MGM with 4 yr old scardy cat

[MassMom]

Hello - we're planning on MGM with two families - our 4.5 year old DD is the youngest by far; the other children are 11, 11, and 8.

We plan to split up, but I'm trying to get a list of things she might actually enjoy so that the poor parent on duty (we plan to swap around) won't be stuck at the Honey I Shrunk and Lost the Kids Playground all day long.

She's already refusing to do Beauty and the Beast (scared of the "wolf" scene from the movie - won't believe me that there's no scary part in the show), Little Mermaid (terrified of the Octopus lady), Muppets 3D - too Loud (don't know where she heard that, but it is noisy).

It doesn't take much to entertain her - a little air conditioned room with some statues to climb on will suffice. Or maybe a little fountain to splash in.
Since Bear in the Blue House is now gone, and there's currently no parade, I'm looking for anything that will occupy her while we take shifts going on other attractions without her.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[LoriZH]

When I first read your post I was thinking OH MY I can help! But after reading what you wrote, I may not be much of help, lol.

First, there are TONS of characters at MGM. I took my 4 year old twin DS's to meet almost everyone of them and they loved it! Over by Pizza Planet (which may be good because there is an arcaded there) there is Al's Toy Barn and we met Woody, Buzz and Jesse. In front of Man's chinese theater, there are a lot of characters, Pinocchio, Donald Duck, Aristocats just to name a few oh and the Army men from Toy Story, they put on a heck of a show, very cute.

HEY when did they take out Bear in the Big Blue house?? That was awesome! My ds' are looking forward to seeing him again, darn! If Doug Live is still there, take her! She will love it. Very good show!

Well I bet you she would LOVE the little mermaid, it's not scary at all. Unless she is terrified I would suggest she see it because she will enjoy it. Also Beauty and the Beast is great, take her to see it and if she doesn't like it leave, no harm done same with LM! It's very magical and NON frightening. If she sees the other kids enjoying it she may stay, if not you go. Hunchback of Notre Dame is great too. If she likes the musicals she will enjoy that one. You could always take her on the Tower of Terror and then she will be so scared of that she will breeze through the Little Mermaid ;-) lol

Boy, I better get reading about the changes in the parks, I had no idea Bear was gone! YIKES lol

Hope this helped at least a little!

 

[catwho]

Cast members are great for easing fears. We have a 5.5 yo who is very timid to try new things. Thanks to CM's she did Splash Mt. and LOVED it (it is her favorite ride now) She also was calmed by a CM when she was reluctant to do Bug's LIfe in AK. We have yet to do MGM (next trip) so I can't reccommend what to do her with. However, what you might do is find a CM who would be able to tell you dd what the show is really like. She may find that getting the "official word" from a friend of Mickey will give her the confidence to see some really good shows. Also, check out "WDW with Children 2001" for other ideas of what you can do with her. We call this book our Bible ;-)

 

[CindyAnn]

Hi MassMom - That playground is starting to look better and better ! My children (4 & 7 on our last trip) really enjoyed the Magic of Disney Animation. There's a cute partly animated film with Robin Williams and then you get to watch the animators at work. Another idea might be to take your DD to a special character meal at Hollywood & Vine. It's buffet style and they serve breakfast or lunch, usually with Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip & Dale. If your DD and one of the adults would be willing to forego an earlier breakfast at your hotel you could spend an hour or so there instead, which would provide some great one-on-one time.

Someone else suggested greeting the characters, and it certainly sounds like you might have time to collect lots of autographs and pictures. Even if your DD doesn't go to see the Little Mermaid Show, there's a small princess shop strategically located near the exit from the show that she'd probably love to browse in. I know my 4yo DD considered it one of Disney's better attractions!

I would suggest lunch at Sci Fi as being fun for your whole group, but I think your DD might be frightened by the movies. However, The 50's Prime Time Cafe is lots of fun for lunch and your DD and the older children will really enjoy watching the adults get in "trouble" at the table for their bad manners.

Most of all, HAVE FUN!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Hello, I thought I might you out some since we were recently there and I have the Guide Map. DOUG LIVE is long gone, replaced by "Millionaire". A suggestion to you is whoever takes the kid gets to ride on RnR first!!! Then I would be satisfied. It is just too awesome! AAAAh, as far as I know "Bear" is still there, we saw it in June. June hours were 10, 11, 12, & up until 4:45. I have a 4yo as well but she is not a scaredy cat, in fact she scared us with what she wanted to do! However, I would take your 4yo to Hunchback, Indiana, Drew Carey, Great Movie Ride, Disney Animation, Studios Backlot, & Backstage Pass. Believe me that is plenty, and you probably won't get to it all. Hunchback hours are 11, 12:30, 2, 4, & 5:30. Of course these are the hours they were when we were there so they may change, but you can get some ideas. I'll tell you LM was scarey but wow was it cool! We didn't see Beauty "sigh", oh well next time, right? Have Fun!

Ps I second the character meal idea!

 

[Synonymous]

I have to disagree about Little Mermaid not being scary. My DD was terrified of it, and she's a pretty brave kid. The eels are very scary looking, and they are RIGHT there with you. To a little one, that's pretty frightening. It's also very loud, as all of the shows are, which makes the experience even more intense. And, of course, Ursula is terrifying for some kids. She's very large and very real looking, for a kid.

The first time we took DD we kept going into these shows, thinking there wouldn't be anything scary, and then they turned out to be loud and intense, with frightening villains. Each time, we told her- don't worry, this one won't be scary. Needless to say, it wasn't long before she started crying at the very mention of the word "show."

Since then, she's been to a lot of movies with potentially scary stuff in them (like Spy Kids and Shrek) and it doesn't bother her any more. To this day, though, she refuses to watch Little Mermaid, because of that experience.

Tom

 

[FrozenPiglet]

Make sure you skip the Little Mermaid. My daughter is still terrified of that one. Ursula really scared her and then when you get wet she freaked! My daughter liked the Bear in the Big Blue House, but I don't know if it is still there. I would suggest the Hunchback show and the Beauty and the Beast show. Neither were scary for my daughter and she doesn't like scary things either (she really dislikes the Peter Pan ride at MK because she says it is way too scary). My daughter was fine in the Muppets show without the 3d glasses - nothing jumps out at her then. It is loud though and you could take ear plugs for her. That gives her a little feeling of power over the situation.

We were able to see characters in a lot of places. Buzz and Woody were great and also Megan (from Hercules), Sleepy, Sneezy, Doc (I think), Piglet, etc. There are also some "different" characters that are more old time movie types. One of the ladies signed DD's autograph book and then kissed it with her bright red lipstick. DD got a kick out of that.

We haven't done this, but I have heard that eating at the 50's Prime Time Cafe is fun for kids. It shouldn't be scary at all. DD and I are going in late August and might try that. You could even go in and just have a snack or dessert. I agree with another post that the Sci Fi will be too scary.

Also, the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground was a horrible experience for my daughter. Bigger, wilder kids knocked her down as they were pushing to climb up one of the rope-type ladders, even with me standing there. She doesn't even want to go near that place. She does like getting her picture taken with the big Bug's Life character (is it Flik, I can't remember) in that eating area close to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area. That can be a nice area to relax and have an "Itzakadoozie" (my DD's favorite) or strawberry juice bar.

Have fun!

 

[lvs_eeyore]

I would avoid the Great Movie Ride if your daughter is fearful. There is a part of that ride that deals with the movie Aliens. Even my daredevil, nothing scares him, seven year old was a little unnerved by that part of the ride. The Backlot Tour might also be a little intense for her during the canyon part, explosion, fire and a LOT of water. My three year old was okay with it though so it really depends on the individual child. As far as I have heard Bear will be there until the end of August when it will be replaced by a show featuring a lot of the Disney channel show characters including Bear. I really hate to see this show close as it is my youngests favorite.....and secretly moms too! I was just going over in my head what we have done at MGM and what they are like and most all of MGMs shows etc...are a little on the loud intense side. The poster who said that the CM's might help is very right. I know a few times Ive seen kids that are afraid of a ride calm down after talking with the CM from that particular ride.