Question about leaving the parks

[Beccone]

and coming back later in the day. Last year we didn't do it because we were off property and besides we were there during the tropical storm so except for the one night at Epcot we went home early each day. The days we were at MK and DHS they didn't do Wishes or Fantasmic due to rain. So this year since I'm planning on there not being a hurricane or tropical storm (praying hard :lookaroun) I was planning on going back to Pop Century at least 2 of the days, one while we are at Epcot and one while we are at MK and coming back later for dinner and for the nights shows. My husband thinks that we will spend the majority of our time traveling to and from the park and getting the kids in and out of swimsuits ( we have 4 kids) and not having much time to relax. I was thinking of leaving around 3pm and getting back in the parks around 7pm. Is 4 hours enough time?

 

[Monty]

Four hours should be plenty of time to get in a swim and relax for a bit.

 

[KaliSplash]

Staying on-site and using Disney transportation, 4 hours will be plenty of time to take a break and get back. I'd suggest doing it every day you are there, regardless of your children's ages. We did it on our last visit and our children are 20 and 23.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

that is what i usually do. I get to the parks very early, and when it is hot I prefer to go for a swim and shower before dinner.

 

[mwbrown]

Four hours is enough time, but we tend to do it earlier than you are planning. If your trip is in the summer, we always plan to head to the parks early, have lunch at the park, do 1 or 2 more things and leave by 1:30 or so. Then we have an early dinner (and eat at POP since we have been there three of our last 4 visits) at 5ish and head back by 6. Since a lot of people are eating at this time, it seems like the park is a bit less crowded and the heat has gone.

And I agree with the poster who said to do it every day. The time you 'waste' riding the buses will be more than compensated by less child (and adult) meltdowns from trying to stay at the park all day. The only way I wouldn't take an afternoon break would be if we were not planning on coming back, but I would still try to be gone by dinner if there all day.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

4 hours does seem like a long time but you may wish to reconsider.

If you leave the parks at 2pm you may be waiting for a bus or have just missed one. It could be 60 minutes later by the time you're back at your Resort.
4 kids and 2 adults later, changed and making your way to the pool and looking for those illusive sunbeds. You've now realistically only got 60 minutes at the pool before you're back to the room and 6 people to shower and hair wash / dry and only one bath/shower to do it in. Then you're clock watching, making sure that you're at the bus stop for around 6:15 in case you've just missed yet another bus.

To take a break AND relax - I'd give yourselves a full afternoon

 

[lbrad]

4 hours is more than enough time to leave the parks for a swim/break.
We usually leave by 2:30 and return around 6ish.

DH & I have 3 teenagers. We always travel in the summer (DH is a school teacher). We ALWAYS take an afternoon break from the parks...makes the evenings much more enjoyable:sohappy:

 

[pjulie75]

We go home in the afternoon too, and usually return about 7ish. Gives you time to have a swim, relax, watch tv and cool down for a while. Then we have a shower get tidied up and go back to park. You feel a lot fresher and ready to hit the pack again. It feels good going back into the park refreshed, I feel sorry for the people who are there all day, hot, bothered, a little bit smelling, and grumpy kids tired (we used to do this when I went with parents).

Make the most of staying at Disney and your trip will be more enoyable, kids + heat + long days = STRESSED PARENTS!!!:hammer: Hope you have a fab time:wave:

 

[donvincenzo]

I agree with what others have said, that it is a good idea to try and take a break everyday, especially with 4 children. Try and get to the park for park opening, do as much as you can in the morning. Have lunch in the park, maybe do another ride or two, and head back to the hotel.

I know you mentioned the 4 hour break, but I would recommend not tying yourself to a specific amount of time. Have the kids take a nap, go for a swim, relax. If its under 4 hours and you're ready to go back, leave. If times is passing by quickly and you don't feel you and the kids are refreshed enough to head back, stay at the hotel a little longer.

Obviously, if you're paying all this money for a Disney vacation, you wanna be able to spend as much time as you can in the park. But is it worth being in the parks if everyone in your group is miserable? :shrug:

 

[Megpumpkin34]

This sounds like a great plan and we intend to do this when we visit in 11 days time. We can't wait. My nephews are 10 and 8 and would need a break by the afternoon, its their first ever holiday out of the UK so this will be quite an experience for them.

 

[jeffk410]

We leave the parks every day and we stay off-site and we don't take 4 hours. =D I mean leave during the peak times when you will not be able to do alot of attractions. heck i get tired and need a break and im 18.

 

[Phonedave]

The thing to remember too, is that in the middle of the afternoon, busses are a lot less crowded. Its not like closing where there is a mad crush for the busses. Even if you have unlucky timing and you *just* miss a bus, you should be OK.

I rarely come back to the resorts in the middle of the day, but when I do, or when I park hop, it really is a quick trip.

-dave