Nap suggestions needed

[Figment1990]

We are taking our DS, age 21 months, to WDW in 14 days.... We will be traveling with my DH's family (mom, dad, sister, BIL and neice) and instead of traveling all the way back to Animal Kingdom Villas from Epcot for a nap and then meeting up with them again at MGM/DHS, I thought I would ask if anyone has any suggestions for where I might be able to nap my son instead. He slept in his stroller fine back in March when we went and he was only 1. Back then he only took 30 minute naps though. Now it can vary anywhere from an hour to 2 hours. He would sleep in a stroller maybe, but it would have to be "relatively" quiet (and i'd prefer inside since temps are so varied in Dec).

Is there anywhere in the Beach Club, Yacht Club or Boardwalk hotels that is cozy and quiet(er) like at the Wilderness Lodge (DS/DH napped in the rocking chairs and couches around the upper lobby floors on our previous trip!)?

I'd really like him to be able to be at DHS in time for the Block Party Bash since he is a HUGE Pixar fan - favorites are Buzz and Woody, Mike and Sully. It would be so much easier to just go from Epcot to DHS but i'm not sure it's possible.... any ideas?

TIA

 

[Mom2SamandJames]

Our son fell asleep on the bus every time we boarded. It might be worth it to board a bus and ride for a while. You can also go to the Baby Care center in Epcot. It is by the World Showcase entrance by Mexico. My oldest child napped there while I was nursing my youngest last year.

 

[bdiddy]

Our son was just over 2 when we went last year and I decided to play it by ear. He is a good napper at home and will nap in the stroller sometimes but it is really hit and miss. We drove then so I was hesitant on going back to the car, him falling asleep in the car and then waking up when we got to the resort - sort of defeated the whole purpose.

Anyway, the first day he fell asleep in the stroller and slept for almost 2 hours! We would use this time for DH and I to alternate going on non-kid friendly rides or taking our DD on some who was over 40 inches. I also didn't have problems with him waking up or it being "too quiet" because I think he was just so tired from all the action.

So, we were there for 7 days and every day he fell asleep from 1-2 and slept or min of 1 hour up to 2 hrs.....so you never how he'll react or what will happen so just play it by ear and I'm sure he'll be fine!

 

[Sydnerella]

On certain days, both of my kids napped in the stroller as little ones at WDW while we walked (20 and 18 months) But we also made sure to get them real naps on most days so they would be enjoyable to be around. They each took 2 hour naps at home so we did the same while there. If something starts at a time that is bad for nap, then you can try to adjust a bit for that day - just put "normal" days on either side so he can catch up and enjoy his Pixar friends.

Also, sorry to say this but as someone who has brought kids back and forth from an off-site house for naps at least 4 out of 7 days, I am having a hard time relating to it being an issue to go all the way to AKL!!! That seems like a tiny price to pay for a well behaved toddler!

Sydnerella's Mama

 

[Figment1990]

Our son fell asleep on the bus every time we boarded. It might be worth it to board a bus and ride for a while. You can also go to the Baby Care center in Epcot. It is by the World Showcase entrance by Mexico. My oldest child napped there while I was nursing my youngest last year.

I completely forgot about the baby centers. Completely. We were never in the one in Epoct (because Epcot in March was so quiet, we never needed it for a break from the crowds/changing/eating). The MK one was very helpful though!

On certain days, both of my kids napped in the stroller as little ones at WDW while we walked (20 and 18 months) But we also made sure to get them real naps on most days so they would be enjoyable to be around. They each took 2 hour naps at home so we did the same while there. If something starts at a time that is bad for nap, then you can try to adjust a bit for that day - just put "normal" days on either side so he can catch up and enjoy his Pixar friends.

Also, sorry to say this but as someone who has brought kids back and forth from an off-site house for naps at least 4 out of 7 days, I am having a hard time relating to it being an issue to go all the way to AKL!!! That seems like a tiny price to pay for a well behaved toddler!

Sydnerella's Mama

I am not really worried so much about traveling "all the way back to AKL" even though i realize I made i sound that way. It's more about the way our plans are for that day. We are planning to get to Epcot around 9, and my son naps around 1. Block Party Bash is at 3 at DHS so if we went back, he would almost certainly miss it simply from travel times. I mean, we could go back around noon, eat lunch and nap, and if he wakes earlier than normal, like at 2:30, high tail it out of there and hope we make it for some of it. That was my original plan. After all, he wouldn't know if he missed the parade at this age.

I agree about having a well-rested toddler on vacation. That's why we keep to bedtimes and get in naps at the hotel as much as possible. Our son's very routine-oriented, so it works for us.

I also like your suggestion about normal days on either side. that's a must when we alter the routine like this!

 

[pixarmom]

I know lots of families absolutely need the hotel nap, but our three boys have always been happy stroller nappers. (We tried the hotel nap with our first when he was young, and that was a disaster - the day we tried it was his crabbiest day at WDW ever, and my only negative experience at WDW.) So it's really dependent on the kids, and it's hard to know how they will react in advance. All I can say is that it's such a joy when you figure out which way works for your family, and can create a plan around it!

If you're looking for spots for stroller naps in and around EPCOT, a few suggestions:

1) Walking the stretch through BC and YC, or through the boardwalk.
2) If you need to stay put and inside, the "lobby" of Mexico might work. (Inside and quiet are a tough combination - the Cantina seating area outside may be quieter and more relaxing for you during the nap, if the weather is good enough.)
3) A ride on the monorail might also work - you won't have to fold up the stroller and it's usually pretty quiet midday.
4) Monorail to Poly, where there are lots of quiet spots, but that might be further than you would like.

That's what I can think of at this moment, but I love hearing about good stroller nap spots, so I hope we get more responses!

And hope you all love the Block Party Bash as much as we do - it's so much fun!!! Our youngest was a little older than your son for our last visit, and he loved it - we showed him youtube videos of it before we went, and he was really excited to see it at Disney!

 

[AdamsPrincess]

I would check out the baby center at each of the parks, they are pretty good and comfortable.

Innoventions at Epcot has a ton of space to chill out, maybe ride the train around at MK, One Mans Dream at DHS has a nice area to sit and relax, at the AK might have the best if you take the train to Conservation Station, our kids took lots of naps out there.

 

[katierae81]

The baby care center at Epcot is alot like the one at MK. It has a big room with quite a few rocking chairs for nursing moms. I'd try that, and maybe you too could sneak in a nap while rocking him to sleep .

If you plan on being at HS that afternoon anyways, their baby care center would be a good place too. They have a small room in between the two private nursing rooms and the diaper changing room. They may have a little couch, I can't exactly remember though.

Good luck!!