Must dos with a 4 year old boy?

[PrincessBrideJo]

We are going in May with our 4 year old.

What do you think are the MUST dos? We are only going to the main parks and staying at all star movies.

 

[las3888]

These are some of my DS favorites. He just turned 4. On our last trip, he was 3.5--keep in mind, he is intimidated by some of the bigger rides.

-Tom Sawyer's Island (probably #1)
-Lego-land (at DTD, I know it's not in a park, but really I think this is his TOP choice of things to do, sigh)
-Peter Pan
-It's a Small World
-Carousel
-Indy Speedy (we do this SEVERAL times)
-Can't remember the name--the rockets in Tomorrowland that go round and round
-Swiss Family Robinsin Tree
-Playhouse Disney at HS
-He is very tempted by Test Track but he got too scared in the line to actually do it
-Dino playground at AK
-Both Buzz Lightyear rides (one in MK and the one in HS)
-character breakfast at H&V with Little Einsteins and
-He enjoys the France movie at EPCOT as well as China and Canada

There might be a few others--this is what I could think of off the top of my head. Have fun!

 

[Darcy03231]

I took my niece last fall when she was four (almost 5). She loved Test Track! I think we must have ridden it at least 6 times. Other favorites were everything in Fantasy Land, Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Carribean in MK, the Safari and Kali River Rapids in AK, and Nemo/Turtle Talk in Epcot.

 

[mrstomrice]

My son also liekd Tower of Terror and Soarin. He also liked "driving" on the Indy Speedway, all of Fantasyland, Spalsh Mountain (after some bribery), Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (He must be 40 inches for these rides). You may want to request the Toy Story section on Movies. We love to get our son's haircut at the Harmony Barbershop in MK, with the gel mickey head. It's only $14.00 for everything. FInally, ask to ride in the front of the monorail...enough said

 

[PrincessBrideJo]

Oh I guess I could give a bit more background on my son. He is 43 inches without shoes so he should be able to ride everything and the 44 inch rides (RRC mainly)i think will scare him off anyways.

He has been to Six Flags with his dad, I didn't go because I stayed home with our then year old (so this was about 6 months ago). He enjoy rides like the mine shaft but was scared of that boat ride that the boat just goes REAL high and back and forth.

I actually think he will be more scared of the content of some rides (think dinosaur and snow white) than the rollar coaster type stuff.

 

[jennipooh]

DS is now 10. He too had his first visit at 4. I love thinking back to that trip. It was such a wonderful age. Everything was exciting and fun for him!

DHS
You did not say what dates you would be staying. If you are there any of the following days:
May 22, 2009 - May 24, 2009
May 29, 2009 - May 31, 2009
June 5, 2009 - June 7, 2009
June 12, 2009 - June 14, 2009
then you must do Star Wars Weekends! It is the perfect event for a boy of any age. It takes place at DHS - no extra charge.

DS's first visit was planned to coincide with Star Wars Weekends and he was in absoulute heaven. I could go on and on about what to do during Star Wars Weekends...but not sure if you would be there then. Would gladly share if you are intersted!

Even if you are not able to make SWW then you must try the Jedi Training Academy and Star Tours. Take ds's picture on the speeder bike across from Star Tours while you are there.

 

[Drewsmommybear]

My DS is 4 and a half. Every night before he goes to sleep we relive one of his favorite rides. These were the ones that made the biggest impression on him or at least I think so because he asks to hear about them over and over again--

Goofy's Barnstormer (I know some kids are afraid of this)
Haunted Mansion (That one's a little weird, I know)
Philharmagic
Triceratops spin and the Flying Carpets
Peter Pan
Winnie the Pooh
Living with the Land (I think because of the Mickey Shaped pumpkin)
Also, all of Downtown Disney was a hit especially the Donald and Daisy statue outside of the pin trading place.

 

[mrstomrice]

Oh I guess I could give a bit more background on my son. He is 43 inches without shoes so he should be able to ride everything and the 44 inch rides (RRC mainly)i think will scare him off anyways.

He has been to Six Flags with his dad, I didn't go because I stayed home with our then year old (so this was about 6 months ago). He enjoy rides like the mine shaft but was scared of that boat ride that the boat just goes REAL high and back and forth.

I actually think he will be more scared of the content of some rides (think dinosaur and snow white) than the rollar coaster type stuff.

That helps! My son did go on dinosaur and hated it...no tears, but he was not happy! You will get to use child swap since you have a younger child, so he will get to ride the bigger rides twice. It's funny that they're at an age when they love DUmbo and TOT!

 

[PrincessBrideJo]

DS is now 10. He too had his first visit at 4. I love thinking back to that trip. It was such a wonderful age. Everything was exciting and fun for him!

DHS
You did not say what dates you would be staying. If you are there any of the following days:
May 22, 2009 - May 24, 2009
May 29, 2009 - May 31, 2009
June 5, 2009 - June 7, 2009
June 12, 2009 - June 14, 2009
then you must do Star Wars Weekends! It is the perfect event for a boy of any age. It takes place at DHS - no extra charge.

DS's first visit was planned to coincide with Star Wars Weekends and he was in absoulute heaven. I could go on and on about what to do during Star Wars Weekends...but not sure if you would be there then. Would gladly share if you are intersted!

Even if you are not able to make SWW then you must try the Jedi Training Academy and Star Tours. Take ds's picture on the speeder bike across from Star Tours while you are there.

We will not be there then. We are going the 10-17. My husband is a huge star wars fan and we thought about going then but would rather not have the crowd!

That helps! My son did go on dinosaur and hated it...no tears, but he was not happy! You will get to use child swap since you have a younger child, so he will get to ride the bigger rides twice. It's funny that they're at an age when they love DUmbo and TOT!

I was so confused about the child swap statement. Then I realized i did mention my younger son. He isn't going with us this time. We decided at 18 months he won't remember any of it, and he won't understand things like lines, bus rides, sweating...that kind of stuff. And he is a very....umm....opinionated child (my kids are so complete opposites!).

 

[clc053103]

Must warn you that reaction to It's a Small World can go either way. DS hated it- kept crying about "the dancing ladies". For other kids, it's the song!

DS liked Soarin, People Mover, Buzz Lightyear, Kilamanjaro Falls, Winnie the pooh ride. The highlight for him was the MK Train, monorail and any boat rides!!!

AVOID: Dinosaurs- traumatizing!!!!! Even for me!!!!

 

[arielmomma]

My son just turned 5 in February. We went to wdw in January & September while he was 4. He says his favorite things were:

Star Tours
Jedi Training Academy
Indiana Jones stunt spectacular
Splash Mountain
Toy Story Mania
Buzz Light year's space ranger spin
Pirates of the Caribbean
Kilamanjaro Safari
Soarin'
Test track
Kim Possible Missions
All trains
character meals

 

[PrincessBrideJo]

What is the Jedi Academy training?

 

[ltl engine]

AK-Bugs Life (make sure he sits down until the end), Kilimanjaro Safari, Digging for Dinosaur bones
DHS-Lights, Motor,??whatever, Animator (go in thru the store so you do not have to sit thru the 20 min video)
MK-Tomorrow Land Transit, Train

Sit in the front of the monorail, even to just ride somewhere and back

 

[mrstomrice]

What is the Jedi Academy training?

A few times a day, there is a Jedi Training outside of the Star Wars ride. A jedi choses about 10 kids from the crowd and teaches them how to be a jedi and use a light saber. The finale has them using their new skills against Darth Vader. I only saw it once, but my 4 year old stil talks about it and hopes he gets picked next time!

 

[teedisney]

My 4 y/o son favorites in November were

Goofy's barnstormer ( I think he rode it like 5 times)
The train around Magic Kingdom
Playhouse Disney
Toy Story Mania
All the animals at ANimal Kingdom
Kilimanjaro Safari
Chef Mickey's
The Disney buses
Eating in Epcot LOL
Getting his first lanyard and picking out pins

Enjoy the trip. My son asks can he go again about once a week. I want to take him for his sixth birthday.

 

[disneymarie]

We are going in May with our 4 year old.

What do you think are the MUST dos? We are only going to the main parks and staying at all star movies.

In Germany in the garden area, the Model Trains.
Mexico boat ride the three Cabrinaor's (sp)
Norway, there is a Troll but we play that down.
The LED lights on the ground in Epcot leaving at night
Take the train in Animal Kingdom to the petting area, (look for hidden Mickey's on the fur"

Minnies house, work the oven the microwave popcorn, buttons all over.
Small World, over and over
Skip Stiches adventure if you are making a choice.
see Monsters Inc. sit up close,
Winnie the Pooh honey pots ride, Dumbo, carrosel

On the Diseny world site'; you can make a map with the suggest must do's and it will be mailed to you with the spots marked so you have a planned day.
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