Taking a toddler to Disney??

[Starchild]

My boss recently had to break down and take his two kids inside the park(age 4 and 6). For the last couple years, they would take them to Downtown Disney and they didn't know the difference. It's just the Disney shopping and restaurant area with no admission. I think they still have the characters walking around and plenty of stuff for kids. At that age, they can't go on any of the rides or take advantage of most of what the main park has to offer.

I know we'll be waiting till our daughter is at least 5 before we pay for admission to the park.