If you’re starting to plan a trip to Disneyland with kids, you might be wondering what is the best age for Disneyland?
My family of 8 recently traveled to Disneyland with kids ranging in ages from 10 years old all the way to 2 months old. We also had their Aunt and Grandma along for part of the trip.
The short answer?
Any age is the best age for Disneyland.
All of my kids had an amazing time. They weren’t too, limited, nor did anyone get bored.
However, stick with me. I want to offer what makes each age or stage a great age for Disneyland. I will also offer counter reasons you may want to go earlier or wait until their are older.
First, I would say that a big part is less about the best age for Disneyland and more about height.
There are plenty or rides that do not have any height limit. You could spend several days around the park and only do “any height” rides and have a great time. However, if you’re hoping to do some of the bigger rides there are a couple of height milestones.
40″ was a major height milestone. My 4 year old was JUST 40″ (I mean, like head skimming the height check close) during our trip. He was able to do almost every ride.
The next height milestone was 48″. You could do every ride at 48″, making my petite 9 year old daughter very happy.
Finally, the only other height requirement was 54″ and that was to drive a car in Autopia alone. My 10 year old (who is also petite) was just 54″ allowing him to drive.
Disneyland is great for kids over the age of 7.
Kids under age 7 do have to ride with an adult (or someone over the age of 14). So if you have 4 kids, 2 of which are under 7, you may have to watch which rides you can do.
For my family, this meant that my oldest two (ages 9 and 10) could ride rides together while an adult rode with the younger kids (ages 2, 4, and 6). I don’t mean just standing in line and riding alone, but sitting in the ride together alone. We could all go at the same time this way.
Children under 7 will have a magical time, too.
There is so much to do and see in Disneyland that my younger kids who couldn’t (or did not want to do) the larger rides had plenty to keep them entertained.
My 4 and 6 year old loved riding with a parent right next to them. They were able to do almost all of the rides, and when they couldn’t there were often easy options for them nearby.
Characters were a big hit with my younger kids. With the new set up, you cannot go right up to a character. However, we preferred it because we did not have to wait in line to see them. It also seemed like many more characters were out.
2 is the best age for Disneyland, too.
You might think that 2 is too young for Disney. However, there was SO much for my 2 year old. In fact, her sheer joy and excitement over seeing Characters and the rides made it completely worth it.
Something that helped is that my 2 year old no longer takes regular naps, yet was able to fall asleep in the stroller on the long days we spent in the park. She was able to do many rides, too.
Disneyland is great for younger infants.
Taking an infant to an amusement park may sound a little crazy. I mean, what will they remember? Plus they take extra work. However, if you’re wanting to go to Disneyland, don’t let having an infant stop you.
There are benches everywhere for nursing (or even a Mother’s Center if you prefer more privacy). The park is very stroller friendly. Plus rider swap allows everyone to ride rides easily.
If you’re baby will be a little older and not nap well on the go, it might be better to wait a little bit longer (even 6 months) to have a better experience.
I would say that younger infants are easiest as they can nap on you or in the stroller. As babies get older they may be a little more challenging. I have personally taken my oldest daughter when she was 4 months old and my youngest daughter when she was 2 months old.
Finally, Disneyland is great for extended families with adults of all ages.
Our most recent trip we had our 6 kids plus we had my sister-in-law (aka Auntie H!) and my mother-in-law (aka Grandma). Both had a great time.
Again, there are benches and tables everywhere for resting as needed. There are rides for every type of amusement park goer (from big and thrilling to mild and entertaining).
No matter who is in your family, no matter the ages Disneyland is a great place to visit.
If you’re deciding between go now or wait another year, consider the minimum height requirements shared above. However, know that the park is so large that even without being able to do a few rides there is so much to do. We spent 2 full days in the park and came no where close to riding every ride.
Did you love this article on tips for your family? Check out other recommendations in the Friday Favorites Category of the blog.
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