Disney Rides for Toddlers at Disney World

Disney World is a toddler’s paradise. Unlike most theme parks, people of any height can enjoy most rides there. Places like Universal offer some things for everyone, but it is hardly enough to fill a day. Disney rides for toddlers are plentiful, making Disney World a much better choice if you have toddlers.

Disney World comprises four theme parks, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Each offers unique rides and theming. The Magic Kingdom is home to the most Disney rides for toddlers by far, but all four theme parks offer a decent amount for everyone to do.

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Touring Plans

Disney World is crowded. Some rides are more popular than others. If you don’t enjoy waiting in long lines with your toddler, make a touring plan before you arrive to minimize waiting and maximize your sanity.

Generally, you want to arrive early and ride the most popular attractions before the park gets crowded. Save the less popular rides for mid-afternoon.

Tip: Be sure to download Disney World’s app that tells you the current wait times for rides.

The Magic Kingdom Disney Rides for Toddlers

The Magic Kingdom is the perfect park to take a toddler to. In addition to the rides, there are characters, fireworks, and an afternoon parade. As of this writing, there are several rides for the whole family with no height requirements.

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Astro Orbiter

Astro Orbiter allows your toddler to spin in a circle in a spaceship above Tomorrowland. You ride an elevator to reach the ride, so the view looks down on the park. The view is excellent, particularly at night. The ride spins reasonably quickly, so watch it once before you get in line to ensure your toddler is ready.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is a slow-moving ride where you shoot at targets with laser guns in Tomorrowland. There are tons of things to see. Your toddler will be entertained, and you can pat yourself on the back to beat their score. The ride is indoors, so it is an excellent break from the sun.

This is a famous Disney ride for toddlers; the line can get long. Consider riding it early or late in the day.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Dumbo, the Flying Elephant, is an iconic Disney World ride in Fantasyland that is perfect for toddlers. This sky-bound ride flies in a circle slowly, so everyone should be able to handle it. There is also a play area for children to use while they wait for their turn in line.

Haunted Mansion

Another iconic Disney World ride is Haunted Mansion, a slow-moving ride through a haunted house in Liberty Square. It is dark and spooky, but most toddlers should be OK. Things don’t jump out suddenly, and most ghosts are more silly than scary.

Before entering the ride, you go through a stretching room with loud laughter and thunder. Potentially, this might bother a toddler. You can ask an employee to skip this room. They will walk you straight to the ride.

“it’s a small world.”

“it’s a small world” is a slow-moving, extremely long boat ride in Fantasyland. You pass through several rooms with seemingly endless animatronics representing different cultures. You could ride this ride twenty times and see new things each time. The music is fun; undoubtedly, it will be a favorite for most toddlers.

Disney rides for toddlers are famous; even adults line up to ride this attraction.

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise is an outdoor, slow-moving boat ride through the “jungle” in Adventureland. You encounter several animatronic animals. The technology is outdated, but it has a classic Disney feel. You are guided by a skipper who tells jokes. Your toddler won’t understand them, but it may or may not make the ride more entertaining to you.

Liberty Square Riverboat

Liberty Square Riverboat is a slow-moving ride on a giant ferry boat around the Magic Kingdom. The entrance is in Liberty Square. It is not exciting, but it is easy to get on without a long wait, so it is an excellent mid-afternoon option.

Mad Tea Party

Mad Tea Party is a spinning ride in Alice in Wonderland’s teacups in Fantasyland. You can control the speed at which they spin to a degree, so it is appropriate for toddlers and easily nauseated middle-aged people.

Image Courtesy of Elf from Wikimedia Commons.

Main Street Vehicles

Main Street Vehicles are vehicles (some horse-drawn, some not) that take you around Main Street in front of Cinderella’s castle. If your toddler can ride in a car that goes approximately four miles per hour, they will be fine on this ride.

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is a ride in a circle on a magic carpet in Adventureland. It is perfect for toddlers, like most children’s carnival rides that spin in a circle. The ride vehicles are cute, and the area is well-themed.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is a ride through the Hundred-Acre Wood in Fantasyland. The journey is short, the colors are neon, and the music is recognizable if your child has seen the show. The cars can move slightly jarring fashion in some parts of the ride, and some sections have a trippy vibe, but most toddlers will enjoy this ride.

Peter Pan’s Flight

Peter Pan’s Flight is one of the best rides for toddlers in all of the four parks. It is an indoor, slow flight over the story of Peter Pan in Fantasyland. The colors are bright, the animatronics are adorable, and the music is soothing.

One of the most popular Disney rides for toddlers in the park, so getting to this in the morning should be your top priority if it is essential to you.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean is an indoor, slow-moving boat ride through several scenes with many animatronic pirates in Adventureland. There is a ton to see. It is a little dark, making some toddlers nervous, but most should be fine. This long ride is also a great break from the heat; the line is usually not that long.

Prince Charming Regal Carousel

Prince Charming Regal Carousel is like any other carousel, with a fantastic view of Cinderella Castle in Fantasyland. The ride isn’t unique, but it is a must-do for toddlers. The line is usually pretty reasonable.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is a ride on a track around a good portion of Tomorrowland. It takes you through different buildings with views of various rides. The speed picks up and slows down, but it is always easy to tolerate. This ride is an easy walk-on for the majority of the time. It is outdoors but breezy, so it is a nice break from the heat.

Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid

Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid in Fantasyland is another fan favorite with toddlers. You ride slowly through the story of The Little Mermaid in clamshells. The colors are happy and fun, as is the music.

This line usually moves quickly, and most of the queue is indoors in the air conditioning.

Walt Disney World Railroad

Walt Disney World Railroad is both a train to take you around the park and a ride for entertainment. You can board and exit in Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Main Street, U.S.A. It is an excellent option if you need a break from walking. The line is usually not long.

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is a show in a theater that rotates between sets. An animatronic family discusses progress and inventions. Sad that the animatronic family has not gotten any memos on the world’s progress in the last 30 years. Everything is outdated, but it is a classic Disney attraction that is good for a laugh and air conditioning.

The Animal Kingdom Disney Rides for Toddlers

The Animal Kingdom has a limited number of rides in general. The highlights of Animal Kingdom are the animal exhibits and trails. There are, however, a few rides with no height requirements for toddlers to enjoy.

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Kilimanjaro Safaris

Kilimanjaro Safari is a ride on an open-air vehicle through several outdoor animal exhibits. It is excellent for toddlers if it will hold their attention. The animals are most active in the morning, so try to ride then.

This ride is famous. It’s not just a Disney ride for toddlers; it’s a ride that all age groups love. Lines build, so try to arrive early.

Na’ vi River Journey

Na’ vi River Journey is a slow-moving boat ride through Pandora’s rainforest. This ride is new, so everything is updated and impressive. The lines for this ride can get very long.

TriceraTop Spin

TriceraTop Spin is a spin in a circle in vehicles shaped like triceratop dinosaurs. It is a smooth, comfortable ride that will be enjoyable for toddlers.

Wildlife Express Train

Wildlife Express Train is a ride to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, a different park area where you can learn about animals. You can use it as a mode of transportation or ride the train for entertainment. Rafiki himself is known to board the train.

Epcot Disney Rides for Toddlers

Epcot is a park heavy on world exploration and light on rides. There are limited rides for the whole family to enjoy, but plenty to do to fill the day.

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Frozen Ever After

Frozen Ever After is an indoor, slow-moving boat ride through the story of Frozen. It is located in the Norway pavilion. It is a relatively new ride, so everything is updated. The music is recognizable. This ride is trendy, so arrive early.

Image Courtesy of Theme Park Tourist

Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros

Gran Fiesta Tour Starring, the Three Caballeros, is located in the Mexico pavilion of Epcot. It is a slow-moving, indoor boat ride through famous sites in Mexico. It has a bit of a Coco vibe. This ride is comfortable to handle and a great break from the sun.

Journey into Imagination with Figment

Journey into Imagination with Figment is a slow-moving indoor ride led by a dragon named Figment. The ride takes you through different sensory labs. This air-conditioned ride usually has a short line.

Living with the Land

Living with the Land is a slow-moving boat ride through greenhouses to teach you about farming. It is not overly exciting, but it is a great way to sit down and soak up some air conditioning.

The Seas with Nemo & Friends

The Seas with Nemo & Friends is a slow-moving, indoor ride in a “clamobile.” Let your imagination go wild as the ride takes you through scenes from Finding Nemo. You also pass by real aquariums. This ride is perfect for toddlers.

Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth is a slow-moving, indoor ride through Epcot’s iconic globe. The ride takes you through man’s progress from caveman to modern (and I use that term loosely) technology. This ride is slated for refurbishment, but it is open as of the time of this writing. The line for these Disney rides for toddlers can get long but is generally pretty reasonable.

Hollywood Studios Disney Rides for Toddlers

Hollywood Studios is pretty heavy in rides for taller people. There are a few things to see and do, but you might want to combine this park with another one on the same day.

TIP: If you are planning to stay onsite at Disney be sure to read this. This is how you can stay onsite at any of the Disney properties for 50% off the listed price.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a slow-moving, indoor ride through Mickey and Minnie’s adventure. The journey is brand new, so everything is updated.

Toy Story Mania!

Toy Story Mania! is a fun ride where you compete with other people in your vehicle to get the highest score on several carnivals, like games on screens. The cars move and spin quickly between screens, but it should be easy for toddlers to tolerate.

Closing Thoughts

Disney World is the perfect theme park destination for families with toddlers. The whole family can enjoy quite many few Disney rides for toddlers together. The characters, parades, and fireworks more than make up for the few rides toddlers can not ride. Be sure to make a touring plan before you arrive to minimize waiting. Visit Disney World with your toddlers – you will not regret it.

About the Author: Adriane

Adriane is a blogger with Put on Your Party Pants and Keep Them on Until 8 pm. She writes about ways to plan and save on family travel. She aims to “help others spend as little as possible while maximizing their experiences.”

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