Please HELP! ASAP -- activities for 4 year old.

[SanDeeKath]

My DH and I and 2 girls just arrived at WDW tonight. Of course, we made no plans because we didn't know how our younger DD (4) would handle the trip and all the activities. We did buy MNSSHP tickets, thank goodness.

Well, now that we are here, we are totally overwhelmed. My 4 year old is a bit shy and can get scared easily. My 8 year old girl is up to just about anything. Both kids are tired (it's 11pm our time) and cranky and I don't even know where to start tomorrow. I just assumed we'd "figure it out" but I think we should have planned.

Neither of my girls is into princesses (surprisingly). Any thoughts on activities that 4 and 8yo girls would enjoy, aside from going to the Magic Kingdon, Epcot and Animal Kingdom, which we will definitely do.

I would sooooo appreciate any last minute advice! We are staying in a 2BR at the BCV and it is lovely and spacious. Yipeeeee.

K

 

[robandkelly13]

I've heard that the Mad Hatter tea party at GF is great for kids that age. My DD will be 4 in a few months and we're going to check it out. Good luck!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Check out the activity sheet at BCV. There are activities for children at the pool, and see what movies will be shown after the nightly campfire. Don't try to do too much, enjoy the Storm along bay!

Bobbi

 

[JimMIA]

I would call Disney Dining (or check at the concierge desk) and try to book a character breakfast or two. It will be difficult at this late date, but try for Crystal Palace (Pooh and Friends) or Chef Mickey's. Those are both great fun for kids that age.

The characters are VERY used to shy kids who get scared easily and they can spot them from 100 yards. Our daughter was like that on her first trip at 2. The characters will go very slow, and by the time the meal is over, your 4 y/o will be dancing around the restaurant with the characters.

Another good thing to look for is the various character meeting/greeting sites in the various parks. The parks can give you a schedule. Sometimes the lines are long, but if you know when they will start you can get there and have little wait.

 

[dudelydude]

I know this is coming a bit late, but if you are still looking for activities, I keep hearing so many good things about the activities at Fort Wilderness. And hey...if all else fails, you could always go walking around and shopping at Downtown Disney. I think they have Lego's there among other things.

 

[SanDeeKath]

Great! Thanks. Please keep them coming.

Pool plans today only for R and R. More activities planned tomorrow.

Katherine

 

[turtleclanscott]

I have 3 girls, ages 1, 3, and 5. A few of the things they loved were (in addition to It's a Small World a few hundred times):

- Riding the monorail. Ask to ride in the front with the driver.
- Dining at Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge. It's a lot of fun, extremely kid friendly, and usually easy to get a table for. Plus, you can just take a boat from the Magic Kingdom to get there.
- The Electrical Light Pagent from the beach at the Polynesian. The girls liked playing on the beach while we waited for it.

You might also walk across to the Boardwalk one morning for Breakfast at the Bakery. My wife and I really enjoyed that when we stayed at BCV.

We're going to try the Campfire at Fort Wilderness during our next trip, but we've had a blast at the Campfire at Vero Beach.

Just a few thoughts I had. I'll let you know if I come up with anything else.

 

[culli]

Having a 5, 3 and 2 year old I would advise take it slow! Comando park type philosphy will be overbearing for the kids. We take it easy in the morning - go swiming, take naps and hit the parks about 5 ish. Ideally we hit the EMH for the evening and again just take it slow. One of my kids favorite things is the pool......EPCOT imagination and inovation areas are good for the kids too.

Don't try to hit everything.....more than likely the kids don't care. Nice thing about DVC is if you don't see it this trip, see it next trip.

 

[Be1021]

Grand adventures in cooking at the Grand Floridian is awesome for that age~

 

[WendyinNC]

Stoll along the Boardwalk in the evening, get some funnel cake, go to the candy store, and enjoy the entertainers.

 

[Tinkerbellcrafter]

Ok, we went the first time as a family when DD was 4 and we spent most of our time in the MK because she LOVED Goofy's Barn Stormer, Dumbo, Its a Small World, Pooh, Space Mountain(she is tall!) Pool time was very important and still is at age 8 She would love to do Storm Along Bay, so hope you have been enjoying that!! Boat rides, as another poster said, Monorail up front, explore the resort and visit other resorts for some decompression time. VWL Spike Room. Go dance to music at GF- I have the sweetest vidoe of her and her " prince" Daddy dancing together. Still brings tears to my eyes. She also dressed up, since she loves princesses but this is still doable even if your girls aren't into princesses. Mine is now into HSM, Camp Rock, pixie hollow, ect.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[moredisneyplease]

What about DisneyQuest? My 3 year old is crazy about that place!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

What about DisneyQuest? My 3 year old is crazy about that place!!

Wow...We've never been, but I was told that it's too loud and some 4 year olds would have trouble with it. It looks like I'll have to check it out myself.

Bobbi

 

[kris10399]

Oh boy...my 4 y/o hated Goofy's Barnstormer but yet she wanted to go on Rockin' Roller Coaster...go figure.
She did the Mad Hatter party at GF back in May and she really enjoyed it. had tea (apple juice) and made a bouquet.
We'll be back later this month and plan on doing the Kidcot Stops with her in EPCOT. She saw them last time but there wasn't time to do them. Those are little stops in the World Showcase where they can do some crafts.
There is mini golf too.
My 4 y/o is into princesses but not as huge as I would've expected her to be when we were there. She loved anything hands on...wouldn't sit for a parade though.

Good Luck!

 

[TosaTrio]

My 4 year old loves the following:

Hollywood Studios: Playhouse Disney, Honey I shrunk the kids playground (We spend HOURS here), Toy Story Mania Ride

BCV: Swimming in the Pool; We also walked over to EPCOT one night at 8:30 while staying at BCV just to see the fireworks. It took 5-10 minutes and way a fun night time adverture.

Epcot: Turtle Time with Crush, Kdiscot, Nemo Ride

MK: Its a small world, Peter Pan and just new this year Haunted Manson (in the past she was scared)

AK: Dig site, Water Rafting Ride, Dino Land

Downtown Disney: Playing the in the fountain at Downtown Disney (the ones kids run through) out side the Art of Disney Store when it is HOT. She also likes riding the train in DD.

We have never done autographs but our last trip she said at the end she wanted to start collecting. We may start character autographs next time.

Have fun!

 

[1-407-WDWJUNKIE]

As much as they love all the rides and things at the parks some of our family's best times are taking it easy at Epcot, particularly the World but also Innoventions.

They can just play and explore at their own pace, no long lines or rushing from attraction A to attraction B. The last couple of trips some of the kids best days have been the bum around Epcot days (as compared to the rush to soaring, FP it and ride it, FP Mission space, run over Nemo then run back to use your FP and FP Test Track, etc. kind of days).

 

[bobbiwoz]

As much as they love all the rides and things at the parks some of our family's best times are taking it easy at Epcot, particularly the World but also Innoventions.

They can just play and explore at their own pace, no long lines or rushing from attraction A to attraction B. The last couple of trips some of the kids best days have been the bum around Epcot days (as compared to the rush to soaring, FP it and ride it, FP Mission space, run over Nemo then run back to use your FP and FP Test Track, etc. kind of days).

What a nice idea! We're going to have the DGC for a whole day in November, staying at BCV, and this sounds like fun to do, especially if it's too cool for a whole day at SAB!

Bobbi