afternoon nap for toddlers during a weekday??

[northshoremama]

my question is for monday, 5/4 and wednesday, 5/6. according to laughingplace.com, the 2008 hours for these days at DL were 10am - 8pm, and DCA 10am - 6pm. so i'm going to guess that they will be about the same hours for may 2009. i'm just wondering...with shortened hours during the week, for those with toddlers, do you guys still head back to the hotel for an afternoon nap? or do you try and stay at the park for as long as you can?

i'm trying to work on my itinerary right now, and feel that with an afternoon nap/rest (anywhere between 2:30pm - 5pm)...heading back into the park around 5pm to grab dinner, i feel like there isn't much time left before the park closes at 8pm (assuming we're done eating dinner by 6pm - so this would leave us about 2 hours for rides...).

thoughts? should i still include an afternoon rest period????

 

[DizNee Luver]

Not sure about the hours, but our toddler (she was 2 last trip) took a nap everyday in the stroller, so we never worried about leaving the park. We'd find a nice place to people watch & let her rest. We'd take turns taking the other child out to do things. I worked great for us, but don't know if that would work for you.
I know a lot of people suggest having lunch, then return to the motel for a couple hours & then head back before dinner. You're kids will definately guide you in what you do. They may sleep in the strollers or be too excited to nap & then fall asleep early in the evening for the night.
Have fun!!

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

When we were there last May, we intentionally toured during weekdays and avoided the weekends, even though it meant that most days were "short" days. We'd arrive at the parks for opening, stay till 1-ish, then head back to the hotel for down time/swim/nap, etc.... then we'd head back to DCA in time for a couple rides and my ds #2's favorite thing - the Pixar Parade, then over to DL for dinner and rides till 8 (closing). For us, the nap was totally necessary - all our kids still napped at home, and the 19 month old refused to nap in the stroller. In fact, a couple of days we had to practically drag the 3 yr old out of bed in order to get back for the Parade - it was the only thing that would motivate him to wake up!
My two cents would be to do the naps anyway, but it depends on how much your kids need those naps.

 

[northshoremama]

thanks for the feedback! as of right now, my 13-month old naps every afternoon. when we were there this past december, she'd easily fall asleep in her stroller. my 2 year old (who's almost 3) no longer takes "regular" afternoon naps, but again, when we were there in october and december of last year, she easily fell asleep when we headed back to the hotel in the afternoon.

...and the more i think about it, i think DH would also appreciate an afternoon nap. i think we'll try to go for as long as we can in the parks (heading back to the hotel around 2:30-3pm)...and try our best to head back to the parks by 5pm - 5:30pm.

 

[avalon451]

How many days will you be there? Just the two?

I tend to prefer more days with shorter hours, rather than just a couple of days packed full. It seems to make for a much more relaxed experience for us.

As others said, it's pretty subjective depending on your kids. I recall when I was researching our first trip, and I read in the Unofficial Guide that the "midday break" is really a very good idea if you can possibly do it, and not just for your young kids' sake-- also for yours. One woman wrote in, "Take the nap, take the nap, TAKE THE NAP!' Because she saw more kids being dragged around far past their endurance... refusing to nap in their strollers until just about suppertime when they conked out right during the time they were supposed to wake up and behave politely for the dinner reservations... tired kids crying and parents with the attitude of "We paid a lot of money for this vacation, so you WILL enjoy it, dangit!"

And really, we found it's not only the kids who need a break. I love Disneyland, but I get sensory overload after a while. I want peace and a chance to rest. It's like going to the mall-- some people can hang out there all day but I get overloaded with sights and smells and need a break after a few hours. When we went back to our hotel room, I was surprised that ALL of us zonked right out for a couple of hours, every day! Including DDs 12 and 10.

When DD13 and I went, we had 3 full days, plus our arrival day (about 3 p.m.-midnight) and our departure day (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) We took a break on every day except our last. Sometimes I felt like we'd hardly done "enough" by the time we left at 12:30 or 1 p.m.... but we always had a handful of FastPasses for later, had seen several things and done several rides... enjoyed our break... came back in the evening refreshed and ready for more fun. Especially if you are staying at a walking distance hotel with a pool (I heart HoJo) the kids will love the chance to swim and rest, and you will miss the biggest crowds and the hottest part of the day.

Ok, I'll shut up now.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Not sure about the hours, but our toddler (she was 2 last trip) took a nap everyday in the stroller, so we never worried about leaving the park. We'd find a nice place to people watch & let her rest. We'd take turns taking the other child out to do things. I worked great for us, but don't know if that would work for you.

Our 2 year old was the same way. She naps everyday at home, but was fine in the parks all day, napping when she got tired in the stroller. I realize though for some kids this doesn't work.

 

[letthembelittle]

We went for just one day last April with the park being open the hours that you mentioned for your trip. Our just turned 3 yr old who was still napping at home powered through the day just fine, she got a little cranky but there was lots of stuff to distract her with. Our just turned 1 year old who was still taking two regular naps finally passed out in the stroller at dinner time and woke up about an hour later ready to keep running around. If we had been there more then one day I wouldnt have missed naptime but it worked out fine for us. Good luck and have a magical trip, we cant wait to go back in November.

 

[northshoremama]

How many days will you be there? Just the two?

we get into LGB saturday evening (5/2), but don't plan to go into the parks since it's a blocked-out day.

sunday, 5/3...vw bug show in fontana, then we plan to do dinner at RFC, then HOPEFULLY see the EP in DCA (if it's running at that time, which it was last may 2008). i guess we could go into DL after the EP, but i'm afraid we'll be running into crowds that are trying to get situated for the fireworks show (and honestly, DD1 keeps asking to see fireworks - and i know we can watch them from the camelot (where we are staying), so i was planning to head back to the hotel after the EP to watch the fireworks...

monday, 5/4...DL/DCA

Tuesday, 5/5...knotts, then DL in the evening

wednesdsay, 5/6...DL/DCA (still trying to figure out if we should start with DCA or DL on this day).

thursday, 5/7...tentatively planned - legoland, then DL in the evening if we're not too pooped

friday, 5/8...DL/DCA - flight out of LGB is at 6:30pm, so we'll head to the airport around 3:30pm - 4pm (don't know how friday traffic will be from anaheim to LGB).

there's a lot a want to see/do in DL and DCA that we still haven't done...autopia, dumbo, astro-orbiter, matterhorn, princess faire, and pixie's hollow, tarzan's treehouse for the girls, soarin and indiana jones for DH and me (child swap), goofy's and ariel's character meals...and of course revisit our faves - POTC, haunted mansion, rides in FL, nemo, jungle cruise...oh, and a ride on the train (haven't done this yet - and i heard that they have the grand canyon scenery between tomorrowland and main street)...oh, and to try cafe orleans and carnation cafe.

...geez, i'm really hoping we can make it back to DL in september before our APs expire!!!!!

 

[momto2nenas]

We've not gone back to the hotel during the day during our last 2 trips but my youngest always slept in the stroller. HOWEVER, we only made it to closing 1 time adn we were totally exhausted. Most days we'd leave the parks for the night before 7pm even if they were open until midnight. Therefore, I've yet to see Fantastyland at night and I really want to this trip. Plus I will be largely pregnant so we definately plan on midday breaks and then closing the parks.

We'll be there May 5-7 so same hours.

 

[WannaBeAPrincess]

We always just had our kids sleep in the stroller for their naps. I loved it when that happened...I took the opportunity to shop!

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

I have to say that I nap EVERYDAY I am there...we get up super early...do it crazy...leave around noonish as it gets crazy and then go back around 4-6 depending on how late it is open! DO IT!

 

[Disneymama09]

Yes nap is a must, if no nap, they may get cranky and you would have to leave before fireworks!!!!

 

[kerickson]

Our last trip my dd was just almost 3 and my DS was 9mo. He slept anywhere (in the Bjorn, in the stroller) My DD didn't and had a few meltdowns. Our hotel was pretty far away so we just powered it out unitl closing or near closing time. This time (May 3-9), we are staying at the Grand and plan to go back for pool/nap time every day. I'm not sure how a midday nap will work for my son, sometimes he's grumpier after he wakes up than if he didn't nap at all, but once he sees Lighting McQueen again I'm sure he'll perk right up!

 

[prncssmel]

I have to say that I nap EVERYDAY I am there...we get up super early...do it crazy...leave around noonish as it gets crazy and then go back around 4-6 depending on how late it is open! DO IT!

I agree. It is not just kids that get grumpy. DH gets grumpy if he doesn't get a nap at DL. And since he won't fit in a stroller, going back to the hotel is our only option.

 

[northshoremama]

the only reason i was questioning the nap is that during the time we will be there, i believe the park's hours will be 10am - 8pm (at least that was the hours last may 2008; may 2009 hours are not yet posted)...and with the park opening at 10am, i feel like heading back at 2pm for a nap seems "too early"...and then by the time we head back to the park, we'll only have a couple of hours before closing time at 8pm. i guess i'm so used to being at the park at an 8am opening (with a 11pm or 12am closing time).

we'll see how things go in may. i think DDs will be okay...now i'm beginning to think the afternoon nap will be needed by DH! LOL!

 

[nancy drew]

Can you shorten the nap? I am in the same boat, though my kids are older. I am going to be there on a weekend as well, and am thinking we might go back for swimming and/or resting on Sat/Sun, but not so sure on the weekdays.

Last year my kids were 4 and 2.5 and we did the nap, but then when we got back to the hotel room we were all wide awake and stayed up late watching TV etc. One night we ordered a pizza, and one night we walked through DTD and hung out in the Lego store for a while (very crowded). So this year I might try skipping the nap and just hopping between parks and letting the kids take turns chilling in the stroller, or maybe riding the train around or riding Small World a thousand times in a row. But I also thought about shortening the nap to an hour, so we do get a break but still get more time in the parks. But then again it takes a while to calm down and fall asleep during the day... ugh I'm not very helpful at all!!!

 

[northshoremama]

Can you shorten the nap? I am in the same boat, though my kids are older. I am going to be there on a weekend as well, and am thinking we might go back for swimming and/or resting on Sat/Sun, but not so sure on the weekdays.

Last year my kids were 4 and 2.5 and we did the nap, but then when we got back to the hotel room we were all wide awake and stayed up late watching TV etc. One night we ordered a pizza, and one night we walked through DTD and hung out in the Lego store for a while (very crowded). So this year I might try skipping the nap and just hopping between parks and letting the kids take turns chilling in the stroller, or maybe riding the train around or riding Small World a thousand times in a row. But I also thought about shortening the nap to an hour, so we do get a break but still get more time in the parks. But then again it takes a while to calm down and fall asleep during the day... ugh I'm not very helpful at all!!!

LOL! no worries! yes, i've thought of shortening the nap, but as you stated, it takes a while for them to get settled and sleeping. so i'm thinking we're going to be at the hotel for at least a couple hours. and since we're only there on the weekdays, the parks close early (and open late!...argh!)