How Do You Handle Sharing a Room with Small Children?

[earthfaries]

We have 4 (who will be 18months, 4, 5 and 10 when we travel) and when we travel we share a room with them, I'm fortunate that if tired they can sleep pretty much anywhere- with lights on or off, through any noise (I put it down to not having schedule nap/bedtimes when tiny- we're a family constantly on the go so v.little set routine/ritual surrounding sleep) they all settle to sleep pretty easily too which is a big bonus.

This trip as ASmo only had rooms for 4 (and the party we're with booked our whole group there) we're putting 2 of our kids in with my parents so it's lucky they settle like they do.

I am guessing after days at the park they'll be out sound anyway.

My kids are the same way. Especially on vacation at Disney. When we get back to the room or house, we all go to bed because we're exhausted. If not, there is no problem with the kids going to sleep if the light is on or there is talking, etc. because they are so worn out We never had any nap/bed schedules either and were traveling since they were 7 months old

It will work out fine. Probably no matter what their sleep schedule usually is, when they get to Disney they will konk out at the end of the day anywhere they can and nothing will be able to wake them

 

[mousebymarriage]

We usually book 2 rooms at a value and they are always connecting, this way the kids can go to sleep when necessary and they don't get up too early in the morning. My Dh wakes up insanely early on vacation and with seperate rooms and bathrooms I don't have to worry about him showering, or moving about and waking up the kids.

 

[Elmo888]

We went last January with DD6 and DD2 and stayed in one room at WL. While we LOVE WL, I don't want to stay in the same room with DDs EVER (okay, maybe when they are older). I had to turn the lights out completely for them to go to sleep. DH doesn't like to lie down that early (I'll lie down any time!), so he went to the lounge (football playoffs). We did have the balcony, but, for some reason, that didn't seem like fun. I didn't have wine in the room (also rectifying that mistake!), and I didn't really know how long I would be sitting out there. DDs didn't fall asleep from the sheer exhaustion. DD2 would just stand in her Pack N Play where she could see me.

On two weekend trips around the state with DDs this summer, we stayed in suites. It was sooooo much better.

So, yes, we are staying at ASMusic Family Suites next week! And I don't know what I would do without the Family Suites. DVC resorts are too much money for us. Maybe we would just be in two value rooms, but I really didn't like the idea of two entrances and the possibility of adjacent but non-connecting rooms. So, I would probably end up doing what a lot of posters on this thread are doing - renting a condo somewhere.

My other bright idea in hopes that they sleep better is to skip the naps every other day and just make it an early evening (DD3 isn't napping every day anyway). DD6 at the time took naps nearly every day last year, so maybe that contributed to the night time difficulties. We'll see how that goes!

I also wonder if it will get easier when they are older, and we will want to stay in one room.

 

[LilGMom]

We started taking our oldest to WDW when he was ten months old, he is now 6.5 yrs. old and our Oct. '07 trip was the first time that we didn't have a standard room. We are very fortunate in that both of our kids sleep like bricks once asleep so we were always able to still watch tv, read, talk, keep lights on, etc. We would usually turn all but one corner light off, turn the tv down, tell them that it was time for bed and that was it. We'd wrap a blanket around the outside of the pnp to help block out the light but didn't do anything else special.

This past Oct. we stayed in a one bedroom at VWL and really enjoyed the extra room and privacy. The kids are the main reason we bought DVC because when they are older I don't want to be sharing a room with three males .

 

[drumsRdaBEST]

hahaha

 

[lclark0621]

DS goes to sleep early at home, but not at Disney World.

But we sometimes stay up later then him (though after a long day in the park, I am ready to sleep myself. ).

But we just wait until he goes to sleep, then either turn the tv on low, or use our laptops, read, or sit on the balcony.

After a day in the park, a bomb could go off & DS would sleep through it.

 

[SandrainNC]

We are so tired at WDW we just go to bed when they do!!!

Sandra

 

[Metsoskil]

We pick up a complete season of a TV show we haven't seen yet (last year we started with the first season of 24) and watch when the kids nap or when they go to bed and we're still up. We bring my laptop and use our ipod earphones.

 

[JodyLynC]

We are getting a cabin at FW for this very reason.

 

[tinkeramy]

I read somewhere that someone took one of those pop-up small tents and just set it up in a corner of the room. The kids thought it was a blast, and it blocked out enough light and sound that the kids could go to sleep while Mom & Dad were still up.

 

[Disney_Daddy]

Honestly, this is why we bought DVC!

We have occasionally shared a single room with our DS, and most of the time, it worked out OK.

But a true vacation for us is being able to put the child to bed, and enjoy some nice time as a couple -- without feeling the need to sit in the dark and be quiet.

Agree 100%. Try renting points if you don't want to own a timeshare. The extra space is SO worth it!

 

[tttessa]

when they are older I don't want to be sharing a room with three males .

mmmm George Clooney, Tommy Lee Jones, James Woods or don't you get to choose??

Seriously though , I agree -I cannot share with my kids (5 + 7) they make all sorts of noises in the night and like a bit of light too -I like to sleep in the dark! Also nice to have some privacy and be able to get up before them without waking them if needs be. So we have booked a 3 bed "villa"- will see how it goes - still think I might be up checking on them - strange place, separate rooms etc....

Tessa

 

[lindybug]

We stayed in a 1 bedroom villa at Saratoga Springs this past trip, and it is definitely the way to go! We would put DS to bed in the pack n play in the bedroom, and we'd be able to hang out in the living area and not wake him.

It limits your resort options (at least until they get older) but it is SO worth it to have a well-rested child, and not to have to tip toe around.