Sharing a Room with Toddlers: How to Create the Perfect Hotel Sleep Setup
Creating a good sleep environment for your toddler during a Disney World vacation can feel challenging. Sharing a hotel room, different surroundings, and vacation excitement can all impact your little one’s rest. However, with the right tools and strategies, you can help your toddler (and the rest of the family) get the sleep needed for magical park days.
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Creating a Dark, Calm Sleep Space in Your Hotel Room
One of the biggest challenges in hotel rooms is creating a dark, separate sleep space for your toddler. One product we love, the SlumberPod offers an excellent solution – it’s a lightweight, portable blackout cover that fits over pack ‘n plays or toddler beds, creating a completely dark sleeping space. What makes the SlumberPod particularly travel-friendly is its compact design; it folds down to fit easily in your suitcase, taking up about as much space as a pair of jeans.
For families with both a baby and toddler, SlumberPod offers a convenient bundle package that includes both the original SlumberPod and SlumberTot inflatable bed, providing sleeping solutions for both little ones. This can be especially valuable for families planning multiple trips or who frequently travel. You may also opt for the bundle to create a dark, separate space for your toddler buy placing the SlumberPod over the SlumberTot bed.
Other ways to manage room darkness:
- Use binder clips to hold hotel curtains tightly closed
- Pack magnetic clips for backup light blocking
- Request a room with blackout curtains
- Choose a room layout that allows for some separation
Choosing the Right Sleep Surface for Your Toddler
Selecting an appropriate sleep surface is crucial for good rest. Disney resorts offer complimentary pack ‘n plays and cribs upon request, but availability isn’t guaranteed. For older toddlers, the SlumberTot inflatable toddler bed provides a perfect solution. It comes with an electric pump for easy setup, inflates in minutes, and includes safety rails to prevent falls. The bed’s portable design means you can create a dedicated sleep space anywhere in the room.
Consider these sleeping arrangements:
- Request a pack ‘n play in advance if needed
- Bring familiar bedding from home
- Position the sleep area away from the room door
- Use furniture to create subtle room divisions
Also read: Cribs and Toddler Beds at Disney World Resort Hotels
Managing Hotel Room Noise and Distractions
Hotel rooms can be noisy, with hallway traffic and neighboring room sounds. A white noise machine proves invaluable for masking these disturbances. SlumberPod offers both a fan and sound machine that are specifically designed to work with their blackout cover, providing both ventilation and soothing white noise.
The fan can be placed inside a designated pocket in the SlumberPod to keep little hands safe. The SlumberCalm Portable Sound Machine is compact and can clip right onto the SlumberPod or work as a standalone unit, great for stroller naps in the parks.
Additional noise management tips:
- Request a room away from elevators and ice machines
- Use bathroom fans for additional white noise
- Consider rooms on higher floors
- Book connecting rooms if budget allows
Tips for Creating a Calming Bedtime Routine
Maintaining aspects of your home bedtime routine helps signal to your toddler that it’s time to sleep, even in exciting new surroundings. Here are some of our other favorite tips for bedtime while on vacation:
- Bring Some Essentials
- A favorite bedtime book
- A small nightlight, rooms can be dark and you may want some light to be able to maneuver without turning on the big lights
- Use familiar pajamas or special ones they may be excited for
- Room Setup
- Set up a sleep space that works for naps during daylight hours as well as bedtime
- Store luggage away from sleep area to avoid waking little ones if you need to look for something
- Consider room temperature, bring along a fan or an extra blanket/warm pajamas depending on preferences
- Managing Excitement
- Talk about the next day’s plans before bedtime or flip through photos from the day
- Maintain regular nap schedules when possible
- Allow extra wind-down time, maybe with a special show or even a walk outside
Creating a sleep-friendly environment in your hotel room might require some initial setup, but the payoff of well-rested children (and parents!) makes it worthwhile. While solutions like the SlumberPod and SlumberTot require an investment, they can transform hotel stays from stressful to peaceful, not just for your Disney trip but for future family travels as well.
Remember, well-rested children enjoy Disney more, have fewer meltdowns, and create better memories. Taking time to plan your hotel room sleep strategy is just as important as planning your park days.
