Will we be jet lagged coming from uk

[libbylast]

Hi All

Its gonna be our 1st trip to disney and we are coming with 4 and 9 yr old travelling from uk. I think we land about 15.00 in orlando.

Do you think we will be jet lagged or will be ok to do stuff that night and also do you think we will be ok to book a breakfast reservation or will we be nackered.

Thanks

 

[MiniGirl]

I used to be a flight attendant and flew to the UK quite often. I always found the time change easier going from there to here. DH (a pilot who also flew that route a lot) did too. Here's what we used to do. On the day we arrived back in the States, we force ourselves to stay up as late as we possibly could. That was usually about 8 or 9 pm. Then we's get a good night sleep and be back on Eastern time in the morning. It really was that easy. Now, we weren't adjusting from living there of course, Our time there was very short and we had never fully acclimated to your time, but I'm sure you'll be fine. I wouldn't try to do the fireworks or any late ADRs for your arrival day, and I wouldn't try for an early breakfast reservation the next day. Who knows though? Ya'll may be up with the birds your first full day there.

Anyway, hope this helps. Have you asked on the UK board? I'm sure you'll get some responses there from those who have done it already.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

I don't think I would plan anything for the first 24 hours. give yourselves time to adjust time zones and settle in, see how it goes. but I'm cautious that way, my kids are not go go go types and need down time. I'm only switching one time zone and don't plan anything for the first night (day of travel) just in case travel doesn't go smoothly, and so we can be raring to go in the morning.

have you posted your question on the UK section of the boards? they would be able to give you lots of pertinent advice.

have a great time!

 

[katiesmom2]

You could play it by ear and see, but I personally wouldn't plan anything for the evening that you arrive, except maybe a dinner somewhere. Plan to have an early dinner and a quiet night in your room, bed at a normal (Florida) time. Then I bet you'll be able to have a reserved breakfast somewhere in the morning, maybe a late breakfast at 10:00 or something.

Have fun!

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

I've been to Germany a few times and I was always way to excited to even notice the time difference. Coming home is when it really got to me. Especially when my 2 year old was ready for breakfast at 12:30 am.

Just take it slow and see how you feel.

 

[MinnieMouse73]

We are also from the UK, and we are always knackered when we arrive. Remember that if you land at 3pm local time that's 8pm UK time, and it will take you a good while to get out of the airport and to your accommodation. We just arrive and flop into bed.

We're always up and raring to go first thing the next morning, though - like REALLY early! For us it's always a nice, early start at MK but a breakfast would work too. We usually stay at MK until lunchtime, go back for a sleep in the afternoon, then we're good to go back to the park for the evening - we always watch the fireworks first night.

Not that we're creatures of habit, or anything!

 

[barnaby1]

The key to avoiding jetlag is to take it easy but to put yourself in the timezone you are going to ASAP. I do it from the moment I get on the plane (which may be overzelaous but it works for me). Go to bed at the normal time the day you arrive and don't overdo it that evening. I wouldn't book anything for the next morning as you may all have a 4 am start but equally you may all sleep until 9am. You just never know. Go with the flow and just enjoy being there.

 

[stacy6552]

You probably will be tired. I wouldn't plan on really doing alot on arrival day, but I would try to stay up until 8 or 9pm East coast time.

 

[buzz182]

Hi,

We're from the UK and every time we come to Florida we stay up till about 10pm local time. Even though that's 3am UK time we never feel that tired, but however always wake up at stupid o clock the next morning, usually about 3/4am. Then we go back sleep till about 6, then get up and get ready and have breakfast. Like to be at the parks early
Usually the arrival day after we've left the airport and drove to hotel/villa we all have a bath or shower, then unpack annd go and get some dinner then back to the hotel/villa and then go bed.

Our 2 year old has been twice already and is going on his third trip at the start of May and both times been fine with the time change.

On the way back is a different matter, I can never fall asleep on the flight home, but usually fall asleep in the car from London to Leicester, we then go to bed at our usual time and all 3 of us end up sleeping about 12 hours a night for the next couple of nights!

Jet lag affects people in different ways, just go with the flow and do whats best for you and your family.

Have a great trip!

Karina

 

[K8T]

Hi there

We are in the same boat, with a three year old. She doesn't get too crabby when tired, so we have decided to go to bed fairly soon after we arrive, bearing in mind we may be delayed anyway.

I am sure that DD will fall asleep in the car from the airport though. We have a breakfast booked for 10.30 in the morning the following day, thought that if we were up really early, it would be lunch and if we sleep in, it would be breakfast!

I think that sometimes dd is up late for family do's and stuff, not getting to bed until quite late, and always seems OK the next day, may have a sleep in the afternoon. However, coming back the other way will be a different thing all together, I think I will change her into her PJs on the flight and see if she will settle down and sleep - live in hope!!!

We are going next Monday 14th, so I will let you know how it goes!

Kate

 

[RedOctober]

A commercial airline pilot friend of mine sets his watch to the arriving time zone as soon as he takes off. He then eats meals and sleeps according to that schedule. Swears by it for minimizing jet lag.