What if you need to unwind at Walt Disney World. Sounds like an oxymoron, right?
Who rests at Disney?
My husband, that’s who.
My husband is slowly becoming a Disney Nut convert. He appreciates the level of service. He loves the restaurant choices. He enjoys the thrill we have for the place.
But his least favorite thing about Walt Disney World is the herds and hoards of people. And that, my friends, is downright unavoidable.
So, I’ve learned, if I want to have a truly magical vacation with my husband, then we have to build in some downtime.
Our “downtime” must have 4 key components:
- Be timed in the middle or near the end of our visit.
- Cannot involve heavy crowds.
- Involves sleep and/or lazying around the pool.
- If an activity is involved, must be low key.
Timing Is Everything
If you take your break too early, you end up exhausted by the end of the trip. Too late? Then you come across “Magic Remorse,” afraid you didn’t get to do that last thing you wanted to do.
For a seven day visit, we try to take a break on day 4 or 5, for example. On longer trips, I make sure our high-powered days are scattered between low-powered days and take our break about two days before we are scheduled to check out.
Stay Out Of The Crowds
Oh sure. We avoid the parks like the plague. But depending on the time of year, that means avoiding the water parks, as well. Sometimes, we even have to avoid putt-putt golf. But not always. Read on…
Our Favorite “Stay Out Of Crowds” Activities
- An early in the day visit to Disney Springs for shopping then lunch then immediately back to the resort before Disney Springs gets too busy.
- During a spring or fall trip you’ll find us at one of the water parks: Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon.
- Putt-Putt golf at Fantasia Gardens or Winter Summerland – early in the day only.
- Sometimes I can convince him of a character meal at a resort (but NOT Chef Mickey’s)
- Animal Kingdom Lodge is a very relaxing resort. It has great dining options (Boma, Jiko and Sanaa) and you can stroll the grounds and look at the animals at your leisure.
- Activities at our resort: movies, crafts with the kids, tours, even fishing and carriage rides. Check with concierge at your resort for a complete list.
- Entertainment at resort restaurants.
And, of course, there’s always the pool or nap time.
Hanging out at the pool is one of our favorite activities. I’m a morning person and my husband is a night owl. When the kids were younger, I would get up with them, get them a quick breakfast and head out to the pool. My husband would join us once he was up and moving after his coffee.
Now, with teenagers, we’re all more self sufficient. Everyone just sleeps or puts on swimsuits whenever they want to. Lunch at the pool and then more of the same.
A VERY relaxing day.
Low Key Activities Are A Must
Not only do we avoid the crowds but the activity must be low energy.
As stated above, putt putt or the water parks or even Disney Springs must be at times that you are avoid the crowds.
But the weather has to be perfect for putt putt.
And this is not the time to see and buy everything at Disney Springs – shop a few favorites, have lunch and then head back to the resort pool.
Depending on weather, time of year and crowd predictions, all activities shouldn’t break a sweat.
That’s it. Our rules to unwind at Walt Disney World.
What’s YOUR favorite way to unwind?
