Napping strategies for 3 YO (Parking lot question)

[Ming6464]

Planning our first trip to WDW with our son, he typically naps once a day right after lunch. For as many times as I've been to WDW, I've never considered going back to the car until it's time to leave. Question, is there any explicit park rule prohibiting guest from using their car to take a nap? I can't seem to find anything on the WDW website. Has anyone successfully used this strategy for young kids? Or have other suggestions? I saw a few Youtube videos that recomend locations that are quieter-ish. Thanks in advance.

 

[PepperjackDragon]

It would probably make way more sense to just go to the hotel and sleep. Obviously this is a big perk of onsite being easier to access but an Uber would work very well imo. We work a nap time into most all our park days with kids and still get a lot done. However, I don’t think there is any mechanism in place to worry about somebody sitting his car with the kids napping, as long as it’s not overnight or something crazy.

 

[Ming6464]

Thanks, the problem is we're staying with my parents who are about 45 min away. By the time we got home it would be time to turn around. :| We could skip his nap or just wear him out until he decides its time to nap in the stroller I guess.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

We did stroller naps. Parking can be really far away, especially for Magic Kingdom.

 

[piccolopat]

Stroller nap in a quieter, shady area. Your car may get too hot and it takes too much time to get there and back into the park. Depending on what park you're in you might even be able to have hi nap inside. For example, in Epcot, you can stake out a spot in the Seas or even in the car area after Test Track.

 

[lanejudy]

I'd be concerned about the car being waaay too hot! Unless you planned to run the car and idle for the duration, which seems rather excessive. If he'll nap in the stroller, maybe heading to a quiet spot at a nearby resort would be an option instead of the car.

 

[brazzledazzler]

Parent of Disney littles here (including a 3 year old), if you’re not staying on property —I’d say your best bet is to power through and hope your kid naps in the stroller. We usually do this and then call it an early night (early bed time).

Disney World is very exciting and distracting, so naps can be hard unless you are back in the hotel and in a bed. I would hate for you to leave the park and haul to your car in hopes that your kid will sleep in the car & waste precious (and expensive) park time.

 

[Narcoossee11]

We did stroller naps. Parking can be really far away, especially for Magic Kingdom.

And the car will be HOT even on a cool/cold day. Just find a corner of a QS restaurant or quiet area .

 

[dcassetta]

The other suggestion I might make if you want to leave the Magic Kingdom is the second floor of the Contemporary. Because of the convention areas at the hotel, there are a number of quiet spaces with couches. You could all relax in air conditioning.

From the studios or Epcot, the Solarium at the Beach club is inside and quiet.

From AK, it is a quick bus ride to Jambo where there are quiet corners.

 

[starry_solo]

Which park will you be at?
for MK, I agree that going to contemporary will be good.
for EPCOT, some of those pavilions are good…

you can always try a baby care center….

 

[Ming6464]

Thanks for all the comments. Definitely concerned we make it to the car, just to find out he doesn't want to take a nap. Sounds like the best bet is to find a darker/quiet space around his normal nap time and see if he'll conk out for a little bit.

 

[nancipants]

I recommend Hall of Presidents and American Adventure for some dark and comfy places to rest.

 

[shewentwhoa]

The baby care centers are a must for us and nap times for my little one. It's air conditioned and peaceful. There's at least 1 in every park. If you don't want to do that route stroller naps are the next step.

 

[GoingSince1990]

Just leave him in the stroller, and when he needs to sleep, he’ll sleep. Then just hang out anywhere indoors, or cool and shady. It’s a good time to go and buy souvenirs in the stores, for example.

 

[Ga9usa]

We do stroller naps. Get them up early enough to go to the park and let them run around like maniacs for a while and bam, a stroller is suddenly the best nap zone ever.

 

[LSUmiss]

Not so sure about those who are recommending stroller naps saying if he’s tired enough he’ll sleep. Every kid is different & DS goes into meltdown mode & is miserable grump if he needs to sleep & can’t. He’s a big kid so sleeping in the stroller would not be comfortable for him. We always stay on site but usually drive to the parks. DS usually naps on the way back to the hotel & we often sit in the parking lot of the resort while he sleeps. I don’t think there would be a problem at all with napping in the parking lot if he’ll sleep. But, we usually have to drive around a little before DS falls asleep.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Not so sure about those who are recommending stroller naps saying if he’s tired enough he’ll sleep. Every kid is different & DS goes into meltdown mode & is miserable grump if he needs to sleep & can’t. He’s a big kid so sleeping in the stroller would not be comfortable for him. We always stay on site but usually drive to the parks. DS usually naps on the way back to the hotel & we often sit in the parking lot of the resort while he sleeps. I don’t think there would be a problem at all with napping in the parking lot if he’ll sleep. But, we usually have to drive around a little before DS falls asleep.

wish that would happen with my kids or grandkids as they all wake up as soon as car stops and none will go back to sleep. so yes they end up having to fall asleep in stroller as even as little as 5 minutes in car would do in nap and they be worse than if they had hard time falling asleep in stroller so yes all kids are different