What Shouldn't a 5 Year Old Miss?

[bbangel]

I usually go solo or with older adults. In June I'm taking my best friend and her family (husband and 5 year old). I know she loves playgrounds so I have all the play spots mapped out, but are there other things a 5 year old shouldn't miss? Any advice about taking a 5 year old in general is welcome as well!

 

[kohlby]

My kids - girl aged 3.5 and 6 year old boy favorites were Test Track and Thunder Mountain Railroad.

 

[littlbugmom]

It probably depends on the child but Mickey's Philharmagic was a huge it with my 41/2 yr old son. He also loved the Lights Motor Action show!

His favorite restaurant was Sci Fi Drive In.

Favorite play spot was Pooh's Playful spot in MK.

He liked everything in FantasyLand.

Loved playing in Mickey and Minnie's houses in Toontown.

Loved meeting all characters, as long as he didn't have to wait very long in line for them.

 

[bbangel]

Thanks for the insights.

She is a big animal lover so I'm thinking AK is going to be her fav park after MK. We plan to spend most of our time in those two parks.

Would you recommend a stroller for getting her around Epcot?

 

[Kat&Dom]

Thanks for the insights.

She is a big animal lover so I'm thinking AK is going to be her fav park after MK. We plan to spend most of our time in those two parks.

Would you recommend a stroller for getting her around Epcot?

My son is 4 1/2 and I am planning on having a stroller with us. I find that he just hops into it when he is tired and there is no whining. He is not used to walking in the humid heat of Florida so although he is very active child at home, I like to have a stroller for him at Disney.

His favorite rides were Buzz Lightyear, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder at MK, Safari and Finding Nemo Musical at AK and at Epcot, he loved the Nemo ride, Test Track and Soarin as well as the ride in Mexico Pavillion.

He also enjoyed the Kids stations at AK because he got to learn about different animals and the sounds they make and get a little passport stamped for free He did a couple of the stations at Epcot too - it was a necklace that he added different objects that he colored on it.

Have a great trip! You are going to have so much fun with your daughter.

 

[cassandrap83]

There's not much that a 5yr "can't" ride. In fact, my daughters loved everything there last year! I would try to ride as much as possible. The only "play area" that my kids played on was Donald's Boat. If I wanted to play on play areas I would have went to the mall, not Disney World.

Their favorite rides were:
Aladdin's carpets
POTC
BTMRR

 

[littlbugmom]

Thanks for the insights.

She is a big animal lover so I'm thinking AK is going to be her fav park after MK. We plan to spend most of our time in those two parks.

Would you recommend a stroller for getting her around Epcot?

At 41/2, my DS needed a stroller. We used it every day, in every park. He walked when he wanted to but he gets overstimulated very easily. The stroller helped him stay "down" between rides/shows, kwim? He was also very tired by the end of each day.


Someone mentioned skipping the play spots. It's true, you can go to a play area any time at home. Still, some of them are really awesome and have such unique themes. The Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area in HS is very cool. I can't believe I forgot to mention it.

 

[humboldthny]

My dd is 6 - she's been to the parks 3 times...she likes most of the rides but I've listed her most favorite below.

MK favorites:
Small World
Dumbo
Haunted Mansion
Peter Pan

Epcot Favorites:
Soarin' (her all-time favorite ride)
Turtle Talk with Crush
Test Track

DHS Favorites:
Toy Story Mania

I'd also plan on a character meal or two, depending on the characters she likes (we like the Princess breakfast at Akershus in Epcot and the Winnie the Pooh meal at Crystal Palace) and of course the parades and fireworks

My dd also really enjoys meeting the characters and getting their signatures as well as pin trading...

As far as the strollers...we've never used one - dh gives occasional piggy backs and we don't schedule our day, just take it as it comes and sit and rest when we need/want too, no rushing...

Playgrounds are a fun stop occasionally, but I certain wouldn't go out of the way to hit more than one or two...there's too much else to see and do!

 

[bbangel]

Thanks for all the good advice. I think we will see how she does the first day before we decide about the stroller. We are going for a half day before a pool break so it should give us a good guide.

We do have two character meals planned - 1900 Park Fare (so she can meet Cindy!) and Chef Mickey's. We are also going to do O'hana.

It's really all about her so if she wants to play in the play areas or pool most of the day that is what we will do. I'm hoping she will like the rides but she hasn't really been on anything big yet so we'll have to play that by ear. We'll start with the stuff in Fantasyland and work our way up