Moms who have taken their 4yr olds to Disney...what's it like?

[charlie11364]

Not a Mom, but a Dad

In Aug 2002, I took my 4 1/2 YO DD and 1 1/2yo DS to Disneyworld, and we had a great time - one trick I did learn - I got a double stroller - there were times when my daughter just wanted to crash, even if she was 4 1/2. The other thing was that my wife and I were willing to look at each other and say "the kids are tired, they are starting to get grouchy - back to the hotel" - of course, it WAS AKL, so the kids loved the hotel as much as the parks! I'm not kidding - the things my daughter most talks about is memories of the animals, the pool, walking with my son and I to get ice for the cooler, and the day it just rained and rained and rained (the morning was OK, but we got a line of VERY heavy T storms around 1:30pm, that lasted all night

Going agin this summer - now my son will be 5 1/2 - so...

 

[kldmom2000]

We took our girls a bit over a year ago when they were 2 and 4. Honestly, the 2 yr old had more fun I think!LOL! My 4 yr old was terrified of the characters so there was a scream fest every time we caught a glimpse of one from a distance. She normally LOVES rides at the amusement park, but for some reason in Disney, she refused to go on any of the rides that were "indoors" and she could not see the ride from the line (about 90% of Disney rides!!! ) She did love the hotel (Yacht/Beach club) pool though She didn't nap during the day (my 2 yr old would fall asleep in the stroller) and we did find that the one Maclaren that we brought was not sufficient enough-my 4 yr old would get tired from walking, so we ended up renting a stroller as well. My DH won't let us go back until Oct. 2007 when they are 5 and 7 so that hopefully my older one will get over some of her fears and we won't have to lug the carseat and extra stuff on the plane....

 

[mskani]

We took both of our kids when they were 4. Here were our experiences:

dd-at 4 (2000) rode BTMRR, Splash Mtn. Enjoyed all of the parades, wasn't afraid of any of the characters, but was a little scared of the Snow White Ride. This was her first trip, so she was excited about everything, especially seeing all of the characters. We did two character meals: Crystal Palace breakfast with Winnie the Pooh & Friends and Hollywood & Vine lunch with Chip & Dale, Goofy and Minnie. I remember Goofy sitting down to color with dd. We went in August and she was not too fond of the heat.

ds-at 4 (2002) This was his second trip, and he said that he actually remembered some things from the last trip. He rode Splash Mtn. Chickened out on BTMRR. Enjoyed all of the parades. Got mad at Snow White for kissing him and leaving a big red lipstick print on his cheek. After that incident, he didn't want any of the "face" characters to come near him. He relented once he saw Cinderella at the castle during breakfast. We did three character meals: Chef Mickey's for dinner, Grand Floridian for Winnie the Pooh dinner and Cinderella's Royal Table for breakfast. The 2002 trip still ranks as our BEST trip to date. Our kids were 4 & 6--still young enough to appreciate the "magic" but old enough to keep up. We went in June so the heat wasn't as bad, plus it rained in the evenings.

Have a great trip!

 

[mel]

I think 4 years old is the best age to start at. That's how old my daughter was on her first trip and I will never forget her amazement and excitement when seeing the characters, and when she said "Mommy, is that the real cinderella?" Priceless! We went as soon as the parks opened and took a break at lunch, went back to the room for a couple of hours and let her rest, eat, take a swim and then back to the parks! Definately will need a stroller, although my daughter preferred riding on Daddy's shoulders most of the time!

 

[Karrie Davis]

My whole family when in September 13 or us -

My nephew was the oldest boy and he was 4 1/2. He has a blast! He is on the short side so we were worried that he may not get on rides he wanted to go on but he got on way more then we thought and LOVED it. He only napped maybe 1 time the whole trip but never got craby at all. The only ride he hated was tower of terror, I can't belive he even went on it. He got off telling every body "not a cool ride, not a cool ride" over and over - it sounded so funny & cute. He was bummed about not getting on roller coasters but his favorite was buzz lightyear by far.

 

[PaulaSue]

We just got back yesterday with a 7 yr, turned 5 yr and 2 1/2. The week was pretty good, better than what I thought. The big thing is they pooped out about 12 hours after they woke. IF we pushed it then it got dicey. We stayed for 6 nights and 7 days and I think we could have cut a day off of our trip. We all were tired but all in all it was good.

Our next rip is pretty well pre-planned for when the 2 yr old is 48 inches so she can do all the rides. BTW, JAn was perfect for us and low crowds after MLK day. I wouldn't leave anyone home on a family vacation but more power who can. My Dh works a lot so it was a nice time for all of us just to hang together.

Even our now 5 yr old couldn't do some so it made things a bit tricky and I ended up missing the chance to ride some things time wise.

I would check the 4 yr old height to know what he can ride ahead of time to help. My DD rode ToT, Space Mountain, Soaring but was too short for RnR, and Mission Space.

 

[paigevz]

Personally, I think 4 is the best age for Disney!

Our first trip was when my first child was 4. He was old enough not to be scared of the characters, but young enough to believe. He was young enough to sleep in his stroller, but old enough to wake up refreshed rather than fussy (if you've got a 2, you KNOW what I mean!). He was old enough to go on most of the rides, and young enough to like the little kid stuff too! He was young enough to try nearly any food, but old enough to be able to wait just a bit to be fed. He was old enough to entertain himself in lines (reading the maps where a fave activity), yet young enough that we could pick him up on our shoulders when he was tired of standing in that line.

I also took a trip with a 2 1/2 year old...............be glad you waited!

This next trip my youngest will be 4, and we just can't wait!

 

[DISNEYMOM11]

We have 3 children and started them at 2 1/2 months...not so much for them as it was nice for us to get away...as they grew...we just tailored Our days, We did not try to do everything. We new we would be back and just enjoyed the moments! Naps were extremly important to ALL of us....We usually (and still today) do a brunch around 10am...we don't need to be the first in the parks, then we go to Our favorite rides, depending onlines,heat ect...we may get only 4 to 5 rides in take a rest and have a snack...my girls would nap in the stroller while my son and husband went on rides and I just enjoyed watching the people and just being there and taking it all in while the girls slept....if no one could sleep after about 3 1/2 to 4 hours we would go back to the room and rest. even if it was just a little tv. Trying to see everything with small children is a no win situation....just see Disney from their eyes and You will be amazed at how relaxing a vacation You can have....Our oldest is 13 now ! Hope that helps

 

[PrincessAuroraInPA]

I am so glad someone else asked this question. We're planning on going next Jan. when my son will be 4. He's really into villains and scary things like sharks, alligators, etc. (although he's never seen any in person), so I think he'll do pretty well.

 

[bedgraynexl]

Dad to DS5 and DD3 when we last went in April. I agree with the above posters. At 3-4 they are old enough to "get it". Mine understood the lines, they knew there were lots of people who also wanted to do everything that they wanted to do. We tried to plan in mini breaks throughout the day, things like the Tiki room and PhilharMagic; and other treats like Mickey Bars.

As has been said before you know your kids best. Watch them for signs of needing out of the parks. If it is a bit overwhelming for adults, think about what it is like for the kids. The sights, sounds, smells, and the palpable excitement. Plus we planned in down days. Third day was hotel/pool day.

Plus at that age you cannot afford to go commando. You and your kids will be miserable. Enjoy the little things that Disney has to offer and you will be amazed. Kids, to me, really notice the little things. Like the splash grounds in ToonTown and Ariels Grotto. Let them set the pace and you will be a-ok.