We are going to DLR from Michigan (so a 3 hour time difference) and we are trying to figure out what to do the day we arrive. We will wake up at 4:30am for our flight to LAX. By the time we get to the DLH it will be about 1:30pm (4:30 our time) so our DD's 4 and 7 should be pretty tired after 12 hours of being awake...but we will have surprised them with this trip that morning and we will be at the Disneyland Hotel!!! I'd like them to take a nap soon after we get to the hotel so that we can see the fireworks at 9:25 that night since it is the only day during our visit that they are showing. If they don't take a nap there is no way we would take them- they would end up being awake for close to 24 hours (by the time we got back to the hotel after the fireworks it would be around 11:00 I'm guessing which would be 2 am for us!!) So what would you do? They don't usually take naps. "Oh, we just got to Disneyland and it's broad daylight- now go to sleep right now!" LOL

you'll be so close between the park and the hotel this is what i'd do:

get them in the park for 2 hours or so and get the energy out of them, then go back to the hotel about 4 or 5 pm California time and take a nap for about 2 hours (you can also consider using the DLH pool to tucker them out), then head back to Disneyland about 7 pm which is still plenty of time to enjoy an evening and the fireworks.

the thing is, the DLH and Park are pretty close so it's only about 15 minutes or so to go back and forth - take advantage of it.

There is just no way to get around the WE ARE AT DISNEYLAND syndrome. You have to go and bear with them for a couple of hours. Tell them its exciting and they can go but to remember there are more days ahead , a good intro is to let them see the characters and get autographs on Main St , and maybe take in one ride that will satisfy all. Then they will be too pooped to pop and go rest for awhile before going back again. Keep in mind they are young and invincible , us parents hmmmm we need a break , take advantage of the tiny one you will get.Being up 24 hours to them is a piece of cake .

We are going to DLR from Michigan (so a 3 hour time difference) and we are trying to figure out what to do the day we arrive. We will wake up at 4:30am for our flight to LAX. By the time we get to the DLH it will be about 1:30pm (4:30 our time) so our DD's 4 and 7 should be pretty tired after 12 hours of being awake...but we will have surprised them with this trip that morning and we will be at the Disneyland Hotel!!! I'd like them to take a nap soon after we get to the hotel so that we can see the fireworks at 9:25 that night since it is the only day during our visit that they are showing. If they don't take a nap there is no way we would take them- they would end up being awake for close to 24 hours (by the time we got back to the hotel after the fireworks it would be around 11:00 I'm guessing which would be 2 am for us!!) So what would you do? They don't usually take naps. "Oh, we just got to Disneyland and it's broad daylight- now go to sleep right now!" LOLRemember, they may sleep on the plane!! My kids always did. This is what I would do (and did), take them to the hotel pool, and have them swim for 30 mins to an hour. Spend a few minutes wandering back to the room seeing the stuff at the hotel. This usually wears them down some. Then tell them IF they go to sleep for a nap, at 6pm, you will be heading to the park. Get the room good and dark and EVERYONE naps (mom, dad, kids). Set an alarm so you wake up. If you dont need to nap, lay there til the kids sleep, then open a drape slightly and unpack quietly. No sneaking off to disneyland with out them!!! LOL

No sneaking off to disneyland with out them!!! LOL

Unless you have relatives or friends who can watch them while you sneak off....:D

Be prepared that your room may not be ready until 4 or 5 or even later. I forget what the official check-in time is, but have read hotel reviews stating that even if it was say 4pm, sometimes the room still isn't ready until later.

I'd think they'd still let you use the pool, though. Perhaps have their swimming suits easily accessible, get them to change in a bathroom, and let them wear off some energy that way until room is ready? Or take a walk of the grounds? DTD?

Unless you have relatives or friends who can watch them while you sneak off....:DNope, nope, nope, not fair. You have to wait til they get up, or they won't trust you and nap again!!!!! (We are talking specific incident here... The kids will want to go right to Disneyland, we are trying to get a nap before they go the first day...)

Don't forget that their 'meal schedule' will be off, too - don't forget to take that into consideration. A hungry kid is a cranky kid, especially if they're also a tired kid. (You can also replace the word 'parent' for kid in the previous sentence!) :fez:

All great points! Thank you for reminding me to feed them...LOL! I was thinking about how the hotel may very well not be ready. Anyone know how much early check-in is? From what I've read about the DLH it seems like not many are able to get early check-in. I was thinking about the pool too...good idea. I'm getting tired just thinking about the first day and how exhausted we will all be. On one hand I'd like to skip the fireworks and get a good nights rest before our first day in the parks. But I'm dying to see them, and so are the kids. I had posted on the DL section of MP that when we originally booked our vacation through WDTC the DLR website said that the fireworks were every night the week we are going (April 23-27). I even checked back about 5 times over a 2 week period before booking and it was the same (also said DL was open til midnight). I think they were getting the weeks mixed up because the 2 weeks before that are the spring break extended hours. So anyways, we booked that week excited that we would have lots of opportunities to see the fireworks. About a week later I happened to look at the schedule again and it changed! Thank you so much for the ideas and let me know if anyone has anything to add! I really appreciate the help! :)

I agree with your thoughts in theory, but in actuality - I don't know if it's gonna happen. I mean you are right there and the kids will explode if they have to wait. Why don't you pick one or two rides that they can go on right when you arrive? That way they get their "fix". I love the autograph idea too. The kids will be very excited to be in the hotel so that will take some time to calm them down. I think a later nap may serve you all better. You're gonna do fine too, yes, you will be tired but you all will have such a magical time.

Give them an hour in the pool, then feed them... they'll drop like flies!!!

Give them an hour in the pool, then feed them... they'll drop like flies!!!

Thanks, Wendi!

I don't know. I took DD when she was 2 1/2. She wouldn't nap the entire trip. We were amazed that she was still running around with incredible amounts of energy on the way out of the parks at night. When we got on the tram to go back to the resort, she crashed like a lightswitch. DH had to carry her all the way back to the room.

Now I took DD2 when she was 3 and she slept through everything. I guess it just depends on the kid.

Here's a thought, Do all that the above posters recommended prior to returning to your hotel. Have the blinds drawn, which with blackout curtains makes it really dark. Then DO NOT CALL IT A NAP!!! You will be approaching their "normal" bedtime, so just put them to bed without mentioning the fireworks, returning to the park etc. IF they no longer take regular naps, they may balk just at the thought, so just put them "to bed time" and wake them up when you're ready to go back. they may drag a little till they're back in the park, but they'll perk up with a quick snack and all the excitement. :D

Here's a thought, Do all that the above posters recommended prior to returning to your hotel. Have the blinds drawn, which with blackout curtains makes it really dark. Then DO NOT CALL IT A NAP!!! You will be approaching their "normal" bedtime, so just put them to bed without mentioning the fireworks, returning to the park etc. IF they no longer take regular naps, they may balk just at the thought, so just put them "to bed time" and wake them up when you're ready to go back. they may drag a little till they're back in the park, but they'll perk up with a quick snack and all the excitement. :D

Oh that's good! Especially if you have DH close the blinds while they're taking a bath or something. They take a bath, get jammied, come out to a darkened room and voila!

Here's a thought, Do all that the above posters recommended prior to returning to your hotel. Have the blinds drawn, which with blackout curtains makes it really dark. Then DO NOT CALL IT A NAP!!! You will be approaching their "normal" bedtime, so just put them to bed without mentioning the fireworks, returning to the park etc. IF they no longer take regular naps, they may balk just at the thought, so just put them "to bed time" and wake them up when you're ready to go back. they may drag a little till they're back in the park, but they'll perk up with a quick snack and all the excitement. :D

What a wonderful idea! Thank you!!!

Oh that's good! Especially if you have DH close the blinds while they're taking a bath or something. They take a bath, get jammied, come out to a darkened room and voila!

Wonderful!

Good luck, we just returned and also had to deal with the 3 hour time difference. We had an afternoon flight, arrived late so it was easy for us to go straight to bed and still be up for early admission (7 am west coast is 10 am east coast)-heck that was practically sleeping in for us!! post on your return so we know how it went! Have fun.

Good luck, we just returned and also had to deal with the 3 hour time difference. We had an afternoon flight, arrived late so it was easy for us to go straight to bed and still be up for early admission (7 am west coast is 10 am east coast)-heck that was practically sleeping in for us!! post on your return so we know how it went! Have fun.

Yup, I'm hoping the time difference will help us in that way too!