Park plans for those that dont do night time shows

[Belle_1989]

For those that don't stay for the night time shows what does your average park day look like? Do you rope drop take a break and come back for a little bit? Do you sleep in and just do the parks for a few hours? What works best for your family?

On another note if you're not in the parks at night what do you do for dinner?

 

[amy1981]

We rope drop, break and then go back for a few hours in the evening and have dinner and maybe do a couple more rides. Even if we don't stay for shows we still often have dinner in the parks or sometimes at other resorts. We like to visit other resorts and evenings are a good time for that if that's something your interested in. Last year we had dinner at Wilderness Lodge, explored the resort, and then walked to Fort Wilderness and did a horse & wagon ride around the camp ground. As to sleeping in versus rope drop, I think it really depends on your family. Rope drop works best for us not only because we like to get a lot done with relatively low crowds, but there is no way my family can sleep in at Disney...everyone is way too excited so we're all up by 6:30 anyways. If getting up early doesn't fit your families sleeping habits and everyone's going to be tired and crabby I'd skip it and do what works for you.

 

[VillainFavs]

When the kids were younger--past napping age but not yet night owls--we skipped a lot of night time shows. We'd do a couple each trip but not every night. Our days would usually be rope drop and stay at the park until dinner. We'd definitely break for a longer lunch at a quick service with A/C and make time for shows (Hall of Presidents, Ellen at Epcot, etc.) to cool off and relax a bit.

Dinner would either be in the park or at a nearby resort. If in the park, maybe a couple more rides after dinner. If at a nearby resort, spend a little time exploring that resort. Then we'd head back to our own resort for a little down time. Pool, arcade, gift shop, etc. Then fairly early to bed so we could be up early the next morning!

 

[Belle_1989]

Thank you guys. This is our first trip to Disney as a family and the kids will be 5 and 7 so well only have two late nights during our trip and now I'm just trying to figure out our regular day schedule. I was thinking of going to different resorts along the monorail for an early dinner ( around 5) and then heading to the park for a few more rides. Would that be to difficult?

 

[VillainFavs]

That's how old mine were on our first trip! We're going next month and they'll be 16 and 14--time flies!

It's not difficult at all. But just play it by ear. What you may not realize is that sometimes by that hour, it's a hike just to get to the front of the park and then out to the monorail. And then to do it in reverse on the way back! Once you've relaxed over dinner, you may all just be ready to call it a night. Just see how everyone's feeling after dinner and go from there! The resorts all have great pools and some even have playgrounds or splash areas. Movies under the stars. Campfires. Sometimes it will be nice to just kick back in the evening and recharge so you're ready to do it all over again the next day!

 

[tami82]

We don't do rope drop but leave at 9:00 and buses are pretty empty at this time. We stay in a monorail resort to make it easy. We usually eat lunch around 11:30 and then stay for an hour or two more. Sometimes my husband will leave with one of the kids while I stay with whoever wants to stay with me. I don't do all the night time activities every night as crowds are too much but I will hang out an do a few rides again after dinner if I want to go back. This time my older daughter who is a nurse will be joining us so she is at the age that I trust her with my other two kids to go to the parks alone as they wish also giving me some time to relax at the resort so that will be nice. It's good not to plan too much just play it by ear that is the best way. If you get a sudden burst of energy in the evening then go back to the parks. I'm sure the kids would like some down time too just to go in the pool so just balance everything.