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  |  Family Travel  |  Theme Parks and Parks  |  An age-by-age guide to Disney World activities
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An age-by-age guide to Disney World activities

continued from page 4

School-age kids (Ages 7 to 10 Years):

  • Keep In Mind: These are the thrill-seeking years, and kids may beg for rides that are too wild or intense for them. If you're unsure whether a ride is appropriate, check with a Disney staff member or try it yourself first. Most kids this age enjoy Splash Mountain (a five-story flume ride); Space Mountain (an in-the-dark roller coaster); Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (a 13-story free-falling elevator); and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (an indoor roller coaster that goes up-side down 3 times!)

  • Parks to See: The Magic Kingdom, Disney-MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom, Epcot Center, and Typhoon Lagoon water park (but hit water parks early or late in the day to avoid crowds).

  • Touring Strategies: Kids will have clear preferences, so tap into their interests. For example, an animal-lover may want more than one day in Animal Kingdom. Magic Kingdom and Disney-MGM Studios are extremely popular with this age group, since they offer the most thrill rides. Take advantage of the "Fast Pass," so you can ride popular attractions without a lengthy wait. If the parks are open late, you can plan on returning most evenings, since children of this age have more late-night staying power than younger kids.

  • Don't Miss:
    In the Magic Kingdom: Space Mountain; Splash Mountain; Big Thunder Mountain Railroad; Mad Tea Party; Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin; Haunted Mansion; Pirates of the Carribbean; Jungle Cruise; SpectroMagic nighttime parade; "Discover the Stories Behind the Magic" interactive kiosks, located throughout the parks, where kids can play Disney trivia games.

    In MGM: Star Tours; Who Wants to Be a Millionaire-Play It!; The Great Movie Ride; Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular.

    In Animal Kingdom: Kali River Rapids; Maharajah Jungle Trek; Kilimanjaro Safaris; Pagani Forest Exploration Trail; Dinosaur; It's Tough to Be a Bug!; Tarzan Rocks show
    In Epcot: Spaceship Earth, Test Track, Body Wars, Ellen's Energy Adventure, Innoventions (save this technology arcade for after you've seen everything else, and set a time limit - or you could be there forever); Kidcot Fun Stops, at each country in the World Showcase (kids can make cultural crafts, and collect paper coins to use later at the Tapestry of Dreams parade); IllumiNations nighttime laser and fireworks show (scout a viewing spot at least 30 minutes beforehand).

  • Parades to Catch: Magic Kingdom's 100 Years of Magic Parade (kids are invited to join the parade at certain points); Disney Stars and Motor Cars parade in Disney-MGM Studios (one of the few places you can spot Star Wars characters); Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade in Animal Kingdom; and Epcot's Tapestry of Dreams parade (the Dream Catcher invites kids to toss in coins they collected earlier at the Kidcot Fun Stops)

  • Skip: Magic Kingdom's Alien Encounter (even some adults find this terrifying!)

  • Kids May be Scared by: Honey I Shrunk the Audience (the lifelike 3-D lion and snake appear to jump off the movie screen); Rock'n'Roller Coaster (fast, loud, dark, and goes upside-down); Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (a 13-story free-fall).

  • Meal Plans: Food-court meals offer finicky eaters lots of choices. Try Sunshine Season Food Fair in Epcot's Land pavilion, featuring pasta, pizza, baked potatoes, and more. Also seek out portable foods, like Turkey Legs, McDonald's fries, and fresh fruit, located at carts throughout all three parks. Theme restaurants are also a big hit with this age group - especially the Sci-Fi Dine-In in Disney-MGM Studios, where kids dine in cars and watch old science fiction movie clips.

  • Best Bets for Character Meals: Liberty Tree Tavern family-style dinner with Mickey and the gang in the Magic Kingdom; Donald's Prehistoric Breakfastosaurus at Restaurantosaurus in the Animal Kingdom; and the Garden Grill Restaurant at Epcot's Land Pavilion, where Mickey and friends host breakfast, lunch and dinner. Character meals give kids a leisurely opportunity to clown around with favorite characters, get autographs, and pose for photos.

  • More Spots to Greet Characters: Scheduled character greetings in all parks (check park maps for exact times).

  • Places to Chill Out: Typhoon Lagoon water park; Animal Kingdom's Kali River Rapids (you get drenched on this ride!); Epcot's Ice Station Cool (a frosty igloo where you can sample Coca-Cola products from around the world); and El Rio del Tiempo ride in Epcot's Mexico pavilion (a relaxing boat cruise that almost never has a queue); Fitness Fairgrounds in Epcot's Wonders of Life (with hands-on exhibits, and cool exercise bikes); the Yacht and Beach Club's Beaches & Cream Soda Shop (sundaes are enormous, so share them).

    Hot Tips:

  • Give kids bum bags for holding autograph books, sunscreen, and pocket money.
  • At Epcot stores you can buy a "passport" that kids can have stamped at each stop in the World Showcase.

    Check the age-by-age guides for the lastest tips and hints to make the most of your next Disney vacation:

  • Babies and Toddlers (Ages Birth to 2 Years)
  • Preschoolers (Ages 3 to 6 Years)
  • School-age kids (Ages 7 to 10 Years)
  • Preteens and Teens (10 and over)


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