taking naps durring day

[PaDisney02]

I keep hearing about how essential it is to leave the park mid day to go to the resort for naps/swim. But it sounds like we would be loosing alote of time by doing this. What do you all think? I especially concerned with the day we r in the Mk. My kids r 2 and 5. The MK is the only park that I feels has a whole lot to offfer both my kids. I made up an list of all the attractions we want to go to and it seems like alote. Am I really going to be able to go back to the resort mid day and still get on everything there is to do? I've never been to Disney b4 so I really dont know. We r staying at AllSt Movies. I'm affraid leaving the park, chilling at the resort then traveling back to the Mk will cut out alote of my day. What do you think?

 

[PrincessRora]

I think it depends on your expectations of the trip, how long you're planning on staying for, and your kids.
We're taking my 1.5 year old niece in June and we're not planning on going back to the resort for naps, but we're only at disney for 3 days, and want to experience a lot. Plus, she easily falls asleep in the stroller, and we'll just do bigger rides when she's sleeping.

 

[PaDisney02]

we r coming mon and leaving Fri. We r doing 3 days of the Parks. One day at Mk, one at AK and one at HWS. I'm just affraid one day wont be enough at Mk, plus we have a 10 am ADR at CRT so that will already be an hour of our day taken away from rides. But like I said I've never been to disney so I dont know. Thanks

 

[Crisgw]

We have (the past two times) taken our boys back to rest from the parks. This time, since we'll be at the Poly, the monorail will make it a breeze to go mid day to rest at the resort, we're doing MK 3 days so I don't want to push the boys to meltdown mode. How many days are you doing MK?

 

[PrincessRora]

We upgraded to park hoppers because the MK usually stays open later than the others.
We're going Friday - Tuesday with 3 park days also.
Our plan is Sat: MK (ADR at CP 8:20) all morning, afternoon at epcot, night at MK
Sun: HS morning/afternoon, MK evening/night
Mon: AK morning/afternoon, MK evening/night

you may want to consider park hoppers, which are a $40 or $45 charge. Not per day.

 

[nemomama]

We never go back for naps. Our kids are great stroller nappers and take their naps in the stroller when they need it. Once we leave the parks we're done for the day - no way we're going back that day! When we're on vacation we don't like to waste the afternoon napping in the room and instead prefer to be on the go. We do however get a good sleep at night and never go to the parks back-to-back days.

 

[PaDisney02]

we r doing only 1 day at Mk. My kids r 2 and 5.

 

[PA Princess]

We always go back to the room for a nap/rest/swim in the afternoon. We have 4 kids (12, 11, 6, and 2 on our last trip in September 2008) and we travel in the summer, so it is hot. I understand the desire to see and do more, but we have learned for our family that comes at a cost. Now we do go pretty much every year or every other year so we know we will be back and we feel less of a need to do it all.

My advice, only my advice, would be to skip the other two parks and only do MK. At the ages of your kids and first trip and the limited days, that is what I would do. That will allow you a little breathing room and then if you find you need the afternoon rest (and often the adults need that rest as much as the kids) it will not be a matter of missing things.

AK and DHS are not going anywhere, plan to come back in a few years (or next year) and do those parks. But your kids are young now and MK is a magical land for little kids and families - relish in it. That is my advice, and for what it is worth it is what we ended up doing our first trip. We had a 3 and a 4 year old and 2 park days and we thought we would hit another parks but we just felt pulled back to MK and so that is where we went. We did not regret it one bit at the end of the vacation. Happy travels

 

[MinnieGi]

When are your travelling? If it is over the summer, I think a break is a must-do. The sun and heat will be taking its toll on everyone by the afternoon and its better to get a break from it and rest. If you take a break then go back in in the evening the parks are open late and it will be much cooler!

 

[Elmo888]

Even if you don't plan to take the nap, be flexible and change your plans if needed. If your day is going south, try breaking in the park (sit on a bench, snack, watch the birds, etc.) If that doesn't work, I would head back to the resort. Some kids nap in the stroller, and some don't (mine never did). Some kids are affected by the constant stimulation and need a physical break (leaving the park), and some aren't as affected (esp. if it is their second or third trip). I found that it was easy to underestimate the affect of the constant stimulation, esp. if it is the kids' first trip. My DDs seemed to need a break from that, esp. the older one.

I'd consider skipping a park or two, as one of the other posters mentioned. I think that two days at the MK and one day at one of the other parks would be a good plan. Personally, I'd go with AK as we love the animals and I'm not a fan of DHS, but that's my preference.

Since your trip isn't too long, I would try to skip the naps and see how it goes. You might be able to skip the nap all three days, or skip it just one or two of the days. Just keep in mind that you can't see everything and just enjoy all of your trip, including the time at your resort. It is a good trip if everyone is having a nice time, even if the nice time is napping at the resort!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

It really depends upon your kids, the weather, and if they will nap in the stroller. We did 3 days last year:

Day 1: MK full day
Day 2: AK morning/Epcot evening
Day 3: HS morning/MK afternoon and evening

DD did great the first day. We were there for a 9am reservation at CRT and stayed until about 6. But she was tired the second day. We ended up leaving AK around 12:30 because she was having meltdowns. We went back to the resort, swam, and napped. It worked out perfect because a huge thunderstorm swept through while she was napping. Then we went to Epcot about 5 and stayed until 9. She was in a great mood then. The next day we were at HS right after rope drop and stayed at MK until around 7:30 and she did fine. But there's no way I could have run her the whole day on Day 2 without a nap. She was 3 1/2 at the time. Also, we went in February. Highs were low to mid 70s so it wasn't horribly hot.

 

[puffkin]

We go back for naps. I like all the night time activities and my DS would never make it if he didn't get in a good nap.

 

[skuttle]

It depends on your kids. Before we had DS, we never took mid-day breaks. On our first trip with DS, we decided to try to do the trip like we normally do and adjust for DS as needed. We never had to go back to the room. He always slept in the stroller and did fine. Of course, all three trips with DS have been during cooler weather times..December, January and February. Going in the summer, I'd probably consider taking a mid-day break due to the heat. And in the summer, your park hours will be a bit longer, too. If you take mid-day breaks, just make sure you also take advantage of the extra magic hours.

I also find that for some reason, the 2nd full day of our trips are always the worst. That 2nd day is always when we feel tired, when DS is in the worst mood, etc. I'm not sure why. So this trip, we decided to make that day a non-park day, or at the very least a sleep-in day. We also decided to add a few more sleep-in days than normal to see if that helps.

 

[momsavealot]

I agree with some of the other pp's, I would stay mostly in MK. You're kids are young and will really get a kick out of toon town, etc. I have kids around the same age and I am skipping AK this year. I do plan on having down time but that's only b/c we are at the Poly and it will be easy to jump on the monorail (and we'll be there longer). Since you are not staying at a monorail resort and you are only there for 3 days, I would personally skip the naps unless you see meltdowns happening. However, instead of naps, I would schedule some "down time" around the hot afternoon. For instance, schedule some indoor shows in the A/C or a meal in the A/C to take a break. Go to Tom Sawyer Island or Pooh's Playful Spot and just let them run and be free. If you want to stay for the nighttime parade and Wishes, I would sleep in that day so they can make it that long! And drink lots of fluids if you're going in the summer! Good luck!!

 

[momsavealot]

It depends on your kids. Before we had DS, we never took mid-day breaks. On our first trip with DS, we decided to try to do the trip like we normally do and adjust for DS as needed. We never had to go back to the room. He always slept in the stroller and did fine. Of course, all three trips with DS have been during cooler weather times..December, January and February. Going in the summer, I'd probably consider taking a mid-day break due to the heat. And in the summer, your park hours will be a bit longer, too. If you take mid-day breaks, just make sure you also take advantage of the extra magic hours.

I also find that for some reason, the 2nd full day of our trips are always the worst. That 2nd day is always when we feel tired, when DS is in the worst mood, etc. I'm not sure why. So this trip, we decided to make that day a non-park day, or at the very least a sleep-in day. We also decided to add a few more sleep-in days than normal to see if that helps.

Hey Skuttle! I know this is off topic but I see your power ranger pic and I was wondering where you can see them in the parks. My sons love the power rangers and would get a kick seeing them in person!

 

[mommyof2princesses]

When my dd was that age, we rested. We all took a nap! Disney is exhausting. We only napped for about 1 1/2 hours and still had plenty of time to do everything. And, it cooled off a little by the time we would go back.

This year we may not nap, but still take a break. DD will be 5 so no more napping. Since we are there during Dec. we will probably go and check out decorations at different resorts. That way we are taking it a little easier but still doing something.

 

[Daytona99]

I agree with the posters above who said to skip other parks and mainly do MK. With the ages of your children, MK has the most for them to enjoy. When my DS8 was little, we would spend a couple days at MK. We would go back for a nap or a swim in the afternoon, and then maybe go back to a park after dinner. There are so many rides and attractions in MK geared for little kids. If I had limited time, that's what I'd do.

 

[sherabby]

My son was 7 last year for his first visit to Disney. We took many afternoon breaks back to the hotel or to the water parks. He would get hot and start complaining about his legs hurting from all the walking and back we went for a swim. It really didn't take anything away from our vacation to take the breaks. We did early entry hours as well because he is always up early so by afternoon it was nice to have a break.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

I agree with others to follow the lead of your kids. If you try to see it all and they aren't interested/tired then it just won't be fun and then whats the point.

We typically hit MK twice during our weekly stays. Animal kingdom once and Hollywood studios (for all the playhouse disney stuff) one day. Epcot is usually in the evening for dinner and fireworks and just walking around enjoying the sites but thats mostly because we stay at the Beach Club usually.

I wouldn't say we go back to the resort for naps..but we do tend to rise early get to parks shortly after 9AM to get on the must do rides with little or no waiting.. We grab lunch at the parks and then depending on how everyone is doing we figure out what next. My children have always napped well in the strollers.. and we've always brought one from home. These past two trips with the baby she kept to her nap schedule in the stroller.

My 4 1/2 year old doesn't nap anymore...but can definitely get tired/cranky after a morning of running around that its worthwhile to start heading back to the resort, going on the monorail or the ferries..just low key after lunch..for some downtime and get ready for dinner and nighttime activities.

Even if you aren't staying at a monorail resort..its nice to just walk around and see the sights..and the kids relax a bit in the stroller and recharge.

 

[Cloudwatcher]

My DD3 didn't nap during the day at all. But we did 2 days of MK instead of trying to do just 1 (is it possible to do MK in 1 day?).