I dont want to go to bed at 9pm...what to do?

[eaturpasta1]

Ok...so when the kids are exhausted from the parks...DD9 and DD4...and 10 pm bed time rolls around (and I am being generous they usually go to bed at 8pm) What do DH and I do until we want to go to bed?

I KNOW my kids wont sleep if the Tv is on, even if its muted. Do we sit on the balcony till we are tired? Or sit in the hall?

What does everyone do?

 

[Sleuth]

Rent a double stroller at the park and push them around. They can lounge/sleep in it and you and DH can walk around the stores and have a grand time. Just bring a blanket for the kids and they will be fine. We did this with our boys last May and there were no complaints. I know there were many folks with kids older than 10 or 11 in strollers, so the strollers aren't just for babies. Maybe rent one when it gets late?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I agree about the stroller. We also try for an afternoon nap so the kids are good to stay up later and we can recharge our batteries too. In January we were at Epcot until midnight one night and at MGM until 10 two of the other nights - kids still went swimming on the MGM nights when we got back to the resort so by the time we all went to bed it was pretty late.

After our kids go to sleep we do usually sit out on our balcony or patio if we have one and enjoy a glass of wine; have also pulled some chairs outside our room at the value resorts or sat out on the walkway. Fun to people watch and depending on where you're staying and your room location watch the resort activity. I suppose if you want your kids to stick to their home schedule and know they'll be in bed early, it might be worth it to try for a location that has what you like in terms of activity or quiet.

Our favorite place so far for sitting outside has been our lagoon view room at the Poly. Second place, believe it or not, was in the Calypso building at the ASMu - it was amazing watching hordes of people returning from the parks in the pouring rain, carrying kids and bags and pushing strollers! We once had a room at the CR overlooking the canal between Bay Lake and the SSL. It was quiet but a little too quiet for our liking - we prefer to be near the activity (despite the noise)!

 

[minkydog]

Gee. I'm usually so exhausted that I'm the one begging to go to bed at 9pm. If you want to stay up, I'd suggest that you send your DH down for some snacks, wine, etc. and set up a little area on your balcony for some quiet conversation and people-watching (can you light candles? not sure) Bring some plastic goblets and you can toast your wonderful vacation. Give your DH a sitting backrub or rub his feet with peppermint cream. This could be a very enjoyable part of your trip.

 

[pjlla]

This is PRECISELY why we have stayed off-site in a suite the last two visits to WDW!! I am able to put the kids to bed at a reasonable time and then get myself ready for the next day (repack backpack and fanny packs, download digital pictures to laptop, do laundry, etc). While I am looking forward to staying onsite when the kids are older and we can all go to bed at the same time, for now it is an off-site suite.

On a few occasions we gave the kids a quick sandwich for dinner in the room and then DH goes out for a nice take-out dinner for us. We generally go in January and the park hours are short... we are usually done for the day by 6 or 7 pm. ..................P

 

[Christy]

My DDs (5 & 8) were exhausted after a full day at the parks that this never ended up being an issue.
You might be surprised when they immediately fall asleep (might usually take a while to go to sleep, but not during our WDW vacation).

 

[disneyfanfamily]

Boy....I wish I had your energy!!! DH and I are always exhausted after a day at WDW! But, the balcony sounds sort of romantic. I like the snack and wine idea (if you drink - which we do rarley). Have fun!

 

[tjmw2727]

My kids are now 8 and 10 and we have been vacationing at WDW at least 2x a year. Most of the time they stay up late with us for the EMH or fireworks. Other times we all go back to the resort and "crash".

We always opt for a balcony so we can put them to bed and sit for a while outside, but it usually takes only about 5 minutes after a day at the parks! We put the TV on either the Disney channel or the WDW story channel (no pictures just a storybook reading) and that luls them asleep. (A vacation treat for sure!).

While they are falling asleep dh and I enjoy a glass of wine or a beverage and a snack, and a few moments to ourselves on the balcony. We discuss the day, readjust plans for the next day if necessary and just relax.

Once they are asleep I can pretty much get things tidied up - get our things ready for the next day, clothing, ps lists and such. I also get out what we need for breakfast in the room etc.

Then we put the TV on what we like or if its nice head back to the balcony - if we are still awake!!

TJ

 

[bscs]

We had this problem last time we went so this time we are staying in a condo. 3 bedrooms 3 baths and less expensive than most hotel rooms.

 

[Desnik]

We usually stay at a deluxe or DVC resort so we always have a balcony. Our favorite was our BW view at BWV. While the kids were asleep we people watched on our balcony. We had gotten some appetizers from Spoodles and just enjoyed eachother and the view!! Also, while staying at BW we would put the kids in PJ's in strollers and hang out in the lobby people watching or stroll along the BW. It was great and worked out fine. Another option, that we'll soon take advantage of is a 1 or 2 bedroom villa. That way we could have the kids sleeping in another room and not worry about waking them. That's why I love my DVC!!! Right now we get studios b/c I like having 1 room with the kiddies next to me, they are 7 and 2. So the balcony is great for us!

 

[CleveRocks]

My DDs (5 & 8) were exhausted after a full day at the parks that this never ended up being an issue.
You might be surprised when they immediately fall asleep (might usually take a while to go to sleep, but not during our WDW vacation).

I had almost exactly the same experience with my 5 year old and 2.5 year old. They can be monsters to put to bed at home, but at WDW they were little angels who fell asleep immediately if not sooner.

We were at CBR, a moderate, so no balcony. What I would have liked to do: spent some time with my wife in the bathroom with the door closed (for privacy) and the exhaust fan on ( to muffle sounds). What I actually did: laid on the floor reading a book by otoscope (that light that doctors use to look in your ears and nose) while my wife fell asleep the same time as the kids.

 

[AB&Me]

This will be our first time staying on-site. We're going to POP in 2 weeks! Where do you get the wine?

 

[crisi]

The resort bars will mix drinks in "to-go" cups. I know the DVC resorts sell wine in the gift shop (and beer and small bottles of liquor). Also wine can be purchased at several countries in the Epcot world showcase. Remember to pack a travel corkscrew and a wine cork.

We've taken turns in the hottub. One adult reads while the other soaks feet, then the switch.

Your kids may not mind the TV - they will be exhausted. Often we are as well and a 9pm bedtime looks good.

 

[jodifla]

The balcony idea can definitely work. Where are you staying?? Also like Crisi's rotating hottub idea.

Also, don't discount the idea that the kids won't sleep while the TV is on. Disney is a magic place, after all.

I will say that questions like yours are exactly what pushed us to buy DVC. Now we stay in one bedrooms (or bigger!) so we have nice romantic evenings after DS is in bed.

 

[minkydog]

We were at CBR, a moderate, so no balcony. What I would have liked to do: spent some time with my wife in the bathroom with the door closed (for privacy) and the exhaust fan on ( to muffle sounds). What I actually did: laid on the floor reading a book by otoscope (that light that doctors use to look in your ears and nose) while my wife fell asleep the same time as the kids.

LOL, what a picture. Poor,poor dad, reading by otoscope late into the night.

 

[funcinderella]

Cleverocks, You made me chuckle out loud... not easy for a Monday morning

 

[gigi1313]

in the past, i'd leave to do laundry while dh puts the kids to bed (and bring a good book and pick up a glass of wine on my way to the laundry room)! by the time i'd get back, all three (dh and 2 kids) were usually asleep, which then gave me time to get things organized for the morning... we've also sat on the "balcony" (at a mod it's really a walkway but it worked!) and relaxed while the kids fell asleep... our last trip we took two connecting rooms at pop and that worked wonderfully...

 

[eaturpasta1]

Thanks to all for the great ideas! Have already added some foot massage surprises in my bag for my hubby, and a flashlight for him too! Although I did prefer the bathroom idea..

We are staying at AKL. Someone told me to bring a baby monitor and then go down to the lobby to relax ... This kinda scares me...anyone else have experience with this idea?

I like the wine idea too, since collecting wine is my hobby...i have just the thing to pack! A wine suitcase...complete with glasses, corkscrew and a place for wine bottles.

 

[jodifla]

Since you are at AKL, you will probably have an entertaining view from your balcony!

 

[CleveRocks]

Thanks to all for the great ideas! Have already added some foot massage surprises in my bag for my hubby, and a flashlight for him too! Although I did prefer the bathroom idea

Will you marry me? Uh, ... uh-oh... I mean, glad you liked the idea!

We are staying at AKL. Someone told me to bring a baby monitor and then go down to the lobby to relax ... This kinda scares me...anyone else have experience with this idea?

I couldn't do that in a million years. I have a neighbor who does that and then comes across the street to hang out. I couldn't stand the idea of leaving a little one alone in a hotel; it would scare me, too. I can't recall your kids' ages, but if they're old enough to walk then you risk them quietly leaving the hotel room (improbable for some of the smaller ones, but as parents we've all seen some pretty weird and improbable things happen!) and then wandering though the hotel alone. EEEEEK!

From a practical standpoint, baby monitors don't have an unlimited range. Now I've never been in AKL before, but I would imagine that unless your room is on a low floor and is also within a few rooms of the lobby then no monitor will have a strong enough signal to carry. Know what I mean?

With or without "bathroom breaks," I'm sure you'll all enjoy WDW. Have a magical time!

-- Eric