We're at Disneyland-help!

[glasscastle]

My 4 year old was so excited before we got here, couldn't wait to go on all the rides, but now that we are here, she doesn't want to go on ANYTHING!

She went on Winnie the Pooh and loved it, but since then, she is so not into any ride, doesn't even want to look at them from a distance and hides under her hat (so not like her).

We played in Toontown and met Mickey, did Lilo and Stitch breakfast, and have been having plenty of downtime (love the wading pool at CCI!) but I'm wondering what we will do with the next two days of our Park Hoppers.

Anyone? I guess I didn't realize it was going to be this crowded, I think she's a bit overwhelmed.

Thanks in advance.

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

Not sure if I can be of much help, but 2 things come to mind...

If there are 2 adults, then 1 adult go on some of the rides to show her how fun it is, have the other take pictures & make a big deal about look at Mommy or whoever, she likes the ride...... look at how much fun she is having. Then maybe ask if she seems interested, would you like to see why Mommy is having so much fun???

Or, take the bold approach....get in line, keep her busy talking & you just go on the ride. Maybe she will be fine, just needs a little boost????

You know her best, only you can decide.

 

[dizzyami]

I would try DCA - hit the kiddie rides - they have the whole flik theming there - and maybe try to build it up. My guess is you will get away from the crowds a bit - and the rides are all mild and you can all ride together.

If that doesn't work maybe a favorite stuffed character animal that you can get that really wants to ride the rides and needs someone to ride with???

If it is truly out of character - try something mild - small world, the carousel - and hope that she gets back into the mood.

 

[abby]

Take it slow, I suggest you get to DCA when they open go to bugs land and ride a few rides before there are any lines, Himlick's cho cho train is very tame and will boost her confidence. Also, not having to stand in line will help. My dd at that age loved it's a small world, we went on and on

also try autotopia, with a parent driving.

good luck,

 

[kittysmommy]

We've been taking my DD (now 4) since she was teeny tiny. She has gone through those phases where she would have nothing to do with the rides as well. When she isn't up for rides, we often find that she is REALLY into seeing characters and shows, so that's how we spend our time. Hopefully, visiting the princesses or Mickey will help her feel the magic! (Although we have had plenty of times when she screamed bloody murder whenever she saw a character!) Toon town is also a hit to just play in the cars and run through the Chip and Dale treehouse. Hopefully the carousel or the casey train will also help.

Keep trying! She may surprise you one day!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I ran into this w/my nephews last year (just turning 4 & 6). I had heard all about the Discover the Magic tour, and paid for us to go on it - them, their parents, my two teens, and myself. It was a major bust - they wouldn't have anything to do with it, or with any of the characters, etc. (expensive lesson for me)

We decided to recalibrate and do what the kids wanted to do for the rest of the weekend. We didn't go on much, but had a great time just playing with them. They did end up going on some attractions, and others they still didn't want to go on.

You might consider taking her to the Animation Station, Playhouse Disney, Princess Fantasy Faire, and the open attractions (again), Storybook Land Canal Boats, maybe Casey Jr, if she goes on it, etc.

She may remember the dark parts of the Pooh Ride, and that has her spooked right now.

Good luck with the rest of your vacation.

 

[Husker Mickey]

I agree with the others about going to DCA and doing the Bug's Life rides. It is a hidden area away from all of the crowds. We just got back and the little ones in our party, ages 3-7 really liked the rides and got to go on the rides multiple times because there just weren't the crowds there in that area.

Keep your chin up, it may just take some time. You know your child and do what's best for her.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

It's so hard to predict how little ones will handle all the excitement and activity! Your trip reminds me of our trip to Maui when our oldest son was 2yo. Thought he'd love the beach, but he HATED IT, said the ocean was "too loud!" So we spent a lot of time in the hotel room playing with toys we'd brought. He loved the pool, though, so we did spend a lot of time there as well.

We took our first trip to DL last fall. I thought my DS6 might be a little tentative about rides and wanted to start him out on something gentle (like Pooh), and work his way up to the more exciting rides, but he went right for Splash Mountain!

But he was a little nervous about the characters, so I told him they were really people in costumes, and that seemed to calm him down. (I also cautioned him not to tell other kids, including his little brother!) Still, he wouldn't approach one for a hug or autograph no matter how much I coaxed. I finally got him going when I mentioned how many photos and autographs DS2 was going to have for his album! After that he was fine, and even eager, to meet the characters.

If she's afraid of characters, you might try 'face' characters (who don't wear a mask or headcover.) If she's just not interested, then I wouldn't sweat it. I agree that you could try other gentle rides to see if she'd like them, since she liked Pooh. And trying the shows is a good idea, especially the Playhouse Disney; my boys aren't familiar with the characters (except Pooh & friends), but they loved it! Also check out the paraes andmusical performers!

And maybe rides or character meets are not good in the morning, but fine in the evening, or vice versa. Maybe she just needed a day to get used to the sensory overload? I'd keep trying to find what she does enjoy, and go with the flow.

 

[Mom2Joce]

Where do I begin...hehehe...just as others have mentioned Bugs Life area at Calif. Ad. is very mellow.

Also at Calif. Ad. (BACKLOT) you can go/walk through the Animation Studio and do all the fun stuff there (not a ride).
AND inside the Animation Studio is Crush the talking Turtle (SOOOO CUTE!!) and not a ride...she can sit with you and just enjoy.

Right in the same location is Playhouse Disney. A "puppet" show with music and characters she's probably familiar with, Stanley, Pooh, Bear in the Big Blue House, etc. So fun and again she doesn't have to be RIGHT in the thick of things if she doesn't want to, as they have seats along the walls back from all the kids on the floor.

There is the Alladin show AND Monster's Inc. ride that is VERY low key ALSO in the Backlot.

Another favorite that isn't a ride is the Block Party Bash (again in the same location at Calif. Ad.) just a street party with music and dancing and where you can keep her far enough away but STILL really enjoy the show.

At Disneyland take the Railroad Train around the park and let her just look around. Sometimes just seeing new things might peek her curiosity. The new Princess Fan Faire over by Toon Town and you MUST get her on It's a Small World (some how...some way...she'll just LOVE it!!)
And of course like the others have mentioned the carousel, KC Jr.'s Train, Storybook ride (the whale) are all very slow and easy for you to be VERY close to her and even lap her.

The parade of dreams Parade is fun to watch and can be done at a distance.

Over near/behind Buzz Lightyear Ariel sits for greeting/pictures/etc.

In Tomorrowland there is Innovations...just walk around and see the technologies of tomorrow.

Over in Adventureland is the Jungle Cruise...WAY MELLOW and she can sit on your lap.
Also there is the Tiki Room...sit and watch the birds sing
And further back is Tarzan's Treehouse (just a walk through)

Also there is Tom Sawyer's Island (is it still open?) where she can run around and have some fun and while there you might see the ship sailing around at a snails pace and see if that interests her.

If anything there is always SOMETHING to do in each land that isn't necessarily a ride that she can definately enjoy.

Also, stop by the information/ride kiosk and ask if there are any mountain climbers (the matterhorn) your last days or any special events going on where you can just watch

Hope this has helped a little...each will at least get you over to all the lands where she just might say, "HEY, I want to go on that!!"
Best of luck

 

[Barbday62]

In DCa is the redwood play area. TO the left is smaller slide and thing to crawl through. Its like going to a play park!! Also Im sure you found the play area in toon town. Kids love those play park areas.

My grand daughter hates all the dark rides in fantasy land too. I will never take her on those until she is much older. She loved Dumbo, Small world and the play areas best when she was 4. Im taking her next month and shell be 5 this trip.