What in Walt's name do I do with a 6 year old?

N

NWDisney

New Member
In previous trips to Disney, we've always run commando-style.
Using street entertainment as a blocking screen to get that next fastpass, hanging by the exit of the show so you can get out before the crowd, the hotel is just a place to lay your head, you know the drill.

But now, with the child, that really isn't really a possibility.
So tell me about all the things I skipped before.

I've signed the kid up for a Pirate Adventure cruise and I plan to try to get a Pirates League booking as well.
But what else?

Chip N' Dale singalong? Yeeha Bob? Dream Along with Mickey? DJ Dance Party?
Character Breakfasts?!

What do actual children do at Disney?:joyfull:
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Figgy1

Figgy1

Well-Known Member
Welcome aboard and I'm lucky my boys were born park commandos so I can't help with down time. All of the things you listed are great and also do Jedi Training Academy in DHS. Sign him up at rope drop and you he must be with you at that time. In AK have him earn his explorers badge. Hit up the kidcot stops in EPCOT and get him a passport he can get stamped in each country around WS.
 
Upvote 0
Gomer

Gomer

Well-Known Member
NWDisney said:
In previous trips to Disney, we've always run commando-style.
Using street entertainment as a blocking screen to get that next fastpass, hanging by the exit of the show so you can get out before the crowd, the hotel is just a place to lay your head, you know the drill.

But now, with the child, that really isn't really a possibility.
So tell me about all the things I skipped before.

I've signed the kid up for a Pirate Adventure cruise and I plan to try to get a Pirates League booking as well.
But what else?

Chip N' Dale singalong? Yeeha Bob? Dream Along with Mickey? DJ Dance Party?
Character Breakfasts?!

What do actual children do at Disney?:joyfull:
Click to expand...
I think slowing down in itself is one of the biggest experience changes. Kids need breaks and need to take it slower.

So, I've found stuff like lingering at restaurant, letting them spend 10 minutes on a playground or in an arcade, tossing coins in a fountain at a leisurely pace are things I didn't bother with before.

For the most part young kids don't care about rushing to the next thing as quick as possible and want to enjoy the atmosphere. Let yourself be the last one to leave a show instead of rushing out in front of the crowd and you might get nice interaction with a staff member or see them cleaning up.

My kids also love hanging out in an nice air conditioned counter service restaurant at an off peak time for a leisurely snack. Listen to the area music, check out the themeing and unwind a bit. Explore places like Tom Sawyer Island or even the nooks and crannies of your hotel. Stop to play in a post-show area like SSE, M:S or Test Track (My son played in one of the new car displays for like 30 minutes one trip and had a blast. Something a pre-parental version of me would have thought a complete waste of time). Even things like riding the monorail or Magic Kingdom RR for a full circuit (or more) have been bigger hits from time to time than hitting another ride.

I'd say, just be open and follow their lead. If you are open to what interests them, you'll find they lead you in all sorts of new directions that you might have previously ignored.
 
Upvote 0
jaklgreen

jaklgreen

Well-Known Member
We have been taking our kids yearly since they were 1&2 years old. We were never really commando touring type of people so it wasn't that big of a deal. What we do not do is set an alarm. Let the kids wake up naturally, eat breakfast at the resort then head to the park. Make sure you get your FP's. Kids get really excited being there and can get a bit over stimulated. So we would make them sit on a bench and have a break and a snack every 1 1/2-2 hours plus have lots of potty breaks(plus we made sure everyone went potty before we got in a big line). Just take it slower with more breaks and make sure they eat good food, not just pizza, burger, nuggets. Get at least 1 good real meal in a day(we usually have a big lunch as our main meal) buffets are good for this. You really do not need to "over plan" all of those activities IMO, just being at the park is plenty, especially if it is their first trip. And do not underestimate the power of a swimming pool. When they get tired all they will want to do is go back and swim. Let them.
 
Upvote 0
DarthVader

DarthVader

Sith Lord
My perspecitve is, this isn't a competition or a death match.

Slow down and enjoy the atmosphere. With a young one, you're going to find that he'll not want to go fast at times (and other times he'll be running away), You'll find he'll want to go back to the resort to swim just as you want to get on specific ride.

Go with the flow and ask him what he wants to do.
 
Upvote 0
Schneewittchen

Schneewittchen

Well-Known Member
Hoop Dee Doo Revue - awesome dinner show
Mickey's Backyard BBQ - dance with Mickey and Minnie
Spend a full day at your resort's pool - really, the pools are great
Go resort hopping via boats or monorail - get a Dole Whip at the Poly, etc.
Enjoy Disney Springs - my kids love the splash fountains, a stop at Ghirardelli's for ice cream, pin trading, and toy shopping
 
Upvote 0
DisDadWoz

DisDadWoz

Well-Known Member
Character dining is always one of those things that my kids loved. Yes, my wife and I could care less about the food being nothing to write home about, but seeing the kids eyes light up when Mickey came to the table, those moments are awesome. Let them be a kid, I didn't realize how exciting it is for a kid just to put their hand down to touch water in the fountain, or how they totally looked past the buildings in EPCOT just to go see the ducks up against the fence. Let them be your guide for a day and see the park(s) through their excitement.
 
Upvote 0
Disneydreamer23

Disneydreamer23

Well-Known Member
I have taken my 2 year old 3 times and this Year well e traveling with a 3 year old and an 11 month old. I honestly have more fun with my children. My best trip by far will always be my honey moon I went for 3 weeks! Character dining is a must for sure! Also Pirates which you already said you will do,daughter loved the arcade at the resort. Also swimming in the pool!
 
Upvote 0
Weather_Lady

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
What do they do? Why, everything!!

We've taken our kids beginning at ages 4 and 6, and nothing but a couple of height limitations, and the introduction of a lengthy daily afternoon nap into our routine, changed from our freewheeling "commando couple" days! They love the same kinds of attractions and shows we love, they understand and embrace the challenge of navigating crowds and the need to employ some "strategery," and so long as we get naps and get them to bed on time and take extra restroom breaks , they can be ready for rope drops, and travel at nearly the same pace we do. (We've never used strollers at WDW, either.)

Have fun!
 
Upvote 0
N

NWDisney

New Member
Original Poster
DisDadWoz said:
Character dining is always one of those things that my kids loved. Yes, my wife and I could care less about the food being nothing to write home about, but seeing the kids eyes light up when Mickey came to the table, those moments are awesome.
Click to expand...

Do you prefer any of them over the others?
She's not particularly into Princesses (except Mulan, and she doesn't even get one...)

I'm thinking probably a buffet style would be best, maybe 1900 Park because of Mary Poppins.
But I suppose at this point it will probably depend on if I can get anything!
 
Upvote 0
ninjaprincesst

ninjaprincesst

Well-Known Member
By the time my daughter was 6 she was the Disney commando, want a snack? Need a restroom break, want to just sit on a bench and rest? Not on her watch, and she is still that way. Even on her first trip at 2 she was pretty commandoish, the only difference was she did go to sleep earlier so we were allowed to sometimes leave before park closing.
 
Upvote 0
Laurichi

Laurichi

Active Member
:p:p:pI'm sorry to say...i am one of those people who never thought about going to WDW without kids! Don't get me wrong, I love Disney but it was just never a thought before becoming a mother...

My two oldest kids are now 9 & 6... they have never been to WDW but they have been to Disneyland Paris twice and they are the ones who never want to stop!!
Of course given that it never occurred to me to go to these places without children it is obvious that they set the pace!

We do character buffets... we stop when necessary.. we make them sit down for snacks... we basically do what they feel like doing!

We don't contemplate leaving before park closing unless one of them is sick or really tired... .in that case i will leave with that one and DH can stay with the other.

The questions for me is ... what do you do there without kids ??
 
Upvote 0
DisDadWoz

DisDadWoz

Well-Known Member
NWDisney said:
Do you prefer any of them over the others?
She's not particularly into Princesses (except Mulan, and she doesn't even get one...)

I'm thinking probably a buffet style would be best, maybe 1900 Park because of Mary Poppins.
But I suppose at this point it will probably depend on if I can get anything!
Click to expand...
Chef Mickeys was very good for characters we always thought. Plus if your seated at an "in between" time you may get to see them twice! 1900 Park Fare was good the one time we went. The sisters from Cinderella were quite fun to interact with.
 
Upvote 0
JamieLee18

JamieLee18

Active Member
Just went with a 6 year old, his favorite things were Character dining (we did almost 1 per day); M&Gs; play areas; parades and sleeping in. The rides seemed secondary and he wasn't aware of what he rode vs missed.
Character meals included: Lunch at Crystal Palace, Prime Time ; Breakfast at Cape May Cafe and Tusker House; Dinner at Garden Grill (he thought the rotating room was awesome).
Be prepared.... this is the age when they NEED every souvenir they see. You should make a trip to the Lego store too.
 
Upvote 0
DisneyDukie

DisneyDukie

Member
There's a great (massive!) playground and an adjacent "sand pit" at Animal Kingdom; my kids could spend hours in that part of the park alone. They also used to love the "Honey I Shrunk The Kids" playground at HS, but that's closing (or has already closed), I believe.

My husband and I have gone without kids twice, and with our kids a bunch of times. Here are some tips/strategies that have worked for us:
-Limiting the number of days we do a park from dawn until dusk. My kids haven't napped since they were 2, but they still get exhausted if we're in a park all day on back to back days. We spend a lot more time at the pool than we used to; same goes for more time at Disney Springs
-Character meals. We never did them on our own; now we always make a pit stop two or three times a trip. We like Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom for Pooh and Friends. 'Ohana doesn't have a character dinner (breakfast is Lilo & Stitch), but it's still great food with games for the kids to play during the meal
-Exploring Tom Sawyer's Island. I'd skip this if it weren't for my kids, but they think of it as an island playground
-Getting an earlier seat to more of the parades and shows. My kids adore getting a frozen lemonade and then getting an early seat for Beauty & The Beast at HS. It helps them cool down and rest their feet
-Gasp... getting a stroller. I know, you're probably thinking, "I've got a 6-year-old!" We are desperately trying to convince our kids (who will be 7 and 5 on our trip this year) that they don't need a stroller. But it really does help you get somewhere quickly when their feet are tired and yours are still feeling good!
 
Upvote 0

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom