What to do in evenings with toddler??

[olivia's mommy]

I was a little hesitant posting this because it sounds weird, but what do you and significant other do when your toddler goes to bed, if you don't have other kids to worry about? We are staying to ASMusic for 4 nights and AKL for 3 nights so I know at the AKL we will have a balcony and will hang out there after DD goes to bed, play cards, talk, whatever. But what about when we are at AS and the room is tiny and we don't want to wake up our DD? What does everyone else do? I don't particularly want to go to bed at 8 pm every night while on vacation! I assume a few nights we'll still be at the park when she falls asleep in her stroller so that doesn't worry us too much.

Do you think if I asked for a ground floor room at AS, we could put a couple of patio chairs outside in front of our room door and hang out there (Don't worry, I'll bring a baby monitor!!!)? Also, are there privacy curtains at these resorts, where we can just move the pack n play behind the curtain and not worry too much about watching tv or making noise?

Again, I hope this isn't a silly question!!
Thanks!

 

[labdogs42]

When we went with DS at 15 and 18 months old, we all went to sleep at the same time most nights. DS stayed up a little later than usual because of all the fun in the parks and we were exhausted, too, so we were all in bed b/t 9-10 pm. Sometimes he fell asleep in the stroller and we just transferred him to the bed when we got back to the room. He was usually so exhausted that we could turn the TV on quietly and watch a show or two without waking him up. I wouldn't worry about it too much, just play it by ear when you are there. In my experience, there's no way to predict your child's sleep patterns at WDW!

 

[Taja]

Unless your DD is accustomed to sleeping in absolutely silence and/or darkness, you shouldn't have any problems turning the television on low volume (the Radio Disney channel makes a good nightlight!) and just hanging out. You'll probably be so tired that you'll be asleep within an hour, anyway! *LOL*

Edited to add:

No privacy curtains at the value resorts (and very limited space in the vanity area), but you could bring or purchase a shower curtain and 3M removable hooks and create your own curtain at the vanity area. The pack'n'play would have to go in the closet area. Some people who drive have been known to bring tension shower curtain rods with hooks and a shower curtain to create a privacy curtain.

 

[Elmo888]

I think that there are privacy curtains at the values. We stayed in the ASMusic Family Suites, and there were privacy curtains at both bathrooms/dressing areas. You could easily put the pack n play there. Try posting on the ASMusic FAQ thread, and you will get a definitive answer.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1562324

Also, you could drag the chairs from inside the room to just outside the room and sit out there at the ASMusic. Or, if you will have a car, you could buy to inexpensive chairs at Walmart or something.

My DD, who was 2 the first time and 3 the second time, never fell asleep in the stroller.

We had a really difficult time at WL with the pack n play/getting the 2 yo to sleep thing (well, and the 6 yo that was in the bed). It was difficult to put the pack n play where our 2 yo couldn't see (well, impossible). I think that if you use the balcony at AKL, you should be fine.

You are asking a good question - it is definitely a concern!

 

[everylastbreath]

Never had a problem with this, when my kids were small we were all going all day and exhaused at night, so by the time they were asleep so were we, same thing when we took my GS last year, pretty much everyone went to sleep at the same time- I wouldn't plan on being in bed by 8pm, usually we didn't get in the door until 11 or so.

 

[abouley]

When we went with DS at 19 months we stayed at CBR and so had no balcony. But, we were typically in the parks late with him asleep in the stroller. If not, we usually put him down and sat in darkness until he fell asleep (which seemed like a matter of minutes at the end of his long and exciting day) and then either turned on the TV quiet, read a book with a booklight or worked on the computer (downloading pictures, doing a trip journal, etc). We also used this time to get ready for the next morning. It seemed like maybe it was an hour max that we were up after he was in bed. We were just on the go so much and ready to rest ourselves.

Our next trip DS will be almost 5 and DD will be 2. We are staying off-site in a 2 bed condo 1 week and then on-site at BCV the 2nd week. Really hoping we have a balcony. I think we'll miss the space we're going to have the first week! It is so much harder to get all of us to sleep when in one room!

Alison

 

[Dannielle_1]

Just returned from AKL with my 2.5 year old.

DS ended up going to bed a little later than normal around 9 or so. We would get him settled, lights out except in sink/bathroom area, tv on but very low volumn (2-3) and my husband would usually get his shower and I'd wander around the resort (get my mug refilled) and get ready for the next day in the "lighted" area of the room. My husband is not a night person and was usually asleep by 10. I'd get a shower and be in bed asleep between 10:30 & 11. I got more sleep at Disney than at home! Is that possible?

We used the balcony a little bit during "bedtime," but not nearly as much as I thought. And mostly it was me out there by myself because DH was already sleeping. WDW wears him out.

It seemed like maybe it was an hour max that we were up after he was in bed. We were just on the go so much and ready to rest ourselves.

Ditto, I don't think people realize or take into account how much Disney can take out of anyone. So with the the little ones going to bed a little later, and with you probably ready to go to bed earlier there really isn't much time your trying to figure out what to do while the little one's asleep. It's just very different than being at home.

Anyway, I have seen people in past trips sitting outside their rooms at moderate & value resorts and if that is what works for you that should be no problem.

 

[Dannielle_1]

Also, are there privacy curtains at these resorts, where we can just move the pack n play behind the curtain and not worry too much about watching tv or making noise?

I guess I'm one that would rather have the pack n' play in the main part of the room and have the bathroom area available for use. See previous post, DH and I like getting our showers at night (hate going to bed sticky/yucky). Even if you don't get showers, think about the logistics of getting ready for bed in general...

 

[brymolmom]

We've done this many times.

The first night it is usually so exciting and 'new' going to bed in a new place - that we turn out the lights for awhile. I sometimes use a flashlight to read my book in bed or just lay and rest for a little while (I have even put a blanket in the tub and laid down in there reading). After the kids are asleep -we turn on the TV or a light to read.

DH and I take turns going down to the pool with a cold drink or just going for a walk around the resort. The other stays in the room.

After the first night - we can usually leave one light on and the kids will get to sleep. Frequently we have to remind them for about 15 minutes 'it is time for sleep. Lay quietly and rest'. But I will just stay still and read and ignore them. Again, after they are asleep (usually about 1/2 hour) - I can turn on the TV low.

I think the first night is crucial - ignore the child if he/she wants to talk, play, whatever. That way for the rest of the nights he/she will get the picture that it is SLEEP TIME.