Advice for taking my five year old sis

[Fairybuzz]

Do to a few unfortunate circumstances, me and my sis are on our own (yes a lot like Lilo's situation). I surprised her this year by deciding to take her to Disney World with us (me and my gf) next may, and she can't wait to go!

However I have never played "mommy" before and I'm just looking for some advice. My Sister Gina is five, and she loves princesses. We decided already that were going to go to the princess meals throughout the parks, and we are going to go to chef mickeys.

I have a few questions, and like usually I'd love to get the input of mothers and older sis's alike or anyone who has taken children to the parks.

First of all Do you think she's too young for rides like Soarin', Space Mt. Test track and Tower? She really wants to ride them But I'm afraid that she may not be able to. I know I went on Space at her age (the mt not the mission lol), and it was one of my favs because well I love space lol. I know we will hit every fantasyland darkride and meet and greet. Were going to all four parks at least once but probably more than once. Not sure how long we'll stay yet depends on waitress tips.

Other major questions:
-Even though she loves stitch I haven't been on the replacement for Alien Encounter, and Wonder if its too scary?

-We haven't chosen a Resort yet. Leaning towards boardwalk.

-Do you think Captain EO would be too scary for kids? I remember when I was a kid it really scared me but I loved it at the same time.

-Info expiriences etc with reserving spots on parades, any parades that still have crowd participation?, any personalized expiriences for young girls that you've found kids to really enjoy? (I'm sorry she missed the Kim Possible thing, she would have loved it!)

-Tips regarding carrying changes of clothes, snacks etc lol. When I was that age my mom had a massive bag of everything but all I have is my tiny purse I had since HS. my gf has a bigger one though.

-just any other suggestions for her, she's a princess fan, and a huge tinkerbell fan (Like myself) and she is also adventurous sometimes a bit overly excited and I expect her to run off a lot lol. We've probably watched the tinkerbell movies more times then I can remember. She also loves Stitch and kingdom hearts (even if she really would rather just watch me play it lol). She adores Merida. She loves Star wars because I got her into it. She's scared of finding Nemo for some reason.

Sorry if this is a lot all at once I'm just a bit nervous It's my first real chance to rely on my "motherly instincts" at a theme park. I want her to enjoy it the way I did when I was a little girl. She's even bringing the same costumes I used to wear.

Thanks in advance lol. Any help is deeply appreciated.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Don't try to over plan and over promise. Theme parks are about exploration and discovery. Given the size of Walt Disney World you are likely not going to do get to see and do everything for any number of reasons.

 

[Fairybuzz]

I'm willing to cut down on things if we run out of time I just wanted you know the option to do so. The princess meals are a priority so they will be inevitable, and thats the only thing I really have set in stone. I guess the best way to do this is let her choose what she wants to do at the time, but I just dont want her to go into a ride and come out upset by something because I'd feel really bad.

'm sorry my above post was really vague I should have broken it up into different topics, I wasn't really thinking. Like I said I'm a bit nervous that one wrong move could ruin the whole thing. I'm probably just being silly though

Would you guys consider stitch escape scary? I don't remember being on it at all and videos don't really explain the feelings and stuff.

I also want to decide on a resort that will be best for kids.

 

[jenluvswdw]

Stitch is a little scary. It is dark. The Tower most likely will be too scary. Definitely book a Character Breakfast at Akershus, Cinderella's Royal Table (pricely) or 1900 Park Fare for dinner. She will get to meet her princesses without waiting in line. If you are staying on property I would not think you need to carry too much. You know your sister best. Just extra snacks and a few bottles of water. Maybe a zip lock bag of extra clothes.
Just random advice here: For the the bigger parks EPCOT and Animal Kingdom it may be a good idea to rent a stroller from the park. When I brought my DS age 7 it made things a lot easier. Have fun planning!

 

[popcenturylover]

It all depends on the child. We took our DD4 to WDW last September & she rode Soarin' & LOVED it! We rode Stitch & she was really scared. I personally think that it is the lamest experience ever! Anyway, just go with the flow & let her lead the way. Akershus is a great breakfast! I highly recommend it!

 

[steviej]

So sorry to hear about your circumstances.

The perfect way to do it is this. Wake up early and hit the parks, then go back to the hotel or a water park for a swim to kill the hottest part of the day. The worst thing you could have is a hot, exhausted child in WDW.

Then go back to hit the parks at night.

If she likes stitch, then give it a shot. My cousin took all 4 of his kids on soarin and they all loved it.

I think captain eo closed.

Finding nemo might be too intense in some scenes if it scares her already.

 

[Fairybuzz]

Stitch is a little scary. It is dark. The Tower most likely will be too scary. Definitely book a Character Breakfast at Akershus, Cinderella's Royal Table (pricely) or 1900 Park Fare for dinner. She will get to meet her princesses without waiting in line. If you are staying on property I would not think you need to carry too much. You know your sister best. Just extra snacks and a few bottles of water. Maybe a zip lock bag of extra clothes.
Just random advice here: For the the bigger parks EPCOT and Animal Kingdom it may be a good idea to rent a stroller from the park. When I brought my DS age 7 it made things a lot easier. Have fun planning!

Thanks

Yeah I know when I went on tower when it opened It was not the drop but the ghosts and the disappearing hallway. It was too advanced for my mind to like grasp lol, and the narration of the Serling impersonator being ominous as it was made there no comfort lol.

She loves stitch (she may relate to the chars too) I used the movie also to explain our situation to her and really like the good morals of the importance of family how ever it may be. But the ride seems to have very little to do with any of the stuff she likes from the movie. I may see how she handles things like the haunted mansion or pirates first. Or even the Tiki room with its tribal ending that unnerved me as a little girl. Its hard to tell what may scare kids though, when I was a kid, Buff the Buffalo from CBJ scared me so much I had to sit on the left side of the theater. He even haunted my nightmares lol. Wasnt until they had him at the exit by the restaurant that I got to really "meet him" and see how nice he was lol.

Yeah my sis will need a change of clothes because (like me at her age) she is gonna wear a costume to the park, and as I was told in another thread (and learned first hand lol) they heat up pretty fast. Water bottles are a must I'm surprised I hadn't thought of that. My mom used to pour some on my head if I overheated.

Yeah Princess meals are number one on our list. I wanted to get the photo from CRT and frame it for her. I'm taking my old cinderella costume, tinkerbell and jasmine because she wont let me leave any behind lol.

Oh yes a stroller is another must. I remember how much I was glad my mom had one. Also It may be good to put some bags on like my mom did.

It all depends on the child. We took our DD4 to WDW last September & she rode Soarin' & LOVED it! We rode Stitch & she was really scared. I personally think that it is the lamest experience ever! Anyway, just go with the flow & let her lead the way. Akershus is a great breakfast! I highly recommend it!

lol yeah the videos of the ride annoyed me. Soarin' I love and I think it'd be less scary because nothing "goes wrong" on the ride. I'm certain that if we do space well do green training. I dont want to take any chances.

I heard something about a princess parade at Akershus that sounds cute!

Yeah This trip is gonna be about her, she's the princess I'm her royal maid lol. I just don't want her to get all excited about something and then get scared.

Thanks <3

So sorry to hear about your circumstances.

The perfect way to do it is this. Wake up early and hit the parks, then go back to the hotel or a water park for a swim to kill the hottest part of the day. The worst thing you could have is a hot, exhausted child in WDW.

Then go back to hit the parks at night.

If she likes stitch, then give it a shot. My cousin took all 4 of his kids on soarin and they all loved it.

I think captain eo closed.

Finding nemo might be too intense in some scenes if it scares her already.

Thank you, I hope I'm doing things right, I'm glad i have a good rapport with her.

Hmm that may not be a bad idea. I've never been to the water parks yet, I'd try them .

Yeah I'm still thinking about the stitch ride, should I show her the video? that may ruin it.... Maybe I'll just see how she handles other lighter things first like HM.

Hmm I guess I'm glad I got to see it when I did. I said it because the site still lists it.

Yeah I think Bruce and the Angler fish scare her silly. since they are both in the ride I don't think she'll like it.

 

[tare]

My daughter was tall enough at 4 yrs to ride splash thunder tower and space and she loved them all!!