Hello Ali! Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel.
I was faced with the exact same scenario during my family's first (together) Walt Disney World Resort Vacation 2 years ago, when we stayed at
Disney's Art of Animation Resort.
Take the break, it's always worth it.
With the
frequency and ease of Resort Transportation (aside from strollers), the midday break is crucial to maintaining children's health and parent's sanity. We were ability to sneak in naps, swims in the Big Blue Pool Area and dining at
Landscape of Flavors during our midday break before returning with fresh legs and happy kids in the evening.
As far as your
Advanced Dining Reservations are concerned, in lieu of Lunch, I recommend finding breakfast venues inside the Theme Parks (even before the Theme Park officially opens) to get a great start to your day, breaking before the afternoon rush and heading back to the Theme Parks in the evening in time for early Advanced Dining Reservations.
Utilize your midday break by having lunch at Landscape of Flavors and saving your breakfasts and dinners when inside the Theme Parks.
If you stick with the plan you mentioned as it is, you will have an estimated 2 hours of down time before you need to start heading back to the Theme Park. If I were faced with that scenario, I would try to alter 1 of the
Advanced Dining Reservations through My Disney Experience to increase our down time.
Have a Magical Vacation!
~Todd