People ask me all the time if there is a good age to take the kids to Walt Disney World. My answer is always the same…Any age is a good age! Every kid I know that has gone to Disney has had fun, no matter what age. My god-daughter is not yet 2 and talks about Mickey & Goofy living at Disney World. My girls went on their first trips at the age of 20 months and 16 months!

There are always rides, attractions, and shows that little guys can enjoy.

Each park has plenty of things geared toward the toddler and preschool age group. Just a few examples of what is in the parks for them. Hollywood has the Disney Junior show and characters, Toy Story Mania, Voyage of the Little Mermaid. Epcot has The Land, Imagination, Living Seas pavilions along with the World Showcase rides and shows. Animal Kingdom has Kilimanjaro Safari, Triceratops Spin & Lion King. Magic Kingdom has too many rides to name!

One thing I have learned the hard way…You can’t take strollers into anything! If you have a sleeping munchkin, you will have to stay outside of shows and walk through attractions. I know it is a fire code issue, but it makes for a boring few hours. We take turns hanging out with the stroller in the shade, while the other goes on the rides.

As for rides, there is a surprisingly small number of rides that have a height requirement. The decision is up to you if they can handle dark rides or thrill rides. My kids both love roller coasters, so I know that they can handle every ride. Neither like “It’s Tough to be a Bug” 4D movie at Animal Kingdom, it’s too scary for them! I know to be cautious of movies and dark rides, but they will ride Big Thunder Mountain over and over.

So here are the height requirements for each park to help you plan and prepare your kids for what they will be able to ride and not big enough for yet. There will be less disappointment if you know before you get to Magic Kingdom that you are too short for Splash Mountain! As you will notice there are only 5 rides that require heights above 40″. Everything is geared towards families being able to ride things together!

Magic Kingdom

• Goofy’s Barnstormer – 35″
• Splash Mountain – 40″
• Big Thunder Mountain – 40″
• Stitch’s Great Escape – 40″
• Space Mountain – 44″
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway – 52″ to ride alone (can ride shorter)

Epcot

• Test Track – 40″ (currently closed until fall)
• Soarin’ – 40″
• Mission: Space – 44″

Hollywood Studios

• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – 40″
• Star Tours – 40″
• Rock-n-Roller Coaster – 48″

Animal Kingdom

• Kali River Rapids – 38″
• DINOSAUR – 40″
• Expedition Everest – 44″
• Primeval Whirl – 48″