Touring Plans with a 4yo

[Keyser]

We're looking at traveling (prob. in early January) to WDW for the first time with our (then) 4 year old daughter. My wife and I were there about 6 years ago on our own, and we made out (and pretty much followed) touring plans for the entire time - it fits well with the way we both like to travel. However, I'm not sure my daughter will have the discipline to follow such a plan. In particular, if our carnival/zoo experience holds, she'll get quite insistant on riding a particular ride she sees, rather than waiting until we reach it on a plan. Some areas, I don't expect much of a problem, as it tends to be out of sight - out of mind with her. But, I can see us getting stuck in fantasyland as she wants to ride the carrousel over and over and over... Obviously, we'll have to have some flexibility in our plans anyway, I'm just looking for ways to keep from getting totally off track.

So, I'm curious how others with kids handle touring plans. Do you just skip them and play it by ear (and is January a time you can do this easily enough)? Do you put together a very rough plan (area by area)? Do you have some trick to keep your kids on track? I'd love to hear any advice.

Thanks!

 

[Colinsmom]

Crowds should be very thin in early January. A touring plan is great when navigating crowds in order to maximize what you can do, but you'll be fine without it in early January. I personally wouldn't even try with a preschooler - too stressful for you, and hard on them. You need to adjust your expectations or you will all be miserable. IMO, if DS is enjoying himself, how is that off track? That's exactly why we are there!

We do, however, go with an idea of what rides we want to see in each area and grab fastpasses as it makes sense or skip around a little (like when we see a show start to load).

Disney as an adult is VERY different than Disney with small children - but they are both wonderful!!

 

[susykt4]

We went in April with DD4 and DS2 (first time with kids.) The main planning we did was for which park(s) we would visit each day. We planned around the extra hours days (avoided them) and that worked very well for us. I did TONS of research and listed some things that were "can't miss" for DH and myself but otherwise planned everything around the kids. We had a stroller for DD4 even though she NEVER uses one at home. She about freaked out over using a BABY stroller, but once we got there she wanted to be pushed EVERYWHERE including around the resort. We also returned to the resort for a break every day. DD4 napped maybe 3 out of 6 days and the other days I took her swimming or to the playground while DH and DS2 napped. Again, she NEVER naps at home. We also worked hard to be "home" and in bed early because even though we went during a busy week, as long as we got to the parks at opening we got to do everything we wanted with no or very little wait. We didn't get to see any parades or fireworks this trip due to sleeping kids, but our trip was absolutely wonderful and the kids were so happy they were far better behaved than they are at home.

We had some unexpected surprises both good and bad... I couldn't believe how much both kids loved meeting the characters. DD4 LOVED getting autographs and we spent FAR more time in line for characters than in line for rides. But, that provided us with the kids' favorite souvenir of the trip, the photo/autograph album. Also, I thought my kids would love Disney-MGM Studios. They hated everything (including Playhouse Disney and Little Mermaid) other than the Honey, I Shrunk... Playground and meeting the characters. I also was iffy about them liking ANYTHING at Epcot, but that turned out to be their 2nd favorite park after Magic Kingdom. DD4 loved making the mask at the Kidcot stations, loved Soarin', loved Test Track,The Living Seas, the free Coke place and especially the princess lunch in Norway.

 

[andromedaslove]

I definately suggest using a touring plan. Even with a 4 year old. I have a four year old, and he has come to realize after a few years, that if he just does what Mommy and Daddy tell him that he will get to see everything he wants to.

 

[Laura22]

I dunno - we tried the Unofficial Guide touring plans last year when our kids were ages 1 and 3 and it was exhausting. You zig zag across the park so much you about kill yourself, not to mention it was July when we did this.

For this trip I made up my own "touring plans". Basically we're just doing 1 section of a park each day, so there will be minimal walking. I think it will be a lot easier.

 

[MommytoPayton&Max]

This last trip, my DD4 was a little more interested in the map. Perhaps you could give her the map and tell her she is the "guide" for the next attraction. Granted she is not likely to actually get you there, but it may distract her from the current situation enough to transition to something new.

We have been twice recently with our DD and I did not find it any problem to move between attractions. As for plans, we picked our park and then made dining reservations....the rest just flowed!

Consider an autograph book for her, too. When we were there in May of 2004, we didn't think much about one for DD3 who was just past 3 years old. In fact, we didn't take the time to see many characters other than the basic usuals (Mickey, Cinderella, etc.). On the second to last day, she spotted Jasmine and just had to go see her. While waiting in line, she noticed the other children with their autograph books. She asked us nonstop the rest of the trip why she didn't have "one of those books." When we went back Feb. of 2005, our DD was a month shy of 4 and we filled two autograph books! It was quite a highlight of the trip. It would also allow you to transition easier with her, too, by having her move to a new attraction in hopes of a new character encounter.

Have fun!

 

[Keyser]

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice! About the characters, I'm just hoping she won't run away when she sees them. In fact, we had been thinking we'd do this trip a while back (last Spring/early Summer), but any time we mentioned Disney World to her, she was insistant that she did not want to go because "Mickey would be there". She has been incredibly scared of costumed characters (Chuck E. Cheese, Easter Bunny at the mall, etc.), cowering at the sight of them, and had seen pictures of Mickey hugging kids at Disney World. Well, a few weeks ago, she came to my wife and I and said: "Hey, I'm not afraid of Mickey anymore. We can go to Disney World!" and since then has been repeatedly asking when we would get to go, wanting to watch the Disney World DVD, talking about how she will give Mickey a hug, etc. I'm just hoping she really is over it (she says she's still afraid of Chuck E. Cheese...) - I'd hate to get there and have her afraid to set foot inside the parks!

 

[andromedaslove]

As far as Touring Plans with young kids. I definately suggest trying out TGM. It is so much easier than the Ultimate Guide Plans, don't have so much backtracking!!

Dana

 

[Nini]

4 year old daughter with us in October. Basically, we are going to decide which park/parks we are going to see that day. Then we are going to circle the attractions our daughter is interested in (MK...just about EVERYTHING!!! ). Then we will add whatever we (as adults) want to ride. We are fortunate to be travelling w/Extended Family members (we are a grand gathering ) so there is always someone on hand to watch the smaller children when adults do "big" rides.

I have never followed a "plan" and don't think I could be that much of a commando to follow a plan that someone else puts forth. I do understand that they help in getting to see everything. But I believe that when travelling with small children, one needs to scale back and enjoy the smaller moments instead of trying to "see it all".

That is just my opinion!!! I'm sure the plans work for others though...

Best of Luck!

 

[Nancyg56]

We are traveling with a 4 year old Princess, and my SIL will join us. My SIL visits WDW several times a year, and at least once a year with friends. This friend goes follows the "plan" and no parades are allowed. They do go in August, so the parks are crowded, but all that zig-zagging back and forth is rough. My SIL is exhausted when she comes home, and the little girls are frustrated, but they do see more that we will with no formal plan.

We are going to plan what park, and where to eat to ensure that DGD gets to see all of her favorite characters. I will also check the show times, but that's it. There are 5 adults, so if someone has a "must see', it is possible. We want her to experience the wonder, and really hope that in January, it is possible.

 

[Loriannf]

We used the 4-8 year old plan with our 3.75 princess in July. It worked well, as we only used it for the first day. It gave us an idea of how to avoid large lines and what rides she might most be interested in, and more importantly, what rides she might be frightened in. We totally avoided Snow White.

After the first day, she decided her favorite rides were Big Thunder and Splash Mountain. So we rode one or two rides in Fantasyland, then FP'd and rode the mountains. In between, we'd visit shops, watch the Cinderella show, and look for characters. Out of our 7 day trip, we were at MK FIVE days - so much for the park hoppers.

You'll have a great time even if she gets you stuck in Fantasyland. Try suggesting that a Princess or other character she's interested in might be found in another land.

Have fun.

Lori

 

[Servants of Evan]

For us, it's a matter of who the vacation is for. While that may sound strange it helps to remind us of what the real objective is. For our son's fourth birthday, we traveled several hours to visit a firefighting museum. We then hit one of the top rated Zoos and figured that would be the highlight for him. When we were wrapping up the zoo, he asked if we could go back to the museum. Though they were only open for another hour, we quickly made the drive because it was his birthday / his vacation.

Yes, I go to Disney expecting that I'll have a good time, but what is more important to me is that my DS has the time of his life.

Servants of Evan

 

[Nancyg56]

For us, it's a matter of who the vacation is for. While that may sound strange it helps to remind us of what the real objective is.

Amen to that! We all agreed that this trip was just for our 4 year old. We all know that we are not going to "get our money's worth" because we are not going to subject her to all of the rides, etc that she cannot enjoy. We did decide to spend on concierge, because we know that at least some of us will be spending more time at the resort than if she were older, and we all agree that dragging an exhausted child around is the worst. Her Nana and Pa love to indulge her, but I am thrilled that my DD and her DH agree. I truely hope that she enjoys it, as we are anticipating her reaction to all of the Disney magic.