Planning a trip to Walt Disney World with kids and pondering the age-old question of when to take them? Here’s the best age for Disney World!
Many argue that any age is perfect for a Disney trip. I would counter that.
If the cost isn’t an issue and you don’t mind spending half your Disney vacation changing diapers and pushing strollers in the heat, then go ahead and go to Disney at any age.
However, as a mom of 4, I believe there’s a better way.
The Best Age for Disney World
I would advise those who truly want to have a magical vacation and experience Disney in a fun way that is worth the cost to wait….. until their child is at least 4 years old for their first trip.
Younger children have a lot more needs (like a diaper bag, stroller, and naps!) versus older children (ages 4+) who are at a great age for getting the most out of a day at Disney.
I would also advise a 2nd trip for when they are 48 inches tall so that they can experience the majority of the rides that Disney has to offer.
If you are thinking your child might out-grow Disney World, I think this is purely based on personality and family traditions. I believe that if your teen has never been to Disney, they will really love it.
However, if you’ve been taking them to Disney World every year since they were a baby, like anything, they may grow tired of it and crave something new.
Personally though, I never grow tired of the Disney magic!
Best Age for Each of the Disney Parks
All of that said, there are some parks that are better for certain ages. Here’s the low down on each of the parks.
Best Age for Magic Kingdom
Disney’s Magic Kingdom is the best park for young children. You can check out the best rides at Magic Kingdom for Toddlers here.
It contains more rides than any other park and most of these rides don’t have height requirements.
That’s not to say that your big kids won’t enjoy this park too! Some of Disney’s Best rides are here including Big Thunder Mountain Railway, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain and more!
There’s surprisingly a lot of rides that are perfect for the whole family, including your littlest ones.
So if you have a big age gap between your children, this park can be great for that. Kids of all different ages will all enjoy Pirates of the Caribbean, Dumbo, Haunted Mansion, It’s a Small World and plenty more.
You can check out all of the ride height requirements here.
However, if cost plays any part in your vacation planning, I would wait until your child is 4 because you can skip the stroller costs (both financial and physical) and get more time in the park if your child is past napping age.
Best Age for Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom is an interesting park because there aren’t that many rides. And the majority of the rides do require a height of 38 inches or more.
However, there are a few rides that don’t have a height requirement and there’s shows, and animals to look at.
I would say that if rides aren’t your priority, this park works well for any age. However, your child will enjoy this park more if they are tall enough to enjoy the thrill rides.
Best Age for Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios is home to the most thrill rides. There’s actually only 2 rides there that don’t have a height requirement.
If you have older kids or teenagers, this is going to be a must-do park. From the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to the thrills of The Hollywood Tower of Terror, this park caters to your thrill seekers.
That’s not to say that your little ones won’t love it too, (Hello Toy Story Land!), but you won’t find as many slow rides as you would in Magic Kingdom.
Best Age for Epcot
Epcot is great for any age. There’s thrill rides for your thrill seekers, there’s plenty of no height requirement rides for your little ones, and there’s lots of cool experiences and amazing food from around the world to be found.
I will say it feels like the hottest park with the most walking (probably because you can’t cross the park easily due to the lake in the middle.)
If you have littles or elderly people, take it slow and enjoy it!
But it’s totally worth it – it just might be my favorite park (if I had to choose!)
More Things to Consider
There are some other factors to consider when planning a Disney trip that might outweigh going at the perfect age.
Price
Disney has pricing brackets based on age that might affect your decision on when to go to Disney.
- Ages 0-2 are free
- Ages 3-9 are child tickets
- Ages 10 and up are adult ticket prices
Along with entrance ticket pricing, you also need to consider the cost of dining.
At quick service locations, anyone can eat off a kid’s menu. However, if you book a sit down restaurant, kids 10 and up will be eating off the adult menu, which can add up.
Maturity
Every kid is different so these factors may or may not affect your decision to take your child to Disney this year.
- Believing in Magic – some parents really want their little kids to believe that their favorite characters are real. Admittedly, it’s amazing to see their little faces when they meet Mickey Mouse for the first time. (But the magic is still alive and well at age 4-8!)
- Memories – will your child remember this trip? Is that important to you?
- Sleeping Situation – are you going to be able to sleep in one room as a family with a baby in the room, or younger kids that go to bed early, etc?
Height
I think the height requirements of rides is one of the most important factors to consider when planning a Disney trip.
There are so many rides and experiences that have a height requirement for safety reasons. You can check out our handy Ride Height Requirements chart here.
It’s wise to know in advance what your child can and cannot ride to avoid disappointment in the park.
I have always felt that age 4 and up was the best age to enjoy Disney. Kids can ride *most* rides, are potty trained (good-bye diaper changes and that bulky diaper bag!), and can walk freely without a stroller, which is a huge win.
Stroller parking and retrieving a stroller can really be a time drain at Disney.
And of course, it only gets easier the older they get as they break free from all the height restrictions and fears.
I hope this has been helpful for you to choose the best time to take your children to Disney World. If you are a Disney fan and determined to take a toddler or baby to Disney, go you!
But if this is only a once/twice in a lifetime trip, going at the right age is everything. You’ve got this!
Regardless of what you decide, I hope you have a great time and experience the Disney magic!
More Disney Tips
Check out more Walt Disney World Tips on our blog.
Looking for Ways to Save Money on Disney? Check out all our best tips.
Is this your first visit to Disney’s theme parks? Here’s our Best Disney Tips for First Timers!
Are character meet and greets a priority? Here’s the sweet spot for finding Grogu at Galaxy’s Edge.
Learn all about the Disney Dining Plan here and if it’s worth it.
Don’t miss this big list of the Best Disney Vloggers on YouTube. So much great information to plan an amazing time in the parks!
