Bunkbeds for 2 and 4 y/o's

[alecam]

I have two DS,2 &4. I booked my room at AKL with a request for bunk beds. They are both in big boy beds, with the 2 y/o's being a toddler bed. Has anyone used the bunk beds with their small kids? Isee on pics that they have rails all around on the top except where the ladder is,and DS4 has been in his big boy bed with boxspring and mattress for well over a year now.
What was your experience with them with kids around 2-5?

 

[shellybaxter]

We had a four year old and she loved the top and bottom beds. The bottom bed doesn't have rails, but I think you can request them from housekeeping (not sure though, just think I read that you could). It is low enough to the ground. The top bed had had good rails that kept the child safe. Our niece loved the "bunky beds"

Shelly

 

[AlisonB]

I'm not sure about the US but here in the UK bunk beds are not advised for any kids under the age of 6.

It's a long way to fall out of the top bunk! He may not fall when in his sleep - as you say the bars stop the rolling - but it's easy to miss a step when climbing down - or maybe to sit up in the night and then start to climb down when Mommy and Daddy is sleeping.

I'm sure the 2 year old is fine on the bottom - but I'd have some concerns if it was my 4 year old on the top!

 

[tink&cinderella]

I second that. I work in Child Welfare here in CDN and we also don't advise bunk beds for children until they are around 6 or 7 years old. The risk is just too high.

My own daughter - almost 6 moves around an awful lot and there have been times when I have found her sideways on her bed. My 2 year old moves around even more so. My theory is that as they get older they sleep more soundly, or at least move about less that may be part of the reason that bunks at the top are not recommended until they are 6 or 7.

Hope this helps.

tink&cinderella

 

[stacilee]

We stayed at AKL last year with two young ones in the bunk beds. the bottom is where the smallest one slept. It was very low to the ground, she had no problems. The top bunk was very secure with a rail all around except for the small spot towards the bottom where they climb down.
We were really impressed by the quality of these beds. They were solid as a rock! I commented to DH about feeling sorry for the "mousekeepers" having to make those beds and change the sheets. I hate this job at home and have taught my kids to climb up there and change their own sheets at a young age!
the bed rails on the top bunk cannot be removed by the guest ( or the child). There is a key-lock on them that only Mousekeeping has a key to and the rails swing down on sturdy hinges.
If you are worried about the little one down below, ask at the front desk if they can send up a pair of "bed rails". At many of the disney resorts they have nice mesh "Graco" bedrails you can use during your stay.
If they are unavailable you can always request a few extra pillows to put on the floor to soften any roll-outs during the night.
Our experience over the years has been that by the time we get the kids to bed they are so wiped out they hardly move an inch.

Only one of our four kids was a faller-out-of-bedder, but he always slept so soundly that he would never even wake up. If we heard him we would just pick him up and put him back in. Sometimes though, in the morning he would just be asleep on the floor with the blankets all rolled around him!
Have a great stay!

 

[uofl]

We stayed at the AKL last September and my son was 2. He has always slept in the bed with us at home, but for our trip I requested a bunk bed for him. He absolutely loved the bunk bed, I actually felt safer with him sleeping on the top bunk because the rails were so secure. Whenever it was bedtime he would climb up and go to sleep on his own, my husband and I were shocked because he has never slept in his own bed. For his 3rd birthday my sister bought him a bunk bed so now he sleeps in his own bed every night!

 

[alecam]

Thanks for all the awesome replies,guys!!
I'm still not sure what I'm going to do yet, but I really do think they will be OK with the bunkbeds. I plan to load the floor up with pillows(thanks stacilee) and if worse comes to worse, I will ask to be moved if I see any problems with the safety of the beds, but it seems to me they are going to be pretty steady!!

Thanks all
Kristi

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I will add my comment...

The top rails are very secure and your 4yo should have no problem if he is already in a regular bed.
The 2yo, I would ask Mousekeeping for the Graco rails. They tuck way under the mattress and he won't have a problem.

I like the roomier feel of the bunkbed rooms...ENJOY!!

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

Originally posted by alecam
Thanks for all the awesome replies,guys!!
I'm still not sure what I'm going to do yet, but I really do think they will be OK with the bunkbeds. I plan to load the floor up with pillows(thanks stacilee) and if worse comes to worse, I will ask to be moved if I see any problems with the safety of the beds, but it seems to me they are going to be pretty steady!!

Thanks all
Kristi

I'm sure the beads are steady...it's the toddlers and preschoolers who may not be too steady! You know your oldest best, whether or not he moves around much in his sleep, but he could toss and turn more in a new surrounding, too. Personally, I wouldn't try it with my own kids until my oldest is 6 or 7 as recommended. It's not *likely* that something would happen, but I wouldn't want to risk it - especially on vacation. We had a good friend's 5 year old DD break her arm climbing out of a bunk bed on a skiing vacation -- put an end to the fun pretty quickly - and my friend felt terrible that her DD was hurt.

Good luck with what you decide....me I'm a worrier!

 

[G&J's Mom]

I will be staying at AKL in June with my 4 year old DD and 2 year old DS. I will be requesting a "non-bunkbed" room upon arrival. I had considered the bunk beds but my common sense stepped in. My kids are the rough and tumble types and LOVE to wrestle, so I am not even going to risk it. I also figure there is no way my 2 year old is going to be content staying on the bottom bunk, so I don't feel up for the fight.

I think it totally depends on the kids. As much as I know my kids would love the bunk beds, I am going to wait until they are a little older.

Take care and have a great trip.

Denise