If you have kids and are planning a family vacation, you’re probably considering booking a trip to Walt Disney World. There’s a reason that it’s garnered the reputation as being one of the most family-friendly vacation destinations, after all! And, while all four theme parks (and water parks) are sure to have your kids’ eyes sparkling with happiness, some parks are better suited for certain ages than others. Whether you’re planning on visiting for one day or seven days, choosing to spend time at the parks best geared toward your kids’ ages can take your Disney vacation to the next level. So, we’re bringing you a complete guide to the best Disney World park for kids based on age group!

Best Disney Park For Toddlers: Magic Kingdom

If you’re planning a trip to Disney World with a toddler, Magic Kingdom is the park you won’t want to miss. Magic Kingdom is the most popular park at Disney World and it’s easy to see why. There are so many attractions and activities for toddlers to enjoy. So, you’ll want to spend at least a full day here.

One of the best things about Magic Kingdom is that it’s designed with families of little kids in mind. And, the majority of the rides don’t have height requirements. The park is divided into different lands, each with its own theme and attractions. Fantasyland, in particular, is a great place for toddlers. Here you’ll find classic attractions like “it’s a small world,” The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant. These rides are gentle and slow-paced which makes them perfect for little ones.

Another great area for toddlers is Storybook Circus. Here you’ll find more rides like The Barnstormer, a roller coaster designed for young children. Plus, there are character meet-and-greets with Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy. There’s also a fun circus-themed water play area here that is great for letting toddlers get out all their energy and cool down on a hot day. Plus, if you prefer an indoor option, there is a playset inside the Dumbo the Flying Elephant queue. Your toddler can play here as long as they want. And, then you can hop right in line for the ride!

In addition to rides, Magic Kingdom also offers plenty of live entertainment shows that will wow your toddler. Between Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire on the Cinderella Castle stage to the Festival of Fantasy Parade, you’ll get to see your toddler react to all their favorite characters from Disney movies in person.

Best Disney World Park For Kids 3-6-Year-Olds: Disney’s Animal Kingdom

When it comes to the best Disney World park for kids 3-6-year-olds, Disney’s Animal Kingdom stands out as the winner. This park is full of exciting and education-oriented adventures for young children. That’s what makes it easy for families with little ones to keep busy and have fun.

Top Attractions

One of the most popular attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the Kilimanjaro Safaris. This ride takes you on a ride through the African savanna and habitats. You’ll see a variety of animals including elephants, giraffes, lions, and more in their natural habitats up close and personal. The great thing about this ride is that you can do it more than once and have totally different experiences each time! So, ride it first thing in the morning. And, then get back in line later in the day to see if any new animals decide to come out as the weather gets warmer.

Another must-visit attraction in Animal Kingdom for young children is the TriceraTop Spin. This ride is similar to the classic Dumbo ride, but instead of elephants, you’ll be riding on spinning triceratops. It’s a fun and gentle ride that your child is sure to enjoy. And, after you ride, you can keep busy by playing carnival games and winning prizes in DinoLand, U.S.A.

Beyond all the rides, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is great for 3-6-year-olds because there’s so much more to do than hop on attraction after attraction. The park is home to two of the best live shows including Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! Both of these shows are a short retelling of the fan-favorite movies through song, dance, and acrobatics. Plus, there’s also the Feathered Friends in Flight show. It is equally as funny for adults as it is cool for kids.

There are also three nature walking trails in the park that you can take your kids through to see more animals up close. We recommend signing up for the free Wilderness Explorers self-guided activity before you explore the trails to keep your kids more engaged in learning about the animals to earn over 25 badges and become honorary Wilderness Explorers (like in the Pixar movie, Up!).

Best Disney World Park For Kids 7-9 Year Olds: EPCOT

As your kids get older, they’ll likely be more excited about bigger rides and the chance to see their favorite Disney movie characters. And, EPCOT delivers on both (while still also being fun for the parents too!). 7-9 year-olds will have a blast building their own test car and taking it for a high-speed spin on Test Track and becoming an honorary Marvel character on the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster.

7-9 is also the perfect age for EPCOT because there are still a lot of fun educational opportunities around the park to interest them. For example, after you ride The Seas with Nemo & Friends, you can explore Disney’s very own aquarium (which is the second largest in the U.S.). And, as you make your way around World Showcase your kids can learn all about the different countries represented while doing a craft at the Kidcot Fun Stops.

Of course, we can’t talk about EPCOT without also mentioning the very popular ride, Frozen Ever After, which invites you on a boat ride through Arendelle. And, you can get more of a Disney Princess fix by making a dining reservation at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.

All in all, EPCOT is perfect for kids who are older and like a thrill but still enjoy learning and exploring new things with their favorite Disney characters.

Best Disney Park For 10-Year-Old Kids and Pre-Teens: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

If you have a 10-year-old or a pre-teen, you might find yourself spending a lot of time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! This park has a huge variety of attractions that cater to this age group, from thrilling rides that will have them saying, “Can we go on that again?” to shows and experiences with their favorite Disney and Star Wars characters.

So, what exactly should you do with your 10-year-olds and pre-teens in Hollywood Studios? Well, if you have a kiddo who loves thrill rides, you’ll definitely want to take them on the Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Or, for a less intense roller coaster, head to Slinky Dog Dash. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is also a fun low-intensity ride. It features beloved Disney characters and your pre-teen is sure to love trying to beat your score on the arcade-style ride, Toy Story Mania.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also known for its new and immersive Star Wars land, Galaxy’s Edge. And, anyone who has seen the movies is sure to have fun here. Whether it’s making their very own Lightsaber from scratch or building a droid that they can play with at home, you might not be able to get them off the planet of Batuu.

And, if you need a bit of a breather between all the rides and activities, Hollywood Studios has some of the coolest live shows including Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular (which takes you behind the scenes of an action movie and shows you how stunts are performed) and Fantasmic (a nighttime lights and fireworks show featuring fan-favorite Disney characters).

Of course, there’s plenty more to explore and do with your 10-year-old and pre-teen in the park. That’s what makes Hollywood Studios such a hit among kids this age.

Practical Tips For Taking Your Kids To Disney World

Taking your kids to Disney World can be an unforgettable experience for the whole family. However, it can also be overwhelming and exhausting if you’re not prepared. Here are some practical tips to help make your trip to Disney World with kids a little easier:

1. Plan Ahead

Before you go, research the parks and attractions to make a plan for your day. Consider your children’s ages and interests, and prioritize the attractions they’ll enjoy the most. Make sure to also check the park hours and show schedules so you can plan accordingly.

2. Pack Smart

Pack a small bag with essentials like sunscreen, hats, extra snacks, and water bottles. You can also bring a stroller or rent one at the park if your child gets tired. There’s a lot of walking involved in a Disney World vacation. So, even if your kids don’t normally need a stroller, we recommend considering packing or renting one if your kids are younger than 8 years old. And, don’t forget to bring ponchos or rain jackets if the weather forecast calls for rain!

3. Take Breaks

Disney World can be overwhelming, and it’s important to take breaks throughout the day, especially with little ones. If your kids are older, you may want to take advantage of the many shaded areas, indoor attractions, and shows to rest and recharge. However, if you’re traveling with younger kids, we recommend choosing to stay at a hotel near the parks. This will enable you to head back in the middle of the day for a break or nap time. You can also make reservations for sit-down meals at table service restaurants in the parks to take a break from the crowds and heat.

4. Consider Purchasing Disney’s Lightning Lane Services

One of the hardest parts about visiting Disney World – even for adults – is the waiting. And, if you’re traveling with kids, you’re likely traveling during one of their school break periods when the parks are much busier and crowded. If you know that your children will struggle to wait in long lines, we suggest considering purchasing Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass and/or Single Passes to skip the lines at the attractions throughout the park.

Both are an additional per-person cost (and it can be very expensive). However, it may be well worth it for your family if you want to accomplish everything in the parks. Do your research on the services in advance and keep track of the wait times for rides in the weeks leading up to your trip. This will help you decide if the cost will be worth it.

5. Be Flexible

While it’s important to have a plan, it’s also important to be flexible with little ones in tow. Don’t stress if you can’t do everything on your list, or if your child wants to ride the same ride multiple times. Remember, the goal is to have fun and make memories with your family!

Comments

Have you traveled to Disney World with your kids? What do you think is the best Disney World park for kids? Is there anything you wish you’d known before traveling? Leave us a comment below to share your best tips and tricks for traveling with kids of all ages!