Must go rides/attractions for 5 yo boy?

[CanesFan30]

confused: I'm in the early stages of planning for a trip to Disney and would like to get expert opinions on the must see/must do type of rides & attractions for my 5 year old DS. He's smart, curious and a typical little man.

Any insight you'd like to share would be greatly appreciated!!!:

 

[Jaimee]

It kind of depends on his comfort level with rides and his height. At MK I would say Buzz Lightyear, Pirates, ALaddin, Jungle Cruise, Splash Mtn and the fantasyland rides are always fun (Peter Pan, Dumbo etc...). My DS is also 5 but is very tall and is a daredevil, we went on Space Mtn 6 times last year (he was 4 at the time) he also loved all the others I mentioned.
At MGM he liked Star Tours, Tower of Terror, the Muppet 3D show, HISTK Playground, Fantasmic.
AK Bugs Life SHow, Lion King Show, Triceratops Spin, for some reason he didn't want to try Dinosaur, but is excited about it for our next trip.
At Epcot he LOVED Test Track, spent a lot of time at the playground in Norway, the Kidcot stations...

Like I said he loves rides and went on everything that he was tall enough for, if you have any other questions let me know!

 

[CanesFan30]

I'll have to check to see his official height tonight. I'm hoping he's at least 40"- he's a bit of a thrill seeker already and I think he wouldn't take too kindly to learning he wasn't tall enough to ride splash mountain or visit the tower of terror.

 

[Jaimee]

That's a good idea, measure him ahead of time and then take a look at the rides and height restrictions online. THat way he can get an idea of what he's able to ride before you go, rather than getting in line for something and then finding out he's not big enough. With the exception of the roller coasters, ALMOST everything else is pretty much ok for everyone to ride. I'm sure there will be tons of stuff for him to do. Another thing that DS really liked on the last trip was his guest of honor badge with his name on it. THe CMs kept calling him by his name which he loved! Enjoy your trip!

 

[CanesFan30]

J/K!! How do I land a Guest of Honor badge for my little one??

 

[goin2disneyagain]

The Buzz Lightyear ride at the Magic Kindgom is a must do for a child that age. It's a lot of fun, you will love it too.

 

[disneyfanintn]

Buzz Lightyear!!! My 5 year loves this ride.

 

[CanesFan30]

Thank you all for the tips - we'll definitely check out Buzz Lightyear. Any more tips, feel free to keep 'em coming.

By the way, I measured Spence this weekend and I'm glad to announce he stands nearly 42" tall - so no lifts needed for Splash Mountain!!

 

[Jaimee]

We surprised DS with a trip for Christmas last year and I ordered the badge (and a few other things) from gifts of a lifetime.com.

 

[TiffJ]

My 5yo son LOVED Splash Mtn & BTRRM. He rode them both several times! He also liked the Tomorrowland Speedway. Not a big thrill ride, but he thought it was cool he could drive the cars himself(with me riding along) My son is very mature for his age and very curious. He loved Epcot. We were there from 8-6 one day & he didnt want to leave. He loved all the hands on stuff, the countries & Test Track. I think this is a great age to have big fun with them at the world!

 

[ladycollector]

You can get the guest of honor badge at Christmas Shoppe. They are 5 dollars and will have a special name written on the badge pretty quickly. Or maybe they already have his name!



-Kayla

 

[bkcwilliams]

My 5 year old son LOVED Test Track. When anyone asking him what his favorite was, that is what he says to everyone's amazement. He also liked Buzz Lightyear and Goofy's Barnstormer. There is nothing like seeing WDW through the eyes of a child!

 

[disneyfanintn]

On our trip this past May, our 5 year old son kept wanting to ride the Tower of Terror and Test Track. Well every time we tried to make it to Test Track either the line was way to long and no fastpasses were available or it was closed.

We did make it to the Tower of Terror. DS rode the ToT with DH and DF. When he got off the ride I ask him how he liked it, he told me "My bootty was flying in the air, I don't want to ever ride that ride again". Now I don't think he really frightened him to ride it but I think what got him was his bottom coming off the sit!!! I definately think it was a "priceless" moment! So, you can just call me "Mom of Bootty Flying son"!

 

[DisneyArk]

We just returned from Disney World and my 5 year old son liked all the rides at the Magic Kingdom.

Andrew also really enjoyed the safari at Animal Kingdom. There are stations throughout Animal Kingdom where the kids can learn things and "earn" stamps in a discovery booklet. Andrew really enjoyed these, it was difficult for my husband and I to take the time to stop at them all, but he loved them.

At Epcot he loved decorating the mask and going to all of the kidcot stations in the World Showcase.

Also, if your son likes Goofy and Max, you should try to be at Toontown when it opens at 10:00. The first child to get to Goofy's Barnstormer gets to ride it with Max and Goofy. Andrew got to do this and he really felt special.

I hope you have a magical trip!

 

[dyingtodisney]

Another tip if you want to ride anything that's 44' is to spike his hair...My son is 42 1/2' tall out of the bath tub but when his hair is gelled and spiked he makes the 44'' mark

 

[CanesFan30]

Very cool tip!!! I'll have to remember to bring hair gel and spike up his hair.