Disney with a 4 1/2 old i need help!!

[MICKEY1024]

Okay so I and going to disney in april with my cousin and her son who will be 4 1/2. They both have never been to disney and actually really dont know that much about it, or what is all there and stuff beside mickey. I have been last year and a few years ago so i am incharge of planning everything, The problem is that i am 22 and have only been to disney with my Dbf who is 23, so i have nooo clue at all about taking a little kid there. I need help! What parks do you go to, what do they like best, what rides, reasturants, water park??? Please help!

 

[momtomatthew]

We took DS- also 4- and he loved everything (except Fantasmic). He loved all the parks (we didn't do water parks) and seeing all the characters. His favorite meal was Chef Mickey's. His favorite rides were Test Track, Thunder Mountain Railroad, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Indy Speedway, and Nemo and Friends. Basically let them guide you- you'll quickly learn what they like and what they don't like.

Overall- HAVE FUN! It's a great age to take them and just watch their faces light up!

 

[MickeyMom2Boys]

We took my son in Februrary at 4 1/2 years old. Basically, he loved everything! He rode all the rides he was tall enough for (which really only leaves out a few). We visited all 4 parks and he loved them all. He loved seeing the characters and getting their autographs. He enjoyed the shows, but sometimes the down time would give him an opportunity to take a quick nap (which wasn't a bad thing). He and my 1 year old also enjoy watching the parades. Honestly I think this is a great age to go because there is so much there for them.

Feel free to PM me and I can give you a list of attractions that he liked from each park.

 

[squirrel]

If you have hoppers and he wakes up early enough-do the park with the EMH and get in some of the rides before the crowds arrive. This is really good in Fantasyland. The wait times are so long for the kid rides. Then leave around 11 or 12 and hit another park.

If you don't have hoppers then avoid the park with the EMH and visit another park and try to be there at RD.

If you do some Character Meals then you can save some time waiting to meet characters in the park. Chef Mickeys, Donald's Breakfast in AK, etc.

Bring a stroller or rent. He may not need one the whole time but it will make life so much nicer when he is not so grumpy.

Take breaks in the afternoon-doesn't mean that you leave the park every day, if you do some shows in air-conditioning (he might fall asleep).

 

[vcgirl925]

Of course MK is number one!

I'll pretend the kid your taking is much like my 4.5 year old. Mine isn't afraid of any rides.

Musts:


Buzz lightyear space ranger spin
Goofy's barnstormer
Monsters inc laugh floor
Indy speedway (lame for us by the kids like it)
Tea cups
Winnie the pooh
Characters in toontown
A ride on the train
Pooh's playful spot and ariels grotto
Peter pan
It's a small world
Snow white (if they aren't scared)
Mickey's philharmagic
Dumbo
Haunted mansion
Tom sawyer island if you have time
Splash and Thunder mountain
Magic carpets of aladdin
Jungle cruise
Pirates

 

[jj1403]

Go to the DisneyWorld park site.. You can specifically pick the fun for little ones link to find out what kind of attractions and other things to do with a kid.

I would get a stroller.
http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/kids.htm

Check out this link from Allearsnet.com

 

[mom2aredhead]

We've gone several times with my son who was 4.5 on our last trip.

Here's his list of favorites...

Restaurants:
Chef Mickey's
Donald's Safafi breakfast
Rainforest Cafe


Attractions:
Magic Kingdom - honestly, pretty much the whole park minus the "girly princess stuff"

Epcot - Test Track, Nemo ride, Turtle Talk w/Crush, Innoventions and Soarin'

Hollywood Studios - He didn't love Fantasmic...too many villans I guess. And he rode ToT and claims to have liked it, (brave front for his Dad I think) but he was definitely freaked out and was a little skittish about the next few rides. He liked the great movie ride, lights motors action, the new playhouse disney show, star tours and the block party bash

Animal Kingdom - we didn't get on Kali, but he probably would've liked it. He LOVED the Safari, the Lion King show, Nemo show, and pretty much any animal related thing in the park like the Pangani trail and the other one in Asia. He also had a great time running around in the boneyard while we waited for his dad to get done on EE.

 

[wrighter]

First, let me start by saying I think it is awesome you're going out of your way to make sure their trip is as awesome as the ones you take on your own. Not many people would be looking for stuff to do with a preschooler.

Second, you have definitely come to the right place! Keep reading the family board - it's insane the amount of information you'll pick up. Even if it's just filed away in your brain, it will be useful when you get there.

Third, something I did with my DS was sit down at the computer, get on Youtube and watch videos of the rides and shows. This got him all excited, and when he got there he had some idea of what was going on around him.

Fourth, if you're looking for a great Christmas gift for him or your cousin (or both) you could give them the Birnbaum Guides Walt Disney World for Kids. (I paid $13 for mine at Barnes and Noble - in the US travel section with the eight million other Disneyworld Guides.) It's small, and definitely gives a kids' view of the place. You could get it, read it through yourself and take notes, then give it to them. That way all of you have some idea of what you want to do, etc.

 

[Becca_Rose]

First, let me start by saying I think it is awesome you're going out of your way to make sure their trip is as awesome as the ones you take on your own. Not many people would be looking for stuff to do with a preschooler.

Second, you have definitely come to the right place! Keep reading the family board - it's insane the amount of information you'll pick up. Even if it's just filed away in your brain, it will be useful when you get there.

Third, something I did with my DS was sit down at the computer, get on Youtube and watch videos of the rides and shows. This got him all excited, and when he got there he had some idea of what was going on around him.

Fourth, if you're looking for a great Christmas gift for him or your cousin (or both) you could give them the Birnbaum Guides Walt Disney World for Kids. (I paid $13 for mine at Barnes and Noble - in the US travel section with the eight million other Disneyworld Guides.) It's small, and definitely gives a kids' view of the place. You could get it, read it through yourself and take notes, then give it to them. That way all of you have some idea of what you want to do, etc.

I love this idea! I'd been looking for a 'small' book on WDW with kids so I appreciate the recommendation. I'll definitely give Birnbaums a look-through now that I know what to look for in the multitudes!
-BR

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

If you have specific questions...ask away...my DD is 4 1/2. Also feel free to check out my PTR (link on the bottom of my signature). At 4 1/2 there is a LOT more they can't do than can. (For instance, there are only currently 2 rides in all of WDW that DD can't ride!)

 

[Malela9]

My dd has a Disneyland Annual Pass, and has been to WDW twice. We are leaving for WDW again next Sat!
4 1/2 is a great time to take a child because most of them are tall enough to ride most everything. It is like a whole new world is open to us again. Talk to your nephew about the attractions you think might scare him, and show him the ride on You Tube. It is a big help.
You will have to Baby Swap the big rides, but you will be able to go on almost everything. My dd is having a blast going on rides with her big brother and sister now! Good luck and have fun!

 

[momofmickeyfans]

we just returned from our Disney trip, my DS is 5 and my Best Friend's DS is 4 1/2. They are completely different kids, so my son enjoyed things that hers wouldn't dare try.

They both enjoyed character meals - Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace (w/ Winnie the Pooh and friends)
**I found this tip on these boards that said to get an early reservation i.e. before the park opens... for Crystal Palace, and then you are already in the Magic Kingdom and ready to face the day as soon as you finish breakfast.
**It worked for us, we finished breakfast - rode Buzz Lightyear 2x and saw Monsters Inc without any wait at all

They both enjoyed: Magic Kingdom...all the Fantasyland and Toowntown rides, the basic stuff in Tommorrowland, Mickey's Philharmagic 3D show, and Monsters Inc.
Hollywood Studios - Playhouse disney show, HS musical 2 pep rally, TOY STORY MANIA (we had to ride twice ** be sure to get there early, ride, and grab a fastpass to come back again!), Block Party Bash parade, Muppets 3D
Epcot - Nemo, and Turtle Talk w/ Crush, Soarin'

My son is more daring and adventursome...he also enjoyed :
Magic Kingdom - Space Mountain, and Pirates of the Carribean
Hollywood Studios - Motor Cars Stunt show
**he couldn't wait for the next ride...we found that he really enjoyed the rides (more than I anticipated)

Find out for sure if he has fears of objects, fireworks, etc before going and consider that when planning. Also, be prepared to change plans if that occurs during the trip. My friends son has a thing about loud noises and fireworks.......he was not at all interested in those kind of things and protested LOUDLY!

HAVE FUN!!!! 1/2 the fun of our most recent trip was seeing my DS have a great time!

 

[Hubbleo]

Magic Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Magic Kingdom...

Seriously, spend most of your time there..Epcot probably the least..some time at Animal Kingdom if they like animals and some at Hollywood Studios. Blizzard Beach was a big hit with out 4 1/2 year old too.

 

[ktlm]

If you go to touringplans.com for $7.95 you can get a subscription to the website for a year. They give you plans for how to do each park with kids of certain ages- what things to hit- what times etc. I heard about it on one of the threads here which said it was pretty good. I haven't done it yet, but I am going to, since I've never been with a small child and I am going to be soon. I looked at the sample plan they have for small kids (its for AK), and from what I remember of the park, it looked pretty good to me.