another concern

[detective mickey]

as i posted before, our trip is slated to begin shortly. ive got two connecting rooms, one girlfriend(i know she loves disney), her two boys( 4 yo and 18 mo), my 13 yo ds and 16 yo dn. my brother, his dw and 8 yo ds will be in adjoining room.

i've just met the 4 yo last week and had a stay over at my house with my other same age group nephews and nieces. the stayover was successful and the 4yo seemed to enjoy it very much and he and my ds hit it off well.( he has never had a marshmallow roast by the fire and was excited) however he is high strung and seems to need a lot of maintenance time i.e. seems to fear being alone( wants me or his mom to play with him constantly) and takes a lot to keep his attention.this may be due to the divorce anxieties we have all gone thru lately or he is just being a child, but... he has never been to wdw before and i'm worried it may not hold his attention.. im just nervous and wanting this trip to be as special for him as well as every other member of our group... the 18 mo is no problem a stick and some dirt is riveting to him.
i would like to hear from someone with children of this age group so i'll know what activities will make this trip magical for him.(ps. he may be apprehensive about some rides)

 

[foofanella]

Although my older one is a girl and younger is a boy. I seem to have the same problem with my older one - she needs company, can't really play alone. I think it's a function of being the older child and the baby isn't really "company" yet. That being said, my DD would almost ALWAYS rather be with older kids - and whatever they do, she wants to do. So it might not be you that fascinates him, but rather your 2 kids.

Hope this helps!

 

[frstimer128]

Maybe you can suggest that his mom practice giving him some alone time before you go. My DD4 is awesome at playing on her own but I think it may just be her personality. I must say that I absolutely love that she is able to do it so I know how great it is.

Your friends son might need some time to be with someone one-on-one during parts of the day so that he can get that special attention that he is used to.

I would suggest finding things to keep him occupied in lines like playing eye-spy or telling stories.

Also, A stroller might be a good idea for him. From what you've said, it seems like he has the potential to be a bit of a bear if he were tired. My DD, like most kids, get fussy and difficult if they are overstimulated and tired. Sometimes I think she is just being a pain but when I really look at the situation, I can see that she is tired. Also, kids can get a bit wacky if they haven't eaten in a while so make sure he has plenty of opportunities to eat.

Being prepared makes handling a problem so much easier. You'll do great. You have a 13 y/o, so you have a clue...lol

Enjoy your trip!

 

[frstimer128]

Ohh, you know what? My DD4 has some type of reaction to chocolate. She turns into the tazmanian devil...LITERALLY! She spins around the room and acts like a complete lunatic. She just can't control herself and it lasts for around 15 minutes. Sometimes it is hysterical, but I really have to make sure she stays away from it. Nothing else does to to her, just chocolate. So when we are out, she absolutely can not have it. I do let her once in a while if we are home and I am prepared for the tornado.

Food can be a trigger for many kids and it is really hard to figure out what it is or if you child even has this. My SIL finally realized, through the help of the pediatrician, that dairy does the same thing to her son.

I am not suggesting that your friends son has this...just giving a personal experience. It is only something to consider.

 

[stacilee]

mother of 4, 12 time disney veteran.
A baker's dozen of Important parental tips:

1. Don't be a commando. with a group that big you will hate yourself and so will everybody else!
2. Get a stroller or a double since you'll have two little ones- you'll be glad you did, no matter HOW hyper he is, it's a wonder their little legs don't just FALL oFF from all that walking! This way you can bring the diaper bag or a backpack and don't necessarily have to CARRY it all the time.
3. eat meals at times when THEY are used to it. Beat the crowds and "do lunch" around 11 and dinner around 5. virtually no waiting.
4. Ask him what HE wants to do, BUT only offer two choices- otherwise their brain fries and they collapse to the ground in a major meltdown.*you will see this a lot- hopefully it won't be YOUR child doing it*
5. when faced with a decision to go left or right- GO LEFT. Tell him it's a SECRET.
6. Utilize the fastpass system and the baby swap- saves infinite amounts of time and energy.
7. If you're onsite, go back to the hotel after lunch for a swim and a nap. come back to the parks refreshed for the evening. Here the stroller is a real help as those little ones often pass out, aren't they darling when they are asleep?
8. bring earplugs for the fireworks if he is sensitive to noise. Saves him from freaking out. Tell him it will keep him safe.
9. take some bubbles to keep him engaged while waiting in lines (outside of course) If you bring those little bottles of bubbles he can give some to "friends" he meets in line. We have saved many a child from a meltdown with our little bottles of bubbles- every morning load 5-6 bottles in our backpack. The kids stay on the lookout all day for another child that looks like they "could use it".
10. be flexible and don't be afraid to bag some plans. on day 3 you will be at your tired- est - take it easy on that day.
11. take LOTS of pictures, you'll be glad you did.
12. Don't be afraid to just STOP. Sometimes the best moments of our trips are unexpected and unplanned.
13. EVERYBODY needs their MOST comfortable shoes- I'm not kidding on this one. It should have been #1 but I don't have time to go back and change everthing.

Have a great trip.

 

[katgarbars]

Thanks for that GREAT list. I copied it for reference when I go with my family in November; DH, DS/DD (both 7) and myself. It will be our first time with the children and I am always on the lookout for tips.

 

[detective mickey]

ok.. we've planned three off days/do whatever comes to mind days. we've also planned to nap/swim on each park day.
this is the iteniarary(keep in mind i understand all or parts of this are very flexable) and it involves things for all ages

sun- arrive/dtd/disney quest/swim/ ps ohana dinner with fireworks

mon-i planned a winnie character breakfast in mk on mon morning 0800 hrs. mkday

tue - epcot day ps rose&crown for illuminations

wed - off day - ps dinner whispering canyon ( lots of noise, petting zoo etc.)

thur mgm - (lots of kid shows) fantasmic din pak(no wait for kids)

fri - animal kingdom/ boma ps

sat - favorites/dtd home

i think the double stroller is a great idea but gf is afraid it wont steer right and will be too bulky.

4 yo does great when he is preoccupied. when we were inside ready to unwind this week end... tv nor movies kept his attention but i got him paper, sizzors, glue and a magazine, he kept at it for an hour or more.

he is well behaved, inquizitive, friendly and highly intelligent. so the ideas of bubbles and activities during waits (maybe pal mickey or the handheld game) is a great idea.

i can deal because we have time and space... my big angst is ...will he love wdw???? and what can i show him that will help him love it??? have i planned enough???

i hope i have planned well enough to relax and let the pixie dust take over, thats what i hope

 

[BevS97]

I am sure he will love it - 4 is about the perfect age for Disney - still young enough to belive everything, but old enough to go on lots of rides - only the very biggest will be out of his reach - he may even be tall enough for Splash Mountain (my dd was at 4 1/2)

Start with some tame rides and work your way up - he may be a daredevil or he might be timid, it can be hard to predict. My dd was very timid, but by the end of the week she was riding all sorts. Saying that, some of her favorite things weren't rides - things like playing in the fountains at epcot, colouring a mask at epcot, watching the barbershop quartet in MK, take time to stop and do those things rather than rushing from one big ride to the next.
With such a large group it might be an idea to split up, trying to maneurve 8 people through the parks at once is tricky - the teens will have different interests to the younger ones, with the 8 year old going either way. I found my dd loved the attention of kids a few years older, so if the 8 year old is willing to give him some attention then that might work well. In our case, the 8 year old seemed to enjoy having a doting younger one follow them around, so they were both happy

Bev

 

[gigi1313]

i have a very high maintenance ds, thru no fault of his own, it's just how he is wired... he also has some sensitivity to certain stimuli and has a "flip of the switch" personality where he can go from being calm and complacent cuddly bear to grizzly bear in an instant and back again just as quickly... now that he's nearly 8yo, i know most of his triggers, but that doesn't necessarily make it easier...

we took ds (and dd) to wdw when he was 2.5yo... he *LOVED* it! took them again when he was 4.5 yo, again LOVED IT! could not have asked for a better behaved, interested, happy, loving the world boy... ditto for this most recent trip at 7.5yo... there is plenty to do, keep him occupied, interested, etc... since you said he was happy w/paper/scissors/etc, a map of the park can be an amazing tool... just give it to him along w/a pen, and voila, instant activity circling what he likes! same w/disney catalog... even circle the characters he has seen... or find all the mickeys (not even hidden ones! LOL!) as long as he is occupied, rested and fed, i am sure he will be fine...

one thing i recommend NOT doing is making "future" promises... if you say "pool" be prepared to go in the pool ASAP! if you say ice cream, already be on line! the type of child you described will most likely not be good at waiting and likes instant gratification... during your mk day, i recommend tom sawyer's island to run off some "wiggles!"

good luck and enjoy!

 

[detective mickey]

i feel better informed and more at ease. thank you for all the great ideas.

 

[DisneyPhD]

My brothers 4 year old DD is is like that. My own DD can asmuse herself for hours on end. Disney is great for both.

Don't worry, there is no better place for a 4 year old. He won't be bored. But do plan ahead for waiting time (airport or car, lines, waiting for a show ect...) I find the preperations is always good. Kids who know what to expect are more clam. Bring (or saving buying) special treats for good behavior and rewards too. Get him a spinning light toy or soemthing new to amuse him in the stroller at night. Also bring snacks so so have some on hand when hungry and not have to wait in line for food (this will save you money too.)

Also the smallest things can be the biggest hits. When where last year with 3 year old DD and her friend the same age they had a blast playing at ariels grotto and other play ground type places. Be sure to spend some time just hanging out and letting kids be kids.

I have not doubt in my mind at all that he will have enough to keep him occupied and interested.

(and talking about it before and after can be half the fun and keep them busy too.)

 

[frstimer128]

Hey Detective Mickey....I noticed that you are doing the same thing I planned on doing for the first two days. Originally I had a 7 p.m. seating for dinner on our first night and then an 8 a.m. breakfast the next morning. I later realized that being out that late on our first night was going to be a bad idea for us since it will have made for an extremely long day. Plus, we would need to get up at like 6 a.m. to make it to our ps in the morning. I pushed our dinner up so we are eating at 4:30 instead. This will give us an opportunity to go to our room at a reasonable hour. We are lazy bums in the morning but who can pass up CRT?
Enjoy!!

 

[detective mickey]

we will be driving about three hours to wdw from north fl. so the travel wont be bad. we plan on arriving after 1200. gf and 18 mo always get up at 6 am ***every day*** and 4yo wont go to bed until after 9 pm. im kinda hoping to set the mood with the fireworks at ohana. according to the schedule the fireworks are early.

i know mgm, mk and animal kingdom are great for kids but i'm not so sure about epcot. so after rigorous sun and mon schedule, epcot day(tue) could be more relaxed.

gf reminded me yesterday that 4yo is just excited to be going to a "motel" so i'm probably worried for nothing

if any of you cant tell, im in charge of planning tactical operations where i work. so ive got to have a plan in place before i can relax. ive raided crack houses with less planning for crying out loud.

i still dont have a stroller picked out single/double????