Best Disney World Rides for Toddlers
There’s something for EVERY age group in Disney World!
Cinderella Castle
For ride fans there are thrill rides and tame rides that the whole family could enjoy. Want to take it slow? No problem — take in the atmosphere, hop to different Disney hotels, or sit down and eat a meal. While there’s something for everyone to do, today we’re going to take you through the BEST Disney World rides for toddlers!
For this list, we’re going to be taking a look at all of the rides that a toddler can experience in Disney World. We will also note some of the more intense rides (note: some of the scariest rides don’t have a height requirement) so that you can be prepared. Let’s get into it!
Magic Kingdom Rides
Dumbo The Flying Elephant
Dumbo is one of the most classic Disney attractions and for good reason! This is a great starter ride for toddlers as they can control how high and low their Dumbo flies.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
This is located in Storybook Circus and there are two spinners so the line moves twice as fast as when Magic Kingdom only had one spinner. Plus, there is a play area for kids while you wait for your turn to ride!
Dumbo Play Area
Dumbo has no height requirement making it a great option for the whole family to ride together!
“it’s a small world”
Yes, we DO recommend the ride with the ear worm that is the “it’s a small world” theme song. This is another classic Disney attraction and with the fun, vibrant colors, kids are sure to love this slow-moving boat ride!
“it’s a small world”
There is no height requirement to ride and it’s a long enough ride to give your feet a break. We bet this ride will have your kid entertained the whole time!
Mad Tea Party
Beware of this next one — the Mad Tea Party ride is another with no height requirement. This is another ride where you can control your own fate because you turn the wheel in the middle of the tea cup to make it spin!
Mad Tea Party
We tell you to beware because your kiddo may want to spin your tea cup FAST (it can be nauseating, especially after a big Dole Whip), so ride at your own risk.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Any little Winnie the Pooh fans? If your toddler loves Winnie the Pooh, they are sure to love The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. You’ll go on an adventure with Pooh and his friends where you’ll bounce with Tigger and visit the Heffalumps.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
There is no height requirement with this one, and although it’s not as scary as other attractions, it is a dark ride with loud noises which some kids may not like.
Peter Pan’s Flight
Peter Pan’s Flight is one of the most popular rides in Magic Kingdom and the wait times prove it. Families flock to the ride first thing in the morning meaning it’s a major crowd pleaser — that’s why it’s a wonderful ride for toddlers!
Peter Pan’s Flight
This is a dark ride that takes you in a pirate ship that flies above London and through the story of Peter Pan. There are vibrant sets and kids love that Tinker Bell helps fly! There is no height requirement for Peter Pan’s Flight.
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Carrousels are a quintessential ride for kids, so what’s not to like about a Disney-themed carrousel? Prince Charming Regal Carrousel is THE carrousel of Disney World and it’s a crowd pleaser, for sure!
Carrousel
It’s a classic carrousel ride but it plays instrumental Disney songs. While riding, you and your toddler should look for details — you may find some characters and gorgeous details! No height requirement is enforced at the carrousel.
Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid
If your toddler wishes they were part of Ariel’s world, Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid is perfect for them! There’s no height requirement for this one and it’s very family-friendly (except maybe the giant Ursula animatronic).
Ariel!
You’ll step into a sea shell and go under the bubbles to visit Ariel, Sebastian, and more with hit songs from the movie!
The Barnstormer
The Barnstormer is the perfect starter coaster to see if your toddler enjoys the adrenaline rush that comes with coasters. It does have a height requirement of 35 inches, but it is pretty tame compared to some other attractions at Disney World!
Barnstormer
The ride is less than a minute long, so if your toddler is not a fan, it’ll be over before they know it!
Astro Orbiter
If your toddler isn’t too afraid of heights after riding Dumbo, they can probably handle Astro Orbiter over in Tomorrowland! This is essentially the same ride system as Dumbo, but you have to take an elevator up to the platform.
Astro Orbiter
There is no height requirement for this ride and it gives you great views of Magic Kingdom!
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
To infinity and beyond! That’s what toddlers will be shouting after they ride Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin! This is an interactive ride where you’ll be able to shoot targets to defeat Zurg.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
There’s no height requirement and if you want to be a Galactic Hero (AKA get the maximum score), check out our tips for getting a high score here!
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Ahhhh, the PeopleMover. A fan-favorite ride among Disney adults. But guess what? It’s a great ride for kids, too!
Line for the PeopleMover
There is no height requirement and kids will love going through Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin. Plus, it gives your entire group a nice sit break!
Tomorrowland Speedway
Adults get to drive cars all of the time, but at Magic Kingdom the KIDS can drive. It’s not as chaotic as it sounds — the cars don’t go fast and there’s a guide so they can’t go rogue!
Tomorrowland Speedway
Toddlers that are 32 inches or taller are also able to ride Tomorrowland Speedway, however they must be with someone else who is at least 54 inches tall.
Haunted Mansion
Heading over to Liberty Square, we have one of the scariest attractions for young kids — the Haunted Mansion. Although this is a fan-favorite and has no height requirement, it is a dark ride with ghosts and spooks around every corner. It may not be your kid’s cup of tea at first!
Haunted Mansion
It may not be your kid’s cup of tea at first!
Liberty Square Riverboat
For a tame ride in Liberty Square, check out the Liberty Square Riverboat. This is a big boat that goes around the Rivers of America and gives you great views of the park!
Riverboat
Since this is a slow-moving boat, there is no height requirement.
Jungle Cruise
Another ride that is a crowd-pleaser is the Jungle Cruise! This is a classic Disney attraction that has been around for a long time, but it still draws tons of people every day with its lively vibe and hilarious skippers.
Jungle Cruise
Toddlers (and adults) will love the jokes, even if a few fly over their heads. There are several different “animals” to see and they’ll even get to witness the backside of water! No height requirement is enforced at the Jungle Cruise.
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
You’ve seen Dumbo. You’ve seen Astro Orbiter. Toddlers can’t get enough of the spinning rides, so check out The Magic Carpets of Aladdin for another similar ride!
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Like the others there is no height requirement. You may be thinking “why are there three of the same ride in one park?” And while that is a valid question, this one has a switch that moves the carpet up and down and a switch that rocks the carpet back and forth. Plus, it’s a must for little Aladdin fans!
Pirates of the Caribbean
Is your kiddo ready for some adventure? The Pirates of the Caribbean has no height requirement and is full of action!
Pirates of the Caribbean
We do want to note that Pirates of the Caribbean may be intense for some younger kids because of the dark, loud noises, and action scenes. That being said, some toddlers absolutely love this ride so take your chances!
Magic Kingdom Shows/Walkthroughs
Country Bear Jamboree
These next few aren’t quite rides, but they are attractions that we toddlers would love to experience. We’re starting off in Frontierland where you can watch Country Bear Jamboree!
Country Bear Jamboree
There are 18 singing bear animatronics that sing a variety of songs in this 16-minute show. It’s very lively and entertaining — perfect to keep young kiddos entertained!
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
If your toddler loves watching things in 3D, Mickey’s PhilharMagic is for them! Donald is off causing trouble and kids will love seeing some of their favorite characters and hearing some of their favorite songs throughout the show.
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
This isn’t an ordinary 3D show — there are also splashes of water that bring you further into the story on screen.
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor is an interactive show where monsters from the movie Monsters Inc. tell jokes. There are some silly antics in here, so it’s sure to get your toddler laughing!
Laugh Floor is open!
Despite the show being hosted by monsters, this one likely won’t scare your little one.
Swiss Family Treehouse
Need to burn off some of that toddler energy? The Swiss Family Treehouse is a walkthrough attraction based on Swiss Family Robinson and there are so many fun details to check out!
Swiss Family Treehouse
Even if your toddler hasn’t seen the movie, this interactive walkthrough will keep them entertained.
Tom Sawyer Island
Speaking of exploring, Tom Sawyer Island is not only an awesome place for your toddler to explore, but it’s a way to escape the crowds! You’ll take a raft over the island where you’ll be able to walk around and tour the island.
Tom Sawyer Island
The island is themed to the pioneer days of Mark Twain and Tom Sawyer and there are interactive elements and walkthroughs all over.
Enchanted Tiki Room
Sing it with us! “In the tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki room!” Yes, the Enchanted Tiki Room is a must-do for toddlers, even though they may be singing the theme song for DAYS afterwards.
Tiki Room
There are over 225 animatronics that put on the show and it’s super colorful entertainment your kiddo is sure to love.
Carousel of Progress
The Carousel of Progress is an original Disney attraction that premiered at the World’s Fair in the 1960s. Now, it serves as a fun, air-conditioned show that your kid will love to watch!
Carousel of Progress
With the catchy theme song “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow”, a rotating theater, and the dog animatronic named Rover, it’s a family-friendly show that pleases just about anyone.
EPCOT Rides
Frozen Ever After
Time to take the Monorail over to EPCOT and explore the toddler-friendly rides here! In World Showcase, you’ll find Frozen Ever After in the Norway pavilion.
Frozen Ever After
Frozen took the world by storm and it is still a favorite among kids today — you will see Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff, and Sven on this ride and even hear some fan-favorite songs (yes, that includes “Let It Go”!). There is no height requirement for this boat ride.
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros is located in the Mexico pavilion and is another boat ride with fan-favorite characters! Donald, Jose, and Panchito take guests on a tour of Mexico while getting into some mischief along the way.
Gran Fiesta Tour
There’s no height requirement and it is a very tame boat ride that the entire family can enjoy.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
One of the newest rides in EPCOT is Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and there is no height requirement for this fan-favorite attraction!
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
During this ride, you shrink down to the size of a rat and enter Gusteau’s kitchen where some chaos ensues. This is an action-packed adventure in the France pavilion but Ratatouille fans will love it!
Journey Into Imagination With Figment
Figment has become an EPCOT icon and you can see him in action at Journey Into Imagination With Figment. Figment takes guests on a whimsical journey through the sensory lab — it’s a ride full of fun!
Figment
This ride is known for having short wait times and at the exit of the ride, there are several interactive games for toddlers (and let’s be honest, adults too)! There’s no height requirement here.
Living With the Land
EPCOT is full of boat rides — we’ve got another one called Living With the Land! This is a relaxing boat ride with no height requirement that gives you a tour of what the Disney World horticulturalists do.
Living with the Land
A fun fact about the food in the greenhouses is that restaurants in the park actually use the food grown in there! So you could be riding through the greenhouse and eating it a few hours later at a restaurant like Garden Grill.
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Just like The Little Mermaid ride in Magic Kingdom, The Seas with Nemo and Friends lets you go under the sea in a shell to visit some familiar friends!
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Nemo, Dory, Marlin, and more take you through the story of Finding Nemo and it’s a blast for toddlers who are fans of the movie. There is no height requirement and after the ride, your toddler can explore the giant aquarium attached!
Spaceship Earth
The EPCOT “disco ball” is the icon of the park, but there’s a ride in there that the whole family will love! Spaceship Earth takes you through the history of communication in a fun and interactive way.
Spaceship Earth
There are interactive games at the end of this ride and there is no height requirement.
EPCOT Shows
Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
During a long Disney park day, it’s natural to want to take a break in the AC. The Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival is a fantastic place to do so!
Mickey Film Strips
Your toddler will love seeing some of their favorite characters (and even some new ones) on the screen in some adorable Disney shorts.
Turtle Talk with Crush
Turtle Talk with Crush is one of the best things you can take your toddler to in EPCOT. Your kiddo may be able to ask Crush from Finding Nemo a question and the answers can be really entertaining!
Turtle Talk with Crush
Kid’s faces light up when Crush comes out to take to them and it’s an awesome experience for toddlers!
Animal Kingdom Rides
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Animal Kingdom doesn’t have a lot of rides in general, but there are a few with no height requirement that toddlers will love! See real safari animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris in the Africa section of the park.
The Majestic Giraffe
There are 34 different species of animals and occasionally you’ll see a baby animal that was actually born at Disney World! Sometimes the animals cross the road or get up close to the safari truck which is entertaining for your kids to watch.
Na’vi River Journey
Even though your toddler probably hasn’t seen Avatar, they will probably enjoy the colorful atmosphere of Na’vi River Journey.
Na’vi River Journey
There is no height requirement on this slow-moving boat ride and toddlers can enjoy the sights of bioluminescent forest around them.
Triceratop Spin
Triceratop Spin may seem boring at first glance to adults, but dinosaur-loving toddlers will be ecstatic to fly on the back of a triceratops!
Triceratop Spin
This is just like the Dumbo ride system with different theming so there is no height requirement.
Animal Kingdom Shows/Attractions
It’s Tough to Be a Bug
The last attraction that does not have a height requirement but might be too scary for kids is It’s Tough to Be a Bug. Located inside the Tree of Life, this show features the characters from A Bug’s Life, but there are some INTENSE surprises that toddlers (and adults) might not enjoy.
It’s Tough to Be a Bug
We recommend experiencing this one for yourself first to determine if your toddler would be okay to come next time!
Rafiki’s Planet Watch
Take the Wildlife Express Train all the way out to Rafiki’s Planet Watch where there are several activities that toddlers would enjoy! First of all, there’s the Animation Experience where you can draw fan-favorite Disney characters guided by a Disney artist.
Animation Experience
If your toddler loves animals, they will go wild for the the Affection Section. Here, you can pet several different animals like goats and sheep!
Affection Section
It’s a trek to get up to this area of the park, but it’s worth it for the activities they have here.
The Boneyard
In Animal Kingdom, The Boneyard playground is a BIG hit with kids. There are slides and plenty of interactive elements for them to play with!
The Boneyard
It’s located in DinoLand and is a good option for young ones while older kids or adults ride scarier rides like Dinosaur and Expedition Everest.
Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond
Disney is known for live entertainment and the revamped Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond show is a guaranteed crowd pleaser!
Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!
The show features original songs including “In the Big Blue World” and your toddler will be able to see the Finding Nemo characters in action!
Hollywood Studios Rides
Alien Swirling Saucers
Hollywood Studios is known as the thrill ride park, but there is plenty for toddlers to do! Toy Story Land is home to two rides that toddlers would enjoy including Alien Swirling Saucers.
Alien Swirling Saucers
This one has a 32 inch height requirement and is fun for kids who want to spin!
Toy Story Mania
Toy Story Mania is another interactive ride where you get to play carnival games with Toy Story characters like Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, and more.
Toy Story Mania
No height requirement is posted here so you can have fun competing with your toddler.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
One of the newest rides in the park is Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway which has no height requirement. This is the first ride to be themed around Mickey and Minnie, so it’s sure to please any toddler who can’t get enough of the iconic duo!
Runaway Railway
Although the ride is pretty short, there is a lot of color and action packed in. It’s like you’re living in a Disney short!
Hollywood Studios Shows
Muppet*Vision 3D
Hollywood Studios is obviously themed around Hollywood, so it makes sense that there are plenty of shows and entertainment here! Muppet*Vision 3D is sure to be a new favorite for your toddler — it’s a favorite for many adults as well!
MUPPETS!
This is a playful show featuring the iconic Muppets with a mix of animatronics, live characters, and a 3D show.
Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
Beauty and the Beast is one of the most beloved princess movies of all time, and your toddler can watch the story play out on stage! Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage is located over on Sunset Boulevard.
Beauty and the Beast
It tells a condensed version of the story and features all of the popular songs which are performed by Broadway-caliber performers. It’s a must watch, especially for fans of the movie!
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
It’s no secret that toddlers love Frozen which makes the For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration a must for toddlers on a day in Hollywood Studios!
Frozen!
The performers do an incredible job engaging the crowd and you’ll get to see Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and more from the film.
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
For any toddler that loves Cars, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is a dream come true! McQueen shows off his racing simulator and some new tricks he has learned over the years.
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
You’ll also get a visit from Tow Mater himself! This show is located near Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
Disney Junior Play and Dance
The experience we highly recommend for toddlers who watch Disney Junior on television is the Disney Junior Play and Dance.
Disney Junior Play & Dance Party
This is a dance party with Disney Junior characters like Doc McStuffins, Vampirina, and other characters like Mickey, Minnie, and Timon! This is also a great way to burn off that extra energy after eating a sugary snack.
How to Ride Attractions That Aren’t Toddler Friendly
If you’re traveling with kids who do not meet all of the height requirements for the rides you want to go on, you can take advantage of Rider Swap. This is a service that allows you everyone who can ride to go in two groups so that at least one adult can stay with the non-rider.
Space Mountain Rider Swap
You’ll want to bring your entire group up to a Cast Member at the ride you wish to go on. The Cast Member will scan your MagicBands or park ticket, and then most of the group would wait in the standby line to ride the attraction while one person waits with the person who can’t ride. When the people who waited in line are finished riding, they can switch places with the one who waited behind, and the person who stayed behind would get to ride without waiting in line. The person who waited can bring one other person with them to ride even if that other person already rode it with the first group.
Tower of Terror
Rider swap works the same way whether you are waiting in the regular queue or you are using Genie+.
If you’re bringing a toddler to Disney World, we hope this serves as a guide to help decide what rides to experience! For some of the more intense rides that your kiddo may be able to ride, we suggest trying them out yourself first if possible — you’ll probably know if they can handle it or not. We’ll continue to bring you planning tips and tricks for Disney World, so keep following DFB!
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