How much can a 5yr old handle in one day

[erinsmom]

We leave for Disney in a couple days and I was just wondering can a 5 yr old go all day w/o a break? She takes naps at daycare but on the weekend she doesn't. With the parks closing early while we're there do you think she could go all day - if we don't push it and then just go to bed early? What do you think? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Erin's Mom

 

[mmeb144]

I've traveled with kids that age. I would still opt for the afternoon break. Just getting away from all that stimulation for a little while could be just the thing. The resorts are lots of fun, too.

However, if you would be truly going to bed early, to make up for the early getting up, you would probably be ok.

One more thing, my kids are 9 and 11, and we still took a break back at the resort in the afternoon. It made the difference in the tiredness level in Mom and Dad! No grumpies.

Marie

 

[Prince Eric1]

My kids were 5 and 3 the first time and 7 and 5 the second and made it fine with no breaks. We went in January, though, when park hours were shorter so the only long nights were for fantasmic and the last night for illuminations. On the last night i lost them from 4 days of hard charging and carried them out, but they were fine prior. Depending on how many days you'll be there, if you can take your time it will be fine. Also, a stroller helps take the burden off those little legs even if you don't normally use one.

 

[Planogirl]

I would still plan for downtime too. It helps everyone to get away from the hectic parks for a while.

We got around early closing times by going to Epcot and Downtown Disney at night. Resort touring particularly Fort Wilderness is also fun in the evenings. Be sure to get to the parks before they open and tour wisely to make the most of your time.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I went a few years ago with my neice when she was a little under 5. She needed to have afternoon breaks, even if it was just playing in the pool. At home, she didn't really nap or anything, but in WDW she got tired out after a while, and a little overwhelmed I think.

 

[erinsmom]

Thanks for the quick response. Maybe we will still take some breaks. We do have some early morning PS for Cinderella and Chef Mickey.

Anyone else going/been with a 5 yr old?

Thanks alot.
Erin's Mom

 

[kylara]

My nieces who are 10 and 8 now have been coming down once a year since the oldest was 18 months. They have never taken an "official" afternoon break. The kids don't nap and it wasn't worth the fight of trying to put them down for one. But they always had strollers til last year (so up til the age of 6). Also while we didn't take breaks back at the room, there were times in the parks that they would rest. Usually they would play in the fountains to cool off, rest in the stroller, sit for a meal (we are one of those annoying families that take about an hour for lunch) or just rest in the shade.

If you know you child won't nap, you might want to just find times for resting in the park. My sister has found it easier than actually going back to the room.

 

[Emmyfaye]

Our DD's always loved WDW, but all of us - including the little girls - were always happier when they had a bit of down time through the day. When the Parks were open later, we'd head back to the resort for a dip and/or a nap... when they closed earlier, we'd at least take a time out by riding the WDW railroad around the Magic Kingdom a couple of times, or just having an icecream cone and a 30 minute rest on a bench.

 

[CamColt]

I wouldnt do it every day, but I think it can be done. Of course a lot depends on the child, how early you start out and how late you plan to be out.
On our last trip we had 2 6 yos, a 4yo and a 3 yo. 2 days we didnt take a break. Once we did Epcot from 9:00-5:00, then called it a day and went back to swim at the pool and relax. The other time we left our resort by 7:30, ate at Chef Mickeys at 8:15, went straight to MGM, arriving around 10:00, and stayed there until 6:00. The kids held out fine those days however there were days when it was really hot and we did EE. Those days we really needed the midday pool break then to refresh us all.

 

[frndofpooh]

I agree that it's a good idea to take a break at some point during the day. Even if your 5 year old does not "need" a break, everyone will be happier having had the break. A quick trip to one of the resorts for a sit down lunch may work well. Your 5 year old also may be more likely to need a nap at WDW than at home because the pace and excitement are deceptively tiring for a young child. When we go, we tend to wake up early and usually we go the Early Entry park, which allows us to do more rides and attractions with minimal waits, thus freeing up some down time in the afternoon.

Please keep in mind that a five year old will not remember every single detail about each ride he or she went on or each ride he or she missed. The memories will be more general and will be affected by everyone's mood during the day. A meltdown caused by being overtired is probably not worth the risk of squeezing in an extra few rides. Your 5 year old will remember the Disney Magic, but won't know or care that there wasn't enough time to do everything on the list. Have a great time!

 

[WeLuvBuzz]

We took our 2 and 4 year old last year and are set to go again next month (they're now 3 and 5). Last year, we didn't take any breaks. We were there in September though, so there were some early closings. My boys never really had any problems. Having the stroller was a neccesity and will be again this year. Whenever they get tired, they just zonk out in the stroller for a nap and dh and I keep moving! This year, we're going for 8 days, so we've scheduled two days of no park time, just to break up the constant rushing.

 

[erinsmom]

Thanks everyone. This is some great advice. We will have a stroller and if we don't want to leave we'll just take a break at the park - ride the monorail, ride the train, eat ice cream.

Just to let everyone know - I love this board. I have gained so much information. I've been planning this trip since last Christmas and I can't believe it already time to go.


Thank you again.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I have some adorable pictures of DN sleeping in her stroller when we went to the WS at Epcot.

She slept through most of WS and that was a good nap for her. She also slept through HoP and American Adventure. She was afraid of the HM and Snow White and Pirates. She is an animal lover, so JC and AK were her favorites. She also liked the characters and getting autographs when the lines were not too long.

Someone made a good point that a 5 year old isn't going to remember every little detail. Or they aren't going to remember the same Disney things you'd think they would.

DN's favorite thing from that trip was the pool at Port Orleans

She's going back for the first time since she was 5 at Christmas this year (now age 11) and when I asked her what she remembered the first thing she said was that pool. She also said she cant wait to go on the big rides she couldn't go on last time.

I think it mainly just depends on the child. I'm sure she will have a great time

Does she like the princesses? Maybe get her one of those princess dresses and let her dress like Cinderella or Belle for a day

 

[shelleyz]

We were in the parks October 19-24 with a 2 year old and 4 year old. We didn't take any long breaks throughout the day. Our 2 year old slept in his stroller almost every day and our 4 year old fell asleep only once in his stroller the whole week. I think you will be fine not leaving the parks.

 

[Dopey'swife]

I've been reading this thread and must agree with most posters. It really depends on the child. We brought our almost 4 year old a few years ago and we never took an afternoon nap/break. I'm not saying that was the best decision, as I am sure there were moments that could have been avoided had we taken some down time.

Here's my problem...my husband is already talking about not being able to handle walking 7-10 miles a day. What am I supposed to do with a pooped-out grown man? We've been meaning to take long walks and get ourselves conditioned, but we haven't done such a good job...

 

[FreshTressa]

We discovered with our kids 4 and 6, that we could either do morning things or night things but couldn't do both.

If we got up for the park opening, the kids were worn out ready to leave by about 5 or 6.

If we got there at 11, the kids could go all day, then do some evening stuff, like late at epcot, disney quest, boardwalk, etc.

It was like they had an 8 hour time limit from when we started.

 

[capnho]

My son had just turned 5 last November when we went to WDW and we found that he couldn't last much past mid-afternoon without a break. I'd also echo what others said - you should get or bring a stroller, even if you don't normally use one otherwise.

 

[Puffy2]

We took mid day breaks and by 8pm both the 5 and 8 year old were exhausted. They could care less about fireworks, or characters by that point - the evening character meals were a waste.

just enjoy what you ARE able to do and be flexable.

 

[susy]

You will need to take breaks. If you get to the parks early and hit all of your priority attractions and the go back to your hotel, hit the pool.. I guarantee she'll nap It's just too much stimulation for anybody. When DH and I go alone, we break. It's so nice to shower and go back to the parks, have dinner and you can usally tour at a slower pace.

We usually do MK, MGM, and AK in the mornings and hit Epcot most nights. I LOVE the feelign of walking into Epcot at night with more people leaving than going in....If you get to see Spectro, don't miss it, though.

You will also need to rent a atroller. It's just too much walking. My son will be 6 on our upcoming trip and is already asking about the stroller.

 

[tink2]

Our last trip to Disney World was with my family, including a 6 month old, 2 1/2 year old, 5 year old and 8 year old. We arrived at park opening and stayed for a firework/ parade show every night. We did not go back to the hotel and were there for 5 days. We did not have any meltdowns until the last day- and it was my 5 year old niece who did not have a stroller the entire time (which I disagree with). Saying that, this year my daughter is 4 1/2 and son 2 1/2. We will rent a stroller every day and we plan for them to ride in them- morning till night. We will stop for a break- in the parks. Generally, we try to pick a shady spot and stake out a place for the afternoon parade. By the time they wake up- the parade is beginning. I realize my 4 1/2 DD may not go to sleep this time, but she will lay down in the stroller and rest-hopefully! This is just a plan. We are already telling her about riding in the Disney stroller and resting before the parade to prepare her for it. We are commando in the mornings- EMH- to get all the must-dos done, but try to slow down after that. I'm not saying we will not have a melt-down, but this will be our third trip with children (The first trip my nieces were 3 and 5) and we've encountered minimal problems. It just depends on your style and your children. This method works best for us. If you prefer to go to your room for a rest, then do that. It is whatever works best for you and your family. Also, it helps A LOT that my whole family goes and helps!!! My parents, brother with wife and two children, and single brother all travel together. My parents are especially helpful and are great if a situation begins to occur! My dad will generally help with the child by walking them around or whatever. I know this prevents a lot and not everyone is luck enough to have help on vacation.
Whichever you decide to plan to do, remember, it is a plan and it may not work out the way you planned! Have a great time and enjoy the special memories with your family!!!!