What are the BEST rides for 3-4 yr olds at Disney World ?

First, have a great time! Disney is the most magical place in the world, and that is not an exaggeration. My daughter was 4 the first time that we took her, and the trip was incredible. We love going so much we joined the Disney Vacation Club so we have more of an opportunity to take the kids (my daughter is now 12, my son 7.)

I would try to plan a little bit longer at Magic Kingdom if possible. I think trying to see everything in one day may be a bit ambitious. Try to target the rides you really want to see and make sure to hit those. The rides in Fantasyland are the ones you will more than likely hit the most. Peter Pan's flight and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh both have FastPass options. I would get the FastPass for Peter Pan, and if it's not horrible stand in line for the Pooh ride. That line seems to move faster. Also, you will definitely want to go on It's a Small World. That line moves very quickly, as the boats hold around 8 people. I had heard the ride was closed for rennovations, but I checked the operational updates on the Disney website and it is opened. The only ride in Fantasyland that is closed is Snow White's scary adventures.

There are rides throughout the Magic Kingdom you will want to ride. In Tomorrowland don't miss Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. It is a giant interactive video game/shooting gallery. Your daughter will love that ride. There is also the Monster's Inc. Laugh Factory that is really fun. Mike from Monster's Inc. is on screen and makes fun of people in the audience. It is pretty good. In Adventureland you may want to check out Pirates of the Caribbean. The initial part of the ride is a little dark, but if she (or you) have seen the Pirates of the Caribbean movies you will love the ride. Capt. Jack Sparrow makes an appearance in a couple of places now, as well as Capt. Barbossa and Davey Jones. Also, don't miss the Fireworks show Wishes as well as the Spectromagic night time parade.

In Animal Kingdom you want to make sure to hit Kilimanjaro safari, where they take you out into the animal refuge and you get to see all of the animals out in the plains, like you would on a real safari. There is also the Maharaja's trek, where there are some great up close encounters with the animals. It's Tough to be a bug is also a must see.

In MGM there are only a few rides and shows that you will be able to take her on. The Great Movie ride is pretty cool, as is Star Tours. Don't miss the Indiana Jones stunt show or the Extreme Stunt show. Also, the Backlot tour with catastrophe canyon is a good ride. Other than that, don't miss the Fantasmic night time laser show and fireworks.

Those are the ones we always targeted with the kids were smaller, and in all honesty still target. Although now they like the bigger rides as well. Make sure to plan your tour around the park so that you can hit the rides that have the shorter lines while getting FastPasses for the ones that are more popular. I wish I could give you a definite trail to take or strategy, but in all honesty it depends on how the crowds are. When we were there over Easter last April we got to the park when they opened each day and didn't need a Fastpass (at least not early in the A.M.)

Leaving the contact details in the pocket of your daughter is not a bad idea. Make sure she knows what resort you're staying at. The Disney cast members are trained to spot a lost child and know how to handle the situation. Just relax and have fun!

If you want more info, especially on rides and on places to eat I would check out the disboards. The disboards is a message board website all about going to Disney. You can get trip reports, ride reviews, resort reviews, restaurant reviews, tips for avoiding crowds, and much more. I put the link below.

Have a great trip!!

Its a small world- Magic Kingdom

Snow White- Magic Kingdom

Whinnie the Pooh- Magic Kingdom

Finding Nemo Show- Animal Kingdom

The Little Mermaid LIVE- MGM

Kilimanjaro Safari- Animal Kingdom

Its' Tough to be a Bug- Animal Kingdom

Pirates of the Caribbean- Magic Kingdom (not scary. a nice boat ride)

Mickey's 3D Show- Magic Kingdom

Goofy's Rollar Coaster- Magic Kingdom

Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin- Magic Kingdom

Country Bear Jamboree- Magic Kingdom

Donald's Boat- Magic Kingdom

Minnie's Country House- Magic Kingdom

Dumbo- Magic Kingdom

Aladdin- Magic Kingdom

Just get in line for the Fast pass line as fast you can, you'll get a ticket and then go back later. Get your Fast passes when you get there, then walk around until you have to go back to your ride. Also, look for characters and you might want to buy an autograph book in the parks. They cost like 6 dollars, but will be a great piece of memoirbila. Do the wet rides last or when you first get there or they will be crowded by noon because of the heat of the day. Also, remember that Disney is like for a kid the best place on Earth and for them dreams really do come true when you visit that place. I've been there like four times when I was 3, 8, 12, and 13 and am going back this year and then the next for High School Grad Night.

As for the thing in your pocket when she gets lost. Don't put too much info. Your cell, your name, her name, and maybe somebody else that is not there like a neighbor, a friend, or a relative so they can relate it all back to you if you don't got any cell service where you are at in the park. And tell her if she does get lost to stay in the area she is in and find somebody that works there. From there she give the employee your cell number. Have fun.

Rides at MK with NO height restriction by land!

Tomorrow Land:

1. Carousel of Progress

2. TTA

3. Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor

Mickey's Toon Town Fair

1. The Miss Daisey

2. Mickey's House

3. Minnie's House

Fantasy Land:

1. The Mad Hatters Tea Party

2. Winnie the Pooh

3. Snow Whites Daring Adventure

4. Mickey's Philharmagic

5. Peter Pan's Flight

6. It's a Small World

7. Ariels Grotto

8. Pooh's Playful Spot

Liberty Square:

1. The Haunted Mansion

2. The Hall of Presidents

3. The River Boat

Frontier Land:

1. Country Bear Jamboree

2. Tom Sawyer's Island

Adventure Land:

1. The Enchanted Tiki Room under new management

2. Swiss Family Robinson's Tree House

3. Pirates of the Carribean

4. The Jungle Cruise

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Dinoland USA:

1. The Boneyard

2. Triceratop Spin

3. Finding Nemo the Musical

Asia:

1. Flights of wonder

2. Maharaja Jungle Trek

Africa:

1. Kilimanjaro's Safari

2. Pangani Forest Exploration Trail

Rafiki's Planet Watch:

1. Wildlife Express Train

2. Habitat Habit

3. Conservation Station

4. Affection Section

Camp Minnie-Mickey:

1. Festival of the Lion King

2. Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends

Discovery Island:

1. It's Tough to be a bug

Disney Hollywood Studios:

Backlot:

1. Lights, Motors, Action Stunt Show

2. Movie Set Adventure

3. Muppet Vision 3-D

4. Indiana Jones Epic Stun Spectacular

5. Sounds Dangerous with Drew Carey

Mickey Avenue-Animation Courtyard

1. The Magic of Disney Animation

2. Studio Backlot Tour

3. Walt Disney: One Man's Dream

4. Voyage of the Little Mermaid

5. Playhouse Disney- Live on Stage!

Hollywood Blvd

1. The Great Movie Ride

Sunset Blvd

1. Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage!

2. Fantasmic

Alright, I hope this helps!

Plan to get there as early as you can! We arrived at 8:50 2 weeks ago and didn't get into the park until almost 10:00. Getting out was even worse. One of the cast members told me the boat is faster the waiting for the lines at the monorail. Also, if you daughter is big into charachters, skip the rides and go straight to the back to Toontown. We met Cinderella, belle, Sleeping Beauty, Pluto, Goofy, Minnie and Mickey Mouse in 20-25 minutes. If you go later in the day the lines get REALLY long. Have fun!

ANYTHING in Fantasyland should be good (exception: Snow White's Scary Adventures). Mickey's Toontown fair is also a good place to be. Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor is an excellent attraction for all ages, as is the Transit Authority. Hall of Presidents is a good place for a nap.

Animal Kingdom has Camp Minnie-Mickey and DinoLant, USA. I may also suggest Rafiki's planet watch, but I have not visited the area personally.

MGM has Playhouse Disney: Live!, but it's going to be closed for awhile as they are re-doing the show. Check Disney's website for details (search "operational updates").