I know there have been lots of thread looking for advice about taking children, but I couldn't find one. I'm no good at searching, lol. But I'm going to be taking a 7 year old visiting from Virginia on Thursday and I was hoping for some advice. I have to say I haven't had much experience with children, being at the young age of 19. Not to mention I want to make this a great experience for him because I heard that he's already bragged to all his friends at school about going to Disneyland. Please help and quick! :)

How fun for you to be taking a kid to disneyland! You will both have a great time. Last year, we took our 3 DD for the first time. We were there 4 days. my 6 year old loved being able to choose what to do next. It didn't matter to her (or the others) that we missed a few shows and rides. What she remembers is riding BTMRR 9 times and GRR in DCA 6 times. I guess what I'm trying to say is OUR idea of a perfect DL day may not be the same as a child's. Let him decide what to do next, what to eat, etc. Does that help at all?

Leli, I moved your thread to the Parenting in the Parks forum. There is lots of information there that will help you plan a trip with young ones. :)

If you're staying in a hotel, go back there in the afternoon and swim or decompress for a couple of hours. That break in the day will make all the difference for you and the boy.

Edited to add: For souvenirs: when our kids were little, we let them choose three things, rather than giving them money or setting a dollar amount. The kids knew these three things had to be reasonable. During a trip to DL when our kids were 6 and 9, one kid bought a personalized parasol, a stuffed animal, and a t-shirt. The other kid bought an inexpensive Mickey watch, a Belle Barbie, and a blown-glass necklace. I think each spent about $60. The limit of three things is easily understood and allows the kid to really take his time in choosing. But once those three things are bought, that's it.

I have a 7 year old boy and I asked him what he recommend for a boy his age who had never been...

He thinks you should take him on the following rides:
1. Pirates of the Carribean
2. Buzz Lightyear
3. Matterhorn
4. Space Mountain

He would recommend that you take him to eat:
1. Corn Dogs
2. Mickey Mouse Waffles

He thinks the following would make good souveniers:
1. Pirate sword
2. T-shirt

He also said to tell him the fast rides are very fun, even if they look scary, but slow rides are fun, too.

Thanks for the ideas. Pirates was one of my my first thoughts as well. Too bad it's closed. He's leaving on Sunday to go back home so we only have tomorrow for him. What should I do about Fantasmic/fireworks? Should I attempt to see both, or should I just let him see the fireworks?

Thanks for the ideas. Pirates was one of my my first thoughts as well. Too bad it's closed. He's leaving on Sunday to go back home so we only have tomorrow for him. What should I do about Fantasmic/fireworks? Should I attempt to see both, or should I just let him see the fireworks?

Bummer about Pirates being down, I totally forgot.

About the fireworks, I wouldn't waste time marking out a spot and getting a seat right up front unless he's really into fireworks. My son would rather go on rides and then just watch the fireworks in the sky from wherever we are than to sit and wait. As for Fantasmic! well, he thought that was worth waiting for, although we did splurge for the riverfront seating w/dessert buffet.