Hi Elizabeth,
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel, and thank you for your question. We did a surprise long weekend trip to Walt Disney World right before my son began kindergarten, and we made so many magical memories. You are going to love having this special time and celebration together!
I am a huge fan of the mid-day break at Walt Disney World Resort. The parks can get crowded in the late morning and early afternoon, and by then we are usually pretty hot and tired, so we really enjoy heading back for a rest and swim so we can return later in the day recharged. The resort buses do eat up time, but I’d rather spend that travel time than deal with hot, tired, and cranky kiddos heading for the infamous Disney Tantrum.
Okay, I shared my two cents, so now it’s time to answer your question. My family has napped all over Walt Disney World! If your little one needs a longer nap, I would hop to a resort hotel close to the park you’re in and find a quiet spot. Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's BoardWalk Inn both offer lots of great quiet nooks and are proximate to the parks. At Magic Kingdom Park, take the raft over to Tom Sawyer Island and find a shady spot to rest or head to
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, which is dark and air conditioned. I actually love the attraction and its signature song, but usually half the theater is napping. At Epcot, there are quiet spots at the back of many of the pavilions around World Showcase Lagoon. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, head to the Conservation Station, which is usually less crowded. At Disney's Hollywood Studios, I would suggest napping during a show or finding a quiet corner in Star Wars Launch Bay.
Elizabeth, I’m wishing you and your family a magical kindermoon and some solid naps and nice, relaxing downtime!
-Robyn