Nap / Rest Locations

[aviejan]

My son will be turning 5 during our trip. He will need rest in the afternoon, but can probably live without a full nap. We are staying at AoA and will not have a car. We are planning on only renting Disney strollers if need be. Where are some places we can go for a rest during the afternoon without going all the way back to the hotel? For example, can we stay on the people mover as long as we want to? Are there any monorail resorts we can go to and find a couch to rest on? Is there any way to nap in the disney strollers or are they too uncomfortable? Thank you for any advice you have.

 

[Happyjen27]

To try out the "rest" time, I would say bring him to the mall one day, and then try to get him to lay his head down on your lap and rest on one of the benches. Some kids will be flat out and have no problem shutting the world out and chilling. Some kids can't stop listening/watching/being engaged in their world enough to chill.

Probably not a popular answer, and I'm by no means an elitist, but, this is why I paid all that money for the monorail hotels. I wanted to get to and from the MK+Epcot easily for naps. Even at age 7, my pair took full on naps in the afternoon if we were going to be out late. Shoot, I took one myself. We didn't nap every day, but any day we had evening plans, we napped.

Since these resorts can be cost prohibitive to many, my advice is to just go to your resort for a nap. It might cost you 3-4 hours, but, trying to get them to chill out and actually rest in a public space might cost you nearly that anyway, plus aggravation on both of your parts.

Some kids can go all day long, and never need a nap/break/rest. My kids are not that way, some are, some aren't. Since you already realize your child will benefit from a rest, I would spend the time, considering it an investment against meltdowns.

 

[msmama]

Ellen's energy adventure in Epcot. Best nap on property, lol.

We've ridden the monorail for awhile. Also, sometimes we'll take a bus to a random hotel (and back again).

For my son, I used to just walk around with him in the stroller, the sunshade pulled low (that said, we did it with his city mini and I don't think the disney strollers have big sunshades - maybe have a blanket or jacket or something to hang over it). That way he'd rest even if I didn't get to.

Honestly though, resting mid day was never really our strategy - we tend to go rope drop until about dinner time at the latest. It means we don't see the nighttime shows, but it keeps everyone happier.

 

[VP037388]

The lobby at both the Grand Floridian (especially here) and Wilderness Lodge are fairly quiet during the day and have comfy seating. There are rocking chairs at WL. It's good place to go and rest/nap. There are shops and snacks for the parent not hanging out with the sleeping kid
Also, at the Contemporary, right off the main lobby check in area there is a TV that is always showing kids show. There is a sofa or seating. Our 3 year old was entertained enough by the show he stayed quiet and then fell asleep.
Peoplemover is a good one too. If it's not crowded, you can just stay onboard.

 

[aviejan]

Thank you for all of the suggestions. I am so looking forward to this trip!

 

[laughinplace199]

Disney strollers are hard plastic, don't recline, and are not comfortable for napping.

When DS7 was 5, we bought a First Years Ignite stroller for about $50. It had a decent sunshade and it reclined. I didn't think he'd nap in it, but he did.

Something like that might work for you, and it would be cheaper than renting from Disney for the week.

 

[Minnesota!]

My kids slept anywhere, any time. I brought a hoodie with and a small lap blanket. They used the hoodie as a blanket, the lap blanket as a pillow. They loved the Disney strollers, FWIW.

We did a lot of bench time. The benches in Future World outside of Innoventions were a fave - the music playing, the sound of the water. They were good to go to sleep.

But, anyway, anywhere there was a bench where I could sit, and turn the stroller away from the people watching...they were out.

 

[ceyj1100]

we had a City Mini Double last time we were there and we basically told them that it was rest time and that we weren't doing any rides for 2 hours. We were just walking and talking. So my DH and I pushed them around and enjoyed the "little" details around the park that we weren't able to enjoy with the kids. My son (who was 2 1/2 at the time) slept the whole time and then some, but my daughter (who was 5) just rested. She was too excited to really sleep. But she laid in the stroller and was quiet. She still conked out by 8 every night, no matter where we were. Couldn't even shake her awake for the fireworks!

The days that we did naps in the park, we walked in more quiet areas (that day Frontierland and the Presidents hall area was pretty deserted). Other days we went back to our resort for naps. Yeah we lost a few hours but we were able to stay up later and the kids (especially my daughter) was in a better mood by the evening time.

 

[Kimosabe]

We have only ever used the Disney rental strollers when kids were younger and this was an issue, and they both had no problem napping in them. If a kid is tired enough to take a nap, being in a fully reclined position is not necessary (same for us dads!).

If that doesn't sound like the best option, there are plenty of places to nap around the parks. In the MK, hop on the train, Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress, Philharmagic or the PeopleMover. We have been allowed to stay on the PeopleMover for multiple rides before (daughter had a migraine, so the CM was nice enough to allow it, and there wasn't a huge line), but I suspect that will just depend on the CM in charge of loading and unloading at the time. None of these provide for a particularly long nap (other than maybe the train), but a 15 to 20 minute power nap has been proven to be quite helpful.

At Epcot, you've got Impressions de France or the American Adventure....or Ellen's Energy Adventure if in Future World.
At DAK, Finding Nemo.
At DHS, Tower of Terror. Ok, maybe not so many places to nap at DHS, but again, a stroller or a park bench might be enough for a power nap that would give the kiddos an extra boost of energy that might allow an extra hour or two to your day without having to go all the way back to the resort.

 

[McQueenMaterMom]

Tower of Terror - Ha! My kids actually did fall asleep in The Great Movie Ride which was great because I had forgotten about the scary part.

 

[rachael95]

The Disney strollers look terribly uncomfortable, but if you brought a memory foam pad, that might make them more comfortable. I have the Skip Hop Memory Foam Stroller Liner for my DS' wagon. If he really wants to lay down in the wagon, I fold up a towel under this. You could fold it up fairly small.

Definitely bring a light blanket or something to create your own shade, but light enough to allow a breeze through.

The best non-ride areas I found for napping were behind the Plaza restaurant near the restrooms in MK and on that middle walkway where they have the special event setups in EPCOT between Future World and World Showcase. The areas in AK where you can look at the animals are great for napping usually too.

 

[aviejan]

The Disney strollers look terribly uncomfortable, but if you brought a memory foam pad, that might make them more comfortable. I have the Skip Hop Memory Foam Stroller Liner for my DS' wagon. If he really wants to lay down in the wagon, I fold up a towel under this. You could fold it up fairly small. Definitely bring a light blanket or something to create your own shade, but light enough to allow a breeze through. The best non-ride areas I found for napping were behind the Plaza restaurant near the restrooms in MK and on that middle walkway where they have the special event setups in EPCOT between Future World and World Showcase. The areas in AK where you can look at the animals are great for napping usually too.

The memory foam is a great idea. Thanks!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Over that the VWL there is a quiet area in the lobby of the DVC villa's that has window box seat benches that are padded. I have taken many a naps there. Hardly anyone comes through there.