DISNEY WORLD RIDES RANKED FOR LITTLE AND BIGGER KIDS
This chart (as always on this site, click it to enlarge it) ranks all attractions at Walt Disney World based on two different points of view:
- Vertically from the eyes of pre-school kids: best loved, to be avoided, or neither;
- Horizontally from the eyes of kids in the third grade or older, and their parents: skippable, favorites, or neither.
Groupings are based on ratings by age from a number of sources, on height restrictions, and on “scariness.”
If you have trouble interpreting it, this should help
- The lower right shows rides and attractions everyone likely will love
- The upper left shows ones everyone may find skippable
- The upper right shows ones 3rd graders and older guests will likely love, but that pre-schoolers should avoid
- The lower left shows ones pre-schoolers will love, but that every one else likely may find dull
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Hello Dave, We have 3 children ages 10,13,and 15 who we are bringing to WDW for the first time! We will be there from the 18th-22nd of Feb. I know I want to go to AK and MK what would you recommend us and what parks? THanks in advance
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Hi Jessica, that’s a rough week because of the crowds that have the whole week of President’s Day off. It gets better later in the week, tho. At those ages I’d spend two days at MK and one day at each of the other parks. I’d do Epcot the 18th, MK the 19th and 20th, HS the 21st, and AK the 22nd.
For how to spend your days, look through one of my itineraries (e.g. https://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/ ) filtering it for your shorter trip using this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/
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Thank you! Are you aware of any special events going on for Mardi Gras or Valentine’ Day?
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Hi Alisha, there’s a valentines day event, but it’s booked up–see this: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/tag/limited-time-magic/ Disneyland in California has a Mardi Gras thingy going, but I don;t think Disney World has anything for Mardi Gras going on…
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Hello! Your site has been a tremendous help to me. Our girls are 9, 4, 3, and 6 mo. (I know, we’re crazy, but we wanted the oldest to experience WDW before teen angst set in.) We are staying at the Polynesian, 2/12-2/15, and are only dedicating our visit to MK. What would be your game plan on touring each “land”?
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Hi Alisha, I’d devote one morning to Fantasyland, one to Frontierland and Liberty Square, and one to Tomorrowland and Adventureland. You’ll need also an evening for the fireworks and evening parade, and a late afternoon for the 3p afternoon parade. Of your dates, the 12th and 13th will be the best, and the 14th the worst…
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We are planning a 5 night trip in May of this year. This is our first visit to Disney and our children are 11, 10 and 7. We were going to purchase the Park Hopper to have some flexibility amongst the parks. Do you recommend purchasing the WaterPark option? Wasn’t sure of the value of that add-on or if you think it is something we will be able to fit in. By the way, LOVE your site…it has been so helpful to me. Any suggestions/advice you have on ticket options would be great!
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Hi Bernadette, and thanks!
Honestly, seeing the 4 theme parks fully takes a hard 6 days, and, in general, they are better than the waterparks. ANy extra time you have you should devote to resting and relaxing, so I’d say skip the waterparks and more option.
The hopper is a little less clear. Generally it’s easy to design an itinerary without one, but they can come in handy if you can afford the extra cost!
Hope this helps…
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Hello. I am going to Disney for the first time on Feb 25 through March 1st. Do you think it will be crowded at this time?
Also, I have 3 boys 10, 8, and 5. Do you think that Hollywood Studios Tower of Terror will be appropirate for them?
Thanks
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Hi Jeanne! Crowds will be low then–see this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/09/12/disney-world-crowds-in-2013/
Tower of Terror has a 40″ height minimum (see https://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/04/21/ride-height-requirements-at-walt-disney-world/ ) but will be fine for the older boys. For the 5 year old it’s an issue not just of height but also how much he enjoys wild rides. Test him on some others first…if he reacts well, then go for it if he’s tall enough!
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I’ve been on mobile disney a few times to check wait times for attractions. Often there is a wait period of up to 120 minutes. My question is do people really stay in line for that long to get on a ride?
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Ginette, yes they do! I’ve seen people waiting in lines with 180 minute waits especially at this time of the year…
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Hello, I am running the half marathon for my birthday on January 12, 2013. We are taking our 3 and 5 year olds to MK following the race. This will be our first trip. Any special tips recommended for the 12th?
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Nikki is the 12th the only day you’ll be in the parks?
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We are planning to relax at the beach for a few days and take our animal loving kids (2 and 4 yrs) to animal kingdom on feb 27h 2013. Since we are just planning to go to the one park would it be best to stay at the animal kingdom lodge? What do you recommend would as the best attractions at AK for our kids? Thank you.
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Bethany, I don’t focus on kids that young, but you can get some ideas here: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/ And AKL is a wonderful choice!
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Dave,
Thanks a lot for your help!
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Thanks Dave! I read a few reviews on the book. It seems to be outdated. Do you know of another similar source? I’m looking for some help with setting an itinerary as well.
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Hi Faye, it’s not outdated on anything important, and I’m not aware of anything better …sadly, I don’t have itineraries for trips that short. Given the ages of your kids, you may want to skip Epcot, which makes things a little cleaner.
On the 12th I’d suggest MK, the 13th, HS, and the 14th AK. On the 15th you can return to your favorite–which will almost certainly be MK–before you leave.
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My military (retired) family of 4 (children 7 & 9) will be staying at Westgate Town Center for 4 nights arriving (9-11 hour drive). late afternoon or early evening on 11 Feb & leaving late morning early afternoon 15 Feb. We have 2 free military appreciation nights @ Town Center & purchased two additional nights. Where should we purchase theme park tickets or make arrangements for dining without spending too much? We would like to participate in at least 1 character meal. My special needs daughter doesn’t like to walk a lot & sometimes is sensitive to noise. What suggestions do you have to make our trip more enjoyable?
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Hi Faye–first, on tickets, see this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/08/08/new-disney-world-armed-forces-salute-announced-fy-2013/ You can pick up these tix at Shades of Green, a military hotel in WDW.
For help in thinking through how to make things work for your daughter–and what help Disney can provide–I’d advise buying and reviewing the relevant chapters of this book: PassPorter’s Open Mouse for Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line: Easy Access Vacations for Travelers with Extra Challenges
All the character meals are pretty noisy…that suggests a buffet, in a park, so that your dining time is more under your control, and if you have to abandon, you are still in a fun place. Crystal Palace at MK meets these criteria…
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sorry- a few more questions. First, I booked the Hoop De Do Revue and got the time I wanted (6:15 show) and category 1 seating for Monday, April 15th. At first I was psyched for the good seats, but then I read that I can’t apply the dining plan to category 1 seating at this show. Do you rec’d that I cancel the booking and purchase category 2 or 3 seats or should I just pay for it out right and reserve the table credits for another day?
Also, you had suggested in a response to one of my earlier posts to do HS on Sunday, April 14th for the week we are there (April 12-18). I just noticed that HS has extra magic hours that night from 8:30-10:30 and only one Fantasmic show. Do you think this will make it tough to ensure a seat for the Fantasmic Show? Thanks again! Our trip is going to be so incredible thanks to your advice.
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Hi Amy–on the 2nd point HS has pm EMH on 4/215, not 4/14, so you’ll be fine! On the first, if you can productively use the extra credits, then stick with Category 1. If you really already have enough sit downs, then convert to 2. So glad the site is helping!!!
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what do you think of the pirates and pals fireworks boat cruise?
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Hi Amy, Wishes is much better from Main Street near the Castle than from this cruise…
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Hi,Great website !! We are travelling May 10-19 2013. 3kids, 4,6,8. We are buying a 5 day park pass but want to incorporate Seaworld .Any other suggestions on how to do this trip smoothly, and not seem so overwhelmed? Thx Krista
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Hi Krista and thanks!
Come back to me in a month–when Disney’s May calendar will be out–and I’ll be able to get you some specific suggestions.
In the meantime, note that Seaworld will be best over the weekend–see this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/07/31/the-best-and-worst-days-of-the-week-to-see-the-wizarding-world-of-harry-potter/
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Im going to WDW from october 31 to november 6 2012 with my two kids(3&9). How is the best way to use my 7 day tickets. Shoul I add water park and more options? If I use a day for water park do I lost that day park ticket? Can I use two tickets at different parks the same day?I am lost and need advice.
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Maddy, see this for an example itinerary–it’s not an exact fit, but close enough to demonstrate how to make a visit work: https://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/
I would skip water park and more options until you know you want them–that is you are on site, have seen all 4 of the main theme parks, and would rather do a water park than go back to a main park or take a day off. If you buy the water park option, and use it, that will not affect how many main theme park days you have left, and you can visit both a main theme park and a water park on the same day…
You can’t go to more than one different regular theme park in a day (although you can leave and re-enter the same park) without buying the “hopper” add on, which you shouldn’t need.
See also this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/how-long-to-stay/other-trip-lengths/designing-your-own-walt-disney-world-itinerary/designing-your-own-itinerary-continued/
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Sorry for interrupted information. Goes to show how confused I am! My kids will be 13 and 11. We were advised to do a western carribean cruise to relax after the theme park packed fortnight. However, I feel we may be missing out on other stuff florida has to offer… Nonetheless we would really like to chill out for the remaining week of our holiday before returning to uk….
Thanks again
Annette
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Hey annette, just so we don’t get lost, my answer to the first part of your question is here: https://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/how-long-to-stay/other-trip-lengths/designing-your-own-walt-disney-world-itinerary/#comment-57531
On this issue–I only know about WDW, not the rest of Florida, but if it were me, I’d stay near a quiet, peaceful beach with some fun but casual restaurants nearby –for example, on Sanibel or Captiva…
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Dave, We are planning a family trip to Orlando Nov. 4-11. Our grandchildren are 5 & 4 and planned to spend 2 days at the park. Which park would you recommend for that age and is 2 days too long? Is their an itinerary that I can get for 2 days? Which part of the week is best? Thanks for your time.
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Hi Janet, two days at the Magic Kingdom is just right–you’d want to spend two mornings, one later afternoon (for the 3p parade), and one evening for the evening parade and fireworks.
You’ll be there during Jersey week, which is moderately crowded–see this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/05/02/jersey-week-at-walt-disney-world/ The best MK days that week will be the 6th and 7th. Right now, neither date has an evening parade scheduled (though one may be added later), but both have fireworks at 9p
I don’t have a two-day itinerary, but see this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/
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We are going to Orlando 03/22 – 03/28 & plan on visiting Disney: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, & Hollywood Studios. Then going to Universal Studios. Which do u recommend in order? Do u recommend Hollywood Studios or just Universal Studios in place of it? Thanks for any help.
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Angie, how old are your kids?
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Hi dave-
My family is planning to go to wdw October 30 through November 5. We want to be part of the Halloween party at mk. I am thinking to stay at polynesian, but am considering the conte,portray since it has the pirate cruise and character breakfast- we would like to do each and one for my son’s 12 th birthday on nov. 3. The boys will be 5, 12 and 13. Any advice and itinerary is welcome. Also, how many day pass?? Hopper? We will probably not go again!!
Thanks!
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Carol, see the material that begins on the home page–you’ll find there links to how long to stay, itineraries, hotels, and meals!
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I’m from Brazil and this site is beeing perfect for planning my first family visit to Disney World. Congratulations! Thanks for all informations.
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