Disney With A Toddler

We're taking the kids on their first Disney trip this fall (DD will be 6, DS will be about 19 months).

My kids are SUPER regimented with bedtime, DS is in bed every night by 6:30 (and has been since he was 8 wks old) and DD by 8. She's flexible and easy now that she's older so I'm not worried about being in the parks at night with her but I'm concerned about how my DS will hang in there, especially because we will be there for 10 days. That's a long time out of his routines.

We plan on taking breaks throughout the day but how did you guys handle Disney with a little one when it came to bedtimes? Did they manage ok? Sleep in the stroller at night? I don't know what to expect from him and I know every kid is different but I was curious of other people's experiences. (or tips!!!) Thanks!!

Disney With A Toddler

My kids are VERY flexible, so I am probably no help, but my kids just napped in the stroller when they needed to.

We just came back, but I only took 3yo DD and left the little one home this trip. We stayed at MK until midnight and HS until 11 - we didn't go back to the hotel at all. We got to MK later in the day, and DD napped in her stroller at HS. We found an air conditioned place where they allowed the strolled and just hung out in there until she woke up.

Re: Disney With A Toddler

DS was about the same age when we went & just like your LO's VERY scheudled.

He was wonderful throughout the entire trip.

We were there for 6 days though & did not do parks evry day. Only 3 out of 6 days we did the parks. 2 out of 3 of those days we tried to get him to sleep in stroller, one of those days we did park in the morning then went back to nap then poark for dinner & some rides. We were back in the room within an hour of his normal bedtime every night and kept to his same bedtime routine.
We were just as tired so it was ok to be back early, then once he was alseep me & Dh would eat snack, talk, watch TV, & prepare bags for the next day. The days we didnt do parks we did the pool/waterpark at hotel so either me or DH took him back to room to nap while the other hung out by pool or grabbed lunch for us to bring back to toom.
We went to early dinner in downtown disney & if he was okay we would walk around and visit shops, if not we just head back.
We had a wonderful time and he was a pleasure.

Message edited 7/30/2014 11:56:17 AM.

Re: Disney With A Toddler

If you will be there 10 nights why mess with his schedule that much. You could go early to the parks and do nights at the resort. The days you want to be there for evening activities you could do a sleep in the next day and not do a park morning. If HD will nap in the stroller that might be easiest.

Or you could experiment before you go on weekends and see how he ones if you go out and home off schedule.

Re: Disney With A Toddler

Mine (26 m) slept in the stroller for naps, and at night if we watched the parades and fireworks.

She wanted nothing to do with their crib so she slept in bed with us.

When we got back - it took one night to go back to normal.

We went for 7 nights, 8 days.

Re: Disney With A Toddler

Disney With A Toddler

I have a 2 and 4 year old and we are going in 2 weeks. I plan to keep their bedtimes pretty much the same. We just know we will be back at the resort by 8 and thats fine by us. I rather be in early then have cranky kids the next day lol. We have one night that we plan to be out late and we just made no plans for the next day.

Message edited 7/30/2014 2:17:56 PM.

Disney With A Toddler

dd1 is not flexible at all lol. She never slept int he stroller, even as an infant. Only in a crib/pnp. very similar to your kids with bedtimes etc. We went to Disney in Nov and I couldn't believe my eyes but she napped a few times in the stroller and fell asleep at night in the stroller. And no problems in the hotel at night.We did take breaks, and went swimming back at the hotel and for lunch and dinner etc.

dd2 is more flexible and she was 8 months when we went and napped in the baby carrier on me or in the stroller. The hotel was little different for her. Some nights she slept with us in the bed some in the pnp

have fun

Re: Disney With A Toddler

My kidsa are pretty flexible, they'll pass out anywhere. I rented a double city mini - it has a full recline and huge sunshade - when they were tired, they fell asleep.

I personally, have my entire life scheduled, daycare, trains, meetings, etc - and am NOT about to do that while on vacation.
I didn't race to the parks early in the morning, or drag the kids out of bed for early breakfasts, 'rope drops' etc. For MY family, that is NO vacation!

When they started to seem like they'd had enough, we left - hung out at the pool, let them nap, etc. 10 days is more than enough time to see the parks, and do a lot of just hanging out and relaxing, so I wouldn't worry about schedules. - But again, I'm totally anti schedule while on vacation.
See how it goes and play it by ear - you know your kids. If they seem fine, roll w/ it. If they are unhappy, get them into bed - KWIM? Have a GREAT TIME !!! (and bring a TON of water)

Re: Disney With A Toddler

We just got back from Disneyland with my DS who had just turned 2. After breakfast we'd head over to the park (around 10), then leave at around 2-3 for the hotel to let him nap. He could nap in his stroller but I preferred to just head back to the room so DH and I could relax a little too. Then we'd go back to the park in the early evening for more rides and dinner. Have fun!!

Edit to add we were back at the hotel by 9. We didn't stay late at the park, especially since he doesn't go on many rides yet.

Message edited 7/30/2014 3:31:52 PM.

Re: Disney With A Toddler

Thank you everyone for sharing.

I guess I'll just have to gauge him day to day. I know it will be impossible to keep his usual bedtime mostly because his bedtime is SO early. I don't want to be done for the day and in my room by 6:30. He has on occasion fallen asleep in the stroller when he's really tired so I'm hoping he will do the same while there.

We only have two really late nights planned because we have tickets for both the Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickeys Magical Xmas Party. But other than that most nights will be over by 9'ish.

Hopefully he surprises us and hangs in there. Thanks again, I feel better knowing how your kids did while vacationing there.

Re: Disney With A Toddler

My kids are very scheduled w/ bedtime. At Disney, we sort of just see how things go each day.

We try to get to parks at opening. We do a quick grab and go breakfast on the way. The kids usually last at the park until 1 or 2. We do lunch at the park. We head back to hotel and kids sleep on the way. We go swimming and relax (possibly nap) and then get ready for dinner. Head back to whatever park we are having dinner at. Some nights the kids are in bed there around 8, other nights much later. Sometimes they are passed out in strollers long before the fireworks. Kid of depends on the day. Trust me, they will be sooooo tired they will have no problem sleeping in the stroller.

Re: Disney With A Toddler

Re: Disney With A Toddler

We have a strict bedtime at home, but it's later than yours.

We do keep them awake for special things (New Years, weddings).

When we have done to Disney, we let them sleep when tired. They kind of will conk out when really tired. They haven't really complained or been too cranky.
We also don't do too many days at Disney. We will do 2-3 days max with days off inbetween.