A Guide to the Best Disney Park for Toddlers, Babies, and Older Kids
Picking the best Disney park for toddlers is no easy game, especially if you’re about to do it for the very first time. In fact, it can be pretty challenging, purely because of the sheer number of fantastic options! Additionally, once you figure out which Disney park is best for your brood, you must create the best Disney world with toddlers itinerary to ensure a smooth holiday from the UK.
Before you make a choice, let's get an important thing out of the way: Disney World has 4 fabulous theme parks. These are Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Note that while one of these may be the best Disney park for 2-year olds, older kids will find another entirely different one more to their liking. So, pick likewise.
Best Disney Parks for Kids by Age
Browse our extensive guide below instead of looking for the best Disney park for toddlers Reddit answers. We list the best Disney theme park for babies, toddlers, preteens, and even adults, assessing the pros of each park and why they are the right fit for a particular age group. Make the perfect choice for your child and book a trip to the US pronto!
• Best Disney Park for Toddlers
What Disneyland park is best for a 3 year old? The best Disney park for 3 year old and even babies is the same - Magic Kingdom. It's hands down the best Disney park for 1 year old for a myriad of reasons. For one, only 7 of the 40-plus attractions have a height requirement, making the park toddler-safe. It’s also stroller-friendly, making it easier on the parents to push their babies along.
Top rides toddlers will enjoy here include Dumbo the Flying Elephant, the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, It’s a Small World, and the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Your kids will also enjoy meet-and-greets with their favourite Disney characters, dine at themed restaurants, and load up on sweet treats like cookies, cakes, candies, and more.
• Best Disney Park for Kids Aged 5 and Under
Which is the best Disney park for 4 year old kids? Also Magic Kingdom! The park is a top pick for the under-5 age group as it allows young ones to explore a wide range of attractions in safe environments. The best part is that parents do not need to have a child sit out or ride-swap because they're too small or young, and you’ll simply love holidays here!
The best rides kids aged 5 and under will enjoy at Magic Kingdom include Astro Orbiter, Walt Disney World Railroad, Country Bear Jamboree, Peter Pan’s Flight, Tomorrowland Speedway, and Liberty Square Riverboat. You can also take them to Hollywood Studios for live shows and to meet their favourite Disney characters, and also if they love Star Wars.
• Best Disney Parks for 6-Year-Olds
Finding the best Disney park for small kids, especially those around 6 years old, is crucial as it's a very active age. Magic Kingdom fits the bill beautifully with its age-appropriate rides and fantastic food options. Also, 6-year-olds may be better qualified to enjoy almost all the rides here, since they meet most of the height requirements.
Alternatively, taking them to Hollywood Studios will bring a different kind of thrill. There will be live shows featuring their favourite Disney characters, offering an unmissable meet-and-greet op. Attractions like the Toy Story Land boast safe albeit electrifying starter roller coasters for young ones to have a blast.
• Best Park at Disney World for 7-Year-Olds
Animal Kingdom is the best Disney park for kids under 10, especially those around the age of 7. Some of the best rides for 7-year-olds here include the TriceraTop Spin and Kilimanjaro Safaris, both of which are fun and educational at the same time. Avatar Flight of Passage is another intriguing attraction 7-year-olds will find exceptionally fun.
Hollywood Studios is also great for this age group, featuring a blend of immersive experiences alongside mind-numbing thrills. If you want to pick Magic Kingdom instead, you'll still be on the right track with a wide selection of fairytale-like castles and family-friendly rides.
• Best Disney World Park for 8 to 9 Year-Olds
The best Disney park for toddlers Florida has to offer may not be the ideal choice for 8 to 9-year-olds, as they're older and often need greater thrills. Disney's Animal Kingdom is a clear winner for these ages, making it one of the best theme parks in Orlando for kids in 2024. They will be dazzled by adrenaline-pumping rides like the Avatar Flight of Passage - a virtual attraction that allows kids to strap on a Banshee and soar the panoramic landscape of Pandora!
8 to 9-Year-olds will also find Hollywood Studios amazing. Head to this fantastic Disney park during December, soaking in some fabulous winter sun while enjoying attractions like Toy Story Mania, Star Wars, and Fantasmic. There are many air conditioned thrills as well, so you can have fun indoors should you visit during the summer.
• Best Disney Theme Park for 10-Year-Olds
Undoubtedly, the best Disney park for 10 year old kids is Hollywood Studios, catering to this more-active-by-the-minute age group. The latest Star Wars Galaxy's Edge attraction is a major draw, transporting thrill-seekers out to Batuu’s Black Spire Outpost - a remote village on a trading planet. Even the dining scene is more diverse here, catering to the pickiest eaters with extensive options.
You can also consider visiting EPCOT, featuring an entire neighbourhood dedicated to outer space, discovery, and innovation. It also boasts rides like Mission Space and Test Track, which astronomy-loving 10-year-olds will find super-fantastic. No wonder it ranks among the best theme parks for kids ever!
• Best Disney World Park for Preteens
Zeroing in on the best Disney park for older kids, specifically around the ages of 11 to 12, can be a bit challenging, as preteens are often as picky as teenagers. Keeping that in mind, Hollywood Studios can be a great choice, offering ultimate attractions for Avatar lovers with its Flight of Passage ride. Preteens will also enjoy live musicals like the Beauty and the Beast on stage, and projection shows like Disney Movie Magic.
EPCOT is another excellent choice when it comes to the best theme parks for preteens on a cheap holiday. It offers a great blend of thrilling rides, classic Disney shows, and the widest possible selection of food and drinks. Disney Springs is a good place to dine and watch shows, or shop, with older kids.
• Best Theme Park in Orlando for Adults
Finding the perfect Disney theme park or the best animation for toddlers, 5-year-olds, and preteens is great. But who says Disney parks are only for kids? Adults can have just as much fun here! EPCOT is a clear winner hands-down, offering live shows, musical performances, fireworks, and thrilling rides that discerning adults will enjoy immensely. It also has plenty of educational entertainment, including art exhibits and mini museums.
Another reason EPCOT is the best Disney theme park for adults is for its spectacular food and drink options. Adults on holidays to this magnificent Disney theme park can enjoy alcoholic beverages, besides an array of delicious dishes from around the world. Moreover, the festivals hosted here are on another level, celebrating everything from food and wine, to arts and nature!
The Verdict: Which is the Best Disney World Park 2024 Overall?
What Disney park is best for toddlers and older kids? All of them!
While no two theme parks are the same, they're all wonderful to explore with kids of all ages. The Disney park you ultimately pick will depend on the specific likes and preferences of your child (children). For instance, Magic Kingdom is the best Disney park for a toddler, offering safe rides and one-of-a-kind attractions like the impressive Cinderella Castle.
However, Hollywood Studios can also be the best Disney park for two year old kids, as it boasts live shows, fun rides, and meet-and-greets with Disney characters. Animal Kingdom offers adventurous little ones the chance to explore jungles, savannahs, and take a trip back in time to see dinosaurs. Meanwhile, EPCOT is excellent for its nature, culture, and food, making it a fantastic choice even for adults to enjoy all inclusive holidays!
Tips to Plan Your Next Disney World Trip with Kids
Planning a trip to Disney World theme parks with kids doesn’t have to be intimidating, even for first-timers. Keep the following in mind to ensure a seamless holiday experience for everyone in the group.
• Pick the Right Disney Theme Park : Keep your kids' interests in mind and determine which Disney park is the best for them. It's also important to plan the perfect Disney world with toddlers itinerary, so you spend all your days revelling in optimal fun.
• Pack Smart : Your Disney with toddlers packing list should have all the essentials and nothing more. Else, it could become troublesome to lug around unnecessary weight during your trip, leading to sprains and aches that can make the holiday uncomfortable.
• Keep the Trip Light: Packing your itinerary with too much to see and do during a break in Disneyland can make the whole trip go haywire. Children (and you!) will be exhausted soon, not truly enjoying any of the amazing things at one of the world's best theme parks. So, prioritise and create a comfortable holiday schedule.
• Follow Your Child's Regular Routine: Just because you're on a holiday, your child shouldn’t have to suffer changes to their diet, meal times, naps, and other crucial routine elements. Sticking to their normal routine as much as possible while they enjoy the park can keep them satisfied instead of irritable.
• Take a Breather : Going nonstop from one attraction to another will tire your child out quickly. As such, it's prudent to take a break around midday to relax-and-recharge a little before heading back to the theme park’s attractions.
• Use a Stroller : Since toddlers are too young to walk endless kilometres at the Disney theme park, rent or bring a stroller they're comfortable in. It's best to pick recliners with a large shade to protect them against the sun.
• Don't Miss Meet-and-Greets : Kids of all ages love Disney characters! So, when you get the chance to ensure they meet some of their favourite ones, you must not miss it. Find out the details beforehand to make sure the kids mingle with beloved Disney characters.
• Make Use of Baby Care Centres : Every Disney park has convenient baby care centres equipped with feeding areas, changing tables, nursing rooms, bathrooms, and play areas. Use these spaces as required, ensuring your toddler is content at all times.
• Book a Great Resort : Family-friendly hotels and resorts with spacious rooms, all-inclusive meal packages, and transportation to Disney parks is key. Besides saving you money, it can make the holiday more convenient and hassle-free.
Wrapping Up
Finding the best Disney park for toddlers, 3-year-olds, preteens, and kids of other ages can be extremely easy if you simply follow the above guide. It takes the hassle and stress out of planning a perfect family holiday, where children and adults alike will have a great time.
So, do some research and figure out the most suitable Disney World theme park for your next family break to the US with kids. Create a flexible itinerary, book the right all inclusive hotel, and enjoy your most memorable trip yet!
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