Going to park with kids 3 and 6 - nap, evenings etc

[bigbabyblues]

We are at the park when it opens, sometimes we schedule a character breakfast for about an hour before the park opens (as early as the restaurant is open), that way, we're inside the park at opening and finished with breakfast.

We usually stay in the park until lunch, or just after lunch if we eat in the park, then we got back to the resort (we stay onsite) to swim and rest, then we go back around 4:30 or whenever our dinner reservation is for, if we have one. We stay until closing/after the fireworks.

I don't know how often we'll do the nap this year, but we're going in late May/early June, and I expect it to be fairly hot, so we'll probably need the break. My boys just can't handle the entire day in the park, and the break helps. They will be 6 and just under 4.

 

[mericletwins]

I'm planning on doing the same thing. But, I not quite sure what to expect, because my youngest will be 2 when we go. She may give up naps, by that point, but I sure hope not!

My kids have not napped since they were about two or three, but they nap almost every day at Disney. We go early, when the park opens, back to hotel for a swim about 1:00. Nap for an hour or so around 3:00 and then back to the parks. Whne we go back in the evenings we try to do the park w/ the EMH and stay as late as we can. We haven't yet made it to the EMH close. BTW, my kids are 7, 7 and 6.

 

[Dizneydaz]

My DD7 was almost 3 the first time we took her. She was basically done with naps and so we didn't really plan any scheduled nap time for her. One additional consideration for us was the 3 hr. time difference from California. We didn't do well getting up really early to hit the parks as soon as they opened. (Though it was easier getting her ready then my 20 y/o niece who took 45 min. to get ready every a.m. )

Basically what we ended up doing was she would just fall asleep, in her stroller, and one of us (we were 3A, and 1K) would stay with her and we would switch off on rides until she woke up. We weren't able to plan naps in the room as she wouldn't sleep upon command. Even if she fell asleep in the van on the way back to the room, she would have had enough of a nap, that she would be ready to go, as soon as we arrived back. We did go back to the resort most days to relax, or go swimming (after all her fav. thing is the pools )

I remember one a.m., a few days into our trip when we went to AK. Our first ride was the Safari. I looked over to where my DD was sitting on her cousin's lap and said "Watch out, she's falling asleep!" And she did. It was about 9 a.m. and she'd only be up for about an hour. She took a nap for a few hours that day in her stroller. Then she was good for the rest of the day.

I think the thing with kids is to be flexible. They are going to be more tired, and cranky, than at home. There is a lot to see and do. So, if one (or both) of them has a meltdown-change your plans and head back to your room. Even if if means giving up a really important ADR We've been lucky, my DD hasn't had a meltdown, but I've seen plenty of them.

By the way, with the 3 hr. difference we are now able to take advantage of the EMH evenings, without staying up late being a problem. Plus, we dine a little later, when it's less crowded.

Even now, we make sure we don't have "plans" every day, all day. She needs her "just me" time. Even if it's just playing with her Littlest Pets in the room.

Anyway, that's what's worked for us, my DD has now been 7 times, and is a seasoned traveler!

 

[jgeorge15]

Thanks agaiin for all the responses

Have any of you visited downtown disney? How is the lego imagination center? Is there a place for kids to just play with blocks - I have 2 lego crazy kids - I am sure we will end up spending some big bucks if we take them there
But I love them and us to see all the lego creations and possibilities

Thanks
Jessy

 

[Kuffam]

We never manage to get to the parks before opening and we feel going back to the room took too much time and effort. So we just get there when we get there. Plan some quiet time around afternoon (may go back to the car for tailgate lunch). Then stay until fireworks, spectromagic, etc.