Disney World requires miles and miles of walking and oftentimes, unless you are visiting during the 2 weeks of the year when it isn’t hot at least part of the day, you’ll be doing a lot of that walking in the sun.
Lots of walking + heat means that even if you’ve outgrown taking a nap you may find yourself really wanting (and needing) one at Disney World.
But, if you want to escape the parks for a break just how long should you plan for?
Taking a break at Disney
Our vote is for a break that is at least 2 hours (not counting the transportation time) doing something restful and relaxing. Some people may want or need more and some maybe a bit less, but at least 2 hours plus the transportation time it takes you to get back and forth is what we recommend you plan for.
Transportation considerations
When it comes to transportation, not all modes are created equal.
Staying at a resort where a bus is your only option for transportation?
When we are hot or cranky or tired or if time is of the essence, sometimes it is worth the splurge to go with something like Lyft or Uber (or a Minnie Van). The faster you can get back to your resort the faster you can cool off and nap.
Buses are great when you are rested (especially since sometimes you’ll find yourself standing on one) or if you aren’t in a hurry. But, they can be very frustrating when you’re ready to sit down and cool off.
Best times to eat
One thing I have learned works best for my family over the years is that we much prefer to schedule most of our Table Service meals for lunch rather than dinner.
This approach might not make sense if you are using the Disney Dining Plan (because lunch Table Service meals are may be less expensive than their dinner counterparts so they are less likely to be a good deal on the Disney Dining Plan) but when travelling to Disney World with my kids it is a lot easier to take a break when we know we don’t have to rush back for a dining reservation.
Instead, we like to tour in the morning, break for a nice lunch at a Table Service restaurant, ride a few more rides using our FastPass+ reservations and then head out for a nap. Not having any dinner reservations means we can take as much time as we need to get rested back up again before returning to the parks in the late afternoon or evening.
Prefer to eat Table Service meals for dinner?
If you do have reservations in the evening and you want to take a break, just make sure you leave in plenty of time to get back to your resort and rest up before you have to leave again.
Final thoughts
Even adults may find that Disney World is more exhausting than they thought and since it is very hard to make happy memories if you’re tired and miserable you’ll want to listen to your body.
Keep in mind:
There is no way you’ll be able to see and do everything in just 1 trip so don’t even try.
Instead, put your focus on maximizing your Disney World experience by being rested enough to enjoy the things you do.
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Need help figuring out your transportation options? Read more about How to Navigate with Disney World Transportation.
Think the heat might be a factor during your trip? Read more about How to Handle the Weather at Disney World.
