This thread has been really helpful to help me think things through! It definitely seems like it depends on when you're going (and what the park hours are at that time of year) and where you're staying.
I am planning a trip in April for a 16 month and almost 3 year old. We opted not to do the park-hopper, as this would force us not to drag the kids from park to park and wear ourselves out. We also decided to pass on most EMH evenings, as the parks are more crowded on these days. We decided we'd rather have less crowds and get the kids in bed at a decent hour than to go back for an afternoon nap and keep them out until midnight. As they get older, I expect this strategy will change as I absolutely LOVE evening magic hours, at MK especially!
The last time we went to Disney (with my son, at 10 months) we did quite a bit of park-hopping and didn't go back to POP for naps. But he slept so easily in his stroller or in the BabyBjorn (even while I rode Pirates). I know I cannot expect it to be so easy with a 16 month old and a 3 year old.
If we were staying at one of the resorts on the lake, I wouldn't hesitate to go back for a nap. To me, the monorail and boats are pretty relaxing in and of themselves and would be a good wind-down for nap-time.
But a bus ride to a value resort?? I am trying to imaging how much time it will actually take to go back for a nap.
Let's look at a day in MK as an example:
The standard park hours are 9am-10pm in April.
No matter which land you are in when you decide it's time for a break, it's likely to be a decent trek back to the front gates (10min), then it's another trek to the value resort bus stops (5min). Then you have to wait. Last time we waited close to 20 minutes quite often for a bus to take us back to POP (let's call it 15min). Then you have to take all your bags out of the strollers, fold them up and load (grr...). Then there's the bus ride (18min). The trek to your room (5min). Wind down (15-30min). Nap (2 hrs). Get up and ready to leave (5min). Then go back (1 hr). That's 5 hours that I'm not having much fun, and only 2 of which I'm really relaxing. Then there's the added risk that at least one of the kids will fall asleep on the trek, and not be sleepy enough to nap once we get there. Or maybe they'll just be so wound up they won't nap when we get there. Or they may throw a fit because we're leaving the park early. It seems like a big gamble to me.
Of course, it's a big gamble to stay in the park too. They may not nap. They may get cranky. But I think this is the gamble I'm more willing to take. At least I didn't wear myself out lugging everything back to the hotel, just to have it backfire. We can find a quiet place to sit and rest for a while. I think my mood will affect the kids' as well and I know I'd never be able to nap if we did go back and I'd get a lot more rest by just taking a break at the park. Worst case scenario, I bet a loop or two in the stroller on the monorail would put them to sleep and it's still more relaxing than going all the way back on the bus.
I'm also thinking about practicing naps with the kids in the stroller at home. Maybe putting my kids in the strollers in the house, lowering the sunshades and then adding some distracting sounds in a distant room. Maybe we can come up with a stroller nap routine to help them settle down. Anyone have any ideas?
sits and relaxes with a snack while she sleeps. I was only corralling two kids around going back and forth, I assume it'd be even worse with 4. I'd just stay at the parks the whole day, especially in Jan. It's not hot, shorter hours, you'll be fine. Just plan to have rest times (like sitting to watch a parade or riding the train around or the ppl. mover a few times or watching shows etc. when the kids get tired.
