Do you really go back to resort for naps?

[debloco]

When we went when our DD was 4 (October) and again at 5 1/2 (end of February) we left the parks and did the nap every day. We realized very quickly that it was a good thing for us adults as well! I just don't think you can go all day-every day and day after day, without taking a break to at least "get out of the dodge" and go back to the room and rest. The parks are huge, there's lots of walking and lots of stimulation, even without the heat and crowds.

For us, there's a big difference even now in how we feel by the time we get to dinner (DD is 16 now) depending on whether or not we've taken a break during the day or gotten a later start. If we haven't take that break we're (at the very least) starting to drag and feel worn out. At the worst we're exhausted, cranky and have shorter fuses. If we slept in and started later or have taken a break, we get to dinner or back to the parks refreshed, feeling good and ready to go for several more hours.

 

[lauritagoddess]

We didn't go back for the nap. My DS is an early riser, up before 6:00 each morning while we were there, but he won't take a nap no matter what. We got to the parks for the opening and he was flagging after a few hours. But we'd have lunch and relax a little and he'd be up for a few more hours activities and then by the time he was flagging again it was usually time to watch a parade and he got a little more rest. That said, we left the parks usually by about 4:00 each day and didn't spend any evenings there. If he was a napper I'd have taken him back to the resort during the day and then gone back in the evenings.

 

[katlynh]

We've been to Disney several times and have always left the parks. I sometimes feel as if people think the only time they're having fun is in the parks. Our DD's love the days we rent boats as much as they do park days. We've also been at a resort when something special is going on for the kids(example: storytimes, ladybug releases, contests, face painting, etc., with little or no crowds and alot of one on one attention).The boardwalk is a great way to spend a few hours as is renting bikes and going around the resorts. We love the parks, and try to see as much as possible, but find there is so much else to Disney, ten days for us is never enough. This also puts our family in better spirits to tackle the crowds and lines in the evening when everything looks so different. I guess everyone must do what works for their family, just don't pass up all the magic outside of the parks, at the many wonderful resorts. Have a great vacation. Janice

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I've been to WDW more times than I can count, but never with a 1yo as I will be next week (hooray! ). How many of you, when traveling with a young one, take the often-read advice to go back to the resort mid-day for a nap?

Last September we did that every day with our 5-month old. We plan on doing that again this coming May. It gave us the very much needed down-time. Besides baby needing the break, Mom and Dad needed it, too!

 

[giatocj]

I know I'm way behind the 8 ball on this one, but I just wanted to say that during our first 3 trips with my grandson (when he was 3 and 4 years old) we always went back to the resort...he loves to swim so that would be our pool time, meal/snack time and nap time. Sometimes he wouldn't nap, but the quiet time away from the parks was really what he needed every day to keep him energized enough to really enjoy his time. Before, when my boyfriend and I were traveling alone with no kids, we would also go back to the resort for some R & R during the day.

Now that Christian is older (6), we play it by ear...if he's crabby we'll go back for a while, if not, we go until he feels like he's had enough. He always will ask to go back to the hotel when he starts feeling overloaded...he knows we can and will always go back to the parks when he's ready...or Downtown Disney, or Mini Golfing...whatever he wants to do. He knows going back isn't a punishment...which I think some kids might see it as.

Donna

 

[miller2470]

We usually do 7 days in the parks so taking a break in the middle of the day is good for us...we dont feel like we are gonna miss something. Our children were 13, 13 and 7 last year when we went and we went back to POR around 12-1 so the kids could get in the pool and DH likes to take a break. This worked out great for us. We go for the EMH in the morning so by the time we leave the park, we have been there for 4-5 hours and are ready for the pool, especially since we go in June when its pretty hot. We get ready at around 3-3:30 and get to dinner usually around 4-5 then its back to the parks for the night. We have been so many times that we feel that the break is good without feeling like we are missing out.

 

[mousketeer]

We always go back to the resort for naps at about 3:00 or 4:00. It works well because usually the little ones are sleepy by that time.

 

[flynnmnstr]

If your child will nap in the stroller and you don't want to go back and rest then by all means stay and play. Our 1st one would only nap in the stroller we wanted to go back for a rest and couldn't, except for one trip when he was about 2 years old, he napped everyday; it was our fav and most relaxing trip. One thing I have to say is the Disney is a whole new experience going from one child to two. When number two came along we were so exhausted after our first trip with them we vowed not to go back unitl the second one was 2 year old. Ok we almost made it; we are going at the end of April and he'll be 18 mnths then. But we are only going for four days just to get a little fix.

This trip we will be so grateful if one day out of the four they will nap at the hotel.

 

[thelionqueen]

We always go back to the resort for a nap. Could not imagine not doing it, just works well for us!

 

[mrludwig]

We did the nap (DDs were 2 & 7) We were up at 6:00 - 6:30 and at the parks for the rope drops and Character Breakfasts. We would head back for a rest (for the adults as much for the kids) around 1-2ish. My husband absolutely needed the nap or none of us wanted to be around him the rest of the day. We would also swim as well as nap and then head back out between 5:30 - 6:30 for dinner reservations. Since we were park hopping for alot of dinners it was no big deal. We were there for a week and again for 10 days on another visit and followed this both times. It worked out well for us but I think you need to do what works for your family.

 

[Eeyore's Girl]

No way! It would be impossible for me to rest during the day at WDW!

 

[linda_loo]

I would love to see the answers as poll results (is it bad that I'm too lazy to read 4 pages of replies?).