how do your kids adjust to the time change?

[lissiesmum]

I am seriously considering a trip to DLR instead of WDW next year, but was wondering how my DD (and myself) would adjust to a three hour time difference. We're from the East Coast and would be three hours behind in California. How many days does it take you to adjust? I'm thinking it might be difficult to stay up for the fireworks or fantasmic...

 

[darph nader]

Sorry,can't help you. we only live an hour away. (time wise that is)

 

[teatime]

it was weird, we went back to the motel by 9:00 and went straight to bed. but that would have been 11:00 we would have headed out and midnight when we got to bed if it was our time at home. There is no way we could have done that. so late nights were not an option for us LOL
Disneyland will be 1 hour early for us, so it will be awesome!! we will be able to stay an hour later with out being exausted.

 

[Eeee-va]

I have read in many places (and personally agree) that it is easier to shift from East to West, than from West to East. The reason is that most people's internal clocks are somewhat longer than 24 hours. I believe they've done studies with people in places with no clocks and no lighting cues to tell them the time, and they settle on about a 25 hour schedule.

So for MOST people, it's harder to go from West to East than from East to West, because most people's bodies will be happy to stay up an hour or two later but will have trouble shutting down a couple hours earlier. But it's going to depend on your body, of course.

There are jet lag diets online--I'm not sure I buy into them, but I did find they were more or less correct in suggesting that you should have protein in the morning if you want to wake up, and starch in the evening if you want to go to sleep.

Other than that, I would take advantage of the fact that you'll be up and alert before most people, at least at first--the parks are much less busy in the early morning! And then (if the parks are open late) I would take a nap in the middle of the day, which I think would be plenty to keep you going.

I'm sure others have experience as to how it all works in practice, but I personally wouldn't THINK you will have that much trouble.

I live in the West so all I can tell you from personal experience is that it's VERY easy to shift back to my native time zone from a trip back East--often, despite my best attempts, it's just one or two days before I'm back on my night owl schedule. But I'm sure some of that has to do with going back home, not just going from East to West.

Going East does a number on me but it actually takes a few days to catch up with me. I guess that could be an option with you (fine for a few days and then suddenly not feeling well for a few hours) but I wouldn't think it's as likely since you are gaining hours instead of losing them.

 

[FairyDust2008]

We flew from Houston TX to LAX on a early a.m. flight and when we arrived at Disneyland in CA, we checked in our luggage but because we arrived at like 9:30 in the morning in California, our room wasn't ready so we ventured out to Downtown Disney and hung by the pool and then had reservations at Rainforest Cafe that night. We decided to catch Night at the Museum Smithsonian in between waiting for our room and dinner and believe it or not, I fell asleep in the theater and missed half the movie. Daughter also nodded on/off as did hubby and he had a bit of a tummy virus as well. Son I think was the only one to watch the entire movie, LOL Needless to say, once our room was ready and we freshened up to go to Rainforest and ate, we were ready to hit the hay. We were dragging the 1st day pretty much but because we were in California and we were at Disney, we sucked it up and hung in there. Now, we did Disneyland and California Adventure on our last day and then had to get up for a VERY early flight out with our Disneyland Express Bus picking us up at 4:30 a.m. so needless to say, our trip home was exhausting and I TRIED sleeping on the plane home but it didn't go to well. On the way home from Houston, I nodded on/off constantly and we stopped to eat at Joes Crabshack in TX for dinner and I was tired then as was our family. We were all exhausted. We rested up and recouperated over the weekend and into the week. But..............it was all to enjoy Disneyland and California-WELL WORTH IT!!! So worth it that we have our 2010 trip planned to return I think we'll look for a later flight next time around though It was good to arrive early and get home early but exhausting too

 

[FairyDust2008]

Hubby didn't get as much time to recouperate as he headed back to work on the following Monday to a very hectic week I think we all need another week AFTER vacation to recouperate FROM vacation

 

[Sherwin]

I don't know how it is for everyone else, but I have no problem adjusting time zones in the continental US. I'm pretty able to fall asleep and operate according each respective zone, even when I travel from the West Coast to East. In fact, when I flew overseas to China, it took me only one night to adjust, and coming back, I was able to get back on track within a day.

 

[FairyDust2008]

Each person will react differently. Hubby and I only had like 1 1/2 hr. of sleep the night before we drove 2 hrs. at 2:30 a.m. to get to Houston TX to catch an early flight. We didn't get to go into our hotel room upon arrival and nap because we arrived at 9:30 a.m. California time and our room wasn't ready so we were running on pretty much empty tanks and for anyone that says they sleep well on a flight, I beg to differ So I think it depends on the person but also on the circumstances surrounding before and upon arrival and same goes for the return flight. We had an early flight the day we left LAX and enjoyed Disneyland the night before. When you have a week to enjoy and see as much as you can, you keep going When you are on a vacation such as an amusement park type of vacation, you aren't really sleeping in late either and you are running late at night so it does get exhausting but, oh so worth it You just plan your trip and not worry about this, that and something else and just go with it! You'll soon recover and be dreaming about your next vacation as we are about our next return trip to Disneyland in 2010

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I used to be a corporate traveller and never had too much issue. Parents always take the time change harder than the kids do. (My kids become night owls at WDW....)

We had friends who work in Orlando come out to see us here at DL. The parents slept when they came in, but the kids were completely wired. Since we were all staying at the DLH together, we took the kids when we got to the hotel and the parents crashed - for 5 hours!!! The kids couldn't nap (ages 5 and 8) and so we went swimming at the pool and watched TV in our room until it was time to go do Fantasmic.

YMMV, but that is something to keep in mind. It also depends how completely excited you are. That sometimes overwrites any hard-wiring your body has!

 

[lissiesmum]

Thanks for your responses! I know when I went to Alaska years ago, there was a five hour time change plus sunlight almost all day so I don't think I slept a wink for 9 days! I'm hoping it's different in CA as the sun does actually set. I'm hoping in February because it gets darker earlier anyway, that we'll be able to adjust ok. I would attempt to get a later flight out for sure. I'd have to finagle something with my DD's dad to give her an extra day with me to readjust to the time change back to the east before she goes back to school (or maybe just let her stay home that Monday). Either way, the more I research DL, the more I am getting excited. I'm off to Barnes and Noble shortly to buy all my usual planning books Thanks again!

 

[FairyDust2008]

Just so you know, you can save money on those planning books and address your questions about Disneyland here. The Disboards helped me plan our 1st WDW family trip last year and I used the Disboards again this year when we did our 1st Disneyland family trip. We were there June 13th-20th and had a BLAST These Disboards are the BEST ever! Any questions you can have, rest assured someone will have the answer. I never really found those books too helpful anyhow. I bought several last year and ended up using these boards more than the books plus with the planning DVD from Disney, we pretty much knew what we were going to do and with Disneyland being just the 2 parks, Disneyland and California Adventure, it isn't information overload like WDW with it being so spread out. You will LOVE DISNEYLAND!! We thought we had seen the best when we returned from WDW last year. That was until our recent trip to California and Disneyland We spent a day driving the coast in a rented convertible and went to San Diego and had a beach day and it was AWESOME We already plan to return in 2010! It was THAT great!!!!

 

[Huff]

Most people adjust in 1 day. Go to bed at whatever time you're tired. Get up the next morning and your body will be adjusted to the local time just fine.

 

[caligirl stuck in va]

Going in Feb will actually help you, when traveling from East to West. You will already be "wired" to wake up early in the morning and getting in line before opening (MM day or non MM day) is the best way to explore the parks (IMO). DL will close @ 8 p.m., DCA @ 6, I think (except on Friday, Saturday). If you stay in the parks all day, you will be ready to crash when back to the hotel at 8, so not really staying up super late helps keep you more on a regular schedule. Friday night we did try to stay up late for Fireworks (only bad thing about Feb is Fireworks are weekend only - but if you come in on Sat/Sun to start your week you can see them then) - the adults made it, the little kids didn't. But we do the parks open to close each day - even though that is early morning to 8 p.m., a full Friday from early morning to midnight just wasn't in them.

None of this is significant enough change to sleep schedule to deter us from ever thinking of not going!!!! If it benefits you, you can go back to the hotel and nap for a bit, then back to the parks. We don't personally, but sometimes my parents do. Everyone has a different schedule that works for them. DO take your family to DLR, you will love it!!

 

[lissiesmum]

Going in Feb will actually help you, when traveling from East to West. You will already be "wired" to wake up early in the morning and getting in line before opening (MM day or non MM day) is the best way to explore the parks (IMO). DL will close @ 8 p.m., DCA @ 6, I think (except on Friday, Saturday). If you stay in the parks all day, you will be ready to crash when back to the hotel at 8, so not really staying up super late helps keep you more on a regular schedule. Friday night we did try to stay up late for Fireworks (only bad thing about Feb is Fireworks are weekend only - but if you come in on Sat/Sun to start your week you can see them then) - the adults made it, the little kids didn't. But we do the parks open to close each day - even though that is early morning to 8 p.m., a full Friday from early morning to midnight just wasn't in them.

None of this is significant enough change to sleep schedule to deter us from ever thinking of not going!!!! If it benefits you, you can go back to the hotel and nap for a bit, then back to the parks. We don't personally, but sometimes my parents do. Everyone has a different schedule that works for them. DO take your family to DLR, you will love it!!

Thanks for all of this! I have been looking at the photos of the Disneyland Hotel, and my DD would love it because her favorite thing about WDW was staying at the Poly and hopping on the monorail...she loves the monorail. Plus, she loves Peter Pan, especially the crocodile and I noticed they have him in the pool area My only concern is how long it takes to get there. I researched flights, and I can fly nonstop from Boston and it would take over six hours, or one stop from Manchester and it would take over eight hours. This concerns me as DD has a hard enough time flying the three hours to Orlando...she is a funny four year old...she doesn't watch movies in the car or plane! She'll color a bit, but most of the time she just looks around the plane, chats with me, and asks about a thousand times when we're going to be there! I'm thinking getting a flight that actually has a stop might be good to break up the flying a little bit...any thoughts?

 

[lissiesmum]

Most people adjust in 1 day. Go to bed at whatever time you're tired. Get up the next morning and your body will be adjusted to the local time just fine.

I see you leave in five days, Huff! What a great place to celebrate 4th of July! Have a great time

 

[lissiesmum]

Just so you know, you can save money on those planning books and address your questions about Disneyland here. The Disboards helped me plan our 1st WDW family trip last year and I used the Disboards again this year when we did our 1st Disneyland family trip. We were there June 13th-20th and had a BLAST These Disboards are the BEST ever! Any questions you can have, rest assured someone will have the answer. I never really found those books too helpful anyhow. I bought several last year and ended up using these boards more than the books plus with the planning DVD from Disney, we pretty much knew what we were going to do and with Disneyland being just the 2 parks, Disneyland and California Adventure, it isn't information overload like WDW with it being so spread out. You will LOVE DISNEYLAND!! We thought we had seen the best when we returned from WDW last year. That was until our recent trip to California and Disneyland We spent a day driving the coast in a rented convertible and went to San Diego and had a beach day and it was AWESOME We already plan to return in 2010! It was THAT great!!!!

Yes, I also love these boards. I'm usually on the WDW side myself, and have used this site religiously to plan my last two trips. I'm just a crazy researcher, and love to have every bit of info I can right in front of me. I love to read books, research on the internet, and find as many pics as I can...just gets me more excited to go! I never really thought about going to DL, but now I'm really really thinking about it. I researched the weather in February, and it looks decent. Not too hot, not too cold. Not much rain Plus, my DD4 is short for her age and misses out on a lot of the rides at WDW...looks like DL's height requirements aren't as bad...For instance, it states Space Mountain is 40" at DL...is that right? How come it's 48" at WDW and 40" at DL? There were a few other glaring ones that stood out and I thought, this is great for me DD...she is a complete daredevil...loves all things fast and scary, and she loses out at WDW because she's still only 38.5 inches I've been thinking for two years, "she'll get to ride some "big kid" rollercoasters this year", and we just never make it! Looks like more of a possibility at DL though...all the more reason to consider! Plus, California Adventure Park just looks so pretty...we don't have anything that looks like that on the East Coast!

 

[Huff]

I see you leave in five days, Huff! What a great place to celebrate 4th of July! Have a great time

Thanks! We know it will be very busy over the 4th but we'll have fun and do some of the things the kids always skip otherwise.

 

[mad hatter fan]

Hi,
We are in Minnesota and have a 2 hr. time difference for our trips. One thing that has helped the kids some with adjusting to the time change that I have done is to start having them stay up an hour later at home a week or two before the trip. If your schedule could allow for that, it could help give your daughter a head start on getting used to staying up later and sleeping in a bit.

 

[Kiwianna]

our 9 and 7 year old travellers have thought about why we arrive before we leave, what happens to the day that disappears on the way home, and why that same journey takes an hour longer than it would have the previous week,
we hope they will be so confused that they will believe that it is bedtime just because we say so!
Time zones mean we leave New Zealand at 9.30pm on a Friday and arrive at LAX at 2.30pm the same day.
Coming home, our flight leaves LAX at 9.30pm on a Monday and arrives in Auckland at 6.30am on Wednesday. We will miss out on Tuesday completely as well as an extra hour because NZ clocks will have gone forward for daylight saving while we were away.
And it can be worse for Aussies, who may have had to cross several time zones in their own country before they even get to international airspace.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Plus, my DD4 is short for her age and misses out on a lot of the rides at WDW...looks like DL's height requirements aren't as bad...For instance, it states Space Mountain is 40" at DL...is that right? How come it's 48" at WDW and 40" at DL? There were a few other glaring ones that stood out and I thought, this is great for me DD...she is a complete daredevil...loves all things fast and scary, and she loses out at WDW because she's still only 38.5 inches I've been thinking for two years, "she'll get to ride some "big kid" rollercoasters this year", and we just never make it! Looks like more of a possibility at DL though...all the more reason to consider!

The difference in height requirements for Space Mountain is because the seating arrangement in the vehicles is vastly different. The one at WDW is "traditional log flume style" - one behind the other, but not two in a seat like the DL Matterhorn - where you hold your child tight in your lap. At WDW - the sides of the vehicle are short and the child has to be old/tall enough to deal with it on his own with just a seat belt. You sit side by side at DL SM with better restraints and you can touch/hold your child's hand.

FYI - DL's Splash Mountain is the typical flume - one behind the other.