How long will 4-6-yo child last?

[consultant]

I've got a 4-1/2 and 6-yo and we are coming from the West Coast. I'm trying to work out itineraries keeping in mind we will be adjusting to a 3-hr time difference.

One thing I'm concerned about is that we the parks are least crowded in the morning so we are going to be getting up at probably 7 AM at the latest most days. On the other hand, a couple of the MUST-SEE parades are quite late, Illuminations is at 9 and Spectromagic is at 9 and 11 and Wishes at 8.

We are staying offsite at the Sheraton Vistana. The only way I can think our kids will last for the shows is if we head back in the middle of the afternoon a pray they will take a nap and then return for the shows in the evenings. This also indicates to me I should forget about making dinner reservations anywhere (except the Fantasmic Dinner Package - 1st show) as I think we are going to have to play it by ear as far as where to eat dinner depending on the condition of the kids.

Is coming and going, especially coming back before the shows going to be too much of a pain? We are there President's Day Week.

Any suggestions or insights would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MareQ]

It's tough having little ones and being offsite IMO. If you want to be at the park for something late in the evening you either HAVE to take a mid afternoon break or you should plan on not even getting to the park until after lunch.

That being said - breaks CAN be found in the park as well. Some kids don't need a nap - just some time to relax or unwind. Take advantage of things that will work for your family. American Adventure, Hall of Presidents etc are great spots to have a nice cool dark break for a few minutes. The HISTK Playground at MGM is a grerat spot to kill a few minutes and relax, Dig Spot in AK as well etc.

Just try and go with the flow as best as you can. You have no idea how your kids will be till you get there.

 

[addicted2disney]

I have been going since my older 2 daughters were 4 & 5 1/2. Now they are 10 & 12, and my son is 4. We have been going every January since 1999, and once in October and 3 times over THanksgiving. We have never had the need to leave for naps. We always just make down time while in the parks. Waiting for parades is an hour rest. THats how early you need to be in your spot. Depending on where you are, it could be be 20 minutes before the parade even gets to you. Find a nice shady spot, take a break, eat some lunch or ice cream while you hold your parade spot. This is giving the kids a chance to rest, sometimes around and hour and a half. Make your lunch and dinners last a little longer. It shouldnt be hot over Presidents Day, so its not like the middle of summer where standing in the heat would make them cranky. All 3 of my kids have been fine with no naps. Rent a stroller, that will help alot with them not walking the entire time. We make our 12th trip since 1999 in less than 2 weeks! woohoo! We will also be there over Presidents Day for a week and Twirl Mania that is at the WIld WOrld of Sports.

Id honestly try staying at the parks all day. See how they do. We are never ones to get up and be at the park at opening. Not even over crowded THanksgiving and we have still managed to do quite a bit. SInce you are off property and cant go to EMH, just avoid the parks that are having either a morning or night time Extra Magic Hour. THose parks tend to be more crowded on thier EMH days. Any time Specto is being shown at MK, its going to be more crowded. So we just hop over on a night we want to see SPecto. Use fast passes to help avoid crowds and long lines too. Id maybe reconsider getting up at 6 am. Give them showers at night, let them sleep in a little, get to the parks at 9 or so.. and see how they do with out going back. If its not working and they are miserable, then you will either have to go back to your room, or maybe get to the parks even later and let sleep more. Good thing too, is that the parks still arent going to be open very late!

 

[Belle1962]

My DGS (now 5) needs a "down day" about every 2 days--we go to Downtown Disney or ssim or otherwise just do nonpark stuff. I think the constant stimulation and excitment is just too much for him.

 

[IwannaseeMickey]

We went in OCt. w/a barely 3 yr old and a 5 1/2 yr old and did not have to take any breaks. We got to the parks around 9 each morning and stayed until 4ish. We maybe took a break for about an hour before heading to dinner and fireworks, but not often. We did not have a time change though, that might make a difference. They were in bed by 9 most nights and later on a few as well. I had thought about taking breaks, but we didn't need too. Guess everyone is different though!

 

[Going Broke]

We go every year with my dds (also 4 1/2 & 6) and every year we say we will take it easy on them. No need, they are full of energy and usually outlast the rest of us!! I think they may surprise you. Bring or rent a stroller for a little "down time" in the park if necessary. You don't have to constantly go on rides to be entertained at Disney. Good Luck!

 

[mamacatnv]

Having just returned from our stay 12/29-1/5/06 here is my best advice. We too are from the West Coast and the time change was brutal. We arrived in FL. 3 days prior to checking in at WDW and tried to reverse our clocks a little bit.

Prior to departure, start adjusting your wakeup time to getting up earlier. I would suggest at least a week - it will be strange to go to bed at 6 or 7 pm, but worth it on the trip side.

Arrive at the parks the moment they open (eat snack on the way), we did almost every ride in MK in 3 hours (7-10am) on 12/30/05, if returning to the same park, pick up fastpasses. Then return to hotel for breakfast and a long nap. Return to parks late afternoon for dinner and evening entertainment.

Take a stroller for when the younger set poops out in the evenings, our 7 yr old did great but by day 4 the evenings were killing her so we hauled her around in her stroller and that made a huge difference.

Have a great trip. I slept almost 2 days solid upon our return (got a cold the day before departure) but it was worth every minute of lost sleep.

MamaCatNV
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