What do you do for toddler's naps at Disney?

[Ariel on Land]

If he's even still taking two naps then, which he very well might not be, I would go back for one nap, and then try to do another in the stroller. You'd just be spending way too much time going to/from the resort.

We have always gone back to the resort for a nap or rest when we've had our kids with us, but they've always been under 4. This past trip, we went back for DD to nap every day but one, and that day we let her nap in the stroller. Around her naptime we went to the tiki room, and that started slowing her momentum down, then I put her in the stroller and shopped on main street while the boys and DH went on a ride and got a snack. She fell asleep while shopping, I met up with the boys while they finished their dole whips, and then we rode the monorail to epcot. She slept all through that and woke up half an hour, maybe even longer after we had arrived at epcot. So it's pretty easy to get a nap in even with all the commotion. Just put the sunshade over him and start moving and winding down!

 

[dsneygirl]

We went when my oldest was almost 21 months old. We originally planned to rush back to our room each day and let him nap. We found out very quickly that our plan didn't work. We would no sooner load him into our rental car and he would be out...which meant we would SIT in our car for 2 hours while he napped. After that we just let him sleep in the stroller while we ate lunch in a nice air conditioned restaurant. When he woke up, he ate a quick service meal and then we kept going.

We've done that too. Taken a long scenic tour of Kissimmee.

 

[lovetogowdw]

I'm with the others that say no matter what the routine at home, when little ones are tired at Disney, they'll nap -- no matter where they are. And all of the Baby Care Stations have rocking chairs! But there are several other sleep inducing spots we've found:

Magic Kingdom: The People Mover (Tomorrowland Transit Authority) was my "go to" spot. Unless there is a line (which is almost never), they will let you stay on with a sleeping little one for multiple rides. Second choice is just across at the Carousel of Progress. Next choice when big brother was with us was grabbing a rocking chair over on Tom Sawyer's Island. Also, check out the side streets there off of Main Street. I've usually been able to find a quiet shady spot with a chair so I could rest for a few minutes, too!

Hollywood Studios: Lunch at the Sci-Fi Dine In. It is nice and cool -- and DARK! Love that place for naps. By the way, if (and only if) the little one is napping when you go in, they will let you bring in the stroller.

Epcot: This park has lots of great rest up spots. Our surprise find: Go "in" the exit (the gift shop) over at Mission Space. You'll find a climbing spots for toddlers that is tucked away. After a bit of climbing, a nap just seems to come on immediately. Also - Mexico has a little boat ride that will also let you stay on if no line. It is pretty dark and one afternoon we went around 5 times! The Seas building is great for just watching the fish. Also the restaurant there -- you can see the aquarium!

Animal Kingdom: There are bunches of little benches and quiet shady places tucked around the Tree of Life. This was my favorite park with each of my two boys when they were under three years.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Stroller naps. Our DD was 1.5 on our last trip, and she napped in the stroller. She is 2.5 now and can go without a nap just fine.

 

[kam1011]

When my kids were that little, we went back to the resort for a good nap and we also went home in time for regular bedtime. I don't need a cranky toddler on my vacation! At night, I'd go to the resort with the kids, do baths and bed, DH would go to a real (non-fast food) restaurant and get take out, then we'd sit and watch movies and east our dinner while the kids started sleeping. Now my kids are old enough to keep up!

 

[k_hase]

You will very likely be down to one nap by then. We switched from 2 to 1 at 15-16 months.

Our first trip was at 13 months--we gave him one nap per day in the room, it was rough and we had one terrible day toward the end that signaled very over tired little man. One of those horrifying screaming meltdowns...I felt terrible. Also note that my son has fallen asleep one time in public in his entire life and I'm including infancy. The kid hates to go to sleep.

Our next trip he was just over 2, and at one nap. We did the daily nap at his normal time. Bed time was pretty normal too. That time we kept him up for one night to see fireworks--he loved it but we had a very rough next day. He slept in and then didn't nap and was not happy.

 

[bohemian74]

I'll add that whether he's taking one nap or 2, we don't just go back to the resort for the kid that "needs" the nap. We all need/want some down time. A quiet, cool room or even some time at the pool. Often this is when I take a shower or do something else relaxing b/c by the time we get back at night, I'm ready for bed!

I know not everyone likes the midday break, but it works for us w/ or w/o kids.

This! We leave midday for a nap and then go back at night. Dh and I usually end up falling asleep too! Now that DD is older one of us may stay at the park with her or take her to the pool. I swear by mid days back at the resorts, we've not had a single meltdown at Disney yet (but ask me again after we do this with the twins). Around 3 o'clock you can walk through the park and see parents and kids both in tears. It's no fun at all. The nap breaks have never impeded our fun, we get to stay out a bit later that way and enjoy the parks more.