Given the prices of park entry passes at Walt Disney World, it’s tempting to attack the theme parks at full speed and keep going until you pass out in bed as soon as the last Magic Kingdom parade has passed by and the last firework has exploded. However, visitors escorting young children are often forced to take an extended midday break to allow the little ones to sleep, cool down, and clear their brains after theme park sensory overload. As you sit in your resort room with the minutes ticking by, it’s easy to feel as though your money is slipping away at the same time.
Making A Plan
To avoid that “I am wasting precious time” feeling, it’s important to come up with a nap strategy to make sure that these breaks pass as efficiently as possible. Stroller napping, combining naps and meal breaks, and skipping the busiest and hottest part of the day are some of the best ways to make nap breaks as painless as possible. Some people even look upon the nap as an enjoyable way to help you get the most out of your vacation.
If your child is young enough to sleep in a stroller, you can accomplish an efficient nap time without ever having you leave the parks. You might even be able to stand in line for a ride that allows Rider Swapping, watch a live show, or enjoy a relaxing meal while your child sleeps. However, make sure that your child can truly sleep happily in their stroller before relying on this strategy. If your child naps poorly, you may still end up with the grumpy kid and early night that you were hoping to avoid.
Nap + Meal = Ahhhh
If your resort room has a kitchen or kitchenette, combing naptimes with mealtimes and eating one or more meals in your room can help you save time and money. Eating at the theme parks can involve lines and high prices, so having a meal in your room while resting can help you to avoid that money-slipping-away feeling.
Mid-afternoon, the standard for naptime, is the hottest part of the day. In Florida during the summer, as well as much of the spring and autumn, the hottest weather can be very hot indeed. In spite of the heat, the theme parks often reach their peak number of visitors in midday. Renewing your energy during this time of day to be ready to go full speed in the cooler evening can be a great choice, and keep you from yawning your way through IllumiNations.
Some visitors to Disney World positively swear by the art of the nap. With or without children in tow, nap devotees insist that setting aside daily time for a bit of rest and relaxation is the secret to enjoying every minute of your vacation. As previously discussed, taking a break during the worst time of day can help you fully enjoy the best parts of the day. But naptime can also be an end unto itself. After all, relaxing at one of Disney World’s beautiful resorts, swimming at one of the elaborate pools, or enjoying a leisurely meal is not a bad way to spend a vacation.