One of the chief complaints I got from my husband the first time we went to Walt Disney World together was that it didn’t “feel like a vacation” because it wasn’t “relaxing”. And I agree that it’s definitely possible, especially if it’s your first trip there, or you have kids with you, to feel overwhelmed and develop the need to rush around and do it all. WDW has a lot to offer – rides, attractions, characters, restaurants – it’s impossible to do it all, and you will run yourself down trying – so much so that you will need a vacation to recover from your vacation!
Luckily, there are many ways to deal with this “Disney Overload” syndrome that will help you slow down, relax, and enjoy your vacation:
Take A Day Off – From the Parks that is: Spending all your days at the Parks means you will get as much Disney Magic as possible – but it also means you will be tired, achy and cranky, so I suggest a “non parks day” where you can relax and swim or shop or just catch up on sleep and recharge yourself for those nonstop Park days. And if you’re not sure what there is to do outside the WDW Parks, click here to find out!
Have A Date Night – Trekking around WDW with young kids can really take a toll on you – and there is no better way for parents to relax than to take a night and have some “alone time” – so hire a baby sitter and head out for a nice dinner and some drinks to help you unwind and enjoy the adult side of WDW
Take A Swim – All WDW Resorts have amazing pools with water slides, fountains, and kiddie pools. What many people don’t know is that most of the Resorts have more than one pool – and the other pool(s) are usually much more empty – which means you can lay around in the water or on a lounge chair and enjoy some peace and quiet
Enjoy Nature – Head over to Fort Wilderness for an afternoon and take a stroll around the beautiful grounds and through the nature trails. You can also rent a bike or a canoe/paddle boat here and spend the afternoon getting some exercise too!
Pamper Yourself – Enjoy some “me” time at one of WDW’s spas where they offer massages, manicures and pedicures, and body treatments to help you feel (and look!) your best
Hide Out From The Hot Sun And Crowds – One tip I see written in a lot of Disney planning books/articles is that you’re better off getting up early, hitting a Park until lunchtime, and then heading back to your Resort for a mid afternoon nap. It’s a great tip, and one that we utilize often – this way we avoid the hottest, most crowded part of the day at the Parks (which means fewer meltdowns!), and we wake up late afternoon refreshed and ready for a night on the town!
All you have to do is take a step back, breathe, and remember, you’re on VACATION – so pick one of these activities and spend some time relaxing and thinking about nothing except the fact that you’re at the happiest place on earth!
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