Those that take afternoon breaks-what times?

[Xennia]

Like Xennia, I cannot make it from rope drop through late-night without a break. I'm like a three-year-old - I get overstimulated and need some quiet time. Last trip, we went from rope drop until 2:30p or so. Drove back to condo (10 mins) and either swam or relaxed in the A/C. Ate dinner in the condo then headed back to park from 6pm until after the fireworks.

Basically, the time we leave the parks coincides with the time all the napless toddlers whining and parents yelling at nap-deprived toddlers reaches a crescendo!

Hahaha pretty much.

 

[BradyBrenMom]

When we went in July, our twins were in preschool, so getting out of the heat in the middle of the day was essential. We were there for the rope drop, accomplished so much when the crowds were smaller, and then because we were on the DP, scheduled our sit down meal for lunch. That got us into the a/c and off our feet for a bit. After that, we might do another attraction or two, but then it was back to the hotel for naps /swimming/laundry. By doing the sit down dining at lunch, we could go back to the parks and eat QS dinner whenever, without worrying about getting somewhere at a certain time for a reservation. We'd stay at the parks until closing. People told us we were crazy to go to Disney in July (our only time off work) but by going back to the hotel midday, we never got overheated and the longest wait we had in any line was 30 minutes and that was for Goofy's Barnstormer, of all things!

 

[itchin2go]

Rope drop to after lunch and then return for dinner, if at all. We have no problem getting everything done in the morning because waits are so short.

 

[lauradis]

We only go off season. So the parks are closed earlier. Crowd levels are lower. my party likes to sleep in. They are anti commando.

AK was 9am - 5pm so we showed up when we wanted and spent couple of hours playing there.

HS is 9 am - 7 pm we did rope drop for this everyone was up and dd was excited to ride tot as much as possible. we left 1 pm . layed around pool till 4 ish and went to Mk for mickey Halloween party that night.

Mk - 9am-9pm or 7pm for party night. but we did two days. I always hit rope drop atleast one day, dont care if my party is with me or not. So I can ride everything I want. They showed up at 11am till around dinner at bog at 630 and it was a party night.

Epcot 9am- 9pm more of ride test track, look at shops in world show case eat late lunch leave.

I don't sleep in much at Disney, its really really hard for me. While I enjoy to ride and be in the parks more then at the resorts. The resorts do have a lot to offer. I know I will be back to visit disney later, its not going anywhere. I think 4-6 hrs a day in the parks is perfect for my family right now.

 

[GeraldineW]

When we visit in August most days we take a mid-day break to get out of the sun, humidity, swim, relax and most refreshingly change clothes for the evening. You really get sweaty during the summer months touring in the parks. When we have toured in October it is still often hot and humid and so we will take a break within the park. For example, in Epcot during Food and Wine we took a several hour break at the Chase lounge, or we can sleep and cool off in Ellen’s Energy Adventure. When we tour in December during crisp, cool weather rarely would we take a break during a park day, however, we might build in a full non-park day which we don’t do in the warmer weather months. When we take a break we aim to break at 11:30, or if eating in the park then to eat at 11:30 then do one attraction after lunch on the way out to break. The hardest part for us is actually leaving around our planned break time as it is tempting to add just one more attraction.

 

[tinkerbella16]

On a regular work day at home, I'm up at 4am so I am a morning person... especially in WDW! I'm up at 5:30am and getting ready and heading to breakfast by opening. At the parks before rope drop and we will usually head out to return back to the resort between 1-1:30. This gives us plently of time to enjoy the pool, take a nap and just explore the resort. Then we freshen up for dinner and head back out depending on if we have an ADR or not. If not then we'll grab QS at the food court around 5:30 and head to the parks until closing. This has always worked for us. I don't even have kids and I still take breaks.. it's great to rest my feet so I am not too exhausted at the end of the day, even though we are still very tired at the end of each day. The little break in between really helps and keeps us all happy.

 

[Princess Roo]

We always get to the parks for rope drop and we do a mix of taking breaks and coming back, or just staying through mid-afternoon and calling it a day.
One trick we use with Epcot if we want to see Illuminations is to drive there in the morning (for rope drop, so we get a great parking spot), take the bus back to our hotel for the mid-afternoon break round-trip, and then we have our car still parked in a prime location to get the kids home quickly after Illuminations.

 

[mullysisters]

You've had lots of good advice here already but, here's what I do:
EMH or RD and arrive 30 mins early no matter what time. Ride crazy until the standby line is longer than what I'm willing to do, say 20 mins. Do a little shopping or noshing, late breakfast? Head back to the resort, it's usually around 11:30am.
Head back to the resort for a swim, change (maybe a nap-LOL) When I go back to next park (hopper here) depends how long it is open till. I may have a dinner ADR. I use my FP+ at MK either am or pm, or at my evening park if I don't go to MK that day. I book them for 6pm - 9 pm.
This plan of attack has worked like a charm for three years. PS I have no kids (sadly) and I'm 57. I didn't used to nap -hahaha. Whatever works!

 

[NavyDad]

We do our very best to stay out of the parks from 1:30 to 5:30 if at all possible. That is pretty much the perfect time to get away from the heat and crowds.

We usually go in summer months so this works perfectly for us!

 

[Silvermist999]

We've always stayed at a resort on the monorail line, so going back in the afternoon is pretty convenient and doesn't take much time at all. We usually head back between 3-4 to use the pool then rest before heading out to dinner.

 

[Angc77]

We only did this one day. We had an 8 am breakfast at the castle at MK before the park was open and wanted to see Wishes that evening. And with a 4 and 6 yo we needed the break. So left the park around noon. Ate lunch at the resort and everyone took a 2 hour nap. Then back to the park. Rode more rides and saw Wishes. And absolutely no tantrums from the kids.

 

[sherezada]

How long would you say it takes to get from MK an AoA room for a break? Wondering if it would be more hassle than it's worth

 

[dsdeleon]

We do parks 8AM-11AM and/or 8PM to 12/1/2AM. We usually always sleep mid-day and mostly do the pool or some other activity. We never go into an actual park mid-day unless it's a quick AK drop-in but we go at busy times.