To take the break or not???

[alleghator]

OK, so far we're planning a back-to-the-timeshare break each afternoon for lunch/swim/nap. But a lot of people I've talked to seem to think that's crazy. "You're wasting so much park time." "Just take a break in the parks somewhere with a sit-down lunch or a show."

Am I dumb for considering these breaks to be important? My biggest focus of this trip (our kids' first) is to have a great time all week, not necessarily to see everything. I don't want to push it and hit a wall.

Background ... At trip time (next March) my kids will be just turning 7 and 4-3/4. Neither naps every day anymore, though they crash early at night on particularly active days. Neither has ridden in a stroller for probably a year now (let alone at trip time). Though my son is young, he's very large for his age ... about 44" and 48 lbs now. By then, he'll be the size of the average 6 year old.

Here's the planned itinerary (so far):
3/11 Sat -- travel day, settle in, buy groceries, Chef Mickey's for dinner
3/12 Sun -- arrive AK early am for opening, stay 'til we're done touring, back to timeshare
3/13 Mon -- arrive DS early am for opening, back to timeshare for lunch/swim/nap, back to DS for dinner at 50s Primetime, stay through Fantasmic (depending if my son freaks out ... he's not always good with loud noises)
3/14 Tues -- arrive MK early (hopefully for CRT breakfast), back to timeshare for lunch/nap/swim, back to MK through fireworks (see above noise note *sigh*)
3/15 Weds -- break from parks day, probably hang at Downtown Disney with lunch at Earl of Sandwich
3/16 Thurs -- back to MK early (probably Crystal Palace breakfast this day), similar day as Tuesday, but if we stayed up for parade/fireworks on Tuesday, we'll boogie out at some point for an evening on the Boardwalk
3/17 Fri -- arrive EP early for opening, back to lunch/nap/swim, back to Epcot for Biergarten dinner, stay through IllumiNations (if Matthew lets us *double sigh*)
3/18 Sat -- good-bye to Disney breakfast at the Whispering Canyon Cafe.

--Heidi

 

[Paxtrist]

If your chilren need the break, take it. If I felt that my children were getting tired we usually stopped and ate or saw a show. I could not get my children out of the parks once they were in. Take it day by day, don't stress about it now.

 

[rt2dz]

I had just posted something about this, in detail, on another thread. My overall opinion (you asked for it) is to skip the break, unless you see it is needed. Then, I personally, would try an in-park break. It's not worth the time or, much more importantly, hassle. If skipping breaks/in-park breaks don't work for you, then go back to your hotel/condo. Just be flexible and willing to go with the flow. Follow your children's lead.

PS-- you might be surprised on your need for a stroller. My son had just turned 4 on our last trip and is the size of the average 6yo--quite tall for his age. He doesn't nap at home, hasn't since he was 2 nor does he use a stroller at home. At WDW, he napped and needed a stroller. You might want to see how it goes and rent one if and only if needed. Or borrow one from a friend, just pulling it out if needed. I wouldn't buy a stroller just for the trip, but I wouldn't decide beforehand it is completely unnecessary.

 

[Bellefan66]

Hi, our last trip our kids were 15,12 &5 and we did not break. I did the "Comando Approach". Needless to say,when we got back home,we needed a vacation from the vacation! So,if you think you will need the breaks,take them. I wish we had! The flip side to all this is we DID see and RIDE everything in a week!!

 

[pennst8r]

It's not a waste of time if your family needs the break! Disney is soo much fun, but there's alot of walking and the heat really tires you out, too. How much fun would the day be with tired and cranky children? Take it day by day.


We like having the option of hopping the bus back to our room for a rest, or a dip in the pool and then back out for dinner, fireworks. DH and I used to fight over who would take youngest DS back to the room for a nap while the other stayed to ride with the older 2! We bring the little walk about walkie talkies so we can find each other again.

 

[ptslp]

We went with ds 2 1/2 and dd 6 mos and planned to take breaks- they do have a stroller- and I know the ages are very different- but we ended up not taking the breaks we thought we would need. They fell asleep before we got to our "breaktime", so we stayed in the parks.

Just remember that they will be excited to be there and my not want to leave. Also, they may be ready for a break before you think they will be. I would play it by ear- planning to break, but not writing it in stone.

 

[StephMK]

When we went last year, our kids were 2,4,10 & also stayed in a timeshare w/car. I had planned to take breaks but the kids really wanted to stay. We didn't do commando, I just had an idea of the top 3-4 things we wanted to see in each park & we worked the rest around that. Lots of breaks to just sit & look around. My 4yo is pretty tempramental so I expected some meltdowns & needing space but even she did great. Just refused to wear glasses for 3D shows - said they bothered her.

I don't think breaks are a bad idea but you might be pleasantly surprised not to need them every day.

 

[justKim]

I think that you are smart to be prepared to take a break, and just go with the flow each day. My kids (5 and 2) will sometimes go all day without slowing down, but are asleep by 8pm (or earlier). Other days, we relaxed at the resort/pool and they stayed up late to get to a park for fireworks. My kids would tell me if they were tired or if they wanted to go back to the pool.

My son was 5 on our last trip, and he did get in the stroller a couple of times - but in May it was very hot. I think that I will miss the stroller a bit when the time comes to leave it at home. It's great to be able to keep up a more brisk pace and not have to drag a child past every attractive kiosk and display. And without a stroller, where will I put my stuff? So, you might want to be open to the idea of renting a stroller for the 4 year old, but I agree that it wouldn't be necessary to go out and buy one.

And as for seeing everything in one week, we've taken our kids 4 times and we have yet to see everything.

Glad to see that you are starting off at Chef Mickey's. My kids love going there first! Have a great trip.

 

[alleghator]

Thanks for all the advice!

I am definitely willing to go with the flow and watch my kids' energy level. But, I am the parent and they're the kids. So, some days I'll have to get them out of the park to truly rest, even if they don't really want to. There's not way they'll be up for fireworks more than once unless they get some breaks.

We won't be taking a stroller, but it's definitely in the back of mind about renting one. Their little legs just aren't going to last.

--Heidi

 

[Bellefan66]

Hi again,
noticed you said you won't be doing the stroller thing. We didn't plan on it either,since our dd was 5. Guess what? About noon our first day,she was exhausted! She physically couldn't keep up,and her little legs just woudn't go. DH was giving her a ride on his shoulders,and said,this is crazy,lets get a stroller. Surprisingly,there were TONS of kids her age in strollers,so she never felt odd. So,being it's your first trip,you might not (as we were) be prepared for how HUGE the parks really are.Good luck

 

[powellrj]

we didn't use to take breaks, but the last few trips we have started and our kids are older!! Even if you don't take naps, a dip in the pool and a quick shower and change of clothes can make a big difference! I guess its because my DH and I are getting older is why we started taking breaks, but the kids don't complain, because they enjoy swimming and down time too!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We've been taking our kids for the last three years. They are now 7, 6 and 5 and we take a break every day. They don't have to nap but they swim and usually will take a short nap so they are able to stay up for the parades and fireworks.

You think you won't need a stroller but don't be too sure. We bring one for 5 year old ds (umbrella stroller) and rent one for the two girls. We go in July and its hot and it zaps the energy out of the little ones. ALso I don't want to move at a snails pace so it works out for DH and I also. Its also a great place to store things.

 

[tlbwriter]

Why decide now? Just see how it goes when you get there. Prepare for a break, and be pleasantly surprised if you don't need it.

 

[MelodyMack]

I agree with the other posters. My DD4 does not use a stroller or take regular naps anymore, but at WDW all he rules kind of got thrown out the window!

We brought our own stroller and if we noticed she was starting to "wilt" we just parked it in a quiet spot and told her she had to put her head down for a few minutes. We'd recline the seat, turned her so she couldn't people watch, and she's be fast asleep in a few minutes flat.

We never had to leave the parks that way...she got a good hour or more nap, and we coukld take turns running into shops or whatever while she slept.

I hope I get this lucky when we go in December, but she will almost be 5 then, and nap times are even MORE difficult to come by.

That first day you'll know what the kids can take and you can plan the rest of the week accordingly!

Good luck!
Mel

 

[annie1995]

I would definately take a break if the park is open on its really long days. Even with breaks back at the hotel last june, my kids could barely stay awake on the bus back to POP. The heat, excitment and rides wore them completely out. If the parks are closing earlier, just use your judgement on how your kids are doing. If they are OK, take a sit down in one of the park, catch a show etc. If they are pooped, go back for a nap. Nothing will ruin a trip more than cranky kids. Have Fun1

 

[dangler]

I would just go with the flow. My kids were 5 and 7 when we went last and they didn't need the break. We were usually done around supper time, ate, then had a swim. I would just wait and see if you think they need a break and if they don't I wouldn't bother!

 

[jtopp]

you didn't indicate how far away your timeshare was from the parks. While you might take the break to the timeshare once or twice, is it cost effective in both time and money to take that break daily, or to just find a bench in the park and take some down time

 

[Jesuslover]

I noticed you were staying at Westgate. We will be at Vacation Villas Sept. 19-25. ( just trying it out). Have you been pleased with the resort? Do you drive to the parks and park or is there some sort of shuttle?
Have a great time!

 

[nliedel]

In my opinion, which is worth what you are paying for it, a break is so important. Yes you miss park time but missed park time to have happy kids is wonderful. There is nothing worse than that "Please let a sink hole open and swallow me" feeling you get when your overtired little ones or SO start having a temper tantrum. We are taking a break and I will need the nap more than the boys!

 

[alleghator]

I've never been to Westgate before. It's my mom-in-law's timeshare.