To break or not to break

[tlmadden73]

I am an efficient person.

I would never go back to a hotel room .. but I usually do short stays at Disney (not like 5-7 days) UNLESS I was staying in a monorail resort (or perhaps Wilderness Lodge).

I would just think that it just takes a lot of time to go back and forth . .and no guarantee the REST you were looking for would happen.

Better to find a quiet spot .. a quiet show .. (my go tos is Tom Sawyer Island or Hall of Presidents)

The idea of going to a monorail resort for a meal is a good idea too! May have to try that.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Ride the train for a bit to get some rest. Eat upstairs at the Columbia Harbor House where it tends to be a bit quiet and not so busy.
I don't think it is worth the hassle go to back to your hotel.

 

[andieb0602]

For our first trip my DD was 5 and DS was not quite 3. We went in mid-May. DS was not a napper at the time and, while we intended to take a break, we gave it up after the first day because it took so much time and th kids wouldn't sleep. We rented a comfortable stroller for both kids and they napped in it fantastically. During that time DH and I would walk around or find someplace shaded to sit down. For MK we got there at rope drop and then would leave the park for a late "breakfast" (really our lunch) at one of the monorail resorts. Then we would relax at the resort a bit before heading back to the park. The kids were able to make it to the fireworks every evening without any major issues but there was one day we all slept in and didn't go to the park until 1 pm because we were so tired. I would also recommend buffet restaurants if you want table service because then you don't have to worry about meltdowns while waiting for food.

 

[rainboots]

We took a break on day 1. DDs (3&6) stayed wide awake, tossing & turning, constantly asking questions. DH slept like the girls were supposed to! We didn't take another break. They rode in the stroller and rested, and we took TS lunches.

If you do a TS dinner, I would see if DD would sit/rest on your lap. Not simple to eat this way, but our 3yr old DD did it quite a few times! It was just a perfect refresher nap! I would keep realistic expectations of possible meltdowns and let it dictate the evening.

 

[wdwrich]

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!!

When you say 5 minutes away, do you mean 5 minutes from MK or 5 minutes from WDW property? Many offsite hotels advertise that they are 5 minutes or so from Disney, but WDW is huge (about the size of the city of San Francisco). You can usually add 20-25 minutes of travel time to that advertised 5 minutes when talking about actually getting to one of the WDW theme parks. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[lauradis]

Why not just take it slow and wing it. Well unless you have adr's. If you miss fp+ it's not the end of the world. If you want to take a break then take one.

I keep asking myself if all this over scheduled planning at Disney is really worth it.

We also had a non napping child that kid was up by 11 am and would go go go now matter where we took her till at lest 11pm. Then she was out like dead out for 10-12 hrs

 

[MyPrince&Princess]

Hi! I can offer a bit of advice here, but we are die-hards - or maybe I am and my family is forced to be the same! I don't think that we've ever been at a park for rope-drop, but we've always stayed until after Wishes, and still rode a few rides after that. We have two LO's. The first time we took them to WDW, our daughter was not even 1 and our son was 3. We have an amazingly comfortable Bob double stroller and the kids just slept at their leisure. We've been going every year since, and still take Bob with us everywhere we go. If the kids aren't in it, our shopping/snack bag is! We have never stayed on-site, but stay at a resort very close by, however not close enough to justify the trouble of going back for a nap - I fear that they wouldn't want to head back to the park! Instead, we just take our day slowly, adhering to our FP+ times, and enjoying it all. Our children, who are now 4 and 6 still nap, and if they are just tired, they ride along in the stroller and hubby and I are just happy to cater to whatever they feel like doing. A few times, we've brought their swim gear and let them play in the water at the Splash and Soak station before dinner. I just find that there is so much to do and see that we never really want to leave. You can also leave the stroller and take the train around the park.
Having said that, we've never really thought about what you suggested, which is take a MR trip to a resort for lunch or dinner - so may have to do that.

Enjoy!!!

 

[limpy]

We went recently with a 20 month old and 4.5 year old. We did rope drop (earlier actually for our breakfast reservations), stayed until noon, went back to Bonnet Creek for lunch/nap/rest then head back to park around 4-430. It was perfect. I definitely needed a break by then too. It took VERY little time for us to get back and forth from the parks in our rental car. Way less time than I expected.

 

[GillianP1301]

We have never really done the afternoon break thing. We tried it once before a dessert party night and it was hard to get people moving again to get back to the park. Instead we use TS restaurants as breaks and cool downs both at lunch and dinner. OP, in your situation, I would do a resort TS and enjoy it at a leisurely pace. That will give you a rest and you'll be recharged and ready for a few hours of evening touring before Wishes.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Love all these ideas.

I think that we will not end up going back to the hotel on the particular day I am thinking of - want to see welcome show, have 1:00 first haircut at barber shop for DD, 3:00 FoF (only chance to see it), 5:00 7DMt. The next day we will start the day late at HS so we can rest the next morning. Of course if she's melting down (or we are ha ha!) all bets are off.

I don't remember.... Do you have to collapse the stroller for the monorail or if she (fingers crossed) is asleep in it, can we just keep her in it?

 

[MyPrince&Princess]

We've had to collapse our double stroller for the tram, but not the monorail - for MK. Our kids are always in the stroller, and often sleeping, when we leave the park. Getting there is not an issue, as we just collapse the stroller for the tram from the parking lot, and then load the kids into the stroller for the monorail. It keeps us close and I don't have to worry about my LO's in the crowds that way. On the way home at the end of the night, the kids are in the stroller for the monorail, and then DH takes the tram alone to get the car and I walk under the bridge to our usual meeting spot which is just at the edge of the parking lot. This way, we don't have to take the kids out of the stroller until we reach the car. It's taken us a few trips to figure that latter trick out. There are usually a lot of folks walking as they are parked close to the park.
We have walkies and when my hubs gets in the minivan, he lets us know that he's on his way and we make our way to the taxi waiting area.

Hope this helps!

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

DH takes the tram alone to get the car and I walk under the bridge to our usual meeting spot which is just at the edge of the parking lot. This way, we don't have to take the kids out of the stroller until we reach the car.

OmG this is brilliant!!!!! We've had 2 previous stroller trips and never thought of that LOL!! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[momof2n2]

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!!

We are big fans of May visits. And we have six kids, most of whom have visited WDW when they were three. We always stay off-site and visit from rope drop until they kick us out. We've never needed a break in the middle of the day. What has helped us time and time again is just reigning in the touring for an hour or so 2ish? 4ish? Either before or after the parade. Grabbing trays of food and heading upstairs in Columbia Harbour House, or taking the Liberty Belle (that is the name, right) around the island. Just taking the time to tone it down seems to recharge all our batteries. OF COURSE you know your own daughter best!!! But even the kids I've had that wouldn't nap didn't seem to melt down as long as they were entertained. And clean and fed. I don't know if our tricks would work in July... but early May is my go-to and it's been great. HTH.

 

[MyPrince&Princess]

NP!!!

 

[momof2n2]

To chime in on the stroller to car idea - I will add that if you are there bright and early - prior to RD, we normally get the front row of parking, just past the underpass. It is super easy to grab the car, or even just walk to it as a group.

 

[Rosebud123]

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)

Not trying to talk you out of Trail's End, but have you ever stayed at WBC before? It's super close and it's very easy to break there for a few hours if you want. Enjoy! I love WBC so much!

 

[Rosebud123]

How many MK days do you have? If it's 2, then do one 3/4 day and one day with a break. You only need to see the parade and Wishes once, right?

 

[mummabear]

We have never taken a break with our kids from the park, if your child doesn't nap at home they may or may not while you are away but for us, the hassle of heading out of the park and back in didn't relax anyone, quite the opposite in fact left people frustrated.
Your child may need down time and a TS restaurant may be the best way to do this, air conditioning, seating, food, fun but quieter could be all the need.

 

[mummabear]

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?

Off Main St where the dentist/dance studio are, there was a little table and chairs in the shade right next to where the CMs go off stage

 

[BalooFan]

I like the idea of taking a break at a MK resort. My first recommendation is the Grand Floridian. There is a nice CS restaurant, a large comfortable lobby, and beautiful grounds. In the late afternoon and evening you can enjoy a pianist and the orchestra. (Not of much interest to children, but relaxing for the adults.) My second recommendation is taking a boat to Wilderness Lodge. I don't like the CS or grounds quite as well, but the lobby is wonderful.