Planning a trip to
Walt Disney World with kids is like childhood dreams coming full circle. Here, everyone walks hand in hand as big kids as bucket lists are re-written and memories are built to last a lifetime.
Nevertheless, you may still be wondering what the best age would be to bring your children to Disney World.
Will babies or toddlers even remember it? Will young children meet the age or height requirements of rides? Will teenagers still be interested in Disney princesses and childhood toys? There are no definitive answers to these questions, but there are important factors to consider. Using our experience of crafting bespoke Disney holidays, and utilising our firsthand knowledge of
Orlando, here's how you can plan your perfect Florida family holiday for all ages in 2024 and beyond...
Price Differences For Children At Disney World
There are many ways you can splash out on a Walt Disney World holiday, but one of the best ways to save money without losing any of the magic is through Disney's age-based theme park tickets. 3 to 9 year olds pay children’s prices, over 10 years old pay adult prices, and kids below 3 years old go free.
And it is worth remembering that the smaller the Disney fan, the smaller the meals. In fact, they may not require an extra bed at the villa or hotel. Then after a day filled with riders and rollercoaster, they will probably crash out before the need for nighttime entertainment, which depending upon your interests, is either a good or bad thing!
Height Restrictions At Disney World
There are endless activities at Disney World to cater to all ages (and heights), so this consideration might not be an issue for your family. However, if your child has their heart set on the biggest and baddest rollercoasters, checking the height restrictions in advance could save you all from disappointment.
The majority of rides in the parks don’t have height requirements, however, it’s worth noting that some of the most popular rides do, such as Space and Splash Mountain at
Disney's Magic Kingdom, Saorin’ at
EPCOT, Avatar Flight of Passage at
Disney's Animal Kingdom and Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in
Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Taking Children Under 5 To Walt Disney World
We have touched upon the cost saving benefits bestowed to children under 5 at Walt Disney World, now let's talk about what they bring to the table. As any parent will tell you, 3 to 5 year olds in particular pack a lot of energy in the suitcase. And there are few places better than Walt Disney World for matching this energy before making them stop, look, and listen in wonder at ever dazzling attraction, sticky sweet food and beloved characters strolling around the parks.
We recommend Disney's Magic Kingdom for this age group, as it features many of the classic, child-friendly Disney attractions. From The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh to Peter Pan's Flight to Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid - you should be able to find a familiar fairytale for them to dive back into. Though be warned, if you venture onto the whimsical boat ride, "it's a small world", you won't get the song out of your head until the flight home!
What's more, for children who haven’t started primary school yet, the ability to visit Walt Disney World during the school term times helps ensure a happily ever after for your holiday budget.
Taking Children Under 10 To Disney World
Kids between the ages of 5 -1 0 are the ideal age for a bucket-list trip to Disney World. Not only will they still qualify for child tickets, but they’ll hopefully remember at least the majority of the magical moments. The older they are in this age bracket the better, with increasingly fewer height restrictions and a broad range of Disney-related interests, meaning you can plan what you want, when you want, before they become extra fussy teenagers!
Moreover, this age group can enjoy Disney’s best rides and entertainment alongside educational attractions, such as those at EPCOT which might go over the heads of smaller children. They’re also likely to have plenty of energy for a day out in the parks without the need for an afternoon nap, so you can cover plenty of ground wherever you go. Above all, children under 10 will arguably have the most fun at Disney World, as they truly buy into the fairytale of theme parks. We recommend giving them their own camera for making memories and a notebook for character autographs to encourage their sense of awe and wonder.
Taking Teenagers To Disney World
Not every older teenager relishes the idea of a family trip to Walt Disney World, but once they arrive, you can be confident they'll change their mind. And as you might expect, as children get into their teens, they’re far more likely to remember experiences forever - not least a once-in-a-lifetime family holiday to Walt Disney World.
Plus, they will have a sense of independence that will help you slip into the carefree feeling that every holiday deserves. They’ll also be able to help you discover the best rides, attractions and parks, and old enough to enjoy them all. We recommend Disney's Hollywood Studios for this age group, as you will find attractions with relatively mature themes, such as the Tower of Terror. Or attractions based on film franchises with multiple generations of adoring fans, including Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
And let's not forget that teenagers can stay up later and not get too hyper after delicious Disney desserts before bedtime. So although it might cost slightly more, taking teenagers on a trip to Disney World will ensure you make long lasting memories from shared experiences. Then who knows, maybe one day they’ll be taking their children to Disney World with grandparents in tow!
Why Fairytales Have No Age Limits
In reality, there is no perfect age for children to visit Walt Disney World. When they are ready to dream big, the fantasy land awaits. Across 4 theme parks, 2 water parks and 27 resort hotels, Walt Disney World Florida has a magical experience for everyone. Even for you. Just you wait and see, when you're free falling, cloud soaring and happily calling over your child to come and feel it too…
So where to first?
From the finest hotels to family villas, we can ensure your Disney holiday lives up to the hype. Since 2004, we’ve helped thousands of families plan their dream Disney holidays. And we’d love to help you too.
Check out our Walt Disney World Florida Holidays for 2024 & 2025 here.
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