Help with deciding on a Theme Park

[momofcourt]

Hello & Happy Holidays to everyone
My daughter will be turning 6 y/o on January 22, hard to believe, it went by so fast!
My husband and I are planing to take her to one of the Disney parks for her birthday. I have been living in Florida since 1991, but sadly have never been.
I am a avid lurker on this board, so I know many of you have been to the parks in Orlando. My question is which one would be best for a 6 y/o with DS. She is probable at a 4 y/o level.
So I am hoping for some suggestions

I included a pic of my soon to be 6 y/o princess!



Sorry I don't know how to make th pic smaller

[Googsmom aka Jennifer]

I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO FLORIDA OR ANY OF THE LOWER SOUTHEASTERN STATES. I'M SCARED OF ALIGATORS!! I'VE BEEN TO DISNEY IN CALI. WHEN I WAS A KID, MANY MOONS AGO. NO SUGESTION HERE, JUST WANTED TO SAY YOUR DAUGHTER IS SUPER CUTE!!!

[wrblack]

I'm probably the last person who should try to answer your question. Much better if you asked my wife Lynn, or CC, or anybody else.
What a pretty little girl you have. Shame to inflict WDW upon her.
But I'd say probably Magic Kingdom, maybe Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM) a close second. But you decide. Surf on over to

disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/apprenticeExplorer/explorerStoryLanding?id=ExplorerIntenderStoryLandingPage&strStoryId=IntenderAWorldOfPossibilities

and see what's where.
If that link's too long, go to disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/index
and start exploring by choosing An Overview for 1st Time Guests.
Classic rides and attractions, Dumbo, Mickey Mouse and friends, parades, fireworks, are at Magic Kingdom. I think there are more of the more sedate rides, Small World, Peter Pan, etc. at MK. But newer stuff, Little Einsteins, Bear and the Big Blue House, et al., are at Hollywood Studios.
There are things appropriate and attractive to 6 yo's at all 4 parks. Think that's by design.
Of course, solution is to take at least 4 days to do all 4 parks. And might be good idea to spring for Park Hopper option. I think Lynn thinks we'll need 5 or 6 days of park hopping. She also thinks she needs the 2008 edition of the Birnbaum guide to WDW

www.amazon.com/Birnbaums-Walt-Disney-World-2008/dp/1423103920/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198867801&sr=1-2

Hmm, another long link. But she's nuts.
But she now has Charlie's little brother actually dreaming about going back to WDW.
Alas, alack, oh woe is me, Bob

[Debbie]

Your daughter is so cute! Thank you for sharing the picture with us.

I believe I went to Magic Kingdom when I was a teenager. I loved it! My Aunt took me. She lived in California at the time.
We rode rides, ate, and stuck our feet in a little water area there. She made me feel like a princess that day.

[Jackie]

For some reason this thread is appearing so big on my screen I can hardly read it...lots of scrolling to do...hmmmmm?

Believe it or not...we travel alot and at my age...I have yet to go to Disney World. However, I have been many times with and without kids of all ages to Disneyland. From what I hear ...that is the easier park to do...but you may want all the other things that Disney World has...so hard choice.

Jackie

[Chris]

I can't help about the Disney parks but I wanted to say your daughter is adorable!

Chris

[Ericsmomma]

What a beautiful little girl....she looks like a princess!
I love all the parks at Disney...can't wait to take Eric there.

[danikins]

Gosh, I can't help there either. I used to be a flight attendant in my former life and visited the parks on a number of occassions. But that was year's ago. Whatever you decide. Have a great time.

And your "soon to be" 6 year old is BEAUTIFUL. I am so jealous of her curls. Thanks for sharing.

Enjoy.

[Emilysmom]

Val,
LOVE the pic of Courtney!!! She's beautiful!!!

We've been to several Florida theme parks, and haven't found one we didn't LOVE! We really enjoy the Magic Kingdom, and it would be VERY good for someone Courtney's age. There are TONS of rides that she'd enjoy, as well as the parades, etc. And of course, there are the character breakfasts! We also LOVE Sea World. There are only a few rides, but plenty of fun shows (The Sea Lion and Otter show is so much fun..........we see it TWICE each time we go there! And there are dolphins to feed and get your picture taken with, etc. And the Shamu show is awesome!!) Discovery Cove is owned by Sea World, and is a wonderful park. (Most of it involves swimming, and it might not be warm enough in January. But you should check it out, because it's a blast! You get to swim with a dolphin for about 20 minutes, swim with sting rays and coral fish, etc. There is also an aviary to feed birds, etc.

We've also been to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure (more of an amusement park than the regular Universal Studios) and it had a number of rides for younger kids. It was nice, but............Well, we were ready to leave there before closing time and that never happens at a theme park!! Magic Kingdom is definitely one we try to stay from opening to closing time!

I can answer specific questions if you have them. I hope you have a blast!

Susan

[momofcourt]

Thanks for all your help. Bob the links are great:) Susan if I have any questions I will send them your way! I think Magic kingdom might be the best for Courtney. I'll post pics of the trip. In the mean time I will work on making the pictures smaller:)

Valerie

[Chris too]

Thank you so much for posting this fantistic picture of your beautiful daughter!! I'm sure that there are plenty here who can help you with the theme park, but it's just impossible to look at a cutie like yours and not make comment

Have fun whereever you go!
Chris too

[mollysmomma]

she is ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!! wowser!!

no help with the theme parks...I DETEST THEM!!

I have heard with the DS diagnosis, you get to go
to the front of every line! check on THAT!~

heheheheh

e who lives close to branson
and has to take ALL of the
guests there!

[Monique]

Hi,

I lived in Orlando for 7 years and went to the parks all the time. The best for that age is Magic Kingdom. Lots of rides she can go on for her age. My son is 7 and has DS. He absolutely has no patience to wait in line. I go to guest services when i get there and get a special pass so that we can use the handicapped entrances to the rides and normally dont have to wait if at all. You can have up to 5 or 6 on that pass. I have two other small children so this helped alot.

Not sure where you live in florida so if you are looking for hotel info, not much help because disney was 30 mins from our house. Dont forget that you should be able to get a florida 10% resident discount. Also, now is the best time of the year to go! Too hot from April on.

It is soooooo much fun! you must go! Have a wonderful time and your daughter is as beautiful as any disney princess there!

monique

[momofcourt]

Thanks for all the tips and compliments about my daughter:0) It will be great to get passes so we can go in the handicapped entrance. The 10% discount is also nice. We live in Gainesville Fl that is 2 hours from Orlando. We are going down Friday night and staying to Sunday. There are lots of hotel options and January seems to be a good month to get reduced rates.
I know she is just going to love it! And I am so looking forward to watching her have a blast.
Valerie

[char]

What a beautiful little girl! I love her hair. I can't help in the area of theme parks because the last time I saw one was about 1991. I went to Opreyland in Nashville and there is a huge mall there now.

Char