Planning a trip with my four year old granddaughter

[scrappinDW]

I 'got the code' for Pop Century at $49 a night, so I couldn't resist booking a room in December.
I fell in love with Disney World in 2002 and have been back every year since!!! This was to be my first solo trip, but today, my daughter in law said she and her four year old daughter would love to come. I think it is great and I love planning. I just haven't planned a trip for a little girl, so can you give me some hints and ideas? I love Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, I am a little worried about Epcot...and what character meals would be the best and should we do the dining plan??? I have so many new questions. THANKS for your help. I know we will have a ball.
Pam

 

[gris gris]

Where do you get a code that gets Pop Century down to $49 per night? WOW!! What a deal.

I'd make an ADR for the princess breakfast in Norway at Epcot. It's at Akershus Royal banquet hall. We took DD in December last year and she was 4 - she loved it. My DD is a very brave soul so she went on pretty much any ride that she was tall enough for. Have fun with your granddaughter! The first time I went to Disney I was 5 and I went with my grandparents. I have tons of memories from that trip.

 

[susykt4]

I just returned from a trip with DS4 and DD6 (and went for the first time with kids when DD was 4.) We've stayed at Pop twice and the kids LOVE it! While we were there Pop had a parade from the food court up the check-in hall and back that my kids loved so much we did three times. I believe it was at 5:30pm. We haven't done the dining plan because I can't stand the thought of working our whole schedule, park days, etc. around meals. Also, my kids don't eat a lot and don't like to sit around waiting for food so unless we did a character meal every day (ugh) it wouldn't be worth it for us.

When DD was 4 she was VERY into princesses. We did the princess lunch at Norway and the food was great and the characters were wonderful.

My kids love Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom, but they also love Epcot. They like everything in The Seas and The Land pavillions, enjoy the Imagination ride and especially the "playground" afterward. There were several things in both Innoventions bldgs they enjoyed. They liked Ellen's Energy Adventure. DS loved Test Track and DD was a little nervous. DS was too short for Mission Space so we skipped it. Both love the place with the Coke and like Spaceship Earth. In World Showcase we mainly did the Kidcot stops, but we also met TONS of characters in the different countries. Epcot also has a great character meeting area with the main Mickey characters across from Innoventions. Our last trip we did the cookie baking class (free) at The Land and the kids had a blast! Both were nervous about the Honey, I Shrunk 3D movie and didn't want to do it again.

Both of them enjoy taking the monorail from MK to Epcot. We rode in front for the first time last trip and that was a big hit. Prepare to spend more time in character lines than attraction lines! One thing that took me by surprise was I was SURE our first family trip the kids would like MGM 2nd best after MK. Turns out my kids don't like to sit through shows- including Playhouse Disney and Little Mermaid. The loudness of the Great Movie Ride scared them (gunshots, loud guide, etc.) They love the Honey, I Shrunk playground and DS loves the new car stunt show, but we go for a half day and meet lots of characters and do little else. It'll be a different, but FUN experience!

 

[fabumouse]

We took my DD at 3.5 and 4.5 and as always, it really depends on the kid. My DD really had a hard time with anything that was too loud - including the Philharmagic. If your grandaughter is at all sensitive to noise, I'd make a list (including Bug's Life, etc) of those shows to maybe avoid.

My DD *loved* playhouse disney both times, she loved the stunt shows at MGM, Nemo, Test Track, Soarin', at unlike the PP, was bored silly by the Kidcot stops. At AK, she loved most everything (but we did not attempt dinosaur, of course). She loved the safari and the rapids and really really thinks the the Lion King show is the cat's meow.

If your grandaughter loves dressing up, consider the bibbity bobbity boutique at Downtown Disney - the girls I saw last week were in utter Girl Heaven. One fun surprise - she really enjoyed the boardwalk in the evening, when the had street performers and pizza by the water.

My DD loved all the character meals so it depends on what your grandaughter enjoys - we've done Chef Mickeys, Crystal Palace, LTT and the Garden Grill and she loved seeing all the characters at each place.

You will probably want to rent a stroller. It's a big debate here on the dis, but it might save you all some grief.

You're going to have such a great time!

 

[gris gris]

(but we did not attempt dinosaur, of course).

LOL this was my 4 year old's favorite ride. It scared me to no end!!

One other thing not to miss at Epcot - Turtle Talk with Crush. Make sure you go to the bathroom first! Just so you don't pee your pants! LOL it was so funny and the kids were so cute when they were talking with Crush.

 

[scrappinDW]

gris gris: I got an e-mail with a code for $49. There were just certain dates you could use.
I think we will try the Princess Breakfast in Norway, what fun!!

Susykt4: I didn't know about the parade at Pop, that would be fun even if we just watch. She is pretty shy.
I think you are right about the dining plan. I have always went with adults and we love it, but she doesn't eat much and might not be hungry when we have the ADR's. So I don't think I will plan a table service every day. Just the special ones.
I have never been to Innoventions. What all do they have there? I will need to read up on it.
I was wondering about Ellen's Adventure. I didn't know if it would be scary for her. I will check with her mom and see what she thinks. And also Soarin, I love that ride.
I didn't even think aboutTest Track for her, that might be fun to try.
You have so many good ideas. I will check into the cookie baking too.
We (adults) got to ride in the front of the monorail last year. That was great, kind of like Soarin.

fabumouse: I have seen Philharmagic, but didn't notice it was loud. It is good to have a kids perspective. I am pretty sure ITTBAB would be to much for her.
Nemo and Playhouse Disney are a must. She loves Cars, so we need to find them at MGM.
We definately need to do Bibbity Bobbity Boutique, what fun for her.I will have to get her a Princess dress.
I think a stroller would be a good idea too. Plus we can use it for holding all of our 'treasures'.

gris gris:
I can't believe your little one liked Dinosaur, it scares me too.
We will try Turtle Talk with Crush. I haven't seen it yet, but I hear it is really cute. The bathroom will come first!!

 

[lynninpa]

I 'got the code' for Pop Century at $49 a night, so I couldn't resist booking a room in December.
I fell in love with Disney World in 2002 and have been back every year since!!! This was to be my first solo trip, but today, my daughter in law said she and her four year old daughter would love to come. I think it is great and I love planning. I just haven't planned a trip for a little girl, so can you give me some hints and ideas? I love Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, I am a little worried about Epcot...and what character meals would be the best and should we do the dining plan??? I have so many new questions. THANKS for your help. I know we will have a ball.
Pam

Last year I planned a surprise trip for 9 of us-including my 5 year old Granddaughter. Take a deep breath (like I did countless times!) and just remember-no matter what park you are in with your granddaughter, it will be magical. It's Disney, after all! As for the Dining Plan? That's a tough question as each family is different. I would say check out the menus with prices on allears.net and see what is best for you. As for Character meals? I booked dinner at CRT for our first night and it was pure Disney magic. Never have I seen a little girl's eyes light up so! And the photos of my GD with Cinderella are priceless. She also had a wonderful time at The Crystal Palace and Chef Mickeys. On the way back to the airport, I asked my Granddaughter, "What was the very 'bestest' thing about Disney?" You know what she said? "Hmmm...just being in Disney with you guys. I love you, Nana." Now that brings tears to my eyes to this day. Have a fabulous adventure!!!

 

[mitushib]

POP has a parade. I learn something new each time. OP also do try Toontown wiht mickey and friends. My DS loved it and still talks about it.

 

[ajcolorado]

Four year olds are such fun at Disney World. Plan on using a stroller even if she no longer uses one at home. The parks are big and her legs are small.

You can find lots of great information on character meals at www.allearsnet.com

Here is a page with lots of princess info: www.buildabettermousetrip.com/disneyprincesses.html

We did the campfire Sing-Along & outdoor movie at Fort Wilderness (free) and my daughter loved it: www.buildabettermousetrip.com/activity-campfire.html

 

[scrappinDW]

lynninpa: I read your trip report!!! It was great. I will have to get together with my step daughter and check out all of the menus and see what will work out best for us. More planning, I love it!!!
Your Granddaughters reply was so cute, I got little tears too. I really don't see this granddaughter very ofter, so it will be great for us to be together, especially at such a magical place.


ajcolorado: Thanks for the links. I will check out the character meals and the Princess information, she loves them. I had forgotten about the Sing-Aling at Fort Wilderness. That would be fun to go to.
Pam

 

[lynninpa]

lynninpa: I read your trip report!!! It was great. I will have to get together with my step daughter and check out all of the menus and see what will work out best for us. More planning, I love it!!![/B]
Your Granddaughters reply was so cute, I got little tears too. I really don't see this granddaughter very ofter, so it will be great for us to be together, especially at such a magical place.

ajcolorado: Thanks for the links. I will check out the character meals and the Princess information, she loves them. I had forgotten about the Sing-Aling at Fort Wilderness. That would be fun to go to.
Pam