What do you do for Mid Day Break?

[arcadiandj]

We usually walk back to our hotel and take a nap for an hour or so or watch tv if we aren't enjoying the pool or water play area. Without leaving Disney property, some options are to relax in the lobby at the GCH, ride the monorail around the full circle a couple of times (or DLRR when it's open again), listen to some of the live musical entertainment down Main St. or elsewhere in the park, or visit the Animation Academy at DCA on a hot day. We also used to just sit near the RoA at DL and watch everyone walk by while sipping mint juleps, but it doesn't feel the same knowing half of RoA is a dirt pile right now.

Oooo...! Ride the monorail around a couple of times!!!!!!! I want to try that! I could switch sides on the second go-around! Brilliant! Thanks for that!

 

[rentayenta]

For in park midday breaks we like to watch a show like Mickey and the Magical Map or hang out at the Animation Academy in DCA. For out of park breaks we like to swim at the hotel and nap by the pool; have a cocktail or two.

 

[Syndrome]

Well, we had all good intentions of lounging and/or swimming in the pools/hot tub at the Grand Californian for our mid day break in January .................guess that aint gonna happen now !

 

[lcp9]

My kids are 5, 3, 1 - all typically take a 2 hour afternoon nap. That said, we usually stay at the fairfield inn or the residence inn, and even when we're at the FI (which IMO is a shorter walk than any on property hotels - 5 min max?) we have never gone back to take naps. We always think we'll go swim and we never do. It just seems like too much work and interrupts our flow. Our kids will still nap in the stroller (we cram all 3 into a double chariot) so once it's "nap time" we do something like change parks or go to the other end of a park, and the long walk usually gets at least 2 out of 3 to nap. Then we'll either ride switch and do rides we want to do, or do something with the awake child. Or we'll sit and eat on a bench somewhere. We also try to do shows in the afternoon, or on the last day when everyone's tired - royal theater, disney jr show, tiki room, whatever. We also usually meet characters on the last day because it's a little more low key.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Although it does not open till 5:30p I believe, the Lounge in Napa Rose at the GCH is one of our go to places to relax, have an appetizer and wine or adult beverage. It is first come first serve drop in and very cozy loungy chairs.

 

[Frozen2014]

My kids are 5, 3, 1 - all typically take a 2 hour afternoon nap. That said, we usually stay at the fairfield inn or the residence inn, and even when we're at the FI (which IMO is a shorter walk than any on property hotels - 5 min max?) we have never gone back to take naps. We always think we'll go swim and we never do. It just seems like too much work and interrupts our flow. Our kids will still nap in the stroller (we cram all 3 into a double chariot) so once it's "nap time" we do something like change parks or go to the other end of a park, and the long walk usually gets at least 2 out of 3 to nap. Then we'll either ride switch and do rides we want to do, or do something with the awake child. Or we'll sit and eat on a bench somewhere. We also try to do shows in the afternoon, or on the last day when everyone's tired - royal theater, disney jr show, tiki room, whatever. We also usually meet characters on the last day because it's a little more low key.

Our kids were never nappers and can't see them starting now. They may just need to rest their feet for a bit. If there are daytime shows then that is perferct...a few above have mentioned Mickey and the Magical Map (don't remember reading about that but for sure will check it out), or the other ones you mention.

ParkHoppper1, sitting down for a glass of wine sounds lovely for DH and me, but not sure our kids would be keen on that...lol.

 

[StormyCA]

BFF and I were just thinking about this. We usually stay onsite and head back to the room for a break but this is a 'budget' trip and we're staying just a bit too far to make going to the motel practical. We had just decided we'd either 'park bench it' or go have a drink/soda in DTD. Why on earth didn't we think about going to the Grand? It'll be all done up for Christmas so it should be just lovely. I wonder what the chances are of actually finding seating in the early afternoon?

Although if they institute the new security measures I don't know how busy that breezeway checkpoint will be throughout the day.

Never thought of the monorail, either, even though we were bemoaning the fact that the train isn't running for us to ride around on!