go early vs sleep in

[redberyl]

My 5 yr old has heart, lung and liver disease and gets fatigued very easily. At our local amusement park we always let her sleep in so she's well rested going into the park. But would it be better
To wake her earlier to avoid the worst of the heat and take advantage of shorter lines? What's worked for others whose kids wilt quickly?

 

[alicat8]

I can't imagine what it's like with that kind of illness But the crowds and heat are very overwhelming and exhausting, so I like to go early and take an afternoon break.
Good luck!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I would go with the up early and leave as it gets crowded and hot, esp if going in summer. I would plan on going back to resort either just after or just before lunch. if child is up to it go back after dinner for a couple of hours or a character meal for dinner. back to resort early for bed to repeat the next day. would plan on one or two no park days to sleep in, would use these for day after fireworks night if planning seeing any of them

 

[HopperFan]

For many years I have let my DS sleep in and we get to the parks after 10 or so. But last week we got up and went early then took breaks during the heat of the day. If you are traveling during a busy time or hot weather I highly suggest if you can going early, doing as much as you can then go back to the resort to rest. Head back later in the afternoon as crowds may die down and weather cool off as sun sets.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

My 5 yr old has heart, lung and liver disease and gets fatigued very easily. At our local amusement park we always let her sleep in so she's well rested going into the park. But would it be better
To wake her earlier to avoid the worst of the heat and take advantage of shorter lines? What's worked for others whose kids wilt quickly?

My DD doesn't get fatigued easily but the heat does affect her mood and ability to deal with frustration. We almost always get up early, hit the parks at rope drop, then head back to the resort in the early afternoon to swim and rest. We just got home on Sunday and we handled things a little differently this trip because she wanted to see the Festival of Fantasy parade in the MK and both of us wanted to see the Jammin' Jungle Parade in the AK before it went away. Those days we pushed through the afternoon until after the parades but it was difficult. Our normal touring plan definitely works out better for us. You will definitely get more done by getting there early.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I'm an adult who wilts quickly, so while this is from my POV, most of it would also apply to a kid.

If you can go off-season in January or February, you'll have more choice of when you go. It's also cooler so if heat is a trigger for worse problems, it won't be as much of a concern. The drawback is that anything water-related is usually colder (and sometimes they close one or both of the water parks to do repairs during the winter. When I've been in late January, there are very few long waits so it doesn't matter so much if you get there later.

If you need to go during the summer or one of the busy times, it's definitely worth considering at least trying to make rope-drop. If heat makes her wilt faster, you probably don't want to have her in a park during the afternoon when it's hottest. That break is a good time to take a nap (chances are everyone will be tired enough for one at that point) or do other things around your resort. You can go back in the evenings when it cools down, if you'd like, but I know that's harder with a 5 year old.

Whenever you go, make sure you use your FP+ for any must-do attractions, especially those that tend to have longer waits. If you're staying on property you'll be able to schedule in advance. If you're staying offsite (I'm assuming you don't have annual passes), you'll be able to schedule yours when you first get to the park. Then you can fill in around those with activities (attractions or other) that don't have long waits.

You may want to consider getting a stroller as a wheelchair tag for her. That will allow you to bring her stroller into lines for rides and other places that strollers aren't usually allowed. Most of the stand-by lines at WDW are accessible and those that aren't, there are other ways to access the attraction using a wheelchair/mobility aid (the one exception is Tomorrowland Transit Authority which requires riders to be able to ride up a moving walkway on an angle).

If needed, she will be able to lie down in First Aid for a while. Sit-down indoor meals or air conditioned shows can also be useful if avoiding heat will help her last longer.

 

[WantToGoNow]

I would think getting up earlier and taking advantage of the cooler less crowded mornings would be best. Then leave after noon to rest. You could then venture back out in the evening when she is rested.

We have always been a go all day kind of family but we will have to rethink that now that my dd10s heart issues are becoming more prevalent. They are not sure what's wrong but she is becoming sensitive to heat. We went to a baseball game Sunday and it was hot. Her hands stayed numb most of the game and she was bluish around her mouth - this has happened three times in the last month but the other two times she was up and active. She also has episodes of her heart racing and she gets lightheaded and dizzy.

 

[lanejudy]

... But would it be better
To wake her earlier to avoid the worst of the heat and take advantage of shorter lines? ...

Two points to consider: How much earlier would you be waking her for rope drop as opposed to letting her sleep to her "normal" waking time? Will she get to bed at least normal time or a little earlier the night before?

If you will be getting to bed late and waking her considerably earlier than usual, I honestly don't know that a rope drop strategy will provide you with a better situation. Yes, it will be cooler and hopefully less crowded. But if she's tired and cranky from little sleep and out of her usual routine -- that won't make much difference.

DD also tires easily. Even on vacation, we try to stick as close to normal routine as possible -- including waking and going to bed at usual times. We might have one or two late nights during a week at WDW, and plan to hang at the resort the next morning. She's not much of a late sleeper anyway, but late to bed the night before definitely leads to her tiring more quickly the next day. I'd suggest planning your days to balance out early and late, with some down-time at the resort.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

i would go with the up early and leave as it gets crowded and hot, esp if going in summer. I would plan on going back to resort either just after or just before lunch. . . .

yes !

 

[Lisa71]

My DD doesn't get fatigued easily but the heat does affect her mood and ability to deal with frustration. We almost always get up early, hit the parks at rope drop, then head back to the resort in the early afternoon to swim and rest. We just got home on Sunday and we handled things a little differently this trip because she wanted to see the Festival of Fantasy parade in the MK and both of us wanted to see the Jammin' Jungle Parade in the AK before it went away. Those days we pushed through the afternoon until after the parades but it was difficult. Our normal touring plan definitely works out better for us. You will definitely get more done by getting there early.

We let the kids sleep. DD is not a morning person and we live west coast so early mornings our first trip were awful. Now we plan later and are much happier.