STRUGGLING TO FIGURE OUT when to take your kids to disney world? IT MIGHT BE TIME TO CONSIDER ALL THE PROS AND CONS OF EACH AGE!
It can be intimidating to decide the best age for Disney World, especially with the costs and time involved. But making an informed decision about when is the right time is sure to fill your Disney vacation with magic!
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It’s hard not to wonder sometimes if your children are the right age to enjoy a Disney World vacation.
With the expenses of a Disney vacation increasing each year, parents often worry if they’re making the right decision.
There are a lot of pros and cons that come with taking each age group to Disney World, and part of figuring out what works for you is considering the unique circumstances of your family.
Many people believe that 7-9 is the best age for Disney World vacations.
Children of this age are old enough to fully enjoy the park, while also being young enough to believe in the magic (and to enjoy the benefits of child-priced tickets!).
Depending on your family, you may find that you can all make the best of and enjoy a Disney vacation at any age.
Whether it’s your first visit or you’ve been to the parks in the past, we think the magic of Disney is perfect for the whole family.
DISNEY WORLD COSTS BY AGE
Depending on the age of your family members, the cost of a Disney vacation can actually vary drastically. Some of Disney splurges are worth it, but you may want to save money in other areas!
While there are cheaper times to visit Disney, most families are limited to certain times of the year for their vacation.
Generally speaking, younger children are cheaper to take to Disney World because their tickets and meals are priced at lower costs.
With particularly young children, it’s important to factor in the cost of a stroller and any other necessities you may have to purchase or rent while at the Disney theme parks.
The costs for Disney World tickets by age are broken down this way:
- 0 – 2 years old: free
- 3 – 9 years old: child ticket price
- 10+ years old: adult ticket price
It’s worth noting that as long as you arrive at Disney before your child’s 3rd or 10th birthday, you’ll receive the discounted prices given to 2 or 9-year-olds.
Timing your trip just before their birthday can be a great way to save money!
HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS FOR RIDES
This is a detail easy to forget, but it’s important to note when you’re planning your next Walt Disney World trip: little kids who are too young may not be able to enjoy all of the rides!
Many of the rides at Disney World come with a height requirement for safety reasons, but this can be a huge disappointment for children eager to try some of the park’s most famous rides. If you want to fully enjoy everything the park has to offer, it may be best to time your trip around your children’s heights.
The height restrictions for rides range from 32” to 54”, but average 40” to 44”. If your child is above 44”, they should be able to enjoy most of the rides in the park (excluding the opportunity to drive at the Tomorrowland Speedway!)
We have a whole article about the height requirements at Disney World (including a free printable list) that you can refer to.
And of course, keep in mind that some rides without height requirements, such as the Haunted Mansion, may not be much fun for more sensitive kiddos who might find it scary.
Here are some of the specific height restrictions per park/ride:
Magic Kingdom Park
- Tomorrowland Speedway (driving) – 52 inches
- Tomorrowland Speedway (passenger) – 32 inches
- Space Mountain – 44 inches
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – 40 inches
- Splash Mountain – 40 inches
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – 38 inches
- Barnstormer – 35 inches
Animal Kingdom Park
- Avatar – Flight of Passage – 44 inches
- Expedition Everest – 44 inches
- Dinosaur – 40 inches
- Kali River Rapids – 38 inches
Hollywood Studios
- Rock n Roller Coaster – 48 inches
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – 40 inches
- Tower of Terror – 40 inches
- Star Tours – 40 inches
- Slinky Dog Dash – 38 inches
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – 38 inches
- Alien Swirling Saucers – 32 inches
EPCOT Park
- Mission: SPACE (Orange Mission) – 44 inches
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – 42 inches
- Soarin’ – 40 inches
- Test Tracks – 40 inches
- Mission: SPACE (Green Mission) – 40 inches
ENJOYING DISNEY AT EVERY AGE
The most important part of determining whether your kids are the right age for Disney World, of course, is simply figuring out whether they’ll enjoy it.
There are plenty of drawbacks and positives associated with each age group, and when you consider these you’re sure to find an ideal visit time right for your family.
Babies (0 – 1)
Generally speaking, it isn’t advisable to take your little one to Walt Disney World Resort. They aren’t old enough to really appreciate the sights and sounds that Disney World offers, and may even find certain parts of the park scary.
Also, exposure to the Florida heat will lead many babies to become cranky and angry early in the day.
Of course, there are many ways that you can enjoy your Disney World vacation with a baby.
In many cases, this may even be a necessity if you have older children you’d like to take! The most important point is to bring or rent a stroller, and come prepared for anything.
It can also be helpful to visit during cooler months.
One great benefit of visiting Disney World with your baby is that it provides a lot of scenic and fun backgrounds to make memorable baby pictures with! Lot’s of “baby’s first time” photos for the scrapbook!
Toddlers (2 – 4)
Despite what you might assume, the toddler years can be a great time to take your child to a Disney theme park. Two to Four year olds generally love Disney!
It does depend on their personality – calmer toddlers are more likely to fully enjoy everything in the Disney park.
Having said that, any toddler will love seeing the friendly faces of their favorite Disney characters at a character meet and greet, along with all of the sights, sounds, and smells of the scenic, warm park.
Another upside is that 2-year-olds can get free admission to the park, while 3 – 4-year-olds are admitted at a reduced cost of a child’s ticket.
Toddlers will have a very imaginative experience of the park, and might pick up new vocabulary and interests based on some of their favorite sights in the park!
Also, many areas of the Disney World park are designed to be toddler friendly.
The parks offer a lot of slow-moving rides like It’s a Small World that are meant to be family inclusive, and areas like the Boneyard play area in Disney’s Animal Kingdom are specifically designed for toddlers to enjoy.
With toddlers, it is worth considering bringing or renting a stroller. It’s also worth considering your specific toddlers and what you expect their experience with the park to be like.
While an older or quieter toddler may find a lot of joy in the park and have a great time, other children may not quite be ready yet.
Some toddlers struggle to express their emotions when overwhelmed or angry in any other way than a tantrum, just as a result of being young and learning.
And in that case, waiting until they can fully enjoy the park could be a great decision to make a truly memorable and fun trip.
If you’re bringing toddlers, check out our top resources:
- Disney World with Toddlers–7 Tips for a Fun Vacation
- The Best Disney Parks for Toddlers
- The Best Rides at Disney World for Toddlers
Children (5 – 10)
Many people believe that the elementary school years are the perfect age to take your child to Disney World.
This is because they’re mature and tall enough to truly enjoy the park and most rides, while still being young enough to be enchanted by the most magical place on Earth.
Children at this age aren’t looking for independence just yet, either, so it’s a great time to take a trip where the family will all stick together through the park. You don’t even need to rent or bring a stroller for this age group!
At the lower end of this age range, 5-7-year-olds may not be eligible for all of the rides but they’ll be completely captivated by the Disney experience and meeting their favorite characters.
And older kids of 8-10-years old are sure to love all of the rides available.
Preteens (11 – 13)
Depending on your preteen’s personality, a visit to Disney World can be an incredible trip.
In other cases, they may feel too old for Disney World and other parks may be a better option. But Disney World has a lot to offer visitors of any age!
If your preteen still loves Disney movies, then it’s truly a perfect choice.
And other preteens may be able to let their reservations go and enjoy the sights and treats that the park has to offer.
Kids at this age will be able to enjoy all of the rides at the park, and they’re old enough that they’ll form a lot of memories around the trip.
Teens (14 – 17)
Teenagers love the park and are an unexpected best age for Disney World, for numerous reasons.
First, they have a lot of freedom in the park.
While they might want to stick with the family for some or all of the trip, this age group can go and independently enjoy parts of the park that younger or older members of the family might not like or be able to do.
This age group is also eligible for all of the rides and attractions, so there’s a lot for them to enjoy around the park.
Nobody loves roller coasters more than teenagers! And if they’ve been holding a job, they may enjoy spending some of their savings at the wonderful shops and restaurants all around the park and particularly in Disney Springs.
Disney World is an incredibly safe and fun park, and giving them a chance to explore can be a great way to foster their independence.
The opportunities that their age opens to them, whether it’s behind-the-scenes looks at areas of the park or thrill rides like the Tower of Terror, are incredible ones that they’ll remember for years to come.
Plus, this age group tends to have a better tolerance for Disney World wait times, which is really helpful!
Adults (18+)
Disney World is an incredible place for everyone, and that includes adults!
Beyond the magic of the park, rides, shops, and restaurants, the park is a beautiful place with incredible views worth seeing.
Just like teenagers, any adult young or old can enjoy every area of the park.
There are tons of attractions and rides to appeal to every personality, whether you prefer a thrill or sightseeing, and the shops and restaurants have dishes and merchandise to appeal to every taste.
Best of all, adults ages 21 and up are eligible for many of the park’s alcoholic offerings.
Many of the hotels offered at the park are grand and comfortable, and there’s no better way to spend a warm Florida day than in the sunshine at the state’s most magical theme park. No matter your age, there’s tons of fun to be had!
WHAT IS THE BEST AGE FOR DISNEY WORLD?
Whether you’re a group of adults or a family with children of all ages, the best age to visit Disney World is one where it will bring you all together.
Family vacations can sometimes have stressful moments, but it’s the happy memories you make together that will last years later.
More Helpful Travel Resources:
- How to Pack for Disney World
- The Disney Payment Plan
- How to Get Last Minute Disney Dining Reservations
Be sure to save this article for later by pinning it to your Disney travel board on Pinterest!
