DCA: preschooler (4 and a half) must-do rides

[Sophie_2003]

OK, now I am working on a DCA plan. I know at DLR we will do all of Fantasyland, Space, Splash, etc. My kid is a daredevil who enjoyed ToT at DHS in Florida. What would our must-see attractions be at DCA?

She is 43 inches tall, if that helps any. I am guessing we will have an afternoon at DCA Friday the 7th and a few hours on Saturday the 8th.

tks for any advice about what your preschooler likes

 

[DTDkettleCORNfan]

My daughter is also 4 1/2. Last year she was just a wee bit too short to ride the Mulholland Madness coaster (it has a 42" height requirement), so I know she will be super excited to ride that one this year. Sounds like your little one would love it!

Last year the big ride was the jumpin' jellyfish, which she was too short for on the previous trip. Its mellow, but she loved it.

We all really enjoy the Redwood Creek Brother Bear area. It full of fun things to climb on. Plus they have a really great rope swing thing (firejumpers - or something like that). We would never miss exploring this area.

Have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[Disneylvrforever]

I think that all of the rides in A Bug's Land, Monster's Inc. in Hollywood Pictures Backlot, Jumpin' Jellyfish, TSMM, Golden Zephyr & King Triton's Carousel in Paradise Pier she can do for sure.
If you plan on getting wet, then GRR is fun. If she's 43", then she should also be able to do Mulholland Madness, ToT, and Soarin'.
Then there's the other attractions like the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in the Golden State, Muppet Vision 3D and Disney Animation in Hollywood Pictures Backlot, and It's Tough to be a Bug in A Bug's Land that she might like.

 

[DahliaRW]

My 3 1/2 year old absolutely loved Soarin'. I think he went on it 3 or 4 times. Other than that the only other things at DCA he really enjoyed were Muppet 3D and tower of terror. He was too short for MM, but dh and I went on it and thought it was really lame and very jerky (hurt our bodies!)

 

[CrazyDuck]

She'll be able to do Grizzly River Run too!

 

[bumbershoot]

It's all been covered.


Except for the water play stuff in bug's land. If she likes water and you're OK with her getting wet, bring an entire new outfit for DCA, including underwear, socks, and shoes, and bring a towel. The water play areas are great fun, especially the one right near the bathrooms in bug's land, and DS is routinely a Bad Influence On Other Children (as am I b/c I allow it) b/c he gets absolutely totally completely DRENCHED in that area.

But by gum does he sleep WELL that night!!!!!

 

[Sophie_2003]

Thank you all. And yes she enjoys getting wet, it depends how hot it will be in early November!

 

[bumbershoot]

Thank you all. And yes she enjoys getting wet, it depends how hot it will be in early November!

I'm trying to remember if DS had playtime during our December trip last year. I do remember that December was actually warmer on some days than our September trip! And of course "cold" in southern CA is a bit different than "cold" in western Washington, and I'm going to make an assumption that even my idea of cold is different from yours.

That said, they *might* not have the water on if it is cold, so don't give her expecations about the water areas...just be prepared if it is. I always get major bonus points from hubby and son when I'm prepared for something like that, it's like a huge surprise that DS can do something but not have to suffer any consequences (like freezing b/c of no extra clothes).

 

[Sophie_2003]

I'm trying to remember if DS had playtime during our December trip last year. I do remember that December was actually warmer on some days than our September trip! And of course "cold" in southern CA is a bit different than "cold" in western Washington, and I'm going to make an assumption that even my idea of cold is different from yours.

That said, they *might* not have the water on if it is cold, so don't give her expecations about the water areas...just be prepared if it is. I always get major bonus points from hubby and son when I'm prepared for something like that, it's like a huge surprise that DS can do something but not have to suffer any consequences (like freezing b/c of no extra clothes).

I always amaze my DH too for thinking ahead. I have a backpack filled with snacks, water, clothes, crayons and books...He says it's a magic bag because I always have what we need. And he laughs at me for continuously planning whatever vacation we go on next!!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Isn't it a fun feeling to be able to pull something out of your bag/purse that is exactly what is needed? I was able to do that just recently, though I can't remember what it was or what the moment was about. My son gets this wide-eyed look and the last time I think he actually gasped in amazement, and hubby just smiles.

Hubby HATES saying "no" to DS b/c his parents always said no, even if they had the money for whatever it was. And I say "no" relatively often, b/c even with a brand new item in his arms, DS will see something else and want that, too (yes, Disneyland and DCA are absolute hell in terms of that, and it's a reason I don't like staying on site b/c of all the trips through DTD). Yesterday he chanted "I want to go to the toy store" for almost an hour during a walk, then became hysterical when we got home b/c we hadn't gone to the toy store. Hubby almost gave in, wanting to go to the consignment store for a less expensive toy! Augh! (we just bought him a toy last week for no reason, so he's not deprived)

So when I CAN say yes to an item or an experience, hubby loves it.

 

[Sophie_2003]

Isn't it a fun feeling to be able to pull something out of your bag/purse that is exactly what is needed? I was able to do that just recently, though I can't remember what it was or what the moment was about. My son gets this wide-eyed look and the last time I think he actually gasped in amazement, and hubby just smiles.

Hubby HATES saying "no" to DS b/c his parents always said no, even if they had the money for whatever it was. And I say "no" relatively often, b/c even with a brand new item in his arms, DS will see something else and want that, too (yes, Disneyland and DCA are absolute hell in terms of that, and it's a reason I don't like staying on site b/c of all the trips through DTD). Yesterday he chanted "I want to go to the toy store" for almost an hour during a walk, then became hysterical when we got home b/c we hadn't gone to the toy store. Hubby almost gave in, wanting to go to the consignment store for a less expensive toy! Augh! (we just bought him a toy last week for no reason, so he's not deprived)

So when I CAN say yes to an item or an experience, hubby loves it.

We are so much alike in this family!!! Whenever Dh is with DD for a few days (when I travel for work or go on weekend trips), they always end up at the dollar store. We went to WDW last week, and since she cannot count $$$ yet, we say she can buy 1 item a day. But whenever she asks for something else, poor DH has such a hard time saying no, it's almot funny...not!!!

And everyday I pick her up from preschool, she asks where are we oing...when I say "home", she begs for Walmart, Dollar store, any store! aaaaaaaaaaaa! And she is soooo not deprived!

 

[Brady's Mom]

I have a 4 and 6 yr DS. On our last trip in March DS 4 was a little too short for somethings, but DS 6 who is sooo not a daredevil tried some new things.

He love, love, loved, Mulholland Madness. I have never heard him chuckle so much as I did when I rode that with him. I hate the ride, but will ride it countless times just to hear him laugh. DH took him on Grizzly River Run and said he chuckled the whole time on that ride also. We went in March, so we had ponchos and it was sooo fun to see him on the raft at the end of the ride, right near the geyser, with this huge smile on his face. There was no line, so they rode it about 3 or 4 time in a row.

One of our families favorite rides is Soarin'. My 2 little boys think it is really cool to fly like a hang glider. DS 4 (then 3) was so excited that he could finally ride it. He is looking forward to trying some of the rides his older bro. loves to ride. (GRR and MM)

Teach your daughter how to stand up tall at the measuring sticks. We worked with DS 4 to teach him before we went last time. Kids can be so accommodating that they will slouch so the CM can get their hand under the bar and then they don't get to ride.

We also love Bug's Land and spend a lot of time there. Tuck and Roll's drive 'em buggies (bumper cars) are a little boy fave in our family! And my favorite picture of our first trip to Cali. Adventure is my Chinese DH and our 4 boys in the Chinese takeout box in Flix Flyer's.