Visiting another hotel for afternoon break? Thoughts? Ideas?

[Hopefully]

I get that doing the hotel stuff might not be too relaxing. I just worry going back will take so much time. We are renting a car and were not doing the buses. If we went back to AKL we'd need to be there at least 2 hours to make it worth it and with travel time thats like 4 hours of our day. Then getting back to MK for just a couple hours. It closes at 10 that night but we have an early morning Friday so I don't want the kids out too late. My husband would rather just push through and get done what we want and then just leave when were done rather than go back and come back. BUT I worry about the heat. Everyone says we need breaks. But things at MK sound like they might work as a break as well. We just can't freshed up really.

It is pretty evident that you have made up your mind that you are not going to go back to AKL. I think that with that decision made, and the relaxing, cooling suggestions of things to do in the MK you have received, your husbands plan is best. Not everyone takes a break. I would plan on this and then play it by ear.
There is no sense in the worrying you are doing. Be flexible and adapt as you go. You can not plan everything in concrete prior to your trip. If you try to, it will be a disaster.

 

[NicholeB630]

I guess I didn't catch that fact that you have a rental car. You can get to AKV from MK in under 30 minutes...easily. Trust me I've done it many times. That's the beauty of having your own wheels, you go where you want when you want. Go back, swim, take a nap, or whatever.

Even with dealing with the TTC? That's what I worry about. I hate you can't just park at MK!!

 

[Bullseye]

Even with dealing with the TTC? That's what I worry about. I hate you can't just park at MK!!

Absolutely. It going to be mid-day so it's not like there's a huge wait for monorail/ferry. Once you get to TTC there will be a tram waiting to whisk you off to your car and once in the car you can drive to AKV in 15 minutes. Honestly driving to MK is no big deal that everyone makes it out to be. You can be back to your resort in no time. Your lunch ADR will probably be over by 1:30...head straight down main street to your car and go to your resort and relax for a while.

 

[Robo]

Absolutely. It going to be mid-day so it's not like there's a huge wait for monorail/ferry. Once you get to TTC there will be a tram waiting to whisk you off to your car and once in the car you can drive to AKV in 15 minutes. Honestly driving to MK is no big deal that everyone makes it out to be. You can be back to you resort in no time. Your lunch ADR will probably be over by 1:30...head straight down main street to your car and go to your resort and relax for a while.

The "big deal" can come into play at high-traffic times (like park closing,) and on AM EMH days.

 

[NicholeB630]

The "big deal" can come into play at high-traffic times (like park closing,) and on AM EMH days.

Good to know. Sounds like mid day will be ok. I'm worried about Halloween party night. We're coming to park to 12 for lunch then pirates league. Hoping we can make it till midnight what's our best option for transportation. Getting there driving would prob be ok. But the leaving makes me nervous. I don't want to end up not getting to hotel till after 1am. Should we ubber or taxi it that day? Or is walking to contemporary not a good idea that late then hoping for a taxi?

 

[Bullseye]

The "big deal" can come into play at high-traffic times (like park closing,) and on AM EMH days.

That's true for everybody though. You walk out the park at closing and wait in line for a bus, it could be 2-3 buses before your mobile. Even during those peak times if I don't make the first available tram/monorail because of lines, I'm almost always on the next one.

Good to know. Sounds like mid day will be ok. I'm worried about Halloween party night. We're coming to park to 12 for lunch then pirates league. Hoping we can make it till midnight what's our best option for transportation. Getting there driving would prob be ok. But the leaving makes me nervous. I don't want to end up not getting to hotel till after 1am. Should we ubber or taxi it that day? Or is walking to contemporary not a good idea that late then hoping for a taxi?

Is the park even open until midnight then? I know earlier this summer when I was there MK hours were cut back? No midnight closing except during EMH. But, I haven't been paying attention since. Even if park closes at midnight. I still think you'd be back at AKV by 1am at latest. I'm firmly in the camp that driving anywhere in WDW is better/faster than taking the buses.

 

[NicholeB630]

It's a

That's true for everybody though. You walk out the park at closing and wait in line for a bus, it could be 2-3 buses before your mobile. Even during those peak times if I don't make the first available tram/monorail because of lines, I'm almost always on the next one.




Is the park even open until midnight then? I know earlier this summer when I was there MK hours were cut back? No midnight closing except during EMH. But, I haven't been paying attention since. Even if park closes at midnight. I still think you'd be back at AKV by 1am at latest. I'm firmly in the camp that driving anywhere in WDW is better/faster than taking the buses.

its a Halloween party night so it's open till midnight.

 

[WDWGeek1971]

There are some nice quiet spots over at Wilderness Lodge, where you can nap. ;-) And, bonus, it's a really nice boat ride from the Magic Kingdom.

 

[cel_disney]

We have not done midday breaks since our kids were just out of diapers (although sometimes if we are to park hop or change to dry clothes!).

It's very easy to find some leisurely things to do in the afternoon at any park to 'chillax'!!

We always rent a car at Disney now but rarely do we take it to MK so can't offer advice about that. We have always found the busses to be adequate there and the time saved only having to take one mode of transportation to be the fastest.

End of the night at any park is definitely going to be more of a challenge - and that includes driving to MK because you have to get back to TTC. If we can't be ahead of the masses - We tend to just wait it out IN the park somewhere.

 

[burberryplaid]

I was going to suggest visiting Wilderness Lodge - go to the front desk and ask for a schedule of activities. I believe they have arts & crafts and cookie decorating....and the lobby is very relaxing

 

[vinotinto]

I would change your lunch reservation to one of the monorail resorts. I find getting out of MK to have a proper lunch with an adult beverage to be very refreshing. And the food at the MK resorts is much better than what you will find inside MK. Otherwise, you'll just be wandering around the MK resorts without something to do and without a place to relax.

 

[scrapquitler]

So we have a MK day on September 15. Its a 9am RD day and is open till 10. No EMM. I had planned a break in there but were staying at AKL and its just so far and will take so much time to just have a couple hours of down time, I would like to go back in the evening hoping the crowds aren't too bad after dinner. We wont be able to stay till 10 because our next morning is super early. But like I said I'd like to be there for a bit once it cools down some. Has anyone taken the monorail to one of those resorts to relax for a bit? Would there be enough to do? We have a ADR at CP at 12:00 so eating another meal somewhere isn't really an option as it would put us back in the park later than id want. I'd like to be back around 5ish? I was thinking maybe the Poly we could go get a dole whip but what else? Just sit around in the lobby lol.

I would just get on the bus and go back to AKL for the break. It's probably not going to take you any longer than leaving MK and getting a monorail to another resort to hang around, and how much rest are you really going to get wandering around a resort that where you aren't staying? If you go back to your room, you can actually take of your shoes, lay down, have a shower, etc.

When I hear people saying how AKL is 'so far' it's really like 5 minutes further than going to other resorts, it's not as much of a big deal as you are imagining.

 

[NicholeB630]

I would just get on the bus and go back to AKL for the break. It's probably not going to take you any longer than leaving MK and getting a monorail to another resort to hang around, and how much rest are you really going to get wandering around a resort that where you aren't staying? If you go back to your room, you can actually take of your shoes, lay down, have a shower, etc.

When I hear people saying how AKL is 'so far' it's really like 5 minutes further than going to other resorts, it's not as much of a big deal as you are imagining.

I guess that makes sense. I think we will just see how we feel. I suppose if we drive to MK that morning which we most likely will that just getting on a bus mid day shouldn't be that big of a deal. Id guess there wont be tons of people coming and going mid day.

 

[maxiesmom]

I guess that makes sense. I think we will just see how we feel. I suppose if we drive to MK that morning which we most likely will that just getting on a bus mid day shouldn't be that big of a deal. Id guess there wont be tons of people coming and going mid day.

True. But the buses won't be coming as often either.

 

[keishashadow]

So we have a MK day on September 15. Its a 9am RD day and is open till 10. No EMM. I had planned a break in there but were staying at AKL and its just so far and will take so much time to just have a couple hours of down time, I would like to go back in the evening hoping the crowds aren't too bad after dinner. We wont be able to stay till 10 because our next morning is super early. But like I said I'd like to be there for a bit once it cools down some. Has anyone taken the monorail to one of those resorts to relax for a bit? Would there be enough to do? We have a ADR at CP at 12:00 so eating another meal somewhere isn't really an option as it would put us back in the park later than id want. I'd like to be back around 5ish? I was thinking maybe the Poly we could go get a dole whip but what else? Just sit around in the lobby lol.

What's funny is I usually suggest people posing this sort of question to visit AKL

CP is one of our fav character meals, I'd keep it.

If not staying until park closure time not sure I'd invest the amount of time to return to (any) resort, take a nap & return. Would think it'd eat up at least 3 - 4 hours depending on how you catch the bus.

Could take the boat over to FW, lots of interesting things there for kids.

Perhaps a visit to Trader Sam's? They do permit children early and you could explore the grounds. Even do stop at each resort along the lines of a scavenger hunt of some sort?

There's always DTD to just tour or squeeze in some shopping.

 

[NicholeB630]

What's funny is I usually suggest people posing this sort of question to visit AKL

CP is one of our fav character meals, I'd keep it.

If not staying until park closure time not sure I'd invest the amount of time to return to (any) resort, take a nap & return. Would think it'd eat up at least 3 - 4 hours depending on how you catch the bus.

Could take the boat over to FW, lots of interesting things there for kids.

Perhaps a visit to Trader Sam's? They do permit children early and you could explore the grounds. Even do stop at each resort along the lines of a scavenger hunt of some sort?

There's always DTD to just tour or squeeze in some shopping.

This is why I wonder if a break is even worth it. My husband thinks we should just do everything we want and then just be done and then relax the rest of the day/evening at hotel which I don't really disagree with BUT I've read so much we need to take breaks. But if we were staying late that night it would make more sense to go back and break then go back and enjoy the park till 10, I am thinking we need to be back at hotel by 8 at the latest so I don't get my kids to bed to late. We have a 8am EMH day at MK the next morning so. Maybe with our break at CP that will help and then we can just enjoy the rest of the day doing what we need and then be done.

 

[NicholeB630]

I was thinking maybe I could move our CP lunch to later. Theres a 2:15 and then we'd have more of a break when its gets hot. I could do one FP for right after lunch and then we could hopefully just kinda finish up and do whatever else we want to without a plan till were ready to leave. Once were done just go back to resort. Id like to be there at night but since we can't stay late I feel like its pointless.

 

[bumbershoot]

I do want to mention, it might not be that much more time to just go back to AK. you'll know what you really want when it's time for your break so don't skip out on a quick shower or change of clothes just because your at AKL. It will add some time to your break but it's not like doubling the time off and depending on monorail, bus and boat crowds you might spend just as much time waiting for transportation as the ride back to akl takes.

I am so glad you said that. We visit resorts, but it's not because anything is far away. It's because we want to go to that resort.

I think it's also important to say that none of these activities will really be a 'break' - they all involve a lot of walking or standing and air conditioning is questionable (do you really consider the monorail a cool temp??? Barely??)..

Yes.

We are renting a car and were not doing the buses. If we went back to AKL we'd need to be there at least 2 hours to make it worth it and with travel time thats like 4 hours of our day.

You are drastically overestimating travel time, IMO.

Good to know. Sounds like mid day will be ok. I'm worried about Halloween party night. We're coming to park to 12 for lunch then pirates league. Hoping we can make it till midnight what's our best option for transportation. Getting there driving would prob be ok. But the leaving makes me nervous. I don't want to end up not getting to hotel till after 1am. Should we ubber or taxi it that day? Or is walking to contemporary not a good idea that late then hoping for a taxi?

If you have a car why would you use another person's car? TTC is not in Egypt.

This is why I wonder if a break is even worth it. My husband thinks we should just do everything we want and then just be done and then relax the rest of the day/evening at hotel which I don't really disagree with BUT I've read so much we need to take breaks. But if we were staying late that night it would make more sense to go back and break then go back and enjoy the park till 10, I am thinking we need to be back at hotel by 8 at the latest so I don't get my kids to bed to late. We have a 8am EMH day at MK the next morning so. Maybe with our break at CP that will help and then we can just enjoy the rest of the day doing what we need and then be done.

"Everyone" who advocates breaks is generally talking about opening and closing the park. That's not what you're doing. People talking about how far AKL is generally don't have a car. You've got two game changers there.

You have an early morning the next day and little kids, so a late night isn't in the cards. I'd have a well timed lunch break, enjoy the day, and when you're ready to go just go.

 

[NicholeB630]

I am so glad you said that. We visit resorts, but it's not because anything is far away. It's because we want to go to that resort.



Yes.



You are drastically overestimating travel time, IMO.



If you have a car why would you use another person's car? TTC is not in Egypt.



"Everyone" who advocates breaks is generally talking about opening and closing the park. That's not what you're doing. People talking about how far AKL is generally don't have a car. You've got two game changers there.

You have an early morning the next day and little kids, so a late night isn't in the cards. I'd have a well timed lunch break, enjoy the day, and when you're ready to go just go.

Thanks for the input. I guess I just worry about travel because I hear so many people say give yourself an hour its an hour to get to your resorts to parks. Which is why we do rent a car. Last trip it was amazing. Didn't take us more than 15 min to get anywhere BUT we walked to MK. I just worried that whole process takes longer. But I'm hearing its not so bad. I think I am going to just rework our plan at MK that day and not take a break and just be done when were ready. If we could stay late that would be one thing but were not able to. We will be back in the Am so we have plenty of time at MK.

 

[scrapquitler]

Thanks for the input. I guess I just worry about travel because I hear so many people say give yourself an hour its an hour to get to your resorts to parks. Which is why we do rent a car. Last trip it was amazing. Didn't take us more than 15 min to get anywhere BUT we walked to MK. I just worried that whole process takes longer. But I'm hearing its not so bad. I think I am going to just rework our plan at MK that day and not take a break and just be done when were ready. If we could stay late that would be one thing but were not able to. We will be back in the Am so we have plenty of time at MK.

The whole "give yourself an hour" rule of thumb is mostly so that if you have a reservations for a meal or something, you will have plenty of time and not be stressing about cutting it so close. The idea is that when the bus runs every 20 minutes, you might get lucky and arrive at the bus stop just as the bus pulls up and get on it immediately. OR, you might arrive at the bus stop and the door is closing and the bus pulls away, and the next bus doesn't show up for a full 20 minutes....that can make a HUGE difference if you are trying to arrive at MK in time to make a pre-paid reservation at CRT, so the rule of thumb is to assume that you will have to wait that full 20 minutes or a bit more for the bus, but the reality is that most of the time, you won't have to wait that whole time.