Best shaded area to walk toddlers for napping

[faith1118]

Hi, since it's starting to get hot now, I have to find a nice shaded place to walk toddlers during their naptime. I have found the area behind GRR at CA to be good for CA side. I read on here that the Animation studio is good for napping babies, but I thought I also read that strollers were no longer permitted inside. Can somebody confirm that? Does anybody know of anywhere else on the CA side that is good for this?
I was also wondering if there was a place like the trail behind GRR, but on the DL side. They sleep better with constant motion, so I would like somewhere that I can walk. I usually walk them around Big Thunder by Star Wars land, but was wondering if there was anywhere else.
Thanks!

 

[otten]

Following. We're bringing our almost 3 year old next month and while she doesn't nap regularly at home, she'll need to at Disney. She naps best in a carrier so especially interested in air conditioned spots.

 

[agamble]

Air conditioned places you can take a stroller into are pretty limited now. I'm not sure what you mean by carrier, but the baby centers at each park are air conditioned and have rocking chairs where you can sit.

One place that is an ok place to walk at DL is between Frontierland and the Royal Theatre. This was a better place before they built the princess M&G there, but there is still a path there. It's hard to find a nice shady place to walk with Thunder Trail closed. The area near the Matterhorn is pretty shaded. I like Critter Country for parking the stroller and sitting in the shade, but not so great for walking.

 

[figment_jii]

In terms of air conditioning (but not with strollers), I would head to Launch Bay in DL.

In terms of walking in DL, at this point, I don't think there is anything really like the BTM Trail. I was also thinking that the closest option is around the Matterhorn (but it's not available while the parade is enroute). Some of DTD is pretty shady and now with the security points moved, it might be easier to head out to DTD to walk.

 

[otten]

Air conditioned places you can take a stroller into are pretty limited now. I'm not sure what you mean by carrier, but the baby centers at each park are air conditioned and have rocking chairs where you can sit.

One place that is an ok place to walk at DL is between Frontierland and the Royal Theatre. This was a better place before they built the princess M&G there, but there is still a path there. It's hard to find a nice shady place to walk with Thunder Trail closed. The area near the Matterhorn is pretty shaded. I like Critter Country for parking the stroller and sitting in the shade, but not so great for walking.

A carrier is like a backpack that you wear the child in, like a baby bjorn or similar, though larger in the case of a toddler carrier. So no stroller. We'll have one with us for getting around the parks with two kids but the youngest won't nap in a stroller so we'll wear her for that. Air conditioning is critical to the success of that operation though as it gets very warm having a little body on your back.

 

[faith1118]

Thanks for the info! I've also read the Hungry Bear Restaurant on the lower level is a good place for napping? Has anybody tried this?

 

[agamble]

A carrier is like a backpack that you wear the child in, like a baby bjorn or similar, though larger in the case of a toddler carrier. So no stroller. We'll have one with us for getting around the parks with two kids but the youngest won't nap in a stroller so we'll wear her for that. Air conditioning is critical to the success of that operation though as it gets very warm having a little body on your back.

In that case you should be able to find many places that are air conditioned. The baby center as I mentioned if you can wear her and sit in a rocker. Also any of the large indoor attractions like Launch Bay and Animation Academy should work well for you. The Disney Gallery could also be a nice place for you to hang out.

 

[Epek]

Thanks for the info! I've also read the Hungry Bear Restaurant on the lower level is a good place for napping? Has anybody tried this?

Yes! Perfect place for the grownup to chill while baby naps! It was my go to back when my almost 3yr old would actually nap (now we just have to hope she passes out randomly. Ugh.) Pretty quiet, shady, and a nice breeze off the river.

For walking, I think going from Hungry Bear to the wall at the end of Critter Country and back is a fairly shady and not crazy busy walk. Circling the Matterhorn can be okay, but there's no shade.

In CA, I think you have the best place circling GRR. But, back by Monsters Inc can be pretty good as well. So can the Pier from TSMMM to Goofy's Sky School, or just to Paradise Garden Grove. As long as they aren't bothered by the noise that is Screamin'! Oh! The back routes out of Carsland are pretty empty too.

 

[amyg1975]

I always shop while my daughter naps!

Also, Lincoln's Theater is a nice cool place to sit on a hot day.

 

[lilmissfoodie]

I used to use the former boat dock area (just north of the Matterhorn). Problem is, there tend to be a lot of smokers there as well but it's well ventilated.

 

[Albort]

DCA bugs land can be somewhat shaded. its got some corners to hide too. AC rooms, i bet taste pilots is a good place to hide. You might also try the Challenge Trail if thats still opened.
DL i think the place next to haunted mansion, in front of the train station is pretty empty and also shaded. New Orleans square might be a good space too.

 

[azdisneylover]

Why not take an afternoon break back to your room and let your child or children nap in a room? You could rest too. Keeping a child on their regular schedule makes a positive difference in a trip for everyone. The big plus is everyone gets a break, a quick nap, some quiet time, a dip in the pool, etc, get a bite to eat and you head back to the parks refreshed. The parks are so crowded and the noise level is high, when you get back to the room, even if you do not sleep, your head will love the silence.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

In terms of air conditioning (but not with strollers), I would head to Launch Bay in DL.

In terms of walking in DL, at this point, I don't think there is anything really like the BTM Trail. I was also thinking that the closest option is around the Matterhorn (but it's not available while the parade is enroute). Some of DTD is pretty shady and now with the security points moved, it might be easier to head out to DTD to walk.

We went to DTD with our stroller-sleeping kiddo this past Sunday and found the music from the speakers to be an issue while walking - it's loud enough that she kept stirring snd fidgeting when we'd pass right by a speaker during the more "energetic" songs. Just something to be aware of.

I also usually walk around Grizzly at DCA. I have not found a suitable walking spot at DL. I have tried many spots at both parks, but for us, ambient noise is fine but a sudden surge in volume tends to wake her up. That means places where shows/bands go by, right by a coaster, etc., don't work.

 

[otten]

In that case you should be able to find many places that are air conditioned. The baby center as I mentioned if you can wear her and sit in a rocker. Also any of the large indoor attractions like Launch Bay and Animation Academy should work well for you. The Disney Gallery could also be a nice place for you to hang out.

We'll need to be walking around for her to actually sleep. She doesn't nap on a regular basis anymore (and there's no way she'd nap in a hotel room with people in it) but if we can get her to nap on our backs for an hour or so in the afternoons we'll greatly lower the potential for meltdowns later. So thanks for the advice on Animation Academy and Launch Bay. I'll put those into our mid afternoon plans.

 

[casagray]

IF hyperspace mountain is down, then the area where they come out of when they unload and where the bathrooms are is a long, air-conditioned hallway with benches here and there that is super quiet. I wandered back there when it was down (changing themes) and it was a nice quiet oasis where you could use your stroller (at least I think you can at least up to the washroom...).

I don't know how it is when space mountain is up, and how crowded it gets, as I've never been on space mountain - maybe someone else knows.

 

[agamble]

IF hyperspace mountain is down, then the area where they come out of when they unload and where the bathrooms are is a long, air-conditioned hallway with benches here and there that is super quiet. I wandered back there when it was down (changing themes) and it was a nice quiet oasis where you could use your stroller (at least I think you can at least up to the washroom...).

I don't know how it is when space mountain is up, and how crowded it gets, as I've never been on space mountain - maybe someone else knows.

It's crazy crowded when Space Mountain is open. People wait for others in that area, they sell the pictures in there, and they have the handicap waiting area there.

 

[faith1118]

I have on occasion walked up and down that ramp to the space mountain line because it's nice and shaded in there, but i don't usually do that one much because it gets pretty busy over there and the ramp up is not fun after going up and down about 20 times

 

[casagray]

This is the area I meant - this is by the exit to HyperSpace Mountain, right? As you can see it's a longish, flat path, shaded, and the further in you go, the more a/c there is.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Since all kids are so different it's hard to know what would work for someone else's child.

During our last visit, our son was 1.5 years old and we went back to the hotel each afternoon hoping he would nap. In the end, most naps he took on park days ended up being short ones in his stroller at random times. When that would happen, I liked to walk around Frontierland shops with him. I actually found that constantly loud places worked best. When he fell asleep on Big Thunder trail, it was nice and quiet.....until random people would run by screaming. (Even had one kid literally yell into our stroller for no reason which woke my son and had him screaming. Horrible.)