How Old/Tall Your Children Should Be What if They’re Too Short/Young?
OVERVIEW: THE LONG AND SHORT OF DISNEY WORLD
This site recommends waiting to go until your kids are at least 48 inches tall and in the third grade or older. If you do, all of the best of Disney World is open to them.
Of course, as noted several times before, kids of all ages can have a great time at Disney World. So you may be ignoring this instruction…
The problem with younger kids is that
- Younger kids enjoy attractions that older ones and their parents would view as skippable
- Older kids and their parents enjoy things that younger kids can’t or shouldn’t ride
- Moreover, little kids also slow everyone else down, as they can’t keep up at the same pace as the rest of the family
The result is that it is very hard to keep everyone happy on a single Disney World trip, and the family overall does not have the best possible trip.
Note that Disney World’s “Rider Switch” program–sometimes know as Child Swap–can help. See this for more.
TYPES OF PEOPLE WHO WON’T FOLLOW SUGGESTIONS
The best—not great, but still best—answer depends on your family circumstances. Two variables are critical:
- First, are all your kids too young or short, or do you have a mix of some the right age/height and others not?
- Second, could you afford to return?
Suggestions are grouped below based on these two variables; you can also see them organized a little more simply by clicking on the thumbnail to the right.
YOU CAN AFFORD TO RETURN, AND ALL YOUR KIDS ARE TOO SHORT/YOUNG
Go now for a shorter, simpler trip, focused on what little kids like, and return later when they are older for a full scale version of one of this site’s itineraries.
YOU CAN AFFORD TO RETURN, AND ONLY SOME OF YOUR KIDS ARE TOO SHORT/YOUNG
- Leave your youngest kids behind (grandma, police, kennel) and go on a regular trip with your properly aged kids; return later for a regular trip when your youngest kids are old and tall enough, or
- Go now with everyone for a regular trip, but split up often and use babysitters often (see below); return later for a regular trip when your youngest kids are old and tall enough
YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO RETURN, AND ALL YOUR KIDS ARE TOO SHORT/YOUNG
- Wait until they are (you knew you were going to hear that again), or,
- Go now for a shorter, simpler trip, banking the money saved compared to the regular trip for a short return later when they are old and tall enough, focused on what you missed this time around
YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO RETURN, AND ONLY SOME OF YOUR KIDS ARE TOO SHORT/YOUNG
- Wait until they are older and taller… (you knew you were going to hear that again), or,
- Go now with everyone for a regular trip, but split up often and use babysitters often (see below); if you possibly can, return later for a regular trip when your youngest kids are old and tall enough
MANAGING A DISNEY WORLD TRIP WITH KIDS OF WILDLY DIFFERENT AGES
The core problem is that little kids enjoy rides that the rest of the family could skip, and that older kids and parents enjoy rides that little kids either can’t or shouldn’t ride.To help you figure out what is what, all the rides at Walt Disney World have been sorted based on how little kids and older kids and their parents see them.
You can see this sorting in The Comprehensive Guide to Rides by going to this page.
The problem areas are especially the lower left and upper right corners of the page.
- The lower left highlights how many of the rides that are best loved by pre-school kids fall into the “skippable” category for older kids. (See this for more detail on skippable rides, because not all are equally skippable; especially skippable ones are in italics in the The Comprehensive Guide to Rides)
- The upper right highlights how many of the rides that are favorites for older kids and their parents should be avoided—or have height limits too high—for little kids. These include 8 of the ten most popular rides at Walt Disney World (in bold).
To keep everyone as happy as they possibly can be, follow these approaches:
- See the rides that little kids like. Even though they may be a little dull for the rest of the kids, the joy of the little ones should be enough to keep at least the parents motivated
- Take more/longer afternoon breaks, swims, and naps than the itineraries already indicate
- Parents, take turns entertaining little kids during the morning stretches that present ride after ride inappropriate for little kids, especially at Hollywood Studios, Epcot and the Animal Kingdom. Check your morning itineraries at these parks, and note where they have a number of rides that little ones should or must avoid. You can do this entertaining one of two ways: (1) The parent on duty sleeps in with, or goes for a morning swim, with the littlest ones, rejoining the rest of the family 60-90 minutes into their tour of the park; or (2) The parent with little one duty can follow the same schedule as the rest of the family, but take the child to the more skippable child rides at the park or the character greeting areas while the rest of the family is on the inappropriate rides.
- Use babysitters (check at your resort’s concierge desk for recommendations) for the littlest kids for when the rest of the family is at Cirque du Soleil, is spending late evenings at Epcot and the Hollywood Studios, and is at the Hoop Dee Doo Revue.
Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Twitter or Pinterest!!
We are taking our two grandchildren plus their parents (we have to) to Disney for the 2nd time. We were planning on going back in 2017 when the younger one will be tall enough; however, by that time (we like to go early Dec.), the order one, a girl, will be out of the dress up I’m a Princess stage. Therefore, we have decided to move it up one year even though the younger one might not be tall enough to ride the 40″ restriction rides. Then after 3 years, we will go back, when he’s tall enough, even though the older one will be well out of the princess stage. What’s your opinion on that?
Reply
Pamela, I think it’s a great idea!! My “wait til they are 8” stuff is only if this might be your only visit!
Reply
Your site is the best!!! We are taking our girl for her 4th bday on the week of december 5th (her bday is the 7th) . Our plan is to take the girls when each of theme turn 4 and then when they are around 8 and 10.. so they get the magic and then the fun.
I have some questions… my lil one would be 1.5 years at that time we.go for this visit, do you know if we would.be.able to.take her with us in.some of the little kids rides (lap)??
Whats your opinion about staying in a disney hotel or any other hotel? Does really make a difference?
Reply
Hi Steph and thanks! Yup, you’ll be able to take the 1.5 year old on most rides. I strongly urge Disney hotels–see this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/where-to-stay/
Reply
Great site! Thank you for taking the time to organize and post all of this for those of us that are just so completely overwhelmed by trying to plan the “perfect” WDW trip! Can’t say enough about how relieved I was to stumble across this wealth of information.
So on to my question! And I apologize if this has already been asked in some way shape or form. I will admit I did not read through all the comments as I have already logged many hours into researching this trip so I decided to skip that extra bit of reading. I plan on taking my daughter for her 5th birthday for the recommended 9 days in early December 2016. I am sad that this is under your recommended age because before doing research I believed, in my ignorance, that it would be the PERFECT age to take her, but alas! you live (or read blogs) and you learn. The good news is my older daughter will be 9. The other good news is I doubt this will be our only trip AND that along with myself, my hubby and the 2 girls, we will have my mom, brother, dad and dad’s fiance with to help entertain the youngest while we have some fun with the older. So, my question for you is this: should I modify the basic itinerary since the 5 year old may slow us down and want to do different things (and this is HER birthday we are celebrating) or do you think I can keep it pretty much as is? I don’t think the youngest will have any problems with late nights as she has had a few in a row already on family camping trips and she has done great. And keeping in mind that 7 out of 8 of us going will be of age to, as you put it, fully enjoy WDW. So what would you suggest on the itinerary?
Reply
Hi Shannon and thanks so much for yuor kind words!
The Basic Itinerary includes stuff that will be rough for a 5 year old–see this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/ –and leaves out stuff great for a kid that age but dull to others–e.g. meeting Anna and Elsa.
There are itineraries in my book that include both, so adapting them is probably your best bet! The easy Guide to Your First Walt Disney World Visit 2015.
Reply
*magical experience
Reply
Hi Dave! I’ve begun to tentatively plan this once in a lifetime trip for my daughter. Originally I planned on taking her next spring break or May 2016. She would be in the second grade and 8 years old. (She is currently 44″ so I’m assuming she’ll grow at least 4 inches in the next 18 months!) However, due to money constraints I’m considering the following year to be more feasible. So that would put her at 9 years old in the third grade. She is the only child at the moment, but we do plan on having more a little bit later down the road which is why this trip is critical. I want her to experience the magic of disney as well as participate and experience everything the park has to offer. What is your advice for this once in a lifetime trip? Is there that big of a difference between 8 and 9? When do kids begin to lose the magical feeling? Thanks!
Reply
Valerie, every kid is so different. Basically, the younger, the more magic, the older, the more completely they get WDW. Is it financially conceivable to do two shorter trips–one soon, one later?
Reply
So am I understanding this right? If we book a value resort for January 2015 now (or when the prices come out in the next few weeks actually), then if a deal pops up in October we can still get it, even if we’ve already paid? What if the deal is only for the moderate resorts? Would we then be able to switch the resort reservation to take advantage of the deal? In your experience will there be deals for late January, seeing as its already the cheapest time of year?
Reply
Stacey, if a deal comes out and you already have a reservation, you can then call and either re-book your resort into it or change your reservation to a resort that is eligible your dates. There’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to do so–if you find out late, there may not be anything left–but you also are not harmed in any way by already having a reservation except that you have to change over the phone–you can’t change an existing reservation online. And yes, that time of year commonly sees room rate deals.
Reply
Hello.. I’ve been looking at your site and have found it to be very informative. In December last year, we told our 4 kids that we are taking them to Disney from March 22-28, 2015 (their Spring Break from school).. We’ve been saving so we can afford a nice trip as with a family of 6 it won’t be cheap. While this isn’t their first visit to Magic Kingdom and very likely won’t be their last trip to a park, this will probably be the only time we plan to stay at Disney for a week. Our kids will be 8, 7, 6, and 4 at the time we go and none of them will even consider the thought of going on any of the bigger rides such as Space Mountain (which is ok with my husband and I as we aren’t fond of roller coasters). The “problem” with our vacation is that 2 months ago we found out that we are very unexpectedly expecting again and the baby will be 4 months old at the time of our trip. We plan to stick to the younger kid friendly rides, character meets, and a lot of pool time anyway (our oldest has extremely high functioning Aspergers and only likes the smaller rides and our almost 4 year old is the size in height of a tall 2 year old).. Is it possible to still have a good time with baby on board? Also, are there usually any type of discount or deal during that time?
Reply
Andrea, my guess is that there won’t be much in the way of discounts, if any, then. Plenty of babies go to Disney World–frankly, they are usually less of a problem than 4 year olds! You can make this work if you plan your days carefully, and are willing to split the family up at times…
Reply
Its ok :). Thanks for your help!!! You are amazing!!! I am sure I will have plenty of questions between now and then. Thank you again!!
Reply
I am sorry, typo. do you think the 30% off resort rates will be available the week of May 9th 2015??
Reply
Oh, I should have figured that out!! There will be a room rate deal for then, I’d guess. It’ll be less than 30% at values and moderates, and around that at deluxes.
Reply
Hi Dave,
Another question. I looked over your 2015 week breakdown of when to go, and a thinking of te week of May 9th. My question to you us, do you think the 30% of rooms will available then??
Reply
?30% of rooms? Melissa, I’m not following you…
Reply
I am trying to plan a trip for 2015 . I am wondering which would be cheaper, in your opinion. One option is May. My twins will be just shy of 3. We plan on the dining plan with the sit down dinner. The other option would be September. The twins would be over 3 then. We would still want to do the dining plan. Our schedule is very flexible.
Reply
Melissa, with kids younger than three, you don’t need to pay for tickets–nor, if you choose to get it, the dining plan. So May will be MUCH cheaper for you…
Reply
I am glad I read this because I see so many of my friends who have brought their kids to Disney way before 5 and I think man, I am slacking as a parent. We are planning to go next year before we start trying to get pregnant with our 4th child and our children will be 10, 9, and 7. My daughter is petite but she is now 43″ so should be well over the 44″ height and be able to enjoy mostly everything. My boys are both already over the height so I think our family will thoroughly enjoy Disney next year. Good thing is, she loves princesses, so we can go looking for princesses while the big boys ride the big rides with Daddy. Thanks again!
Reply
Shannon, it’s fine to go when they are very little if you can bring them back later! But if you may not be able to, then waiting til they are old enough to “get it” is always the right move…
Reply
Hi, Dave, Love the site and all the great advice! I am taking my 1 year old daughter for her first visit with plans to return many times. I’m planning to take it easy and just enjoy being with her at Disney. I’m debating between Pop Century for her enjoyment or one of the moderates for my comfort. Also, I’m not sure how many days to pay for park entry. When we go to the parks, I’ll probably take her for 3-4 hours, then back to the resort, and only go out in the evenings if she’s bright-eyed and bushy tailed. So would you recommend tickets for all 4 days that we’re there, or just 3 days with one day off? I’d appreciate any other advice that springs to your mind for WDW with a young toddler. Thanks!
Reply
Laura, I focus on much older kids, so don’t have much to offer.
But from what I know, you should design the trip for yourself. There’s next to nothing she’ll be able to or understand other than meeting the characters, so I’d just spend a morning at each of the 4 parks–and thus get 4 days of tickets–so you can get a sense of the lay of the land for future trips. And for similar reasons I’d pick the hotel based on what you want. Don’t worry about the best hotel for her until she’s old enough to appreciate it!!
Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook!
Reply
Taking my 4.5 year old and 1.5 year old daughters for their first visit (9/26-10/1). Knowing that this will probably not be their only trip, it is more for the memories my husband and I (and maybe oldest daughter) will make. Already booked the flight, but we’re still undecided about a resort to choose. Leaning towards the new AoA but we’re worried about the bus transit with 2 young ones. Thinking the Wilderness Lodge or a resort on the monorail may be more convenient, but can only afford it if they offer free dining or 30% discount. Any thoughts about which may be the best way to go – obviously there are pros and cons to each, but any advice you can give would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Reply
Hi Kerri, first, I wouldn’t count on a deal. One may happen, but your dates are at the opening of the Food and Wine Festival, and that opening week has often been left out of discounts, especially free dining, and WL and the monorail resorts lately has been seeing only 20% savings. (See https://yourfirstvisit.net/2013/02/13/the-2013-epcot-international-food-wine-festival/ and https://yourfirstvisit.net/2013/01/03/new-walt-disney-world-discount-mid-february-through-mid-june-2013/) Note that if a deal happens, you can book into it, then cancel your AofA reservation…
WL or a monorail resort would be more convenient for MK–which will likely dominate your trip, given the ages of your kids–but not for the other three parks (Poly would be for Epcot)…
Hope this helps! And if so…
…Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook!
Reply
Dave, this site is AMAZING! Thanks for making planning so much easier. I’ve been to WDW six times, starting when I was 2 (I’m now 35!), and we’re planning a 2013 trip. It’s my husband’s 1st trip, at age 43!! We’ll be taking all five of our kids: ages 20, 17, 13, 5, and 2. Your site is going to help us SO much!!
Reply
Rachel, thanks so much for witting! And I’m glad the site will help!
Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook!
Reply
we are planning out our first trip to DWmy husband went as a child, I have never been or my daughter. She is 7 right now and her birthday is Dec 14. we are going to try to go Dec 2013 so she will be 8 a few weeks after our planned trip. We live near Dollywood in TN and have season passes and go often so she is used to the theam park thing. She does tire out some days and others she is fine. She does better when it is less croweded she has a little bit of special needs and i think thats why the crowds bother her. Im feeling like this will be a good time to take her while she can still enjoy the magic (she loves all things disney) but she also loves to swim, do any of the resorts have an indoor pool, that may be good to just retreat to if she is having a bad day? We hope this will not be our only trip but its hard to tell so we are kinda planning like it may be and we were only planning on staying 4 days should we up that to 6? Due to work thats the longest we could stay. Loving all the info on here. Thanks.
Reply
Hi Miranda!
Six days is much better than 4–see this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/how-long-to-stay/
And you are right that that will be a pretty good week to go–I rank it the #1 week of 2013–see this https://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/09/19/2013-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/ None of the Disney hotels have indoor pools.
December weather can be all over the place–see this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-to-go/next-best-dates/weather-and-when-to-go/
Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook!
Reply
We went this past April 2012 with 3 kids ALL under the age of 5. Let me tell you, we had a blast and I would never in a million years have left the youngest at home with grandma! haha. But we fall into the category that this was not our one and only trip to Disney World. I do agree with the fact that Disney World is more geared towards children ages 8+. My 3 kids were exhausted by 6 pm everyday. The littlest one was 11 months old at the time and was able to ride SO many rides as long as we were holding her. She had a great time. But yes the kids do slow you down but that’s the whole reason we went-for the kids enjoyment. We just had to make sure to take breaks, call it a night much earlier than usual and we were unable to ride Space Mountain or the Aerosmith roller coaster because of height restrictions.
Reply
Thanks, Hayden!
Reply
Dave,
I love the site. I’ve been to WDW as a teenager and loved it. My husband has not been and really wants to go soon so I am hoping to book by June for Dec. 7, 2013. My only concern is that our son will only be 5. My husband doesn’t ride anything that would be considered too scary though like roller coasters (he has a bad heart) So I am wondering if age would be a big deal. I’m thinking my husband will love it so I doubt this will be our only trip. I love rides so I know riding as a single can go much faster anyways. Any advice as far as should we change the itinerary?
Reply
Hi Penelope and tanks for the love!!
So long as you will be returning when he’s older, going when he’s 5 will be fine! You’d want to thin the intieraries based on this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/ and also maybe eliminate Epcot entirely…
Reply
Hi!
The issue is not whether young kids can have fun–of course they can, as I note multiple times.
The issue is if it may be their only childhood trip, how old should they be…a much harder question…
Reply
Your site offers great advice; I worked at Disneyland for 5 years and you have a concise way of communicating all of the tips that my friends and family have solicited from me over the years! I particularly agree with your comment above about avoiding crowds. Crowds at Disneyland do have a tendency to feel worse than WDW due to the cramped nature of the park, but a free, open park vs. a crowded environment will make or break a trip. I know first hand that on busy days, fellow guests are quicker to lose their temper and potentially put a damper on your magical day.
Reply