A Break From The Parks
The Grand Floridian Resort - Disney WorldOne of my most recommended Disney Vacation tips to families traveling with little kids is also probably the hardest one to follow. While I’m sure the opinion is controversial, I highly recommend building in a rest day from the parks.
Now I know, when booking and paying for a Disney World vacation most people have the mindset that they are going to do everything WDW has to offer. The truth is, you can’t (unless you are staying for two or more weeks).
If your trip is 5 or less days, then no, don’t take a rest day. But if you plan to stay for a week or more then definitely do! The parks are awesome! The parks are also overstimulating, crowded, fast paced and exhausting for most people, especially kids. There is just so much to do, see and eat that will throw their little bodies into a tizzy. Take one day in the middle of the vacation to slow down, eat right, rest and recharge!
We usually like to plan on taking the rest day on the 3rd or 4th day of the vacation. We also plan on doing the rest day after our special late night in the park. This usually entails staying up wayyyy past their bedtimes to watch Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom!
Quiet Pool - The Grand Floridian ResortHere is a Breakdown of our Rest Day!
Do not set an alarm and sleep in until about 8:30 Am
Casually head to the resorts food court for breakfast and coffee (unless we are staying at a DVC Resort with our own kitchen, then we make breakfast)
Head to the resorts quiet pool for swimming and lounging until lunch time
Have a relaxing lunch at the resort: either at the pools snack shack, in room or dining hall. *Remember the point is not to be held to a strict schedule this day and to decompress!
Rest and get out of the sun for an hour or two. This is a great time to shower, relax and nap in the AC!
Then choose an activity that you don’t have to schedule that is not in the parks! This can be anything from visiting Disney Springs, doing a resort activity or my favorite: resort hop and ride on the Skyliner!
End the night early: maybe watch a movie, play a board game or just relax in the room. Tomorrow will come faster than you know and you will be running around the parks again in no time at all!
It is important to remember that you have put in a lot of time choosing the perfect resort for you and your family. It is worth it to slow down a bit and enjoy the resort, rest and recharge. Often times, you will find that these moments will be your favorite part of the whole trip!
