Park hopping w/ small children

[DisneyMom5]

Would you park hop if it meant more time for a nap (like opportunity to go back to the room), or would you stick with one park until it closed?
We are going off season, so things aren't open late enough to take a long nap break.

We are staying at FW cabins, so any commute would require 2 buses, (not MK).
I am either going to go to
1) MGM all day one day (no nap break), Epcot all one day ( short nap break, no Illuminations) ,
OR
2) go to Epcot until noon, come back to the cabin until 2:30, then over to MGM for the parade, beauty and the beast (closing the next day), and fantasmic,
then on another day go to MGM (emh) and when we finish there (by 1 or 2?) go back to the room until 5 or 6, then head over for an evening at Epcot, and maybe Illuminations if the kids are up to it.

Which do you think is more important, not dragging them around so much or taking nap time? I have never taken children before, and I am having a hard time judging how my children will act. They will be 9, 7, 4, 30 mo., and 10 mo.
Thanks!

 

[BevS97]

then on another day go to MGM (emh) and when we finish there (by 1 or 2?) go back to the room until 5 or 6, then head over for an evening at Epcot, and maybe Illuminations if the kids are up to it

that day sounds great, or you could even go to MGM and then just take the boat over to Epcot for the evening, but your plan to go to Epcot until Noon isn't really workable, Epcot is huge and you will be barely in the park by noon.

I quite like park hopping because it breaks up the day a little and seems to give us a new lease of life, btu I don't think I would trail all the way back to the FW Cabins when MGM and Epcot are so close to each other.

Instead if trailing back to the cabins, I would suggest a quiet afternoon somewhere, maybe do some shows at MGM where you are sitting for an hour, or a nice leisurely meal to give yourself time to recharge your batterys.

bev

 

[Jordan's MOM]

We go off season but still find that breaks and park hopping makes for a less tiring and stressful day. It took a few trips for us to give into this style, but we really like it now. The boat that runs from FW is great. We were at WL this year and used it to connect to the monorail at The CT. Worked really well.


jordans' mom

 

[cinder1]

My guess is that only the 10 month old and maybe the 30 mth old will actually nap, right? Although none of my kids have been able to sleep in a stroller anywhere else, they have at WDW. I agree with going to a show or letting the kids play in the playgound at MGM or Tom Sawyer Island for a change of pace. If one of the little ones fall asleep, find a cold drink for yourself and hold up on a nice bench for a bit and people watch. Always a great time for me.

 

[DisneyMom5]

I forgot to say we are going to Epcot the afternoon we arrive, so the second choice would actually make 3 smaller trips to Epcot.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I found naps very vaulable. It is a nice break in the day. Of course sometimes we would head back to the room and DD would have nothing to do with a nap (fell asleep on the way back and woke up when we reached the room.) If that was the case we then took a dip in the pool. We also went back to the room for a nap if it was raining, instead of lugging her around in the rain.

Our next trip we don't have set plans to head back to the room every day, but plan on winging it. If one or more person feels they need a break, or want to go swimming, we will head back (or split up.) I have a feeling it will be me that wants a nap since I am currenlty 8 weeks pregnant and can't make it through the day right now with out one. But we will see how everyone feels. Lets just say if they need a good nap and break and don't get one, no one tends to have much fun. We also tend to hop when park doesn't need a whole day (such as AK, and sometimes MGM for us.)

Good luck. Going back to the room isn't the end of the world, if you feel like you would enjoy yourself more after a nap and swim, then do. If not keep going and just try to do some relaxing activities or sit down meals.

 

[Lora]

I don't think I've spent a full day in any park since I started going to WDW with kids. We usually get a very early start and we're ready to go back to our room for lunch. This has been so important. If you're willing and able to get to the park for opening time...DO IT!! Even in the off-season (which is usually when I go) you'll find the crowds coming into the park about an hour or so after opening time. Following the advice of someone on these boards a few years ago, I pack my kids' clothes in zip lock bags...one for each day. That makes am go much smoother. Also - have things available for quick breakfasts.

Since you'll be in FW, I'm assuming you'll be trying to have some casual meals in your room to save money. I consider meal times in the parks to be a major drain on time, money and energy. After lunch and a bit of a rest in the room, we're usually ready to head back to the parks by 3 or so. I know that doesn't seem like a lot of time in the parks, but if you get there early in the morning, you can do so many things and avoid the lines.

If your older kids don't need "nap time", they could maybe go to the pool w/ one parent while the other parent keeps the little ones in the room for a nap.