What to do with mid-day break?

[stargazertechie]

We usually hit the park with AM EMH, stay until 11:30 or noon, head back to the resort, swim for an hour or so, shower, re-pack our park bag for the afternoon, and then take a 60-90 minute nap. Wake up, get dressed, and head out to dinner and back to the parks.

We've also gone enough that we no longer feel like we have to squeeze every last bit of "value" out of our days, and truly take joy in relaxing on our vacations (I know, what a novel concept )

 

[maggiew]

Can I ask how long of a midday break does everyone usually take?

We usually leave after lunch (maybe 1 pm or so depending on ADR time, etc). Then we go back in time for an early dinner (maybe 5 or 6).

We usually go in the summer - so taking taking the break is nice but the best part is taking a shower! It really refreshes me and I am ready for a nice dinner and then fireworks. We don't expect to do much ride stuff after the break. We get most of the rides done at rope drop through lunch.

When we went in Nov/Dec and had shorter park hours, we did stay in the park all day without a break. But that is easier to do when the parks close early.

Maggie

 

[ariane37]

We had never taken a mid-day break before, but when I planned our first summer trip last year (end of Aug.) I built a break into pretty much every day due to the heat. Kids were 12 & 8. I assumed we'd all need it but knew I wouldn't be thrilled taking a break. Also assumed the kids would want to swim most days.

The first day they did swim; after that, we did just what the OP is thinking may happen to her family - got to the room and said, "now what?" Kids would ask how long we were staying in the room and DH would pace back and forth lol. Nobody wanted to/can nap during the day. Since we have a pool at home and older DS isn't big on swimming anyway, the appeal just wasn't there. So, it ended up the rest of the vacation we either a. went to the parks late morning, had a TS lunch and stayed late, b. left park and had TS lunch at a resort, toured resort for awhile for a "break", maybe went to our resort to shower/change QUICK and back to park, or c. went to park late morning, stopped at resort late afternoon QUICK to shower/change. I have to stress the word QUICK here b/c overall we didn't want to break, but our disgusting sweaty clothes won out It may seem that given the time it takes to get back to the resort, only staying there an hour, hour and a half is pointless, but if refreshed us and got us back to the park which is where we wanted to be Missing RD didn't matter to us on that trip: crowds weren't heavy, and it was ridiculously hot regardless of what time it was.
Should we visit again in the hot months I'll most likely plan on us going to the parks later in the day and staying till close, or breaking for a TS lunch at a resort for our "park break". Different strokes for different folks!

 

[larryz]

I have to stress the word QUICK here b/c overall we didn't want to break, but our disgusting sweaty clothes won out...

Don't think of it as disgusting sweat -- think of it as "residual fun."

 

[HM]

One year we were staying at the BWV, so we had a nice big table. We bought a puzzle at the Coca-Cola place and spent our afternoons putting it together and watching tv/dvds during the hot August afternoon.

Usually on most trips we do go to the pool in the afternoon.

 

[maryj11]

We usually leave after lunch (maybe 1 pm or so depending on ADR time, etc). Then we go back in time for an early dinner (maybe 5 or 6).

We usually go in the summer - so taking taking the break is nice but the best part is taking a shower! It really refreshes me and I am ready for a nice dinner and then fireworks. We don't expect to do much ride stuff after the break. We get most of the rides done at rope drop through lunch.

When we went in Nov/Dec and had shorter park hours, we did stay in the park all day without a break. But that is easier to do when the parks close early.

Maggie

We went last May and it was around 90 degrees and we did not take a break. I agree a shower would of been great in the middle of the day. I felt so yucky staying in the park all day.

 

[maryj11]

Don't think of it as disgusting sweat -- think of it as "residual fun."

This year I'm taking some type of under arm wipes lol

 

[pigletgirl]

We went last May and it was around 90 degrees and we did not take a break. I agree a shower would of been great in the middle of the day. I felt so yucky staying in the park all day.

It's the best!!

 

[Hummingbird]

During our summer trips we take breaks and we go have lunch, then swim for an hour or so, then we have "quiet time" (we turn out all the lights and tv and no one is allowed to talk you just rest but don't have to sleep). My kids are older (13,18,19) but they need the quiet time. It gives us a chance to recharge so we can close the park down. So while older kids may not be nappers some down time can be good. Especially when the temps hit the feels like of 100+ during the summer. My kids never complain about the break and will often be the ones to tell me "Mom it's time to go back for our break now"

 

[Hummingbird]

Can I ask how long of a midday break does everyone usually take?

About 5 hours

 

[sharona]

For me it doesn't have to be a nap to make it a break, just taking a shower then relaxing with my feet up in our air conditioned room is enough to recharge my batteries for the night to come. DD12 usually naps.

 

[mickyzzzzz05]

We head back to the resort after lunch. Usually we change clothes and stretch out on the bed. As the trip goes on we both nap but on the first few days I catch up on my journal and read. Our break in the room lasts until around 5 pm when we head back into a park. We started this when our children were small and have continued this even when we travel as a couple. It makes our feet very happy to get stretched out flat for a bit and we are set to stay until park close this way. Otherwise I think I would be headed back to the room after dinner and then I would miss the firework shows!

 

[NavyDad]

Even if we do not sleep we will lay down for a bit and either watch TV, play on electronics or just relax. Many times DW and DD's will get showers and change clothes as we usually go to dinner in the evening. Just resting your body in a cool environment can really re-charge you for later.

I will say sometimes we may feel a bit groggy after we take a nap but a few hours later when we are in parks we have an extra boost!

With the ages of your kids you could probably let your kids swim if they want while you take a 45 minute power nap and rest your feet...