Best Disney Theme Parks for Each Age Group

If you're traveling to Orlando and plan to hit up their multiple theme parks, you might want to consider the ages of who will be going to each park. If parents don't want to force teenagers into a bonding experience, then consider allowing each person to decide which parks they would prefer to see. Walt Disney once said that his vision for his park would entice children of every age. That may have been true in the 1950s when he began building, and there are always exceptions to the rules, but not every park appeals to every age group today. However, I still think there is something for everyone.

Located south of the Orlando International Airport (none of Disney's parks are actually in Orlando), are four parks: Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios (formerly known as MGM Studios), EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom. Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are water parks, not theme parks so I didn't include them in this round up - but, hey, what age group doesn't love getting a wedgie by going down a water slide at 90 miles an hour?

1. Magic Kingdom: While a wide range of people love this park, if you are a 7-year-old girl you will think you have simply died and gone to heaven - especially if Prince Charming stops Cinderella's carriage during a parade to blow you a kiss (ah, memories). Of course, if you're a parent taking a gaggle of 7-year-old girls you might think you've turned into the wicked stepmother. This park is open from 8 a.m. to midnight and holds seven themed areas with Cinderella's Castle as the center. Even in my late teens and early 20's I still enjoyed the Haunted House, Frontierland and Tomrrowland thanks to the roller coaster rides Big Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain. Just don't eat in Tomorrowland because the food is terrible. Fantasyland is hit-or-miss due to the number of rides frequently out of commission. Some of the best food in this park can be found near Main Street and the Liberty Tree Tavern. If you're spending half a day here, go in the morning, and I mean as soon as it opens. Head right into the park, doing the loop backwards to beat the crowds.

2. Hollywood Studios: Much like Universal Studios, this park focuses on the glamor of showbiz and sells trinkets reminiscent of 1930s and 1940s Hollywood. The only real ride is not actually a ride at all, but an elevator that drops you 13 stories into the "Twilight Zone." You must be 40 inches tall to have your breath taken away. While there are spontaneous street performers and shows with audience participation, I wouldn't bring anyone under 12 years old to this park if I didn't want to hear the word "bored" a hundred times before lunch. Speaking of which, expect more quantity and higher prices here. Since Disney owns ABC, their new attraction, the American Idol Experience, will make every teenager into a Kelly Clarkson or Ruben Studdard. Can't just you just hear the screams now? This park is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. but I bet you a Grammy you won't need 13 hours to see all this park has to offer. If you're going halvsies, do this park at night.

3. EPCOT: Oh, how I used to hate this park when I was little. I'm not sure many 10 year olds care about how food will be made in the future, but thankfully they've kept the awesome dinosaur ride called Universe of Energy. This part of the ride has not changed since 1982 and it's still my favorite. Please don't ride Mission: SPACE unless you aren't prone to nausea. The Living Seas has a beautiful giant aquarium for the oceanographer in the family. Patient teenagers could last half a day here, but anyone younger than that would be waste of money unless they're 18 months old and don't get a vote. Grandparents, while they will love EPCOT, will have a hard time walking to each attraction and I wouldn't take them in the summer unless I want to punish them. Motorized vehicles for the elderly and wheelchairs are available inside the park. Be sure to read up on this park's history. It is just as fascinating as the park itself. And don't forget to see the film in the Parisian pavilion, which is so well done it inspired me to purchase the classical music of its soundtrack. The street performances in the Japanese pavilion are also quite stunning.

4. Animal Kingdom: I must confess this is the only park I haven't actually been to, mainly because I have already been to the African countries it attempts to emulate. My friends and family have been going for years and have really enjoyed it outside of July and August. This park is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., but is rather pointless after dark. It's divided into seven areas, which includes a Camp Minnie-Mickey for toddlers. There's also a water ride, roller coaster and performances for children. The main attraction is the train which takes riders deep into Lion Country where the giraffes, elephants and more appear unZoo-like. Children ages 5 to 7 who love animals will love this park. Okay, anyone who really loves animals will have a good time here. This park is almost completely ADA compliant as well. Disney spent around one billion putting this park together, which is now home to around 1,700 animals.

Tickets for any one park for ages 10 and up run $82 for non-Florida residents and $74 for ages 3-9, but admission is free for those under 3 (that should be easy to remember, right?). Park hopper tickets and other discount packages are available, but I would only buy the packages through the Disney site as there are myriad online scams for Disney tickets. If I had to pick a time to go it would be between January and March or early May and on a weekday. You'll be in less need of their pass that allows you to cut in line ahead of others for an extra fee.

source: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/