A.K.A. “How to (Hopefully) Avoid the 2:00 Disney Meltdown”
Fact: One of the biggest mistakes people make on a Disney vacation is forgetting to take breaks. It’s so tempting to fill your days from sunrise to sunset with every activity you see, but this inevitably leads to exhaustion and sour moods. And I don’t just mean the kids – adults get grumpy too.
But what do you do when you have so many fun things you want to fit into your trip? Plus, you know you want to be there at “rope drop” to beat the crowds. And you definitely don’t want to miss the fireworks. The answer? You make time for breaks.
Here’s how to make time for breaks during your Disney vacation while still enjoying everything there is to offer!
Why You Should Take Breaks
The Disney Parks typically open between 8-9 AM. If you’re using Extra Magic Hours, this could be 7-8 AM. When you factor in time to get ready in the morning, transportation, and getting through the gate, you’ll be waking up sometime around 5-6 AM to get to the parks for rope drop.
Disney fireworks typically start around 9 PM. The parks can stay open until 12 AM (or even later). By the time you get back to your room it could be 1 AM.
This schedule is just to show you that if you’re planning on staying from open to close, it’s going to be a loooong day. And if you’re staying for the week you’ll be doing this several days in a row.
On top of that, you can easily walk 10-12 miles in a single day at the Disney Parks. That doesn’t even count standing in any lines.
Even for the most seasoned Disney fan, breaks are necessary. If you’re visiting with little kids, they are even more important. Most meltdowns occur because kids are simply in need of a rest.
Finally, breaks allow you to enjoy your vacation. Not everything has to be go-go-go. Take time for yourselves to relax!
When to Take Breaks
You’ve got several options when it comes to resting during your Disney vacation:
- Plan a late start and sleep in
- Head back to your hotel mid-day
- Leave before dinner and relax at your resort
- Plan a half day at the parks
- Take an entire “break day”
- Build in-park breaks into your park days
Overall, I’d recommend planning a mid-day break at your hotel as the best option. This way you can take advantage of early park hours for minimal lines and still get to see the fireworks at night. You’ll also get to enjoy your room or the pools during the peak heat of the day. Plan on heading back after lunchtime or the parade for 2-3 hours to recharge.
If you know your kids need extra time in the mornings, or you’re keeping to a strict bedtime, cutting your park time short can be a good idea. You don’t need to do this everyday – it’s great for mornings after evening Extra Magic Hours. Plan your FastPasses and dining reservations strategically and you’ll still avoid a lot of lines.
If you have more than three days of park tickets, I recommend planning a break day or a half day in the middle. This allows you to spend full days in the parks and still relax on your vacation.
And if you’re an “rope drop to close” kind of family, don’t be afraid to plan some rest into your park days. With great air-conditioned restaurants, indoor attractions, shows, and quiet spots you can enjoy the beauty of the parks all day long.
Setting Yourself Up for Success
Know Your Family’s Limits
I say it almost every day: “Every family experiences Disney differently.” If you know your child won’t nap in a stroller, plan to head back to the hotel mid-day. If you have any mobility issues, don’t plan multiple full-length park days in a row. And if you see that members of your party are starting to drag as the day goes by, be flexible (the last thing you want to do is wear someone out so much they don’t want to return to the parks).
Give Yourself Enough Park Time
It’s SO tempting to do a “4-in-4” – four parks in four days. This can work well for some, but it doesn’t leave you a lot of room for flexibility. You’ll also be totally exhausted by the time you return from your vacation, which is kind of the opposite of what vacations are supposed to be.
Instead, give yourself plenty of time on a Disney vacation. If you want daily breaks, get a park hopper and a 5th or 6th day so you can return to any attractions you may have missed. If you want a full break day, book an extra night at your resort so you can take a day off from the parks in the middle.
Choose Your Hotel Wisely
If you know you’re going to be shuttling your family back and forth from the parks for naps, choose a hotel that is close to the parks you’ll spend the most time at. If you have young children, your best bet will be a hotel on the monorail line (easiest access to Magic Kingdom and Epcot).
Also, if you know the kids will want to nap but everyone else will be up it can be a good idea to book a family suite or a villa. This gives you a separate sleeping area and living space.
If you know breaks will be spent at the pool, aim for a resort with a great pool complex. I can’t recommend Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts highly enough for this – Stormalong Bay even has its own lazy river!
Work Your Plans Around Nap Time
Many kids have predictable nap times, and this can be a blessing when it comes to planning your park time. Especially at Walt Disney World, choose advanced FastPasses and dining reservations that will coordinate well with naps. Try to keep them on their normal schedule as much as possible.
For example, if your child naps between 1-3 PM, plan on getting to the parks at opening and schedule FastPasses between 10-12. Save a FastPass for a ride you won’t want to wait for when you return around 4 PM. Another idea? Head out right after the afternoon parade and return around 5 PM for dinner.
Be sure to adjust this plan if your child has different nap times or an early bedtime.
Understand Your Transportation Options
Lastly, know the most efficient way to get back and forth from your resort. Be sure to leave 30-90 minutes of travel time each way, depending on where you are trying to get to.
Break Time Ideas
Nap Time
Afternoons at Disney are a great time for the whole family to nap. If you’re heading back to the resort, set up a comfy environment in your room. Pull the shades, play some white noise on your phone (or some quiet Disney music if that helps), and set an alarm so you don’t miss any fun. If your kids are still in a crib/pack ‘n’ play you can often fit it into the bathroom area out of sight to give them some privacy (don’t worry, toilet areas are separate).
If you’d rather not leave the parks, invest in a stroller that fully reclines. Note: the ones you rent directly from Disney are not ideal for this (bring your own or rent from a third party instead). While the little ones are napping, plan on taking a break yourself with some snacks or taking advantage of the rider switch program.
Pool Time
Sometimes you just need a break from the heat and lines. Plan some pool or playground time, especially for the kids. Moderate and Deluxe Resorts all offer pools, slides, and hot tubs, while Value Resorts offer pools and splash areas.
Tip: If you’re staying at Disney’s Beach or Yacht Club Resorts, you can walk from Epcot back to your resort for some easy pool time. This is also simple if you’re staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. The same goes for Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Magic Kingdom.
Quiet Time
The excitement of the Disney Parks can be overstimulating, even for adults. Even if your kids aren’t into napping, planning some quiet time back at the room may help them enjoy their experience more. Bring some cards or a small board game (Disney-themed of course) to play in the room. Or watch a Disney movie as a family. Decompress for a little while and then head back for more thrilling fun.
Planning In-Park Breaks
So my family is the type who doesn’t like to leave the parks mid-day (like I said, everyone has different needs). I expect this will change when my son gets older, but for now we’ve found ways to rest in the parks.
Here are a few ideas:
- Reserve a table-service meal for a late lunch
- Catch a show (check the times guide for schedule)
- Enjoy a longer, indoor attraction (such as Ellen’s Energy Adventure or the Enchanted Tiki Room)
- Find an indoor seating area for a quick-service location
- Rest in a quiet corner of the World Showcase in Epcot
- Let the kids enjoy splash pads or play areas (in all parks except Hollywood Studios)
- Ride the train or ferry boat (Magic Kingdom and Disneyland)
- Split up so older kids and adults can enjoy the thrill rides while the little ones nap (then use rider switch to trade off)
- Find a spot to sit and watch the afternoon parades
- Head to the Baby Care Center so your toddler can watch a Disney movie inside for a while
And if you’re on an adults-only trip and need a break, most parks have lounges that are great for a refreshing cocktail!
Planning Full Break Days
Because we don’t like to head back to the room mid-day, we like to plan an extra day at the resort so we can sleep in and rest. I’d say plan a break day for every two days of park time if you can.
This is a great day to enjoy activities outside the parks or just go with the flow. Here are some ideas:
- Reserve a character meal at a resort (for a dose of Disney even on your off-day)
- Head to a water park
- Explore Disney Springs or Downtown Disney
- Plan an excursion to the nearest beach
- Relax at your resort pool
- Play a round of golf or mini-golf
- Enjoy the spas or lounges
- Go to a dinner show
- Take part in recreational activities or tours
Again, this is your break day, so try to only choose one or two things. You can always save something for the morning of departure.
A Disney vacation is what you make of it. With a little planning you can enjoy a week’s trip without the major meltdowns (or at least a few less). There are many strategies for a day at the parks, so consider your family’s needs and choose the ones that will work best for you!
Speaking of park plans, how would you like to have a personal “mouse expert” help you create the perfect plan for your family? I create customized plans for every family I work with based on what their dream vacation looks like. Oh, and did I mention I do it for free? If you’d like to learn more about what I can create for your family’s Disney vacation, contact me at jtullino@themouseexperts.com or submit a request for a quote via my web form. I’d love to help you design your best vacation yet!
What kind of breaks would you choose for your Disney vacation?
