Daughter's first trip, tips?

[Bricket]

My 4yr old is so excited for her first Disney World experience this October...do any of you have advice for magical moments? Pixie dust? Meeting Donald Duck (her all time fave)? Pictures?

Just looking for anything and everything to make her first time as special as possible.

I just looked through these pics and cried my eyes out at the possibilities for Harper's first trip:
http://capturingmagic.me/photopass-magic-shots

 

[Alesia]

My 4yr old is so excited for her first Disney World experience this October...do any of you have advice for magical moments? Pixie dust?

Here's my advice: stop looking for ways to orchestrate magic - just let it happen. If you get wrapped up in your pre-conceived notions, you'll miss the real magic.

 

[PurpleKomodo]

We met Donald in Mexico at EPCOT is his Fiesta get-up. It was super fun and not as long of a wait as the Character Spot and the pictures are super cute! We also did a really simple welcome gift from Disney Floral and Gifts that included mickey ears that had his name on them. He loved it!

 

[dallastxcpa]

Don't forget, if you have a chase Disney debit or credit card you can meet characters at that location also.

 

[rwdavis2]

Here's my advice: stop looking for ways to orchestrate magic - just let it happen. If you get wrapped up in your pre-conceived notions, you'll miss the real magic.

This is exactly what I was going to say. Don't over think it. Just go with the flow and let DD have a great time. You don't want to over plan with a 4yo.

 

[kelmcg]

Donald is my favorite also!! Last November we saw him 3 different times. Twice we were at Character Meals.....Chef Mickey's and Tusker House. Then we saw him by the Dinosaur ride in Animal Kingdom.

 

[Vincent405]

This is exactly what I was going to say. Don't over think it. Just go with the flow and let DD have a great time. You don't want to over plan with a 4yo.

I gotta say, I have a different take on this. We took my dd when she was 4 almost 5. Unplanned things may come along and be "magical" during your time there, (the White Rabbit came up behind us and grabbed my DD hand and started dancing with her and took her to his meet and greet spot 15 ft away) but there are things that can be planned also.

I think advice for magical moments would include character meals, eating b'fast at Tusker House gets a good meet with Donald. Other character meals would bring easy character meeting and can be magical. Eat lunch in Norway at Epcot and meet many princesses and have a separate picture with Belle. At 4, my DD thought getting pixie dust (glitter) sprinkled on her at the store behind the castle was magical. Having a wake up call from mickey was magical to her.

So, while unplanned things can come along, attempting to plan some works also.

 

[roxymama]

The Big-Top area of the Magic Kingdom by New Fantasyland has a building where you can enter one door to meet Goofy and Donald and one door to meet Minnie and Daisy. We were with my 1 year old (almost two) and went fairly early in the morning between our two fast pass times for fantasyland attractions. There was hardly any line, maybe five families in front of us. And you can see the characters while you are in line. So your kid has some moments to warm up to who they are meeting. I couldn't reccommend it more for toddlers. We only have gone in the morning, so I cannot speak for lines in the afternoon/evening.
We also really enjoyed the Talking Mickey at his Main Street theatre location.

Her favorite thing though was sitting on benches and other "big-girl" places with her Nana and Pawpaw and sharing snacks while we took breaks. So sometimes it really isn't even attractions the little ones will love the best, but just the atmosphere.

 

[Shellyb84]

I agree that a lot of the magic happens unplanned, but there are ways to plan to make it special also.

We went to Party City and got a bunch of Disney party favors (bracelets, goo, pencils, etc). My husband would "forget something" and go back to the room and leave one out each day. We brought Mickey and Minnie stuffed toys from home, and everyday when we returned from the parks, they were sitting on my 5 year old daughter's bed with a surprise. It thrilled her. She thought they magically went out everyday to find a gift for her. It was one of the best parts for her and hardly cost anything!

Also, make sure to note on your reservation that you are celebrating her first trip, and get a button when you check in to your resort. If her birthday is within a month or two before or after your trip, note that as well and she will get a lot of extra attention as well with a birthday button.

She also really enjoyed the wake up calls from Baymax.

 

[PurpleKomodo]

We did a similar thing with the little gifts. We put them out at night in a sparkly box and a note from Tink. DS thought Tinkerbell flew into our room each night to leave him a surprise. He even thanked her for them when we met her!

 

[wdwjeffc37]

I would be careful to not over plan the first couple of days of your trip. Let your DD explore at her own pace the first day especially at the MK. It can be overwhelming especially if you are rushing past things to get to an attraction for a FP+. Let her walk down Main Street taking things in on her own. Seeing her reaction to the castle was the best thing when we took our DD when she was 5. After your DD has become more acclimated to the parks then you can get on a touring plan that has her interests in mind and get those things done. If she is a princess fan consider doing a character meal. CRT and Akershus will get you princess interactions. Tusker House at AK will have Donald as well as all of the other main characters.

Remember, midday breaks (naps) can make the difference for little ones. Nothing is worse that Disney burn out in the evening. Also, make sure she is eating and drinking enough. It is easy to forget when there is so much going on. Bring snacks and drinks to have when waiting in line.

Have a great trip. Cheers!!!!!

 

[mesaboy2]

We met Donald in Mexico at EPCOT is his Fiesta get-up. It was super fun and not as long of a wait as the Character Spot and the pictures are super cute! We also did a really simple welcome gift from Disney Floral and Gifts that included mickey ears that had his name on them. He loved it!

Since Donald does not meet at Epcot Character Spot, that would be a pretty long wait.

 

[5kidsmommy]

The trips that I planned the least for were when my kids were little. Plans with little ones always seem to go awry. I would though maybe plan a character meal, perhaps a late breakfast or an early dinner. Do your fast passes but don't worry about getting the must haves. Just enjoy the magic, she isn't able to go on these boards so she won't know just how much there is. She will just enjoy being there. Have fun! 4 is a fun age for Disney.

 

[jmccoy18]

I'm so excited for your DD!! Planning first trips are so much fun! I am in the beginning stges of planning DD2's first trip when she turns 2 .

I think a character meal is a must at that age and a great way to meet the characters without having to wait in line or take away time from riding rides. Our favorite is Chef Mickey's. My profile pic is of DD1 on her first trip at CM and that moment right there where she was so happy to see Minnie and kissed her on the nose was worth every penny we spent on our trip.

I also agree that taking a break in the middle of the day is a must (for adults and kids!) Unless you are only going for one day. It is nice to rest during the heat of the day, especially if you have been up early for RD, and recharge so you are ready to go and making it to the fireworks is no big deal.

 

[RustManFan]

just don't go overboard with planned activities or events or they will probably be expected EVERY visit! I have read about many spoiled kids on these boards and then expectations just get bigger and bigger!

At 4 the visit to WDW should be amazingly magical just watching it unfold through her eyes!

 

[ruthies12]

A couple things I highly recommend that have already been mentioned but are worth repeating- plan lots of snacks and drinks throughout the day every day. If you are flying down check out one of the grocery delivery places to save some money. letting them get dehydrated or hungry is a quick way to crankiness.

The very first morning at MK- don't rush in! Make sure you don't plan any fastpasses or rides for right away, give yourself time to make your way down main street slowly. I still remember when my dd was 5 and the first thing she saw was the person holding the giant bunch of balloons. She wanted a balloon right away of course but I rushed her past to get to my premade plan and she was so disappointed. I did buy her a balloon later in the day, but it wasn't the same, I think it would have been better if I hadn't been so rushed.

 

[Karin1984]

If I may advice on Tusker House, get one of the latest times you can get for an early dinner (we had 4:50). As it was also the last shift for the characters, which I think caused the characters being very active. The restaurant was very empty and Donald and Daisy were having a ball interacting with each other.

Have your daughter take a selfie with Donald.

 

[Bricket]

Such wonderful advice from each and every one of you, thank you so much!

 

[nilla]

FP+, and come up with good touring plans so you can minimize the time spent waiting in queues. 4-year-olds can be impatient

 

[JennyDrake]

SLOW DOWN. Don't over schedule. Build in midday breaks whether she likes it or not. Try to keep with regular bedtime and wake up time as much as possible. Mornings (rope drop) at MK are the best! Rope drop is your best friend regardless of when you go--you acn get so much done with lighter crowds in the mornings.

Finally, if there is a morning she is whiny, tired and cranky--LET HER SLEEP IN. WDW is SO overstimulating and it's so tempting to push and press on to get everything in.