Afternoon nap for young children?

[Partyof12]

Just wondering if the folks with small children (1 and 3 years old) always take them back to the hotel for a nap in the afternoon. The guidebook says its a must - but the MK closes early when we will be there (March 4-7) and I'm not sure what to do. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[WDWorBUST]

We took DD for the first time when she was 13 months old. She had to have her nap. We never would have made it if she hadn't - AND - she would not sleep in the stroller, there was too much going on. So I would definitely be prepared for it to be needed. I just assumed Sammi would sleep in the stroller something and it just did not happen.

 

[OKW Lover]

Yes, Always.

Our 2.5 YO Grandson really needs it. On days that the MK closes early, go there for the morning, leaving no later than 2:00. Then, after the nap, head for Epcot.

 

[danicaw]

We took our DS when he was 7 months old and we will be again when he is 23 months. We have also gone to DL with him when he was 13 months old.
My son needed down time. On our WDW trip we took him back to the room for a nap each day, but at DL and DCA naps were taken in the stroller.
A stroller that reclines was important and we would find a place in a building or off the beaten path to hang out while he was sleeping.
Good Luck and have a great time.

 

[CamColt]

My kids have never been the sleep on demand type. If we went back to our room and told the kids they had to take a nap it would never happen. Instead we go back for a swim and showers/baths. This really seems to recharge the kids (and us) and gets us ready for the evening shift.
When my kids were the ages of yours, they always had a stroller and would sleep in there whenever they needed to. Some other favorite places for naps for them have been the Universe of Energy, Backlot Tour, and TTA. On trips when my youngest was 3 & 4 he always seemed to crash on the bus on our way out for the night between 4:00-5:00(he never napped at home at those ages). By the time we got to where we were going, he would be awake and rearing to go.
Good luck!

 

[jenjersnap]

Our kids - 4 and 16 months - needed the afternoon downtime big time. We tried to skip it one day; they both took short snoozes in the stroller and woke up bearish. We ended up leaving MK earlier than we planned that day. Learned our lesson! I think that it isn't merely that a nap is needed - my older DS doesn't nap at home and he didn't always nap at our hotel either - but a break from all the stimulation. Relaxation always did wonders for their mood!

The two times we've been with the kids were during early closing times too. It worked out fine. Better to go early and finish early in any case.

 

[nkkilala]

When I went in July of 03 and Nov of 04 my friend and I took naps every day. We would get up and do the early morning hours (no late hours then) and the head back to the hotel around 1 or 2. It was perfect. We were fresh for the night time activites.
Oh must I include that we are both 19. I lived for the nap time. It was a total refresher and made the day seem tons longer, in a good way!

 

[nkkilala]

silly me double posting~!! lol

 

[KimR]

We never did, they always just slept in the stroller. Last year, I thought DD3 would be too old, but she still napped with no problem. It worked well for us because they seem to totally get off their normal schedule at WDW and that way they were able to sleep on their own schedule whenever they were tired rather than having to trek back to the resort.

 

[minkydog]

We went two different times with kids who needed naps. both times we had a reclining stroller. Both times we made sure to visit the Hall of Presidents right before naptime. Once the lights dimmed, they dropped off to sleep, we slipped out and put them carefully in their strollers. We found a quiet corner to nap in and sat back for an hour of people-watching.

 

[Mainebound]

Just wondering if the folks with small children (1 and 3 years old) always take them back to the hotel for a nap in the afternoon. The guidebook says its a must - but the MK closes early when we will be there (March 4-7) and I'm not sure what to do. Any help would be appreciated.

In March 2003 our boys were 1 and 3 on our trip. We got to the parks 30-45 minutes before opening, avoiding early entry (EMH) mornings, toured until 11:30, had a sit down lunch, and returned to the hotel to swim, rest and nap. Often we would return to a park later in the day for 1-2 hours. This worked really well.

However, I do think there may have been 1 or 2 days during that 7 day trip when we stayed in the park until after the parade (i.e. 4:00 or so), and then we headed back to the resort for the rest of the day. We always got them to bed close to normal bedtime (8:00pm).

You have to do what works for your family. We can't make all the decisions in advance, try as we might. I, for one, did not plan to spend 10 hours in the Celebration Hospital with my 15 month old who had jumped off the bed at AKL! (he was fine -- we were paranoid). Who knows, they might get cat naps in the stroller and be good to go for another couple hours after lunch.

We had a great trip the first week of March 2004 and will be there this year that week too with our boys now ages 3 and 5!

Have a great trip!

 

[jenjersnap]

You have to do what works for your family. We can't make all the decisions in advance, try as we might. I, for one, did not plan to spend 10 hours in the Celebration Hospital with my 15 month old who had jumped off the bed at AKL! (he was fine -- we were paranoid). Who knows, they might get cat naps in the stroller and be good to go for another couple hours after lunch.

Have a great trip!

Oh yeah, we had the requisite fell-off-the-bed ER trip here too except it was our older DS and Sand Lake Hospital. He was fine other than needing to be on antibiotics for a week. A lovely way to spend a vacation day (not).

I also agree that you can't plan it all to the minute - go with the flow based on how well you know your kids and everything should be fine.

 

[lclark0621]

We always take a mid day break at the hotel, even before kids.

But our DS napped in the stroller & on my shoulder in my hip carrier.

 

[tjkraz]

Just wondering if the folks with small children (1 and 3 years old) always take them back to the hotel for a nap in the afternoon. The guidebook says its a must - but the MK closes early when we will be there (March 4-7) and I'm not sure what to do. Any help would be appreciated.

Our 3.5 year old is the type of kid that is a real bear if he doesn't get his full 2.5 - 3 hour nap each afternoon. Waking him up early or missing the nap altogether is just begging for trouble. So, we always take a break.

Our 1.5 year old is a little more flexible. She didn't mind dozing-off in the stroller, but still got a pretty good nap back at the room.

I'm sure you know how your kids are at home when they don't get a nap. Expect the same at WDW...understanding that they'll probably be a lot more active (and tired) on the trip than at home. Alterning their normal routine is not anything I would ever recommend.

By 3-4pm, it's pretty easy to spot the toddlers whose parents didn't make very wise decisions that day. They are usually the ones having the red-faced temper tantrums on Main Street.

 

[benedicttw]

We always took our kids back for a nap everyday up to when they were 4 or 5. They are now 8, 10, 17 DH and DW now need the nap. We always go back to the resort around 2 for swimming, boating, and a nap about ever other day. If MK closes early go to MGM or Epcot.

Everyone will have a better time even if is a shorter amount of time if the little ones are rested.

 

[swilphil]

We always take a break when we went in the summer but the parks were open late, and our oldest didn't always take a nap. I would just play it be ear and follow your kids' cues. You might be able to get away with skipping nap one day, but I'd plan a sitdown lunch break. You could also take the 1 year old for a ride on the monorail to take a little snooze. If you do skip nap, be prepared to leave the park when the kids start getting cranky. We have yet to see the WISHES fireworks because our kids never make it that late.

 

[SeeDisney]

my 2.5 year old always dozed off in the stroller every day at the parks.


He's was OK with that.

 

[crl]

Our DD at 16 months had to have her nap at the hotel. There was too much happening at the parks to nap in the stroller. I'd plan for the nap at the hotel unless your kids fall asleep on your regular trips out of the house.

 

[Brian Noble]

Last year, my kids were 3 and 5 on a week-long trip to DL. It's hours most days were 10-8 (same span as the typical 9-7 MK hours.) We would stay until about 1:30 or so, go back for a rest, return to the parks at about 5:30 or so, and stay until 8.

That sounds like Not Much Time, but the days were plenty full.

 

[kimwim8]

We never did, they always just slept in the stroller. Last year, I thought DD3 would be too old, but she still napped with no problem. It worked well for us because they seem to totally get off their normal schedule at WDW and that way they were able to sleep on their own schedule whenever they were tired rather than having to trek back to the resort.

Same with us...both of our kids just pooped out in the stroller or took a cat nap on the bus rides...and they were good to go. My kids would never nap on que.