General advice, never been with a 4 year old.

[Wolf359]

Hi everyone! We've been to Disney many times, but never with a child. Staying at a Wyndham across from the D Springs for budget reasons. Arriving 9/12 at noon and leaving 9/20 at 3pm. We have 5day Hoppers w/water park and more.

I'd love any and all advice as far as battle plans, breaks, etc. The only must is we have to be at MK on the 13th as it's two party members birthdays.

 

[tcufrog]

Do not pack your schedule with stuff to do. Keep it simple and keep as much as possible to her regular eating and napping schedule. Do not try to open and close the park. If you don't plan to take a stroller on the plane rent one from somewhere like Kingdom Strollers. Pack in the stroller every day healthy snack and water. Whenever you pass a bathroom see if she needs to go. The last thing you want is to get in a long line and not be able to make it to the bathroom in time. Pack a full change of clothes in the stroller including shoes in case of an accident or she wants to run through some water to cool off. Don't try to fit in "one more thing" if she's reached her limit. Try to start heading back to the hotel before she's completely worn out.

Be willing to completely change your plans if what you planned isn't going well. The last time we went my younger son was 4 1/2 years old. At that age my older son loved the roller coasters at WDW including Expedition Everest. Well, one of the first things we did when we got to MK on the first day was ride Space Mountain as a family. DS4 hated it and declared that he didn't want to go on any more roller coasters for the entire trip. All of a sudden I had to change our plans. We decided to split up and have my dh take DS4 on rides other than roller coaster and I'd take DS9 on roller coaster during the trip. I wasn't excited about us splitting up but it was the best way to please everyone. There were other nights when had planned to take advantage of EMHs or stay for fireworks but the kids were too tired or too cranky. Instead of getting frustrated we headed back to the hotel for rest. If you follow this advice you're less likely to be one of those families you see who has a child throwing a massive tantrum at WDW. I've seen kids who don't normally tantrum throw big ones there because they were pushed too far.

Have your child help plan and choose one thing at each park she wishes to do. It might be riding a certain ride or meeting a certain character. Tell her you'll try your best to make that happen but you can't guarantee it. Try to do that one thing first at each park. This way you're managing her expectations. The last you want to do is over promise.

Finally, make a plan for souvenirs. Four year olds are often too young for a budget and everything looks great at that age. Some people tell their kids they can get one small thing from each park while I know some parents who have started their kids on collecting pressed pennies to save money. A friend of mine has a son who is passionate about stuffed animals. She told him that he could buy one stuffed animal during the trip.

 

[disneymom0104]

4 is one of the best ages in my opinion. Everything is magical and there is so much fun seeing things through their eyes. They are a little less timid of rides than the 2-3 year old crowd, and are often tall enough (40 inches) to ride things like Soarin' and Big Thunder Mountain (if they were ready for that). Definitely don't try to go park open to park close, plan for a break at least a few of the days. It will be great!

 

[mernin]

We went with my oldest DD when she was 3.5 and my youngest just before she was 3. We are early risers so it played well for us to get there for park opening when it's less busy and not as hot (season depending). We stayed until lunch-ish then left back to the condo we were at to nap or swim. We had hoppers and went back a few times in the evenings but often found it was enough for the little ones in just the morning. There was one or two days where they napped in the stroller instead I heading back. Those days we left around supper. We took a break from the parks mid-week and also did typhoon lagoon on our first trip.

Both of my DD's loved characters so we visited lots! We also didn't plan our days too full, rather went with the flow after getting fastpasses.

Have fun!

 

[Wolf359]

Thanks so much! One thing that interferes with the take a break in the heat and come back in the evening thing is the parade. I know she'll want to see it but that doesn't leave a lot of time after to go, nap, and come back. Do people usually just skip the parades, or call it a day after that and not come back?

 

[Baklava]

Don't get too set on what you "must" do. If the four year old wants to play on a playground, splash in a fountain or stare at something, don't rush to the next thing. Let the little moments happen as well as the big ones. The little moments are important.

 

[roseaster]

Is the 4 year old yours or someone else's?

Does the 4 year old still nap?

I know a lot of people here swear by the mid day return to the hotel and nap thing, but that never worked for us. Only one of my 4 year olds (I have 5 kids over the age of 4, BTW) still napped. My napper was good napper, so he was able to nap in the stroller.

Since you are there for 8 nights and have 5 day tickets, don't waste a park ticket on the 1st day since you are arriving late. I have found that a good way to get into the "Disney spirit" is the 1st day book a dinner at Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary and meet the characters and then take a monorail ride around MK and Epcot.

I think 4 year old are, generally, more reasonable than toddlers, but they can get scared of things. I would start with the more gentle rides, like Winnie the Pooh and It's a Small World, and work your way up to the "bigger rides."

Like others have said, don't get too focused on having to stick to a strict schedule or plan. You may plan to take it easy and nap and the child may want to go, go, go. Or you may want to go, go, go and the child is exhausted.

Try to keep meal times around the same as they are at home. Nothing is worse than a hangry child. (unless it is a hangry husband LOL)

Along those lines, throw some snacks in the back pack for those times.

Don't be so focused on doing everything that you forget to take breaks and relax.

Aside from 2, my kids aren't morning people. My one daughter is a straight up witch if you wake her up. For us, it is easier to skip rope drop and stay later. For others, their kids don't tolerate late nights, and it works better to get there early and call it an early night.

Most importantly. Potty breaks. We have had accidents because they are having so much fun that they put off going to the potty until it is too late to make it. Our rule is "all for one." If one person has to go, we all go, whether you say you have to or not.

$ is, actually, a really good age. Like I said earlier, they are through that toddler stage, there are no diapers and bottles, and, maybe, no naps, but they are still little enough to believe in the magik.

 

[squirrel]

My advice is to have a stroller. It's going to be hot when you go and both times I took my nieces at that age they rode in the stroller a lot. I gave up going back for a nap/break as it was too time consuming and she never fell asleep where I wanted her to. So I let them crash in the stroller when they were tired. I could still get FP and shop. We did full days (open-close including EMH) with 10 park days with a 14-night stay.

I also learned that they could do 2-3 full park days and then they needed a break. Doing a waterpark is not that much of a break but if you don't stay the whole day then it could be. I tried that the first year filling in our free days with waterpark days-bad idea.

I kept a change of clothes with us as there are a few water play areas.

 

[mshanson3121]

Do not pack your schedule with stuff to do. Keep it simple and keep as much as possible to her regular eating and napping schedule. Do not try to open and close the park. If you don't plan to take a stroller on the plane rent one from somewhere like Kingdom Strollers. Pack in the stroller every day healthy snack and water. Whenever you pass a bathroom see if she needs to go. The last thing you want is to get in a long line and not be able to make it to the bathroom in time. Pack a full change of clothes in the stroller including shoes in case of an accident or she wants to run through some water to cool off. Don't try to fit in "one more thing" if she's reached her limit. Try to start heading back to the hotel before she's completely worn out.

Be willing to completely change your plans if what you planned isn't going well. The last time we went my younger son was 4 1/2 years old. At that age my older son loved the roller coasters at WDW including Expedition Everest. Well, one of the first things we did when we got to MK on the first day was ride Space Mountain as a family. DS4 hated it and declared that he didn't want to go on any more roller coasters for the entire trip. All of a sudden I had to change our plans. We decided to split up and have my dh take DS4 on rides other than roller coaster and I'd take DS9 on roller coaster during the trip. I wasn't excited about us splitting up but it was the best way to please everyone. There were other nights when had planned to take advantage of EMHs or stay for fireworks but the kids were too tired or too cranky. Instead of getting frustrated we headed back to the hotel for rest. If you follow this advice you're less likely to be one of those families you see who has a child throwing a massive tantrum at WDW. I've seen kids who don't normally tantrum throw big ones there because they were pushed too far.

Have your child help plan and choose one thing at each park she wishes to do. It might be riding a certain ride or meeting a certain character. Tell her you'll try your best to make that happen but you can't guarantee it. Try to do that one thing first at each park. This way you're managing her expectations. The last you want to do is over promise.

Finally, make a plan for souvenirs. Four year olds are often too young for a budget and everything looks great at that age. Some people tell their kids they can get one small thing from each park while I know some parents who have started their kids on collecting pressed pennies to save money. A friend of mine has a son who is passionate about stuffed animals. She told him that he could buy one stuffed animal during the trip.

Everything they said. Perfect advice.

Thanks so much! One thing that interferes with the take a break in the heat and come back in the evening thing is the parade. I know she'll want to see it but that doesn't leave a lot of time after to go, nap, and come back. Do people usually just skip the parades, or call it a day after that and not come back?

If you really want to see the parade then arrange your day around that. Maybe have a sleep in morning, hit the park around 9:30 or 10 and leave right after the parade. Plan a leisurely lunch in an air conditioned restaurant from 1-2ish then go stake out your parade viewing spot.

Don't get too set on what you "must" do. If the four year old wants to play on a playground, splash in a fountain or stare at something, don't rush to the next thing. Let the little moments happen as well as the big ones. The little moments are important.

This. I went to Disney with very detailed touring plans. That went in the garbage. Some of our best memories are of the things that weren't planned.

 

[Aliceacc]

Know that your fearless 4 year old may very well change his tune when presented with characters who tower over his head. Lots of kids end up afraid of the characters-- I'm the voice of experience here. It's OK-- you can change your ADRs or simply ask the characters not to come close.

As much as this is debated to death here, consider bringing a stroller. You're going to be doing LOTS of walking.

Have your cell phone number written on your child's arm in sharpie. Come up with a plan in case you get separated-- he's to go to the nearest CM (and explain how to tell who they are) or whatever you decide.

Know that for a child (and lots of adults), there are a lot of times when a resort pool looks a whole lot more attractive than a long line. Be prepared to spend some of your afternoons at the pool.

Plan a lot, and leave lots of room to ditch those plans as the situations dictate.

 

[Polishnavy]

Four was a great age! Try to have a good idea of your kids height before talking up a ride. DD missed Soarin' by a half inch at 3y11m but the next year at 4y11m was able to go. Lots of disappointed tears that first time. We felt like returning to the room was a waste of time (nobody naps on schedule) but we tried to find a quiet place to take a break and eat a snack in the afternoon. It was enough of a recharge for us to finish the afternoon/evening on a strong note.

 

[librarymom2007]

We first took my daughter when she was 4. It was magical!!! It was before fast pass plus and MDE. Basically we just did whatever she wanted to. She was really into characters and autographs so we spent lots of time waiting in lines to meet them. Which was fine! My husband didn't want to bring a stroller and she walked 90% of the time. She was a rockstar. Have a great time, 4 is the perfect age to go!

 

[roseaster]

. I gave up going back for a nap/break as it was too time consuming and she never fell asleep where I wanted her to. So I let them crash in the stroller when they were tired.

We had the same problem. I listened here and tried that go back to the room for a nap thing. The kids slept on the bus and when we got to the room were wide awake and I wanted a nap!

 

[EvilQueen2018]

Definitely practice measuring your child so that you will know which rides they can't do and make a note of it, and so that they know what to do when a cm needs to check their height.

Measure the child in the footwear they will have on and measure them both in the morning and at night. You may find that a child who just meets the height requirements in the morning may be too short to ride the same rides at night. People shrink a bit through out the day as the body compresses.

Check out menus so you can remove the TS and QS options that your group would not enjoy. No point in wasting time.

Along with a change of clothes for your child, consider a change of socks and shoes or sandals. Nothing worse than walking around in soggy shoes. You can take shoes and socks off on the water rides to protect them but rain is another story. Sandals are also a good option for the splash pads.

Don't forget the children's Motrin or Tylenol. I got stuck paying $7 for two adult strength and teaching my then 5 year old how to swallow pills because the stores in the park didn't carry children's strength. He only had one but it was not my first choice. I know better now. BTW, bring your own too. Headaches are miserable no matter how old you are and headaches are easy to get if you aren't used to the heat or start to become dehydrated. Give the child a drink every time you take one. It's easy to forget to make someone else drink and they may forget too.

Everyone else has covered what I was thinking of so if I remember anything else new, I'll post again. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[MinMou]

Someone mentioned children who are afraid of the characters, because their heads are so big. We did a few dry runs with characters before we went to Disney. My neighbor had a huge rabbit at her kid's birthday party, we went to Chuck E. Cheese and we live near a Rainforest Cafe. Our son got to see walking characters, and the robotic ones that stay in one place but move. After we saw he wasn't phased by any of that, then we opted for character meals.

We also made sure our son know most of the Disney characters on the Disney Jr channel, so he would know that meeting Mickey Mouse was a real big deal! I also recommend going to Disney Jr Live On Stage. They sit on the floor and it is a LOT of fun.