Disney moms, how many hours do you stay at the parks?

I was reading the other thread about monorails. We usually only stay half days at parks. We've never been to Orlando with the kids though. It sounds like other families go back and forth from the hotel.

Out current plan is to go to Sea World, Legoland and Magic Kingdom right when they open. Thought we'd come back to the hotel around 2 or 3pm. I think the kids and the parents are going to be pooped.

Re: Disney moms, how many hours do you stay at the parks?

I know I will prob be in the minority ... But we went all day...I didn't want to miss a thing...we went when parks opened and often went straight to our dinner ressies from there! My DS napped in stroller he was just under 2 yrs and my DD was a trooper at 3 yrs..they passed out in the bus ride home every night!

Message edited 2/22/2012 11:13:24 PM.

Re: Disney moms, how many hours do you stay at the parks?

We were in Orlando in January. We went to Sea World, MK, Epcot, AK and Universal.

Without our DD, we used to spend all day at the parks, so we did the same with her. She was 16 months at the time.

She loved being out all day. We were worried about some meltdowns, but no. I allowed her to nap in the stroller at the time she would normally nap when home. It worked out great. We all had a great time!

I would say, do what's comfortable for you. If you used to spend half days at the parks, it'll probably be better for you to stick with your norm.

Have a wonderful time!

Re: Disney moms, how many hours do you stay at the parks?

We are there most days from park opening until 1:30 or so. We go in August and its so hot that we need to head back to the hotel and enjoy some rest and the pool...

If you get there early to start you get to experience many rides in a little bit of time. For us its enough time.

Re: Disney moms, how many hours do you stay at the parks?

We stayed until we did everything we wanted. we are actually leaving for Fla on Saturday. We will be going to Seaworld, Holleywood studios and magic kingdom.

Re: Disney moms, how many hours do you stay at the parks?

We are planning on getting there at opening, heading back to the hotel about 4 hours later, napping, eating, and heading back for a few hours of nighttime activities. My only reference is sesame where we only spent about 5 hours each day and went back to the hotel, napped, ate, swam, slept. My Ds was 15 months then and for Disney Ds will be 3 and ds2 15 months. I personally rather spread it out and even miss some things than exhaust myself and the kids. It's different though if your family is used to high level activity

Re: Disney moms, how many hours do you stay at the parks?

All day usually. Unless it's REALLY hot and we need a break. When my kids were younger, they would just nap in the stroller.

Re: Disney moms, how many hours do you stay at the parks?

Posted by jlk51496

I know I will prob be in the minority ... But we went all day...I didn't want to miss a thing...we went when parks opened and often went straight to our dinner ressies from there! My DS napped in stroller he was just under 2 yrs and my DD was a trooper at 3 yrs..they passed out in the bus ride home every night!

Re: Disney moms, how many hours do you stay at the parks?

Re: Disney moms, how many hours do you stay at the parks?

Well I think all day at a park with a young child is very tiring and you are more likely for them to melt down or get cranky.

We get to the park at rope drop (opening). We then stay until 1 or so (lunch time -we either eat in the park or go back to the hotel and eat lunch). Then it is nap time, swim and shower time. We head back to the parks around 4 or so and have dinner and do a few more rides, see a parade or fireworks etc.

I think the afternoon break is important though - I see so many parents with kids who obviously look exhausted and they are dragging them onto lines or around the park (we see this when we return to the parks around 4 and you can tell they have been there all day).

If you child will nap in the stroller you could find a quiet spot for a snack or drink and have to down time. I just think it is nice to get our for a few hours and just relax for a bit. But everyone has their own personal preference.

Re: Disney moms, how many hours do you stay at the parks?

When we were kids and my parents took us we were at the parks from open to close..........and on our first trip my sister was only 3!! They would just have us take breaks a lot and rest and nap in strollers or on benches if need be.

As an adult, no kids at the time, DH and I would also go from open to close. Long day but SO fun!! I figure when we take DD we'll *try* to be there open to close (that's what I would like to do) but we'll have to play that by ear. I don't know if she will survive such a long day, every day! I hope so though!!

Re: Disney moms, how many hours do you stay at the parks?

we went back and forth. we headed out to the parks after breakfast and stayed until 1 or 2 (left after lunch) when we went back to the hotel so DS could take his nap and recharge-- 2-3 hours -- then we went to dinner and then back to the parks for a little bit at night to catch the shows/parades/fireworks

Re: Disney moms, how many hours do you stay at the parks?

All day pretty much. DS was 15 months and he napped in the stroller. We had a spray fan that we used when it was hot, and we kept him and ourselves hydrated.

We got there mid morning and left after the fireworks! DS did great actually.

For Sea World and both Universal Studios, we ended up spending 7-9 hours at each park (way longer at Magic Kingdom) and DS was fine. We were pooped, but had fun.

Re: Disney moms, how many hours do you stay at the parks?

We just came back with a 4yo and 2.5yo and did the following:

Arrived at the park(s) within minutes of opening, stayed on through lunch until about 1, 1:30.

Went back to the hotel for naps/swimming/baths.

Went back out (often to a different park - had ParkHopper tix) about 5, 5:30 and stayed until about 9/closing.

Worked for us. I had no interest in being a commando and pushing through with exhausted kids since both of mine still nap (and I, myself, am pregnant and needed the downtime).

This most closely simulated our at-home routine (with a later bedtime) and, for us, is part of what made it such a nice trip.