Question for those that stay offsite-

[dismichelle]

Do you go back to your place mid-day for a break/rest?

We're considering staying offsite, but are unsure about the logistics of everyone going back to the hotel/house at different times.

It will be myself, DH, and 4 kids (12,11,3,and 2). I think one of us would like to go back early with the baby to rest/nap, but am not sure if we should all go back for a couple hours.

How do you all usually do it?

 

[ChristaDeVil]

This upcoming trip is our first off-site, also, so we're thinking about that as well. I think it might depend on how close you are to the parks. We are planning on not doing our usual "eat lunch in the park and head back to the hotel around 1 for swimming and a nap" and planning on staying in the parks most of the day and heading back to the resort to change, dinner, relaxing, whatever. However, our child will be 10, so the naps and rest are more for mommy and daddy than for him.
With your situation, I would totally look for a place close to the parks for that reason alone.

 

[dyna]

We still take a mid day break even when we have stayed 20 to 25 mins from park. We are 2 adults no kids. With kids I'm sure we'd still take a break an go have a rest as well.

 

[lawone]

I have stayed on site and off. In BOTH instances we returned to where we were staying for a midday break. My girls 6 and 7 and we all needed/loved the downtime in the middle of the day.

A few hours rest/quick swim, some food and then we headed back out!! Worked great for us!

 

[Brian Noble]

We do go back. We normally stick together though (even onsite).

 

[blondietink]

It depends on what time of year we are going and the park hours. Having been long time visitors to WDW at the end of August, staying both on and off-site, we were totally unprepared when we went "off-season" in October, December and January for the reduced park hours. AK has always closed early, but when MK shut down at 6 or 7 pm, we were like "What?" Same way with HS. To my knowledge Epcot always stays open until 9 pm or later, but when a park doesn't open until 9 am and then closes early, we find we cannot get done what we want if we take a mid-day break. It also depends on the temeperature. We always take a break in the summer when it is over 90 degrees out, but when it is in the 70's or lower, we find we don't necessarily need a break.

 

[gabrieltorres]

when we have stayed off-site, we do not go back mid day. When our kids were small, they took their naps in the stroller while the rest enjoyed the parks

 

[happymommy]

We rarely do, on or off site (only done offsite once really - and that was a challenge, as I usually take the kids to the parks and my DH meets up after his workout). Well, last time offsite, the kids and I took a cab once ($45 ????) and my DH dropped us off once at MK and we took a cab back (still $45) so that was a surprise (Grande Vista). When our kids were little, they napped in the stroller (from home, brought our double when they were little, and it was an awesome Peg Perego Tandem Twin that the front and back reclined almost fully). Some trips we'd go back when it was really hot, and my DD would fall asleep for a little while (and I would rest too!) but not a big NAP or anything.

I'd bring my own stroller, snacks or juice boxes, and plan on staying at the parks (if you are staying more than 15 minutes away). One day last trip, I met my best friend (we live 1000 miles away now) and her kids at the MK ( husbands were busy, mine working; hers with the baby). We sensed meltdown after about 2 or 3 hours, so we took the monorail to the Poly, got some late lunch at their counter service place, the kids relaxed, we had a glass (or 3) of wine, and it was a nice break from the crowds. Definitely recommend that type of break. You get a change of scenery, the kids get away from crowds, and Disney is still selling you lunch (but really, our lunch there was cheaper than the hot dogs the kids had earlier at the MK!). Plus, MK has no wine...

 

[Kat&Dom]

We have done 3 trips to Disneyworld with a 4th planned in November and have always stayed off-site. We try to be at the parks at opening then leave the parks around lunch time. Have lunch back at the condo, do some swimming then head back to the parks at about 4pm or so. We avoid the worst of the heat and the big crowds this way too. We are still getting 7 to 9 hours of park time in but it is split up so we enjoy it more.

I have stayed at Sheraton Vistana and Grand Beach which were about 5-10 minutes drive away from any of the parks and last trip, we stayed out in Kissimee which was 20-25 minutes driving. We were more relaxed and the kids loved the pool time. It made for the perfect vacation balance for us.

 

[webcreatrix]

and travel during the summer, so we almost always take a mid-day break or go to the parks until early afternoon and take the evening off.

We stayed at WH this past summer and it took no more time to go back to the townhouse than it did to get back to All Star Movies in 2009.

We all stay together, but if my oldest daughter goes with us next time, she will be old enough to do as she pleases and I believe WH does have a shuttle so that's an option for her.

 

[isla bonita]

It depends on what time of year.

In the summer always breaks the parks are open longer, in the winter we stay all day.

We stay offsite but near by on the 192 west area.

 

[softballmom3]

We have stayed both onsite and off-site. We are going offsite this yr but will not be taking breaks.

If I wanted a mid-day break I would probably consider staying onsite or trying to get somewhere like Windsor Hills that's close.

 

[Cruz91]

We've stayed offsite on all 9 of our previous trips, and started going when our kids were 4 and just under 2. With kids the age of yours, I think it will really enhance your stay to take the mid-day break. We did almost every day of each of our first few trips. The last couple of trips as the kids have gotten older, we have skipped the mid-day break one out of every 3 or 4 days, but usually don't end up staying till close on those days.

Depending on where you stay, the trip can be quicker than you think. We can get from any point in MK to Windsor Hills within about 20 minutes if we hussle, 30 minutes if we take our time. The only tough part for you will be how to deal with the older kids.

 

[Upatnoon]

Do you go back to your place mid-day for a break/rest?

We're considering staying offsite, but are unsure about the logistics of everyone going back to the hotel/house at different times.

It will be myself, DH, and 4 kids (12,11,3,and 2). I think one of us would like to go back early with the baby to rest/nap, but am not sure if we should all go back for a couple hours.

How do you all usually do it?

When do your kids nap now? Keep that schedule and your kids will be less cranky and the time you spend out will be much more fun

 

[Planogirl]

I have a teen and we still take midday breaks just to get out of the heat and away from the crowds. I'm usually the one that naps though.

I found that it takes about the same amount of time to walk to the car and drive to the offsite hotel as to wait for a bus and ride the bus to a resort. The exception is MK since you have to ride a monorail or ferry first. On MK days we tend to head to a resort or Downtown Disney for a while but this works for us since we don't need naps.

 

[chicagoshannon]

If its off season we stay at the park til supper time and then go back to the condo for the night.

During the summer or holiday time when the parks stay open later we take a mid day break.

When I was a kid though, around 10 years old and up (my sister would have been 7) we just stayed the entire day up to 9pm or so. We'd go at Christmas though so it wasnt' summer heat.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

It's just the 2 of us thirtysomethings, no kids. Most days we take a break and head back to the condo (Windsor Hills) mid-afternoon. Our typical day usually starts with getting to the park just after rope drop (after the initial crowd has dissipated) and then we stay until the park gets more crowded than we can handle. Usually around noontime for MK and DHS. A little later for Epcot and AK. Then we'll head out, grab some lunch somewhere offsite if we haven't already eaten, maybe do a little shopping, and then stop back at the condo for a bit to rest and freshen up before we head out to another park for the PM or to an evening dinner ADR.

 

[daytondisney]

depends on how many days your staying, park hopper or not, any down days planned in trip. when we stayed onsite, we had parkhopper and it served as a nice break just traveling between parks.

the kids didn't like going back to the room because it was just that - a hotel room. plus it involved walking to bus, waiting for our stop, and hike to room. if we wanted to go swimming, another hike. want to nap - everyone be quiet.

stayed offsite last time, no parkhopper, but more actual days - so we didn't mind shorting a day. and our kids were usually the ones wanting a break. why? walk to van and pull up at our condo front door. want to play in pool? one on the patio, and main pool right across small grassy area. want to nap? go ahead, the rest of us are going to be downstairs grilling out, swimming, playing video games or hot wheels.

in short, there were things our kids liked to do in addition to going to theme parks, and offsite provided it.

and the time between any park gate and our townhouse door was always shorter than disney transportation.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

We've done things a bunch of ways. I have 4 kids, too, and a good age spread (4-15, right now).

We would sometimes split up, and I would take the little two back to the house for a break. Even if they didn't sleep, they would swim in the pool and get out of the sun. DH would stay at the park with the older two, and we would meet up again after the break.

Some days, we'd all leave the park for a break. Other days, we'd stay in the parks until ~2pm, then all leave.

The one thing I didn't do was expect my kids to sleep in the stroller. I know some parents can get away with this, and I'm envious, but my kids would never, ever sleep in a stroller. Ever. I would say, only count on doing this, if you already know that your child will get a really good nap in one.

Above all, have it in your head to be flexible. I found that even my teens enjoyed quiet family time at the house--who knew? They seemed to appreciate that more than park time. And they liked Mom-cooked meals better than going to restaurants. Due to school and sports, we have to go in July, that may be part of it, but I would have thought they'd like the excitement of the theme parks and all. So, going in with the willingness to adapt may be your best approach.

BTW, we rented a 4BR house in Windsor Hills. WH has a good reputation for a reason. We LOVE that house!

 

[formytinkerbelle]

I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old, so we will be going back to our place. I hope we can eat lunch at the place we are staying since we have a kitchen to save money but I know the kids will need some down time, me too probably. It seems like there are a lot of options close to teh parks but offsite.