New to Disney w/4yo

[pdjmartin]

My family will be going to WDW in Feb of 02, my DD will be just four at that time, I have NO CLUE how to plan this trip; usually we just wing it when we go away and plan once we get there, but in reading all of the posts, it sounds like there is SO MUCH going on and I would hate to miss out on something she would really love. I'm looking for opinions here; I figure I should do a character breakfast - we are staying at POFQ- any near there? She loves Pooh and Mickey. Above the breakfast, what do you think are the "must do's" for a child of 4?

Please explain as fully as possible, I have only been there once about 10 years ago..

Thanks for the help!
Jeri Martin

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

Hi pdjmartin, first of all WELCOME . . .I've found these boards very helpful in planning my trips to WDW and hopefully you'll find them just as useful.

First thing you should do is go and get one of the WDW books . . .my favorite one is The Official Guide to WDW. This will give you an idea of all the rides and attractions, resorts, restaurants, character breakfast, etc. We go to WDW every year since 1999 and I buy the book every year . . .(I'm a big Disney collector) but I love to look through them and see what is new and what I missed from the year before.

I always make all my Priority Seatings before I leave home, that way I know we have a place to eat and at what time we want to eat. We have done several character breakfasts, I am not sure if POFQ has one or not . . .Since your DD loves Pooh, you might consider the Crystal Palace which is in the Magic Kingdom. Another good breakfast (character) is at 1900 Park Fare (Grand Floridian), Chef Mickey's (Contemporary) and from what I hear, Cinderella's is the place to dine, especially for little girls who love the princesses. I have yet to try Cindy's, but I am definately going to give it a shot for our December trip. Problem is, Cindy's is very popular and seating for that breakfast usually sells out in 3 minutes. So 60 days prior to when you'd like to eat there, you have to be on the phones at around 6:55 am to get in. Hmmmmmm sounds like a wonderful, stressful part to your morning doesn't it?

The must do's for a 4 y/o would be anything in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom (they have a Winnie the Pooh Ride now, Small World is one of my favs, Peter Pan, Snow White (although a little scary with that witch), Aladdin, Dumbo, Tea Cups, Carousol, I could go on and on and of course Mickey's Toontown Fair are all places she'll love to be.

Hope this helped a little . . .GET THE BOOK!!

Have an awesome time in February!!

 

[melk]

As far as a character breakfast goes, I would recommend the Cinderella breakfast at the castle. It is "princess heaven" for little girls. Reservations are hard to come by, so follow the instructions found on these boards (I believe it's 60 days inadvance that you call and make sure to start calling at 6:59 a.m. promptly). Keep reading what people post on these boards, there are some great tips. I jotted down my favorites in a small notebook so I wouldn't forget them. Also check out wdwig.com--it has great info. For a four year old don't miss: Dumbo, Winnie the Pooh ride, It's a Small World, Voyage of Little Mermaid, Muppet 3D Movie, and of course all parades and character greetings (unless she's intimidated by the characters which is a very real possibility). You may want to take a trip over to Fort Wilderness one evening for the campfire and sing along (my kids love it). But February could be chilly for that, it just depends. But they also have a petting zoo and pony rides there. Also for planning I like the Unofficial Guide to WDW. It gives you a ton of info. Have a great trip!!!

 

[dandelion]

Jeri, my DD had just turned 4 on our last trip, so maybe I can help you. I should mention this was her 4th trip to WDW (she's a lucky kid) and she gets a lot of time in the summer on the more "standard" kind of rides like Dumbo and the carousel. So, she has never been on either of those at Disney.

She seemed to really enjoy:
pool time (we went in early Nov. and it was still quite warm)
Magic Kingdom:
Belle's story hour
Donald's Boat (a play area with fountains)
shopping time in Tinkerbelle's Treasures

MGM:
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
MuppetVision 4D
Bear in the Big Blue House

Animal Kingdom:
Pocahontas show
safari

Epcot:
Spaceship Earth
Garden Grille restaurant
Boat ride in the Land (can't remember the name)

This is not to disagree with what everyone else has said, those are all WONDERFUL attractions and dd did like them. But it was unfortunately crowded when we went (ended up being NJ school vacation week) and she doesn't like waiting in lines. So, we went for some of the less popular attractions, and things I knew she'd like. DD loves animals and nature, and the princesses, but has never been too thrilled with Pooh.

Also, even if she is beyond naps, she might need one at Disney. It's so stimulating for little ones. Be sure to build in some down time, whether it's an actual nap, or a swim, or just a ride on a boat or a monorail. And are you planning on a stroller? My advice is you will want one.

Happy planning.

 

[sydally9367]

Hi there---we also went to WDW with our then 3 yo DD, she will be 4 when we go this year but here are most of the stuff that she enjoyed while we were there:

MAGIC KINGDOM
1. Fantasyland- Pooh ride, Its a Small World, Dumbo (like 20 times), carousel, Peter Pan, Tea Cups
2. Tomorrowland- Buzz Lightyear (like 50 times!!!!!)
3. Adventureland- Pirates of the Carribean(nervous at first), Tiki Tiki Room
4. Mickey's Toon Town Adventure- Barnstormer, Train Ride--they also have a GREAT playground with a little house that she loved, I think we spent almost half the day there...this is where we went to meet Mickey and most of the other characters as well. Oh yeah, there is also a wonderful face painting place here-kind of pricey, but they do a wonderful job and make little girls into princesses--we did this twice (me included!!)
5. Ariel's Grotto-She is IN LOVE with Ariel

EPCOT
1. Spaceship Earth
2. She loved the Tapestries of Nation parade--and also looking around in all the different pavilions....

MGM
1. Honey I Shunk the Audience
Basically there are only shows for young children at MGM..she was thrilled with Fantasmic and asked to see it again and again---this year DD will be tall enough for Tot, but we haven't decided yet if DD will go on.

AK
1. Kilimanjaro Safari
This was the only ride that she went on at Ak..she saw several shows that she liked and loved walking around looking at the animals.

Hope this helps-DD will be taller this year so there will be a whole new list of rides that she will be able to go on this year!!! Have a great time!!

 

[ceecee]

Definately Toontown and Fantasyland........Crystal Palace character breakfast for sure sine she likes Pooh...........The Pooh ride, Dumbo and teacups were my 4yo's favorite rides. She loved just about everything we did, hardly one complaint in the entire 8 days!!!!! And No whining either.