Resting in the parks with kids?

[JJsmama]

This is sort of an extension of the "how much can a 5 yr old handle?' post.

I am leaving in a couple days for 3 days at Disney with my 3 and 5 yr old boys. Since the parks close early, I am not planning to go back to the resort during the day. I am planning to take some downtime in the park by riding the railroad all the way around a couple times, riding the main street cars, maybe going to Tom Sawyer Island or riding the river boat. Those are my ideas for MK.

Anyone have any others and I really need ideas for the other parks.

Plus, anyone know how long it takes to get from the parks to All Stars Resorts if we did want to go back in the afternoons? I'm thinking by the time we did that and got back to the park, it would be closing.

 

[tallyfamily]

The Ice Cream Social at the Garden Grill in the Land Pavillion at Epcot makes a nice break. It is around 2 or 3 in the afternoon (you can call to get a PS). You get a nice ice cream sundae and a visit from characters, but there isn't a time limit. You can sit while the restaurant revolves, enjoy the sights, enjoy some cool ice cream, visit with Mickey, Pluto and Chip & Dale. It has never been crowded the 3 times we've done it. It was about $7. per person.

If you are at Magic Kingdom you can take the boat ride over to Fort Wilderness Campground. The ride itself is a nice rest and then at Fort Wilderness you can rock in the rocking chairs on the porch of Crockett's tavern and watch the peacocks, visit the petting zoo (free), take a pony ride ($3.)

 

[DisneyKidds]

For a nice break from the MK we have taken the monorail around and hopped off at the GF. The lobby is very relaxing to sit in and the Grand Floridian Cafe is a nice place for lunch. A boat ride to the WL and luch at Wispering Canyon would be a fun and relaxing break.

As for taking a break in the AK, the seating area down behind the Flame Tree BBQ is perhaps one of the most restful areas within any of the parks. There is seating right on the water, lots of trees, a pond that often has ducks............you'd never know you were in the middle of a busy theme park.

As for the Disney Studios................that's a tough one. No real place for a quick "getaway". You could have a nice relaxing lunch. The Brown Derby is very nice and the atmosphere at Mama Melrosa's is relaxing.

While we've never done it, the Ice Cream Social sounds like a nice relaxing break for Epcot. You could always get out of the park and head over to the BC (maybe have lunch or ice cream at Beaches and Cream) or the BW via the International Gateway.

 

[prncess674]

My favorite place to catch a few zzz is at the Hall of Presidents in the MK. It is cool, dark and comfy. The show is about 25min. Perfect nap time.

 

[Cruisin]

at MK you could try the Carousel of Progress if it is open, the Tomorrow Land Transit is nice and peaceful too.
Epcot - the Living Seas- watching the fish, the Land ride thru the greenhouses, Universe of Energy has put me to sleep before
MGM - the Great Movie Ride

Or at any park just pull up a bench in the shade and lounge around and watch the people go by for awhile.

 

[pampam]

I find a quiet spot in MK is the path between space mtn and toon town. Lots of benches to sit and people watch. At Epcot we go to France, through the store to a little park in behind. At MGM we go down Mickey Blvd. near where Millionaire is. It seems to be the quietest place there.

 

[SB in KY]

The EpCOT monorail to the TTC is cool, quiet and long enogh to relax...you can stay on it as long as you want too. The Universe of Energy, American Adventure and France film are also long enough for Siestas...or inside the land, that Pumba and Timon Movie (I won't tell you how many times I have slept through that one!!)

MGM is a little harder...the Great Movie Ride if the line is short, or the Indiana Jones show is shaded and has seats... riding the boats from MGM to Yacht/Beach, Swan/Dolphin is nice too, they are airconditioned and you can stay on them as long as you want also

AK isn't too hard because we hardly ever spend the whole day there anyways...but the MOST relaxing place in all of WDW (IMHO) are those rainforest sound booths back at Conservation Station...oh my they are the best....just your family in a cool, dark booth on a comfy padded sofa thing with this incredible surround sound of the rainforest. Iremember 1 summer when the park was packed and it was 110 in the shade we went right into one of those with no wait, having no idea what it was, both kids fell asleep, and when it was over my DH told the CM he would give him $10 to let us stay there the rest of the day!!! I guess he thought we were serious because he lat us stay the second time and then apologized profusely for making us get up after that round because people were waiting!!

 

[erinsmom]

These are really great suggestions. Thanks everyone.


JJsmama - we leave 11/9 too, but we're spending the night in Savannah and then drive in Monday morning. Have a great trip.


Erin's Mom - Tammy