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

[devotedchristian]

Can you share your experience with me? How long did they last in the parks?

Originally I'd planned to take DS (Age 2.5) to Disney this year. He will be 3 in July.

We are going through horrendous Terrible Two's and my sanity won't permit me taking him this year. That's how bad it is and I get stressed out and overwhelmed VERY easily. We have a very *Spirited Child* who is just not ready this year. And I am just now feeling like my old self Post Partum....it has taken me 2.5 years. I know in my heart it will be too much for him. So now I am thinking Age 4.

BUT, if I wait until next year, I will just do a World/Cruise combo.

What's it like to take a 4yr old to Disney? Will it still be *Magical* for him at Age 4?

 

[welovedis]

Well, I've taken my son when he was: 3, 4, 6 (2xs), 7 and now 9. The trips when he was 3 & 4 were different but not particularily difficult. Spirited is what the pediatrician called my son back then, now he is a calm, quiet little man.

I think when you are planning your trip you need to look at things from a child's perspective in many ways. When some kids are tired they will lash out and behave quite differently than normal and that is something you'd need to avoid. I always made sure that we mixed waiting in line for something with something where he could run around & burn off his energy---even if it just meant dancing around to park music.

Only you know your son enough to know if you can take an enjoyable trip. I also see that you mentioned doing a cruise & the world, my own opinion is that if you are concerned about his going now & being spirited, you might want to concentrate on one or the other...maybe both will be too much for him & you.

GL with your decision!

 

[Wendy31]

Last year, we took our 5 1/2 year old DD & our 3 (2 months from being 4) year old DS, and, yes - absolutely it was still magical!

They were both able to ride all the rides they wanted to ride. (We didn't try the big and/or scary rides.)

They loved all the characters, and they were both old enough to enjoy getting the characters' autographs & to interact w/ the characters a little as well too.

The kidcot stops at Epcot were also fun for them.

We took strollers for both of them which was very nice - they didn't get tired from walking & I didn't have to worry about them "slipping away" from us.

We were there for 6 nights & 5 days, & our schedule looked a little like this - -

Arrival Evening - Dinner in MK followed by a couple of rides & then the evening parade & Wishes

1st Day - Epcot all day followed by Illuminations (this was our longest day, and I wouldn't recommend doing this although our kids managed okay - it was the next day that they had "meltdowns".)

2nd Day - MGM 1/2 day, nap at resort, back into MGM for parade & Fantasmic

3rd Day - MK all day, back to resort for supper & early bed

4th Day - AK 1/2 day, swimming at resort, restaurant for supper & then back to resort for early bed

5th Day - MK morning, Epcot afternoon, dinner at restaurant, back to resort beach for fireworks show & then back to resort for bed

6th Day - MK morning, DTD afternoon, & then departure

We tried not to do 2 full days & nights in a row & tried to schedule some down-time. W/ us only having 5 full days, that was a little hard though. They got a little tired on some days (our MGM day being the worst), but, all in all, I think they both did a good job. At night, they both fell instantly asleep, but, by morning, they were both eager & ready to go.

We scheduled 5 character meals which they LOVED.

I think 4 years old is a perfect age for Disney - it's still "magical" but he's also old enough to really enjoy the rides & attractions & characters.

 

[beattyfamily]

I've taken my girls from age 1 through age 9. I think every age is special and magical in it's own way but the most magical of all, IMHO, was between 2 and 5. They still believe and find everything so wonderful!

So I think 4 is a great age for Disney!

Have fun planning!

 

[mommyceratops]

I have a VERY spirited child (now 5) and we took him for the first time when he was 3 and he surprised us all! He did awesome. It was so magical.

We picked out what we thought he would enjoy the most. DH and I decided and that was what we did first, it worked out great we even did more than we thought we would.

DS LOVED the parades and would sit for an hour waiting for them he did great. Now keep in mind my son will not sit still for a minute at home.

It was my most magical trip ever. Just letting DS do what he wanted too.

We are going back in 1 week and can't wait.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We just got back from WDW with a 4 year old (closer to 5) and a 17 month old. Here is a link to a very long trip report if you are interested. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1002316 Warning it is very long.

This was my oldest 7th or 8th trip (we keep going back and forth on the numbers.) She went 3 times when she was 4 years old (or almost 4 years old, we had AP's.) While I love every age when she was there, this was the eaiest for her and us (not for the baby ) Things were very magical, she was able do new things this trip, still enjoy the magic. I think she is starting to cacth up about the charaters, but hasn't verblized it yet. (she did about telitubbies, you know mom those are just people inside costumes. )

It was great that she didn't need a nap (took one once or twice.) She did great with the whole potty thing, was very well behaved and a joy to be around. Of course part of it might of been that she has been many times beofore so she was excited, but pretty relaxed too. There wasn't any presure on any of us to "do" anything, just enjoy ourselves and our time there.

However, for us I am glad I didn't wait until now to take her. We did seem to skip from 9 to 23 months so that was most of the temper times for us. Still 4 was the best age so far I think. Lot's of fun.

 

[Banshee]

I agree our youngest DS was not quite 4 yet but it was very magical all the shows and parades he would sit and just be awestruck by it all. And the charecters he was thrilled. He saw the castle and said look mommy bippidy boppity boo! coming from him it sounded like "a bee a baa a boo" Our first trip with him he was 18 months and he was fine and he smiled alot. But this next time he was just down right thrilled! And believe me he is no angel grandpa calls him a holy terror. But he was so good when we were there. During Spectro Magic he sat on the curb with a huge smile plastered on his face and I held the back of his shirt "I was afraid he would run out in front of the parade" but I did'nt need to he was fine he did'nt move an inch. I know that he remembers going everytime he see's anything about disney he say's "ohhh disney mommy I go back" The other day he put his hat on and was trying to put his shoes on and had his camera around his neck and I asked him where he was going and he said "I going to disney world!" It was so cute. I think you will have an awesome time.

 

[tink2]

My children have been since 6 months old and are now 4 and 6. DD went when she was 4 and it was her best trip- oh how she believed everything and it was so magical. DS was 3 our last trip- definitely a spirited little guy who loved to throw fits. But, for some reason, he was so much better at WDW than we expected. He only had one melt down- the next to last day we were there and he was tired. He LOVED the characters and rides. He was soooo excited and it was just magical. We were in the parks at opening each morning and left after the nighttime parades/fireworks. He did ride in a stroller and we did make him have a rest time every afternoon where we parked the stroller in the shade and he took a nap (or rested, but he was so tired he fell asleep most days). We have done that with both our children- we've never gone back to the resort for a nap. Just remember that your child is spirited and you will have to go with the flow a little. But, he will be better by four- I didn't think any of us would survive when he was 2- 3. He started getting so much better a few months before his fourth birthday. He is still spirited, but better. Go and have fun! I agree with beattyfamily, I think the best ages are 3-5- when it is still real to them and magical. I watched my nieces who are now 9 and 12. They still have fun and love disney world, but it is different- not as magical as when they were small.

 

[solgent]

We went a bunch of times (Annual Pass) when our twins were 4 and had a fantastic time. They had certain rides they loved and wanted to do over and over and we followed their lead. We spent most of the time in the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. We always went back to our hotel for a midday break.

 

[BAYSIDE MOM]

I have taken my son when he was 2 yrs and 4years old. My son is what you would call "spirited". He was too young at 2, every child is different, but he was'nt potty trained, was terrified of the characters and was in the midst of his terrible twos. At 4years, he had a fantastic time! My son is a runner, I was positive I would lose him in one of the parks. He stayed by my side the whole time, never had one temper tantrum, never napped, so we could stay in the park longer, and absolutely loved the characters, filled 2 autograph books! People were actually commenting to me about how well behaved he was (this is NOT something that happens a lot at home!) I think you are absolutely making the right choice to go when he is 4, he will probably really enjoy it so much more!

 

[LeahA]

I have 3 boys and we have gone to Disney every year, the youngest age of my child was 7 months and every age up to 8. I take my queues from the kids. If we notice one or more of them getting crabby, we take a break, have a snack, or go back to hotel.

Have fun at Disney!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My kids last until about their natural bedtime (8ish). This is just fine for us. We still take the stroller--so if we wish to hang around for something we can. But we aren't late nighters--so usually we had back to the resort in time for bed or a little after. My now 3yo--up until our last visit in September--usually would zonk out in the stroller midday.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

Our dd was just under 4..this past trip, and it was SO enjoyable! Everything was still very magical and wonderful. She still believed in the magic! You will have a great time!
Just go at your childs pace.

 

[pooksma]

We took our DS at ages 3 and 4. The BEST advice I can give you is to take your cues from your child. Our first trip this was hard for my DH because he wanted our son to see and do as much as possible. The last trip was much better because we took our lead from him. Usually it was parks in the am, nap around 2 or 3, supper and back to a park for a while. Lots of swimming helped keep us all sane.

Have a great time and be flexible!

 

[lorli]

We've taken dd (4) for the past 2 years, she'll be 5 on her next trip. Each trip was magical and fun. She is not and hasn't been a big napper, so we went from open to close and she did great. When she was three she fell asleep twice in the stroller while we were at the park so we let her sleep. She thoroughly liked meeting the characters and loved the parades. We taped Spectromagic and Wishes and to this day she watches them at least once a week. The magic will last of course I help it along with pixie dust and little Tinkerbell gifts but that another board.

 

[lookingforward]

I have been taking my kids since they were little. We took our daughter for her 4th birthday and it was wonderful, magical and well worth the effort. We just used a stroller when she got tired, but she really did well.

 

[cindermomma]

Our DS was 4 years old for our first trip and 5 for the second. It was so awesome! He still talks about our first trip there! I would definately take him at age 4. Everything is so real and magical at that age. He could ride everything except the whirl ride at animal kingdom. His favorite was (and still is!) splash mountain! I think you'll have an awesome trip! Good luck!

 

[ImaDizneyNut]

we took our son at ages 1 1/2, 3 1/2, 4 1/2 & 4 3/4

he did very well. I bring his stoller with us so he can nap during the day. when he is home he doesn't map but he needs one there.

We are up and out before 8 am and back in the room by 9 pm sometimes 10 or 11. As long as he gets that nap he is just fine if he doesn't he's a moody one and whinny (?)

just make sure your little one is relaxed and i'm sure he will be fine.

my son can be a handfull at home and might start his crap there but it ends within minutes.

sept 2005 we took my mom, and godmother with us (me, hubby and son), well my son woke up in a mood. My hubby told me to take the girls (mom and godmother) to breakfast while zach stayed in, he was punished. That is what we did. When we went back to the room I had an angel sitting there. with hardly nothing to play with and my hubby using the TV. my son had nothing to do so he wanted OUT so he promised he was gonna be good. the rest of the trip was perfect not 1 problem

 

[kapica3]

We took our DD when when she was 4 3/4 years old. It was my most enjoyable trip of all our trip. Most of the magic was still magical for her at that age. She lasted from 7 am through the 9:00 fireworks or parade and fell asleep in the car on the way back to the hotel most nights. No stroller. (She was and still is a tough cookie). It was our best trip ever with the absolute best memories!

But.... every child is different and can tolerate differents amounts of activity. Only you know your child and you are the best judge of how much he/she can take until he/she goes on overload. Children grow and mature at different rates. Some 4 year olds are a little "baby-ish, others act as though they are 10. Some kids have been exposed to alot of shows, concerts, circus, movies, carnivals etc. Others haven't yet had the chance to experience much of this yet. Mom is really the best judge of how much action is too much.

 

[ImaDizneyNut]

But.... every child is different and can tolerate differents amounts of activity. Only you know your child and you are the best judge of how much he/she can take until he/she goes on overload. Children grow and mature at different rates. Some 4 year olds are a little "baby-ish, others act as though they are 10. Some kids have been exposed to alot of shows, concerts, circus, movies, carnivals etc. Others haven't yet had the chance to experience much of this yet. Mom is really the best judge of how much action is too much.

Totally agree with everything you said.