Toddler Naps...did it work for you?

[ms.ojo]

We took ds at 2.5 and came back every day around 1 for a nice nap in the room. Enabled us to see Fantasmic (Which HE turned out to love) and Wishes. When ds was 4 and dd 1 we quickly gave up on coming back to the room. She just couldn't settle down (even if ds went to the pool w/ dad leaving just mom and dd in the room) We later discovered sometimes she'd nap in the stroller...otherwise, we just had to call it an earlier night.

So while I know the answer for our upcoming trip will be "it depends" and we may only go back to the room once to try and nap... I'd really love to hear how this worked out for other families. Other strategies you've tried? We're traveling in April which means evening performances will be even later.

Thanks

 

[Letsbgoofy]

We have always taken a midday break. Yes, I do nap. Our son either swims or just relaxes in the room. We would buy Legos at DTD and that would keep him quiet for hours. A movie on the laptop works too. I find a break from the parks (and the heat, we go in August) make us feel so much more ready to go out in the evening.

 

[timandlesley]

We went with our (then) 6 month old and 3 year old last summer and came back every afternoon. I was able to get both kids down for a nap and nap myself. This year I am hoping it will be the same, but it is hard at a Value Resort (or any really) in those small quarters to get both kids to settle down. I was thinking that maybe if our 20 month old this year will nap in the stroller maybe we could stay later, but then I worry about the meals, if our 4 year old will be cranky without a nap how will he be at dinner or to stay late for a parade or show at night. Good question/thread, I look forward to others replies.

Lesley

 

[Parkerpooh]

I've taken my ds when he was 10 mths and 19mths and we NEVER go back to the room to nap! We travel alot so he's just really used to sleeping on the go. We just made sure to bring a stroller that reclines so he could sleep comfortably.We had a great time at MGM while ds was napping, doing babyswap so we could go on tot and RnR! I guess it really depends on what type of kid you have and if screwing up their home routines would really upset them. HTH, Jen p.s. you might want to ask this on the family board as there's probably lots of info there too!

 

[KimR]

Sounds like we have the opposite dilemma! Our children always napped at the park in their strollers when they were small; there was no getting them to settle down back in the room. However, this year my yougest will be 4 - probably too young to comfortably nap in the stroller anymore. My plan is to head back to the resort around 4 or so to get ready for dinner and hopefully she can nap at that time. Since that is rather late in the day I'm hoping she will be exhausted enough to sleep for a few hours before we head out for the evening's activities. BTW, we are going in April as well!

 

[MsLeFever]

Our plan was to have DS (then 6) and DD (then 2) nap in the afternoons back at the Fort Wilderness cabin. What actually happened was the grandma and grandpa napped and the kids didn't.

But at least they had some down time which was somewhat rejuvinating.

 

[justhat]

We took our daughter at 3,4,6, and 9 months and rarely went back to the room to nap. She napped in the Baby Bjorn or her stroller while we were in the parks. Sometimes we'd get something to eat while she was napping, which worked well, but if she was asleep and we weren't hungry we'd do the rides she couldn't go on or browse through the stores. If I knew she was going to fall asleep and we wanted to go on rides that she was allowed on, I'd put her in the Bjorn and she'd just nap in there. Those trips were in May, June, August (that was DL, not WDW), and December. June was the worst, it was so hot, so we'd sometimes go back to the resort to swim, but other times we'd just go see shows or attractions with AC and we were fine. We're going back in April too when Madison will be almost 14 months and plan to do the same thing. This time she might be too big for the Bjorn (she still fits fine in it now), so if she is we'll stick to napping in the stroller.

 

[slp87]

We've always gone back to the room to nap as well. (For my sake as much as my DD's.) Even last year when she was 9, we still went back and napped. But even when she doesn't nap, it helps to refresh her.

 

[jahexom]

My DD's are 22, 20, & 12. We go back to the room(s) so that I can nap. Sometimes DD 12 and DH go to the pool. We often eat lunch in our room or at the resort. The break is good for everyone's stress level.

Jen

 

[ms.ojo]

ds kept taking his afternoon nap at home till he was over 4! Even now, he'll occas. take an afternoon nap and he's 5. DD, who turned 2 in Nov, is already starting to give up her nap. But I agree, coming back in the afternoons is just as imp't for the grown-ups as it is the children. Guess we'll just have to wait and see how things work out. I did notice in Oct when the clocks changed my kids' internal clocks did not realign for almost a month! I'm hoping that will be the case in April and work to our advantage as well.

 

[MCK588]

Wondering the same thing. On my last trip, took my then 9mo & 2 months shy of 3yo. They are both kids that need to nap. We planned everything around this. Even stayed at a rental home so that we could swim while they were napping! WELL, they made it through the whole day with just stroller naps and we never needed to leave the parks! How wonderful. I never expected that. I didn't get to swim as much as I liked though!

Going back in early March and they will be 4 and 1 week shy of 2! Don't know what to expect, but bringing a good stroller for them to snooze in!

I think the heat directly affects the situation too. When I took them the first time it was Nov and very mild. If it was blazing heat every day, I think no matter what we would all need to get some rest!

 

[wirki]

When we went in Dec, the first 3 day my DD2 did not nap. we did not even try. And she was going until 9 or 10 at night. The rest of the week, we went back and napped. All of us!! It work out to be the best of both worlds. We got to see Wishes and the parades when we stayed late, and got to get up early to ride when no one was there.
Debbie

 

[Minnie824]

When we go, DDs will be 4 and 19 mos, so this is a good thread for me too!

Question for those that didn't nap...did you get up early every morning too?

My girls, and therefore DH and I are up early all the time, so I want to plan to be at park opening each day. We're going in Nov so parks won't be open as late, but I was planning on coming back to rest too.

 

[dreams4disney]

In October I always took my 2 year old back to the resort to nap. He needed that quite time. My Other children were 9,7,and 5. Somedays they came back to the pool with DH and sometimes DS 2 and I just met up with them at the park later in the day. It worked out great for us.

 

[slo]

When we took DD#1 for the first time at the age of 2, we didn't leave the parks for a nap. The reason is because she slept in the stroller - which worked out great for us. When she slept, we would stop, sit and have a snack .

When we took DD#2 for the first time she was 13 months and we did go back to the hotel for her to have a nap. I would give her a quick bath before the nap because that always relaxs her into dreamland .

This year DD#2 will be 2yrs old and I'm not sure what we will do. If she is anything like she is now, we will be leaving the parks for her to take a nap. She doesn't sleep easily in a stroller like DD#1 did. So...I will just play it by ear.

 

[henrylovespooh]

We took my DS when he was 7 months old and we didn't come back to the room too much because he slept in the stroller whenever he wanted. We went back again when he was 2 and our DD was 11 months old - we did take breaks almost every day. The one day we didn't take a break and went gung-ho at Disneyworld, we had to leave our dinner at Chef Mickey's early because my son was losing his mind and making a mess. Even if they don't nap, I don't think I will ever skip a break again. The horror of that dinner won't leave me anytime soon. And my kids aren't on a strict schedule!

It is hard to get kids to nap when there's more than one in a room, but we usually darken the room and lay down with them. No talking or anything. We can usually tell if they're going to fall asleep or just rest.

We're going back at the end of this month and we will be taking breaks every day.

 

[ms.ojo]

What prompted me to start this thread was the Fantasmic dinner pkg. I wanted to book it so we wouldn't have to sit for an our or more to reserve our seats for the show....BUT the flip side is, we have to eat dinner at 4:30, which makes it hard to go back to the room that day for a nap and be back at MGM eating at 4:30.

Can't decided if I go back EARLY to the hotel by noon, and make it back for 4:30. Or I skip the dinner pkg and take our chances on waiting for an hour or so in the Fatnasmic show area. Unfortunately this is our 1st day of our trip.

Suggestions?

 

[Minnie824]

I think I'd go back early and rest a little bit then head back out to dinner/show. Much better than waiting in line an hour....we're thinking of booking a pkg also to avoid that.

 

[Sarahsal]

When my dd's were little we always went back for naps, then stayed late at the parks. We tend to travel at busy times when the parks are open late, so this strategy worked well. We would all lie down in a darkened room. One dd would fall asleep immediately, and the other might or might not go to sleep, but at least she got a good rest!

 

[Yensid_MD]

We found that with a 1.5, 4 and 7 year old that the trip back to the resort to relax catch a swim and if needed take a nap worked great. We let them go at their own pace. The swims seemed to be just as refreshing as the naps.

Have fun!