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4 Year Old - Which Parks Should we Visit?
- Thread starter juniorlilly
- Start date
Thanks So Much for all of your advice and offerings!! My 4 year old is a very girly girl and small, and not real rambouctious - at all - (sp.?) Loves fireworks, and we have done the the zoo's and aquirums in our area in the past couple years.
I think she will adore MK!! So thats a go for sure. AND my husband and I discussed and we totally want to do a meal with a character - she would probably enjoy a princess the most. We saw the disney princess' on ice show a few months ago and she LOVED it!! Wonder if we pick which princess or not..will need to do some research on that still.
Since we are still in the planning stages - we will be now leaving the wed. prior to the week of Thanksgiving and staying for 7 nights and FLYING!!! We also want to go to Sea World and Universal - me-seaworld- dh-universal.
Its our first real vacation in years and this year is our 5th anniversary so its nice to make a lot of it.
The 12.5+ hrs. in the car one way wasn't very appealing!! First time on a plane(for me and her :wave..we are currently looking for the hotel/rental car/flight packages.
Thanks Again!!
I think she will adore MK!! So thats a go for sure. AND my husband and I discussed and we totally want to do a meal with a character - she would probably enjoy a princess the most. We saw the disney princess' on ice show a few months ago and she LOVED it!! Wonder if we pick which princess or not..will need to do some research on that still.
Since we are still in the planning stages - we will be now leaving the wed. prior to the week of Thanksgiving and staying for 7 nights and FLYING!!! We also want to go to Sea World and Universal - me-seaworld- dh-universal.
Its our first real vacation in years and this year is our 5th anniversary so its nice to make a lot of it.The 12.5+ hrs. in the car one way wasn't very appealing!! First time on a plane(for me and her :wave
..we are currently looking for the hotel/rental car/flight packages. Thanks Again!!
DisneyFine
New Member
juniorlilly said:This is going to be our first family trip to WDW, I went when I was 12 and my husband has been before too.
I am trying to figure out what are the top 2 parks to visit and maybe a third for a kicker. We want to spend at least 2 days and maybe 3 days in the parks.
We are really want this to be the most fun for our 4 year old. What parks do you recommend for young children. I having been researching for 2 days..we will be arriving about 5 days prior to Thanksgiving.
any other advice on her age activities welcomed too!!
TIA...
Magic Kingdom with out a doubt is the perfect park for a 4 year old, then MGM has Playhouse Disney so... and Epcot is known for 8 and up, Animal kingdom is fantastic park if your into zoo animals.
imamouse
Well-Known Member
juniorlilly said:Thanks So Much for all of your advice and offerings!! My 4 year old is a very girly girl and small, and not real rambouctious - at all - (sp.?) Loves fireworks, and we have done the the zoo's and aquirums in our area in the past couple years.
I think she will adore MK!! So thats a go for sure. AND my husband and I discussed and we totally want to do a meal with a character - she would probably enjoy a princess the most. We saw the disney princess' on ice show a few months ago and she LOVED it!! Wonder if we pick which princess or not..will need to do some research on that still.
Since we are still in the planning stages - we will be now leaving the wed. prior to the week of Thanksgiving and staying for 7 nights and FLYING!!! We also want to go to Sea World and Universal - me-seaworld- dh-universal.
The 12.5+ hrs. in the car one way wasn't very appealing!! First time on a plane(for me and her :wave
Thanks Again!!
Congratulations! I know that you'll have a great time and your advance planning will pay off.
For your daughter, I recommend MK and AK. MK is pretty hard to cover in a day (or two), so I suggest that you focus on a couple of lands per visit. For example: do Tomorrowland and Fantasyland and maybe Toontown one day, then do Frontierland and Adventureland and maybe Liberty Square another day. This way you save on a lot of back tracking across the park.
You may only need the better portion of 1 day at AK, but be sure to do Dinoland and Kilimanjaro Safari.
Since you have a daughter, you might consider taking her to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney. They do makeovers that include hair extensions, styling, face jewel, etc for $35 ($45 to add press on nails). I checked it out during my last trip and it looked soooo cute. It made me wish I had a daughter instead of sons.
As for your planning and booking your trip - I recommend Kingdom Konsultant (a WDWMagic sponsor). Pam and her team are super knowledgeable, very friendly, and FREE! In addition to making your arrangements, Pam will help you with the Princess breakfast and answer all of your questions. You can send Pam a personal message, email, or call her at 866/566-7858. Tell her I said hello :wave:
righttrack
Well-Known Member
Easy 2 days, both at MK. Too much for one day alone. If there were more days, then yes, AK (make sure your child has seen The Lion King 1st!) and Epcot, doing AK in the am, and Epcot in the pm. Epcot largely being spent on one or two Futureworld attractions and then dinner/illuminations at World Showcase.
bandtrumpet
New Member
Epcot82Guy said:
Isnt DAK bigger than EPCOT??:veryconfu thats what i always thought, maby not?
As for me, Magic Kingdom is just classic, you cant beat the expression on their face when they first see the castle so definetly MK. I would also suggest AK its great!
Take pics, there will only be 1 first trip!!!
HAVE FUN!!!!
Please feel free to contact my office. We can get you some quotes and answer your questions. Please keep in mind that Kingdom Konsultant Travel offers free itinerary planning so that you have much less stress when it comes to planning your upcoming stay. We work with you one on one and help you to decide where you want to eat, what attractions will be suitable for your daughter and what ones may scare her. In your personalized itinerary we give you the park hours, height restrictions, scary ride information, tips and emergency information also.
Give us a call! We'll help make this trip Magical
Pam
Give us a call! We'll help make this trip Magical
Pam
mrtoad
Well-Known Member
Totally depends on the kid on what they will like or not like but MK is your definite first choice. After that it will depend on the child but we find that Epcot is number two and our daughter is 5. She went at 3, 4 and 5 and has been different every trip. She use to be brave at 3 and is a chicken at 5. In Epcot she is happy to walk around World Showcase and shop, make masks and eat. MGM and AK both will have stuff for a 4 year old but if you are limited to 3 days (which is really a tight timeframe) I would say 2 MK days and 1 Epcot day.
DisneyDragon
New Member
You're going to find some highly varied opinions on spending two days in the parks. Even the Sea World / Universal decision is a factor...
MK for a kid is a MUST. For the others, there's lots of opinions. If she likes animals, tough to miss AK. However, Dinosaur and Tough To Be a Bug can be unsettling to kids, and Everest may be "too big". Kali River Rapids was a big hit (6 consecutive ride) with my DD, and the Safari is awesome first thing in the morning.
Epcot has lots to do for kids too - my DD fav attraction at 4 (still is at 7) is Test Track ('cuz it's fast, in her words). Journey Into Imagination is good (couple of surprises in it that can upset kids a bit). The Land (all of it) and Turtle Talk at The Living Seas can be enjoyable for the kids. Universe of Energy isn't bad if dinosaurs are interesting, but it's a lot of show for the experience. The non-motion version of M:S could be a big hit too.
However, if it's mostly for your daughter, there's still other deciding factors...
- Height and bravery - my daughter at 4 had no issues with Test Track (at Epcot) and Tower of Terror (at MGM), but did not like Dinosaur in the least (I think it was too "real" for her). Now she's pretty tall, and brave out the wazoo, so she's not the best barometer.
- Tendency to repeat attractions - will she want to repeat attractions? If she likes to repeat, you're going to spend lots of time at the MK.
- Energy levels - park hopping is fun but it does include extra traveling on an already busy day. It also makes it very tough for a mid-day nap.
Hope that helps.
MK for a kid is a MUST. For the others, there's lots of opinions. If she likes animals, tough to miss AK. However, Dinosaur and Tough To Be a Bug can be unsettling to kids, and Everest may be "too big". Kali River Rapids was a big hit (6 consecutive ride) with my DD, and the Safari is awesome first thing in the morning.
Epcot has lots to do for kids too - my DD fav attraction at 4 (still is at 7) is Test Track ('cuz it's fast, in her words). Journey Into Imagination is good (couple of surprises in it that can upset kids a bit). The Land (all of it) and Turtle Talk at The Living Seas can be enjoyable for the kids. Universe of Energy isn't bad if dinosaurs are interesting, but it's a lot of show for the experience. The non-motion version of M:S could be a big hit too.
However, if it's mostly for your daughter, there's still other deciding factors...
- Height and bravery - my daughter at 4 had no issues with Test Track (at Epcot) and Tower of Terror (at MGM), but did not like Dinosaur in the least (I think it was too "real" for her). Now she's pretty tall, and brave out the wazoo, so she's not the best barometer.
- Tendency to repeat attractions - will she want to repeat attractions? If she likes to repeat, you're going to spend lots of time at the MK.
- Energy levels - park hopping is fun but it does include extra traveling on an already busy day. It also makes it very tough for a mid-day nap.
Hope that helps.
Lucky
Well-Known Member
dopey said:
I agree entirely with these recommendations. It would take an entire day to "do" each park, but your goal is to best entertain a 4-year-old, not to say you did every ride/attraction in each park you visit. You definitely want to be at MK one evening for Spectromagic (evening parade) and Wishes (fireworks), and at Epcot another evening for Illuminations. MGM also has an end-of-day show (Fantasmic!) Our daughter saw it when she was 4 and liked it, but it can be scary for many kids that age.
3fordisney
New Member
We have taken our son when he was 2 and 3 and are planning a trip this year as well. He just turned 4! He loves MK. Its his favorite park. He loves Thunder Mountain RR. Its his favorite ride. I say definitely do MK. He probably likes AK better than the other 2. At MGM, He likes Playhouse Disney and seeing the characters there. At Epcot, he just wants to ride the monorail and test track. He would probably love to go to one of the water parks, but we've never been.
CelticRose
New Member
Epcot with a 4 yr old?
Does anyone know if they still have the "Passports" for World Showcase? This is the first time I will be going with a child under 15, my 4 yr old GS.
I know the last time we were there (99) we saw "Passports" that the kids could get stamped at the different countries. If so where can I pick up this "passport" ? Also I would like to know more about the "KidCot Stops" at each of the countries.
Does anyone know if they still have the "Passports" for World Showcase? This is the first time I will be going with a child under 15, my 4 yr old GS.
I know the last time we were there (99) we saw "Passports" that the kids could get stamped at the different countries. If so where can I pick up this "passport" ? Also I would like to know more about the "KidCot Stops" at each of the countries.
epcotwsmd4me
Member
I've got to share this:
My 3 year old daughter (she was 2.5 at the time we went in January) has been telling everyone, and I do mean everyone, about our trip recently. The lady behind us in the line at the grocery store, family, friends, even people that we have never seen before in odd places like the gas station.
"And Cinderella, And the castle, And the Epcot, And the Snow White" and it just goes on and on and on - for at least 5 minutes each time she meets someone new (or sees someone for the first time in a few days).
So if you want a park, MK is the first choice for any child. But look at the specific rides/shows at the other parks. You'll find something at each of the parks. If my 2.5 year old daughter enjoys Epcot, then almost anyone will.
Oh, buy your princess dresses BEFORE you go - along with crowns if possible. The Cinderella wedding dress was 100.00 in the park. The regular ones were 60.00 and we didn't think they were as good as the ones we bought last year at Halloween from the Disney store. And yes, she'll want them.
I'm a 38-year-old daddy, and I just loved the look on my daughter's face when she realized she was dressed "just like Cindewella!"
You'll have fun no matter which parks you go to. But definitely include a princess meal (Cinderella's Royal Table - lunch is easier - or Akershus in Epcot)
Have fun!
My 3 year old daughter (she was 2.5 at the time we went in January) has been telling everyone, and I do mean everyone, about our trip recently. The lady behind us in the line at the grocery store, family, friends, even people that we have never seen before in odd places like the gas station.
"And Cinderella, And the castle, And the Epcot, And the Snow White" and it just goes on and on and on - for at least 5 minutes each time she meets someone new (or sees someone for the first time in a few days).
So if you want a park, MK is the first choice for any child. But look at the specific rides/shows at the other parks. You'll find something at each of the parks. If my 2.5 year old daughter enjoys Epcot, then almost anyone will.
Oh, buy your princess dresses BEFORE you go - along with crowns if possible. The Cinderella wedding dress was 100.00 in the park. The regular ones were 60.00 and we didn't think they were as good as the ones we bought last year at Halloween from the Disney store. And yes, she'll want them.
I'm a 38-year-old daddy, and I just loved the look on my daughter's face when she realized she was dressed "just like Cindewella!"
You'll have fun no matter which parks you go to. But definitely include a princess meal (Cinderella's Royal Table - lunch is easier - or Akershus in Epcot)
Have fun!
JEDIsney
Member
The Passports are still available, and are very popular still. I'm pretty sure that you can pick up the Passports at any of the countries in World Showcase, including the two shops to the left and right from when you first enter through Future World.CelticRose said:
I'd help you with the KidCot stations, but I'm sure that there's people here who can explain them better than I can. :wave:
CelticRose
New Member
Thanks for the info, I am looking forward to this memorable trip with my 4yr old grandson and his mother who has never been there at all.
Definately Magic Kingdom. Maybe MGM becuase Playhouse Disney and Little Mermaid are there. I wouldn't go to EPCOT though..I remember when I was younger I thought it was pretty boring, but now I love it. For the passport thing, I don't know if they still have them but I don't think it would be enjoyable for a 4 year old. I did one when I was 10 I think and I thought it was fun getting to talk to all the cast members and stuff but I wouldn't recommend it for someone that young.
DisneyBride94
New Member
This is going to be our first family trip to WDW, I went when I was 12 and my husband has been before too.
I am trying to figure out what are the top 2 parks to visit and maybe a third for a kicker. We want to spend at least 2 days and maybe 3 days in the parks.
We are really want this to be the most fun for our 4 year old. What parks do you recommend for young children. I having been researching for 2 days..we will be arriving about 5 days prior to Thanksgiving.
any other advice on her age activities welcomed too!!
TIA...
Well... MK, obviously...that's a no brainer... So the real question is...which of the other parks should you visit?
My daughter was 3 last year's visit... is 4 for this visit...
It's a toss up between EPCOT and MGM. Here are the pros and cons as I'd see them for my daughter:
EPCOT
Figment - Imagination (My daughter adores him)
El Rio Del Tiempo - my daughter loves this ride
Living Seas/Nemo Ride should be open...
Test Track (My daughter likes this!)
Space Ship Earth (this was my son's favorite last year - he was 5 then)
MGM
Voyage of the Little Mermaid show
Beauty & The Beast - live stage show
Muppet Vision 3-D
Playhouse Disney (Bear in the Big Blue House, Pooh, etc.)
Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area
Eating at Sci Fi Dine In Theater
And I KNOW that this year she'll go ape over the Stars & Motor Cars parade because they've added Lightening McQueen and Mater... (all three of my kids will go bonkers for that).
It's hard to pick MGM vs. EPCOT... I'd say do a day in each park and skip AK if you must skip one....
The things listed above are just my daughter's particular favorites...
We also love Typhoon Lagoon water park... that's a must do for our family...
DisneyBride94
New Member
Just a warning on Soarin'...my daughter was just tall enough to ride this last year at 3...and she was kind of scared. I think it was too realistic for her...