Best Rides for Babies and Toddlers at Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom is probably our most favorite park for babies and toddlers.

There’s a ton here that they can do, plus plenty for the adults to enjoy as well.

Here are the best rides for babies and toddlers at Magic Kingdom.

Important note: This post is just one piece of a group of resources geared towards helping families with babies and toddlers traveling to Walt Disney World. Make sure you check out our Complete Guide to traveling to Disney World with Babies and Toddlers for even more information to help you plan your dream vacation.

What makes a ride good for babies and toddlers?

Not every attraction without a height requirement is one you should take your baby or toddler on. Some attractions may look fun, but can actually be a little scary.

Take for example one of our most favorite attractions: The Tomorrowland Transit Authority – PeopleMover.

We love it because it is a peaceful ride above Tomorrowland, but there is a portion of the attraction where you go through near total darkness. That may be okay for some little ones, but may be incredibly scary for others.

And then there are some attractions at Magic Kingdom that are just “okay” and you may have more fun spending your time doing something else.

This first section is the list of attractions we think are definitely worth a try with a toddler.

Down below those, we’ll go through a few additional attractions that you may want to ride – but we encourage you to do so with caution.

Then, we have a batch of other attractions that are good time fillers if you are just needing something to do.

We have posts for that cover the best rides for toddlers at the other 3 parks, so make sure you check those out, too:

• Best rides for babies and toddlers at Epcot
• Best rides for babies and toddlers at Hollywood Studios
• Best rides for babies and toddlers at Animal Kingdom

Want to ride some of the bigger attractions too? Disney has a free service called Rider Swtich that makes it easier for 2 adults to ride the thrill rides without having to wait in a long line twice.

Top 9 Best rides for toddlers at Magic Kingdom

These are all usually hits with babies and toddlers and are ones we recommend to our friends and family with little ones:

• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (Tomorrowland)
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant (Fantasyland)
• “it’s a small world” (Fantasyland)
• Jungle Cruise (Adventureland)
• Mad Tea Party (Fantasyland)
• Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Fantasyland)
• Peter Pan’s Flight (Fantasyland)
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid (Fantasyland)
• WDW Railroad (Main Street, U.S.A., Frontierland, Fantasyland)

Adventureland

Adventureland is home to one attraction that will appeal to babies and toddlers. Jungle Cruise is a definite must-do.

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise is a river raft ride where animatronic animals and corny jokes abound.

Every Jungle Cruise Skipper has their own “routine” with jokes so every ride is a little bit different. Little ones who are easily scared should maybe be told ahead of time that the animals are all pretend.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Anybody
• Attraction length: About 10 minutes
• Do we recommend? Yes
• When to visit: 1st or last hour, anytime with Genie+
• Lightning Lane available: Yes, included with Genie+
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): Ride at night for a unique experience and shorter lines

• Get more details on the Jungle Cruise

Fantasyland

Most families with babies and toddlers will spend a LOT of time in Fantasyland – and for good reason!

Check out our Fantasyland must-do rides:

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Board an elephant and soar through the air. There’s also a fun play area to visit while waiting.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Anybody
• Attraction length: About 90 seconds
• Do we recommend? For little ones
• When to visit: Anytime standby, Early Theme Park Entry, or anytime with Genie+
• Lightning Lane available: Yes, included with Genie+
• Eligible for Early Entry: Yes

• Tip(s): There is an indoor play area available to those who wait in the regular line.

“it’s a small world“

A gentle boat ride takes you through scenery that includes animatronic dolls set in different countries. Try not to get the song stuck in your head!

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Anybody
• Attraction length: About 13 minutes
• Do we recommend? Yes
• When to visit: First 2 or last 2 hours, Early Theme Park Entry, anytime with Genie+
• Lightning Lane available: Yes, included with Genie+
• Eligible for Early Entry: Yes

• Tip(s): Pinocchio Village Haus is a Quick Service restaurant with a view of this ride. Look up and wave at diners right after you board!

Mad Tea Party

Often called “the tea cups,” this ride is fairly iconic in Disney theme parks. Characters from Alice in Wonderland meet near here throughout the day.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Anybody
• Attraction length: About 2 minutes
• Do we recommend? Yes, if you can handle spinning in circles
• When to visit: Anytime standby, anytime with Genie+
• Lightning Lane available: Yes, included with Genie+
• Eligible for Early Entry: Yes

• Tip(s): Minimize dizziness on this ride by not spinning your tea cup

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Board a Hunny Pot and go on a psychedelic adventure through Hundred Acre Woods. This is a popular ride and one that most little ones will like.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Anybody
• Attraction length: About 4 minutes
• Do we recommend? Yes, especially for little ones
• When to visit: First 2 or last 2 hours, Early Theme Park Entry, or anytime with Genie+
• Lightning Lane available: Yes, included with Genie+
• Eligible for Early Entry: Yes

• Tip(s): Look to your left when entering Owl’s house and you will see a photo of Mr. Toad. This is a homage to Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, the attraction that was previously housed in this location

Peter Pan’s Flight

Board ride vehicles that are suspended from the top, and glide over charming scenery in the dark. Although the ride takes place mostly in the dark, it doesn’t typically scare little ones.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Anybody
• Attraction length: About 3 minutes
• Do we recommend? Yes
• When to visit: 1st or last hour, Early Theme Park Entry, anytime with Genie+
• Lightning Lane available: Yes, included with Genie+
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): Queue is well-themed and has interactive elements that can be accessed using the Play Disney Parks app.

Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid

Climb aboard a clamshell and journey under the sea where you’ll see all your friends from The Little Mermaid.

Tomorrowland

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

This is a ride and game in one. You board ride vehicles and then aim at the Zs and earn points which appear on the screens in your ride vehicle.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Anybody
• Attraction length: About 5 minutes
• Do we recommend? Yes
• When to visit: First 2 or last 2 hours, Early Theme Park Entry, anytime with Genie+
• Lightning Lane available: Yes, included with Genie+
• Eligible for Early Entry: Yes

• Tip(s): For maximum points, aim for the robot’s left hand in the first room and the top of the volcano in the second room.

• Get more details on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Main Street, U.S.A.

WDW Railroad – Main Street, U.S.A Station

A steam train that takes guests on a loop around all of Magic Kingdom. There are 3 stops – at the end of Main Street, in Fantasyland (back by Storybook Circus), and in Frontierland between Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Anybody
• Attraction length: About 20 minutes to do the whole loop
• Do we recommend? Yes, as both a time filler and as a method to get to the other side of the park
• When to visit: Anytime
• Lightning Lane available: No
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): This is a great attraction to ride if you have a little one that needs to rest since you can stay on it as long as you like. You can get on and off on any of its 3 stops so it is also a good way to save some steps if you need to cross the park.

• Get more details on the Walt Disney World Railroad

Ride with caution

There are a few attractions at Magic Kingdom with either no height requirement or a very low height requirement (under 40″) that may be a bit too much for your baby or toddler. Before you ride them, make sure you understand what you are getting into:

• Astro Orbiter
• The Barnstormer
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
• Haunted Mansion
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority – PeopleMover

Astro Orbiter

Although this ride looks similar to Dumbo, it’s much higher and faster.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Older kids and adults
• Attraction length: About 90 seconds
• Do we recommend? Only as a time filler
• When to visit: First 2 or last 2 hours, Early Theme Park Entry
• Lightning Lane available: No
• Eligible for Early Entry: Yes

• Tip(s): At night, you get a fantastic view 

• Get more details on Astro Orbiter

The Barnstormer

A 1 1/2 minute (seriously) roller coaster for kids featuring Goofy. Although this is a coaster designed for kids, some little ones will still find it to be too intense.

• Height req: 35 inches
• Suitable for: Anybody who meets the height requirement
• Attraction length: About 90 seconds
• Do we recommend? Yes, for kids
• When to visit: Anytime standby, Early Theme Park Entry, or anytime with Genie+
• Lightning Lane available: Yes, included with Genie+
• Eligible for Early Entry: Yes

• Tip(s): If your little one has never ridden a coaster, this a great one to start with.

Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

A show featuring over 300 animatronic birds, flowers, and other things that perform various songs, including some Disney tunes.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Older kids and adults
• Attraction length: About 16 minutes
• Do we recommend? Only for people who like it for nostalgic reasons
• When to visit: Anytime
• Lightning Lane available: No
• Available for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): It’s dark inside so prepare little ones with that info ahead of time.

Haunted Mansion

A tour of various ghost-filled rooms of a mansion. On your way to board your ride vehicle, you’ll first go through an octagon-shaped room that appears to stretch.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Anybody (dark imagery could scare little ones)
• Attraction length: About 10 minutes
• Do we recommend? Yes
• When to visit: First 2 or last 2 hours, or anytime with Genie+
• Lightning Lane available: Yes, included with Genie+
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): Pay special attention at the end as ghosts appear on the screens as though they were part of your ride vehicle. The stretching room is often one of the scariest parts for kids, but you can ask the Cast Members at the entrance to skip it.

Pirates of the Caribbean

An 8 1/2 minute gentle boat ride through a Caribbean city of pirates. This attraction has over 125 animatronics, including 3 Jack Sparrows so be on the lookout for those.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Anybody
• Attraction length: About 8 minutes
• Do we recommend? Yes
• When to visit: First 2 or last 2 hours, anytime with Genie+
• Lightning Lane available: Yes, included with Genie+
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): There’s a little drop at the beginning of the ride and it’s dark, but if you warn little ones and make it playful, they should be able to ride without much trouble

Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

A 10 minute long laid-back tour of Tomorrowland.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Anybody
• Attraction length: 10 minutes
• Do we recommend? Not a top priority but it is a nice break that most people seem to enjoy
• When to visit: First 3 or last 3 hours
• Lightning Lane available: No
• Eligible for Early Entry: Yes

• Tip(s): Although the line can sometimes look long (especially after Monsters, Inc., Laugh Floor lets out), the line usually moves quickly

VIDEO: 6 Attractions at Magic Kingdom that Could Scare Little Kids

Other attractions at Magic Kingdom without Height Requirements

These attractions are all good for time fillers. The ones that are indoors are also a good option if you are looking for a place to cool off or to get out of the rain:

• Liberty Square Riverboat
• Country Bear Jamboree
• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

Liberty Square Riverboat

This 17-minute cruise on a steam-powered boat takes you on a 1/2 mile tour around Tom Sawyer Island.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Anybody
• Attraction length: About 17 minutes
• Do we recommend? Just as a time filler
• When to visit: Anytime
• Lightning Lane available: No
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): Mostly standing room only, find a spot on the top deck to snap some good pics of nearby attractions.

Country Bear Jamboree

Like outdated animatronics that sing corny music? This is a fantastic show for you. OK, it’s an easy attraction to get into and many little kids will probably have fun with it but it’s definitely outdated and not a high priority.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Anybody
• Attraction length: About 16 minutes
• Do we recommend? Only as a time filler and/or for a break
• When to visit: Anytime
• Lightning Lane available: No
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): Great place to get out of the heat for a bit.

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

Fairly standard carousel but with Disney music and 90 pretty horses.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Anybody
• Attraction length: About 2 minutes
• Do we recommend? Only as a time filler
• When to visit: First 3 or last 3 hours
• Lightning Lane available: No
• Eligible for Early Entry: Yes

• Tip(s): Look for the horse with a gold ribbon on its tail – that one belongs to Cinderella.

Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor

A comedy show using interactive animation where characters from Monsters, Inc. tell jokes and interact with the audience.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Anybody
• Attraction length: About 10 minutes
• Do we recommend? Yes
• When to visit: Anytime standby, anytime with Genie+
• Lightning Lane available: Yes, included with Genie+
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): Audience members are invited to text in jokes that might be used during the show so think of one beforehand if you’d like to submit one.

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

This is essentially Dumbo but with carpets. If you need to pare down your list of rides to fit them all in, this is definitely one that could be taken off. If you happen to have little ones who like the Dumbo-like rides, this will be fun for them.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Anybody
• Attraction length: About 90 seconds
• Do we recommend? For families with little ones and/or only as a time filler
• When to visit: Anytime, anytime with Genie+
• Lightning Lane available: Yes, included with Genie+
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): Look for the camels that spit.

Places to let your toddler run around

Little ones that have been sitting in a stroller all day often need a place to stretch their legs and run around for a bit.

In Magic Kingdom, there are a couple of spots where that is easier than others:

Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station

A water play area designed to look like the train from Dumbo. Even if the water isn’t on, this is still a nice, open area to let kids run around in.

Tom Sawyer Island

A giant island that is basically a playground to explore. You board a raft near Big Thunder Mountain which takes you over to where you can venture around the island. FYI: there used to be hidden paintbrushes placed here and people who found them could redeem them for FastPasses. That is no longer the case.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Anybody who can handle the rugged terrain
• Attraction length: N/A
• Do we recommend? Only as a time filler
• When to visit: Anytime, generally opens 1 hour after park opening
• Lightning Lane available: No
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): Usually opens later than the rest of the park.

In addition to the areas above, you can also find a nice (indoor) play area at Dumbo (although this spot can get kind of crowded) plus there is a small play area under the train tracks near Splash Mountain.

Characters

Some toddlers will really love the characters, while others would prefer to stay far, far away.

If you aren’t sure which one your kiddo will be, we suggest starting small with either a character meal or waving to the characters from a distance.

Using Genie+ at Magic Kingdom with toddlers

If you are only going to purchase Genie+ for 1 park, we think it should be Magic Kingdom, and here’s why:

We miss the free FastPass+ system, but one thing we do like about the new Genie+ system is how easy it is to “stack” your attraction return times back-to-back for later in the day OR to “churn” rides one after the other.

These approaches to using Genie+ are especially useful when traveling with babies and toddlers because it allows you to ride a bunch of things without a lot of waiting. And since Magic Kingdom has the most attractions for babies and toddlers, that makes it a lot easier to get your money’s worth.

The downside to this method, however, is that Genie+ isn’t free, so you’ll have to pay for it. And, it also will require you to be on your phone. A lot. Which isn’t exactly the ideal situation when you are trying to make memories with your little one at Walt Disney World.

The entire Genie+ system can be confusing, but we’ve put together some guides that should help.

If you’re considering purchasing Genie+, make sure you check them out. The one linked directly below this is a good one to start with:

• Expedition Everest Reopening In April, Will Be Added To Genie+
• Park Hopping Changes & More Coming to Disney World & Disneyland
• Ariel Meet and Greet, Enchanted Tales With Belle Returning to Magic Kingdom
• TRON Opening April 4, 2023 at Magic Kingdom
• 2023 Disney World Packages Available To Book June 8, Plus Genie+ Purchase Change

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Heather Thomas

With 15+ years planning Disney World trips, Heather joined WDW Prep in 2014 to help others plan for their own families. As the WDW Prep Editor, she travels monthly to stay current and has helped propel the site to millions of views per year. Email Heather

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