Disney with 4 yr old - need some help!

[disneyworld07]

Hi, I need some help with the following:

- where are the best places to take photos of your kids to measure their height each visit?? We want to keep a photo record of height against the same disney land mark each time we go...

- Where are the best restaurants for younger children (under 6) that are included on the Disney Dining plan.

- Wehre are the best restaurants for younger children (under 6) which ARENT included on the Disney Dining Plan?

- What is there in the parks which is to do with the Disney Movie Cars? Are there any rides or parades or shops etc for younder kids?

- Is it best to have a character breakfast, lunch or dinner?? Where is the best place to have one? How can i book one?

I realise there are a few questions here!! But if you could help that would be great!

Many thanks

 

[baz212]

My son was 2 months shy of turning 5 when we went last May. I'll give his and my opinions on what I can below

Hi, I need some help with the following:

- where are the best places to take photos of your kids to measure their height each visit?? We want to keep a photo record of height against the same disney land mark each time we go...

Maybe at one of the "You must be at least this tall to ride signs"

- Where are the best restaurants for younger children (under 6) that are included on the Disney Dining plan.
DS loved the Sci-fi and believe it or not Artist Point(2 credits) We made ADRs for the very first sitting at 5 or 5:30, I can't remember which. THe server had lots of time to interact with him and she was wonderful, she noticed that he only the 2 strawberries from his fruit dish and brought out an entire bowl of strawberries for him without being asked. It was early, so we weren't bothering romantic couples. THis was the one restaurant that he asked to eat at when we go back in June. He also enjoyed Teppan Edo. He thought watching the antics of the chef at the table was fun.

- Wehre are the best restaurants for younger children (under 6) which ARENT included on the Disney Dining Plan?

Didn't eat at any

- What is there in the parks which is to do with the Disney Movie Cars? Are there any rides or parades or shops etc for younder kids?

I think DHS has a meet and greet w/ Lightning and Mater. Check the park times guide when you get there

- Is it best to have a character breakfast, lunch or dinner?? Where is the best place to have one? How can i book one?

We liked a dinner on our first night there. We did LTT, but they don't have characters anymore. Try Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace. We also liked doing the MK and AK character breakfasts before the park opens for the public. If you have a daughter, EPCOT has a princess breakfast in Norway.

I realise there are a few questions here!! But if you could help that would be great!

Many thanks

 

[KC82271]

Hi, I need some help with the following:

- where are the best places to take photos of your kids to measure their height each visit?? We want to keep a photo record of height against the same disney land mark each time we go...I haven't personally done this, but a friend uses the pole in front of the barber shop on Main Street, in the Magic Kingdom

- Where are the best restaurants for younger children (under 6) that are included on the Disney Dining plan. -Don't know - have never used DDP.

- Wehre are the best restaurants for younger children (under 6) which ARENT included on the Disney Dining Plan? Having not used the DDP, I can tell you what restaurants I use - my DD is going to be 4 in June and will be going on her 6th trip in a few weeks.

• Magic Kingdom - we only do counter service - Pecos Bills in Frontierland, or Cosmic Rays in Tomorrowland.
• Epcot - again, on do counter service - Electric Umbrella or America
• Hollywood Studios - have done Hollywood and Vine Character breakfast but did not like it last April - won't be doing again. Usually don't even stay for meals, but if we do we have gone to Pizza Planet, HBO Commissary, and the counter service back by Star Tours.
• Animal Kingdom - counter service at Pizzaffari, and the BBQ Flametree. This year we are trying the character breakfast at Tusker House.
• Resorts - Contempory - Chef Mickeys, Beach & Yacht Club -Cape May Cafe Character breakfast.

- What is there in the parks which is to do with the Disney Movie Cars? Are there any rides or parades or shops etc for younder kids? AS I mentioned above this is going to be my DDs 6th trip. She thoroughly enjoys herself at the Magic Kingdom (we could spend days there). She does most rides (and has since the first trip at 10 months old). She's never really gotten into the parades. She sometimes watches them, but prefers to be on rides.

Epcot - she likes the front half. She will ride the rides in Norway and Mexico - but hates just walking around the rest of the countries. There is a great Meet and Greet in Epcot which she loves.

Hollywood Studios - we can spend little time there and that would be fine with her. This is where the Meet & Greet is for Cars. Depending on the ages of the children - there are different things to do. DD loves the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground. We have done Playhouse Disney - but she gets bored even though she watches the shows. She won't stay in the dark - so that knocks out Little Mermaid. She loves the new Toy Story ride. The Backlot Tour is a little intense as they have a big fire at the end and it scares my DD even though shes been on two or three times.

Animal Kingdom - another one we can spend little time in. SHe loves the Safari and Dinoland (digging for bones, as well as the one little ride like Dumbo). She's never wanted to sit through Lion King or Nemo. I am hoping this year she will. Another favorite is Rafiki's Planet Watch - train ride out to the Conservation Station - with a petting zoo.


- Is it best to have a character breakfast, lunch or dinner?? Where is the best place to have one? How can i book one?

• Chef Mickey's for Dinner, Crystal Palace for Breakfast. This year we are trying Animal Kingdom's Tusker House for Breakfast, and the Grand Floridian 1900 Park Fare for dinner. All are characters. You can call 407-WDW-DINE 90 days prior to arrival to book them.

I realise there are a few questions here!! But if you could help that would be great!

Many thanks

Hope this helps!

 

[KristieLC]

- Where are the best restaurants for younger children (under 6) that are included on the Disney Dining plan. My 4 year old really enjoyed The Garden Grill at Epcot. The atmosphere was fun and he loved that he could decorate his own cupcake. We went for dinner. We thought the food was so so. The character interaction was great! We would go back again. Also Ohana was a lot of fun. We went for breakfast. Wolfgang Puck was a nice sit down dinner too. It was on the dining plan when we went in Dec, however I am not sure if it still is or not. The kids have decent amount of choices and they get to have an ice cream pallet afterward. It is a scoop of ice cream on a plate shaped like an artist's pallet, with lots of toppings in the "paint" spots, so they can make their own sundae. Paper also covers the tables and they give the kids crayons to draw.

- Wehre are the best restaurants for younger children (under 6) which ARENT included on the Disney Dining Plan? T-Rex café was fun. Again, my 4 year old loved it. While you are waiting, or after you are done, they can dig for dino bones. He still talks about that!

- What is there in the parks which is to do with the Disney Movie Cars? Are there any rides or parades or shops etc for younder kids? DHS has a meet and greet as stated above. Watch the times. We kind of just lucked out when we "ran into them" and we were the last ones allowed in line for the night. There was a photopass photographer there and he took some great pics!

- Is it best to have a character breakfast, lunch or dinner?? Where is the best place to have one? How can i book one? We had at least one of each. Breakfast at Crystal palace is nice, but busy. It is a must do if you are Pooh and friends fans. Breakfast Ohana was our favorite. Service was great, food was good, atmosphere was fun. Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, and Pluto were there. My son didn't really know who stitch was before this trip, but quickly became a fan! I would definitely go there again! We went to Hollywood and Vine for the character lunch. We would not go back. We had a later lunch scheduled (2:00) and they were already cleaning up the buffets and had limited choices. The characters never came to us, until the guide came around to see if we saw all of them. She did send them over when we told her we saw none of them, but they really rushed. They forgot about the whole corner where we were, so about 3 tables. I have friends that loved it though, and had a great experience, so we may have just hit a bad day/time, however it was bad enough that we will not go back. The Garden Grill that I mentioned above was a fun character dinner. If you are looking for a child friendly non character meal, Tusker House was our favorite for lunch. Lots of kids choices that are different from other places, like corn dogs, which my son loves. Lots of choices and variety for adults too, and the best desserts!

 

[disneygirl1]

So here are my opinions...

Hi, I need some help with the following:

- where are the best places to take photos of your kids to measure their height each visit?? We want to keep a photo record of height against the same disney land mark each time we go...

I would definitely do it in front of this favorite rides measuring stick.

- Where are the best restaurants for younger children (under 6) that are included on the Disney Dining plan.

My Son who just turned 7 in January loves to go to Chef Mickey's at the Contempo, Sci Fi Cafe at DHS, Ohana's (Breakfast) at the Poly, Whispering Canyon Cafe at the WL and Donald's Safari breakfast at the Tusker House at AK.

- Wehre are the best restaurants for younger children (under 6) which ARENT included on the Disney Dining Plan?

I would say the Rainforest cafe at AK and the New T-Rex rest at Downtown Disney. Both are really cool for boys I think of any age.

- What is there in the parks which is to do with the Disney Movie Cars? Are there any rides or parades or shops etc for younder kids?

The cars are in the afternoon parade at DHS. There is also a Cars meet and greet w/Lightening and Mater at DHS. They are out pretty often right neat Mama Melrose. We saw them there in December. They rev their engines and hock their horns when you are with them. It's cute!

- Is it best to have a character breakfast, lunch or dinner?? Where is the best place to have one? How can i book one?

I have only ever done breakfasts w/characters. Again I would recommend Chef Mickey's, Ohana's or Tusker House. We are doing a Character dinner for the first time during our upcoming Sept trip. You can book character dinning and all other disney dining ressies 90 days in advance of your trip by calling 1-407-WDISNEY and select dining.

I realise there are a few questions here!! But if you could help that would be great!

Many thanks

Hope you have a wonderful trip. Your son is sure to have the time of his life!!!!

 

[clc053103]

Hi, I need some help with the following:

- where are the best places to take photos of your kids to measure their height each visit?? We want to keep a photo record of height against the same disney land mark each time we go... Cute idea, never thought of it!

- Where are the best restaurants for younger children (under 6) that are included on the Disney Dining plan.
We went everywhere with a 3 and 5 year old, no issues-including California Grill. Coral Reef at Living seas very entertaining for the kids. Spoodles on BW is casual and kids seemed to enjoy it. Cape May Cafe has good adult food and very kid friendly buffet as well. Waiters at the new restaurant in Italy went out of their way for the younger ones. I thought the food at Teppen Edo went downhill as did the showmanship, but still provided entertainment for the kids and kids meals served in mini monorails.

- Wehre are the best restaurants for younger children (under 6) which ARENT included on the Disney Dining Plan? Every place we ate was included.

- What is there in the parks which is to do with the Disney Movie Cars? Are there any rides or parades or shops etc for younder kids? DS per prior posters.

- Is it best to have a character breakfast, lunch or dinner?? Where is the best place to have one? How can i book one? I think Breakfast is best. WE did Tusker house once and didn't like it, Chef Mickeys supposedly better as well. Crystal Palace is good b/c you are now already in the park.

I realise there are a few questions here!! But if you could help that would be great!

Many thanks

You are very welcome!

 

[cursivesailor]

My fiance, who is now 28, took a picture next to the Cigar Shop Indian on mainstreet every trip. His mom and grandmother have all the pics from teeny tiny to one from him and I's last trip in November.

We even took a pic of him standing next to the Cigar Shop Indian with my engagement ring in the box. He had given it to me the day before in France at Epcot, but wanted to "tell his mom & grandmother that he was engaged" with that years Cigar Shop Indian picture.

If we ever have kids, I'm sure we will do the same thing.

 

[loveofamouse]

- where are the best places to take photos of your kids to measure their height each visit?? We want to keep a photo record of height against the same disney land mark each time we go...

It can be difficult doing that as no one has any idea what renovations are planned for the future. I think I would pick a more "rooted" mark, such as main street lamp post, sign for a staple ride like space mountain, or a sign at your resort.

- Where are the best restaurants for younger children (under 6) that are included on the Disney Dining plan.

I can't answer this question as we stick to QS or RFC

- Wehre are the best restaurants for younger children (under 6) which ARENT included on the Disney Dining Plan?

IMO Quick Service as kids under 6 tend not to finish their food or nitpick.

- What is there in the parks which is to do with the Disney Movie Cars? Are there any rides or parades or shops etc for younder kids?

Plenty of parades. Just about all of them catch my kids' attention. The only parade they kinda are "eh" about is the AK parade. As for the movie cars, not that I recall. There's the tomorrowland speedway where they can "drive" a race car but it's not Cars themed.

- Is it best to have a character breakfast, lunch or dinner?? Where is the best place to have one? How can i book one?