The GROOVIER New Pop Century FAQ Thread Chapter 2! ~ Post #1 is a must see!

[serene56]

For those that have been to POP before, did you take mid day breaks? Was the travel time worth it?

depends on the age of your people-- what time you hit the parks in the morning.

I am so torn as to miss parades or miss fireworks. No way can our GD go from 8am til 8am (although we are doing table service meals at least once so maybe we can use that as down time)

 

[flipflopmom]

We have a 2 year old and a 9 nine year old on their first trip. We'll start our mornings with 8am ADRs before park opening at 9. Thinking about breaking from lunch until abotu 4:30, at least at MK and Epcot. Hopping back on an off day to catch parade at MK. ....

 

[marciemi]

We're hoping to do the exact same thing, at least on our two MK days. My evening ADR's are in the 4:30-5 range, so we plan to be on the first bus to the park, do as much as we can by 11:30, eat lunch there (and grab some extra FP's before and after). Then bus back to Pop so we can rest in the room, change shoes, jump in the pool, etc. I have just my DS16, but he truly melts in the heat. I'm thinking if we leave the parks by 12:30, get back to Pop (hopefully) by 1, have at least 2 hours to rest and swim, and then start getting ready for the trek back. If it doesn't work out for the first day, the advantage is that we can just stay the second day for the afternoon (and use our FP's and do more shows and cooler stuff) and then just call it an early night after dinner.

 

[DisneyMom5]

For those that have been to POP before, did you take mid day breaks? Was the travel time worth it?

I used to be against mid day breaks, because they take so much time. When we went in Aug. 05, we didn't do breaks, it was super hot, and by 5 pm every night we were worn out. Missed all the night time stuff.

In Sept. 07 we had some first timers with us, it was super hot again, and we didn't want to miss evening things. So we went back for a nap a couple of times. It was heaven to lay down in a dark cool room for even an hour. So this trip I am planning in a few mid-day naps or swims (for the older kids.)

The most ideal during hot times would be to spend the cooler evening hours at the parks, especially when they are open later.
My littles can't handle that yet, even with a nap, because when it's bed time, it's bed time. LOL

Even if you don't do it every day, it's nice to plan every so often.

 

[snowwhitesmom]

We found when our kids were a bit younger, (9 and 12), a 12 hour day in the parks was too much, even at that age - but now, as teenagers - we can't keep up with them!(I wonder if they would take us back for a nap on the next trip?)

 

[EmpressBubbles]

For those that have been to POP before, did you take mid day breaks? Was the travel time worth it?

Mid-day breaks are a must for us. It is just DH and myself, but the Empress needs her nap! I'm on vacation!
Actually, the naps are longer when it's hotter outside. During those times, we start the day early, leave the park at or before lunch and take a break at the hotel. If we come out before dark, we go to another resort for dinner or DTD, etc. Then we do the "Vampire" hours at the parks for less heat.

During the more temperate months, we will sleep in a bit and only come back to the room for a short afternoon break of an hour or two....I NEED A NAP! We then hit the parks again, since most of them don't stay open that late during those times.

 

[obssessed]

For those that have been to POP before, did you take mid day breaks? Was the travel time worth it?

We went in April and the breaks were a must. My son's are 8 & 10. The 8 year old needed time in the pool to get out his excess energy,( after standing still in lines). The 10 year old needed the down time, he didn't nap, but laid quietly playing his Gameboy or reading the guidebooks and such. We were up for rope drop everyday, went back to the room somewhere between 2-4 pm and back at the parks by around 4-6 pm. Everybody was much less grumpy for having taken a break. Commuting time wasn't bad, averaged about 40 minutes to get back to Pop including wait time for the busses.

 

[ValinWV]

We take midday breaks most days. We start early take a break around lunch. Go out for our ADR and then stay late in the park.

 

[seadd67]

We to take the mid day break with my 16yo DS.We alawys say where going to take a dip Into the pool,but It never happens yet!. We usually do the change of socks and shoes cool off In the AC. and get to the next park.
But I like the Idea about haveing the dinner around 5 or 6pm,It would give us a chance to rest up maybe force us to the pool then hit the park for the rest of the night.At least do It during the later park closeing.

 

[Tiggerific04]

DH and I take mid-day breaks everyday. We usually leave the park by noon and take a nap and a shower when we get back to Pop. We're back in the parks for dinner and leave when they close.

 

[WDW1st-timers]

For all the years that we have gone to Disney I think that we have only came back to our room once and that was due to a clothing change for Cinderellas Castle. Something alittle nicer than shorts and a T-shirt.

Last year in December 2008 my youngest was 2 and we went from getting up at 7am to and hitting the parks to open them at 9am and then we stayed till 12:01 in the morning. The only break we took was supper which was a good 2 hours. My kids are troopers to be in a park for 15 hours. Mine you that the baby took naps in her stroller which was needed but overall she was great.

 

[Mojodisney]

that was our old room 3434. This is a GREAT view of Epcot. I loved waking up and opening the blinds to see the Epcot ball right there. Also seeing the fireworks was great too.

Thanks for the info. I'm going to call my TA and request that room. We watched fireworks from our hotel in DL and that was great because DD was pooped by the end of the night.

 

[OatsZoo]

For all the years that we have gone to Disney I think that we have only came back to our room once and that was due to a clothing change for Cinderellas Castle. Something alittle nicer than shorts and a T-shirt.

Last year in December 2008 my youngest was 2 and we went from getting up at 7am to and hitting the parks to open them at 9am and then we stayed till 12:01 in the morning. The only break we took was supper which was a good 2 hours. My kids are troopers to be in a park for 15 hours. Mine you that the baby took naps in her stroller which was needed but overall she was great.

We too do not take breaks during the day, we take mini breaks in the parks, we usually fine a quiet out of the way spot on the grass and people watch while having an ice cream or water and popcorn. We would rather not waste the bus travel time. We rest in the park. The kids would sometimes fall asleep in the stroller or we bring a towel with us to the park so we lay out the towel to sit on and they can nap there while DH and I had a beer or something cold. I personnally am more tired if I nap so I just people watch. Last trip DH found a bench in Japan and I had a beer while he napped on the bench. We make it work, without leaving the parks.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Originally Posted by WDW1st-timers
that was our old room 3434. This is a GREAT view of Epcot. I loved waking up and opening the blinds to see the Epcot ball right there. Also seeing the fireworks was great too.

We've been in the room next door 3435 and for those who say the fireworks or IllumiNations cannot be seen from the room, they need to have this room! Great location. Last time we were in this room it was in serious need of refurbishment, so hopefully POP painters and carpet cleaners have made the rounds of bldg 3 since then.

Mid-Day Breaks

We always take a mid day break, no matter if we are at a monorail resort or POP. For us, a trip to WDW is not just about the parks, but R&R as well...it's a vacation and we find we enjoy the parks better in smaller doses. We also never go parks everyday of our trip - we have at least 2 no park days. there is so much to WDW than the parks and we enjoy it all....water sprites (old term lol), pontoon boats, carriage rides, dinner shows etc.

 

[ValinWV]

Leaving in 2hrs 15 min. Be at POP in 2 Days.

 

[Dancegrl624]

Quick question for all you veteran POPers out there. How is the water pressure in the showers? I ask this because I have very thick curly hair and if the pressure isn't very strong, it takes me FOREVER to wash my hair. Just thought I'd ask so I can figure out how long it's going to take me to get ready in the mornings! TIA!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

We've only been on the 4th floor all 5 stays and the water pressure was very good early morning. Cannot stand weak water pressure!

 

[cwy_chu]

The magic your way package comes with a 30 min Arcade card but from this thread, it says the cards are in points system. How does this work? Do you ususally buy extra points to play or 30 min is enough for 2 kids. Our kids are 8 and 6, they can easily spend half day in a Chuck e Cheese. I would like to budget how much I need to spend on our vacation. Thanks.

 

[Alesia]

The magic your way package comes with a 30 min Arcade card but from this thread, it says the cards are in points system. How does this work? Do you ususally buy extra points to play or 30 min is enough for 2 kids. Our kids are 8 and 6, they can easily spend half day in a Chuck e Cheese. I would like to budget how much I need to spend on our vacation. Thanks.

The 30 minute card works differently than the cards you buy.

It works for 30 minutes after the first time you swipe it. If you use it for the first time at 5:00, it will expire at 5:30. Only one person can use it at a time. Also, it doesn't work on games that give tickets.

I would plan on spending more money.

 

[heathere3]

Quick question for all you veteran POPers out there. How is the water pressure in the showers? I ask this because I have very thick curly hair and if the pressure isn't very strong, it takes me FOREVER to wash my hair. Just thought I'd ask so I can figure out how long it's going to take me to get ready in the mornings! TIA!

When we stayed there last year in September, my hair was down to my waist and so thick and curly it won't fit in most barrettes. I totally understand your concern. I had *NO* problems washing it in the shower in our room. You should be A-OK!

(Hehe... and this year it barely reaches my shoulders again! No washing it problems, no heat problems, no getting it caught in rides, and biggest wohoo, another 16 inches donated!)

Heather
Pop Century Sept 19-27th
Can't come soon enough!