How to Fit Lunch, Parade, and Nap

[pooh4youtoo]

This will be our first time to WDW with our 3 yr old DS. He usually naps at around 1 p.m. and either eats lunch at 12:30 p.m. or 2:00 p.m. I am not sure how we can fit in his nap time which is generally 1 1/2 hours long and also do lunch and be back to MK in time for the 3:00 p.m. parade. We will be staying at a cabin in Fort Wilderness. Does anyone have any ideas on how we may be able to reschedule things so that everything fits? We were planning to go to MK in the morning, but not sure if we should stay there for lunch or try going back to our cabin and cook something quick before his nap. All ideas appreciated.

 

[pigletof4]

Alot of times, schedules go out the door while at Disney. Is it possible to have a late breakfast/early lunch, nap and then do the parade? I know a lot of the character breakfast have a really late breakfast time say around 11. Also, were you going to the park first thing in the morning and then coming back? Another suggestion would be to stay around the hotel and maybe swim have lunch at 12:30, nap and then go the parade and stay at the parks until closing or bedtime.

 

[eliza61]

One thing I've learned since visiting Disney is that normal routines can quickly go by the way side. You may find that you 3 yo can nap fine in the stroller if you find a quiet spot in MK and just relax for a while. You may also find out that it really is pixie dust overload and he really does need a nap, in which case maybe you'll have to forgo the parades this trip. Since your at the cabins (which we love) have a late breakfast as piglet above suggested and hit the park around 11:00 or 12:00

Don't try to over plan, play it a little by ear and adjust accordingly. Even after countless trips to mouse world we never see every thing. This will give you a legitimate excuse to go back. LOL

 

[pooh4youtoo]

Yes, I think we may have to skip the parade and maybe see it when DS is older. My most memorable times include the parade, but that may be just me. We likely just cannot fit everything in.

 

[dunbarfamily]

We've tried to do lunch nap parade in previous trips and this year I am giving up. Please see the parade at least once! Your DS will love it. My kids love it and that is one of their favorite things.

As others mentioned, schedules go by the wayside in Disney. If your DS skipped one nap to see the parade, I'm sure he'd be ok.

Also, don't overplan. Try to go with the flow. Its hard! Trust me I am a chronic overplanner. I've found that if I can relax a little more and not look at the watch (I've learned I do better if I *gulp* leave my watch at the hotel that I do much better) that it is a better vacation for myself and my family.

Good luck!

 

[pooh4youtoo]

Maybe we can ride the train in the park around his nap time so that he at least feels rested. Then see if he wants to nap after the parade. Has anyone tried to use the train or monorail as a napping area for a tired child?

 

[bxtx]

THanks for the helpful thread. This is my first time ever to Disney and I'm trying really hard not to over plan!! I have a 6 yo, 3 yo and baby and I think we're going to alternate days at the parks so my 3yo can do with out naps or at least every other day. The babe will sleep in the stroller.

BX
p.s. my babe was also due to born at home in the tub but my body decided otherwise and I transported and he was out within 3 hours at the hospital. Well done you for doing it at home!

 

[crl]

We normally skip parades. Naps are way more important to our family since everyone naps. For us, it's not worth the meltdowns.

 

[mommy2savannah]

My dd has always done great napping in the stroller (make sure it reclines all the way back). While she naps, DH and get a snack, sit down and relax!

 

[K and K's Mommy]

We were in Disney with my DS who was two weeks away from 3. Some days he napped in the stroller, but on the one day we went back to the room - no nap! For some reason, he would just not fall asleep. Anyway, he did love the parades. Have fun!

 

[minkydog]

Well, you could always stay at FW in the morning, go swimming and take a nap, fix some lunch then go over to MK and see the 3pm parade. I find it is hard to get it all done in one day. Its very hard to stick to a schedule at WDW because everything takes longer than you think it will.

 

[Princess Roo]

Yes, I think we may have to skip the parade and maybe see it when DS is older. My most memorable times include the parade, but that may be just me. We likely just cannot fit everything in.

We skip the MK parade, because DS really needs his nap. Have you checked the times of all the parades while you will be there? Maybe one of the evening ones will be early enough or the AK or MGM/DS one will be at a more convenient time?

Another option is to try skipping the nap one day (or try a stroller nap) and see what happens...knowing you may need to leave the park early that evening due to meltdown. We tried that with DS, and learned that he really needs that nap, but we just left the park around 4:30 when he got cranky, fed him a quick dinner, went for a swim to wear him out, and early bedtime. Next day was back to normal. We don't regret trying and may try again this next trip since he's older and doesn't always sleep during his naptime anymore.

 

[DRRluvsWDW]

See the parade! Especially if it holds a special place in your heart! The 1st time we videoed our daughters reactions to the parade more than the parade itself! Schedule parade watching early on in your trip so he won't be as likely to be tired and have meltdown!
Then, schedule your "must-sees" early in the day. Depending on the child, you may want to skip the nap and have an earlier bedtime. What worked for you over the holidays?
You'll probably need to "read" your child's cues. It will be very frustrating if you go back for a nap and he doesn't take one. Or falls asleep on the bus to only wake upon transferring to the bed. Sometimes, down time is better. Train, monorail, or the ?people-mover? in TomorrowLand. Playground or swimming at resort then a nap.
Have Fun

 

[pooh4youtoo]

We ususally stick to his nap time even on holidays if we are at home. But, if DS is visiting his grandmother then all bets are off. He refuses to nap and grandma does not press the issue. So, when I pick him up, he usually falls asleep in the car on our way home. We live about 45 minutes away so he has the opportunity to nap then. He likely will not nap in a stroller because of the noise. But, other types of motion, such as a car ride, will rock him to sleep. So, I think I will try to go to Chef Mickey's for brunch and then go to the park and ride the train around. Maybe the combination of a big meal and and a slow train will rock him to sleep until it is parade time. I also will try touring the park over two days instead of one. I really do not want to miss the parade. To me, it is just not Disney without it. And, if he does not nap on the train, maybe we can just leave the park early after the parade.

 

[Elmo888]

We skipped the parades when DD was 2. It just wasn't worth the crankiness for us. (Neither DD has ever napped in a stroller and rarely fell/falls asleep in the car.)

DD3 isn't napping as much these days (ugh!), so we are going to try alternating days with napping (and catch some parades). On the days without naps, we will have early dinners (5 pm) and then head back to our resort for an early evening. Of course, I'm ready to change the plan if it isn't working! (BTW, last January when my older DD was 6, she napped most days, too...so did DH!)

If you skip the day parades, try to catch Spectromagic at the MK. I'm not sure what the schedule is, but when we went in January, the Spectromagic parade was at 7 or 8 and Wishes was an hour later (at 8 or 9 respectively). It was early enough that we could watch the parade, head to the resort before Wishes, and get back to the resort at a decent hour (8:30 or 9).

Since your child is 3 (and not 1 or 2), you might try staying through the parade one day and just be ready to bail if it isn't working.

Have a great trip!