[emamasa]

[ We are planning our 1st trip ever in Jan 2005. My DH went 25 years ago, but It is my 1st time, as well as our daughters. They will be 4 & 15 months. I need suggestions for visiting with kids those ages, and which rides can my 15 month old ride, if any? We are staying at Amerihost (maingate) for free, and driving from Indiana.

Thanks for the help!

Sarah

[llama]

Just wanted to say hi and welcome to DC! How exciting that it's your first trip! At 4 and 15 months, I think you would want to concentrate on Fantasy Land and Mickey's Toon Town Fair at the Magic Kingdom. It's been a long time since I've had little kids, but I'm sure someone here will be able to give you good advice on the rides. At 15 months I sure she could handle Dumbo, Winnie the Pooh, It's a Small World, Peter Pan and the Carousel (with someone holding her).

[emamasa]

thanks! my 4 year old doesn't know we are going yet, we are going to give her a countdown calendar for Christmas & tell her then! she talks about going to mickey-world all the time, so it'll be a great Christmas present!

[DisneyTeacher]

Welcome to DC, you found a great place to get some help planning a WDW vacation.

Your 4 year old is the perfect age to take to WDW, she is going to have a great time. There are more rides your kids can go on than can't. At 5 my DS loved all of Fantasyland, Toon Town, and Tomorrowland. We ended up going on several rides 2-4 times and missing others but that's what my DS wanted to do.

Have you looked at All Ears yet? This is a great place to get LOTS of information, from theme parks to restaurant menus, it's all there.

http://www.allearsnet.com/index.html

Take a double stroller if you have one, your 4 year old is going to need a break.

We usually drive from Illinois--Do you have a DVD player for the car?

[Jen]

Welcome to DC!

My last trip in '96 my DS was 4 1/2 and just loved MK! He wasn't that impressed with Epcot though. He's 13 now and still remembers the trip well. We'll be visiting again this Jan as well (and it's also a Xmas surprise for my kids) and while my youngest is now six and I cannot offer any advice as to your youngest (my DD was 15 months at the time of the trip in '96 so she spent a week with Grandma in New Jersey) I do know that your older child will have a wonderful time.

Jen

[roxie]

Originally Posted by stusbabydoll

He wasn't that impressed with Epcot though.

My kids want to go to EPCOT just to see Figment!

Mine was 2 when she first went to WDW - she loved it and had plenty to do. She took naps in the stroller, too!

We also drive from Indiana with 3 kids. We take 2 days (day and a half actually) and it's not that bad. DVDs and candy at every gas station! We always stop in Kennesaw, Georgia on the way down.

Just relax and have a good time. It'll will be great.

[royorb1]

Hello, we first went when my daughter was almost 3 (only 2 months away). On our first day at the Magic Kingdom after riding a bunch of rides in Fantasy land, we took her to the Haunted Mansion. I thought she would be okay there because it is in fairly good humor, but she got terrified, and was frightened by any dark ride afterward. The next year she really enjoyed it.

[Disnyfan83]

You are going to have the best time EVER!! My biggest advice to you is have a stroller for each child. You can even rent them at the parks. There is A LOT of walking, and we wedged my son into a sroller until his feet dragged!! They are able to nap in the stroller whenever they are a little pooped, and you can even make it through the whole day without going all the way back to the hotel!! Another tip is to bring a bandana or something to tie on the the handles of your strollers. As you can imagine, there are a TON of strollers parked out side of attractions, and it is so much easier to find your strollers if they are "personalized."

[tinkerbell]

we started taking our Granddaughters when the youngest (now 13) was 6 months old. the age of your 4 year old will not matter as much as the height .. if she is a tall 4 and brave there maybe an awful lot she can and will want to do at all the parks. Remember you can use the "baby swap" for any rides you want to go on and the children cant.

[emamasa]

Thank you all so much! We do have a tv in the car, so the drive shouldn't be too bad. And we have a double stroller, so we'll be sure to bring it. I am glad that my 15 monthold will be able to ride some rides, she'd be jealous if her sister had all the fun! Thanks to everyone for the tips - we are so excited - and Maia will be when she finds out!

[craziebabie1]

The highlight for you will be the look on thier faces. I guarantee it. I still have the image of my daughters face in my mind her first time there. Since it's your first time too, makes the magic even better. Whatever you do, don't forget the camera.

[PapaPumba]

Welcome to DC !!! You'll find every answer you need here and no fear of asking a stupid question. Our first trip was when our daughter was 3 1/2. Truth be told, we enjoyed it more than she did. She's now 11 and we just returned from a trip with her and her 6 year old brother. They were both great.

You're going at a good time of year, so you won't be sweating as you try to maneuver your double stroller through huge crowds. Just try not to push too much and let the kids go at their pace. Be careful with your first character encounter - it can set the stage for the rest of your trip. When your child's videos suddenly "come alive" it can be a bit overwhelming.

Have fun !!!

[emamasa]

I am a little worried about meeting characters - Maia (4) gets afraid of the mouse at chuchie cheese sometimes, but still wants to see him, just not be touched by him. I think if we let her approach 1st, we'll be ok.

Thanks to everyone for the tips and warm welcomes!

[disneyguy]

Originally Posted by emamasa

I am a little worried about meeting characters - Maia (4) gets afraid of the mouse at chuchie cheese sometimes, but still wants to see him, just not be touched by him. I think if we let her approach 1st, we'll be ok.

Thanks to everyone for the tips and warm welcomes!

If this is the case I would keep them away from characters you know will be a little less bashful, like Chip and Dale.

[tinkerbell]

disneyguy is right ..chip and dale are very "outgoing" and fun but if you are worried then you would want to avoid them .. I think most the characters handle young very well ..they seem to wait and see how the child will react.. when barbie was a baby (6 months) she loved everyone but Pluto .. She wanted them all to hold her.. she was obsessed with Mickey ..until she was around 7 years old.
let her see the other children lining up for characters and the fun they are having .. she may surprise you :)

oh and you should avoid some of the villians ..like Jafar .. who can be scary even to someone my age *grin*