Top Five Walt Disney World Attractions You Must See with Your Preschooler

It is the Year of a Million Dreams at Walt Disney World, Orlando. And while just visiting the park itself is a dream come true, there is so much to see and do, you can easily be overwhelmed. If you are taking your preschool or kindergarten-age child, here is a list of the attractions you do not want to miss.

1. Character Dining at The Crystal Palace in Walt Disney World

When your child hits the early school years, the fear of large, costumed people seems to fade and the wonder of seeing the "real" Mickey Mouse sets in. My daughter seemed to have the most fun hitting up her favorite character for hugs and kisses and autographs. Be sure to have your pen and paper ready and visit the Crystal Palace's character dining in the Magic Kingdom with Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore and Winnie the Pooh. It is best to make reservations in advance but even if you do not, check with the hostess anyway. It is well worth the time.

You will enjoy all-you-can-eat homestyle American food such as mac n' cheese, chicken nuggets, burgers and a special sundae bar. It has also won the 2004 Disney Magazine Reader's Choice Award for Best Magic Kingdom Park Restaurant.

The characters make their way around the restaurant and visit each table. The benefit to doing a character meal is that you will not have to wait in long lines for autographs and that you will hit at least 4 characters at one stop. The drawback for some will be the wait as it does take up to an hour and a half to see all of the characters. There are also no park photographers at the restaurant so be prepared to take your own shots. The children will enjoy being able to spend a little extra time with their favorite characters. My daughter especially enjoyed a dance with Eeyore and a bounce with Tigger. At least once an hour, the characters and children line up for a parade through the dining room. It is a magical time for the children and a great memory for parents.

Location: Main Street U.S.A., Magic Kingdom

Serves: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cost: $15-35.99/ per person; also included in the Disney Meal Plan Package

Other suggestions: If you cannot get in to the Crystal Palace, there are other character meals available such as a Princess meal and Donald Duck's Safari breakfast. Be sure to book as far in advance as you can. Or if you would rather not spend the time or money at the meals, check your map and schedule for the locations of the characters. The wait time usually is not too bad but if you get there a little late, they may close the line.

2. Dumbo the Flying Elephant or the Magic Carpets of Aladdin at Walt Disney World

Another can't miss attraction is Dumbo the Flying Elephant in the Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland. The carousel is great but if your child is craving something a little different, ride Dumbo instead. The ride is short and the line moves fairly quickly. Your little one will enjoy flying through the air and being able to control the height of the elephant car. I am not a thrill seeker and this ride was just my speed.

If you want a slightly different take on the elevated ride, try the Magic Carpets of Aladdin ride. It has the same look as Dumbo but instead of only being able to control the height of your car, you can control the tilt as well. This is also a good ride for families of more than 2 or 3 that want to ride together. There are two rows of seats per carpet versus the one row in the elephant.

Location: Dumbo- Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom; Magic Carpets- Adventureland, Magic Kingdom

Cost: Included in the park admission price

Other suggestions: If your child (or you) are not up to flying rides, visit Peter Pan's adventure. It's an indoor ride and slower paced.

3. Beauty and the Beast- Live on Stage at Walt Disney World

How can you go to Disney without seeing at least one show? One of our personal favorites was the Beauty and the Beast- Live on Stage show. It was a wonderfully colorful spectacle and hit all the highlights from the movie. Narration and shortened versions of the songs keep it from being overly long. Younger children will especially enjoy this program with all the extravagant costumes, colors and effects and at approximately 20 minutes long, they will not become bored. Even boys will enjoy the program with Gaston's rendition of "Kill the Beast" and the transformation of the Prince into the Beast.

This is also an official "Magical Moment" station. Because Disney is celebrating a Year of a Million Dreams, they are looking for ways to make someone's "dream" come true. My daughter was wearing her Belle costume when we got in line to see the show and it caught the attention of one of the cast members. He invited her to be a part of the show and we were escorted to VIP seating. At the end of the show, she was taken up to the stage and was presented with a rose from the Prince. The escort also gave her an official "Magic Moment" certificate. It was great fun for her and something special for the scrapbook.

Location: On Sunset Boulevard in the Hollywood Studios park

Cost: Included in the park admission price

Other suggestions: Get there early for good seating. The theater seats many but the best seating is up front and center. The doors usually open about 30 minutes prior to the show.

4. It's Tough to Be a Bug at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World offers a plethora of 3-D adventure movies. You have to go to at least one, if not just to watch your child's excitement.

Our first 3-D adventure movie was the It's Tough to Be a Bug show in the Animal Kingdom. Based on Disney Pixar's A Bug's Life, this movie takes you on a tour of the world of bugs. Flik and Hopper host as giant spiders, stink bugs and butterflies take over the stage. This particular show can be frightening if your child is afraid of the dark. There are short moments of total darkness and some use of fog machines.

Location: Discovery Island in the Animal Kingdom

Cost: Included in the park admission price

Other suggestions: If bugs are not for you, try the Muppet 3-D movie in Hollywood Studios or Mickey's PhilharMagic show in the Magic Kingdom. These shows are not scary at all and are very enjoyable. It is also a nice break from the outdoors and the Florida sunshine.

5. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Walt Disney World

If you have a little girl you cannot miss the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. It is where every girl's dream comes true. A team of Fairy Godmothers-in-training will transform your daughter into her choice of the Disney princesses. There are different packages to choose from but this is one place I would suggest not scrimping. The look of wonder on her face is worth the cost.

After checking in, your daughter's fairy godmother will take her to the changing room for the first step in her transformation. She may choose from any of the princesses' attire. You will help your daughter change into her gown and shoes and then escort her to the salon. She will have her hair, nails and makeup done. When the fairy godmother is finished, you can take your brand new princess to the studio for her portraits.

The best part for your little girl is that the cast members will always bow or curtsy to her and address her as "Princess" or "Your Highness." In fact, our daughter did not take her Belle costume off for the entire trip. It is certainly a highlight for your child but a great memory for you too.

Locations: Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney

Cost: Packages start at $49.95

Other suggestions: If you want to save a little money, you can bring your child's princess dress and just do the hair and make up package. If you have an older daughter, she may enjoy a Hannah Montana Secret Star makeover. If you have a boy, there is a Cool Dudes package including colored hair gel and confetti. Be sure to book well in advance. It does fill up fast.

For more information:

Crystal Palace Character Dining

Dumbo the Flying

Beauty and the Beast- Live on Stage

It's Tough to Be a Bug- 3-D Adventure

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique