Kids and enough sleep on WDW vacation

[SueRS]

We just did Disneyland and my 7 year old wasn't getting enough sleep and was having major meltdown. We are going to WDW in 2 years my little one will be 6 and my now 7 year old will be 9.

This feels like a bad preview of what is to come.

Any suggestions on how to feel like you getting it all done that you want to and not having tired, cranky kids?

Thanks,

Sue

 

[minniedisney1]

Stay onsite, go back to the room and take naps. If possible, try to go during value season so you are not so rushed. If you go during VS, the parks close by 8 or so. You could skip naps and get to bed early.

 

[rlduvall]

This has never been a problem for us, because I am the one who loves to take the naps. Even before my son was born (he's now 6) whenever my DH and I went to WDW, I insisted on a return to our room in the middle of the day to rest, nap, swim, freshen up, whatever. If I didn't do that, I got cranky and had meltdowns. We took our son when he was 4 and, of course, returned for a daily rest. It really does make a difference. Also, if you are there for at least 5 nights, work in a night or two with nothing planned, but relaxing. Or a water park day when you don't have to be there until 10:00 a.m. I think, at least for us, it makes the vacation so much more enjoyable. Have fun.

 

[GEM]

My biggest suggestion is to alternate late nights and early mornings. Don't try to see Illuminations at Epcot one night and then hit early entry at the Magic Kingdom the next morning.

 

[stacy6552]

My kids have always crashed as needed. However, I suggest you plan your trip for winter, when almost all the parks close early, and youre not tempted to stay late. If youre leaving the park at 6, then theres plenty of time to get to bed at a decent hour.

 

[tricia]

My guys don't like to rest or nap in the afternoon, so we usually go back to the room (onsite) right after our dinner (PS for around 6pm) That way I can get them settled not much later than at home. We do usually have one night for Illuminations, and one night for Fantasmic, but on a 7-10 night trip that is it.

 

[loriandmatt]

it is easier for those of us who know we will be visiting again (in a few years, months weeks...) to suggest taking a break in the middle of each day or to sleep in on a morning or cut your day short and hit the hay a few nights. We feel a bit less rushed to see/do everything, as we know we will have an opertunity to see/do those things on a future trip.

I truely have sympathy for those who scrimp & save for a once in a lifetime trip to WDW and then go at it like commandos to try and see/do everything and maximize their hard earned vacation dollars. We were those people on our first trip. We honestly never thought we would be able to afford coming back again, much less yearly. (or a few times a year, as we have been guilty of - hey, it's an addiction. do they pump crack into the air down there?!?!?!)

Those folks should try to keep in mind thought that if you child needs that sleep to function, you have to chill and take time for it. Everyone will enjoy their trip more. (You may even do what we plan on doing this trip with our 1 year old. each parent is going to take turns returning to the resort mid day with her so she can nap. the other parent and the 10 YO will stay at the parks and live it up. the next day, the parents switch nap dutie.) Eliminate the things that you think might not be priority attractions for your family and schedule in a nap or late morning. Your critters will be the happier for it, and your vacation memories will be much sweeter.

- lori

 

[bevemjake]

This is one of the reasons we try and keep our night activities to a minimum. My kids tend to be non-nappers and early risers so we have to try and stick with their schedule as much as possible. It's no fun if they get over-tired. Mine are 4 and 7.

If they will nap I would try that. We tried to nap last year and it was a waste of time.

 

[SueRS]

Naps sometimes work. At DLR, my ds (7) didn't nap the day we had planned to go back and do electrical parade. We had a melt down. They kids seemed to get up earlier than us two of the 6 days. We are afraid that this is a bad preview of what is to come.