The adults don’t want to do the big rides? If you do, child swap will get you both on the ride in a decent amount of time.
Are you sure you have to go back to the hotel? That can take so long. Whenever we went back to a hotel for a nap it was SO hard getting moving again.
My son just napped in the stroller, we did what we wanted (one at a time of course), and it was better than having to go all the way back.
Is returning to the hotel during the afternoon less common at Disneyland? It seems like it is always the advice for WDW to take a break. My 8 year old will be fine but my youngest who just turned 5 last week I am worried about since he just stopped napping at preschool. I was assuming we'd need a break to get him through Fantasmic and Worlds of Color but maybe that isn't as practical for Disneyland? We also are adapting from eastern time which is another nightmare I am worried about though we do have a few days in San Diego until we head up to Disney.