Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For example, in the bottom left box we have The Boneyard, which is a richly themed
playground at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Younger kids love to play there, but most older
kids will find it juvenile. The upper right box contains several of Disney's best attractions,
many of which aren't suitable for younger children due to height restrictions or scary con-
tent. Most older kids (and their parents) love these attractions, which is why they fall into
“favorites” for third graders and up, and into “avoid” for preschoolers.
With preschoolers, try to match their interests, stamina, and routines with what the fam-
ily plans to accomplish…or you'll have the joy of experiencing the same tantrums every
other parent is enjoying come 3pm.
When the meltdowns begin, it's not uncommon for Josh to turn to Dave and say, “It
must be 3 o'clock.” Indeed, even more common than Mickey bars and WDW t-shirts are
the afternoon hissy fits. Be realistic about how long the kids are going to be able to go.
While Disney World might be a magical place, pixie dust does not seem to increase kids'
stamina or reduce their inclination to break down when they're overstimulated and ready
for a nap. Plan a daily afternoon break for when crowds, wait times, and heat peak. This
will rejuvenate the kids and their parents and prepare them for a fun and relaxing evening
back in the parks.
Younger School-Age Kids
Kids between five and eight are young enough that they still enjoy most character meets
and some of the other sillier entertainment that older kids may have lost interest in. They
are also beginning to approach the height required to enjoy Disney's more thrilling major
attractions.
The chart, below, illustrates which attractions shorter kids are disqualified from riding.
Unfortunately, this chart could double as a list of Disney World's best and most popular
attractions (with the exception of Stitch's Great Escape), including almost all of the head-
liners at each park. With a single trip on the horizon, if you can't wait until the kids are
48” tall, consider waiting until they are at least 44” tall. They'll then be eligible for every
ride on property but two. And the two they aren't eligible for aren't necessarily deal break-
ers. Primeval Whirl is an off-the-shelf carnival ride at Animal Kingdom. Rock 'n' Roller
Coaster is located inside a relatively nondescript building at the end of a long road on Sun-
set Boulevard at Hollywood Studios. Simply avoid it and the kids won't feel like they're
missing anything.
Keep in mind that “tall enough for” doesn't necessarily translate into “ready for”.
Moreover, many of Disney World's best attractions are like a Pixar movie in that there
are layers of substance and humor that guests of all ages enjoy for different reasons. Kids
between 5 and 8 understand and enjoy the attractions on a basic level, but nuances and
deeper meanings are often lost.
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