keeping young kids fresh

[dislou]

Any suggestions for keeping young kids from getting too tired while at DW? We went last year in Feb with 3 & 5 year old and our biggest problem was that they would get so tired out from all the excitement. We would go back to the room in the afternoon for a nap/rest or swim, but they still didn't last long in the evening. We're going again this Feb and are hoping 1yr will help, but would be glad for any pointers anyone may have.
Thanks!
Counting down to Feb . . .

 

[Kermit]

Try not to have busy days right next to each other if you can manage. On my first trip, I was in high school and went with my best friend and her family. This was in 91, so there were only 3 big parks and 2 water parks. We stayed in FW in a pop-up (so the nightly rate was more than reasonable), and we stayed there for 2 full weeks. We had 5 day park hoppers, which at the time gave you 7 days admission to the minor parks after the first day you used the ticket. We never went to any of the main parks 2 days in a row. We always had at least a day's break in between. My bf was the oldest of 4 girls, and the 2 youngest were 3 and 5, and those little girls didn't have any problems even though we stayed in the parks from open to close without a break. They rested in their strollers and in quiet rides in the afternoon, and the next day we slept in and got plenty of rest.

 

[bobcat]

We usually hit the rides early while we have the energy to rush around, and then afternoons we take in the shows. This allows us to get in the air conditioning and cool off. When my son was 5 he even took a nap at American Adventures.

I have done the parks from open to close w/ no break and also with a mid-day break. We prefer to take a break, I can get some rest as well, but even staying in the parks straight by slowing down and resting in the parks we were fine.

 

[kalamazoo]

Well, what worked best for us was to not go to the parks in the evening. We don't normally take a break during the day. We just go until about 4 or 5 o'clock then go for supper and then "home". If we want to swim then we leave even earlier. We keep to our normal bedtime schedule (which is why we like to have a place with at least 2 rooms so dh and I don't have to go to sleep at 7 or 8 o'clock). I find that if the kids don't get their proper sleep, the days just get worse and worse.

I know this is hard to swllow when there is so much to see and you've paid so much for the tickets, but we found that it really does benefit everyone.