireworks etc so we have decided that at least for Christmas & New Years Eve we will try to get there early and last the day.

We always take a mid afternoon break for a power nap or swim so this is going to be a new thing for us

Any tips on making it thru a very long busy day?

Remember it's phased closure, phase 4 which is closed no body in closed is rare. At phase 3 you can still get in with ADRs.

 

[LadyRayado]

We never took breaks when we were little (starting at 5). My parents always planned a few slower things mid-afternoon, like Hall of Presidents or one of the films in World Showcase. Quiet, dark, cool - good place to rest and recharge a bit.

 

[grover]

Didn't know about the ADR & that it came into play with the closing. Good info!

I was kind of thinking universe of energy could be a good place for some down time

 

[brettcw23]

Any tips on making it thru a very long busy day?

The key is to pace yourself. Choose some laid back things to do to rest. Lines inevitable will be longer, thus you're on your feet more. There are plenty of places to relax and just enjoy the atmosphere.

Each park is a little different but for example, we love to just ahng out and let the kids play in the boneyard at AK. At DHS, we'll take in a few attractions instead of standing in line.
MK, we'll take a ride on the RR, Carousel of Progress and the people mover...

There's plenty of options. My brother went at the same time as you and told horro stories about other people's experiences. He said they ahd no issues. Park selection is key!

 

[disnut8]

The key is to pace yourself. Choose some laid back things to do to rest. Lines inevitable will be longer, thus you're on your feet more. There are plenty of places to relax and just enjoy the atmosphere.

I totally agree. If we are there and starting to feel tired, we find a place to sit, whether it's on a bench or just on a curb, and take a break. We people watch, have a drink, talk for a while.

At the Studios, a good spot for this is the Studio Catering Company in the back of the park. You can grab some drinks and a table and relax. There's even a bar right next door if you want something more exotic. At Animal Kingdom, check out the Flame Tree BBQ seating area (get drinks). It's a big area and there usually are tables available. Also at Animal Kingdom, check out Rafiki's Planet Watch and/or Flights of Wonder.

 

[gtpoohbear]

In the past, we had always done afternoon breaks, but last March we decided to try full park days instead, and stayed open-close. We actually really liked it. We didn't feel so rushed because we weren't losing so much time in transit.

I would plan some ADRs for breaks though. We did a TS meal for both lunch and dinner, and it was a great chance to refuel and recharge. At least in December you shouldn't have to worry too much about the heat, but still plan some easy/indoor attractions like shows to help pace yourself.

 

[MataHari22]

I am one of those people that feels worse if I take a nap, unless I'm really sick or something. My ex was a nap taker though and would wake up feeling better. Now that I'm older, with some health issues, I just take it slower and make sure I recharge with a TS meal for lunch or dinner. This trip I actually have two days where I have two TS a day. I find that sitting through the shows and air conditioned attractions are a great place to recharge my batteries. I also will get a cup of coffee after dinner, which I don't usually do, because it makes me wired. Lol. I just slow down my pace and take breaks when I need to. I wasn't sure I would be able to go all day last year, but I did. It wasn't easy, but I made it. I think that even going in with the mindset that you are going to take it at a leisurely pace and take breaks if you need to helps. Just takes the pressure off. I was always one of those people that had to ride every ride and get in as much as I could, and I just cannot do that anymore. I was always an A type personality, so I am learning to be different and more laid back.

 

[grover]

We do have TS booked, but maybe I will try add a second. I'm hoping because it is a cooler time of year that will help!

 

[MataHari22]

I think the cooler weather should definitely help. When it's super hot, it just drains you twice as fast. There is no way I could go down in the summer anymore. I would never make it. I would definitely get sick and or pass out. It's plenty hot enough in October when I go.

 

[Jfsag123]

We didn't take breaks outside the parks at all on our last trip with two young kiddos and we were fine. As others have said, finding a nice spot to sit with some drinks/snacks and people watching helped us out a lot. We rented a double stroller and the kids were fine with napping in it. It was very relaxing and we were glad not to lose the travel time. Next time we are staying at BLT, and so will likely actually return to the resort on our MK days, but still plan to not take breaks from the other parks.

 

[catra121]

I never take breaks outside the parks but do need rest (I am handicapped and it's difficult to be on my feet all day).

I definitely do 2 table service meals a day because that forces me to sit and relax in the middle of the day in an air conditioned environment that is less hectic for at least an hour.

I also spread shows and things like that throughout the day because it gives me a chance to rest and take it easy while still enjoying an attraction that I like.

I've also been known to get an ice cream sundae and just sit in the shade for a while and people watch (you will have plenty of people to watch on those days).

Since it will be very busy I would definitely consider these days where you will NOT get everything done and you need to be okay with that. It's more important that you enjoy your time there and pace yourself rather than fighting the crowds all day. There are obviously some pretty amazing events/shows going on during those dates...so really take the time to enjoy them. Get FP+ for you must-do rides and take the rest of the day as it comes.

It can help to make a list ahead of time of all the different options in terms of places to sit, rest, and relax (whether those are restaurants, shows, slow moving rides, etc)...and that way no matter where you are in the parks you will have an option close by that will satisfy your need to rest up a bit and recharge.

Best of luck!! I hope you have a wonderful trip.

 

[The Hendies]

I generally book one TS a day as close to 3:00 as possible. We eat a hearty breakfast at the condo to hold us until 3:00. Then we try to throw in a relaxation attraction:

AK: Finding Nemo or Rafiki's Planet Watch
MK: CoP or a trip out to Tom Sawyer Island
EPCOT: Ellen or American Adventure
DHS: Indiana Jones or Light. Motor, Action

 

[grover]

Thanks for all the tips!
We have been many times & were not worried about having to do or see everything, just to enjoy what we can! I'm excited for this holiday!

 

[Tomh]

We almost always go all day, from rope drop until close, and we do it in August when it is hot hot hot.

We do the big headliners in the morning, then when it starts to get warm, and crowded, we do the shows, and long attractions that give us a chance to sit down and relax. We take an hour for our lunch, and generally have a table service for supper where we expect to relax for closer to an hour and a half. Those two meals are kind of like our mid day break. Out of the heat and sun, sitting down, relaxing a bit.

Aside from that, when we are feeling a bit tired, or sore, we listen to our bodies, and find a place to have a drink, and sit down for a bit. I find that as long as we rest a bit when our bodies tell us it is time to do so, getting through the entire day in the park is not a problem.

 

[1stvisit0909]

Didn't know about the ADR & that it came into play with the closing. Good info! I was kind of thinking universe of energy could be a good place for some down time

We were there Christmas Eve to NYE. Took a break every day with no trouble getting back in.

 

[dawnhaze]

I do rope drop to closing most days I'm at WDW, and I use most of the strategies already mentioned - A TS meal in the middle of the day, filling the afternoon with longer indoor attractions and shows, and relaxing in quiet(er) areas when necessary. It's fun!

 

[grover]

thanks for the info!
also good to know you had no trouble getting back in!

 

[ougrad86]

We always schedule a long TS somewhere in the park. We have breakfast before we come in, have a snack around 10 or 11, and then get the latest lunch we can manage (like 2, 2:30), and take our time, resting our feet. Do some people watching during the day as well as some of the attractions some PP mentioned, and don't rush...that will wear you out fast.

We have always gone all day until this last year, but we were there during SB and needed to get away from the crowds for awhile since we weren't used to them. But if I knew there was a chance I could not get back in, I would not go anywhere!