Posted this elswhere too, but anxious

[Camping Griswalds]

We are staying at AKL, family of 5 ...DH, DS 13, DS 9,DD 17 months and myself. We will only have one room. What do you do when the baby naps? What do you do when she goes to bed at 7:30 and the rest of you aren't tired?

Specifically for those of you whom have stayed at AKL (just a standard room) where do you put the pack in play?

Thanks

 

[GEM]

We stayed at AKL when my little guy was 13 months old! It was an amazing trip. We really loved it there. He just adored all the animals!

In our room, there was a space beside the TV cabinet that was just right for a pack and play.

Honestly, we didn't really have any sleep issues - but I should say that Paul is a pretty easy sleeper and we never stuck to a schedule that was strict.

Most of his naps were just in his stroller. He was a great sroller napper. Sometimes we would go back he AKL to swim and then we would all three take a nap together, so no problems there.

As for night time, we honestly all tended to go to bed at the same time. Paul is a night owl anyway and he stays up late at home. We would usually go out to see Wishes, Illuminations, etc. and then all come home and crash at about the same time. Sometimes, he would fall asleep on the bus ride home and we would just strip him, change his diaper (all without waking him up) and plunk him down in the pack and play, with a plan to shower him off the next morning. A few nights, we would put him down and then sit out on the balcony for a while watching the animals. It was heaven! (Especially when we stopped by Mara to pick up some Zebra Domes on the way up to the room!) Once or two nights we even put him in the stroller, wheeled him around the resort until he fell asleep, and then parked the stroller by the hot tub while we enjoyed a little relaxation time. Most nights, though, we all went down together.

Paul's 2 1/2 now, and he's been to Disney World three times since that first trip - and we're headed back in December. What I described above is still pretty much how we do things. Like I said, though, it probably wouldn't work for a baby who needs a strict schedule, early bedtime, absoute quiet while sleeping, etc.

I would imagine that your DH and older kids could find plenty to do around the resort, though,if you and the little one need to turn in early - night time animal viewing from the observation areas, swimming, storytelling at the firepit, etc. There's always lots to do there! They could even head off to a park for the later part of the evening.

Have fun!

 

[Colinsmom]

We put the PNP between the bed and the balcony window (had the curtain over it, of course). You or DH could always stay with the baby while the rest go down to the pool for a swim, over to DTD for fun, perhaps DisneyQuest for that age?? Since it was just DH and I, one of us would often run down for dinner from Mara while the other put DS to bed, and then we'd eat while he slept.

Though I'll have to say that while DS normally went to bed by 7pm at home, he tended to go down a little later at WDW. Depends on your child, of course, but that bedtime may not be as absolute as it normally is.

 

[3boyzmom]

We also put our 13month old next to the TV cabinet at the AKL. We (DS 3 and 6) would either all fall asleep around the same time, or DH would take the older boys for a swim and snack while the youngest was falling asleep. It was never much of a problem.

 

[dzneelvr]

I think you'll find your youngest will be on a different schedule than at home. Let her nap when she wants, possibly during one of the shows when it's a bit dark and quiet or in the stroller. You'll be doing alot of walking, so make sure the stroller you use is comfortable for catching some zzzz's while the rest of you do WDW. if she goes down for the night early, one of you can take the kids monorailing around the lagoon resorts and see what's happening in each. That was a great time for us. They could also pop on back to MK for some evening rides and attractions.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

Thanks so much for these answers! I feel a little better! My DD is a nosy little thing, so only exhausted will she fall asleep in her stroller, but maybe Disney will be better!