[SplashMtnMan]

We are going to the world Aug 6-13 and this time around we are taking our 4 yr old son. I have done plenty of homework to plan this out...meals that are geared towards him, scheduled nap breaks, stoller, backpack full of snacks and fluids and all that. We are doing Rainforest Cafe and Disneyquest the day of arrival...the rest of the days are filled with character meals (dreaming & wishing for a table at Cinderella's), Ohana's, Sci-Fi, 50s prime time, Coral Reef...we have all the parks covered, including the waterparks, with a pretty good idea of what rides we are going to cover at what times...also an understanding that we may have to split at times to accomodate the little man (just gave in and got cell phones just for this reason).

Here are the questions:

1) Can those of you that have traveled with 4 year olds please give me some reassurance that this will not turn out to be a disastrous trip.

2) Just because he meets height requirements...is it ok to take him on rides such as Splash Mtn,Big Thun Mtn,Stitch Grt Esc,Dinosaur,Tower of Terror, Test Track,Soarin ?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated...also any idea what the current days out are for calling for priority seating?

Thanks

[wdwspider]

Just because he meets requirements I would not do some of those and the rest I would leave up to your child to decide. Other than that you will have a fantastic trip with a four year old. There will be more you can do with your 4 year old in a day than you will have time to do. The parks are awesome for that age group. The sparkle in their eyes, the wonder, the excitment over the characters, the parades, even It's a Small World is so special in a toddler. Do not think twice about this trip. Remember this is a trip for him and it will be so much more magical and real to him and your trip will be a 110% success.

If you two want to ride a few of the bigger rides, child swap is great. But customize your trip to accomidate the little one first and the memories your child and you have will be so much more for the rest of your lives.

I have been with my son at 1, 2, and 3 and each trip is a new and different adventure as he grows and experiences new things. We are skipping 4, but will return again next year at five (hoping he may want to try Barnstormer and some of the forementioned attractions you listed), but if not we will still have a great time. He went on Stitch at 3 and LOVED it, but it greatly depends on your child. Talk to him about the nature of the attraction first, knowing what to expect and deciding on their own helps a great deal, but ultimately you know if it's a good idea for your child or not whether to take that chance. Definitely work your way up to Haunted Mansions and Snow White Dark Rides. Go on friendly stuff first.

[Robio]

The trip will in all likelihood not be a disaster. A 4 year old will have a fantastic time at Disney, especially with the characters. Just don't force him to have any interaction with any character he doesn't want to meet.

As far as the rides go it's one of those things that has to be handled on an individual basis. Some kids will like rides that are a little frightening while others will experience sheer terror. In 2002 I took my then 3 year old daughter to Disney World. She was a little short for Splash Mountain with the CM's let her go on anyway. We were pretty nervous about how she would react, especially on that long fall down, but she absolutely loved it. We didn't press our luck though and only did the ride once. So your kiddo will probably like that one, but I would hold off on Dinosaur. I just can't see any young child not getting the bejeesus scared out of him on that ride.

[llama]

First of all welcome to DC! Nice to have you. I can only reiterate what's already been said. I'm sure that your son's trip will not be a disaster. Take it at his pace and don't try to force matters if he's hesitant. Some of those characters look awfully big to a 4 year old. Just let him hold back and observe if he doesn't want to rush right to them. Sometimes when they see other kids getting autographs and hugs, they'll want to meet the characters too. As for rides, even though he meets the height requirements, I wouldn't take a 4 year old on Dinosaur. Grown men have been known to whimper and cry on it. Another innocent-looking-but-its-not attraction is It's Tough to be a Bug. I've seen more terrified, screaming children taken out of this show than any others. If he's the least bit nervous about bugs and spiders - BIG bugs and spiders - skip it. Tower of Terror - I'd be hesitant of that one too. Splash Mtn., Big Thunder, etc. should be fine, if he's up for it. The Stitch attraction takes place mostly in the pitch dark and you are strapped in. There's no way of holding or comforting him, if he gets scared. Don't miss Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. And all the old favourites - Peter Pan, Dumbo, etc. And DO NOT miss Mickey's Philharmagic. Probably the best new attraction at the MK. Likewise Turtle Talk with Crush at the Living Seas at Epcot. It's wonderful.

[ddoll]

I'd recommend you take advantage of the child play areas in each park. Use it as some "down time" for him. We did this whenever the adult watching him needed to wait out the rest of the group going on a ride that was too big for him.

Also...don't forget to give him plenty of nap time! Disney is exhausting as well as fun and he'll be oh-so-cranky there without it. Even without little ones, we always go back to the resort mid day for rest and relaxation.

And at that time of year, remember to keep him cool. That means lots of water for him too as well as putting a little battery operated fan on his sun-shaded stroller and a towel on his seat.

[SplashMtnMan]

I am so happy I found this site, all of you are very helpful and even though I am a research fanatic and constantly read about all the disney magic...I just can't get enough. It's great to know that there are a lot of other "big" kids out there. I am inspired and look forward to spilling my trip report upon everbody when I get back.

Tomorrow we are going to see Disney's Monsters on Ice show and are totally excited about that, and possibly Finding Nemo on Ice next month.

[llama]

Originally Posted by SplashMtnMan

I am so happy I found this site, all of you are very helpful and even though I am a research fanatic and constantly read about all the disney magic...I just can't get enough. It's great to know that there are a lot of other "big" kids out there. I am inspired and look forward to spilling my trip report upon everbody when I get back.

Tomorrow we are going to see Disney's Monsters on Ice show and are totally excited about that, and possibly Finding Nemo on Ice next month.

You just said the magic words: "research fanatic" and "Disney magic"- you'll fit in just fine here!

[BuzzLightyear]

Hi and welcome to DC !!
Our son will be 4 on this trip also. He has been going since he was 18 months.

My main tip is just to take it slow and go at his/her pace. Looks like you are already planning that, so everything will go great for you.

Have a great time!!!

[Cincy]

Welcome to DC. We have a 6yr DS and a 4 YR DD that have both been two times. First trip they were 4 and 16 mos and the second trip they were 5 and almost 3. Let me first say that it can be done and you can have a great time.

You know your DS better than anyone so you will know what they can and can't do. Don't push them. Go at there pace. If they get tired let them sleep in the stroller or take time to see a show. Some on this board will recommend you go back to the hotel for a nap. That works for some but not us. We are DC camandos. We are the first to the park and the last to leave every day.

MGM, Animal Kingdom both have play areas for the kids to run off some energy. I highly recommend you know where these are and plan on using them.

We have season passes to Kings Island here at home. DS and DD have always gone since they could walk. They have been riding roller coasters as soon as they could pass the height requirements. We know they can go all out all day from what we see them do here. That being said all kids are different and no one can tell you what to do with your kids.

To answer you second question. DS is the only one who has been tall enough for the rides you mentioned. He LOVES them. He can't wait till we go back so that he can do them again. Here again we saw a lot of parents forcing their kids to ride these rides and it was a big mistake.

Good luck and enjoy

[KarenT]

My DD just turned 5. She has been to WDW many times since she was about 10 months old. When she was tall enough we would try out rides ahe could go on.
Here is her take on it..
Splash Mountain and BTMRR- loves them can't get enough!
Stitch's Great Esacpe- She found entertaining-but she does not like the dark.
So not sure if she will go on it again for a while.
Goofy's Barnstormer-can't get enough of it. If you go early or late in the day you can ride it over and over again.
Dinosaur-too dark and scary will be a while before she tries it again.
TOT - went on it twice likes it, but said maybe when she is six- she will go on it again!
Test Track-one of her favorite rides.
My DD is a daredevil and will try anything- we never pushed her or forced her to go on any ride.
She was dissappointed tha she was about 1/2 inch short for space mountain last time we were at wdw.

Taking a four Y/O is a lot of fun. In fact I took DD twice as a Mommy and me trip and we had a great time. You will have a great time.
Have fun

[Allyson]

We took our first family vacation to Disney in October with our 4 yo son and it was a blast!! (so much so that we bought season passes and are heading back in two weeks). Just let him make the calls on the rides - DS rode Splash Mtn (he was a little scared, but primarily because DH is a wimp and his nervous energy was rubbing off on DS!!), Goofy's Barnstormer and Star Tours. On this trip (he's still 4) he'll do Soarin', I'm sure...and we plan to do Big Thunder Mtn too. Space Mtn and RnR are still a little much for him, I'm sure. And, we'll probably avoid ToT (primarily b/c DH won't ride it and I don't want DS to freak out on me alone!).

So, basically, it'll be a wonderful vacation! Just take your time, let him rest and don't push yourselves. The look on his face the first time he sees that famous Mouse will be priceless...it's a memory I'll never forget! Have a blast!!

[jenbarnwell]

My daughter is four and she had a blast when we went recently. She rode Test Track, Dinosaur (but she hated it) and Stitch. We waited in a lot of lines for autographs and pictures. We really didn't take to many nap breaks though. And bring water. She drank so much water. Have a great time and Good luck.

[karliebug]

It really depends on your child. Are they the shy, withdrawn, scaredy pants type or the let's go, try anything once type?? My 4 year old went on anything and everything she was tall enough for. I think disney quest may not be the best place to go because I think it is aimed at older kids.

[MrDisneyfan1]

We have been lucky, we have been bringing our children since they have been 4 months old, and currently they ar 3 and 7! (WOW)
They love every part of Disney, luckily, my DS will try everything once, and now is a big fan of Rock N Roller coaster, and has been going on Tower of Terror since he was 4 1/2.

They even sit and enjoy all the great resturants!!
Good luck and have fun!
Den

[llama]

Originally Posted by karliebug

I think disney quest may not be the best place to go because I think it is aimed at older kids.

I must agree that maybe Disney Quest isn't the best choice for a 4 year old. If you're going to the Rainforest Cafe (I'm assuming at the Marketplace), why don't you just spend some time there? All kids love the Legoland Store and Once Upon a Toy. Even a browse around the Disney Store is fun. He can look at all the stuffed characters and you can discuss which one's he''ll probably see "in person". Sort of ease him into things. Disney Quest is really geared for older kids and teens.