I always loved visiting the Walt Disney World parks when my kids were younger. When they were toddlers, they loved meeting their favorite characters and enjoyed some of the rides that are best for that age range. We generally spent less time on rides at that stage, but still had a great time in the parks.
If you are considering visiting Walt Disney World with a toddler, here are the best rides, park by park, to consider. Be sure to check each ride individually to make sure it’s a good fit for your toddler – not all kids will like the same rides.
Disclosure: I’ve visited Disney World on complimentary and discounted media trips in the past, but all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links, and a purchase through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.
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Best Disney World Rides for Toddlers (Park by Park)
Magic Kingdom
In my opinion, the Magic Kingdom is the best park to visit when you have toddlers. It’s completely magical, with the centerpiece of Cinderella Castle, and offers many character greetings, parades, shows, and more. Magic Kingdom also has the most rides for toddlers. I’d recommend spending at least one full day, preferably two.
it’s a small world: this gentle boat ride is one of the most charming rides at Walt Disney World. Kids (and adults) love it.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant: Toddlers absolutely love this Fantasyland ride that they can control. It’s very popular, but lines are more manageable after a second ride was added with the Fantasyland expansion many years ago.
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel: This traditional carousel is a must-do with toddlers.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: A Fantasyland dark ride featuring some of toddlers’ favorite characters. This is a sweet ride, and is popular with toddlers.
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin: Offering a similar mechanism to Dumbo the Flying Elephant, this Adventureland ride is a less-busy option.
Peter Pan’s Flight: One of the most popular rides at Walt Disney World is Peter Pan’s Flight. Get a Lightning Lane pass or line up early to avoid the long lines that form.
Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid: Journey through the story of the Little Mermaid in this gentle dark ride. Keep in mind that there is a scene with Ursula that may be a little scary.
Other attractions at the Magic Kingdom that may appeal to toddlers include the Enchanted Tiki Room, Mickey’s Philharmagic, Walt Disney World Railroad, the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, the Country Bear Musical Jamboree, and the PeopleMover. Some of these are attractions/shows rather than traditional rides.
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EPCOT
EPCOT is typically thought of as more of an adult theme park. However, it does offer a variety of attractions that appeal to toddlers, as well as lots of character greetings. This would be my second recommendation after Magic Kingdom for a visit with toddlers.
Frozen Ever After: This extremely popular ride was once the Maelstrom in the Norway pavilion in EPCOT’s World Showcase. It features the story of the first Frozen movie. While it doesn’t have a height restriction, it does have a small drop.
Journey into Imagination with Figment: In this iconic EPCOT attraction, you’ll travel with Figment as you learn all about imagination. This was always one of my kids’ favorite rides.
The Seas with Nemo & Friends: Travel through the story of Finding Nemo as you board a moving clam shell. This is a slow, dark ride that is great for toddlers.
Turtle Talk with Crush: Turtle Talk with Crush is one of the more unique attractions at Walt Disney World. Featuring Crush, the sea turtle from Finding Nemo, Turtle Talk with Crush is a show where Crush actually interacts with and talks to the audience.
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros: This is one of my favorite rides. Featuring Donald Duck and the Three Caballeros, this dark ride takes you through Mexico as Panchito and José travel searching for Donald. It’s located in the Mexico pavilion in the World Showcase.
Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom is a great park for visiting with toddlers. While it doesn’t have as many toddler-friendly attractions as EPCOT and the Magic Kingdom, it does have many animal exhibits that kids will love. Currently, Animal Kingdom is in a state of transformation, as DinoLand USA recently closed to build the upcoming Tropical Americas land.
There are two popular shows at Animal Kingdom:
- Festival of the Lion King
- Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…. and Beyond!
Na’vi River Journey: A dark, colorful ride that takes you on a journey through the world of Pandora
Kilimanjaro Safaris: Board a safari vehicle as you travel into the various savannas at Animal Kingdom to see the animals in the wild. This ride is different every time, based on the animal behavior while you are there.
Hollywood Studios
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live is a brand-new reimagining of the Disney Junior Live on Stage show, and is perfect for little kids who love Disney characters.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a fun, kid-friendly ride that takes you through a picnic gone wrong with your favorite Disney characters.
Toy Story Midway Mania is another ride with no height requirement that is fun for younger kids. However, it may be tough for the youngest kids to understand the game mechanism, and 3D glasses are required.
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration is currently still going on at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Featuring the music from Disney’s Frozen, this show is popular with fans of the movies.
| Park | Best First Ride or Attraction | Potential Concerns | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magic Kingdom | “it’s a small world” | No specific concerns. It’s a nice, gentle ride. | Toddlers and families looking for a gentle, charming ride that children and adults can enjoy. |
| EPCOT | The Seas with Nemo & Friends | It is a dark ride, although it moves slowly. | Toddlers who enjoy Finding Nemo and slow-moving rides. |
| Animal Kingdom | Kilimanjaro Safaris | The experience is different each time because it depends on the animals’ behavior. | Toddlers who love animals and seeing them in a safari setting. |
| Disney’s Hollywood Studios | Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live | This is a stage show rather than a ride. | Toddlers who enjoy Mickey Mouse, Disney Junior characters, music, and live stage shows. |
What is your toddler’s favorite attraction at Walt Disney World?
