Seeking Advice on "breaking" for lunch.

[pinkprincess30]

Hi All,
I have read many places that with kids it is a good idea to take a mid-day break for lunch & rest. We are visiting DLR on a Sun-Wed in May. Sunday we will DEFINATELY take a mid-day break, since we will be in the park early & close 'er down to watch the shows.
But I am wondering about Mon. through Wed., when the park is only open 10-8. Would you recommend a break, or just bring a picnic lunch? We will be with my mom, dad, DH, DS5, DS6, & DS9 & me. TIA!

 

[brocklesnar69]

Well, personally, we never take breaks. We arrive early and stay all the way till the park closes. So I would probably either bring a lunch or just dine in the parks.

 

[BecomingObsessed]

My littles are 2 and almost 4 and even when the park isn't as busy, we still break at mid day for resting. You can get a lot more done when the park isn't as busy and that can make for tired kiddos just as easily

If only part of the group needs a break though, maybe the older kiddos can do some of the faster rides like Space Mountain using fastpasses while those wanting to put up their feet can go for the mid-day siesta!

 

[calidreamz]

When I took my oldest for the first time she was four and we took breaks on some days but not others, she did fine and didn't want to go back to the hotel most days. We did have a strollers which of course makes a big difference since she wasn't on her feet all day.

Your kids are on the older side, do they still take naps at home? I'm guessing probably not. Though you know what their limits are, if they seem overly stimulated head back for a break. If just your youngest needs a break consider either mom or dad taking him to the room to a rest and either letting the older ones stay at the park, or maybe taking them for a swim at the hotel if the weather is nice.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi All,
I have read many places that with kids it is a good idea to take a mid-day break for lunch & rest. We are visiting DLR on a Sun-Wed in May. Sunday we will DEFINATELY take a mid-day break, since we will be in the park early & close 'er down to watch the shows.
But I am wondering about Mon. through Wed., when the park is only open 10-8. Would you recommend a break, or just bring a picnic lunch? We will be with my mom, dad, DH, DS5, DS6, & DS9 & me. TIA!

When the park hours are short then mid-day breaks are usually not worth it. I think you are on the right track.

 

[kiwitravel]

There is a big difference between park hours of 8 to midnight compared to 10 to 8... With 8 to midnight a rest for a couple or three hours lets you return and go on to midnight if you want... With 10 to 8 you can have your kids in bed by 9 and they don't have to be up early the next morning so they can easily get 11 hours sleep... With such short hours a rest is not needed.

 

[Heluvsme]

Since the park isn't open all that long, I would personally take a longer lunch---sit down and relax, maybe after that take in some of the darker, longer attractions/shows. Take a mini break inside the park!

 

[Shimmer]

I think since you have 4 days in the park, you can see how it goes. Even with "short" hours it is still 10 hours in the park which can be a long day for some kids.As it gets toward the end of the trip the kids (and adults!) might benefit from a park break mid-day. You will have lots of park time so you can decide day-to-day or or even at the spur of the moment if you need to go back for a rest.

And, if the weather is nice, your kids might wish to use the pool.

 

[Brady's Mom]

We love 10 - 8 days at DLR. We are there before opening (about 9:30 ish) and totally love the shorter lines and the low crowds. When we go during shorter hours we usually get a LOT done in that amount of time. Sometimes we get enough done that we'll leave DLR sooner than closing.

We take breaks by watching Billy Hill or Turtle Talk or Muppets 3D. We've never tried the theater on Main St., but that would also be a great option. Those activities give us Park time w/out too much standing time.

When we plan to stay late at DLR we always take a break. Our DS 14 doesn't usually need the break, but DH and I and the two smaller kids need it for sure!

 

[DisSarahK]

We stop for a sit-down lunch at a place like Carnation Cafe (LOVE eating there!) or we do a character lunch, but that is it for a break. We definitely don't go back for a nap or a break at the hotel. My children are way too wound up for that!

 

[michelleh1]

we went last May for our first trip. The hours were the same, 10-8 and we took breaks each day. We found that we really needed the down time. We weren't ready to be on the go for 5 days straight. So, we would take a mid-day break each afternoon (and nap!). I know lots of people are able to go all day, but we weren't. (I don't think we stayed until close either, no wonder we didn't get to everything we wanted to!)

 

[DisneyMomma81]

When park hours are 10-8 we do not take a mid day break.

 

[disneychrista]

I have to agree with those that said no break is needed for a 10 - 8 opening. These are my favorite park hours, I don't feel like I have to sacrafice sleep for park-time. And it usully means lower crowds.

 

[pinkprincess30]

Since the park isn't open all that long, I would personally take a longer lunch---sit down and relax, maybe after that take in some of the darker, longer attractions/shows. Take a mini break inside the park!

I love this idea! Sounds like a plan Of course, we could always see how it goes and change our mind anytime.

Thanks everyone!