Electrical Parade and Wishes

[Muppetfan3]

Anyone ever taken their toddler to this? On our Magic Kingdom day we have planned, our goal is to leave the park either around 3 or 4 and go back to our resort and nap, chill out and grab a QS meal for dinner. My hope is to return back to MK around 8 pm to be able to watch the Electrical Parade and (at least part of) Wishes.

The deal is, I have a 2 yo. Yes, this plan may seem completely nuts for some. My hope was that if we go back, have at least 4 hours of rest (hopefully a 2 hour nap in there). The next day, we have DHS planned with no dining reservations that am and our first FP starting at 11:30 am (so sleeping in is a viable option). Note: toddler usually sleeps 11 hours no matter what time we put him to bed, which is great. However, in a new environment, who knows. Usually in hotels in the past, he has been just fine.

We took our DD to MK when she was 3 and watching Wishes with her (albeit we were right in front of the castle - my big mistake that year, learned there are much better locations if you want to get out more quickly after it's over) and it was one of the biggest highlights/memories of our entire trip. My heart swelled when I saw her face light up and I'll never forget that moment. So magical. I'd love the same for my son.

I don't want to push it, but if anyone has done this successfully and knows of any tips/tricks on how to get out quick to avoid the max exodus of people leaving MK, I'd love to know. Hopefully I'm not crazy by going back to MK to enjoy the last bit of magic for the day. I'd really like to make it happen but to be smart about it.

Thanks for any help with this!!

 

[Candycane83]

OP, I'll be watching this thread along with you! I'm planning to do the same for my 2 year old's first trip in December (...or next May if December plans do not push through). I love all of the nighttime shows so I'm hoping DS2 will be able to take a nap in the afternoon and be ok for the evening!

 

[Muppetfan3]

OP, I'll be watching this thread along with you! I'm planning to do the same for my 2 year old's first trip in December (...or next May if December plans do not push through). I love all of the nighttime shows so I'm hoping DS2 will be able to take a nap in the afternoon and be ok for the evening!

Yeah!!! I'm glad I'm not the only one wanting to do this!! There's nothing like Magic Kingdom at night!! Aw!! Can't wait!

 

[Candycane83]

Yeah!!! I'm glad I'm not the only one wanting to do this!! There's nothing like Magic Kingdom at night!! Aw!! Can't wait!

Yes! I totally agree, nothing like MK at night... Honestly, I want to watch all the nighttime shows... crossing my fingers DS2 would be ok! I have 1 early morning planned but mostly late nights... We'll see how that goes.

 

[MeghanG855]

I was thinking of doing the same thing. We are staying of AoA this year...do you think it will be a pain going back and forth on the bus? The last time we stayed on Disney property was at the Polynesian for our honeymoon back in 2009, the monorail is so convenient!

 

[Jasmine81]

We went with my daughter when she was 18 months. She didn't care for the loudness of the fireworks so we stood back closer to the gates so it wasn't as loud. She loved all the parades though. As far as napping, she just slept in her stroller. We didn't spend the time going back and forth between the parks and the resort (we were at POR). She did fine. She passed out towards the end of the day! But up and ready to go the next morning!

 

[Princess Minnie321]

My kids are a bit older, 5 and 3, but my DD stayed up last summer when she was 2 and watched fireworks that started at 9:30 and ended at 10:30.

We are also planning to try Wishes and the electric parade. I say try it! Not having anything planned the next morning is a great idea. I think I am going to try it on the night before our resort day. We have a 9am breakfast ADR, but it is at our resort so we do not have to leave early or travel anywhere that morning. We are planning a low key swim day so if they are tired, they can rest.

 

[ColonialMouse]

I don't want to push it

First, be honest with yourself. Of course you want to push it. If you didn't, you wouldn't be posting here about keeping your toddler up until 11 to watch fireworks.

Once you admit that, then the key is asking what you have to do to make it work OK with your kids. Like everyone says, a nap midday or a late start the next day might help. We generally find that we don't have to do anything unusual the day we keep our kids up late---it's the next day we have to be really careful not to stress them out. e.g. on our next trip we have two fireworks nights, and the next day is either a late start to Kennedy Space Center or maybe a noon trip to a water park. And we have to pay a lot of attention on those days before things spiral out of control.

We tend to avoid MK fireworks in the summer---we see them in the winter when they're earlier and do other nighttime things in the summer. But as long as you're careful about how your kids react to staying up late go ahead and do it.

Bruce

 

[jennygirlmt]

We're going in January with a major factor being the earlier evening events (kids will be 19 months, 4 and 6). My kids won't sleep 11 hours no matter what. They'll go to bed at 10 and be up at 7.

We skipped them last Decemeber when they were 2 and 4, though Dh and I got to go while my parents stayed with the sleeping girls.

I wouldn't attempt it with a 2 year old but that's just me. If you can get a solid late nap and take it fairly easy you might be ok. Though I'd leave earlier than 4 to make the rest worthwhile.