Hi Katherine,
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel and thank you for asking a question that is near and dear to my heart: how to keep toddlers happy and well rested during a visit to Walt Disney World Resort!
I have a 2 1/2 year old and let’s just say that, although he resists napping during the day when we’re at home, I have never had a problem convincing him to nap while we’re in Walt Disney World. There’s so much to see and do that, by the time 1:30 rolls around, he’s practically begging me for a nap (which is totally out of character for him, believe me…). We also tend to push his naps back a bit when we’re on vacation so that we can shift his entire schedule by about 2-2.5 hours. This allows him to wake up a little bit later and even stay up beyond 8 p.m. and see the fireworks or, as he calls them, “Encore bang!” (French for “More bang!”)
The answer to your question depends on when the last day of your vacation falls. If it’s closer to Halloween, or on a weekend, those are often nights of
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party that have historically tended to sell out.
You know your children best: if you think you might be able to shift their schedules while you’re on vacation, then I would say that it would be worth it to give the Party a whirl and buy your tickets in advance. And, don't forget, your youngest won't need a
Special Event Ticket to join in the fun. We attended the party last year and my son loved seeing people and some of his favourite Disney characters dressed up in costumes… and I enjoyed using him as an excuse to get some candy!!
Have a Magical Day,
Lynne