Hi Jodi:
I'm a parent of two boys, ages 5 and 3, and I would love to share some of my family's must-dos for our Disney World vacations. Your family may have different tastes, but hopefully these recommendations will be a good start to planning your trip.
Among many other things: at the Magic Kingdom, we always ride the Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan's Flight, Mickey's PhilharMagic, and it's a small world. At Epcot, we take in Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, and tour the countries of World Showcase. Highlights of World Showcase are the
Kidcot Fun Stops, which are craft stations where children can draw and color while learning about different cultures as they interact with Cast Members from around the world. Our must-dos at Hollywood Studios include Toy Story Mania and Muppet Vision 3-D. At Animal Kingdom, our family always rides the Kilimanjaro Safari and visits Conservation Station.
Of course, every family is different, and to have a successful trip, you will have to take your son's likes, dislikes, and comfort-level into account. Also, some attractions have height restrictions. To that end, consider taking advantage of Rider Swap on select attractions. Rider Swap allows guests with youngsters too small or hesitant to ride a certain attraction to take turns riding the ride. The guest waiting with the child can then "swap" with the other adults in their party to ride the attraction without waiting on line again.
As you enter the parks, pick up a Times Guide for parades and show schedules throughout the day. Also have a look at Disney's in-depth planning page for
traveling to Walt Disney World with younger children.
My best advice is to relax, follow your son's pace, and enjoy.