Creative Solutions For Older Kids Who Need To (but don't want to) Share a Bed on Vacation

[vinotinto]

Following. We have a 15-year old boy and 12-year old girl and I’ve researched this topic to death. Some resorts do have cots. CSR has cots in their regular (non-Tower) rooms. Tower rooms do not have cots, but they have Aerobeds. I don’t love the Aerobeds either. Sorry, they just don’t feel like a bed.

AKL does not have cots, unless this has been added in the last couple of months. So, it’s definitely worth looking into creative options. I’m intrigued by the inflatable mattress pad idea.

 

[SarahC97]

When we stayed at AKL Thanksgiving week we had some challenges with the bed setup in our room. I talked to the front desk and they delivered an air mattress to our room with extra linens. It worked out great -- I would ask for that when you arrive. Then you can just prop it up against the wall when you're not using it.

 

[elaine amj]

I’m intrigued by the inflatable mattress pad idea.

Thermarest mattress pads and the like have been used by campers for years. I bought the slightly cheaper Costco version. They are pretty comfy all things considered.

 

[dieumeye]

If you go the “air mattress” route, go to a camping/outdoor store. There should be dozens of styles all catered to specific needs... weight, comfort, size, etc.

They are a lot better these days than air mattresses from years ago.

 

[Karebear]

Baby rental companies that deliver cribs and such to WDW also rent rollaway beds. I have done this before at both WDW and on other vacations and it works out great for my picky kids!

 

[amarberry]

Baby rental companies that deliver cribs and such to WDW also rent rollaway beds. I have done this before at both WDW and on other vacations and it works out great for my picky kids!

Possible game changer!!! What company did you use?

 

[SandS_K]

Our daughter sleeps on this. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019OFR6A8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1 Very light and doesn't take up much room in suitcase.

 

[Wood Nymph]

My sister uses a trick with the sheets when she has to share a bed with someone. You can ask for an extra sheet and blanket. Fold each top sheet in half lengthwise on top of the bottom sheet, like the pages in an open book. Each child would crawl into their folded top sheet and they wouldn't be touching each other. And they would each have their own blanket for additional separation.

 

[Karebear]

Possible game changer!!! What company did you use?

We used the traveling baby company. I think it was about $50 for a week for the rollaway. Lifesaver on vacation with kids who won’t share a bed!

 

[tanyaandallie]

Mom of a 16 (girl) and 14 (boy). We have always done the dad with ds and me with dd. We faced the snoring issue for YEARS. DH FINALLY got a cpap. I am not lying when I say the CPAP was life changing for all of us. Now he sleeps better, I sleep better and when we are all together in the same hotel room, the kids sleep better. I am a huge proponent of the CPAP!!!! In fact, we all stayed in a hotel this past weekend and were reminiscing about when I used to toss my dd's stuffed animals (she traveled with a ton) across the room at dh when he was snoring at night to get him to roll over.

So, if you have time strongly encourage him to get the CPAP prior to the trip! I had to really push hard to get my hubby to make the appointment and get in but in the end was so worth it!!

Now, all that said, my kids do NOT want to sleep together!! I think they would rather I bring something so one of them (probably ds) could sleep on the floor. Otherwise I think just putting a few extra pillows between would be the best bet. If you put something too substantial in the middle they will lose a ton of their sleep space.

 

[TwoHeartsBeat]

We our going in September with 2 adult kids. One is a kicker. She said she's thinking about bringing a sleeping back, so she can sleep on the floor. An airbed wouldn't fit in the resort we're staying in, but a sleeping bag would work fine.

 

[AngiTN]

I'd get a blow up mattress and let them take turns, if both want to complain.
And remind them, you are taking them to DISNEY WORLD! Complainers are welcome to stay home, LOL

 

[Nancyg56]

OMG, I just returned from an AKL stay with 2 13 YO girls. They share space all of the time, but boy, one one then ended up getting kicked (literally) out of bed and ended up on the floor! LOL! They laughed it off, but I also was wishing the bunk beds were still in place in our room after that.

 

[VAfamily1998]

OMG, I just returned from an AKL stay with 2 13 YO girls. They share space all of the time, but boy, one one then ended up getting kicked (literally) out of bed and ended up on the floor! LOL! They laughed it off, but I also was wishing the bunk beds were still in place in our room after that.

I really wish they weren't getting rid of the bunk beds! My kids are all boys and are able (and willing) to share a bed on vacation, but they definitely enjoyed having the bunk beds at AKL and WL.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We used the traveling baby company. I think it was about $50 for a week for the rollaway. Lifesaver on vacation with kids who won’t share a bed!

This is awesome! What resort did you stay at when you used the cot? Just thinking if the cot would fit in a moderate or more likely to fit in a deluxe?

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I'd get a blow up mattress and let them take turns, if both want to complain.
And remind them, you are taking them to DISNEY WORLD! Complainers are welcome to stay home, LOL

I really despise complaining and I used to be on the side of "you are going to Disney World so you should be happy" camp. But now that my kids are older and sleeping together is just kinda weird I see the light. Also, Disney can be an exhausting vacation and no one wants to get a crappy nights sleep and then be active all day. It sucks!

Now I will try to make accommodations, and I let the kids know this is what's going to happen.....but if they still don't like it then they can stay home. lol

 

[disneydreamer1980]

We have 5 kids (and my parents always go with us) so we always have kids sharing beds. Yes they complain, but I tell them to deal with it, they get to go to WDW! They’re usually so exhausted by the end of the day anyway, they’re just happy to lay down. If you’re not quite as heartless as me, I’d just bring an air mattress and have them alternate nights on it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You could try to get your reservation changed to an AKV reservation in a one bedroom. You'd have a king in the master and both a twin sleeper chair and queen sleeper sofa in the living room. Plus an extra bathroom in Kidani Village (not in Jambo House).

As for sleeping together, maybe mom can sleep with daughter and son can sleep with dad.

As for the CPAP, I didn't want one for years and my husband wore ear plugs to bed every night. I was diagnosed with AFib and my cardiologist suggested I get a sleep study. It showed I had sleep apnea and was having 21 episodes an hour where I stopped breathing. I got the CPAP. A month later I had my last Afib incident in the next year. I had to try two different masks before I found one that really worked the best (I sleep with my mouth open and the first mask didn't cover my mouth, so airflow was terrible). Got a mask that bumped my nose and covered my mouth with a hose that attached on the top of my head. I hated the elephant nose style because I change sleep positions pretty often during the night. My husband can sleep, I can sleep and I don't snore any more. It takes a little getting used to, but it works.

 

[Karebear]

This is awesome! What resort did you stay at when you used the cot? Just thinking if the cot would fit in a moderate or more likely to fit in a deluxe?

it was at Coronado. It was a tight fit but we made it work!

 

[cobright]

We would be flying so size/weight of whatever we bring is something of an issue, but we are willing to give up some luggage space to find a solution.

I'm certain that we are not the first family to deal with this issue or the last, and I'm guessing that there are probably some really good ideas out there. Please share! We actually really enjoy sharing a single hotel room while we are on vacation because we like the time together, but two undivided beds just doesn't work for us.

I'm not a fan of aerobeds, but they have gotten better. Even so ... This might be a fun opportunity, considering the locations. Bring along a 'Safari Bed'. Get a sorta-dated style camp cot ... like this...


Get a cheap 2" memory foam mattress topper from Walmart and cut two layers to make a mattress. Get some khaki fabric to encase the mattress or even use a really cheap painter's drop cloth from harbor freight.

The whole thing will weight about 30 pounds so you'll lose about half of a checked bag to bring it. Now set it up close to the window if possible and each day one of your intrepid explorers gets to wake up in 'base camp' looking out over the 'Savannah' . Get them one of those straw pith helmets and an old timey enamelware coffee cup.