Back to AKL for nap?

[Wsmagee]

Going in December with our 5 yr old and 2 yr old daughter and staying at AKL. Is it even worth going back for for a nap/rest or would we waste the entire afternoon? What kind of travel time are we talking about realistically?

Are we completely crazy for not staying on the monorail? Can you switch do a different resort and keep the free dining plan promo?

 

[tami82]

I think you should play it by ear and see what happens once you are there. If it starts being too much cut your stay to half days in the parks. If they are cranky you shouldn't force yourself to stay. I have found if my kids start getting cranky or tired around lunch time it's because they are hungry. We eat an early lunch around 11:30 and then they are fine afterwards. We always stay monorail which is very easy

 

[kreckl]

We've never found the Disney transportation to be bad to AKL. As with any resort, you may have to wait awhile for a bus. But AK does not share a bus with other resorts- we thought the ride from MK to BC was MUCH worse- also to POR with its many stops. My advice is to put a little money aside for Uber/cabs and when people are very tired, go that route. We do that every trip. AKL is a beautiful, relaxing resort! Many times we didn't want to return to the parks after our midday breaks.

 

[loves to dive]

I would assume with little ones you probably aren't going to be going commando style any way so no it wouldn't be a waste. When my son was little we just played it by ear, if he was getting cranky, we left and went back to the resort. We would swim or nap (mostly me napping) and sometime we would go back to the park and sometimes not. Again, we just played it by ear and how he was doing.

 

[brooke789]

We just stayed at AKL last month with 2 5 year olds and a 2 year old. 3 of our 8 park days we went straight through with no break. On those days we left earlier in the evening (usually back to resort like 8pm). On the other 5 nights we went back to the resort 12-1pmish. The 2 year old took a nap back at the resort and the older two enjoyed exploring, activities or just watching tv. It was definitely never a waste going back. Going back allowed us to stay through nighttime shows/fireworks those nights.

 

[henry72]

I have taken kids that age in December and we always took an afternoon break. It was never a hassle. (But we were staying at CBR instead of AKL.)

 

[MunchkinSweetPea]

Not sure how the whether is in December because we've never been during that month, but I'd plan for about 4 hours total which would have your family out of the park during the hottest part of the day. It worked well for us. We usually managed to get back, swim, shower, nap, and arrive at the parks in time for a dinner reservation. Enjoy your trip!

 

[amy1981]

At 2 & 5, I would think after 4 hours or so in the parks your kids will be ready to have some down time. My kids never napped during our afternoons back at the hotel, but they enjoyed having unstructured time to run around, play and swim. For us, this was especially important on days when we planned to go back to see fireworks, shows or parades at night. AKL busing is a bit more of a hassle than staying at a monorail resort obviously, but not terribly inconvenient. AKL is such a beautiful & unique hotel, I think your family will enjoy spending afternoons exploring the hotel and enjoying the pool. I know it seems like your wasting and afternoon of park time, and I get that, but I wouldn't look at it that way. I'd view it more as saving your sanity on days when it's what you and your kids need.

As to your question on keeping your free dining...I'd call and talk to someone and see. We had to switch resorts a few years back when we upped our party from 4 to 5 because my mom decided to go with us. I talked to a CM and explained and she was able to switch our hotel and keep our free dining promo. I realize this will vary depending on availability, but you could check and see and hope for the best!

 

[Wsmagee]

I would assume with little ones you probably aren't going to be going commando style any way so no it wouldn't be a waste. When my son was little we just played it by ear, if he was getting cranky, we left and went back to the resort. We would swim or nap (mostly me napping) and sometime we would go back to the park and sometimes not. Again, we just played it by ear and how he was doing.

What is "commando style??" I'm guessing it doesn't have anything to do with underwear! Hahaha!

 

[Wsmagee]

Just curious! How did you all maximize fp+ usage when planning on not being in the parks in the afternoon?

And I haven't even thought about swimming in December! Is this doable in then?

 

[loves to dive]

What is "commando style??" I'm guessing it doesn't have anything to do with underwear! Hahaha!

Commando is park open to park close with no breaks and just about every minute doing something.

 

[jacknsally19]

Just curious! How did you all maximize fp+ usage when planning on not being in the parks in the afternoon?

And I haven't even thought about swimming in December! Is this doable in then?

We were at AKL last winter with our 4 yr old. We did a lot of down time back at the resort. I found it really easy to get back to that resort from all the parks. While the monorail resorts are good for MK, they really aren't that great for all the other parks. We definitely spent time swimming in Dec - there was one day where its all we did!!!

As for maximizing fp+, I typically will plan for a FP at sat 11, 1 and like 7ish during our MK day. Epcot - I would probably do the same times. I'm not sure if you are planning on full days in AK or HS. I've found the only FP that I really needed at HS with my 4 yr old is for TSMM. AK - the only fp+ I have used with my DD is the Safari and the Lion King show. So I typically didn't worry as much about my FP selections for those parks.

 

[stenmarks]

Just curious! How did you all maximize fp+ usage when planning on not being in the parks in the afternoon?

And I haven't even thought about swimming in December! Is this doable in then?

We have spent three Decembers at Disney (this year will be our fourth!) and we have spent time at the pool every year. Last year we were there Dec. 26-Jan. 1 and it was just as hot as Memorial Day 2014!

 

[kreckl]

We try for fast passes for the last couple of hours that we plan to be in the parks, and get there early. That gives us to ride favorites twice!

 

[AshleeH]

We stayed there when my boys were 7 and 4 and did a midday break occasionally. It just depended on the day and if they seemed to need it.

 

[*I'msoooBelle*]

Going back to AKL, from any of the parks, in the afternoon its totally doable and I highly recommend it with kids. My family and I did this last month and we didn't feel like it was a waste of time. Remember this is a vacation, time to rest and to relax is much needed, specially with kids!! Cheers!

 

[AspenLL]

We stayed there with our 13mo last year and easily went back for a midday nap. He also would take naps in the stroller while we were at the park. Definitely not a waste of time!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

we had a different experience with returning to resort with a 16 month old. granted it was a different resort than AKL but he fell asleep on way to resort woke up as we got off to walk to room and then screamed so loud that [art of group could hear him down the hall for 2 hours. it was worst day we have had at WDW. since than we have done stroller naps which have worked better for us

 

[squirrel]

The first year I took my niece I tried doing naps at the resort. After 2 times, I gave up. It was a waste of time since she would either fall asleep on the bus back to the resort or not fall asleep until we were headed back to the parks since she never slept at the resort. After that, I just let her fall asleep in the stroller and it worked out much better for both of us. I could collect FP while she slept and then when she woke up we could go on rides. I did the same the following three years once with her again and then the next two years with her little sister. I will never go back to making naps at the resort.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Getting back to AKL really isn't that big a deal mid day. We did it going back to AOA with no issues.

We all find that it benefits us all to take a mid day break. Then we head back to the parks around 5 pm all refreshed and charged up.