Trying to plan timing for afternoon break on MK day

[starjazz]

Hypothetically, let's say we're near the castle and want to take an afternoon break. Anyone give me a rough estimate of time from there to exit the park, catch a bus to Pop, and ride to the resort? I'm tentatively thinking of breaking after our 1:20 SDMT FP. Park closes at 10:00 pm this night, with a 9:00 pm Wishes and 9:45 OUAT. Hoping to be back in the park by 5:00 pm at the latest so we can ride a couple rides in Adventureland before our 5:45 Canteen ressies. Thoughts?

 

[riddlemethis]

I think 1:45 to 5:00 is a good bit of time! Let's assume leave SDMT at 1:45 after a short wait and then ride then walk to bus terminal. You aren't able to catch a bus to pop until 2:25, then it takes about 30 minutes to get there, so you're at your resort at 2:55. Get to your room hopefully at 3:00, nap until 4 then hope back on a bus.
You should be able to squeeze in a ride or two between arriving at the park at 5 and your reservations. You can always be a few minutes (5-10) late for your ressies.

 

[maryj11]

I have been trying to plan the same thing. We are staying at the Poly and plan to arrive at MK at rope drop, then have lunch at BOG at 11:30, go back to the resort after lunch and be back to MK by 5:00.

 

[starjazz]

I think 1:45 to 5:00 is a good bit of time! Let's assume leave SDMT at 1:45 after a short wait and then ride then walk to bus terminal. You aren't able to catch a bus to pop until 2:25, then it takes about 30 minutes to get there, so you're at your resort at 2:55. Get to your room hopefully at 3:00, nap until 4 then hope back on a bus.
You should be able to squeeze in a ride or two between arriving at the park at 5 and your reservations. You can always be a few minutes (5-10) late for your ressies.

Is it really a 30 minute bus ride? That schedule still sounds rushed, unfortunately. Like, missing 3 hours of park time for a one hour nap. However, I know that one hour could be VERY valuable. Tough call.

 

[starjazz]

I have been trying to plan the same thing. We are staying at the Poly and plan to arrive at MK at rope drop, then have lunch at BOG at 11:30, go back to the resort after lunch and be back to MK by 5:00.

This sounds like you have a better allotment of time, especially being at the Poly - much closer.

 

[riddlemethis]

Is it really a 30 minute bus ride? That schedule still sounds rushed, unfortunately. Like, missing 3 hours of park time for a one hour nap. However, I know that one hour could be VERY valuable. Tough call.

Yes it is between 25 and 30 minutes depending on red lights. Disney listed it as 30 minutes but Touring Plans listed it at an average of 26 minutes. Scroll down to the veryyyy bottom and you'll see their little transportation chart: https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/hotels/disneys-pop-century-resort


The distance is the only reason I didn't choose to stay at the value resorts. The price is great but we *have* to nap during the day with the tired little legs (and grumpiness) in our family. (pssst. It's mostly me. )

 

[drinkme]

I always feel the afternoon break doesn't work. It just seems like such a long time to get back to your room. And if you don't get back to the park early enough then you wasted more time. If the park is closing at 10 I would just either leave early or get there late. If the park was open until 1am then I could see going back to rest.

Many people do take the afternoon breaks and make it work. I tried it a couple of times & it just never worked for us.

 

[buzznina]

I always feel the afternoon break doesn't work. It just seems like such a long time to get back to your room. And if you don't get back to the park early enough then you wasted more time. If the park is closing at 10 I would just either leave early or get there late. If the park was open until 1am then I could see going back to rest.

Many people do take the afternoon breaks and make it work. I tried it a couple of times & it just never worked for us.

This is our family as well and this also included us staying at the POLY during our 1st trip with our DD. After the first few "failed" days we stopped trying to take afternoon breaks and that was 13 years ago. LOL

 

[starjazz]

It's funny, because we talk about it every time too, but we've only pulled it off once. We'll probably play it by ear, as well. I just wanted to get some timing down so I knew what it would take. Thanks y'all!