My toddler can’t get enough of these rides – and they’re must-dos for every toddler, in this Disney dad’s opinion.
As a Disney dad, there’s nothing quite like the joy of sharing the magic of Walt Disney World with your little one. Seeing the wonder in their eyes as they meet their favorite characters, explore enchanting lands, and experiencing attractions and seeing the thrills in their eyes is always worth the price of admission. However, toddlers have plenty of personality – and finding attractions that both engage and entertain them takes some practice and knowledge.
So, as a dad’s who’s in the parks every week, I put together this guide of the best rides for toddlers at the Magic Kingdom. Grab your Mickey ears, pack that diaper bag, and get ready to embark on a journey that’s expertly tailored for your tiny human.
Toddler-Friendly Rides at Magic Kingdom Park
If you’re looking for a full day of theme park fun that’s toddler-friendly, head to Magic Kingdom.
While you can technically find rides for toddlers at each one of Disney World’s theme parks, Magic Kingdom is absolute heaven for the under-3 age group. Magic Kingdom has the largest collection of toddler “approved” rides.
Toddler tastes can change (and quite suddenly!), but I’m sharing my little one’s must-dos below. Both my toddler and I love these attractions because they have quirks and cool details to look out – and we make sure to hit these favorites during every Magic Kingdom visit.
1. “it’s a small world”
Photo by Cliff Wang
This classic gentle boat ride with colorful scenes and animatronic dolls from around the world is a perfect cruise for you and your little ones. Sure, that earworm of a song might wind up stuck in your head all day post-ride, but this attraction has a large capacity, which means the lines move quick. That makes it the perfect attraction if your toddler isn’t too patient when waiting in lines.
Plus, there’s so much to see every time you ride that “it’s a small world” is almost like a brand-new experience every time you ride. One of the games my little ones like to play is pointing out all the animals they can find in each scene. My wife and I have found that this game not only makes our children more engaged, but also adds a new fun element to keep it feeling fresh when you’ve ridden this attraction multiple times.
2. Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Dumbo the Flying Elephant is a classic aerial carousel that offers something every toddler loves: the chance to be in control!
On this ride, your toddler can control the height of their elephant as you fly with Dumbo outside the circus. They can keep their elephant low to the ground if they so choose, vary the height, or take it to the sky based on their preferences and comfort level, making it a wonderful “do it yourself” attraction for the under-3 age group.
While the attraction itself is a lot of fun, the queue is equally as exciting for toddlers. This attraction also has an in-line interactive play area perfect for getting out the wiggles. Your little one can go play in the play area while you wait to be called to the ride via a buzzer system.
Oh, and did I mention that play area is indoors, with air conditioning? That also makes it a great way to beat the heat for a bit on a hot Florida day. Plus, there’s a fantastic family photo opp here. After riding, we always stop to snap a photo in the spot in between the two sides of the attraction.
3. Peter Pan’s Flight
Photo by Mike Billick
A much-beloved dark ride in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland, Peter Pan’s Flight is a Disney World classic that takes guests on a charming journey through the story of Peter Pan via flying pirate ships. First, you’ll take a flight through London and on to Neverland with Peter, Wendy, George and Michael, where you’ll encounter Lost Boys, Indians and of course Captain Hook.
This is my child’s favorite attraction (and mine, too!) The only downside is the queue for this attraction is frequently over an hour long, which can be a long wait for a toddler. Since it’s one of the most popular Fantasyland rides, this is one attraction I would recommend getting a Lighting Lane for.
One great aspect of this attraction? Peter Pan can be found to the right of the attraction for character meet and greets throughout the day, which adds to the experience.
It’s also worth noting that the queue does have interactive elements, but these elements are at higher eye level – which means they’re not as engaging for toddlers like some of the other attractions on this list.
4. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
This is a fun, whimsical ride through the Hundred Acre Wood that takes you literally through the storybook pages with Pooh and friends. It’s one of my child’s favorite attractions.
However, I need to add a disclaimer to this one: The queue is interactive, which is great, but it can be overwhelming for little children. Depending on how busy the attraction gets, the line can get extremely loud. I’ve found it easier for my child if we enjoy the line with her headphones on. Or, sometimes we purchase a Lightning Lane to skip the interactive queue altogether.
Like Peter Pan’s Flight, this attraction also has the added bonus of having an attached character meet and greet. To the left of the queue, your little ones can meet both Winnie the Pooh and Tigger throughout the day.
5. Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid
This slow-moving ride takes you through scenes from The Little Mermaid. If your toddler is a fan of the classic animated film – or simply enjoys a good dark ride with catchy music – they’ll love gliding through the iconic music numbers of the movie.
It’s a slower ride, with a lot of detail and whimsical moments. My daughter particularly loves it, since the attractions is essentially a giant sing-along under the sea.
Like other attractions, this one also has a meet and greet opportunity next door (and what princess-loving toddler doesn’t want to meet Ariel?)
6. Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Photo by Dom Tabon
A slow-moving carousel ride with beautifully painted horses, Prince Charming Regal Carrousel is perfect for toddlers. This is not only a Magic Kingdom must, it’s a classic. I mean, what kid doesn’t love experiencing a carousel, from choosing their own uniquely-decked-out horse to the thrill of spinning around inside Fantasyland?
Thanks to the carousel’s central location, there’s also plenty to do, see, and entertain toddlers at its exterior. Around the ride, you can also make most of the attraction by trying to pull the sword from the stone and visit the princesses over at Princess Fairytale Hall.
7. Mad Tea Party
While plenty of Disney World attractions are considered classics, the Mad Tea Party is a must-do. This spinning tea cups ride inspired by Alice in Wonderland is sure to thrill toddlers (though you’ll want to be mindful if your child is sensitive to spinning.) It’s fun and exciting for your little one, and best of all, the wait is usually very quick.
8. Jungle Cruise
A leisurely cruise filled with sarcasm and puns might not seem like an attraction toddlers will enjoy, but the Jungle Cruise offers so much to see and discover that little ones will be captivated by it. This boat ride through different jungle scenes with humorous commentary from the skippers is leisurely enough for toddlers to keep up with the pace – and your child will stay entertained and maybe even somewhat puzzled by the 8th wonder of the world.
One Last Toddler Tip: Don’t Skip the Details
My ultimate tip when looking for toddler-friendly fun at Magic Kingdom is this: Take your time and don’t rush your little ones.
It’s not just about riding the rides, but also about experiencing everything around each attraction. This includes character meet and greets, parades and shows, and play areas which are themed and within a short distance of each attraction. Take advantage of all the park has to offer in each land. Not only will your child be more engaged, but you will also limit the possibility of a toddler meltdown… and spare yourself the stress of constantly moving from land to land with a little one, a stroller, and your diaper bags.
