Let 2.5 yr. old stay up for fireworks?

[letsgoagainsoon]

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.

That's us, too.

 

[kjs1976]

It would just be one night for us at MK for the fireworks. I just don't want to have to deal with getting in line for a bus, waiting, coming back, getting ready for bed and dealing with all of that late night fun...but I want her to see the fireworks! Ugh...such a stupid dilemma!

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Summary here---- do what you think will work for your children, mom knows best how her children will react to being off-schedule. I am a first born, type A, scheduled mom, this break from bedtimes for us is good for all us!

I will say that we tour the parks early, rope drop, and take an afternoon resort break before heading back. This allows some down time, so staying up late is not as bad as if you went commando all day. I still love a stroller for DD 5, she does sometimes fall asleep during fireworks.

The magic and excitement of Disney always overrides the fatigue - now, the real fatigue sets in when we get home and develop the Disney blues!

I say - NO BEDTIMES AT DISNEY - LIVE IT UP!!!

 

[ThreeBeans]

Another no-bedtimes here

My kids aren't made of sugar and they don't melt when they get wet

We're also used to schedule changes because DH's schedule is unreliable. Let the 2 year old stay up! If he's a little cranky the next day, big whoop, he can nap in the stroller. LOL.

 

[vettechick99]

If DD had a nap that day, we often went back out for fireworks. But if she didn't, we stayed in. You know your LO best!

 

[Amirah95]

I am hoping my 2 year old will be up for Hallowishes. We're going to be taking it easy all day long (I don't know if CM for breakfast early that morning is taking it easy ha!), but after that we'll be relaxing and hoping she will take a long nap in the afternoon. I don't want her to miss it. If sh's up and not cranky I will definitely stay at the park and let her watch.

 

[stampwithamy]

As long as they aren't having a meltdown...absolutely!!!

 

[Minnesota!]

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.

My kids have NEVER needed schedules. And they do just fine with little sleep.

Before Kindergareten, my older son stayed up to midnight most nights, and was up with me at 6am (and by his choice - he didn't need to be anywhere in the AM...just needed very little sleep. He has been like that since he was born...).

My younger son requires MORE sleep but still no where near 10 hours. He went to bed around 1030 last night when I did, and he was up around 730 today. Again...his own choice. We have a nanny that comes to our house so the kids don't need to be up to go anywhere.

We routinely have parties at our house (at least 1 - 2 times a month) with lots of kids (nieces and friends kids) and we don't go to bed until around 3. Kids are usually asleep around 1. And they are up bright and early again around 6 or 7.

Not ALL kids need schedules. Not ALL kids need a ton of sleep. My kids DON'T get cranky at WDW (or home) (due to lack of sleep). It's they way they are. If they are tired, they sleep. No scheduling needed...

 

[Scurvy]

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.

Not all kids are the same. Some have to have a set schedule and stick to it, others are fine with some variation. Mine has always been good about staying out late on our Disney trips. He knew he'd still have his usual bedtime when we got back home, so the fact that he didn't have one on the trip didn't matter in the long run. Some days we all napped so we could stay out really late, other days we slept late, and sometimes we just kept up a breakneck pace all day long. And though I feel getting enough sleep is very important for children, I think staying up late on a vacation and getting less than their usual amount of sleep for a few nights isn't going to do lasting damage to anyone. It worked for us, just as keeping a set bedtime works for you. You can't assume all kids are like your own, and you can't assume other parents are wrong just because they are making a different choice than you would.

 

[tonybny]

Yes.

 

[Rachie0507]

My 2 yo will stay up for fireworks when we go in December. Whether she stays awake may be a different story! I will bring the Ergo carrier and probably wear her when she starts getting sleepy. We have never stuck to a routine on vacation--there is far too much to do and it is easy to get back on schedule when we get home.

 

[sparty7798]

Hi,
We went last March and our son had just turned two the previous month. He stayed up one night to see the parade and he loved it! He did not like the fire works, but he really enjoyed the parade! He had a good nap that day so it worked out.

Good Luck!

 

[mom2val]

No bedtime on vacation ever is our motto!

We had a miserable Spring Break this past year. We rented a cabin (paid for it all) and invited dh's brothers family to come. Their girls are 4 & 6 and Mom and Dad are huge on schedules. At 8 pm everynight all lights in the whole dang cabin and noise had to be off so their kids could get to sleep. Then at 5 am the noise started bc they were waking their kids up! 11 am - 2pm was naptime- again no lights or noise. All I can say is never again will we ever vacation with them!