Hi there!
Happy birthday to your little boy! Four was one of my favorite ages and it's a great time to explore the Disneyland Resort.
The first thing you'll need is
tickets and
theme park reservations for your group. I would purchase your tickets on the Disneyland website (you'll be asked to select your park reservations at the same time) and do it as soon as you can so that park reservations don't run out!
You will definitely want to download the
Disneyland Mobile App to help you access your tickets and navigate the park. The map will help you check wait times for attractions and see the entertainment schedule. You can also
use the app to order meals and snacks at many dining locations!
Next, you might want to look for a
dining reservation. There are plenty of quick-service dining locations that don't need reservations (and honestly my kids love them) but you could also look for a
character meal or a
dining package like the one at Plaza Inn that includes access to a reserved viewing area for the "Magic Happens" Parade! My best advice is to arrive at the park about an hour before the official opening time so you have plenty of time to go through security and be in the park when it opens. You can do so much in that early morning time, and my kids were always happier in the mornings at that age! Some of my favorite attractions for kids that age are:
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Jungle Cruise
- Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
- Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Astro Orbiter
- King Arthur Carrousel
- Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
A great place to explore with young kids is
Mickey's Toontown! There are so many hands-on experiences in this colorful neighborhood (maybe bring some dry clothes just in case your kiddo decides to splash around!) and you can meet Mickey and his pals, too.
For a day in the parks with young kids I always try to pack refillable water bottles, some favorite snacks, spare clothes, and a comfort object like a soft blanket if you think they might need a little nap in the stroller. Mostly I try to over-prepare but then just enjoy the parks once we get there! When my daughter was young she was so content to ride the carrousel we often did it several times in a row. My son loved the popcorn (he still does!) so we always make time for popcorn breaks as soon as we can smell it popping. Visiting with a little Mouseketeer is the perfect time to fall in love with the magic and simplicity of just being at Disneyland Park.
I hope this helps you plan a magical birthday for your son! Don't forget to ask a Cast Member for a complimentary celebration button so everyone can wish him a "Happy Birthday!" and
let me know if you have any other questions!Keep moving forward!
Amanda