Disney World with Kids: A Guide by Age

Disney World with kids is one of my most-requested family trips, and the secret to a great one is matching the day to your child’s age. The single biggest factor is height, because it decides what they can ride. Here is how I plan Disney for families, starting with the thing most guides skip.

What your child can ride, by age

Disney rides have height minimums, and a child’s height roughly tracks their age. Kids grow at different rates, so measure before you go, but as a rough guide:

• Toddlers (about 2 to 3, under ~38″): nearly all the gentle classics are open, “it’s a small world,” Peter Pan’s Flight, Winnie the Pooh, the Little Mermaid, the carousel, Dumbo, the teacups, the Peoplemover, Buzz Lightyear, the Seas with Nemo, Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille, Na’vi River Journey, Toy Story Mania, plus every character meet, show, and parade. The one little coaster at this stage is The Barnstormer (35″).
• Around 4 (~40″): add the 38″ rides, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Slinky Dog Dash, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Kali River Rapids, and Alien Swirling Saucers (32″).
• Around 5 (~43″): the 40″ rides open up, Big Thunder Mountain, Star Tours, Tower of Terror, Test Track, Soarin’, Rise of the Resistance, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and DINOSAUR, plus Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at 42″.
• Around 6 to 7 (~45 to 48″): the big coasters arrive, Space Mountain (44″), Expedition Everest (44″), Avatar Flight of Passage (44″), and finally TRON and Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster (48″).

The little-kid trick: Rider Switch. For rides your child is too short for, Disney’s Rider Switch lets both parents ride without waiting twice, one stays with the child, then swaps. So no one has to miss Soarin’ or Guardians just because you have a toddler.

Under 4: the sweet spot (my plan)

At this age it is all about the gentle rides, the character meets, and the shows, and there is so much. What I would prioritize:

• Magic Kingdom: “it’s a small world,” Winnie the Pooh, Dumbo, the Peoplemover, Jungle Cruise, the Enchanted Tiki Room, meeting the princesses at Fairytale Hall and Ariel in her Grotto, and the 3 PM Festival of Fantasy Parade.
• EPCOT: the Seas with Nemo, Turtle Talk with Crush, Journey into Imagination with Figment, Frozen Ever After, Remy’s, and meeting Anna and Elsa in Norway and Belle in France.
• Animal Kingdom: Kilimanjaro Safari, the Na’vi River Journey, Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo the Musical, meeting Moana, and the animal trails and petting zoo at Rafiki’s Planet Watch.
• Hollywood Studios: Toy Story Mania, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, the Frozen Sing-Along, Disney Junior Play and Dance, and meeting Olaf and the Toy Story gang.

5 and up: what opens up

As they clear each height mark, the bigger rides come online. Suddenly a 5-year-old can do Big Thunder and Star Tours; by 6 or 7 they are riding Space Mountain and Flight of Passage. This is when the parks become a whole new trip, and when a smart plan really pays off.

Where to eat with kids (my favorites)

Character dining is the big win for little ones: Cinderella’s Royal Table and Be Our Guest at Magic Kingdom, Tusker House at Animal Kingdom (Mickey and friends in safari outfits), and character breakfasts at Crystal Palace (go for the churro waffles) and ’Ohana. My favorite Disney restaurants overall, all genuinely great for grown-ups, are Monsieur Paul and Le Cellier at EPCOT, Tiffins at Animal Kingdom, the Hollywood Brown Derby, the Yachtsman Steakhouse, Citricos, and Toledo. And do not miss the snacks: the cheeseburger spring rolls at Magic Kingdom, Gideon’s cookies at Disney Springs, a giant turkey leg, and a charcuterie board with a drink at Oga’s Cantina. Off-property, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ (fried chicken and donuts) is a Disney Springs favorite.

The practical stuff

• Stay on property. A Disney resort gives you the 60-day dining head start and easy transport, and it makes mid-day naps back at the room simple. See my where to stay guide.
• Lightning Lane / Genie+ (about $15 to $29 per person per day) skips the lines on the headliners, book at 7 AM; here is my Lightning Lane guide.
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique makeovers must be done before your child turns 13.
• Plan a mid-day break, character-meet times shift daily, and a stroller is your best friend.

Why plan Disney with kids with me

Disney with children is a puzzle of heights, reservations, character times, and pacing, and I do this constantly. I match the parks and rides to your kids’ ages, book the dining and Lightning Lanes that matter, and build a day that keeps everyone, toddlers to grandparents, happy. It is full-service Disney planning, as an affiliate of Glass Slipper Concierge, in English or Español. For the bigger picture of traveling with kids at every age, see my family travel guide.