Traveling with children of all ages can create a lifetime of memories. While there are many places to travel with kids, Orlando is one of the best. With the wide array of theme parks and attractions, Orlando sets the scene for the perfect vacation destination.
A Day at the Park with Barney at Universal Studios Florida.
Even though this may stand true, many questions can arise when planning your getaway regarding traveling with your children. What is the best place to take my three year-old? Disney? Universal? What about SeaWorld?
In this post I will provide and overview what attractions and theme parks are best for each age group so you don’t have to stress about it any longer!
Best Orlando theme park for ages 0 – 2
It is definitely hard to travel with children under age two no matter the destination. If you decide on Orlando, your youngen will still be able to enjoy the adventure. Many rides will be inaccessible to children of this age group, but small children can accompany parents on a variety of rides at all the theme parks. At Universal’s Islands of Adventure, ride options include the Caro-Seuss-el, the Cat in the Hat, and One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. Universal Studios Florida does not offer much for this age group, but does have the Curious George Play Area along with Fievel’s Playland and A Day in the Park with Barney. They also offer shows which may appeal to your child including Animal Actors on Location and the daily Superstar Parade featuring Universal’s favorite characters.
At Disney World, Animal Kingdom offers the Kilimanjaro Safari, which takes you on a safari seeing a variety of animals. Animal Kingdom also offers the Wildlife Express Train, the Affection Section, and the Oasis Exhibits, which would all be great for children of this age group. Magic Kingdom has a variety of options including Dumbo the Flying Elephant and It’s a Small World. Epcot’s options are more limited, but they do offer The Seas with Nemo and Friends and Turtle Talk with Crush. Hollywood Studios offers Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream and Muppet Vision 3-D.
But in my opinion the best theme park option in Orlando for this age group is SeaWorld. Young children will be able to interact directly with some of their favorite animals, which they’ve only ever heard of from stories. The Dolphin Cove interaction station is wonderful for the young ones as well as Stingray Lagoon. Sea World also offers a wide variety of live shows featuring real animals.
Winner: SeaWorld Orlando
Best Orlando theme park for ages 3 – 5
At this age your child will be able to do a lot more at the Orlando theme parks. Many ride options become available once your child reaches this age group at all of the parks. At Disney World, ride options include the Astro Orbiter, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Mad Tea Party, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Spaceship Earth. There are also many play areas throughout the Disney theme parks which include The Boneyard at Animal Kingdom and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure at Hollywood Studios. Disney also offers many meet and greet opportunities throughout their four parks with Disney Princesses and other characters including the Mouse himself.
Universal Studios Florida features Shrek 4-D, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, and E.T. Adventure for this age group. For the more daring child there is also Flight of the Hippogriff and Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster.
SeaWorld’s options do not change a lot for this age group, but for a more thrilling ride they offer the Shamu Express roller coaster with a minimum height requirement of 38 inches.
Winners: Disney World’s Magic Kingdom & Universal Studios Florida
Best Orlando theme park for ages 6 – 9
Children go through many growth spurts in the age group of 6 to 9, so the ride options from the beginning to the end will change dramatically. Toward the beginning when you have a six year old that averages at 42 inches to a nine year old who averages at 48 inches, the ride options will vary. For specific height requirements, please visit each park’s website for detailed information.
Thrill rides will become an option toward the end of this age group making it a much easier planning experience since restrictions will not be as tight. Children will also be able to enjoy shows more when they reach this age group.
Marvel characters at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
While all three of the parks offer great options for this age group, Universal Orlando’s options expand widely in this time period and children will be able to enjoy Twister Ride it Out, Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, and the Simpsons Ride. Depending on your own child’s interest, each park has its options, but Universal Orlando seems to be the best choice for this age group.
Winner: Universal Studios Florida & Islands of Adventure
*Keep in mind for children in the prior listed age groups, many theme parks offer what is called Child Swap. This allows one parent/guardian to stay with the child while the other rides the ride and then they switch off.
Best Orlando theme park for ages 10 – 12
In what is known as the ‘tween’ years, your child will like a variety of things and theme parks depending on their own interests. At this point your child will be able to ride most of the thrill rides at all of the parks, while still being young enough to not be conscious about riding the children’s rides. All three of Orlando’s theme park resorts offer attractions and shows for the ages of 10 – 12, so the choice is all yours. Take a look at all of their websites before you head to Orlando and decide as a family which one(s) would be best for your family.
Winner: All of them!
Best Orlando theme park for ages 13+
Once your child begins their teenage years, you have reached a stage in which you can go wherever you can all agree upon. There are attractions at all three of Orlando’s major theme parks that will please your child and the rest of your family. Keeping this knowledge in your back pocket will be beneficial, but for the best experience with teenagers head right over to Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Islands has thrill rides including roller coasters, fast paced rides, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter — which will please any teenager. Ride suggestions for teenagers include The Incredible Hulk roller coaster, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.
If you’ll be traveling to Disney World, your teen will definitely enjoy Space Mountain and Splash Mountain at the Magic Kingdom, and the Tower of Terror and Aerosmith’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios. Epcot offers a lot of educational information throughout their different countries which your teen in this age group may enjoy.
SeaWorld may still be of interest to your teen, especially because many options open including their roller coasters such as Manta and the Kraken.
Winner: Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Mixed ages of children?
Have more than one child and they fall into different age groups? Spend a bit of time planning and mix up your vacation spending time at more than just one theme park. Take a look at the Orlando FlexTicket, which provides you with access to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld, with additional water park and theme park access including Wet N’ Wild and Busch Gardens. Disney World offers Park Hopper ticket packages which allow park-to-park access, allowing you to be able to see all of Disney’s four theme parks.
To learn more about Universal Orlando, visit the OI Universal Center (world’s largest and most up-to-date resource for Universal vacation planning).
To learn more about Disney, visit http://www.disneyparks.com.
To learn more about SeaWorld, visit http://www.SeaWorld.com.
About the author
Ally Pfeiffer is a college student from Connecticut who will be attending law school soon. She is an avid lover of Universal and the entire Orlando area. Her passion for Universal will provide a fun spark in her articles and she is eager to share her experiences. Eventually Ally hopes to live in the Orlando area and have year-round access to her favorite theme parks.
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