Mistakes not to make with First Timers and a 4 yr old.

[AngelaVa]

My husband and I have been going to Disney since 2000 just us two, So in September 2017 our daughter, her husband and their 4 yr old son will be joining us. So what mistakes should we not make with them and what tips do you have for a 4 yr old boy?
Our daughter has not been since 1999, she tells me it like going for the first time this trip.
Thank you so much for your help!!

 

[DynamicDisney]

I think the best advice is to know that you will just not be able to do it all! I found that just deciding to go back to the resort by late afternoon worked a lot better than trying to take breaks mid-day and go back out. We were able to go back in the evenings on a few nights, but it did not work for multiple nights. Once my kids got back to the resort for a "break" we had a really hard time mustering them back up to leave again for the evening. It was easier to just stay in the parks!

 

[sporter]

At 4 our sons were able to do quite a bit and even stay late at the parks.

This was possible by keeping them well hydrated, keeping them in snacks, and having a stroller available so they could nap in shifts here or there. Or just rest.

Sunglasses, warm weather clothing, hats etc to make them comfortable. Pool time and nap time will keep them happy and energetic!

 

[a742246]

Our GD4 liked the pools better than the theme parks so keep that in mind. We found that one park a day is plenty so you may want to save on park hoppers.

 

[SaintsManiac]

My advice is make sure to plan lots of rest! DD5 was a real trooper for the most part on her first trip, but there were times when she simply could not go on. We rented a stroller for the middle day of our trip and slept in several mornings. We're late sleepers if we can be, so it worked out

 

[perkinsrose]

When my Dkids were 4, we used a stroller and they napped at their regular time in the park while strolling around! Not pushing their bedtime too far and frequent water/healthy snacks important I think.

 

[pa. dad]

My sons were 4 when we first took them to Disney. Energy level was better than expected and they walked most of the time- once in a while they'd take a break in the carriage.
None of the visual things scared them but some things they thought were too fast. It may take a few years to build up the tolerance for some of the rides. One step at a time with that.
I would think you'll be doing a lot of things with the 4 YO that you might not do otherwise.

 

[caroline1851]

I think the best advice is to know that you will just not be able to do it all! I found that just deciding to go back to the resort by late afternoon worked a lot better than trying to take breaks mid-day and go back out. We were able to go back in the evenings on a few nights, but it did not work for multiple nights. Once my kids got back to the resort for a "break" we had a really hard time mustering them back up to leave again for the evening. It was easier to just stay in the parks!

I AGREE WITH THIS 100%.

 

[lesliekatya]

We made a big mistake with our four year old - we brought an umbrella stroller that didn't recline and he was so tired but could hardly sleep in it. His poor little head was bobbing. Other than that, take it slow, take lots of breaks, and lots of snacks.

 

[twodogs]

We made a big mistake with our four year old - we brought an umbrella stroller that didn't recline and he was so tired but could hardly sleep in it. His poor little head was bobbing. Other than that, take it slow, take lots of breaks, and lots of snacks.

AGREED! Rent a nice air tire stroller that reclines, has a sun shade, has a rain cover, and has an adjustable height handle for the adults. It's like pushing a cloud for you, and it may save your grandchild's (and all of the adults') sanity. I've used Kingdom Strollers and Orlando Stroller Rental and been happy with both.

 

[Mikie]

Best advice I used was to try to keep their schedules close to normal as much as possible. Meals, sleep, wake. You can do a late night or an early morning or an odd-timed meal, but not repeatedly over and over.

The unstructured play areas like in fantasyland, Boneyard in AK, after mission:space or the gardens in UK in Epcot are a real treat for kids. I think because they aren't confined to a line or on a ride? It may be hard to let them burn a whole hour doing a playground (I paid $Xx and we have playgrounds at home!), but they need to run off steam sometimes & happy kiddo = happy parents!

 

[gatormom2tots]

Keep to their normal schedule as much as possible.

Keep hydrated.

And the biggest- get a nap in. A tired kid is a miserable kid. A miserable kid=miserable parents.

On one of our early trips it was 10AM in Epcot and our kids were just irritable. We packed it up and left for the day- it wasn't worth it because my husband and I were groucht over the kids being grouchy. Returned that evening and had a great night (and rest of the trip).

This was before FP+. Nowadays, you have to anticipate word out children (especially day 3+) when making fps selections and try to work around scheduled rest times.

 

[perkinsrose]

We made a big mistake with our four year old - we brought an umbrella stroller that didn't recline and he was so tired but could hardly sleep in it. His poor little head was bobbing. Other than that, take it slow, take lots of breaks, and lots of snacks.

Yes, we also used a cheap umbrella stroller for ease of fold up at bus and small for fitting through crowds. Often we parked it when not using it. We brought with us an airplane neck pillow that deflated when not in use and that worked well fit under chin so they could sleep.

 

[Shellyb84]

Midday pool breaks, stroller, a misting fan and be prepared to buy a lot of snacks. Instead of running from ride to ride, make sure to have time in between for the splash pad and fountains, Kidcot stations at Epcot, the boneyard and Wilderness Explorers at AK, etc. DD likes those types of activities, as well as the pool, better than rides.My biggest regret from our first family trip was trying to go too fast and stick to the "plan" and not taking enough time to slow down and ask DD what SHE wanted to do as much as I should have. I definitely plan on more down time and pool time next trip.

 

[kboo]

ODD never napped in the stroller so an umbrella was fine for us. All great advice above, what's nice is you'll have several adults so you can also spell each other so you can go out late some nights without your grandson.

We just got back yesterday and even though ODD never naps at home, we were able to get an afternoon nap in most days if we were back to the hotel by 1 or 2. If we ended up staying later in the parks we'd go back to the hotel by 3, have a little pool time and then early dinner and early to bed. Either way is doable but I wouldn't recommend switching it up too much.

Oh, and MK and many attractions are LOUD. The last two trips we brought ear protection for ODD and she willingly used it on many occasions. It really helped keep her from getting overstimulated and cranky from the noise.

One last tip- work out with your daughter in advance what you are going to do as far as buying gifts etc. in years past we gave my DD coins - mostly pennies- and had her brings a coin purse into the park. Then if she wanted to buy something she had to contribute her own money for it, and if she was out of money, she was out of money. That helped her decide if she wanted something and we could always set the price very high or too high if it was something we didn't think was a good idea. The last couple trips we've gotten her into pin collecting (she can't bear to trade, but some CMs will just give away a pin rather than trade), and told her she can get one pin a day. Then if she really wants something else she can get that instead of a pin. She loves playing with her pins and telling stories about them, and showing them to people as long as she's not expected to trade them. Btw I wouldn't recommend a lanyard because the pins don't stay on through a 4yo skipping...

 

[Ryansdad0727]

Don't pass a bathroom without making him go. Nothing worse than having to get out of line or having an accident. My 6YO and 2YO both loved all of the playgrounds. Tom Sawyer Island was a big hit and relaxing for us since it is not as crowded. My 6YO would stay at the pool all day. We have a JEEP jogging stroller that allowed both to take a nap during the day.

 

[Shellyb84]

Take lots of quarters and pennies for the pressed penny machines! DD loved doing this and it's a cheap souvenir!

 

[NeuroCindy]

Don't pass a bathroom without making him go. Nothing worse than having to get out of line or having an accident. My 6YO and 2YO both loved all of the playgrounds. Tom Sawyer Island was a big hit and relaxing for us since it is not as crowded. My 6YO would stay at the pool all day. We have a JEEP jogging stroller that allowed both to take a nap during the day.

Yes! Bathrooms are a good place to cool down if the little one (or you) just need a minute.

 

[rustyfla]

At MK, make sure to go on the Dumbo attraction. Midway in line, there is a huge circus themed playground, indoors, in air conditioning, with plenty of places for adults to sit and relax
while the kids play. You can just play there and leave, or continue on the ride when your ready.

 

[may12th]

Flexibility. On our first family trip our kids were 5 and almost 3. We were surprised that their favorite park was Epcot and somehow we ended up back there every day. I was thankful for the park hopper and that I wasn't rigidly married to my touring plan. Generally kids that age are not the "I want to see everything" types but are more interested in finding something they like and doing it over and over and over again!