How to Fit it All in? Nap or No Nap?

[hollygolitely93]

UPDATE ITINEARY PAGE THREE #34 BASED ON FEEDBACK! TY

Planning our itinerary. I am a planner that has no issue being flexible and living in the moment. However, I can't seem to figure out how on earth to manage DHS with all the show times happening simultaneously!!!

I have a DS (5) and DD (1) and my parents joining DH and myself. My mom will need to walk slow and rest often (as will my one-year old...HA!)

I want to do it all!!!
Beauty and the Beast
Mermaids
Indiana Jones
Stunt Car
Star Wars
Jedi Training
American Idol
Muppets
Tower of Terror (DH and me)
and maybe TSM though okay if we miss that one!
Osbourne Lights!

The show times are what is killing me! I would like to go back to hotel (GF) after lunch for two hours of rest/naps...I am wondering if I should just plow through the park! or if you would eliminate some shows!

We are going in Decemeber when crowds will be a bit lighter. We are at a 1.2crowd level the day we chose to go to DHS.

HELP!

 

[JMD]

Depends on your family. Does your son still need a nap? Will your daughter nap in a stroller so the rest of the family can stay at the park?

Personally, I would just eliminate some of the shows and head back to the resort. My kids are 4 and 18months, and need a little down time during the day or they get really cranky. For us, its better to skip a few things then try to push everyone all day long. Once the kids get a little older it may be a different story.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Less crowded or not if you eliminate naps with a 1 and 5 yr old I see a day of misery in your future. I would drop some of the shows before I'd sacrifice a nap. Do you think your 1 and 5 yr old will really enjoy American Idol? Or LMA? our DS at 3 and DD at 6 hated LMA b/c it was loud and the explosions and chases were scary.

And you can fit them all in if your arrive at RD even with a nap if you arrive at RD and eliminate any extra stops like charecters and shopping, even more do-able if you are skipping TSM.

I would do this:
arrive before RD at least 20 minutes before to get to the front half of the crowd, if you want 5 yr old in JTA someone needs to head there immediately.
I would go get TSM FP's for later, then you and DH head to ToT and ride.
meet up at Star Tours, ride
See Muppets
first JTA show should be anytime now, see it (usually around 9:30)
Head to Little Mermaid, if time is too close see Indie (first show usually around 11) first then Little Mermaid
See the 1:30ish LMA leave for break
come back before the last B&tBeast show (430 or so usually) and head there immediately
see last American Idol show, sit near the top at B&tB and be ready to go when the show is over walk to AIE and you should still make it in time. (last show usually 6 or 7)


use those TSM FP at some point during the day when you can. And finish the night with Osbourne lights

 

[mattmommy]

Right off I'd skip the stunt show. You sit on bleachers and they will make you climb up whether you have a little one or not. It gets VERY hot and IMO not worth it. It also gets very smelly.

I would not skip TSM. Get fast passes first thing or get in the line ten minutes before the park closes.

Since your ds is 5 and your little girl won't remember, I'd gear the trip towards your son this time.

If you do see Indiana Jones, you can bring in drinks and snacks. If you're facing the stage sit as far left as you can. There are explosions that happen mostly to the right. DS might love to see you or DH volunteer for a few of the scenes.

 

[sharonabe]

Would it be possible for GM and/pr GP to take DD1 back for a nap and the others stay? I will tell you the Stunt Show is amazing, but it is LOUD! So, even if DD1 is napping in the stroller, it may wake her up.

Personally, if I were going to cut one of the shows, it would be American Idol. It's people that you don't know singing and you get to vote. Will that keep your DS5's interest for very long? But of course, maybe he could catch a quick nap during it.

Since you're not doing TSM, send DH to grab FPs for ToT on your way in and you and DH can do that during lunch, but do it before you eat!, then go join your group for lunch.

And with TSM out of the equation, the rest of you make your way to Star Tours and sign up DS for Jedi Training, then get in line for Star Tours (DH should be back). I don't think DD1 will be able to ride, so a child swap will be needed unless one of the GPs is not riding and can watch her.

If Jedi training is one of the first shows, you'll want to stay on this side of the park and judge your time. You MAY have time for Muppets, but don't cut it close because if you miss your training show, you don't get a make-up. Once Jedi is done, check time for Indy and Beauty and go to whichever is next. Mermaid can be fit in somewhere before/between/after these two. Stunt car show is usually only in the afternoons, and Muppets can be done before/after the stunt show.

Did we get everything?

Osborne Lights starts at sundown, so if all or part of your group has gone for a nap, be sure to be back to the park by 5:30 or so.

 

[JMD]

Just to add one more thing. My kids only have a certain amount of time they can walk around the parks and be happy. If we skip naps, then we end up having to end the day earlier because the kids are tired and cranky. If they get a good nap, we can stay at the park later since they are refreshed and recharged. And a little down time can be good for the adults too.


Also, I agree with previous poster, do not skip TSM.

 

[sharonabe]

Right off I'd skip the stunt show. You sit on bleachers and they will make you climb up whether you have a little one or not. It gets VERY hot and IMO not worth it. It also gets very smelly.
.

It won't be HOT in DECEMBER. Your DS will love it, so I say keep it in the line up!

 

[dzorn]

Planning our itinerary. I am a planner that has no issue being flexible and living in the moment. However, I can't seem to figure out how on earth to manage DHS with all the show times happening simultaneously!!!

I have a DS (5) and DD (1) and my parents joining DH and myself. My mom will need to walk slow and rest often (as will my one-year old...HA!)

I want to do it all!!!
Beauty and the Beast
Mermaids
Indiana Jones
Stunt Car
Star Wars
Jedi Training
American Idol
Muppets
Tower of Terror (DH and me)
and maybe TSM though okay if we miss that one!
Osbourne Lights!

The show times are what is killing me! I would like to go back to hotel (GF) after lunch for two hours of rest/naps...I am wondering if I should just plow through the park! or if you would eliminate some shows!

We are going in Decemeber when crowds will be a bit lighter. We are at a 1.2crowd level the day we chose to go to DHS.

HELP!

You will not fit it all in so stop trying. Deceide what is priority and go with the flow. What you don't see goes up on the list for the next trip.

Denise in MI

 

[dskib]

We did HS last year and left the park from about 1:30 - 4:00 for nap. You're right to check the schedules, because we didn't.

Before our break, we got in ToT and RnRC for DH. We saw the great movie ride, muppets, shrunk kids playground, and we did SciFi for lunch and then went back. By the time we got back it was 4:30ish, and only then did we look at the schedule to see that most shows stopped playing at 5!!!! We got in to Mermaid and the backlot tour and missed EVERYTHING else!! We had gotten FPs for Toy Story at rope drop, so we were able to do that.

Our mistakes:
1. Not realizing that the shows stopped playing TWO HOURS before the park closed(7pm)

2. Stopping for a sit-down lunch.

We went in Sept last year. This year we're doing a before the park opens character breakfast and we'll probably just snack through lunch to save time. And TSM was really fun. Your 5yr old would love it!

 

[mastermind307]

I'm having the same problem with trying to fit everything in we want to do and still have time to take a break before dinner. It will be me, DH, DD5, and my parents. We'll be in DHS on Monday, Nov. 14 (pm emh was the night before). I want to leave around 1:00 for a break.
Here's what we want to do, but if we want to take a break we'll need to skip 2-3 things. Which ones should we skip? If we stay until around 3 we can get it all done, but then we don't have time for a break at POFQ before dinner at Captain's Grille at 5:00.

TOT
TSM
Star Tours
RRC
Disney Jr.
Indiana Jones
Backlot Tour
Great Movie Ride

 

[jandm]

We did DHS a month ago and our kids are 9, 6 & 3. We really wanted to see all of the shows (they were all wonderful!!) but like you, there was noway we could fit it all into one day. Our 3 year old still naps and like someone else said, it would've been ugly if we wouldn't have taken afternoon breaks! Even our 6 yr old fell asleep back as the resort! So we ended up doing a day and a half at DHS -that way we could fit everything in that we wanted to see/do and still go back to the resort for naps.

 

[Selket]

I tried (and tried and tried) getting my kids to nap when we went back to the hotel room (onsite) when they were little. Neither of them would nap - this includes my younger one who was a very good nap taker at home.

Inevitably he would fall asleep in a comfy stroller though - so that is what we did. My kids had a 4 year age difference and the older one didn't need naps by the time he was 5. On the other hand - we generally made rope drop (at least I did with the 5 year old - 1 year old at the time could not have cared less!) and we got back to the hotel early enough for a decent bed time.

There is nothing more frustrating than going back to the room to nap with a 1 and 5 year old and neither of them will sleep - and then you can't take a nap either. If the 1 year old sleeps through a show then so be it - they will never remember anyway.

 

[rob4059]

First, stop trying to fit it in. Its designed so that you can't, and it will cause meltdowns all around if you try (and fail). Better to accept that you won't do everything and then enjoy the things you do decide to do. And take a nap. Meltdowns are more likely if you are overextended, overheated, tired or hungry (that goes for adults as much as kids!).

If you insist on trying, position your seat close to the exit and leave a few minutes early. As an example, you can do a 12:45 indiana jones show and slip out at 1:10 to beat the crowd and probably make it to lights motor action for the 1:20 show if you run (and there is no line, ha ha). I have actually done that one successfully, but you'll never do that if the crowds are big b/c the shows fill up. you need crowds that allow a walk in at showtime.

My advice, go back on another day. Plan another trip too. There'll always be something to look forward to.

 

[sharonabe]

I'm having the same problem with trying to fit everything in we want to do and still have time to take a break before dinner. It will be me, DH, DD5, and my parents. We'll be in DHS on Monday, Nov. 14 (pm emh was the night before). I want to leave around 1:00 for a break.
Here's what we want to do, but if we want to take a break we'll need to skip 2-3 things. Which ones should we skip? If we stay until around 3 we can get it all done, but then we don't have time for a break at POFQ before dinner at Captain's Grille at 5:00.

TOT
TSM
Star Tours
RRC
Disney Jr.
Indiana Jones
Backlot Tour
Great Movie Ride

I think you can get it all in. Send your runner to TSM for FPs while the rest go to TOT and RRC. If there is someone who is not riding these, then make them the runner and tell them to take their time. If everyone is riding, then the runner will need to walk as fast as the CMs will let him. Ride TOT and RRC. Once these are done, you should be able to catch Disney Jr. If your FP time has opened, I would send someone to get Star Tours FPs while the rest watch Disney Jr. (Star Tours is the unknown for your day. You may need FP, you may not.) Next would be the Backlot Tour or Indy if it's time for the show. Once Indy is done you use your FPs and do Backlot and Great Movie Ride. If you can do all this without stopping to eat (you can take food into Indy, so grab something and eat lunch then!), you may just make it by 1:00-1:30.

As others have said, you have NO time for characters of any kind, so if a character happening happens, you'll have to adjust what else you get done.

I just checked this week's entertainment schedule and if it holds through til Nov, the first Disney Jr show is at 9:40. It's doubtful you'll make that one unless your runner is not riding TOT/RRC and the next one is at 10:30. So after TOT/RRC do Great Movie Ride or stand in line for the 10:30 Jr show. The first Indy is at 11:30, BUT the next one is 12:45. IF you can wait til the 12:45 and make it the last thing, you could still be back at your resort by around 2:00-2:15. If you decide to forego Indy all together, all the rest can be done with no problem. If Indy is a priority, you'll probably need to give up the Backlot Tour or Star Tours, but you may not. You might get everything else done between the end of Jr and the 12:45 show. It's a gamble, I'd be willing to take.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I think you will be happier having a break in the park.

I would eliminate either Beauty and the Beast or the Little Mermaid show.

I'm also not a fan of the stunt show but knowing how boys love it, that will need to stay in.

If you get there at RD, you will be able to fit alot in. Especially if you are skipping TSM.

For the Jedi Training you need to head over there and sign your son up as soon as the rope drops. Otherwise he might not get in. I had also heard that the child needs to be with you when you sign up. I don't know how true that is since my kids are older. Hopefully someone who has actually experienced it will know.

Good luck!

 

[mrsR123]

Take the nap, take the nap, take the nap. I've probably posted that a dozen times or more in the years I've been coming here. I absolutely believe in it. My kids are big, now, but we started going when the youngest was 18 months.

It is hard to get all the shows done at DHS; I think it took me three or four trips before I ever got to Beauty and the Beast.

If I were you I would not miss Muppets or Osbourne Lights. I would do TSMM and Mermaid. Beast moves along pretty quickly and is terrific, but if your DS doesn't know the movie, you could probably skip it until DD is older. (It is a nice chunk of time off your feet, though.)

With little kids I'd skip Idol, and I'd only do Jedi training if your son were participating.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[JMD]

For the Jedi Training you need to head over there and sign your son up as soon as the rope drops. Otherwise he might not get in. I had also heard that the child needs to be with you when you sign up. I don't know how true that is since my kids are older. Hopefully someone who has actually experienced it will know.

Yes, your child needs to be with you to sign up for JTA. The CM will talk with each kid directly to see if they will be able to perform on stage.

 

[KatieCollette]

On our last trip we hit HS kinda late, got there around 10 or so. We hit almost everything you wanted to hit, with the exception of the stunt show. We didn't go back to the hotel, instead just plowed on through the day. We had lunch and dinner there and left right after dinner around 6. We had fun but our feet were tired! Went to bed early that night!

 

[RMulieri]

You will not fit it all in so stop trying. Deceide what is priority and go with the flow. What you don't see goes up on the list for the next trip.

Denise in MI

THIS..No matter how you plan , you can't plan for those unexpected moments etc.You are not going to see it all in one trip, you will only make yourself and everyone around you miserable.Trust me.Our first trip as a family ,I alienated everyone in our group trying to" do it all".My daughter was miserable and tired( and she was 4) ,my husband was also exhausted and miserable.Take it slow,see what you can and STOP the insanity and smell the roses.Some of the most magical moments happen when you stop and look

 

[mom2princesss]

Leave and take the nap! You cannot do it all in one day and if you push everyone you will end up with nothing but a bunch of tired cranky people and kiddos in meltdown. That isn't fun for anyone.

AI is one you can cross right off the list. Total waste of time.

If Jedi Training is important to your DS I'd go sign up for that right away and get FP for TSM. TSM is not to be missed with kids your age.

From there I would pick your #1 must see show and go. Come back after naps if you want to and do/see more. Let the kids play at the Honey I shrunk the Kids playground while you and DH ride TOT.

Honestly, the last trip we took my girls were 7 and 3 and the only things the liked at DHS was the playground and TSM. The love the little mermaid but the show at DHS is dark and loud and they hated it.