Disney World Vacation... Long

boilerup227

So, as a family, we go to Disney World just about every year.  For multiple reasons (getting married, graduating school, moving into a house, having a baby, etc.) we haven't been in 4 years.  So, we decided to go this year.  We leave in a month and while I am SUPER excited, I am also really nervous about how DS will fare.

First, we are driving... 16 hours (breaking it up into 2 days though) because I have an absolutely irrational yet completely overwhelming fear of flying that I can't break. 

Second, DS is a crappy sleeper and although he has recently gotten a lot better (usually up 1 time but sometimes STTN) I HIGHLY attribute it to our routine and him being in his "comfort zone."  Just last weekend we went away for a few days and he was a mess!  He would not nap during the day in the room (but did a few times for 30 minutes a piece in the stroller) and fought sleep hard at night.  He HATED the pack n' play and screamed bloody murder in it. He ended up sleeping in bed with us but I didn't sleep at all because I was very nervous about it.  Once we got home, we had a terrible sleep regression that included lots of screaming for 3-4 days.  It was awful.

That being said... He is GREAT when we are out and busy all day.  He will nap in the stroller (though they are short catnaps) and is really like the little energizer bunny.  What I am nervous for is night time.  We will be out past his bedtime most nights (7:30-8 PM),  I just know he won't sleep in the PNP and if he comes in bed with us, I won't sleep well.  Also, IF he wakes up at night he wants to nurse.  Obviously, he doesn't need it because he is now STTN about once a week.  I'm afraid that he will wake up constantly if we bedshare, want to nurse and we will have a terrible problem once we come home.  

 So... what say you?  WWYD?  FWIW, the hotel is about 25 minutes from some of the parks so it's not really feasible to take him back for naps (even if he WOULD nap there).  By the time he got back, fought falling asleep (which can sometimes take up to 45 minutes), napped and we headed back to a park we would have about 3-3.5 hours of our day gone.  

I want to be excited (and I really am) but the mommy (and type A personality) in me can't help but worry that I'm going to get my little buddy all out of whack...

 

ETA:  I forgot to mention.  The hotel DOES have a crib that we have requested.  However, I'm still nervous he won't sleep in there.  He gets really anxious/nervous/worked up at night time... 

heymommy

If he is out all day at the parks and naps in the stroller it will still wear him out. I bet he will sleep all night where ever you put him. Call the hotel to see if they have cribs.

Lena122

I second asking the hotel for a crib. I'd also bring unwashed crib sheets/blankets from home so he has that familiar smell. I'd also bring our sound machine and make sure I have lullabies on my phone for him to listen to during our bedtime routine. He has a couple of small crib toys that are secured in his crib that I'd bring just for familiarity. I'd want to replicate our bedtime routine as much as possible.

k.linn

I had a work conference at Disney when DD was 11 months old and she and DH tagged along. Granted, she was a little older, but I fretted just like you and it all ended up being fine. We had an umbrella stroller and an Ergo with us. During the day we would generally take the stroller, but on the nights we stayed out a bit later, I just wore her in the Ergo. This worked out really well as she just ended up falling asleep (and staying asleep) in the carrier for longer stretches than she would the stroller. Honestly, she slept through about 85% of the entire trip. We kept joking that it was "Audrey sleeps through Disney"--all of our photos are of us with a sleeping baby at various points around the parks.

Honestly, if you have room for it, I'd bring your PNP with you. Some of the cribs I've seen at hotels are pretty sketchy, and it would be nice to have a back up. 

boilerup227

Thanks ladies! Any advice for the drive? That is the other part that terrifies me!

Jen0204

I agree with letting him sleep in his stroller and bringing crib sheets from home. But other then that, honestly all you can do is go with the flow. He might not nap, he might not sleep well, he might have a few tough days coming back - or he might not. I'm a worrier too so I know it's easier said then done, but try not to stress about it too much beforehand or you'll make the trip less enjoyable for yourself. And you're going to Disney World! I love it there Enjoy and hope that all of the stimulants in the park make your LO exhausted and he passes out from time to time and is so tired that be STTN. Good luck!

heymommy

For the drive keep plastic spoons handy. For some reason my LO loves a plastic spoon. Also if you have a smart phone record some video of him so he can watch himself my LO loves to watch videos of herself. Also use your smartphone video to record sesame street or whatever he likes so you don't have to rely on internet.

Jen0204

Can you get a portable DVD player, especially one that attaches to the seat rest?

hizah05

heymommy:

If he is out all day at the parks and naps in the stroller it will still wear him out. I bet he will sleep all night where ever you put him. Call the hotel to see if they have cribs.

And check to see if it is an actual crib! We just took a vacation to a resort in AZ and when we requested a crib they said, "no problem, we will have it in the room". I never thought to ask their definition. It was a pack and play with no mattress. I could not, for the life of me, get him to sleep in it. I tried over and over. The first night he didn't go to sleep for good (as in not waking every 5-20 minutes) until 3:30 in the morning. Needless to say, he slept in bed with us and neither of us slept the entire trip. 

ALane1128

If the crib doesn't work out, is having him sleep in the stroller at night an option? I would definitely bring an ergo along like pp said. When Jackson isn't liking any of his toys I bring out the measuring cups and cardboard boxes! So maybe whatever your backup toy is, have that with you in the car but don't give that to him till he starts getting fussy. GL!

MrMrsandBaby

I'm no help because as I was reading this I kep thinking, "why are you even going?" I just don't see how Disney would be all that fun with an 8 month old? But I like the rides so I guess I don't get the point otherwise. Maybe I'm missing something that Disney offers??

NatesLady1309

heymommy:

For the drive keep plastic spoons handy. For some reason my LO loves a plastic spoon. Also if you have a smart phone record some video of him so he can watch himself my LO loves to watch videos of herself. Also use your smartphone video to record sesame street or whatever he likes so you don't have to rely on internet.

I second the spoons. And I wanted to add plastic straws too. They have been a lifesaver for us in restaurants. Stupid but awesome.