While the flip answer is “any age,” I totally understand what this mom wants to know. “If I’m spending a ton of money on a once-in-lifetime trip, at what age will my kids get the most out of this adventure?”
The “AGE” question is the most frequent one parents ask, and it is essential because you have to really know yourself and your child to get it right. You also have to factor in that you may have one child who is ready and another who is not. Here are the pros and cons of traveling with each age group.
Ages 0-2
Disney is full of babies, so you will not be alone if you bring one. The main reason people bring little ones is because THEY ARE FREE! Children under three are considered “Mickey’s guests.” They don’t need a ticket; feeding them is relatively cheap because you can bring in your own food or let them eat off your plate; they don’t need lightning lane passes, and you can wheel them about in your own baby stroller from home. In addition, little ones can ride on many attractions, especially at the Magic Kingdom. Make no mistake, there is LOTS for babies to do.
If your budget allows, vacationing with a baby or toddler gets even easier if you can stay in one of the resorts close to the Magic Kingdom, such as The Contemporary, The Polynesian, or The Grand Floridian. The key to having a good time with a baby is keeping to the baby’s schedule, not yours. My best advice here is PROTECT THE NAP! Leave the park at noon to get your baby into bed, park the stroller in a quiet corner and let him or her nap in the shade, or let the child sleep on your shoulder while you ride the Monorail for an hour. Again, PROTECT THE NAP, and you will not regret it.
Disney, with a baby, is laid-back and calm. Your baby will be stimulated by the parks’ sites, the parades, and thousands of others milling about. They will not be bored, but babies can’t go all day. If you are a person who wants to go from park opening to park closing, then bring a grandparent along to ensure the baby’s schedule is maintained. And for all that is good in the universe, PROTECT THE NAP!
Ages 3-8
This is the age where Disney is real. Kids really meet characters from their screens. They are seeing a real castle and real ghosts in the Haunted Mansion. Disney can be monumental at this age, and you will enjoy watching your children’s faces. At the end of the trip, you will have at least 1,000 pictures on your phone.
Is there a downside? Oh, yes! One minute, you will be having a magical time, and five minutes later, your darling Peter or Wendy will be having an absolute fit because you refuse to purchase a $18 fan that sprays water.
Around age five, your child might be ready to try more thrilling rides. The Barnstormer is a great first roller coaster for this set. However, DON’T make the mistake of coercing them into an attraction. If their joy is found by collecting autographs from every character in the park, then go with it. One lousy ride experience can spook them for the rest of your trip.
There may also be a few rides your child may not be tall enough to ride, and in this case, check if a Rider Switch is available. (A Rider Switch allows parents to take turns riding an attraction. The family waits in line, but only one parent rides while the other stays with the child. When the rider returns, the parents swap jobs, and the second parent gets a turn. Check that Rider Switching is available before you get in line.)
It’s still a good idea for kids this age to return to your resort mid-day. The afternoon is often a crowded time of day at the park. Skipping it and taking a swim and a nap can be the perfect way to break up the day. Return to the park in the evening once you’ve refreshed and take advantage of the shorter lines and spectacular fireworks.
Ages 9 and up
Reality sets in, and your child will either love Disney or think they are too old for it and beg you to take them to Universal. You can keep them engaged by involving them in the planning. Let them run the show for a bit, and let older kids go off independently and meet up with you every few hours. Hopefully, when you see them in the queue for Space Mountain, they’ll admit they know you.
What’s exciting about having tweens and teens at the park is that they are old enough for all kinds of behind-the-scenes adventures. Additional costs apply, but I can’t wait until my kids are old enough to hike the African savanna at Animal Kingdom or see the Magic Kingdom’s underground tunnel system.
Unlike other vacation spots, Walt Disney World is set up to entertain children of all ages. Cast members have seen it all. They are ready for whatever feeding, sleeping, and entertainment schedule you want. You are not at the mercy of the grown-up world. Embrace that Disney wants your kids there; they will do almost anything to make it fun. Take advantage of your child’s important status and enjoy.
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