c. How Old/Tall Your Children Should Be for Walt Disney World
How Old/Tall Your Children Should Be What if They’re Too Short/Young?
“While every child is different, in general this guidance is dead on.” –David C. MD, Pediatrician, former Chief Resident, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital
OVERVIEW
If this will be your kids’ only childhood visit, as of your arrival date at Walt Disney World, your youngest child should be 8 or 9 or older, and your shortest child should be at least 48 inches tall.
See What if They’re Too Short/Young? if you just aren’t waiting til then.
Children of any height or age can enjoy Walt Disney World. However, this site assumes that you are not sure whether or not you will ever be returning for another visit.
Because you may not be returning, your children should be old enough, 8-9 years old or older, and tall enough, 48″ tall or taller, to fully enjoy Walt Disney World on what may be their only childhood visit.
HOW OLD YOUR CHILDREN SHOULD BE FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD
Walt Disney World is not designed for children. It is designed for children and their parents. One of Walt Disney’s original visions for Disneyland–the model for Walt Disney World–was to build a place where he could have as much fun as his daughters.
As a result much of the best of Walt Disney World has a level of sophistication, and a set of physical and emotional demands, that will elude, or worse, overwhelm children younger than 8 or 9–third graders.
Third graders, on the other hand, are making the transition from primary school to higher abilities to experience and interpret the world. They typically are substantially ahead of younger children in independence, personal responsibility, physical stamina, attention, and memory.
Moreover, they typically are open to suggestion, risks, and new adventures.* Consequently, third graders are much more capable than younger children of appreciating a place that they possibly may not see again until they bring their own families.
A couple of notes:
- The real issue is physical, emotional, and cognitive development, not chronological age. Some children will be ahead of, or behind, a typical chronological developmental schedule. Evaluate your child, and since you need to make plans at least 180 days in advance, you will need to do a little forecasting, not only on the developmental side, but also on height (see below.) It is better to delay your trip a year than to bring your child too immature or too short for their only visit.
- On the other hand, there is a price break for children younger than ten at the time you check in. Children younger than 10 are about $350+ less expensive over the recommended trip than children older than 10. (See What to Budget.)
- The core issue is your child’s ability to enjoy the best Walt Disney World has to offer on what might be their only childhood visit.
HOW TALL YOUR CHILDREN SHOULD BE FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD
Height is more straightforward.
Many rides at Walt Disney World–including many of the best–have minimum height requirements, usually determined by features of a ride’s safety system: its seat belts and such.
Some height requirements also serve as a proxy for sufficient maturity to not be emotionally overwhelmed by the “scary” aspects of a ride.
Fourteen Walt Disney World theme park rides have minimum height requirements, of which the “highest” requirement is 48 inches.
(Click the thumbnail to see these rides and their height requirements; when open, click again to enlarge.)
LINKS FOR HOW OLD/TALL YOUR KIDS SHOULD BE
- How Old/Tall Your Children Should Be
- What if They’re Too Short/Young?
- Taking Your Too Short/Young Kids Anyway,&*#$@!!
- The Comprehensive Guide to Rides
- Rides That Might be Skipped
*University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
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31 comments
I would highly recommend making sure your youngest child is 40 inches tall, particularly if they are adventurous with rides. We took our kids to Disneyworld for the first time last summer when they were 4, 7, and 9. We wanted to go before our daughter, age 7, outgrew her passion for princesses. What we didn’t consider was the height of our youngest. He luckily was 40 inches tall, just making the cutoff for some key rides, such as his favorites, Test Track and Thunder Mountain Railroad. This made our trip SO much easier, as there was pretty much only one ride in each park he couldn’t ride. We did the rider switch three times, and honestly, the Mission Space waiting area is SO fun that he had no idea that he didn’t go on a ride. Our trip would have had some disappointing moments, if he had to skip all of those 40 inch rides, but for us, it worked out great. It was not our “one and only” trip to WDW, just our first. And a side note… I loved how many rides accomodated odd numbered families. We truly were able to ride most rides without anyone sitting alone.
Thanks, Christine!
Help! We want to take our 17 and 14 year olds to Disney for the first time this year 2012. We have to go in August due to school holidays and as a treat after GCSEs. They are both red heads so we know that it will be hot for them. Can you let us know the best lux villas or hotels with focus on teens? We still want to do all disney parks and universal studios too. Thanks
Hi Jonathan! At Universal, Hard Rock is the most teen appropriate; at Disney, there’s nothing so clear. I think any of the deluxes or villas would do. Teens often–but not always–prefer Epcot and/or the Hollywood Studios; for these, one of the Epcot resorts is most convenient–see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/02/16/the-epcot-resorts-at-walt-disney-world/
Thanks very much!
You’re welcome! Let me know when you get back what you decided and how the red-heads liked it!
We plan on taking our 2.5 year old and 6 year old in April 2013. I realize they are young, but this will be, hopefully, their first of many trips, and potentially the last trip they will take with their elderly grandparents. My question is, do we bother with Epcot and Hollywood Studios? Is there enough at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom to cover four or so days at Disney?
Hi Patsy, certainly not Epcot, and maybe not the Studios. See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/ If you plan two to three mornings, one late afternoon (for the afternoon parade) and one evening (for the evening parade and fireworks) at MK, you can easily sample AK as well and have a good 4 day trip…
Hi,
We were thinking of taking our daughter in November for her 3rd birthday she’s pretty tall for her age 36in currently and very advanced…It wouldn’t be our only trip for her childhood but all of our firsts. She’s infatuated by disney princesses and fireworks I dont really care too much about her getting on rides as much as getting pictures with the characters and maybe a breakfast with a character or something. Is it still too early to take her for a 2-day trip to the Magic Kingdom?
Alyson–kids of any age can have fun. My focus on older/taller applies only if this may be your only trip! Two days at MK sounds just right…
I have friends who are insisting that their 18 month old daughter go to Disney. Everyone has told them she won’t remember a thing about it and won’t be able to do most of the stuff…but they believe she is more grown up than she is. They say that anyone over 1 will remember it. They are bragging on their facebook page how she will be making her first. long lasting Disney memories in just a few weeks. How much will she actually be able to do?
Hey John–these battles aren’t worth fighting…there’s a lot of rides she can do in a lap, and she can do dining and character greetings…I doubt she’ll remember a thing, but he r[parents will enjoy (mostly) her reactions…
While I totally agree with the overall age/height recommendations… Don’t be afraid to go earlier if you have tall adventurous kids. My son rode Tower of Terror for the first time when he was 2yrs old and LOVED it. You can imagine the looks on the faces of the terrified teens when the ride was done and he squealed with delight and announced “Again Mommy!”. We took our 2 kids 5 times before our oldest was 5 (obviously not a one and only visit), and each time was great and had it’s own memories unique to that age/ stage. Just have realistic expectations of how much they can handle and realize that although they won’t remember much long term, you will!
Hi Gail, great point! I’m sharp on minimum ages because I am thinking of a family that can only go once, and never return. If you know you can return, kids of any age can have a ball–including some 2 year olds on Tower of Terror!
Hi Dave, I am planning our honeymoon which would be in August and I also have a 7 year old who is actually on the small side. It is likely that this will be an only trip to disney, in fact im 33 and its my first though my oh has been before. Anyway just wondering if you think we should hold off. He does like rides but not majorly adventurous in that way. Do you think maybe we should have a short break and leave the disney trip another year or so? Thanks for your great website.
Hi Katie–if you are sure this will be your only trip, I’d wait. If it’s possible you could return in the next two or three years (that means, practically, that if you like it enough, you could afford to come back), then go ahead!
Thanks Dave. The only other thing is that in a few years i may have a baby.
Got it…then I’d wait a year or so!
Hi,
we were invited for next year, but my daughters will be 5 and 3….this will be our first time going, but I just started questioning if this is too soon for my younger daughter. And I’m sure this will be the only time we go as well…
Hi Page, if this will be your only trip I would absolutely wait!
I brought my son when he was 2 and it could have been better. He was way too small and doesn’t remember going at all! My husband and I go to islands of adventure and halloween horror nights every year and leave the tikes at home. It’s our own little vacation we have together. Now that he is 5, he wants to go like yesterday LoL! We are bringing him next month for MVMCP. He’s currently 38 inches but hey, he will at least remember it!
Hi Gillian, and thanks for your thoughts!
Hi Dave,
We live in Australia and planning on doing a trip to Disney World in October this year. Planning to stay for approximately 10 days at Disney World. We have previously been to Disneyland in Los Angeles and Hong Kong. We have 3 boys, aged 7, 10 and 12 and I was looking to take them now before Disney becomes to cool!!!. Reading your site I’m assuming the length is about right, however I was looking for your guidance on whether this is a good time to visit, appropriate ages and where you would recommend you stay.
I’m not sure you are the right person to ask, however do have views on Disney Cruises and whether they are worth it?
Hi Davin, I don’t have an opinion on Disney cruises.
The second half of October is a great time for a WDW visit–see the weeks ranked #s 4 and 5 here: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/09/19/2013-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/
My suggestions on where to say are here: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/04/26/walt-disney-world-resort-hotel-reviews/ A family of 5 though is hard to fit in the moderate and value resorts, and two of the deluxe resorts. At the values you are limited to the family suites, and at the moderates the Alligator Bayou section of Port Orleans Riverside, or a Cabin at Fort Wilderness. You can fit in any deluxe except standard rooms at the Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Your boys are about the perfect age for WDW, especially if the 7 year old is a little mature and adventurous for his age! See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/
Hope this helps!
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Hi Dave, we’re going for the first time with a party of 9 (6adults, 3 kids(9, 7 and 5) to visit WDW from Europe. Of course we want to maximize the fun but I’m not really sure how all things work. What do you advice us wrt fast passes?
Thanks!
Gerry
Gerry, at Disney, all the fastpasses are free with your ticket, and using them is built inot all of this site’s itineraries. Check out for example, this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/basic-itinerary/alternative-itineraries/itineraries-for-the-rest-of-the-year/v2-of-2009-autumn-winter-spring-itinerary/
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Dave,
My wife and I are heading to Disney World this coming weekend with our two daughters who are 8 and 5 . We were gifted Disney Park tickets for 3 days. We were planning on going Sun, Mon and Tues. Both of us are newcomers to Disney. I know we need a plan – what should we hit (must-sees) for the 3 days for our girls. Any recommendations. Also do you recommend any Iphone Apps which are helpful?
My family is planning a trip this fall. My husband & I have both been to Disneyland CA & Paris & Disney World twice, this will be a first for both my girls 9 & 13 at the time of the trip. In our previuos trips we had observed many unhappy struggling families, with younger children either crying or napping in lines. At that time we did not have our own children, but definitely made note that we would wait to take our kids (if & when we had them) until they were old enough & tall enough. It’s been a long wait as our girls are both on the smaller sides, but now they are even taking part in the planning and we are ALL super excited to be going.
Hi Mrs B! Thanks for the thoughts, have a wonderful trip, and let me know how it goes!
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Hi, I am looking to go to Disney next May and there is a chance that it might be our only trip only because my husband really hates to fly. We want to go with his parents, myself and my husband and our three kids. I have twin boys who will be 9 and my daughter will be 6 by the time we go. Any suggestions would be great!! Thanks.
Hi Jacqui! Just start on the home page and work your way down its topics and links–start here: http://yourfirstvisit.net/
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