Tips for making it through the day, Rope drop to close...

[eeyoresmom]

We are going for 3 days over Memorial Day weekend and expect crowds and heat. We usually take afternoon breaks at the resort but won't be this time. We are doing two days of rope drop through fireworks at Epcot and MK. On our departure day we will rope drop AK and leave for the airport around 7 pm. We are all adults bringing a first timer. We do have sit down early lunches and dinners planned and will run around and get the headliners done in the morning so we can have a more leisurely pace after lunch straight through. I KNOW we will get tired though. What do you do when you hit a wall in the parks but can't leave?

 

[twolittletinkerbells]

We are going for 3 days over Memorial Day weekend and expect crowds and heat. We usually take afternoon breaks at the resort but won't be this time. We are doing two days of rope drop through fireworks at Epcot and MK. On our departure day we will rope drop AK and leave for the airport around 7 pm. We are all adults bringing a first timer. We do have sit down early lunches and dinners planned and will run around and get the headliners done in the morning so we can have a more leisurely pace after lunch straight through. I KNOW we will get tired though. What do you do when you hit a wall in the parks but can't leave?

Posted this on a thread about picnicking but it will work here too. In Epcot future world, in the building that houses Fountain View and Character Spot, and exits out to Imagine area, there is an area with couches and tables and chairs and carpeted floors where I saw people chilling and charging phones. There was plenty of seating everytime I went by. A/C and bathrooms.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I think your lunch and dinner ADR's will help a lot. When you get tired just grab a snack, sit down and people watch for a few minutes. Do shows to rest your feet.

 

[Oneanne]

Even if you don't want to go back to your resort, at MK you could go to one of the monorail resorts for a break and at EPCOT you could go out International Gateway and head over to one of those resorts.

 

[BellaandMickey]

We almost always both open and close a park. Some days we do get too tired and leave early. But we never take afternoon breaks or go back if we’ve left.

I think it’s great that you’ve got sit down meals scheduled. We always do this also. My advice is to not rush those sit down meals. Take your time and relax and enjoy the air conditioning. This is really the biggest thing that helps us.

My other advice is to do a lot of the running around in the morning, hitting the headliners etc. And then just taking it easy the rest of the day. Do shows mid-day. Take pictures. Stop for snacks etc. As long as you aren’t killing yourselves running around ALL day, you’ll be fine.

 

[KevM]

At Epcot, there should be a band putting on a concert a couple times throughout the day at the American Gardens Theater.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

We never take breaks. TS ADRs are good breaks, as are some rides (CoP, shows, people mover, etc). We also enjoy sitting (if you can find a bench or something) and people watching. There are relaxing spots in each park to sit a while. With such a short trip, I understand why you wouldn’t want to leave the park for a break.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Thanks. You guys are making me feel much better. I'm so used to taking the breaks I guess I can't imagine not doing so. I guess there's always Starbucks!

 

[KevM]

Just thought of something I like to spend time doing at MK; watching Arribas Brothers artisans glassblowing at the Crystal Arts shop on Main Street.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

While we don’t do rope drop to close in this current phase of life (I have 2 toddlers) I have done it many times before I had kids.

When we did those long days I didn’t ever feel exhausted in the parks. It did hit me on the way back to the hotel usually. But, we would tour at a leisurely pace and not check off a list of rides with any sort of itinerary. We would always stop and smell the roses - enjoy things the piano player at Casey’s, outdoor entertainment, etc.

There are always things like Carousel of Progress, Country Bears, Hall of Presidents, American Adventure, etc. that are nice places to sit down and have a rest and recharge.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I agree that for some reason I never get tired out at the parks, and we go from RD til close for 2 weeks straight. I think it’s the way you tour too, we usually don’t rush from ride to ride because we like to take in the atmosphere. If someone starts getting cranky or worn out, we sit down, get a snack or hop on/into the closest dark attraction (DH got an elbow in the ribs at HoP this past December for snoring). All these things, plus the excitement of being at Disney World, seem to keep us from hitting the wall while we’re in the parks. But once we get home I feel like sleeping for a month, lol.

 

[disneynanacat]

A fun break we like to do it walk to contemporary and rent sea raycers for a 30-45 minute ride. You get to see the park from the lake, etc. Grab a cocktail at the pool bar. Take the boat over to wilderness lodge and grab lunch. Then head back to the park.

 

[theone74733]

Usually Magic Kingdom we do from rope drop to close. In the afternoon, I like to go to the Grand Floridian lobby and take a small catnap. For some reason, resting there listening to the piano player playing Beauty and the Beast re energizes me for the rest of the day.

 

[NYCANC]

We always RD to close and we have a 10 year old and 12 year old! Our breaks are sit down lunches and dinners.
A few times on the last trip, we got a little tired (but not tired enough to leave!) and we just sat down on a bench and got some yummy treats to enjoy.
Have an amazing time!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

We have a no sleep in Disney rule. Do indoor AC shows in the hottest parts of the day, get plenty of free cups of water from QS restaurant to stay hydrated and we run on a lot of snacks lol.

 

[KenHutch]

We do rope drop to close on a regular basis. We do break MK for dinner around 20:00 at Ohana's on a regular basis but remember there are rides that will let you put your feet up. It's a Small Work is around 14 minutes I believe, Jungle Cruise is a relaxer and my daughter loves the Tiki Birds its a good way to get off your feet and relax and in Carousel Of Progress I see a lot of people napping.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

Hydration has a lot to do with energy levels. Start hydrating your body about three days in advance by increasing your water intake and be sure to drink throughout the day.


I take a few Advil with lunch!


Definitely enjoy a leisurely and get off your feet and out of the heat. We like to do this some time between 12:30 and 1:45 when its hot and the crowds are picking up. It is an ideal break time.


Wear good shoes…..that sounds silly but happy feet can take a full day in the park…..aching feet want to go back to the room and rest.

 

[BaymaxForever]

Find a ‘rest your eyes’ attraction you don’t mind not watching! I’ve done it at Mickey’s Philharmagic and Muppet Vision for example.

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

Red Bull & in park breaks (think the show in the America Pavilion, Tom Sawyer Island, riding the Liberty Belle, Finding Nemo musical, Indiana Jones) where you can sit down for a while but you are still doing something fun.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I want to add that the first 2-3 days in the parks we run on pure adrenaline. We do take midday breaks but the first few days we can definitely skip them just because we are so excited to be there. But then we hit a wall and have to rest. I think you'll be fine those first few days. I'm sure we would be.