Time zone differences

[EPHomie]

We're traveling to WDW from California in December. I know most people recommend being at the parks at rope drop, which is what we ordinarily do at Disneyland. However, I'm afraid the time zone differences will make this impossible for our 4 year old. The last time we visited the east coast it took him a week to adjust to the new times. Would it be more beneficial for us to take it easy in the mornings and plan to stay at the parks later, taking advantage of the lower crowds at night? We were going to skip MVMCP, but now I'm rethinking that, too. I think he would def be able to stay awake the whole time, since midnight EST is really 9 PST.

 

[Robo]

West-coasters have been making that decision for decades.
Some choose the mornings, others the evenings.

Whatever your family can do.

Our San Diego (Disneyland loving) family comes to WDW and manages to go with us for role drop every day.

 

[disneyfreak202]

I am also from California, and over my trips I have learned it helps me to get adjusted to the time change quicker if we rope drop the first few days and don't stay late in the parks (or take a mid day break for an hour or two if we do).

 

[kaytieeldr]

Can you start acclimating him to east coast time about a week before you travel?

 

[WishICouldSpeakWhale]

We are from PA - same time zone as FL - and we don't rope drop. I'm the only who wakes up early enough to make it. And by the time we get to the end of the vacation, we're getting up later than at the beginning, myself included.

We make our fast passes near lunch time, maybe 1 before and 2 after. We usually pick up a 4th or even 5th FP, although we aren't glued to the app trying either. We typically make a lunch or dinner reservation, just one per day.

If you're going when the parks will be open later, take advantage of the fact that your little guy will be up to stay up a bit later. You'll still get on a lot of rides and have fun.

 

[goodeats]

We were just there with two CA girls - ages 6 and 9. We were still mostly awake by 7am everyday so rope drop was relatively easy to make, but we also stayed until close a couple of times (shut down MK until past 10). We only made one EMH (7am at HS) and that was a little tough. We did rest/nap each day. The first couple days my girls easily fell asleep, but the rest of the trip they just laid in bed and rested.

I'd be afraid to attempt it with kids, but I find a red eye flight gets you on the East Coast schedule more easily. We had a day flight and landed at 6pm - by the time we were at the hotel it was 8pm but the girls still felt like it was 5pm. They had a hard time settling down. I thought travel would wear them out more. When I've done the red eye - we grab breakfast, maybe visit a park for a little bit depending on the tickets we have, and then take a nap when the room is ready. After a nice swim and dinner you're adjusted more to the East Coast time zone.