To Nap or Not to Nap

[LisainCalifornia]

I think the thing to keep in mind is that this isn't suppose to be a contest of wills or some kind of endurance test--this is your vacation! It isn't a waste of time to rest your mind and body while there, it is just good common sense. This goes double for kids--who only have us to rely on to make the right choices for them.

A stroller nap can be fine in a pinch, but I think a real rest and a nap out of the sun is much more restful. It helps you to remove yourself from the action for a while, and there is something magical about leavig the park mid-day and going back fresh after a rest for the evening. If you pick a hotel with a pool, even this can be a lovely break from the parks and can add another dimention to your vacation. Something else to remember and reflect on.

Even when we only go for a few days, we always go back to rest for a few hours. Try it, you might really like it!

 

[2boysmom1998]

When our kids were young enough to be in strollers we just napped them in the stroller. Went to a quiet place and just relaxed. They had different nap times so it worked out okay. These vacations were mostly in May or Sept. [kids' birthday months] and we were back in our hotels by 8pm or 9pm.

My kids did the same thing. We've stayed at the park all day, got there at rope drop and stayed for the fireworks. My oldest is now 13, he was 4 when we took him to WDW and he just slept in the stroller, my husband & I sat under a tree and people watched. My youngest is 5 and we went to DL last year, did the same thing, he fell asleep in the stroller, we rested. At WDW especially, it's a real job to get back to your hotel, even if you do stay onsite. At DL it is easier, if you stay within walking distance.

 

[Keurigirl]

Well, what I really want people to do is sleep in and show up around 2 in the afternoon... LOL but this is what you really should do

No question, take a nap. If you are only there one day, I'd power through and stroller nap. If you are there more than one day, absolutely take a nap.'

Cannot stress the importance of being there before the park opens - you can get through more than half the park before crowds start pouring in around 11ish, see a couple of shows and eat lunch, and then head back when things start getting really hot and crowded at 1:00. Come back then around 4:00ish and have dinner, take in a few rides/experiences (especially things that don't have lines like tiki room, etc) and see the fireworks. Much better to rest!

 

[larina]

Nap! We almost always do and it seems to really benefit our family. One or tow of us have missed the break, and we are always dragging by the end of the night and tired the next day. I hate being exhausted on vacation, so we take the break, and more often than not, everyone takes at least a short nap. We also eat in the room, change our shoes (my feet hurt less if I change shoes midday), adjust clothing (long vs. short sleeves, etc), and re-up our water supply. I love that afternoon break, now that you mention it!

 

[HydroGuy]

Here is my take on naps...

When the parks are open 8AM-Midnight (plus an MM hour) there are very few adults, much less children, who can even do one entire day. Even if a child can make it that long, the emotional overload of rides, shows, noises, street music, sights, sounds, smells, etc., can be overwhelming.

Most normal kids can handle 10-12 hours per day in the parks. And they need at least 8 but usually 10 hours of sleep per day. When it is hotter out maybe more. If they are really young maybe more.

So if you can only handle 10-12 hours per day inside the parks, which hours should you spend? 10AM to 8PM/10PM? Well those are the most crowded and - especially in the summer - hottest hours.

I think it is way better to visit 8AM to 1PM/2PM, take a break for a swim and/or nap to cool down core temperatures, and then come back for 5-6 hours in the evening after 5PM.

This:

1. Gives you the same number of hours inside the parks
2. Avoids most of the heat
3. Puts you in the parks when crowds are least
4. Allows you even better FP leverage if you can arrive at rope drop
5. Allows your evenings to feel rested and refreshed

When park hours are short (10AM-8PM) and weather is cooler, then the balance changes away from naps.

In summer I think naps along with some pool time is a no brainer. Adults included. I lay down too. On about half the days I sleep and the other half I just lay there in the air conditioned room.

It makes the trip more enjoyable and you get equal number of park hours and, believe it or not, you get more accomplished because you are not at the park during prime hours.

 

[ldymcbth]

I think the thing to keep in mind is that this isn't suppose to be a contest of wills or some kind of endurance test--this is your vacation! It isn't a waste of time to rest your mind and body while there, it is just good common sense. This goes double for kids--who only have us to rely on to make the right choices for them.

This is our attitude as well. We are all nicer and happier if we take a midday break - particularly when open hours are long and start early. I don't want to be that mom with the kids having a breakdown in the Pixie Hollow line because we didn't get enough rest and are running on empty!

 

[CNDKangaroo]

We always go back to the hotel for lunch poolside, so relaxing! The kids love the pool and after a swim and lunch a relaxing nap or read in the room for an hour makes going back to the parks so magical.

 

[cfrith5]

Thank you SO much everyone! I think you've talked me into going back for naps! Wonderful input. I'm really glad I asked you wonderful DISers!

 

[larina]

And, all this said, you may find that one day, or all your days, you just don't need or want to do the nap thing. I just find it a great part of the whole 'vacation' deal!

 

[Davids-Coco]

I believe in doing whatever works and sometimes that means trying some different kinds of days to figure it out. For us, if our children rest or nap, they are up until 10 or 11 pm. The later they go to bed, the earlier they get up in the morning without fail. Putting them down that late means a 5 am wake up call! So we just know our day ends around 6:30 or 7:30 depending on how they are doing. They are asleep by 8 and sleep till 6:30 or 7 am, which is much nicer for us.

 

[HydroGuy]

I believe in doing whatever works and sometimes that means trying some different kinds of days to figure it out. For us, if our children rest or nap, they are up until 10 or 11 pm. The later they go to bed, the earlier they get up in the morning without fail. Putting them down that late means a 5 am wake up call! So we just know our day ends around 6:30 or 7:30 depending on how they are doing. They are asleep by 8 and sleep till 6:30 or 7 am, which is much nicer for us.

So when they are up by 5AM do you call those "Magic Mornings"?

 

[Judy from Boise]

Here is my take on naps...

When the parks are open 8AM-Midnight (plus an MM hour) there are very few adults, much less children, who can even do one entire day. Even if a child can make it that long, the emotional overload of rides, shows, noises, street music, sights, sounds, smells, etc., can be overwhelming.

Most normal kids can handle 10-12 hours per day in the parks. And they need at least 8 but usually 10 hours of sleep per day. When it is hotter out maybe more. If they are really young maybe more.

So if you can only handle 10-12 hours per day inside the parks, which hours should you spend? 10AM to 8PM/10PM? Well those are the most crowded and - especially in the summer - hottest hours.

I think it is way better to visit 8AM to 1PM/2PM, take a break for a swim and/or nap to cool down core temperatures, and then come back for 5-6 hours in the evening after 5PM.

This:

1. Gives you the same number of hours inside the parks
2. Avoids most of the heat
3. Puts you in the parks when crowds are least
4. Allows you even better FP leverage if you can arrive at rope drop
5. Allows your evenings to feel rested and refreshed

When park hours are short (10AM-8PM) and weather is cooler, then the balance changes away from naps.

In summer I think naps along with some pool time is a no brainer. Adults included. I lay down too. On about half the days I sleep and the other half I just lay there in the air conditioned room.

It makes the trip more enjoyable and you get equal number of park hours and, believe it or not, you get more accomplished because you are not at the park during prime hours.

good summation, as many other DISers noted I would add
6. Allows you to change clothes for the differing temps, without needing a locker.

the other thing I like to do is get on a water ride prior to leaving the park ! Makes Splash Mountain a little more enjoyable !

 

[Davids-Coco]

So when they are up by 5AM do you call those "Magic Mornings"?

Something like that! lol. I'm not a morning person so they are definitely some kind of "magic" until I get some caffeine.

 

[dadofnicholas]

I just got back from Disneyland today - thanks to everyone who gave me advice. Anyway, we arrived Sunday afternoon and left Friday. We rested every day back at the hotel (GCH) in the early afternoon - my 4-year-old napped... sometimes a short one, sometimes a long one. For us, it was great but we also had several days to see the attractions we wanted and then some. We also had earlier days to take advantage of Magic Mornings and early entries into DCA. Otherwise I am not a morning person in general.

I would say this depends on you, your children, how many attractions you want to enjoy (including how popular they are and how many times you want to enjoy them), if you expect to get up early, if you're staying in at a Disneyland resort, how many days you'll be there, etc.

In the end, an afternoon respite was great and we would do the same next time.

 

[nannyz]

We have never left the park for naps in all of the 32 years we've been going to DL, but this summer we will have 4 grandkids in tow (2 of them under 2 yrs) so I am reconsidering the nap thing.
However --- and I asked this before but did not get a sure answer --- if we enter the park at opening, leave in the afternoon with a hand stamp, and the park reaches max capacity while we're gone, are we going to be allowed back in?

 

[niklynn1]

I'm so glad I read this thread! On our trips to WDW we've always taken midday breaks to escape the formidable heat. I was thinking that since the California weather is looking like 70s/80s during our trip next week, we wouldn't really need breaks.
I think I have changed my mind. We've spent the money to stay at the DLH, we might as well go back and enjoy it for a bit each afternoon while we rest up.

 

[coaches24]

Last trip we did not leave the parks from opening till after F! or WOC and DD (2 at the time) stayed up all day until crashing in her stroller just before the shows started.

We are heading back Monday and the plan on Tue, Wed, and possibly Thu is to take a break in the after noon. If we can get DD (3 1/2 now) to take a nap then great, if not we can check out the pool for an hour or so and head back. DD rarely naps at home unless she falls asleep in the car while running around doing errands.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I think I have changed my mind. We've spent the money to stay at the DLH, we might as well go back and enjoy it for a bit each afternoon while we rest up.

So true! You are going to love the Disneyland Hotel. We have stayed there severa times, and it still remains my favorite DLR hotel. Especially now that the renovations are complete--it is spectacular! Your kids will love the pools. Going back to the DLH in the middle of the afternoon as the crowds go up is such a treat. It is so comfortable and relaxing.

Hope you have a great trip! I am jealous you get to stay at the DLH. We are staying at the Doubletree Hilton Anaheim because we got a free room on my husbands Hilton Honors points (not that I should be complaining). We do get a suite this time, which will be comfortable for us. All the same, there is nothing like staying on property.

Have fun!
Lisa