Its been about 18 years since my dd was 4, but we did a couple solo mom/solo kid trips that year (and maybe a couple dozen over the next decade). I'm guessing that you've checked heights, and he's good for all. Does he happen to be 48" My dd loved Primeval Whirl as well. I'm guessing that your trip is in August? We didn't deal with the advance FPs when she was little, so that's tough. For the last 18 years, I've found that doing disney as a mom and kid is different than as a larger (even three person) family. So a lot of touring truisms didn't work for us. (I also happened to have a night kid, so we generally got going later and closed the parks.)
While I like that you are trying to structure your days, our absolute favorite thing about a mommy/kid vacation at Disney was that mommy de-stressed. So other than ADRs and FPs, I wouldn't "Plan" for anything else. Maybe lead, but not plan. Suppose you don't get everything you have planned done. You know why? Probably because you were having fun doing something else. Don't risk losing out on having fun because you are trying to stick to a schedule.
And about those ADRs - are you doing free dining? If not, I'd only do one sit-down (character) meal. On a short trip, they break the momentum and take too much focus to make sure you get there on time. If you do sit down meals, consider a later lunch in the heat of the day when you need a break. Or after you're done at the parks, but before you go to your room. Once you've either eaten or gone to your room at the end of the day, one or both of you may be done in. Sitting down earlier gives you a chance to get going again, refreshed.
As I'm looking at your plans, I wonder about switching your MK and DHS days? It seems like you've planned for a shorter DHS day, so that might be good after your longer first day? If you have energy, you can go to Disney Springs and see the
Lego Store sculptures, or WinterSummerland to play golf in the evening. Early on, my dd and I started doing Space Mountain as our last ride before we leave. We were often able to catch it as it was closing. It ended up becoming a tradition (spoiled last summer - the first trip in many years - because it was down.
) But if you think you will be back, it would be fun to have something park-related on your last night.
I've put some notes in your plans. I hope this helps! Unfortunately, I'm afraid I was mostly being nostalgic. We had so much fun on our trips and have so many memories. But it's the not park things that make the trip. Early on, we started playing shadow tag as we walked to Epcot. I'm not sure why or how, but it is just something that, even at 22, we still do. But it's the things like that that make a trip. Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
