If you are a family with younger children looking to fulfill those charming dreams of a trip to the Disney theme parks, we feel you. There is nothing quite like watching children twirl around in costumes in front of the castle or meet their favorite character for the first time. Disney’s magic can be found in those moments, and they will leave an impact on you that lasts a lifetime. If you are considering Walt Disney World as your preferred location, you might be in two minds about the best parks to visit with little ones. Though all the Disney theme parks are worth visiting, they aren’t all created equally. Some are more adventurous than others, and while each has its own specialty, it can be hard to choose the right park for your family’s needs. Here are a few recommendations that might help you decide.
Best & Worst Disney Parks for 0-3 Year Olds
If your children are young, the Magic Kingdom is likely the best park in Walt Disney World to suit their needs. Twenty-eight attractions in this park do not have a height requirement, and while that isn’t the only factor when deciding if a ride is suitable for your little one, it sure does make for a good selection. Not only does the park offer lots of rides, but you’ve also got a nice selection of indoor shows to watch for a sensory reset or even a nap.
On the other end of the scale, for this age range, I found it challenging to experience the same enjoyment in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. With fewer options to appeal to young children, even areas like Toy Story Land, two of the three attractions have a height requirement. I also find this park to be a bit more chaotic in how the rides are presented, and while I love that aspect with my older children, it wasn’t as appealing when they were younger.
Best & Worst Disney Parks for 3-9 Year Olds
As your children get a bit older, they want to spend more time exploring. While Magic Kingdom is one of those never-go-wrong choices that has something for everyone, a close second becomes EPCOT. This park offers a few of those thrills your kids are looking for in a controlled environment that won’t leave them feeling terrified. Attractions like Soarin‘ and even Test Track have height requirements that are quite manageable around these ages, along with plenty of ‘Any Height’ attractions to suit their interests, like Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Nemo & Friends.
On the other hand, this age range was where I found Disney’s Animal Kingdom the most difficult to work with. Roaming about without a stroller makes this sprawling theme park a tough physical challenge for kids, with long distances between each stop. With the evolving concept of Tropical Americas being refined for the park, including new character integration from Disney stories such as Encanto, Zootopia, and more, this park will soon be much more appealing for adventurous young explorers. There is still plenty to enjoy in this park, though you might find that while your kids are tall enough to ride, they won’t hold the back story for some of the rides well enough to appreciate them the same way they will in a few years.
What was your experience with kids at Walt Disney World? Let us know your thoughts on the best and worst options.
