Taking a break when offsite

[conniehar90]

Seems like we always see posts asking about taking breaks when offsite and onsiter's say it is a pain. Well, here is my experience from today. We had a FP at Splash at 12:10 - went on right then. Stopped to add our ride photo to our band. Hopped on the train that had just arrived. Stopped at Fantasyland to pick up more passengers. Got off at Main st. Hopped on the express monorail. Walked to our car since we arrived at rope drop. Drove to our townhouse in Windsor Hills. Pulled in the driveway at 1:16 and I am now sitting by the pool!

Other than the monorail resorts, I can't believe I could have made it anywhere faster than that. We will take a swim, shower, maybe a nap and head back for BOG at 5:10!!

 

[Zeebs]

That's good to know, we usually don't return we leave around mid afternoon and hang out in the pool etc at the villa. But we have a BOG at 4.30 and was wondering whether to try and stick it out or go.

Kirsten

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Seems like we always see posts asking about taking breaks when offsite and onsiter's say it is a pain. Well, here is my experience from today. We had a FP at Splash at 12:10 - went on right then. Stopped to add our ride photo to our band. Hopped on the train that had just arrived. Stopped at Fantasyland to pick up more passengers. Got off at Main st. Hopped on the express monorail. Walked to our car since we arrived at rope drop. Drove to our townhouse in Windsor Hills. Pulled in the driveway at 1:16 and I am now sitting by the pool! Other than the monorail resorts, I can't believe I could have made it anywhere faster than that. We will take a swim, shower, maybe a nap and head back for BOG at 5:10!!

Please also post this on the Disney for Families forum as this topic comes up a lot and I am sure your experience will be very helpful to others planning to stay offsite.

We also stayed at Windsor Hills for our Disney trip last year and we were pleasantly surprised how quick of a drive it is to the Disney parks and how conveniently located the community is. We had a great experience and thoroughly enjoyed our stay there.

 

[mikehn]

Taking a break is not really the issue. Returning to the park after the break is really what is at issue. If Im taking a break at the resort pool with a bucket of frosties beside me, Im pretty much done for the day. I may head out for dinner later that evening but you can count me out for going back to a park. I doubt Im alone there.

 

[supergoofy]

For somebody who is not familiar with offsite at the World how far away in distance is Windsor Hills?


I am hoping to have such timing when we do our trip in August while staying at Bonnet Creek.

 

[Rosebud123]

Taking a break is not really the issue. Returning to the park after the break is really what is at issue. If Im taking a break at the resort pool with a bucket of frosties beside me, Im pretty much done for the day. I may head out for dinner later that evening but you can count me out for going back to a park. I doubt Im alone there.

This is so true! Once I'm by the pool with a cocktail I don't want to move.

 

[Ametista]

This is so true! Once I'm by the pool with a cocktail I don't want to move.

The trick is to not let yourself have a cocktail until the evening. If I have even one beer I need a long nap after 5 or 6 hours at the parks, especially if I get my feet propped up so all the ouch starts to go away. If I avoid beer/wine I can take a little rest, eat, and be ready to go again in a couple hours. In fact on my recent trip I popped open a beer at about 3:00 and went out to the pool and my son said "Aaawww man! When you have a beer it means you're done for the day!!!!" LOL

 

[mikehn]

It doesnt have to be a cocktail. It could be any number of excursions for anyone in your group. If my 9 yo hooks up with some kids at the pool during the break, you can forget about peeling him away to go back to a park.

 

[BonnieA]

There is nothing wrong in not returning to the parks. It's your vacation, do what makes you happy.
9 times out of 10, I do not return. I'm older, I like to rest and have a nice dinner. I've been to the parks enough to know there is nothing I haven't already seen.

 

[conniehar90]

Please also post this on the Disney for Families forum as this topic comes up a lot and I am sure your experience will be very helpful to others planning to stay offsite.

We also stayed at Windsor Hills for our Disney trip last year and we were pleasantly surprised how quick of a drive it is to the Disney parks and how conveniently located the community is. We had a great experience and thoroughly enjoyed our stay there.

I will do this - I don't usually go on that forum. Thanks!

For somebody who is not familiar with offsite at the World how far away in distance is Windsor Hills?

According to Google Maps it is about 7 miles to MK. It is one of the closest offsite communities. It is right near the corner of 192 and Old Lake Wilson Road in Kissimmee. We really like it because it is so close. We have friends that stay at Emerald Isle - it is a bit further down 192 but still really only 5 minutes longer.

When we go to Epcot or MK, we always go back as we love Wishes and Illuminations but when we go to DHS, we do just make it a longer day without a break as we are not big Fantasmic people.

To me a break is crucial to our family. We have stayed all day from rope drop to closing a couple of times and to say we are cranky is an understatement! We need that break from the stimulation. We feel so much better when we return to the parks!

 

[annabug]

This is my exact dilemma! We are staying at Residence Inn near Seaworld.

I was hoping to go back to our resort mid day during our one day at MK and our one day at Epcot.

But i am intimidated by the process! Not sure if we should.

We have a dining ADR at BOG at 6:50 , and a 6p add at Garden grill on Epcot night.

So we would have to go back to the parks.

We are planning on going to rope drop both parks.

Any advice appreciated!!

 

[nugov2]

Someone on here gave me this advice last year before we went....valet parking. It was probably some of the most helpful advice we got as it saved lots of time and added so much ease to going to the parks. We planned a meal at the resort closest and then valeted our car at that resort, though you do not have to do that. I called before we went and you are welcome to valet(just not park in the lot) if you are not a resort guest. The valet is good for the day so you can leave and come back. We didn't take midday breaks, but my brother did. He walked to his car and was back to WH within about 15 minutes of getting to the valet stand. I believe it was $16. We did this at all of our park days and when we left at night at MK it was great(probably the best park for this strategy)...never had to wait in the masses for TTC. Just quick walk to the car and head home.

Uni/IOA has valet parking and we did that too. It is so nice to leave the park and just hop in the car and go. To me that is when everyone is exhausted and just ready to be where they are going as fast as possible

 

[conniehar90]

Anabug -

If it were me, I would definitely take a break. Seaworld isn't that far - it will probably take you 10 extra minutes. Your ADR's are late enough that it would be worth it to me!

Last year, my DH had a friend in Tampa come visit us on our Epcot day. He has an AP and comes often. Well, he and his wife showed up at 1pm - right when we like to take a break! So, we ended up staying the whole day as we wanted to see Illuminations. We were seriously miserable - we even went on Ellen's ride for a nice long break and were still exhausted.

I agree with the idea of the valet parking for MK. We did this last week on our first MK day. We had an ADR at Chef Mickey's for dinner so after dinner we just took the monorail over to MK. When the park closed we just walked back to the Contemporary to get our car. I thought the walk would be longer than it was as it looks kind of far but it was no issue at all. My DH asked why we don't do this all this time! It is basically the same price as parking at the TTC but you don't have to worry about the tram in the evening as when you return after break they park you really far out there!

 

[jrmcvay]

Someone on here gave me this advice last year before we went....valet parking. It was probably some of the most helpful advice we got as it saved lots of time and added so much ease to going to the parks. We planned a meal at the resort closest and then valeted our car at that resort, though you do not have to do that. I called before we went and you are welcome to valet(just not park in the lot) if you are not a resort guest. The valet is good for the day so you can leave and come back. We didn't take midday breaks, but my brother did. He walked to his car and was back to WH within about 15 minutes of getting to the valet stand. I believe it was $16. We did this at all of our park days and when we left at night at MK it was great(probably the best park for this strategy)...never had to wait in the masses for TTC. Just quick walk to the car and head home.

Uni/IOA has valet parking and we did that too. It is so nice to leave the park and just hop in the car and go. To me that is when everyone is exhausted and just ready to be where they are going as fast as possible

Excellent strategy! We have Kona reservations on a day we plan to rope drop at MK and then stay that evening for Wishes and the parade. We will just park at the Polynesian, eat, ride monorail to MK, and then come back to Poly to get the car!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

When I stay at mods or values I never go back for a break by bus as it would take all day. I agree.

 

[*disgal*]

Seems like we always see posts asking about taking breaks when offsite and onsiter's say it is a pain. Well, here is my experience from today. We had a FP at Splash at 12:10 - went on right then. Stopped to add our ride photo to our band. Hopped on the train that had just arrived. Stopped at Fantasyland to pick up more passengers. Got off at Main st. Hopped on the express monorail. Walked to our car since we arrived at rope drop. Drove to our townhouse in Windsor Hills. Pulled in the driveway at 1:16 and I am now sitting by the pool!

Other than the monorail resorts, I can't believe I could have made it anywhere faster than that. We will take a swim, shower, maybe a nap and head back for BOG at 5:10!!

That is like 45 min at the most. And all other parks are shorter than that cause you don't have to park at TTC. This has always been our experience too. We've been able to make it back to resort from Epcot in 15.

Taking a break is never a problem for us either.

 

[laceyinwonderland]

Someone on here gave me this advice last year before we went....valet parking. It was probably some of the most helpful advice we got as it saved lots of time and added so much ease to going to the parks. We planned a meal at the resort closest and then valeted our car at that resort, though you do not have to do that. I called before we went and you are welcome to valet(just not park in the lot) if you are not a resort guest. The valet is good for the day so you can leave and come back. We didn't take midday breaks, but my brother did. He walked to his car and was back to WH within about 15 minutes of getting to the valet stand. I believe it was $16. We did this at all of our park days and when we left at night at MK it was great(probably the best park for this strategy)...never had to wait in the masses for TTC. Just quick walk to the car and head home.

Uni/IOA has valet parking and we did that too. It is so nice to leave the park and just hop in the car and go. To me that is when everyone is exhausted and just ready to be where they are going as fast as possible

Not to hijack the thread... but I have a question about valet parking. Do you tip when you drop your car off and when you pick it up? So in theory, if I parked valet at Poly for our Ohana breakfast, then went to MK for the day. Then wanted to take a mid-day break, would I tip 4 times, since Im leaving/getting my car twice? Just trying to wrap my head around this. I'll be the only adult with a double stroller. Anything to stay off the tram is a PLUS for me!

 

[jm106]

I truly appreciate this thread as I posted similar yesterday in another area.
We are near US but wanted to try a few midday breaks. We always do breaks on site with no issue but worried about the driving time.
We at least want to do it for MK/MNSSHP but unsure about doing it on other days. Our resort is about 14 miles. Still trying to determine what time for ADRS if we do them. I made 50s PT for 5:20 but I fear its a bit early.

 

[ampc3]

Not to hijack the thread... but I have a question about valet parking. Do you tip when you drop your car off and when you pick it up? So in theory, if I parked valet at Poly for our Ohana breakfast, then went to MK for the day. Then wanted to take a mid-day break, would I tip 4 times, since Im leaving/getting my car twice? Just trying to wrap my head around this. I'll be the only adult with a double stroller. Anything to stay off the tram is a PLUS for me!

I don't know what others do, but we only tip when we pick up our car from Valet not before. So in Theory it would be 2x.. I am sure there are people who tip before and after, but that is not how we handle Valet fwiw ymmv...

 

[laceyinwonderland]

I don't know what others do, but we only tip when we pick up our car from Valet not before. So in Theory it would be 2x.. I am sure there are people who tip before and after, but that is not how we handle Valet fwiw ymmv...

Perfect! Thanks for taking the time to answer!