Thursday's Tip

Today's tip is primarily for families with toddlers, and it's all about working in an afternoon nap. Now, many Disney veterans swear by taking an afternoon break away from the parks, returning to the hotel for a nap (or swim, for the older kids). While I think this is a great approach for some families (and especially those with younger toddlers who can't miss their naps), our family has always opted for staying in the parks and seeking out a dark, air-conditioned theatre to get the little guy or gal a power nap. Here are some of our favorite nap areas, by park:

• Magic Kingdom: Hands down, this is the best park for napping. Hall of Presidents is a favorite. Since it's currently closed for refurbishment (re-opening soon!), we also recommend the Carousel of Progress. The Country Bear Jamboree isn't bad either. Another option (if it's not unbearably hot) is a cruise on the Liberty Square Riverboat. The ride is about 30 minutes--a perfect power nap.
• Epcot: The American Adventure is a dark theatre with cushy seats, idea for a cool snooze. Many of the pavilions on the World Showcase have quiet areas or benches in air-conditioning. In Future World, try Honey I Shrunk the Audience.
• Disney's Hollywood Studios: Your best bet is the Muppets 3-D Vision. American Idol Experience and Voyage of the Little Mermaid are also decent options, but the first is pretty loud and the second may be too exciting for kids to sleep. We've also found that The Great Movie Ride provides a nice, albeit brief nap experience. Just cover the tots ears during the gunfire.
• Animal Kingdom: This one is tougher. Not many quiet and dark shows here. Finding Nemo or It's Tough to Be a Bug (if your child isn't freaked out by bugs) would probably be the best choices, although it might be tough to get your child to close his or her eyes and ignore the show in either of these. We've had success getting in a quick nap on the Wildlife Express train.

My best tip is to know your child! If he or she needs a full-on, back-to-the-hotel nap, then by all means get one. But if you've got an older toddler who just needs a boost to get through the rest of the day, try one of our recommended (and many of them tested!) spots.