No park days absolutely necessary??

[BlueFairy]

Hi.
We will be at WDW 9/7-9/14. The parks close early and we really want to break the MK up into 2 or 3 visits since we will have a 3 and 6yo with us. Our current plan is to go to a park every day with long breaks or quitting the parks mid afternoon and spending the rest of the day at the pool, napping, exploring FW, etc. We are staying at WL. Also we are going to plan early dinners on our park days so we can do early bedtimes.
In light of this, do you find that no-park days for R&R are a necessity during a week-long trip. We just can't seem to fit one in. I know we will fit the pace to how the kids are doing and our itinerary is very flexible. What do you think?
Oh, we only plan to see the nighttime shows one evening.
Sorry so long, bottom line - if you have shortened times in the parks everyday, do you still plan an R&R day?

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi there... doing half days at the parks is an excellent strategy and it worked really well for us.

We would either go first thing in the morning and leave around 2pm for swimming and relaxing or we would sleep in a little, spend the morning at the pool and head out about noonish.

We found we were able to see everything without being exhausted and it was very enjoyable.

You have to be disiplined though - it is so easy to plan to leave for 2pm and then it's "one more ride" "Just one more ride"" just one more store" etc.. and before you know it - it's 5:00pm!

Have fun planning your trip,

>>^..^<<

 

[georgina]

With the shorter park hours we found we got plenty of rest in the evening and did not need a no-park day. We are the type who like to go-go-go, and the early park closings forced us to hang out by the pool in the evening and rest. My kids would rebel if we had a completely no-park day!

 

[goofy4tink]

I agree with the other posters. Since the parks are operating with shorter hours you won't be missing that much. I would do exactly what you said and tour until 2 pm or so and then hang out poolside. We're going in August and will be leaving the parks at lunch-time and going back at dinner-time. Your time period should be lower on crowds too, enabling you to do more in less time. I wouldn't think that you would have to plan on a non-park day either.

 

[jaysue]

I think your plans will work - if you find you need a mid-week break then take it by all means but your strategy looks sound

Thanks
jaysue

 

[Micca]

I think you're good. Way to go (veteran of approx 30 WDW visits with and w/o kids!)

 

[Beechparty]

We always go in the off season. We have never taken a park day off. I think you will be fine. Plan heavily and be flexible and you will do fine!!
Wear your lime green ribbons and maybe we will cross paths at WL

 

[YesDear]

It has been a long time since we planned a trip around kids that young, but we have always used the part days in the parks.

I did want to comment about one thing you referred to. You said you wanted to explore FW and were staying at WL. WL is technically not at FW. While there is boat transportation to FW and it is cool to walk around, you are not right there.

There is plenty to see and explore at WL! It is a beautiful place. You will walk into the lobby and go WOW!

Have a great time!

 

[Jordan's MOM]

We are not planning a non-park day this trip. In the past we had done so to give us a break and because we do hopper passes, to cut the cost a little bit. We have found that we find ourselves really wanting to go into the parks on that off day. In the past we had gone to DD or FW or resort hopped on these days and were really not a lot more rested than going into the park. We might take a afternoon off or have a late start or an early night this year, but not a whole day off.



Jordan's mom

 

[I Need Magic]

Just got back today. We were there a week, and took a day "off" to go to Typhoon Lagoon. We needed it desperately. We did early entires and two E ride nights. Our feet were killing us - had to find the Nike outlet to get my growing son new sneakers! Even though our spirits were willing - our feet were not! Make sure you get in walking shape and have comfy - padded sole shoes. Don't forget moleskin - a lifesaver!

 

[il-gander]

We were there for our first trip the first week of June. We found that the kids tired pretty easily, especially in the heat. It was 90 degrees and humid every day we were there. My then-5-year-old DD (she turned 6 yesterday!) in particular got worn out by early afternoon, and a few times even passed on character autographs and things I know she would have wanted to do if not hot, tired, and a bit overwhelmed. Our DD9 also got tired later in the day, but held up better than the younger one. I wanted to make the most of our time there, and pack everything we could in, but had to go with the family "flow" a bit and take some breaks.

We were there for 7 days (including travel), and took two "break" days from the parks - one to go to SeaWorld and one to go to the beach. The beach day was actually a break as we got completely away from the World. SeaWorld, however, was not - it was not our best day. It was very hot and seemed somehow like we were walking further than when in WDW!

Carla