Best age for Disney World for kids is definitely once they are tall enough to avail all the rides and remember everything from the trip!
A trip to Disney World means enjoying the maximum the visitors can enjoy. Thus, many parents and guests ask about the best age for the Disney World trip.
In this article, we will talk about all the age groups. Along with that, we will also discuss the pros and cons of bringing them to Disney World.
Some people say every age is suitable for a Disney World trip as it is so magical that it welcomes everyone. However, in this place, age is not just a number.
What age is the best for Disney World
If you ask us, the best age for Disney World is 7 years. By this time, kids still have the innocence to believe in magic. But, they are not too young to forget the trip.
Thus, if you have a 6-7-year-old at your home, plan a Disney trip to give them the best experience. However, even if your family member doesn’t match the best age for Disney world, do not panic; we have got you covered.
Before considering the different age groups, let’s first look at the material costs that it will incur if you bring your kids to Disney World. Apart from that, to make your Disney trip free from hazards, there is another thing you should consider.
Your child’s height matters much in selecting Disney rides. While most of the attractions are accessible to everyone, some rides are more thrilling and intense.
If your baby doesn’t meet the required height criteria, they will not be allowed to sit on the rides. Let’s first discuss the costs, then move on to height. In this way, you will be able to decide the best age for Disney World.
Cost
One of the most important things without which your Disney trip can be a bit messy is budget. Apart from all the other things you should plan and strategize, budget allocation is the most important.
However, the younger members of your family will not place much of a budget burden. This is because their meals and ticket costs are lower than the adults.
Depending on your kid’s age group, there are three tiers of prices at Disney World:
- 0-2 years- free
- 3-9 years- child
- 10+ years- adult
So, if you carry an infant, you will not have to pay for anything during the trip. However, you will have to consider the cost of renting strollers and other stuff.
So, economically, infancy is the best age for Disney World, but the kid will not remember anything later.
Moreover, if you come to Disney World on your child’s 3rd or 10th birthday, you can avail of some discounts on meals and tickets.
So, if you want to save some bucks and simultaneously make your child’s 10th birthday special and memorable, you can plan this trip.
Height
As mentioned before, one of the most important things to research before coming to Disney World is to measure your child’s height. Say, for instance, your kid is excited about some ride but doesn’t match the height criteria, and you get to know about that after your arrival.
So, then your child will be heartbroken. So, along with pondering about the best age for Disney World, you should also consider this.
You can do two things if your kid’s height doesn’t match the requirements. Either select the rides that do not have height bars or come back later when your kids have grown up. Below we have listed the height requirements.
Magic Kingdom
Out of 30 rides, only 6 of them have height bars:
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad- 40 inches
- Barnstormer- 38 inches
- Splash Mountain- 40 inches
- Space Mountain- 44 inches
- Tomorrowland Speedway- 32 inches for riding, 54 inches for driving
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train- 38 inches
EPCOT
It has more or less 12-13 rides. Only three of them have height bars. They are:
- Test Track- 40 inches
- Soarin’- 40 inches
- Mission Space: Green Side- 40n inches
- Mission Space: Orange Side- 44 inches
Animal Kingdom
It has 4 rides with height bars. They are:
- Kali River Rapids- 38 inches
- Expedition Everest- 44 inches
- DINOSAUR- 40 inches
- Avatar Flight of Passage- 44 inches
Hollywood Studios
There are a total of 7 rides that have height restrictions. They are:
- Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run- 38 inches
- Tower of Terror- 40 inches
- Star Tours- 40 inches
- Slinky Dog Dash- 38 inches
- Alien Swirling Saucers- 32 inches
- Rock and roll Coaster- 48 inches
- Star Wars: Rise of Resistance- 40 inches
So, what is the best age for Disney World? Will have an answer that needs to consider height as an important factor.
Best age to take kids to Disney
However, now we are going to talk about the best age for Disney World. It will vary from, one age group to another group, but, you should pick a time when your child can enjoy it. So, you should take them to Disney World at at least after 3 years of age. Rest, we have discussed below!
Babies
It is advisable that don’t take an infant or a baby to Disney World. It is not only because they will not remember anything.
Apart from that, it might also not be healthy for them. The Florida heat is tremendous. Even in winters, the weather condition is harsh.
Additionally, a Disney trip is not always the most relaxing trip ever. It is instead one of the hectic trips. So, your baby might not be ready for that exhaustion as yet.
However, some families come with babies and complete the trip successfully. Often it so happens that they prioritize the other child because maybe that child has reached the perfect age for the trip.
According to others, the emotional labor of looking after a baby be it at home or outside kicks in. So, just like we go on workation, they prefer to look after their babies while being at Disney. That helps them break the chain of monotony that raising a baby can bring.
Moreover, as infants do not cost anything, so the budget also stays where it is without them. Some of the best rides for infants are:
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority
- Buzz Light Year Space Ranger
- Liberty Square Riverboat
- Jungle Cruise
- The Enchanted Tiki Room
- The Magic Carpets of Aladin
- Mad Tea Party
- It’s a Small World
- Under the Sea: The Journey of the Little Mermaid
- Cinderella’s Golden Carousel
- The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Dumbo The Flying Elephant
Toddlers
Another not-so-best age to take kids to Disney is 2-4 years. However, at this age, toddlers have a lot to do at Disney World.
Many attractions are specially designed for them. So, you can blindly suggest that 2-4 years is one of the best ages for Disney World.
Moreover, if you have a two-year-old, their entire cost will be free. So, this is the age where they start believing in magic.
Also, they are the favorites of all characters. The meet and greet with characters will be the most fun for this age group.
Even if they don’t remember what they did when they grow up, they will be able to enjoy it fully while being there.
Unlike infants, they have now developed a sense of taste, color, and sounds. Even if these don’t stay in their memory for long, the times that they will spend will be awesome.
Rides such as Pirates of the Caribbean or It’s a Small World can be perfect for a toddler to ride.
If you want to take your kid to a water area, Casey Jr’s Splash Pad in Magic Kingdom can be a good place to go. Boneyard Play area in Animal Kingdom is another area on the list of toddler-friendly attractions.
However, you might also face some disadvantages in bringing your toddler to Disney World. So, when you are enquiring about the best age for Disney World, you should keep those in mind as well.
Even if your kid doesn’t need a stroller, walking while carrying them or maintaining a slow pace might be difficult for you. As Disney World requires a lot of walking, you can keep this thing in mind.
Even if you find many toddlers at Disney World, this might not be the best age for Disney.
Elementary kids (5-10)
If you are asking about the best age for Disney World, everyone will answer in unison, it is seven years.
In this stage, kids still believe in magic, they still put up socks for Santa’s gifts. So, if you want to ignite that innocence in the kids, take them to Disney World at this age. They will believe Cinderella and Bella and not just normal people like them in costumes.
You will also not need a stroller to carry them for the entire day. They can survive on their own in Disney parks. Moreover, they can also remember their magical visit to Disney World. So, that will also not got wasted.
If your kid is somewhere between 5-6 years old, Magic Kingdom rides are the best for them. The 8-10 years old 2will find it best to ride on the roller coasters.
To the sense of wonder, the roller coasters with their new definition of time and space will add awe to the child’s emotions.
Middle Schoolers (11-13)
Depending on what your child wants or prefers. This age can be the best age for Disney World. But, it also has the possibility of being the worst.
To know if a Disney World trip will be good for their mood, you will have to interact with them. If fantasy land and magic is something which they find fun, you can very well take your 11-13-year-old kid to Disney World.
They can ride many things as they will match the height bar. Moreover, the fine dining experience can add to their experience.
However, some middle schoolers have an internal conflict and they go through a transition from being a kid to an independent individual. If your kid is facing that and going through a lot of mood swings, it is best to wait till they become teenagers.
High Schoolers (14-18)
The best age for Disney World can include kids who are freer and independent-minded. Some high schoolers even become economically independent at this age.
You will not have to worry about your kids. You can even split up with your kids. They can enjoy and go to places they like and you can enjoy your own free time.
Taking high schoolers to Disney Parks, also give you time to spend some quality time with your partner without worrying about children.
Teens will also not have to worry about meeting the height requirements. Except in exceptional cases, they can ride on the most thrilling adventure rides as well.
Moreover, the veil of everything magical has also been unveiled at this age. They can even interpret Disney World in a new light.
Disney Springs can be the hub for those who love shopping or window shopping. Moreover, this is also the best age to have fun at the water parks in Disney World. So, if you ask what age is best for Disney World, 14-18 years can be a very good time.
Adults
The best age to go to Disney shall not miss out on adults. If you are tired in your busy lives and want to relax in a make-believe world, what can be better than Disney World?
So, the best age for Disney World can include adults. Those four or five days trips can be the best stress busters and the best place to relive the nostalgia.
Moreover, without adults, no one can even plan a Disney trip. So, they are indispensable for the Disney World trip.
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Final Thoughts
So, if you have been wondering about the best age for a Disney World trip, we hope you have got your answers. Pack your bags and set sail for the land of magic without further ado.