Let 2.5 yr. old stay up for fireworks?

[DrMomof3]

My kids don't usually last until the fireworks! There's certainly no harm in trying though. Last year we took the 2 older kids to MVMCP (ages 5 and 3) and they were both sound asleep in the stroller before the fireworks show! DH and I enjoyed the fireworks very much and couldn't believe the kids missed it!
One issue we have with keeping the kids up late is that they still wake up really, really early the next day. And my older 2 will NOT nap (except if they fall asleep in the stroller). In my house it makes for cranky kids the next day (and cranky, tired parents).
We're early morning people (I leave for work at 6:30am several days a week) which really impacts our "touring style." We find it takes several days of vacation to shift the kids schedules a bit later.
We canceled the F! dining package for our August trip but we might try to catch Illuminations since we're staying at BCV we can always walk home if the kids can't make it.

Amanda

 

[nchulka]

Go for it, make some magical memories!!! I am a VERY scheduled person. When my kids were little they were on strict schedules, from the time they were a few WEEKS old! However, when on vacation ALL schedules and healthy eating habits go out the window, it's one of the things that makes vacations so much fun! We can do whatever we want We went to Disney Land when the kids were 3 and almost 2, we were in California and decided to spend one day at Disney. It was open from 8:00AM till midnight. I wondered if the kids would make it that long, but decided we would stay as long as possible. We ended up being there till 2:00 AM, ours was the only car in the entire garage when we finally made it back there. The kids did great They had umbrella strollers and fell asleep whenever they were tired despite the fact that they typically would ONLY sleep in their own crib/toddler bed. We have awesome memories of the day and funny pictures of a HUGE garage with 1 car in it!

 

[princessmom29]

I agree that it depends on the child. Some just cannot handle it atthat age. We don't so betimes on vacation, but we do gage how tired DD is and when we need to take a break, or go it early.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Of course I would let my kid stay up! We don't have bedtimes when on vacation (or really at home, either...it's at whatever time we all get tired...)..

If you think it will be an issue, just let her sleep in longer then next day. Esp if you are going home...the travel is going to wipe her out anyway...so she will sleep when you get home.

Same here. DD is a night owl, always was. I think your DD will be fine!

 

[katied]

We've done it. Actually, DS stayed up to watch the fireworks first at 18 months, at the MNSSHP. We were planning on leaving, but he was just so excited that we stayed for the fireworks and parade. He was jumping around and dancing, and had a great time. He was asleep within 2 min once we got into the car.

The last trip, he was 32 months and we were staying at BLT. So, we left the park and watched to fireworks from the walk way between MK and BLT. That way, we were already out of the park and could be in the room within 5 min of the end of the fireworks.

 

[BriesMomma]

Our last trip I had my 2 year old at MK until midnight!! Now before you call CPS... We slept in late, shopped DTD, and went back to the hotel for a super long nap and came back up to MK around 8 o'clock. That night we hopped from ride to ride to ride and I have a great picture of just my daughter (and okay there's a CM way in the back...) on Main Street in front of the castle. They had a special 11:00 Spectromagic and we sat on the loop of the castle BY OURSELVES and the characters on foot in the parade each came over to give my daughter special attention (Hugs and fives). It was really a great night and much needed after the few busy days of MLK weekend. Plus we were driving home the next day so I knew catching up on sleep wouldn't be an issue. Hope this helps. Sometimes- especially at MK- late night is the best time for magic.

 

[disney*mom*82]

We dont have bed times on vacation, this has always worked out fine for our kids. We always go to the parks with late EMHs and stay the whole time. Our kids are now 2, 10, 12 and our last trip our dd2, who was 2yr 5mo old, was great, but she is a easy, laid back kind of kid, she would get tired and I would put her in the stroller and tell her its time for a nap, she would take one, then she would be rested enough for the evening, again, if she was too tired or grumpy, same thing Ide tell her to take a nap and she would. She was able to stay awake for fireworks, fantasmic, illuminations, and I know one night at MK she was riding the Pooh ride at 1am!
I too am the one responsible for packing everything, being ready for the next day, etc and it always works out fine. We drive for 16 hours in the car each way and thankfuly she is a great car rider!
It is really what you think will work for you and your child. I cant see it really being a problem, but I dont know you or her. GL

 

[BriesMomma]

Oh and just be flexible. That night I alreay knew that at any point she began to meltdown we would be making our exit.

 

[Alexander]

UGH--I am so not about kids having to stay on schedules! My kids have no schedules and never have (12 and 4). When we traveled with family last December, my SIL had DN (8) in bed everynight by 7:30. Good grief! It was her first trip to Walt Disney World! I cannot believe she didn't let her stay up and enjoy her vacation! "She gets really cranky when she's tired". Give me a break, don't we all! My poor BIL walked around the resort every night by himself because his wife and daughter were sleeping! He finally started hanging out at the pool with us.

 

[r&kmommy]

Our last trip dd was 1.5 and she stayed up for everything! she napped here and there in the stroller, and was actually asleep for half of spectromagic LOL! I can't imagine going to WDW and NOT staying for the nite festivities! Our first full day the MK is open til 1 or 2 am and we are planning a (rather long) break mid-day until 6pm-ish... she will be good to go!

HOWEVER, I realize that not all kids are like mine. Mine can roll with whatever we give them and not be grumpy (or only mildly so LOL!) they are the most laid back kids in the world. If you think your 2.5 year old can make it and be happy and not grumpy the next day, then let her stay up

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

ABSOLUTELY! The best keepsake I have of our WDW trips is an up close video of my youngest while watching Wishes. I cannot even describe the look of wonder on his face, along with his smiles, comments, and shreiks of happiness! He was 4 years old and just in awe of it all! That video is priceless and always brings a tear to my eye!

 

[bartleby1]

Absolutely I'd let her stay up if she can! My kids have never had a bedtime on vacation. We stay for the nighttime shows and if the kids are awake, they see it. When they were really little, sometimes they were too tired to stay awake and slept through the show (yes, even through the noise of the fireworks and the loud music).

 

[disneyandme]

I have to disagree with most folks. Unless this is a once in a lifetime trip, I would keep her on a regular schedule. It looks like you still want her to get for a character breakfast, so if you do plan to stay up late, as be prepared to cancel your breakfast if she is still sleeping or just cranky/tired.

 

[brockash]

I agree - no bedtimes on vacation!!! Our kids have always been fine!!! (and this comes from a mom with a schedule!!!) It's Disney, live it up!!!!!!

ITA! We're pretty strict on bedtimes at home, but when we're on vacation, especially at Disney, they don't exist. My ds and dd have been staying up for fireworks/parades ect. at Disney since their first trips, and we've never had a problem. My dd had done it at 4 months, 17 months, 2 1/2 and will be doing it again this year at 3 1/2. I'm sure with a young kiddo you'll have a stroller so even they get really tired, they can always nap in the stroller.

ETA: We're really more of the commando types, and we're always their for rope drops in the morning, and for closing. If there's EMH's that are pretty late, we'll usually go back and rest mid-day, but otherwise we're at the park, and we've never had a problem. We usually only do 1 early breakfast a trip, but we've really never had a problem with crankiness. I think especially with little ones, it's kinda easier because you have a stroller and if they're tired, they can always fall asleep in that.

 

[dsneygirl]

My son did everything that we did from our first trip when he was 2 to our last trip. Sometimes he did fall asleep in the stroller which was fine. Others he stayed awake and watched the whole thing. We always go back to our room for an afternoon break though.

We're never a stickler for bedtimes at WDW. Last trip my DS was 3.5 and he fell asleep 5 min before Wishes started, he could just not keep his eyes opened. But he was awake for Illuminations and loved it.

The monorail and buses are amazing things putting little ones to sleep.

 

[cmusschoot]

I am apparently in the minority here.

We travel to Disney pretty frequently and I have let my kids stay up late to watch the fireworks a few times. We travel most frequently in the winter when the fireworks are earlier...

I don't feel bad about this, but I also know that we will be back to see them in the future. If this was our only trip, I would feel differently about it!

I am really consistant about their bed/nap times at home and I would rather stick to that rather than deal with cranky kids...

That being said, I know my kids. They are scheduled kids (my son needs his sleep more that my daughter) but they are good sleepers and why ruin a good thing. Other kids might be more adaptable and so this would not bother them at all...in that case, go for it!!!

I am planning on staying up for fireworks this summer...they are at 10:00...YIKES!!! This is more for me than for them...my husband has agreed to take them back to the room if need be...

I just might be too Disney crazy!!!

also, wishes makes me cry everytime!!!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

My son was a little over two our first trip to WDW. We had no problem with throwing his schedule out the window for vacation. But each kid is different.

 

[Mom2JPL]

I have to disagree with most folks. Unless this is a once in a lifetime trip, I would keep her on a regular schedule. It looks like you still want her to get for a character breakfast, so if you do plan to stay up late, as be prepared to cancel your breakfast if she is still sleeping or just cranky/tired.

I agree. I don't know how to word this without sounding harsh, but kids need schedules. I'm blown away by people (in real life and the boards) who's kids don't have a set sleep time. It's not good for kids to stay up late...they need at least 10 hours of sleep. Cranky, tired kids at WDW aren't having a good time. Now, if you're going to take a nap at the resort during the day that may give you a little more leway at night for the extra hour or two.

 

[waltskids]

We are a schedule family since both DH and I work and both kids need to be out of the house with us by 6:30 am everyday. Since we are off in the summer they sleep later and we push the bedtime back about a half an hour. When we are in Disney, we find that keeping somewhat of a schedule works for us, but are very flexible. If we need to get up for a breakfast, EMH morning or some other reason then the kids will go to bed close to normal time (they both love their sleep and are great sleepers). If we know the next day is a relaxing day, then staying up for the fireworks is alot of fun. We usually only do this a few nights during the trip and DD will still sleep in her stroller so that's a good thing! We visit frequently so watching them every night isn't necessary for us. It doesn't have to be all or nothing... you can make it work depending on your situation.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I agree. I don't know how to word this without sounding harsh, but kids need schedules. I'm blown away by people (in real life and the boards) who's kids don't have a set sleep time. It's not good for kids to stay up late...they need at least 10 hours of sleep. Cranky, tired kids at WDW aren't having a good time. Now, if you're going to take a nap at the resort during the day that may give you a little more leway at night for the extra hour or two.

We don't have a set schedule, we just fell into a groove. DD is up "late" compared to other kids, but she gets more than 10, sometimes more than 11hours of sleep. She's also not a napper. It's just her, and according to my mom, I was the same way. I understand that it doesn't work this way for most families, but it's just what works for us.