Disney with a 4-year

[sweetcheeks]

OK, I know I am talking with real Disney-experts here, so please forgive me this question We are going to Disney at the end of January/beginning of February, and we will be there for 4 full days (6 nights but will arrive late afternoon and leave in middle of the day); 2 adults and our 4 year old. Now, my husband was wondering yesterday if our 4-year old would get a little overloaded or even "bored" by just visiting the Disney parks (please don't rip into me too much ), and that maybe we should plan a day at SeaWorld in the middle. If we do that, then it probably does not make sense for me to get the MYW with Dining option, so I need to decide what to do before I decide on the package. What do you guys think? On one hand I can understand my husband's concern whether there enough variation at Disney that a 4 year old would not feel we are just hopping from one ride to another (even though it is a differently themed ride). But on the other hand, I like the MYW and dining option... Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[jngwright]

We are going with 3 four year olds in 4 weeks. We are staying for 6 nights and are staying on property the whole time. Our feeling is that we won't have to rush all over to see everything and wear the kids out. We plan on going to each park, & also have them scheduled for the Pirate Cruise. We have character dining planned too, in a way that's not high stresss, rush rush. I can't imagine that you will run out of things to do, with the parades, fireworks, stage shows, etc., but it does depend on your child and what they are "in to". Hope this helps!!

Have you and your spouse been to Disney before so you know what to expect? We are beyond excited about our trip!!!

 

[linskypens]

We took our daughter when she was four.We were there in the parks for four days
Between rides, parades, characters, meals, fireworks,shows, hotel pools, and the billion other things you can do in the fabulous world, I think you will be more than happy with the amount of stuff available to you.
Seaworld is cool, but after the dolphins and the whales, what else do you have for your four yr old?
I say stick with Disney.......

 

[MissionMouse]

I do not perceive your child will become overloaded or bored, but you should expect to maintain the same daily routine at WDW. If you child still takes a nap you should do the same at WDW...otherwise you could experience some abnormal behavior in response. Most children at this age love the MK with Fantasyland being at the top of our little girls list.

Children at this age also react to characters, 3-D rides/show, etc differently. Just rememer to take advantage of the ride swap offering for rides you want to ride but your four year old is unable to ride.

Sea World is a great park to visit but with only four full days at WDW I would not expect you will need to do this to relieve bordom. Just don't expect to roam WDW parks in the same manner or pace back when it was just two adults.

Sea World is always a great alternative and typically provides the ability to return on the same ticket within x consecutive number of days

 

[AStamm]

We took our first family vacation to WDW with our then 4 1/2 year old back in 2003. We stayed over a week and only ventured off property once to do Universal Studios. That age was perfect--he was still so innocent (even happily exclaiming that we were IN DISNEY--when we had just gotten off the plane at MCO), didn't need a nap each day, was excited to try every ride, see every show, take his picture with every character, etc. Like the beginning of December when we took our first trip, I would imagine that late January/early February will mean the parks close relatively early and you'll be able to get a great nights sleep.

As you can see from my tag, we got bit by the WDW bug back on that first trip. Good luck to you!

 

[suffolkprincess]

We are going to be landing at MCO in.... maybe... 60+ odd hours? And I am excited! Our group os DH, myself, and DD4. We went last year at exactly the same time of year with DD as a three year old.

Lets me preface my comments by saying that my daughter is very easygoing and, because she is an only, very used to adults and the company of adults. I think that temperment has a LOT to do with Disney enjoyment at these younger ages.

We were there for 6 nights last time and had 5 and a half park days. We spent one day at Sea World. We absolutely loved Sea World and it was more engaging in some ways than Disney was for my daughter. Partly because she just loves sea life and fishing, and partly because of the interactive areas they have (feeding rays and dolphins in particular.) We had a wonderfully good meal there, too, although it was very pricey (in the Shark place.) She lost interest in Shamu about halfway thru, but she liked most everything else. There weren't, at that time, many rides for her. But that was ok, she liked the sightseeing and the feeding animals stuff. They also had a large playground area that she really loved. So, I wouldn't say no to going there, but... you don't have much time with only 4 days. And I think you *need* 4 days: because...

My daughter liked everything better the SECOND time she did it. Now, some of this was being 3, but I know this summer as a 4 year old she felt the same way at Busch Gardens and at the Peanut Festival. She wanted to do everything again. There is a real element of mastery involved with them at Disney I think-- the rides can be intimidating, even the character interactions can be a challenge. My daughter loves to do something that second time, when she *really* gets it.

Also-- Disney won't seem monotonous to your daughter, because the attractions are REALLY different. Its not the fair, or even Busch Gardens, where the rides are all pretty much the same. Way more than the ride vehicles are different from ride to ride. Sure, Alladdin's carpets and Dumbo are pretty similar, but nothing else is the Pirates of the Caribbean or Small World.

And, there is a LOT to explore between riding rides. Everything is a little adventure of its own! I remember so many cool little surprises everywhere-- fountains and flowers and shops and all kinds of things around every corner.

One of my daughter's best memories, BTW, is of sitting outside of Casey's and listening to the piano player. We sat there for 40 minutes. So, I would not characterize Disney days as "going from ride to ride" if you follow your child's lead and just explore, take it in, and then re-do what you loved (or were afraid of) a second time!

Also-- the difference between Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom is significant! EPCOT is, again, totally different. We never did MGM last time, so I can't speak to that. The energy of each park, the surprises, and the entire experience are very different.

Finally-- don't shortchange yourself of a resort day, either. We LOVED hanging out by the pool at POR, eating food court food by the pool, doing a surrey bike and renting a boat. It was a great afternoon. We are foregoing a day at Sea World this year so we can try MGM and have time to enjoy our resort. We felt that Sea World would cramp us too much.

But, SeaWorld is great-- and we are going next year.

HTH!

 

[susieq76]

My three boys have gone since birth- the twins are now 4 3/4- our last trip they were about 10 days away from 4. We NEVER leave Disney. Last year we did 8 days- this year we are doing 10. My children have never got bored in the least. Every park is different- every attraction a change.

This year I suggested going to Seaworld too (I went when I was a kid several times) but DH and all three boys say no go. They told me to make an ADR at Coral Reef if I want to see more fish They just don't want to leave the World. That being said- my children are very adventurous, very able to entertain themselves and find joy in everything (and I do mean everything- they think the Lego store in DTD is an adventure!)

Just keep the pace light and stop for food and character meals and all will be entertained.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Bored? No. There is more at Disney to see and do than you will be able to see and do in that amount of time. Especially if you stop at all to look at any of the shops, or venture into any of the resorts. Four is just about the parfect age for a child to really get into the magic of it all. Each of the parks is quite different, so there is considerable variety.

A big hit would probably be an character autograph book, which is also a fun way to practice letters and beginner reading. The characters sign their names in certain ways - like Pluto, turns the "o" in his name into a paw - so kids get visual clues as to what the name is. It's great practice for a kid that age!

In Epcot, be certain to take advantage of the Kidcot stations. In Future world thehy have tags for the big attractions. In WS, kids get a mask and a pick up a tag in each country. In China, they will personalize the mask in Chinese for free!

On those half days, you can spend time at your resort, or go to DTD.

Worst case scenario...what four year old doesn't LOVE to go swimming? If you are staying on property your child might even be able to go on the water slide. If you are not on property, then many other resorts have fun pools too.There is something really special about getting to swim this time of year - well, unless you're form a part of the country where you can swim outdoors all year.

One time we stayed at the Doubletree Castle on I-Drive. That pool has relatively simple fountain in the middle of it. Even still, the kids got a huge kick out of it, and could have stayed there a lot longer.

 

[ajcolorado]

There is more than enough to interest a four year old for four days. So boredom is not a factor.

Overwelmed - possibly. My child sort of melts down with too much new stuff. We bought the Disney Sing-Along Songs "Disneyland Fun" video super cheap on eBay. Disneyland has many of the same attractions as Disney World. The video helped her to know what to expect and she did just fine.

Dining plan - we just did this for the first time and we were very pleased. My one bit of advice is to plan on going to some of the buffets. The children's menu gets a little monotonous otherwise.

Finally, one thing our daughter loved was the Campfire Sing-Along w/ Chip & Dale (free) at the Fort Wilderness campground. Here's a link with good information:
www.buildabettermousetrip.com/activity-campfire.html

 

[shoney]

My sons have little patience. Waiting on a line is torture for them. Sea World was a welcome break from that. We really enjoyed our time there.
I don't think boredom will be an issue at wdw. Since you will only be there 4 days, I would just put a "resort" day in instead and save seaworld for another time.

 

[mill4023]

I love Sea World. If you were going to have 7 or more days, I'd tell you to absolutely take a day and go to Sea World.
But with 4 days, you'll barely have enough time to visit each park once. And since you aren't going to want to spend 4 days in a row going from open to close, you won't have time to experience everything as it is.

Adding a day at Sea World would mean extra travel time, leaving out one of the Disney parks, and spending more money. So I'd vote no for Sea World this time.