Hiya pal,
Thank you so much for stopping by planDisney with your question! How thoughtful and exciting that you’re considering a Walt Disney World trip with your granddaughter. I can already imagine the smiles, hugs, and magic you two will share. As a mom of a four- and eight-year-old who have both been visiting Disney since they were tiny, I can promise you that watching the parks through a child’s eyes is an experience like no other. Every moment feels more magical because they believe in everything they see.
To answer your question directly: four years old is a wonderful age to visit Walt Disney World. You absolutely don’t need to wait until she’s five or six. At four, there is so much she can enjoy, from classic attractions and live shows to character experiences, parades, princess encounters, fireworks, and dining that feels like stepping into a fairy tale. She will be tall enough for many attractions, and still young enough to feel like Mickey and Belle are truly real. The memories you’ll make together at this age are priceless.
Just to give you an idea, here are some of our four-year-olds' favorite moments. First, Magic Kingdom: she loves riding Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid, and Pirates of the Caribbean, and she especially enjoys Enchanted Tales with Belle because she gets to help retell the story and then meet Belle afterward. If your granddaughter loves princesses, you might look into
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, which you can book 60 days ahead. Seeing a little one transform into royalty with her gown, hairstyle, and pixie-dusted makeover is something you’ll never forget. And if you’d like to dine with characters, places like Cinderella’s Royal Table or The Crystal Palace feel extra magical at age four.
At
Hollywood Studios, my little one loves spending time in Toy Story Land. Between Alien Swirling Saucers, Toy Story Mania, and meeting her favorite toy characters, we often stay in that area for ages. She also has so much fun at the Frozen Sing-Along, especially when she can belt out “Let It Go” right along with the show.
Animal Kingdom is another wonderful place for four-year-olds.
The Festival of the Lion King is basically a mini Broadway production filled with music and acrobatics, and
Kilimanjaro Safaris is always a hit because you feel like you’re on a real African adventure. There are so many animals to spot on the trails, too, and it’s perfect for curious minds.
Over at
EPCOT, my girls really enjoy seeing Figment, riding Spaceship Earth, visiting Living with the Land, and watching entertainment throughout the World Showcase. EPCOT always seems to have something different happening, and it’s a great place for little ones to learn while having fun.
Truly, there is so much a four-year-old can do at Disney World. There are rides, shows, fireworks, snacks shaped like Mickey, princesses to meet, and characters to hug. And the best part? You’ll get to soak in every moment together. That’s the real magic of Disney at this age.
I hope this helps you decide and gives you a glimpse of all the joy a four-year-old can experience at Disney World. If you have any more questions while you plan this special memory, feel free to visit us again.
See ya real soon,
Christina