4 year old vs 5 year old?

[Forevryoung]

I have to make a decision and soon!

There are some really good deals out for Disney in May. I will be done with school by then for the last time in my life (will be working in a school district next year).

I want to take my cousin to Disney but I was going to wait until she was 5 or nearly 5 (next year). However, should I jump at the chance to take a great trip with her now (like $1,500 including flight and meal plan with AP discount) or do I stick with my original plan?

She isn't that adventurous right now but height wouldn't be an issue either (she is tall!)

If I wait till next year, I will be taking her on a school break or over the summer. If I go now, I won't be getting those great character meal ADRs!

 

[all4fun]

I'll be the little devil on the shoulder telling you to go now. I think you'll find even if she doesn't want to go on some of the more "adventurous" attractions you will still have plenty to do. Plus it may be less crowded than going during a school break time.

hth

 

[TheDizMom]

I have a not so adventurous DD. We took her for the first time at 4 1/2 and though over all she did fine, she was scared to death of the characters, any of the 3-D things and freaked out going onto half the rides because they were dark, and anything loud drove her to tears. That being said we were able to make it work and she loved the trip . We did a lot of coaxing and separated at times when we just couldn't get her to do something her brother wanted to do. We only took her to princess meet and greets (she wasn't afraid of them) and at character meals we just made sure the character knew as soon as they approached our table that they shouldn't try to touch her and always kept one of us between her and the character for pictures . When we went last year for her 6th birthday she was totally fine except in a few instances.

I think you really need to talk to her parents and see what they think, and even if this is a great deal, go with their feelings on this one. You also need to consider at her age is she going to be ok without mom and dad for several days or would she be better off in another year . If they think it will work then go for it. It's a great deal .

 

[Forevryoung]

I think you really need to talk to her parents and see what they think, and even if this is a great deal, go with their feelings on this one. You also need to consider at her age is she going to be ok without mom and dad for several days or would she be better off in another year . If they think it will work then go for it. It's a great deal .

Thanks!

She's great without her parents and has traveled a lot (Paris, Miami... etc ). She loves sleepovers and has never had an issue during any of them that a quick phone call couldn't fix Her parents have gone away for a week and left her with family so a short trip without them wouldn't phase her.

I'm going to talk to her parents tomorrow and see what they say- I think waiting till 5 might make the trip more enjoyable from her end.

 

[JodyLynC]

My girls will be 5, but not in Kindergarten yet. One of the reasons we chose this year was because they weren't in school yet. We figured next year would be more difficult to go. I have a co-worker who is going this year with her 4yo for the same reason.

My girls first went when they were 2.5 and loved it. They are thrilled to be going back.

 

[asktriplets]

i second the idea that it is easier to take the kids without the hassle of the school schedule.

also, i'm not sure about other kids, but i have REALLY noticed a difference in my kids' ability to "accept" the magic as they get older (and i'm not sure how much of it is only because they are getting older, or if it is a combination of that and the fact that they've been enough times to start "figuring things out", like the fact that some of the characters have velcro up their backs, and how can Mickey be at WDW and at Disneyland?, etc)

age 3 was great for us with that but the questioning has REALLY been noticable since the kids turned 4 1/2. still fabulous, fabulous trips, but a very different kind of trip from when they were younger.

my vote? go for it now!

if you aren't sure what she'll be comfortable with (and if she is hesitant/timid in addition to not being a risk-taker), consider taking head phones or ear plugs...this makes a HUGE difference in my kids' ability to enjoy the attractions without being freaked out by the noise. also, we take glow sticks and start them each morning. the kids can always hold on to their glow stick in their lap if they are hesitant about low lighting, and that helps make them feel more in control, too.

have fun, whatever you decide!

 

[HeatherSue]

I don't think her reactions to things will be much different when she is 5. If she is afraid of things, or not very adventurous at 4, she probably will be the same way at 5. So, I would go now!! Kids change a lot between 3 and 4, but not so much between 4 and 5. I agree that their ability to accept "the magic" dissapears the older they get.

Take advantage of the low crowds and deals in May. Don't wait until you have to go during a break from school, when it will be crowded!

 

[Forevryoung]

Ok, I spent the day with her today and the two of us had a blast- she invited me to sleep over and I invited her to see "Horton Hears a Who" in 2 weeks

She really is a great kid. She's still 3, won't turn 4 until the middle of April but I easily forget that (so do most people who meet her, it's like talking to an adult sometimes Like tonight leaving dinner: "Papa, do you remember who Dizzy Gillespie is?" )

She already "knows" about the characters- she saw mickey and minnie at EuroDisney and her dad told her so she "wouldn't be scared" So the magic at that point is sort of lost... however I told her today that when I was there in January, Minnie asked how she was doing and she believed me (I have to try to keep the magic!!)

I'm going to talk to her parents about making the trip in May, I just don't know the best way to approach the subject.

 

[kileybeth]

oh my! we have long considered 4 to be the perfect park age. that said we've had adventurous ones and scardy cats as well. Both enjoyed their time! We went last year with our then 2year 4 month old and she adored the characters and feared nothing. We are heading down in a couple weeks and she will be just a few month shy of 3. Now she is telling me she doens't want to hug Mickey b/c he is to big and scares her! go figure. maybe her 5 year old brother has been chatting her up! He loves monsters and his ability to understand they are not real! and yet at 5? He is still into the magic big time. Thinks Mickey and characters know he is coming, there, bring him suprises to his room. . .

go now! and then go back next year! perfect solution.