Disney Bridges the Generation Gap.

• Author: ROTHENBERG, SHEILA
• Position: Walt Disney World

A small boy, his grandparents, And Walt Disney World make An irresistible combination.

A THREE-GENERATION VISIT to Orlando s Walt Disney World turned into a delightful opportunity for grandparent-grandchild bonding when our son and daughter-in-law took off for a day of swimming with the dolphins (see "A DIP WITH THE DOLPHINS"). As soon as they were out the door, we scooped up three-and-a-half-year-old Danny and headed for a day of fun and adventure with Mickey, Minnie, and the rest of the Disney gang that proved a treat for both sides of the generation gap.

The opening stop started the day off on such a high note that subsequent events almost paled in comparison. We'd booked a Character Breakfast at our hotel, allowing us access to a sumptuous buffet while intermingling with an assortment of toons. As sophisticated a kid as Danny is at his age--for instance, far more computer-literate than his grandfather--he is convinced that the familiar creatures all over the park are real. Not about to disillusion him with the information that they are costumes stuffed with well-rehearsed staff members, we sat back and watched him interact with perfect seriousness with Goofy, Minnie Mouse, and chipmunks Chip 'n Dale. Posing for pictures with them, giggling as Goofy ruffled what's left of Grandpa's hair, and making sure that they signed the autograph album he toted with him throughout the day, he was ecstatic. Expecting that the experience would be too exciting for him to find time to eat, we were amazed to watch him consume a trencherman's breakfast, scarfing down French toast like it was going out of style. We were only able to pry him loose from the place with extravagant promises of what lay ahead.

Our arrival at the Magic Kingdom called for a beeline straight to the Walt Disney World Railroad, which circles the park all day long, allowing riders to pop on or off at various stops along the way. A confirmed train buff who carries a backpack laden with his beloved Thomas the Tank Engine trains and tracks virtually wherever he goes, Danny would have been content to stay aboard indefinitely, reluctantly debarking at Mickey's Toontown Fair only when we assured him that we would ride again later.

In Toontown, we got our first lesson in how mercurial young kids can be, switching from boldness to timidness in the blink of an eye, with a healthy dose of stubbornness thrown in for good measure. Danny wanted no part of Goofy's Barnstormer, the extremely tame roller coaster he had enjoyed the previous year, nor did he want to get on line to meet Mickey. Instead, he opted for the playground...