To break or not to break

[Mrs~Incredible]

we are staying offsite, about 5 minutes away. We have a few late mornings/early evenings planned so we can relax a bit at the pool (our AK/HS days). I am a bit perplexed about what to do for our long MK days. I like early morning touring, we have afternoon FP and ADR, and we love wishes. We have a 3 yr old who does not nap. I'm wondering about the time between the end of our park day (6ish) and the start of MSEP/Wishes (9-10). It's a hassle to go back to hotel from MK (with the TTC and all), but I don't know how we'll do being in the park open to close. I'm wondering if maybe we should monorail to a resort and do table service for dinner or something? Thoughts? Recommendations?

Thanks!!

 

[mom2rtk]

I really like your idea of monorailing to one of the resorts for a TS meal. Is there no chance he might nap in the stroller?

When is your trip? We always passed on leaving the park, but we didn't travel in the hot summer months.

 

[minnie mum]

You mentioned that you have FPs, so I'm assuming you are going in the next couple of months. Does your child nap at home? Most 3 year olds still do. I think the heat and overstimulation in the parks just magnify the need for one. A few hours back at the resort in the afternoon will give your child a chance to decompress and recharge before the evening activities. Think of the travel time back to the resort as a chance for your child to calm down and relax before his nap.

Taking a hot, overstimulated, overtired 3 year old into a TS restaurant for dinner is a recipe for a truly unmagical experience, IMO (not the least for all the other diners). Instead, why not do that dinner on your way back to the park after your break at your resort?

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Our trip is the first week of May. When we were there when my daughter was 2, she insisted on walking the whole time while we pushed the stroller (glorified poncho holder as we called it) and we longingly looked at other kids peacefully sleeping in their strollers, lol.

I would LOVE for her to sleep in the stroller. Who knows, maybe she will this time- kids are so unpredictable!

Do you have a recommendation for a TS restaurant we can monorail to?

Thanks!!

 

[vrajewski10513]

I agree with the PP, I think a trip back to your hotel is worth the trouble if only to relax, even if your child doesn't nap. Just getting away from the park for some quiet time will make a world of difference.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Minnie mum, that is a good idea too. She has not napped at home for about a year :-/

I agree I don't want to take a cranky kid to a restaurant... I guess I'll feel her out.

Thanks!

 

[sharona]

While MK can be a pita to get in/out of I still like the break if you're planning to stay until 10 for Wishes. It is such a refresher but leaving at 6 you won't feel like going back at 9. IMO, a break needs to be more of a late afternoon thing (when it's hottest and when you need to get off your feet before exhaustion sets in. Can you change your afternoon plans and pull them in or push them later?

 

[vrajewski10513]

Early morning to 6pm is a long day, even for an older kid. But if you think your kid can make it that long and want to take the Monorail dinner idea, I reccommend Ohana if you can get in at this point!

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Yep, on our one long MK day we have 7DdmT at 5:00. Timing is not ideal.

I agree, I think if we went back to the hotel it would be hard to go back out later for Wishes.

I guess we'll play it by ear. Who knows, maybe she'll get really tired and actually sleep for a while in the stroller and we can people watch and gorge on Dole Pineapple Whips

Anyone have a quiet napping place in MK that they like once a kid has fallen asleep?

 

[sharona]

What if you do the first few hours after rope drop and break early with plans to return by 430?

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Oh shoot- I just realized I meant to ask if anyone had recs for counter service restaurants At resorts accessible by monorail? Something quick and easy...

Thanks!!

 

[kwdw]

When I went with a 3.5 yo who wasn't a napper, going back to the room was a COMPLETE waste of time - that just got her more excited - it was not down time.

For a couple days, she went sun-up to late night without a problem. Then crankiness set in. So - then there was a sleeping late morning to let her get a really good night rest.

Good TS to take a break at - Kona, Grand Floridian, Whispering Canyon, Trail's End, The Wave. Riding the boat or taking the monorail can be a break.

 

[kwdw]

Oh shoot- I just realized I meant to ask if anyone had recs for counter service restaurants At resorts accessible by monorail? Something quick and easy...

Thanks!!

All the resorts have a food court.

 

[mrzrich]

If your 7DMT FP is at 5, you can ride until 6. I would plan to break at lunchtime. Leave the park and have lunch back at your resort or grab go to a drive thru and take it back to your resort.

Leave the resort by 4:30-4:45 to account for traffic, parking, TTC, transportation, bag check, entrace line and walking back to 7DMT.
Your other afternoon FP can likely easily be changed to before your break.

Plan to eat Dinner around 6:30.

 

[mrzrich]

I dont think leaving MK for CS makes much sense. THe CS inside MK are on Par or better than any CS on the monorail line.

TS is a different story.

 

[Bkk40in2011]

We are staying at Bonnet Creek and thought the same about the long day without a break. We made reservations for Trails End at Ft. Wilderness accessible by boat ride from MK. Since you have a a little one maybe the slower pace and quietness of Ft. Wilderness would be a good getaway. I am not sure if you could sit at the "beach" or not since you are not a guest but walking around nature may be a good way to unwind. They also have horses at the stable I think. The buffet for Trails End starts at 4:30 so a good time to get away except for your 7DMT fast pass. (We had to take later pass because of our reservation for Trails End) Lunch there is same atmosphere but no buffet. Good luck in planning. Even a walk through the loops of campers while she rides in the stroller "because of cars" may be enough to help her fall asleep.

 

[maxiesmom]

Yep, on our one long MK day we have 7DdmT at 5:00. Timing is not ideal.

I agree, I think if we went back to the hotel it would be hard to go back out later for Wishes.

I guess we'll play it by ear. Who knows, maybe she'll get really tired and actually sleep for a while in the stroller and we can people watch and gorge on Dole Pineapple Whips

Anyone have a quiet napping place in MK that they like once a kid has fallen asleep?

The carousel of progress is a good place for a nap. As is the Hall of Presidents.

 

[InStitchesinNE]

I had one that would never nap at that age either, and she could stay up late without getting cranky. Her twin NEEDED naps and would sleep in her stroller. Guess which one slept through wishes?! Her napping twin woke in time and loved it

Does she ever fall asleep in the car if she's really tired? Maybe just ride the monorail for a little while and see if the movement might lull her to sleep in your arms? You can stay on it and do the loop around and maybe grab a quick bite beforehand? A little boring for you, but I wish I had thought of this when my twins were three.

Also, you could stop at the Poly and catch the lighting ceremony if she won't nap, maybe walk around the resort and beach there. It's quiet and tranquil on the grounds. The CBR has hammocks on the beach, maybe she would lie down and nap with one of you there?

 

[jrandall]

I'm wondering what I'll do about this too. I have tried to "plan" out my days as much as I think I can to get the must see things in by 2 or 3 then leaving to go back to the resort. Then we could go back to MK around 6-7 if we want or if we decide not to we at least got most of what we wanted in for the day. I'm not sure if this will work but that is my "plan" so far. If my toddlers seem full of energy I may stay longer but I think I'll need a mid day rest too haha! My fear though with a break at the hotel that they will take super long naps, transportation will take awhile, they will be cranky waking up & will be hard for us all to leave again for the parks. So that is why I'm thinking we may not go back to the parks. I'm just planning for the worst case scenario & if everything works perfectly then it will be a bonus!

 

[SillySallySews]

Oh shoot- I just realized I meant to ask if anyone had recs for counter service restaurants At resorts accessible by monorail? Something quick and easy...

Thanks!!

We love Capt. Cook's at the Poly. We often leave MK and take the monorail over there for a late lunch/early dinner on a long MK day. You can also get Dole Whips (soft serve and floats) at the Pineapple Lanai while you're there. Just had one on Saturday while my three year old napped in the stroller and it was pretty close to a perfect afternoon. If you want to stay in the MK, my kids have often fallen asleep on the People Mover in the afternoon. Carousel of Progress and Hall of Presidents are also good for quiet time and napping. Have a great time!