Napping

[Suzanne74]

I agree that it really does depend on your kid. We just stroller nap, because my son WILL NOT nap in the hotel room. We've tried bringing him back and it just resulted in major tears and tantrums and major frustration on my part.

If I just push him around he will fall asleep and stay asleep for at least two hours. He'll do this in any kind of weather, I guess he is just used to it, seeing as how we live in DC and walk everywhere, all summer long. I do have a stroller fan to help keep him cool.

We usually do rider swap for the adult rides (the adult with the kid waits in an air conditioned shop), or just take in the scenery and details. We take lots of pictures, we enjoy shopping in World Showcase, we sit down with a drink, there is plenty you can do at WDW without riding rides.

My favorite parks for pushing around a napping little one are Epcot and Animal Kingdom. In Epcot you really can experience most of WS (except the rides and movies) and we just walk around, get snacks and drinks and actually get to enjoy adult conversation.

In Animal Kingdom, we often hang out in the dawa bar, or we enjoy the animal trails.

DHS is a little more of a challenge, but you can get drinks to go from the Tune In Lounge, and just hang out on the streets of America.

In the MK, we've ridden lots of rides via rider swap, we've driven the RC boats near Jungle Cruise, gone to the Frontierland Shooting gallery, and played Skeeball in the arcade at the exit of Space Mountain. One time we sat outside of one of the shops in Frontierland and played checkers. We've even taken the monorail over to the MK resorts for a drink.

I actually love stroller nap time, because it gives DH and I time to connect just to each other. If I wasn't pushing around a giant stroller, it would be almost like we were on our honeymoon again!

So, really there are plenty of things to do in the parks during nap time!

Ah, that would be lovely. But that is only nice if you have one kid. For me, that would never work. The other kids want to go, go go while they are at the park and won't stop for a sleeping stroller baby. I have to pull them all out to take the much needed break during the super hot weather.

Does your son fight you at bedtime at the hotel or normal naps at home? It seems so strange that he is the opposite. So funny!

 

[Suzanne74]

My DD is 16 now and we still take a mid-afternoon break for a nap (and we usually do sleep for a bit). DD would nap in a stroller when she was really little, but there is nothing as good as a nice, cool, dark room.

One year we travelled with my brother, his wife, and their three kids. We got to MK for rope drop, did a lot of stuff following DD and my plan, and then I took them to lunch at Crystal Palace for about 12:30 or 1:00 (had an ADR). After lunch, DD and I said, "okay, now we go back to the resort for a nap and a swim, then we'll come back for evening stuff and the fireworks." SIL (who is now an ex-wife) was adamant that they were fine and the little one could just sleep in the stroller, they had a lot they wanted to do and they spent a lot of money and they weren't going to waste time sleeeping. They'd just meet us after we took our rest.

We called them around 4:30 and said we were on the bus to MK and where should we meet them. DB said the kids were having a melt down, wife was in a bad mood, and they were just going to do a couple more things and then leave for the day.

The fireworks were lovely that evening -- just me and DD.

Exactly. I think people believe the break will make them miss the park and rides but I don't think people realize that it is the hottest time, the ride lines are at the highest and the restaurants/counter service are PACKED. You aren't achieving that much in the 2-3hr window. By leaving during that time you aren't dealing with counter services, long ride lines in the heat, restroom stops, more needed rests/breaks/drinks etc.. When we come back in refreshed around 4pm ready to go with a gameplan for the night, we can always spot the people that are trying to pull the 12 hour non-stop days with their young kids. It isn't pretty. Isn't it supposed to be a vacation? Some chill time is needed for everyone. The worst is when you see the parents grabbing melting kids' arms and saying "Cut it out, do you know how much we paid for this vacation?"

 

[averill94]

Nap at Resort! Especially if your visit is during the hotter weather. My big kids DH, DS14 and DD8 even dozed off for one or two days. Nothing like breaking, showering and freshening up and going back. Even if you go back turn the lights off and just have some quiet time it is great.

 

[luvmy2babies]

1st trip: 10 months old baby and 7 year-old daughter, onsite stay at ASMo, 6 day trip in November (Thanksgiving week), nap in stroller. We'd hit a playground and I'd sit and watch my daughter play and take pictures at MK. At Epcot we walked around WS. I put him in the Ergo carrier and we did shows at DHS while he napped and we walked around looking at animals in AK. He was a 2 nap a day baby then though. He'd take one 1.5 hour nap after lunch and more power nap right before dinner and be great.

My son is now 19 months old and has two speeds: Sleeping and full blast. He needs a good 2.5 to 3 hour nap after lunch. But if he gets it, he can happily stay up until past 10pm. Our next trip will be in June. He'll be 2.5 and she'll be 9. We'll have more daylight hours and I'm really looking forward to that. Between that and the heat, we are going to stay more days and go back to the resort so he can nap and dd and I can rest. I'm also planning two half days in the middle of the trip where we only go to the park in the morning and just enjoy the pool and the resort after his nap then go to bed early. It wasn't hard to go morning to night in November, but I wouldn't try it in June. Also since I have more time to plan (and pay for) this trip, I'm going to splurge on a Deluxe resort to ease going back and forth. My daughter is 8 and doesn't nap generally, but heat zaps her a bit. She napped every single day at summer camp this year.

 

[CandleontheWater]

Ah, that would be lovely. But that is only nice if you have one kid. For me, that would never work. The other kids want to go, go go while they are at the park and won't stop for a sleeping stroller baby. I have to pull them all out to take the much needed break during the super hot weather.

Does your son fight you at bedtime at the hotel or normal naps at home? It seems so strange that he is the opposite. So funny!

Yes, my son is a strange one! Bedtime at the hotel is a total nightmare, and he will rarely sleep through the night. At home he is (mostly) totally wonderful about bed time and nap time, but if he is not in his familiar surroundings, no way no how!

Hmm, I guess I really didn't think through what you would do with more than one kid, but couldn't your DH take the older kids, and you break off and enjoy some quality time touring solo? I guess sitting and chatting with your DH would be out, but you could still explore WS, walk the animal trails and indulge in some shopping, snacking and an adult beverage! I actually think it would be totally sublime to bring a book, and find a quiet spot and read during naptime, luxuriating in the ambient Disney sights, sounds and smells.

 

[kmedina]

Yes, my son is a strange one! Bedtime at the hotel is a total nightmare, and he will rarely sleep through the night. At home he is (mostly) totally wonderful about bed time and nap time, but if he is not in his familiar surroundings, no way no how!

Hmm, I guess I really didn't think through what you would do with more than one kid, but couldn't your DH take the older kids, and you break off and enjoy some quality time touring solo? I guess sitting and chatting with your DH would be out, but you could still explore WS, walk the animal trails and indulge in some shopping, snacking and an adult beverage! I actually think it would be totally sublime to bring a book, and find a quiet spot and read during naptime, luxuriating in the ambient Disney sights, sounds and smells.

That is one cute baby you have there!

 

[tonums]

We nap at the resort. But thats what our family needs, every kid is different. If we push our kids too far, then NO ONE is happy. We usually get to the parks around 9 ish, stay until 1 ish, go back to teh hotel, nap, swim, eat dinner, and go back to the parks for the evening. This only once posed a challenge when MK closes early, but even then we did just fine.

 

[CandleontheWater]

That is one cute baby you have there!

Thank you!

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

Why would you sit? you keep going. We used to go on rides they couldn't go on like Splash or SM, TOT, RNC, etc, go to Hall of Presidents, shop,watch a performance at Epcot, even eat uninterrupted. If it was hot sometimes we would ride the monorail a whole circle and everyone would rest and cool down.

This!

 

[Minnesota!]

first time we went one parent dragged the kid back to the resort and the other parent stayed at the park alone and had some fun (alternated days).

Then we realized the kid would sleep in the stroller! so we stay.

 

[Minnesota!]

We always stay on site and go in the summer. When my kids were young enough that they napped, we went back to the resort. This had the added benefit of being out of the heat at the hottest point in the day AND being out of the park at the busiest time of the day.

Also, I don't know what I would do IN the park if my child was sleeping in a stroller. Just sit around on a bench staring off into space? I couldn't go on any rides unless I woke the child up, and if I did that, what was the point of having them nap in his or her stroller?

I grab a cold drink and a snack and people watch on a bench. Perfection! Last year I grabbed the bench up in front of Captain EO and watched the fountains for a long time. I had grabbed a beer before heading up there. It was nirvana!

Or, I parked in Innoventions and people watched (in the A/C!).

I am just curious for all those that say their kids nap great in the stroller, even in the summer. By great do you mean a normal nap? My DD sleeps 2 to 2.5 hours at naptime, sometimes even 3 hours when we are Disney (because we go early/stay late.) I can not imagine her doing that in 95 degree heat/humidity. Plus, like another poster said, I would be bored to tears. Getting a drink and sitting in the shade for a little while is one thing, but for 2+ hours?

My son goes about 1.5 - 2 hours in the stroller. Enough time for me to have some downtime. Serisouly - I could hang out on a bench and people watch all day. I love seeing so many happy families!!