Disney World

I would suggest Wet'n Wild. It's a water park but they have a lot of very shallow places made up just for small children. It's a blast!!! Plus, it's hot down there so a day in the water will be much welcomed.

This is a very hot and very busy time of year to be visiting Disney, so plan ahead and make the most of your stay. The water parks are a great suggestion to beat the heat (get one of those disposable water-proof cameras)! But I'm sure you'll want to see everything while you're there, so here are some things suggested to us before we went:

Get your park maps the night before and MAP OUT your route for the day. Consider getting on the busiest rides early so that it is cooler and your line is shorter. Some folks recommend going to the very BACK of the park upon entry, then working your way forward so that you are going in the opposite direction as everyone else. For example, in the Magic Kingdom, get on the train as soon as you enter, ride it to the furthest point in the park, then get off and work your way back.

Rent the stroller at the park entrance ... it will be a great reprieve when your little one gets tired, and a place for all your packages while you're in the park.

Make reservations for a "character breakfast" somewhere ... it costs a little more but is SO worth it. We really liked Chef Mickey's (in that Disney hotel that the monorail goes through). It's also fun to have a late night dessert there (if your little one stays up that late) as you can see the Magic Kingdom fireworks well from the hotel windows.

Purchase a Disney autograph book at the park entrance and let your child get all the character autographs in each park. It was great fun for our kids to see how many characters they could find roaming the parks (and there are periodic autograph "sessions" scheduled in each park throughout the day). Bring a sharpie or something you can keep handy for chance encounters.

Remember your child's sunscreen & hat. Bottled water is also important. You can carry your own (which can be heavy, but worthwhile if you're carrying a child's bag anyway), or just buy as you need it in the park. Park water is more expensive, but it's also much colder! We also went to our local dollar store and bought some of those little battery-operated handheld fans. They were WONDERFUL while waiting in line.

Check out "Fast Pass" for rides that you really want to go on that have long lines. It's a great way to bypass the wait.

If you buy "ears," there is a great little stichery shop at the front of the Magic Kingdom that will personalize them for you for free!

Have fun and take lots of pictures! You'll look back on those photos in a few years and won't believe how fast your little one has grown. :-)

Hi J.- we are going to Disney with my 4-year-old in September. I am GIDDY with excitement. If you haven't already, check out www.allears.net and www.mousetrips.com. They are a wealth of information. If you are on the Dining Plan, make your reservations before you go. Heck, even if you're NOT on the Dining Plan, check out some of your dining options, see if there's any you want to splurge on, and make the reservations.

We're planning on hitting the parks real early, taking a long break in the afternoon, and returning in the early evening when it is cooler. I plan on getting a couple of those cheap, disposable cameras at the Dollar Tree and letting my kids take their own pictures every day. Your son is old enough for the Disney's Pirate Cruise Adventure at the Grand Floridian- it costs extra, but I hear that it is VERY worth it.

Have fun!

We were just there with our 17-month old son and one thing we did was take a day and spent it at Blizzard Beach, one of Disney's waterparks. With Florida being so hot this time of the year, it was a welcome break. My son LOVED Tike's Peak and the little scaled down slides. There were some bigger smaller slides that he wasn't ready for, but I'm sure your 4-year old would be. Think about that as an option. Remember to have lots of fun and take tons of pictures!!

hi this may not be too helpful but i went to disney when i was 5 i am now 26 but i remember it very well. you will not run out of things to do, and you must pace yourself b/c it might take the entire week to see the park, but it is well worth it i have many wonderful memories from disney, the teacups, the it's a small world ride, the hall of presidents and i don't remember what it's called but there's a place with animatronic parrots some tiki place or something you'll have a great time.

we have been to disney about 8 times and for the little ones magic kingdom and animal kingdom is the best for them mgm park has kids shows like every other hour epcot has educational shows my favorite is magic kingdom go see all the parks and sice you are there for a week take your time
get a map and autograph book and camera and find where the charaters are signing autographs and take lots of pics

Hi! Well, first off let me tell you that no matter what u decide to do while you are there you will have the time of your life. There is no place on earth like Disney.. for kids or adults! Just a little piece of advice... just prepare yourself for the HEAT and the WAITING. This time of year is the busiest and hottest time of year to go... just remember to bring your patience and dress appropriatley. The Magic Kingdom is excellent for kids as well as Animal Kingdom. I mean all the parks are great but i like these two for the little ones best. HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have fun no matter what and don't over indulge your son. We took our children and were sure to have a stroller to help with the size of the park. The best thing we did was not plan too much in a day and just kind of went with our two sons energy level and if they slept in the stroller we made sure to let them and not worry that we might not get to see everything with price we paid.

definitely plan on the buzz lightyear ride, the log flume ride. depending on his tolerability of rides and height there are potentially alot of things he can do. make sure you attend the spectromagic parade at magic kingdom. if possible take in a character meal. i'd recommend a book titled walt disney world with kids. it tells you everything from how scary a ride is to the height requirement, etc. i have 3 kids and we've been 5 times with them. their 1st visit was when my boys were only 3 yrs and 23 months. our daughter just turned 4 in july and has already visited 3 times. lots of fun things to do. have a great time.

I grew up in Orlando, Fl and just two years ago moved to NC. We have five children and they love the Disney Village. It is free to go to, it has a huge Lego building blocks playground, train, merry go round, water activities (boats,etc) and a bunch of little shops. It is right next to Pleasure Island, which is mainly dance clubs (it comes to life @ night :). We stay at a Disney property which on different days different parks allow extended hours for guests who are booked at one of their properties. They have a couple hour window in the morning and at night before/after closing. The longest line was a 10 minute wait. Which was so worth the money of staying on property. MGM has the Playhouse Disney show, my then 3 yr old twin boys loved it! It had Pooh, Tigger, JoJo, Stanley, Bear in the Big Blue House, etc.. in the show. It was fun! We get a map and decide which ones the kids really like and try to hit them first, try starting at the back of the park, most start in the front. Bottled water is expensive and so are snacks! We packed a backpack and brought water, fruit snacks and crackers! All rides have a place to store a bag if it required! Take extra batteries, crazy prices on things like film or batteries, because by the time you are in the park it becomes needed not just a want! Bring an extra set of clothes in case your child gets stuck in line or ride and decides it is time to potty! It is fun, very hot and humid, I know your family will have so much fun! We always do!