Strategy/plan different when kids don't nap?

[hanna-nana]

Our kids are 11yrs down to 2 (almost 3, getting one more trip in while she's free!) and none of them will take a nap. The two littlest can rest in a stroller if they choose. We aren't early birds, but will be staying on site in March so I'm thinking we will be able to make rope drop even if we don't get our EMH in. But, I'd also like to experience some evenings at the parks. Our past few trips we've had plans to go back and rest, but we always find one more thing to do first and then don't make it back for a rest, or we go swim for a bit, which isn't really a rest! Always back to the hotel for the night by dinner. I convinced two DDs to stay with me one night for fantastic, but that's been all.

Looking for thoughts on how to do this best? Maybe we won't make it back to the hotel for a 'break' (movies or something?) but take a break to watch a show? Then if some kids want to go back with one parent we can split up?

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

On days when we don't go back to the hotel for a break, we try to find some activities in the busy part of the afternoon that involve a lot of sitting. Sometimes that means hopping on the monorail and heading to a movie in Downtown Disney. Other times it means watching the Aladdin show or Mickey's Magical Map show or sitting through whatever shows happen to be playing in the various 3-D theaters in the parks or riding the railroad for it's full circuit or even a little bit longer. Combine that with a long rest at a table somewhere to sip at a drink or have a snack or meal and chat with each other about whatever, and that is often enough for us to catch a second wind to power through some of the evening activities. Also since evening activities for us are often shows, there is still more sitting and waiting time so not overly tiring either. When my boys were little, they would have light-up spinners or small toys to entertain them through long waits and as they got older card games and iPhones.

 

[corinne76]

Since your kids are older, you may find they are able to just go go go! We went when DD was 5 (hadn't napped since she was 2 maybe) and DS was 2. We brought a double stroller so they both could rest their legs. DS would sleep in the stroller or in the carrier. We never did rope drop, but we did try to get there fairly early and stayed til about 9 or 10 each night with no hotel break. We did take in shows or sit and rest when needed.

 

[todzwife]

I have 4 kids and only the youngest naps. When we went last time, she slept in the stroller and 1 of us stayed with her while the other parent took the "big kids" on rides. We also hired Nanny in the Kingdom for a day and she watched the little one so both of us could ride. She also saved spots for the parade and Fantasmic and ran around getting fast passes for rides and was well worth the money we paid. My advice is to take it easy mid-afternoon...maybe hit some shows during the "down time" for the littlest.

 

[hanna-nana]

I think I will aim for a show. Or maybe an early dinner to hold parade spots or something. The kids like to go go go but us parents get tired, especially pushing the stroller! We are taking a day break between days, so hopefully that will help, too.