To afternoon nap or not?

[laura&fam]

I would love to get people's thoughts on if they have their kids take an afternoon nap or not when visiting DL. This came up on another thread but I didn't want to hijack it.

So, naps yes or no? For older kids who don't usually nap is a lunch break and vegging in front of the tv a good break or just a bad idea? Does a dip in the pool get kids ready for a second round or just tire them out? What are people's experiences?

 

[Judy from Boise]

not to be too complicated, but some of it depends on the weather, the crowds and the hours, and of course was it an EE day that made you get up early......

 

[kailuagirl]

We went for the first time with our just turned 2 and she automatically would fall asleep in her stroller in the afternoon. Mind you, she NEVER does this at home, EVER. So we'd go back to the hotel, DH and DD would nap, I'd get all ready for the night, lay out warmer clothes, fresh milk ready to go in fridge, etc. while they napped and then I'd head back to DL to go shop and stroll. It worked great for us.

I think whatever your age, just getting a little recharge time away will help. Good luck figuring out what to do and have fun!!

I agree on the previous post about depending on the hours, etc. When we went it was closing at midnight and we stayed until closing every day, now if it closed early I think I'd want more park time.

 

[fronkfam]

For our family, an afternoon nap is a must. Especially when we have been at the park since 7 AM for magic morning. Even our 12 year old takes a nap on those days! On days where we haven't had to be in the park so early, we still like to head out of the park for lunch and to relax at the hotel. And our kids really enjoy being in the pool. Especially on our summer trips when things are so hot.
Hope that helps!

 

[DangerMouse]

also depends on ages of kids and distance to hotel. If we need a break, but don't want to hoof it all the way back to the HoJo, we find a place to have "down time" without leaving the DLR area. Our favorite is the GCH lobby by the fireplace.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

We almost never have gone back to the hotel in years past. However this past September, DH and I would take breaks because it was so dang hot and we were only there for 2.5 days! I usually think a break is a waste of time for us, but not in that heat! I came to DL from Vegas where it was 102* but almost no humidity, and Anaheim was hotter because there was humidity. So if it's unbearably hot and everyone is getting grouchy, then yes, take a break. It was worth it to get out of the park in the hottest time of the day for us. When it's cool/cold, we just go, go, go.

 

[Karebear]

Just got back from a trip with our 2 kids--ds-just turned 6 and dd who is almost 5. They both needed a nap and/or watching cartoons in the room. We also did swimming. We were there for short days (9:00 magic morning and park closing at 8:00) and we still took breaks. My kids just got tired and needed the down time.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

On the long days we went back to the hotel. DD7 didn't nap, but read a book and relaxed. DD4 did nap. DD2 and DS actually napped in the stroller while we were still at the park, and used the down time at the hotel to run around and stretch their legs. On shorter days when the park didn't open until 10 we didn't go back to the hotel.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

We always go in the off season during the week when the hours are 10-8. We never go back to the hotel for naps. DD2 naps in the stroller (once she fell asleep on DH's shoulders!). My oldest did the same thing (napped in stroller not DH's shoulders! )

 

[MichaelColey]

We've gone through several changes on this, and it also varies depending on whether we're on WDW (on the dining plan) or DL (eating off site).

When our DD was younger (not quite 2 on her first trip), she would fall asleep on the stroller. We would stay from open to close.

As the kids have got a little older, they don't need a nap every day, but we've found it necessary to schedule one every 2-4 days or to play it by ear based on their behavior.

While we're at DL later this month, we'll be skipping naps and leaving the park earlier so we can eat dinner at Claim Jumper most nights. We will do Fantasmic one night, though, and we might do naps that day.

 

[caligirl stuck in va]

Ok, Michael Coley, your post about leaving early to go to Claim Jumpers prompted me to visit their website as I have never heard of them. Which location do you go to - Buena Park? The menu looks FABULOUS! Is it Really good?? Good for large parties??

 

[disneynerd420]

We've gone through several changes on this, and it also varies depending on whether we're on WDW (on the dining plan) or DL (eating off site).

When our DD was younger (not quite 2 on her first trip), she would fall asleep on the stroller. We would stay from open to close.

As the kids have got a little older, they don't need a nap every day, but we've found it necessary to schedule one every 2-4 days or to play it by ear based on their behavior.

While we're at DL later this month, we'll be skipping naps and leaving the park earlier so we can eat dinner at Claim Jumper most nights. We will do Fantasmic one night, though, and we might do naps that day.

Ok, Michael Coley, your post about leaving early to go to Claim Jumpers prompted me to visit their website as I have never heard of them. Which location do you go to - Buena Park? The menu looks FABULOUS! Is it Really good?? Good for large parties??

Claim jumper is so GOOD! I love their Chicken fried steak... plus the deep dish apple pies are heavenly!

I can't justify going to Claim Jumper on my DLR vacation as I have one close to home. Oh well... I might have to stop there after work on tuesday and get me one of those apple pies though.


As far as napping goes... I as a 23 year old man still take breaks in the afternoon to rest/nap/ swim. Whether you nap or not, a break from the parks is sometimes needed.

I can't say for a small child, but swimming usually recharges me for the park. A dip in the hot tub helps too.

 

[happy2bjustmommy]

we dont do naps normally, but i think i am going to find an afternoon show to go to where we can sit and veg. My 5 year old might nap, but if anything it is just resting to hopefully hold off any grumpiness!

 

[andee2000]

For us it didn't work. We left DL mid-day and I tried to get them to nap. They wanted to swim (funny the adults wanted to nap though). It ended up being a disaster for us. We are definitely not leaving for naps next summer. We plan on leaving the parks when the kids (or us) are ready. My kids don't normally nap anyway.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Ok, Michael Coley, your post about leaving early to go to Claim Jumpers prompted me to visit their website as I have never heard of them. Which location do you go to - Buena Park? The menu looks FABULOUS! Is it Really good?? Good for large parties??

Their Baked Potato Cheddar soup in the bread bowl is soooo good!

 

[FourOrchards]

I don't have any tricks to getting kids to nap...but I know I love to get one in the day before we go back for the evening parades and fireworks!
I just get refreshed and ready to take on the second part of the day at Disney.

 

[MichaelColey]

Ok, Michael Coley, your post about leaving early to go to Claim Jumpers prompted me to visit their website as I have never heard of them. Which location do you go to - Buena Park? The menu looks FABULOUS! Is it Really good?? Good for large parties??

The food is fabulous, the portions are large, and it's reasonably priced. A friend of ours suggested it for one of our trips, and we've been a regular when we're in the area. We've tried at least half a dozen different meals, several different sides, and a couple of their desserts, and everything was excellent. It seems like they usually have discounted seasonal specials Monday through Wednesday or so.

For this trip, we redeemed some of our Discover Cashback for discounted Claim Jumper Gift Cards ($50 cards for $45).

We go to the Buena Park location. It's just about 10 minutes away. We're actually staying at a hotel that's closer to Claim Jumper than to Disneyland.

They should be able to handle large parties just fine. I would call and see if you can make a reservation if you have more than 6 or 8.

 

[laura&fam]

we dont do naps normally, but i think i am going to find an afternoon show to go to where we can sit and veg. My 5 year old might nap, but if anything it is just resting to hopefully hold off any grumpiness!

This is something I hadn't thought of. We have typically gone to the park when the hours are short (10-8) so we don't bother with the nap and the kids have done fine. This year however we will be there on Veteran's day with monster long hours and I've never done that before.

I tend to try to cram in as much as possible and not want to take breaks. I know we will have a better time if we slow it down, but it's hard for me not to try to squeeze in every possible ride/show/etc.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

I think naps/breaks are good but more worthwhile when time allows or when the day is really hot (or cold). I've been to the park on short days and it's not necessary to take a break because short days also tend to be quieter days in the park. I'm not feeling too worn out by closing time.

But I love going back to the hotel when it's a long day (8am - midnight) because you KNOW I was in line at 7:20 a.m.! haha! By 2 or so, my husband and I are really ready to take a break. Then we go back to the hotel, take an hour's nap and a quick shower before heading back. We feel 100% better!

I think pool breaks are wonderful for kids (and adults) in the warmer months. The cool water reduces foot and leg swelling, cools body heat and I think...reduces crankiness! Breaks in general are good because the park is so stimulating and being somewhere that's nice and quiet can calm agitated young kids.

 

[PinkBudgie]

This past trip it was just DH and I for a week for our 20th anniversary. We did not go back for a nap but by 8:00 or 8:30 each night we were wiped out so we left at that time. We saw the electrical parade, but we never got to see the fireworks or Fantasmic. We got up around 5am to get ready to eat breakfast around 6:30 and then get to the parks early. We didn't want to leave for a nap because we drove over and we had such great parking places we didn't want to loose them! This is why next trip we are going to try a walking distance place so we can walk back for a nap and maybe see some of the night shows this time!