How much down time vs park time for 1 yo and 3 yo

[jm106]

I was planning so much and realized I need to back off and have more down time(thats not me usually, I like to "do it all"). So here is my more flexible plan, can anyone tell me what you think.

Arrive Day 1 about 11am-12 after early flight. Drop off DH, DN and Kids at resort, hope room is ready or just to relax and pool, me to store for food and water.
Heres my issue- should I leave the day w/o a plan? I was originally thinking AK, but we are offsite by SW. Then I found the SW deal for a free second day. So is it too much to say do SW(or Ak) and save the second day to go back again and do a 1/2 or so day? Should I assume they wont be up for more then travel?

Then day 2,3,4 all park days(no plan as no hours posted), one with a mid day break and return to hotel, then back to park depending on hours. Day 5 only 1/2 day in Epcot, then DN will keep them at hotel for rest and pool. Have pizza delivered, so kids can hang out. Day 6, chef mickeys at 11:15, so we "could" sleep in if it works with park schedule. Day 7 park day, and 8 we go home
Am I asking too much since they are small? I will have stroller for each, and both nap great in them normally. But both are early to bed at home (but ok if they are up later.)

 

[Kit'smommy]

I personally think that is a lot of park time. Even when it was just DH and me, we still planned for one day of down time for every 2 days in the parks. My DS is about to turn 5 and has been to DW 5 or 6 times since he was about 18 months old. Even now, he melts down if we plan too much. We do a lot of partial days (4 to 6 hours) and take days off from the park just to swim or go to a movie.

I know my DS couldn't handle your schedule even now, but you know your children best.

HTHs

 

[lalagrace]

when we went with my son at almost 3, we had to cut short a few days for his sake. AK was the only one that kept his interest the whole day. even when we in the parks his interest was in the water fountains and play grounds not the rides or attractions.
What worked well for us was get up really early, be at park opening, then go back to the resort for most of the afternoon for naps/pool time down time, then go back to what ever park we had dining at that evening. we did not always make it back for dinner, but it worked well for us. We also planned a non park day in between almost every park day, mostly because we were using the remaining 4 days on a 10 day non exp. pass. for our 1 week stay, but it really was nice not to feel so over stimulated, and there is sooo much to do at the resorts.
my son's high light of the trip was def. the pools.

 

[Dannielle_1]

I think it really depends on you and your kids.

My DS has been to Disney at 10 mth, 2.5 years & almost 3 years. We spent everyday in the parks and rarely went back to our room before 8-8:30. (These were 8 day & 9 day trips).

Now, we are not GO, GO, GO in the parks. We tend to take our time and just enjoy being there. Also, we constantly stop for DS to enjoy a playground, water feature, a set of steps, or to stare at Splash Mountain for an hour (yes, when DS was 2.5 we stood at one of the bridges overlooking the ride for close to an hour one day just watching the logs come down. He thought this was great.)

So I think you could be fine if you go at your kids pace. Also, DS would fall asleep in his stroller, a ride or at dinner. If we thought he was getting overstimulated or needed to release some steam, we either found a relaxing ride (MK Train, TTA, a show), just walked with him in his stroller with no particular place in mind, or found a playground or open space for him to just run. There are several places at Epcot which are great for the later. And for us if we mix these things in through out the day it keeps us happy & DS happy.

Oh, and occasionally we go to a nearby resort for lunch/dinner. So we do get out of the parks for a bit, but its not our resort. ie: walk to the boardwalk/beach/yatch club from either MGM or Epcot and just wander a bit, check things out and then head back to parks.

 

[jm106]

thank you all for input. I am going to play it by ear some what. I will assess it as needed, fortunately with 3 adults traveling, we have options to split up some. I know older ds can run with the big dogs ffor a time but I cant read the baby yet as to how he will fair. Older ds, 3, will nap ANYWHERE. I am a planner and I need to mellow out I guess. I have been waiting so long to go back, and I am overly excited.

 

[wdbean]

we just got back from 7 days with our ds (just turned 4) and dd (20 months). I really thought we were going to need more down time but we didn't! Luckily dd napped every afternoon in her stroller where ever we were. We let them sleep in most mornings (the latest was to 9:30...they usually got up btw 7:30 and 8:30) and only had 2 early ADRs for character breakfasts. Most days we got to a park anywhere from 10am-11am and stayed all day and into the evening! We made it to 9:00 parades/9:30 fireworks each of those nights! To bed by 10:30-11pm. They were such troopers and great travelers!! We had a few later dinner ressies (7:30-8:00). One afternoon we came back to the hotel on the way from one park to another and just let them run in the room for about an hour while we got changed and ready to head out for the evening. Play it by ear...if you have reservations that you really want to make it to, adjust that day according ot how they have been the previous days! Good luck and have fun! It is great to see everything thrrough their eyes!

 

[buckirj1]

You might want to take your cues from your children. If they're up for it, then go for it. If not, then back to the resort you go. That's probably the best for them, you, and those around you. It never hurts to be considerate.

 

[jm106]

You might want to take your cues from your children. If they're up for it, then go for it. If not, then back to the resort you go. That's probably the best for them, you, and those around you. It never hurts to be considerate.

WOW-Of course I would let them rest if they need it and I wouldn't be inconsiderate and make them stay if they were not happy. I am not forcing them to go and have fun, just wanted them to get a chance to see a lot, hense why I asked.

 

[AmyBWV99]

We've been taking our nearly 4yo and 15 month old often, they nap in strollers we go at a slower pace for sure and they do great. We do usually designate a day in the middle where we know we'll go back for naps and not return to the parks until dinner time since they seem to sleep longer and harder in their beds.

We let them run when needed and there's lots of great spots to let them stretch their legs, we try to get most changes in the baby care center they are more comfortable and not so chaotic as bathrooms, gives them a moment to regroup. Commando wouldn't really work beacuse they don't care about what they are missing sometimes goose poop is the most interesting thing at that moment, experiance

Take it easy they'll do fine you'll know if you need to go back.

 

[tricia]

When mine were smaller (and even now to some degree) their moods depended heavily on their schedule. They like routine, same dinner times, same bed times etc. So, what we did was schedule our ADR's for around 5 5:30, so we were eating early enough and then pretty much going back to the hotel for a swim and bed time by 9:00pm (regular bedtime was around 8PM at home) This worked for us cause we did not need an afternoon break, cause our days were short enough.

And they were good with going to a park every day, cause they did not get tired out.

 

[buckirj1]

WOW-Of course I would let them rest if they need it and I wouldn't be inconsiderate and make them stay if they were not happy. I am not forcing them to go and have fun, just wanted them to get a chance to see a lot, hense why I asked.

I didn't say that right, and I apologize. I meant it's always a good thing to try to be considerate of other people if your children get overly tired and cranky,which I'm sure you'll do. Like everybody else, I've heard parents yell every trip, "I spent $3000 on this vacation and we're going to get our money's worth." I didn't mean to imply YOU were one of those. I hope you and your family have a magical time.

 

[nuggetoflove]

Thanks for posting this. I'm worried about my schedule with my 3 yr old and 11 month old.