Best Walt Disney World Rides for Kids

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The idea for Disneyland came to Walt Disney during a day out with his daughters. While they enjoyed the carrousel, Walt sat on a bench and realized there should be a way for families to enjoy the park together. This insight became his guiding principle for creating Disneyland — the first theme park where people of all ages could have fun together. In this guide, we’ll be focusing on the little ones and sharing the best Walt Disney World rides for kids.

When it comes to Walt Disney World, grade school-aged children, particularly those between five and ten years old, are the ideal age group to fully experience the park. At this age, kids will enjoy the gentler rides but are also ready to try more thrilling attractions.

Though each park has its timeless favorites, here are the must-ride attractions for kids at Walt Disney World:

Magic Kingdom

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Pirates of the Caribbean
Haunted Mansion
Tomorrowland Speedway

Epcot

Spaceship Earth
Frozen Ever After
Soarin’ Around the World
Test Track
The Seas with Nemo & Friends

Hollywood Studios

Toy Story Mania
Slinky Dog Dash
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Rise of the Resistance
Muppet Vision 3D

Animal Kingdom

Kilimanjaro Safari
Na’vi River Journey
The Boneyard
Festival of the Lion King

What do these rides have in common? They’re not considered “kiddie rides” (we’ve all been heartbroken when a child says, “That ride’s for babies!”), and they offer just the right amount of excitement for young adventurers without being too overwhelming. Many of the most popular and signature attractions at Walt Disney World fall into this category, appealing to a wide range of guests.

Best Magic Kingdom Attractions for Kids

The Magic Kingdom was designed with younger kids in mind, and nearly every attraction in the park caters to grade-school-aged children. The good news for parents is that many of these rides may also be among your favorites, perhaps even ones you enjoyed when you were your child’s age! Getting to relive that magic through their eyes is one of the most memorable parts of a Disney vacation.

Starting in Adventureland, this is the age when your kids will start to get the jokes made by your skipper on the Jungle Cruise—even if they’re corny and punny.

No trip to Adventureland would be complete without a ride on Pirates of the Caribbean. This ride offers two things that test your child’s readiness for more adventurous experiences: the waterfall at the beginning and the overall dark atmosphere of the attraction. It’s a great introduction to thrills and might pave the way for more daring rides.

Speaking of thrills, Frontierland offers plenty with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (which replaced Splash Mountain in 2024) and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a combination log flume and dark ride themed to Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. It has gentle moments, a few smaller drops, and one big drop at the end. The good news is that kids can see the drop ahead of time and decide whether they want to ride.

If your little one finds The Barnstormer roller coaster in Fantasyland a bit too tame, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is worth a try. It’s a bumpy ride but doesn’t feature big drops or high speeds like a traditional roller coaster, making it a perfect fit for kids in this age group.

If your child is feeling brave, head to the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square. While some moments might provide a bit of a fright (like the stretching room and the hallway full of doors), remind your kids that nothing on a Disney World ride will hurt them—it’s all part of the fun. Most kids who go in a little nervous end up loving this attraction!

Depending on your child’s age, you might start skipping some of the rides in Fantasyland, except for the classic Peter Pan’s Flight, Mickey’s PhilharMagic 3-D movie, and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. These are all solid options. The Mine Train offers thrills similar to Big Thunder Mountain but is a bit tamer. If your child is uncertain, it may be a good idea to try Seven Dwarfs before Big Thunder.

In Tomorrowland, due to the faster speed of the rockets and the ride taking place in the dark, Space Mountain isn’t for everyone in this age range, but plenty of kids under 10 do enjoy it. A good rule of thumb is if your kids enjoy the other “Mountains” at the Magic Kingdom and are looking for more thrills, give Space Mountain a try.

You can also check out Space Mountain on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover. The slow-moving elevated train ride passes through Space Mountain as part of its tour of Tomorrowland. This way, your child can get a glimpse of what to expect. It’s a much better way to gauge their willingness to try it out before waiting in a very long line.

While in Tomorrowland, take a spin around the Tomorrowland Speedway. Kids will be thrilled to drive their own racecars. Even though they are on a track, kids still enjoy being behind the wheel. For something a bit more exciting, take the elevator up to Astro Orbiter. It’s a spinning ride similar to Dumbo, but being up above all the action makes it more thrilling. Then they can battle it out against the evil Emperor Zurg on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin by hitting targets with laser blasters. They can even compete to see who scores the most points.

With so many rides and attractions for kids, be sure not to miss the afternoon parades. It’s a great way to see all the characters at once. Besides, everyone loves a parade.

Best Epcot Attractions for Kids

At Epcot, kids will enjoy attractions both in Future World and World Showcase. Starting at the center, Spaceship Earth is fun for the entire family, and the kids will definitely enjoy getting a glimpse into their future in the interactive portion of the ride. As you exit, there are interactive games they can try, where they might even learn something. Similar to Pirates of the Caribbean, most of this ride takes place in the dark, but it does not have a drop.

Plan to spend some time at The Seas with Nemo and Friends. Enter the pavilion via a ride featuring Nemo, Dory, and other stars from Finding Nemo, which generally has a short wait time (usually 15 minutes or less). Once you disembark, explore the two-story aquarium filled with sharks, dolphins, manatees, and plenty of other sea life.

Your grade-school child is the perfect age to be awestruck by Soarin’ Around the World (40-inch height requirement) in The Land pavilion. This ride makes you feel like you’re flying over many familiar and breathtaking world landscapes and landmarks. It may look daunting, but it’s a gentle ride.

On the other end of Future World, your child will probably enjoy Test Track (40-inch height requirement). After all, the prospect of riding in a fast car appeals to nearly everyone, right?

If your child has dreams of being an astronaut and going to outer space, venture over to Mission: SPACE (40-inch height requirement). There are two versions of this ride: Green and Orange. Beware: Orange, the intense version, is just that—very intense. This version incorporates rapid spinning to generate g-force (even though you might not feel it while watching the screen in your capsule), and many riders have taken advantage of the “space sickness” bags on board. Unless your child is really into thrill rides, you might want to wait a few more years before trying this one. Green is the less intense version and does not incorporate the spinning. Be sure to try that version first.

In World Showcase, the Frozen Ever After boat ride is the signature attraction here, but don’t be surprised if older boys pass on this one. There is a drop in the ride, but you may be able to convince them to give it a try.

Opening soon in the France pavilion is the new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. This is a trackless ride where you’re shrunken down to the size of a rat and thrown into an adventure based on the Pixar hit Ratatouille. Although it’s not opened yet, it’s expected to become a new favorite attraction at Epcot.

For younger kids, World Showcase may not be the most exciting part of Epcot, but they might enjoy creating a keepsake from every country they visit. At each pavilion, you and your kids can draw, color, and collect activity cards at every country throughout World Showcase. These Kidcot Fun Stops are located in each pavilion:

Mexico Pavilion (near Mexico Folk Art Gallery)
Norway Pavilion (at The Puffin’s Roost)
China Pavilion (near the exit of Reflections of China)
Germany Pavilion (at Volkunst)
Italy Pavilion (outside, near La Bottega Italiana)
American Adventure Pavilion (outside, near Art of Disney)
Japan Pavilion (in the Bijutsu-kan Gallery)
Morocco Pavilion (at the Marketplace in the Medina)
France Pavilion (at Souvenirs de France)
United Kingdom Pavilion (at The Toy Soldier)
Canada Pavilion (at the exit of Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360)

Best Hollywood Studios Attractions for Kids

At first glance, you might think that the new rides in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge would be too intense for smaller kids, but that’s not the case. Both Rise of the Resistance (40-inch height requirement) and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (38-inch height requirement) were designed with the entire family in mind. Knowing the movies certainly helps, but kids will just love the action-packed rides even if they aren’t familiar with the stories or characters. But if they do, they will love them even more.

If they are Star Wars fans, be sure to sign them up for Jedi Training Academy. There is limited space, so be sure to sign up early as it often fills up shortly after park opening.

The neighboring Toy Story Land is also popular among kids, for obvious reasons. Slinky Dog Dash (38-inch height requirement) is a fun roller coaster that has two separate launches. It’s fast, but not as daunting as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster or Expedition Everest. It’s more along the lines of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom, so there’s a good chance your child will enjoy it.

If your kid likes Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at the Magic Kingdom, they’ll surely love Toy Story Mania. This interactive arcade game-type ride is full of action and excitement, and you can compete for high scores. Alien Swirling Saucers (32-inch height requirement) is a fun, spinning carnival ride. It’s less intense than the roller coasters and a great option for all kids.

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, one of Disney’s newest rides, replaced the Great Movie Ride in the center of the park. This is the first Disney theme park attraction to feature Mickey and Minnie (believe it or not!). It’s a wacky attraction that employs some advanced technology. Although it seems to be geared toward kids, it’s a ride that everyone, from toddlers to adults, will enjoy.

Finally, if you’re looking for a classic, take in a showing of MuppetVision 3D. Like the Jungle Cruise, your child will start to get the jokes while still enjoying the 3D gags by Fozzie Bear and friends.

There are also a few shows that younger kids would enjoy, including The First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. Shows are a great way to take a break and have a seat during a long day of lines and lots of walking.

Best Animal Kingdom Attractions for Kids

Animal Kingdom is a bit different from the other Disney parks. While it offers a number of rides, it also features plenty of shows and animal exhibits. Let’s start with the rides.

The Kilimanjaro Safari will likely be the highlight of your child’s day at Animal Kingdom. Seeing lions, giraffes, elephants, and more up close is a very memorable experience. If you want to get even closer, take the Wildlife Express Train to Conservation Station, where there’s a veterinary treatment room where you might be lucky enough to see a real animal examination. Besides watching, there are other animal-related activities and experiences, including a petting zoo.

In the Pandora section, there’s plenty for your kids to enjoy even if they haven’t seen the movie Avatar (though it doesn’t hurt). Na’vi River Journey is a scenic boat ride similar to Pirates of the Caribbean, but without the drop. If your kids like Soarin’, and if they are tall enough, be sure to go on Avatar Flight of Passage (44-inch height requirement). This ride is best described as “Soarin’ on steroids.” It also notoriously has one of the longest lines in any Disney park, so definitely try to snag a Lightning Lane pass.

If you don’t mind getting wet, take a trip down the Kali River Rapids, a traditional theme park “raging rapids”-style ride that will leave you soaked, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in the Florida sun.

If you are not afraid of bugs, then It’s Tough to be a Bug is fun. It’s a loud 3-D attraction featuring characters from A Bug’s Life. There are scenes that are dark, loud, and feature strobe lights. While it is about bugs, many kids aren’t scared (often more so than the grownups).

Besides rides, there are several exciting and entertaining shows at Animal Kingdom. Finding Nemo: The Musical is a 40-minute stage show that features live puppets and all the songs from the movie that you love. Festival of the Lion King is a theater-in-the-round show featuring characters, singers, dancers, and acrobats, all leading to a stirring rendition of “Circle of Life” as the finale. If you’re sensing a theme, these two shows are great options when you (and the kids) need a break from the weather.

In Dinoland USA, there are a number of carnival-style games the kids will enjoy, but be aware—like a carnival, they do cost extra to play. The centerpiece of Dinoland is The Boneyard, created especially for kids 10 and under. This dig site lets kids unearth and explore fossils and other dino-sized surprises while parents can enjoy a shady area with large fans to cool off.

And don’t forget to check out the animal exhibits and walking trails. Kids will love getting a close-up look at many animals, from bats to tigers.

Tips for Doing the Best Disney Rides for Kids

Test the rides out first with “Rider Switch”

If you’re unsure whether your child will like a ride, the best approach is to try it out first using Rider Switch (also called Child Swap).

Here’s how it works:

Your group enters the ride’s queue together, but one person rides first without the child, while the other stays with the child.
After the first rider completes the attraction, if you feel the ride is appropriate for the child, the person who stayed behind can take them on the ride while you wait. If you decide it’s not suitable, the second rider can still ride, while you remain with the child.

Steps for Rider Switch:

Let the Cast Member at the entrance know you’d like to use Rider Switch.
Your group will receive a Rider Switch Pass. The person who rides first goes on while the others wait in a designated area.
After the first ride, the Rider Switch Pass is given to the waiting person, who will stay in the designated area with the child(ren).
The second rider hands the Rider Switch Pass to a Cast Member and enters the ride without waiting in the queue again.

Two guests are allowed per Rider Switch Pass, so if you have an older child and a baby, each adult can take a child on the ride while the other waits with the baby.

Note: Not all rides offer this option.

To help plan the perfect vacation, Disney Travel Planners are available to make sense of all the options. Many offer free services when you book with them. To learn more, read Disney Travel Planners.

Know Your Child

Please keep in mind that our recommendations are just a guide. You, as a parent, know your child best.

This article aims to highlight the rides and attractions that are most popular with parents and young kids. While some rides have height restrictions, that doesn’t necessarily mean that just because your child is tall enough, they are ready for a bigger ride. Every child is different.

Many children are apprehensive of the unknown. As they get older, they may want to appear brave, especially when they see other kids going on rides. If they aren’t ready, there are plenty of other attractions they will enjoy more. Remember, Disney World will be around for a long time. If there’s a ride they aren’t ready for now, they might be ready the next time you visit. This is one of the reasons so many guests return year after year.

On the other hand, you might have a mini-adrenaline junkie who is ready for everything. Just be mindful of the height restrictions, as Disney is very strict about them for guest safety reasons, and they are non-negotiable.

For more helpful planning tips, check out these articles:

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