To take the break or not???

[Brina]

We take the break. Kids that age love pool time. My cousin's kids usually list the hotel pool as the highpoint of the trip to WDW. I sometimes think all the debates that take place on this board regarding strollers really come down to how do you do the parks. Those who believe that strollers are neccessary are park commandos - there from opening to closing. Those who take a break in the afternoon find them to be less of a neccessity.

I enjoy the break from the parks. Yes, they are fun, and they are the main attraction, but the constant stimulation is hard on everybody.

 

[Pixiedust34]

We got back from a 10 night stay 2 weeks ago, and took an out-of-the-park afternoon break for every park day (7 park days) except 1, which was AK day. The only reason we didn't break at AK was because it closes early.

We would not have enjoyed our trip as much as we did if we didn't take a break. By the time lunch was finished, the heat was baking us. And the crowds were growing. We went back to the room for while (swam and/or took showers), then returned to the park in new clothes, feeling refreshed.

My kids are 9 and 7, and the break did them a lot of good. I'd rather they enjoy the afternoon in the pool or in the A/C and be re-charged for the evening than push, push, push them all day in the heat only to be tired and grumpy by dinnertime.

Kelly in MD

 

[Suzanne74]

I personally am a firm believer of breaks but only when the parks are open past 7-8pm. I am not so sure the hours in March but that would be a BIG deciding factor for me. As much as I love breaks, they take some time. If you are in Toontown, it will take you a good 15min just to get to the front gate, then wait for the monorail, back to TTC, wait for the tram, get in the car and then back to timeshare, then settle down or change into swimsuits etc... - you get the idea. By the time you wrap up the break and head back it will probably be around 4-5pm and if the parks close early then it is only a few hours. The fact that you are offsite makes it even longer.

I would probably go back and forth. Maybe do a real early morning on a day the park is open later like Sat. Take a break that day while it is really busy like 1-4pm and head back for the night. Then maybe go all day straight the next day but then sleep in a little later the next day and so forth. Play around your kids - you don't want them to crash at night because some of the best stuff is at night and cranky kids aren't fun. If you need a break, take them. I would also recommend sit down table meal lunches or late sit down breakfasts and then counter service dinners as opposed to early character breakfasts, counter lunches and table service dinners. Why? No one is THAT hungry first thing in the morning - since you have a timeshare, I would eat small breakfasts before leaving. Arrive early and hit the rides and go commando while it is not that hot and not busy - places like Tomorrowland and Fantasyland have lots of rides in a little bit of space - hit them early. Then take a break in a nice AC restaurant and rejuvinate while someone serves you - lunches are never usually that busy and are cheaper then dinner menus anyway. Then while people are switching parks, eating dinner etc... you can head on some rides then maybe catch a quick bite to eat late and then enjoy the nighttime festivites at whatever park. This may help keep you there all day. Also the weather isn't so hot in March so that will help ALOT. Changing parks (if you have hoppers) always seems to rejuvinate us too. A nice A/C monorail ride from Epoct to MK and vice versa is nice!

HTH and have fun. Remember every kid is different, listen to what your gut is telling when you get there. You won't know before then how they will handle it anyway. They may run all day or be sleepy by noon. No kid is the same at WDW as he is at home. Just wait until you are there to decide and leave your options open, don't plan an exact itinerary or you will be disappointed.

 

[marathonmommy]

17 month old and 5 year old. Just came back. Did not go back to room for breaks. 5 year old did not need one. 17 month old could have used more naps . . . fell asleep in stroller a couple of times. But did just fine without returning to the room.

 

[Delilah Bleu]

I plan to take afternoon breaks to recharge. I don't think I can make it with all the walking we will do. When we went to Disneyland my DD (6 at that time) fought everyday when we had to "nap" but I explained to her mommy can not stay at the park until 12 AM without a break! I am hoping that we won't have the same problem on this trip. Three other adults are going so if they stay in the park, she could stay with them but I NEED a break!