Must do's with 5 yr. old grandson!

skorpie

Love the magic

Joined

Sep 4, 2000

• Sep 1, 2015

• #1

DH and I (grandparents) are taking our 5 yr. old grandson to WDW March 2016. We will be staying at BLT. Since we are a family of mostly girls, what activities should we plan for a boy? He knows all the Disney characters and really wants to see Mickey. What character meals, attractions at each park or special events would a 5 yr. old really like? I just want to be prepared when the time comes to do FP and ADR's. Thanks!

 

Kidanifan08

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 22, 2011

• Sep 1, 2015

• #2

Our son loved watching the trains in Germany at that age. He could spend hours in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground and The Boneyard. He enjoyed Jedi Training at HS. Monorail rides were a big hit. So were bus rides! Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey were great character meals at that age. He loved character meet and greets the most of everything we did!

 

LPnerd

DIS Veteran

Joined

Sep 4, 2011

• Sep 1, 2015

• #3

skorpie said:

DH and I (grandparents) are taking our 5 yr. old grandson to WDW March 2016. We will be staying at BLT. Since we are a family of mostly girls, what activities should we plan for a boy? He knows all the Disney characters and really wants to see Mickey. What character meals, attractions at each park or special events would a 5 yr. old really like? I just want to be prepared when the time comes to do FP and ADR's. Thanks!

Click to expand...

there's not much won't love. At 5 they till like all the characters. Al those meet and greets get a bit much for all the kids IMHO. We let tem pick out which ones they want to see most, and go for that. Of course Mickey and Minnie are at the top it changes after that. The Buzz light year ride is a must , and the rollercoasters he's tall enough for, really, all rides, LOL. The best might be to sit him down with y, and go through each park . let him see each things on your computer and lt him pick, might amp up the excitement???

 

DisneyRegulars

DIS Veteran

Joined

Oct 20, 2011

• Sep 1, 2015

• #4

I agree, five is great for Disney, but also a little unpredictable. At five and a half my son loved everything, however six months earlier he found Space Mountain, Expedition Everest, haunted mansion, Dinosaur, star tours and tower of terror so scary that he insisted he was never riding them again ever. As far as must dos, my hot wheel obsessed son loves:
Tomorrowland speedway (MK)
Barnstormer (MK)
Test Track (Epcot)
soarin (Epcot)
Toy story mania (HS)
The car show (HS)
Kali river Rapids (AK)
Any ride that primarily travels in circles, like dumbo and tea cups.
All the playgrounds and anything where you can get wet especially the fountain outside Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney.

 

S

suebeelin

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jan 24, 2011

• Sep 1, 2015

• #5

My son had just turned 5 in our last trip.

1. He loved the honey I shrunk the kids playground. Insisted on going back over and over again.

2. Jedi training academy. We did that twice.

3. Pirates and pals. He had so much fun on that boat ride snd meeting smee/hook while dressed as a pirate

4. Rides:
MK: Tomorrowland speedway, Mine train and big thunder mountain

Hollywood: tower of terror, toy story midway mania

Epcot: test track and soarin

Animal kingdom: killamajaro safari, kali river rapids

5. He liked the some of the shows, namely lion king and nemo. He thought turtle talk with crush was fun. He wasn't a fan of the frozen show although he liked meeting Anna/Elsa (he was bashful). He was particularly bashful with arial.

Just off the top of my head. Every kid is different... My 5.5 yr old is particularly active, loves power rangers, Kung fu panda and wild Kratts. Have fun!!

 

Micca

SAHG: Stay At Home Grandfather

Joined

Dec 5, 2000

• Sep 1, 2015

• #6

We're taking a couple of granddaughters for their first trip next year. They will be 3 1/2 and almost 5. I don't think there's a great deal of difference between boys & girls at this age (with the exception of maybe dressing like princesses). I'm thinking we'll be spending a lot of time doing meet & greets at MK, not sure about where we'll be height-wise at that point. Looking forward to the suggestions!

 

wanderlust7

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 10, 2015

• Sep 1, 2015

• #7

My son was 5 when we went. He doesn't like thrill rides or characters, so he might be a little atypical, but his favorites (probably in this order) were:
- Winter Summerland mini golf
- Agent P's World Showcase Adventure in Epcot (like a scavenger hunt with special effects)
- Toy Story Midway Mania (HS)
- Design your own car and other activities at the exit of Test Track in Epcot (the ride itself was too fast for him).
- Tomorrowland Speedway (MK)

DD (2 at the time) likes characters, so we went to Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary, which is very convenient from BLT. The Disney Junior Dance Party (HS) only during evening EMH is also great - uncrowded and free balloon animals (or pirate sword or space gun).

 

skorpie

Love the magic

Joined

Sep 4, 2000

• Sep 3, 2015

• #8

These are great recommendations! I didn't even think of Tomorrow land Speedway! I can see us spending time at the Honey I Shrunk playground. I guess we'll just have to try some of the thrill rides and see how he does! Thanks!

 

keishashadow

Proud Redhead...yes, I have some bananas!

Joined

Dec 30, 2004

• Sep 4, 2015

• #9

can't wait to take my just 5 yo GD down in November. Her 1st visit was before 2nd BD and a park regular.

She went into princess overload last year, highlight of her trip was being tall enough to ride ToT, repeatedly. 7DMR was another hit along w/barnstormer coaster, While there revisit dumbo while in the area. 2 thumbs up for shorter lines now hat tee are two.

She was talked into the pirate makeover in lieu of BBB. Many of the boys seemed to enjoy that experience. The Jedi thing @ MGM is another of her favs. Anna & Elsa in MK is always swamped, easier to do the Belle Meet & Greet (and more interesting as to audience participation.

I thought Typhoon Lagoon would be a big hit but...waves too strong for her and she mised height requirements on many things.

was happy to be asked to buy an new Elsa gown this year = character meal! Mickey's @ CR, GG @ Epcot or Crystal Palace @ MK were favs of my DSs

enjoy!

 

3 Hobbits 2 Disney

Working Our Way Home

Joined

Jan 26, 2005

• Sep 4, 2015

• #10

So my DD @ 5 did not like the rides that "talked" to her or that were too dark so Haunted Mansion, POTC, and Jungle Cruise (???) were not for her. She loved the roller coasters, Dumbo, Carousel, and the safari in AK. Ariel's ride is lovely and the Tiki Room is fun. Enjoy!

 

jesster

Mouseketeer

Joined

Jul 30, 2013

• Sep 6, 2015

• #11

Just back from a trip with a five-year-old boy. Something that I may have overlooked in my planning (oops) were the play areas for younger kids - he wanted to play at every one he saw! Top three were: the inside play area before riding Dumbo (definitely plan time to let him explore there even if you don't have to wait for the ride - it's really well done! my guy must have spent 20 minutes playing at least, I think he liked that more then riding Dumbo), the play area as you exit Splash Mountain (this is kind of hidden and off to the side but he saw it and took off, and there were lots of other kids his age to play with), and Casey's JR Splash and Soak (go prepared with a spare set of clothes or trunks to change into before letting him loose in there! Really nice bathrooms right behind that area ). He also wanted to play in the Bone Yard in Dinoland at AK but we were caught in a downpour and missed this one.

When my oldest was younger he also liked the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area at DHS but that one made me nervous because I thought it was difficult to keep an eye on him in there!

Also my 5 y/o loves meeting characters. He'd met the stuffed characters numerous times on two previous trips (Mickey, Pooh, etc) but this time we met Tinker Bell and had such a great time with her - he couldn't stop talking about how nice she was, how sparkly (body glitter lol) - it was such a different experience for him meeting a face character.

As for rides, at MK I'd definitely plan on:
Astro Orbiter
Tomorrowland Speedway - FP (boring line for LOs!)
People Mover
Buzz
Dumbo
Peter Pan - FP
Pooh
Ariel
Teacups
Magic Carpets
...but I'd suggest you try out 7DMT (w/FP!) or the Barnstormer before BTMR. I didn't think of it because everyone else in our family loves BTMR but it was too dark and too loud right at the start for our 5-year-old. He also really hated Haunted Mansion. Splash Mountain mine liked to watch but didn't want to ride himself (thank goodness for the playground there!).

 

Last edited: Sep 6, 2015

moericus

Mouseketeer

Joined

Dec 29, 2010

• Sep 8, 2015

• #12

Designing a car at Test Track was easily my 5 year old son's favorite thing to do in all of WDW. Second was probably the Pirate’s Treasure maps in Adventureland. Third was probably Big Thunder Railroad and the Train rides in general.

On our last day I told him we would wake up early and go to whatever ride he wanted in whichever park. He chose Test Track again and he loved it again, even though the ride broke down about half way through it and we sat for 10 minutes. He didn't care because his daddy took him to his favorite ride one more time.

I also highly recommend Carousel of Progress for all toddlers and young kids. It is a nice cool relaxing ride in the middle of a busy day that resets their mood with a few quirky laughs.

 

J

jo-jo

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 28, 2011

• Sep 8, 2015

• #13

My granddaughter spent a good 1/2 hr watching lizards run up and down trees in Epcot. She also enjoyed the band at Germany. I went down to the floor with her and was spinning her around and another little girl looked at me like "is it my turn yet".


How about roasting marsh mellows at BLT? I would bring along crackers and chocolate to make smores.

 

D

Dean Marino

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jun 3, 2015

• Sep 8, 2015

• #14

skorpie said:

DH and I (grandparents) are taking our 5 yr. old grandson to WDW March 2016. We will be staying at BLT. Since we are a family of mostly girls, what activities should we plan for a boy? He knows all the Disney characters and really wants to see Mickey. What character meals, attractions at each park or special events would a 5 yr. old really like? I just want to be prepared when the time comes to do FP and ADR's. Thanks!

Click to expand...

The part I LOVE... you are grandparents, and all you want to do is to make this child happy . How I WISH I had Grandparents like you when I was 11 (1963) . Kudos to you .

Now, Pirates (if open) is more "boy centric". But I suspect that, just like the girls, he would enjoy a character meal at CRT. Before the age of 8 or so, "boys" don't tend to have a lot of social stigmas about doing "girl" things. Yes, after that, we tend to get ruined.

There are MANY activities at MK that are totally gender neutral.... Wishes', a "big boys dinner" at a Signature Restaurant... think less "boy" than "child" - you have a great opportunity to just take a CHLD to the most perfect place you can take him/her. Your timing is absolutely perfect . He isn't so much a "boy" yet as he is a child.... Disney's specialty

 

skorpie

Love the magic

Joined

Sep 4, 2000

• Sep 9, 2015

• #15

Thank you Dean Marino for the lovely post. DH and I are really getting excited to take our grandson. Staying at BLT is also a good decision for us. I cannot wait till I can make all the ADL's and other reservations. Keep all ideas coming! Thanks.

 

gdrj

Boardwalk owner since 1999

Joined

Jan 13, 2012

• Sep 9, 2015

• #16

I'm sure he will have a great time as will you. I'm going to go in an opposite direction. Slow it down a bit. If you look at MK from the perspective of 36 inches (or so), he will love it all. First off if its his first trip it is all new to him so everything will be exciting.

1-The WDW Railroad is simple, and what little boy doesn't like trains.
2-Even the people mover (if you need some shade and calm time (for you! not him) can be fun.
3-The speedway is a great suggestion (as an adult who drives in traffic all the time, I dont like it) kids seem to love
4-Downtime at the pool.
5-Fort Wilderness- take a boat from Contemporary go have breakfast over there, and visit the horses afterwards.

To me spending time with his Grandparents and doing things with them is what he will remember about the trip. Sure, you will go on rides that others have suggested, but just enjoy some family time (even a boat rental!)
The things that my grown kids speak about after many trips to Disney, are the small things, the fun at the pool, the bike rides, the miniature golf, not the 10th time they went to the Haunted Mansion.

 

skorpie

Love the magic

Joined

Sep 4, 2000

• Sep 22, 2015

• #17

Been a while since I have been on the boards. Again, great suggestions! I never even thought to just going over to Ft Wilderness and see the horses! Actually, haven't been there for a meal at the restaurant! It could be an entire day of fun at the Fort!