Help!! New With Important Question

[weeluvdisney]

Hello
I found this place a couple of weeks ago and I can't stop myself from reading all the great information.
My family and I went to Disney World for the first time in Oct. 2001 (at this time dd11 and ds 6). We finally have the time and money to go back. We have an addition to our family. We have dd 16, ds11, and ds 3 3/4.
Here's the LONG question. DS 3 3/4 is a napper. Always has been. Takes a 2-3 hour nap daily. When we are away from home and he doesn't get a nap, he can sometimes be a monster (an adorable one that I love more then anything but no less a monster). If he has a complete meltdown in a line for a ride, are disney goers going to be compassionate because it's a family place, or will they be thinking "shut that kid up" because we'd be ruining their time?? I ask this because I do think of others but when I see someone going thru that it doesn't bother me at all, I feel for parent and child and I don't stare and give them dirty looks.

2nd question.
We are going in Oct. and I was wondering if anyone knows when their fall break typically is (first week? 2nd, third, last?) I would like to try to avoid that if possible. Our schools here don't have fall break. Thank you for any help and advice!!

 

[hmeadq]

My advice would be to try to keep to his normal scheudle as much as possible. Why not one parent go back to the hotel with him at lunch, and take a nap. Meet back up in the afternoon. In the mean time the older kids can do the rides a 3 year year old cannot go on...

I'd try to avoid meltdowns, they are stressfull for everyone, parent,kids, bystanders. But you know what s**t happens and if any one gioves you a dirty look, ignore them...

 

[byoung]

We do the parks early then back to the rm for a nap. Then out to the parks again.

 

[dwcrazee]

We also go early and plan a nap or some quiet time back at our resort. I think it saves all of us from vacation meltdown.

Angie

 

[weeluvdisney]

To nap it is. I thought I could get away without it but we better not try it. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Will your son nap in the stroller? A few trips ago my DD was then two. She was not a big napper. The whole week she feel asleep in the stroller (to our surprise).for midday naps. Either my husband or I would sit on a bench with her while the other would ride something with my older DD. We would switch out for each ride. I know this isn't the perfect solution, but it worked well for us.

 

[ravenscroft1999]

Me and the DW found out in 2003 the value of the afternoon "siesta". Between 1 and 4 pm there are two things AT WDW in abundance, Heat and people!. We started going back to the resort for a brief swim/nap at that time, and hitting the parks fresh for the evening. While it may not be practical to try to get the older ones to nap , The idea of parents taking turns going back with the youngest is a really good one(plus that parent gets a break too ) You'll never guess which parent will be going strong late in the day! Plus you avoid the dreaded Chernobyl level meltdown that some overtired, overstimulated youngsters seem to suffer on the bus ride back to the resort

 

[weeluvdisney]

He may nap in the stroller, I'm not sure. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. I wanted to avoid leaving mid-day, it seemed like more then a hassle then anything but by the sounds of everyones great advice, it might be a good thing for everyone. We will find out. Just want the trip to be great for him because it's his first time. The rest of us know we'll have a blast. thank you

 

[kizmac]

We have never left in the afternoon for the kids to nap. With the shortened park hours in the fall they usually close so early anyhow and unless you are staying on a monorail resort, the headache and stress of getting back to the hotel, trying to get the child to sleep and then bussing back to the park is going to take hours and be exhausting in itself! Some people swear by the afternoon nap at the hotel, and if I was going in the summer I would probably go for it, but for us, not returning to the hotel has always worked for us.

If they nap in the stroller great, if not...they sleep like rocks that night. We've never had a problem. My DD was about 18 months during our last trip and she usually naps like your child 2-3 hrs a day. She had no problem being in the parks till close and did take the occaisional nap in the stroller. Just be sure to have a very comfy stroller with a great sunshade. If you have off days, try to have a couple and let them catch up on some sleep on those afternoons. We had a day that the kids, even the older ones napped most of the afternoon while some of us adults resort hopped.

You'll know what you need to do when you get there. Believe me, I've seen more meltdowns in Disney by adults and older kids than little children. A little boy crying in line I"m not even going to look twice at. Have a great time!

 

[weeluvdisney]

That is great advice also, especially coming from a mother of 6 versus me with 3. My 3 yr old is a treasure, just very loud when he is tired and unhappy. I may be worrying for nothing. I do try to think of others and I guess thats why I needed advice. I think seeing an adolescent or adult meltdown at disney would make me feel great, ha ha ha!!

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

I am also addicted to this board now!! LOL We went last April and at that time, my son was 3 and my DD was only 15 months. We never went back to the hotel to nap. (we were offsite) Our 15 month old would just pass out in the stroller or on a ride (the Safari ride!!). Our 3 year old hasn't napped since the day he turned 2, but even he would curl up in the stroller and fall asleep sometimes. Desperate times call for desperate measures!!