Best Disney World Rides for Toddlers, Babies & Small Kids

Unfortunately, not all kids are able to ride all the attractions at Walt Disney World due to height restrictions or rides being too scary. That’s why we made this list of the Best Disney World rides for toddlers, babies and small children.

Disney bases ride eligibility on height rather than age. Also, “Any Height” only means a child is allowed to ride; it does not guarantee every toddler will be comfortable with darkness, drops, loud sounds, spinning, 3D or 4D effects, or abrupt movement.

In this post, we rank all the best rides for toddlers at Disney World so that parents know exactly which attractions are best-suited for their children. After all, parents are often eager to share the magic with their kids that their parents shared with them, and they can’t wait to experience Disney World through their young eyes.

There’s no denying Walt Disney World is a paradise for kids, with dozens of cool rides to enjoy. However, some parents debate whether it’s too soon to bring their kids or if they should wait until they are older.

In our opinion, it’s never too soon to start making those magical memories with your family, no matter how young your kids are. It doesn’t matter if you have babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers, or young kids, you will definitely find rides they will enjoy.

You’ll find our list of the best rides for toddlers is much different than our list of the overall best rides at Disney World. That list of course is slanted towards rides that older children and parents will appreciate more and can actually ride.

However, just because the rides in this post are for small children, it doesn’t mean adults can’t enjoy them too, especially when you see the joy on your child’s face as they experience them for the first time!

Lastly, we’ll share the list of rides that are not good for toddlers and how you can use the Rider Switch service to avoid waiting in long lines if you and your significant other still want to go on them.

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Walt Disney World Attractions for Toddlers Overview

Before we get into the specific rankings, let’s go over some general info about attractions for toddlers at Walt Disney World.

Is Disney World Good for a 1-Year-Old? 2-Year-Old? 3-Year-Old?

Most parents wonder if their children are too young to go to Disney World. Is it even feasible to bring a baby such as a 1-year-old or a 2-year-old on a Disney Vacation?

Thankfully, it’s totally possible and can be quite enjoyable for both parents and toddlers. No matter how old your children are, there is something for them to do. In fact, you will start getting them used to theme parks and rides in general, which will make future trips even more fun.

My parents started bringing me to Walt Disney World when I was 18 months old and brought me every year after. The first trip took some getting used to, but we’ve since enjoyed so many incredible memories together and continue going together to this day.

Of course, you won’t be bringing toddlers on rides that have a lot of thrills or are scary for small children, but the majority of rides at Walt Disney World are perfectly adapted for babies and toddlers. Most have no height restrictions, which means parents and children of any height can ride together.

Still, an attraction’s darkness, noise, motion, drops, or special effects may make it a poor fit for a particular child even when the posted requirement says “Any Height.”

Which Disney Park has the Best Rides for Toddlers?

By far the best park at Walt Disney World for toddlers is the Magic Kingdom. It has more toddler-friendly rides and attractions than any other Disney World park, giving you a wide variety of choices that you most likely will not be able to do in one day.

EPCOT and the Animal Kingdom both have a decent amount of rides for babies and small kids. The worst park for toddlers is Hollywood Studios as most of its best rides are specifically made for teens or adults and have a lot of thrills.

Height Requirements

How do you know which rides your kids can go on? Some attractions have height requirements, so if a guest is under the specified height for that attraction, they will not be allowed entrance. This is for the safety of your children as rides are made with certain specifications, and kids that are too small would not be safe if they don’t meet those standards.

Children close to a cutoff may be measured more than once, so do not count on a borderline measurement.

To make things easy, read the full list of Disney World Ride Height Requirements so you know ahead of time which attractions your kids can go on and which ones they have to skip.

Best Rides at Disney World for Toddlers Ranked

There are so many rides at Disney World for toddlers that we made a list of all the best ones so you know which ones to bring them on and which ones to skip. We broke down these rides by park and put them in order from best to worst.

It doesn’t matter if you are going to the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, or the Animal Kingdom, we’ve got you covered here!

While most of these attractions would be much lower if aimed at adults, we ranked them through the eyes of a child, taking into consideration which ones would be the most fun for them. We also weighed ride length, theming, and overall popularity.

Most of the attractions we ranked have no height restriction, while a smaller group has a low minimum height requirement. Always check the current requirement and measure your child before the trip rather than relying on age alone.

Magic Kingdom Rides for Toddlers

If you have small kids or toddlers, Magic Kingdom park is the best place to go in Disney World. Of all the theme parks, this one is the most kid-friendly and has dozens of rides that both toddlers and parents or grandparents can ride together.

Here is a list of the Top 10 attractions for toddlers at Magic Kingdom Park:

1. “it’s a small world”
2. Peter Pan’s Flight
3. Dumbo the Flying Elephant
4. Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
5. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
6. Jungle Cruise
7. Pirates of the Caribbean
8. Mad Tea Party
9. Tomorrowland Speedway
10. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Below we break down all 27 attractions at the Magic Kingdom that children from 1-4 years old are able to ride. A couple have low height restrictions and others might be slightly boring or scary depending on your kids. We’ll explain them all to you in order so you know which ones are best for your children.

1. “it’s a small world”

Location – Fantasyland
Height Requirement – Any Height

“it’s a small world” definitely won’t find its way on many lists of the best rides for adults, but kids absolutely love it. It’s a slow-moving boat ride which is easy for babies, and the long ride time gives everyone a nice break from the Floridan heat.

All the hundreds of animated dolls and colors throughout the ride will mesmerize toddlers, and they will be singing the ride’s theme song the whole time. That’s why it’s one of the best rides for toddlers in any theme park.

2. Peter Pan’s Flight

Location – Fantasyland
Height Requirement – Any Height

Peter Pan’s Flight is one of the most popular rides at Disney World for guests of all age groups, but toddlers absolutely love it. Even if they’ve been on other rides before, they will love the sensation of flying over London and Neverland as they join Peter Pan, Wendy, John, Michael, Captain Hook, and more.

Parents are welcome to hold children on their lap on this ride, just watch out if you have an extra squirmy baby. We recommend a Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection for Peter Pan’s Flight as wait times are some of the longest at the Magic Kingdom.

3. Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Location – Fantasyland
Height Requirement – Any Height

Spinner rides are great for babies and toddlers, and Dumbo is the best of the group at Disney World. In fact, the might be THE quintessential ride for small children. There is something about flying high and going around and around that just calms them and gets them relaxed.

Depending on how scared of heights your child is, you can either go up and down or keep the vehicle at a low height. The indoor play area that is part of the interactive queue will also keep your kids highly entertained and it will keep you sane while you are waiting to ride.

Depending on what other rides you have planned you may want to use a Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection here, especially if you want to ride twice.

4. Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

Location – Fantasyland
Height Requirement – Any Height

Most likely your kids are big fans of The Little Mermaid, and this is a slow-moving re-telling of the classic Disney animated film. The clamshell vehicles hold 3 people each. The music is present throughout the ride which is upbeat and great to sing along to.

There are also a lot of bright characters and sets which will keep your toddler’s attention the whole time. This is one of our favorite Fantasyland attractions to begin with, and your kids will love it too.

5. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Location – Fantasyland
Height Requirement – Any Height

I don’t know if I’ve ever met a toddler that doesn’t love Winnie the Pooh and his furry friends from the Hundred Acre Wood. The honey pot vehicles are great since they hold up to 6 guests each, enough for a few kids.

The interactive queue outside is very hands-on and will keep your child’s attention for the 30 minutes or so it usually takes to get through the line. Once you board the ride, your toddler will like the gentile bouncing up and down and colorful sets. It will quickly become one of your kid’s favorites.

6. Jungle Cruise

Location – Adventureland
Height Requirement – Any Height

The Jungle Cruise is a fantastic attraction for both toddlers and adults alike. This classic Disney ride goes all the way back to opening day at Disneyland and still is a guest favorite. Guests are loaded onto a slow-moving boat ride, deep into the jungle.

There are plenty of animatronic animals like elephants, lions, zebras, hippos, and tigers. Your toddler will find it very stimulating and will have a blast pointing them all out to you. They won’t understand the one-liners and jokes, but that’s why the parents and grandparents will enjoy it.

7. Pirates of the Caribbean

Location – Adventureland
Height Requirement – Any Height

Pirates of the Caribbean is a part of any “best Disney rides” list, including one for babies and small children. If you have a 3 or 4-year-old, they may already be into pirates, in which case this will be their favorite ride at Disney World.

It’s a slow-moving boat ride that is pretty tame and only has one small drop. However, the drop, cannon sounds, dark scenes, skeletons, and pirate imagery can be scary or overwhelming for sensitive toddlers, even though the attraction has no height requirement.

The music is perhaps the best of any ride and will have your child singing along. Don’t forget the shop at the attraction exit, they will love all the pirate gear!

8. Mad Tea Party

Location – Fantasyland
Height Requirement – Any Height

Every toddler loves the teacups or the Mad Tea Party as it is officially known. Depending on how much your child likes to spin, you can whip these things around and around, and even let them spin. Honestly, who doesn’t have memories of riding the teacups as a child? Now you can pass those on to your children too!

9. Tomorrowland Speedway

Location – Tomorrowland
Height Requirement – 32 inches (81cm) to ride; drivers must be at least 54 inches (137cm)

Driving a car around a racetrack is any small child’s dream come true, which is why they will love the Tomorrowland Speedway. They may look fast, but don’t worry, they top out at only 7 mph. Children at least 32 inches tall can ride, but anyone under 54 inches must ride with an eligible driver.

Adults will find the cars to be slow with terrible handling, but children can’t get enough of these things and some of their strongest memories once grown will be taking a lap around the track with mommy or daddy.

10. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Location – Tomorrowland
Height Requirement – Any Height

Blast off into outer space? Check. A video game with laser blasters? Double-check. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin now has refreshed ride vehicles, handheld blasters, updated interactive targets, enhanced gameplay, and a new scene featuring Buddy. Kids will want to help Buzz Lightyear defeat Emperor Zurg and his minions in this Tomorrowland dark ride.

Even if they are too young to understand the game, they will love the Toy Story theming, colorful lights, and laser effects. Sensitive children should know that parts of the ride are dark and visually busy. This ride can sometimes get crowded, so look for a Lightning Lane selection if available later in the day.

11. Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover

Location – Tomorrowland
Height Requirement – Any Height

The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is already one of our top rides at Disney World and it just so happens your toddlers will enjoy it too. Think of it as a small shuttle moving high above Tomorrowland and offering some of the best views at the Magic Kingdom.

If your children are tired, it’s a perfect opportunity to take a break and even a nap as it lasts a good 10 minutes. Sometimes it even gets held up so you may get a few extra minutes for that snooze. The best part is it’s usually a walk-on, so no long wait times here.

12. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

Location – Adventureland
Height Requirement – Any Height

Here is the next spinner ride, and it’s very similar to all the rest. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is located in Adventureland, but there is no big difference between this and Dumbo, and it goes up and down and around the same. If your toddler likes one, they will like them all.

The nice thing about the Magic Carpets is they hold 4 people, so it makes a nice photo-op for the whole family together. Be careful about the water-spitting camel as your child may get slightly wet!

13. Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

Location – Fantasyland
Height Requirement – Any Height

The Prince Charming Regal Carrousel is the oldest attraction in the park and a great ride to bring babies or toddlers on. Small children love the gentle spinning of this ride and the up-and-down bouncing of the horses.

Parents might not love it or get dizzy going around and around, but toddlers will love the upbeat Disney songs and all the colorful horses.

14. Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor

Location – Tomorrowland
Height Requirement – Any Height

This interactive show is hilarious and enjoyed by guests of all ages, including toddlers. Characters from the Monsters Inc. films interact with guests in the audience, trying to make them laugh enough to fill the “Laugh-o-meter.”

It’s a long show so it gives your kids a chance to rest their feet and they will love becoming part of the show!

15. Walt Disney World Railroad

Location – Main Street U.S.A.
Height Requirement – Any Height

Practically all children love trains and they will be thrilled to get on The Walt Disney World Railroad for a spin around the Magic Kingdom. This is a slow-moving ride and a chance for little ones and parents to take a rest before heading off to another part of the park.

Your toddlers will feel like they’ve been transported back to the turn of the century in a real, working, steam-engine train. You can jump on the railroad at one of three locations including Main Street U.S.A., Frontierland, and Fantasyland.

16. Country Bear Musical Jamboree

Location – Frontierland
Height Requirement – Any Height

The Country Bear Musical Jamboree is a classic Disney attraction, and the singing bears are sure to keep your toddler’s attention. Disney introduced the current musical-jamboree version in 2024, making the show much more kid-friendly!

The humor is aimed at adults and the jokes will go right over their heads, but it’s all about the music and cute (or ugly) bears here. Easily one of the best Disney attractions for toddlers.

17. Enchanted Tales with Belle

Location – Fantasyland
Height Requirement – Any Height

Enchanted Tales with Belle is a sort of attraction/character meet hybrid which re-enacts some of the moments from The Beauty and the Beast story with The Wardrobe, Lumiere, and Belle all making appearances.

Some guests are asked to participate in the interactive experience, so your young ones may actually get a role in the attraction. If they are fans of Beauty and the Beast, they are going to love this.

18. Astro Orbiter

Location – Tomorrowland
Height Requirement – Any Height

Astro Orbiter is another spinner ride at the Magic Kingdom, only this time in Tomorrowland. This is the highest of them all, so if your child is afraid of heights you might want to skip this one. Toddlers tend to love the spaceship design of the ride vehicles and will be delighted to “blast off in them.”

You can control your vehicle, choosing to go up or down. For a really cool experience, try riding at night when the whole park is lit up.

19. Casey Jr. Splash ’N’ Soak Station

Location – Fantasyland

Height Requirement – Any Height

Casey Jr. Splash ’N’ Soak Station isn’t a moving ride, but it belongs on this list for the same reason as EPCOT’s Journey of Water: toddlers love interactive water attractions. Kids can run through fountains, spray zones, and circus-themed water features near Dumbo.

This is an especially good break on a hot afternoon, but expect your child to get soaked. Bring a change of clothes or something that dries quickly, and remember that the area may be unavailable during bad weather or cooler conditions.

20. Swiss Family Treehouse

Location – Adventureland
Height Requirement – Any Height

Are there any small children who don’t want to live in a treehouse? Your little ones will love to explore this attraction and dream about what it’s like to live there. There are a lot of stairs, so make sure to keep them in plain sight and even hold their hand.

21. The Barnstormer

Location – Fantasyland
Height Requirement – 35 inches (89cm)

The Barnstormer is a kid’s roller coaster in Fantasyland. This is the smallest coaster in Walt Disney World and is a good “first coaster” for your young one before moving on to the bigger ones on your next trip.

It does have a 35-inch height requirement, but most children ages 3 or 4 should meet those requirements. It’s also really short and only one minute long, so if they hate it, you won’t have to endure much screaming.

22. Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Location – Fantasyland
Height Requirement – Any Height

When the afternoon rolls around and you are tired out from all the running, Mickey’s PhilharMagic is a great choice to sit and rest up out of the heat. Toddlers will love this 3D show which features characters from some of the most popular Disney animated films like “The Little Mermaid,” “The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Aladdin.”

They will also enjoy the lights and special effects in the animated musical sequences. For sure a top attraction for toddlers.

23. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Location – Adventureland
Height Requirement – Any Height

The Enchanted Tiki Room is one of the only remaining classic attractions that Walt Disney himself hand a hand in creating. Toddlers won’t appreciate this fact, but they will like the dozens of animatronic birds singing throughout the show.

They won’t get the jokes, but there are plenty of cool lighting effects to keep them stimulated, including thunder and lightning, and they will love the music.

24. Main Street Vehicles

Location – Main Street U.S.A.
Height Requirement – Any Height

These old-time cars ride up and down Main Street U.S.A taking guests with them. While not the most exciting ride at the Magic Kingdom, your toddlers will like the look and feel of the cars and it makes a nice start to the day.

25. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Location – Tomorrowland
Height Requirement – Any Height

The Carousel of Progress is one of our favorite all-time Disney World rides and normally has no height requirement. It is currently closed for a major update and is expected to reopen in late spring 2027 with new decades, updated scenes, and a new Audio-Animatronic figure of Walt Disney.

Even with the updated version, there probably won’t be much here to interest most toddlers, and they may end up sleeping during it. At least that gives everyone a chance to recharge and cool down from the heat. Check the operating calendar before your visit if you are traveling before it reopens.

26. The Hall of Presidents

Location – Liberty Square
Height Requirement – Any Height

The Hall of Presidents has no height restrictions so you can bring children of any age here, including babies, however, most small kids will find it pretty boring and not very stimulating. As one of the longest attractions in Disney World at approximately 25 minutes, it may be a great opportunity to give your little one a nap. Don’t be surprised if you end up taking one too!

27. Haunted Mansion

Location – Liberty Square
Height Requirement – Any Height

While technically the Haunted Mansion is ok for toddlers since there is not a height requirement, it might not be for YOUR child. Adults will see this ride as mostly whimsical and funny humor, but small children might be scared of the dark rooms, creepy voices, ghosts, sudden effects, and loud sounds.

You also might find that very young children such as 1-year-olds might not be scared since they don’t really understand what’s going on, but children around age 3 might be terrified. You know your children best so if you think they can handle it, there are no other restrictions stopping them from riding.

EPCOT Rides for Toddlers

Even though people don’t always associate kid’s rides with EPCOT, there are a surprising number of rides here your little ones will enjoy. Disney has slowly been working more characters into the park, and more are on the way in the next few years.

The original mission statement for the park was to educate and entertain families and people of all ages, and while not quite as much as in the past, there are still enough rides that do that today, even for small children.

Here is a list of the Top rides for toddlers at EPCOT:

1. Frozen Ever After
2. The Seas with Nemo & Friends
3. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
4. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
5. Turtle Talk with Crush
6. Journey Into Imagination with Figment
7. SeaBase
8. Journey of Water
9. Spaceship Earth
10. Living with the Land
11. The American Adventure

Let’s look at all the EPCOT rides for small children in more detail:

1. Frozen Ever After

Location – World Showcase (Norway pavilion)
Height Requirement – Any Height

Most toddlers are fans of the Disney animated films in the Frozen franchise and will love riding Frozen Ever After in the Norway pavilion. They will see Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Sven, and more of their favorite characters from the movies, as well as some really cool animatronic figures and lighting effects.

This ride has no height restrictions and you can fit the entire family in one of the boats. The only part that might scare some toddlers is the backward drop, though it isn’t very steep and doesn’t last long.

2. The Seas with Nemo & Friends

Location – World Nature (The Seas)
Height Requirement – Any Height

The Seas with Nemo & Friends is a very similar attraction to Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid and guests ride in an almost identical clam shell ride vehicle. This is a slow-moving dark ride and if your kids are fans of Finding Nemo, they will be enthralled.

There are some cool effects throughout, especially the bubbles scene with Crush and the other turtles. Toddlers will also like the projections of Nemo in the aquarium. Definitely a top ride for small kids at EPCOT.

3. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Location – World Showcase (France pavilion)
Height Requirement – Any Height

Disney has made a strong push to add more attractions for kids in EPCOT, and one of the best examples is Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in the France pavilion. Sure, it’s a direct clone of the same ride that was already in Disneyland Paris, but that won’t matter to most families.

This ride shrinks you down to the size of a rat and puts you in the middle of a crazy adventure with Remy and his friends. The attraction now uses a 2D presentation without 3D glasses, but the combination of trackless movement, large screens, abrupt motion, and other sensory effects can still bother children who are sensitive to motion or prone to motion sickness.

Just make sure to get in line early since the wait times here are usually among the longest in EPCOT. Either that or you can use Lightning Lane Multi Pass to skip the line.

4. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros

Location – World Showcase (Mexico pavilion)
Height Requirement – Any Height

Even if your children are not familiar with The Three Caballeros characters, they will like the Gran Fiesta Tour. Slow-moving boat rides are perfect for babies, making this one of your best choices in EPCOT.

The upbeat music will keep them entertained, as well as the bright colors, painted dolls, and video screens with Donald Duck. It also usually has a short wait so no need to stand in long lines.

5. Turtle Talk with Crush

Location – World Nature (The Seas)
Height Requirement – Any Height

This interactive screen-based show is very similar to the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor over at the Magic Kingdom, and toddlers will like it just as much. The special effects here are so good, many adults wonder how they can make the characters talk like that, and kids are just blown away when they see it.

This is a very underrated attraction for small kids and a must-do for fans of Finding Nemo and Finding Dory.

6. Journey Into Imagination with Figment

Location – World Nature (Imagination! pavilion)
Height Requirement – Any Height

Even though we aren’t particularly thrilled with this version of the attraction, it is still one of the most popular with toddlers. Figment is the star of the show and is highly entertaining for kids and adults. I mean, how could you NOT love the friendly, purple dragon?

Young ones will be stimulated with all senses including sight, sound, and even a few bad smells along the way. It’s a slow-moving ride and you can fit 3-4 guests per row, especially if some of them are small. Disney has announced a future Imagination pavilion project, so we’ll have to see what changes come to the ride in the future and if it can move up the list.

7. SeaBase

Location – World Nature (The Seas)
Height Requirement – Any Height

Another underrated stop for toddlers is the SeaBase aquarium. This is essentially the unload area after The Seas with Nemo & Friends and is perfect to explore after that ride is done. You’ll find yourself in one of the largest salt-water aquariums in the world, with dozens of species of fish, turtles, dolphins, manatees, and even sharks living here.

Take your young ones around to each tank to explore and see what they can find. A great attraction for toddlers and you can easily spend 30 minutes here.

8. Journey of Water

Location – World Nature
Height Requirement – Any Height

Journey of Water is one of EPCOT’s newer additions and is an interactive walkthrough experience which lets guests play with various water features throughout the attraction inspired by Moana. It is full of gardens, water falls, fountains and and musical elements drawn from classic EPCOT attractions that are educational as well.

The whole thing is centered around the water cycle and during each cycle there are interactive sections explaining the process. Even though this isn’t a moving ride it’s a lot of fun and your small children will absolutely love it.

9. Spaceship Earth

Location – World Celebration
Height Requirement – Any Height

Spaceship Earth is one of the best rides in Disney World, and it is also accessible to babies and small children. It’s a slow-moving dark ride that takes you inside the giant spheric dome of Spaceship Earth with a look at the history of human communication.

While there is no height requirement, toddlers will likely find this ride boring as there are not a lot of bright lights or stimulation for them. The ride is also pretty dark, and some little ones might find it a little scary. Disney has announced a future Spaceship Earth update, but the attraction remains open unless Disney’s operating calendar says otherwise.

10. Living with the Land

Location – World Nature (The Land)
Height Requirement – Any Height

Another slow-moving boat ride which in theory is good for toddlers. Like some of the other rides though, it’s not the most interesting ride for them. If they stay awake until they get to the greenhouse, they may enjoy looking at all the plants with fruits and vegetables growing on them, but they won’t really understand what the narration is explaining.

11. The American Adventure

Location – World Showcase (American Adventure pavilion)
Height Requirement – Any Height

The American Adventure is one of Disney Imagineering’s finest achievements, and small children are welcome in this theater show attraction. There are multiple elaborate scenes featuring audio-animatronics, but nothing too interesting for small kids. They won’t follow the overall, but it does serve as a great napping opportunity for them and a break for parents.

Hollywood Studios Rides for Toddlers

There are many fewer rides for toddlers at Hollywood Studios, in fact, it’s the worst park for children ages 1-4. That being said, there are still some rides they will enjoy and we don’t recommend skipping the park entirely unless you are really strapped for time.

Here is a list of the Top rides for toddlers and small kids at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

1. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
2. Toy Story Mania!
3. Alien Swirling Saucers
4. Vacation Fun (Mickey Shorts Theater)
5. Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!
6. The Magic of Disney Animation

Let’s look at each one in more detail…

1. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Location – Chinese Theater
Height Requirement – Any Height

This is the best actual ride for toddlers in the entire park. Mickey and Minnie are classic Disney characters that almost all children absolutely adore and they will love following them on this crazy picnic ride.

The trackless ride vehicles are amazing and provide a lot of movement and fun for everyone. They will have a ball in the dance room with Daisy Duck! This ride is extremely stimulating and interesting for toddlers with tons of bright lights and special effects coming from the projection mapping technology.

However, the vehicles can move abruptly, and the dark scenes, loud sounds, and busy visuals may overwhelm sensitive children. For most kids, it is still a must-ride.

2. Toy Story Mania!

Location – Toy Story Land
Height Requirement – Any Height

Kids love Toy Story Mania!, the super-popular ride/video game hybrid. The idea is to shoot the Toy Story-themed targets with your canon blaster as they fly by, all the while accumulating a score.

Depending on how old your children are, they may or may not understand the game, but we’ve seen kids as small as 3 or 4 playing along just fine. Babies are allowed to ride, but very young children may not understand the game, and the vehicle’s quick turns and jerky movement may surprise them. Even so, many will find the moving vehicles and all the objects flying by extremely interesting.

3. Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!

Location – Animation Courtyard

Height Requirement – Any Height

Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! is one of the best additions Hollywood Studios has made for preschoolers. The live stage show features Mickey Mouse and other familiar Disney Jr. characters, with music, dancing, and plenty of opportunities for small children to participate from the audience.

Since it has no height requirement and is designed specifically for young children, this should be one of the strongest toddler attractions in the park. It also gives families a welcome indoor break from the heat.

4. Alien Swirling Saucers

Location – Toy Story Land
Height Requirement – 32 inches (81cm)

Alien Swirling Saucers is a classic spinning ride and popular with young children. It does have a height requirement of 32 inches, but many kids between 2-4 years old meet this requirement. Up to 3 guests can ride at a time.

It’s one of the only true kid’s rides at Hollywood Studios and will likely be a hit with your little ones.

5. Vacation Fun (Mickey Shorts Theater)

Location – Echo Lake
Height Requirement – Any Height

Most young children like animation, and they may already be fans of the Mickey animated shorts. They will like this theater show, which has animated shorts of Mickey and Minnie reminiscing about some of their favorite vacation moments together. Vacation Fun sometimes is temporarily closed, so check the operating calendar before your visit.

6. The Magic of Disney Animation

Location – Animation Courtyard

Height Requirement – Any Height

The Magic of Disney Animation is scheduled to open on September 14, 2026 as a collection of animation-inspired experiences rather than one traditional ride. Families will be able to explore interactive areas, meet characters, watch animation-themed presentations, and participate in drawing activities.

The biggest draw for families with babies and toddlers should be Drawn to Wonderland, a play area designed especially for children approximately 6 months to 5 years old. It looks like an excellent fit for this list, but we want to see how the full experience operates before moving it too high in the rankings. Verify that it opened as scheduled before publishing.

Animal Kingdom Rides for Toddlers

As you might expect, a Disney park with animals as its main theme is a good choice for toddlers and there is plenty for little ones to do at the Animal Kingdom. Again, not nearly as much as the Magic Kingdom, but if they like animals they will love this place!

Here is a list of the Top rides for toddlers at Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

1. Kilimanjaro Safaris
2. Na’vi River Journey
3. Zootopia: Better Zoogether
4. Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
5. Maharajah Jungle Trek
6. Wildlife Express Train/Rafiki’s Planet Watch
7. Festival of the Lion King

1. Kilimanjaro Safaris

Location – Africa
Height Requirement – Any Height

Kilimanjaro Safaris is any kid’s dream and one of the all-around best rides in Walt Disney World. This is as close to a real safari as you can get outside Africa and they will be mesmerized by the dozens of animals along the journey.

Some of the animals they will see are giraffes, elephants, lions, rhinos, hippos, and crocodiles. They are guaranteed to have a smile on their face the entire time, especially if some of the animals come over for a close-up. Of all the rides for toddlers at Disney World, this might be the best one of all.

2. Na’vi River Journey

Location – Pandora The World of Avatar
Height Requirement – Any Height

Like most boat rides in Walt Disney World, the Na’vi River Journey in Pandora: The World of Avatar is a great ride for toddlers and little children. The boat ride itself is slow and relaxing, and your kids will be mesmerized by the bioluminescent forest and the thousands of colored lights in every direction.

The ride’s soundtrack is calm and soothing, great for relaxing your little ones. The boat has room for 6 guests, so you can squeeze in the whole family. The incredibly life-like animatronic figure at the end will impress all the adults in the group.

3. Zootopia: Better Zoogether

Location – Discovery Island
Height Requirement – Any Height

This is the perfect attraction for toddlers since it features beloved characters from the Disney Animated film Zootopia. This new show replaced the former It’s Tough to Be a Bug film which was focused on Pixar’s film A Bug’s Life.

This new 4D show is found inside the Tree of Life Theater. Families with small kids tend to enjoy it, but the 4D effects, loud sounds, darkness, and other sensory moments may be too intense for some toddlers.

4. Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail

Location – Africa
Height Requirement – Any Height

This is one of the two wildlife walking trails at the Animal Kingdom and can be done at your own pace. There are many animals found here such as zebras, hippos, monkeys, and birds, but of course, the real stars of the show are the gorillas.

Your kids will love getting up close to the gorillas who often are found right on the other side of the glass. This is nice to do right after Kilimanjaro Safaris since it’s right next door.

5. Maharajah Jungle Trek

Location – Asia
Height Requirement – Any Height

The other wildlife walking trail is the Maharajah Jungle Trek. Again there are many different species of animals to be found here like lizards, bats, and of course tigers. Guests of all ages will find these magnificent creatures fascinating. Go during feeding before lunchtime when the animals are most active.

6. Bluey’s Wild World

Location – Rafiki’s Planet Watch / Conservation Station

Height Requirement – Any Height

Bluey’s Wild World is a new family experience at Conservation Station inspired by Bluey and her family. It gives young children another strong reason to take the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, with playful activities designed around imagination, movement, and family participation.

The experience is an especially natural fit for preschoolers who already love Bluey. Check the daily schedule and operating details before your visit since this is an entertainment experience rather than a continuously operating ride.

7. Wildlife Express Train/Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Location – Africa
Height Requirement – Any Height

Another great ride for toddlers is the Wildlife Express Train, which brings you to Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Conservation Station. The train and Conservation Station remain open, and this area offers several experiences that are especially well suited to small children.

Jumping Junction has replaced the former Affection Section as the animal-interaction area. Kids can also learn more about animal care and conservation inside Conservation Station. Together, the train ride and activities make this one of Animal Kingdom’s strongest toddler stops.

8. Festival of the Lion King

Location – Africa
Height Requirement – Any Height

When you’ve had enough walking around and need a break, bring your kids to the Festival of the Lion King show. This is a creative re-telling of The Lion King with amazing set pieces, costumes, music, and acrobats on display.

Your toddlers will be amazed, and so will you.

Toddler Rides are also Good for Grandparents

The only thing more magical than bringing your children to Walt Disney World is also bringing their grandparents. The smiles on everyone’s faces as multiple generations spend time together in the most magical place on Earth are priceless.

Thankfully, pretty much all of the best rides for toddlers at Disney World are also great for grandparents. Many grandparents no longer enjoy the fast thrill rides and prefer to take it slow on a nice leisurely boat ride or dark ride.

We highly encourage you to organize a trip with the whole family, including the grandparents. They will have a ball with the grandkids, and even if they aren’t traditional “ride people” they can easily handle most of the rides we covered in this guide. However, “Any Height” attractions can still include stairs, spinning, abrupt movement, darkness, long periods of standing, or sensory effects, so consider each person’s mobility and comfort level.

Little children also tend to get into mischief, and grandparents are also great at chasing them down and helping keep them under control, especially if you have multiple kids. Trust us, the more hands on deck, the easier the trip will be.

Tips for Doing Disney with Toddlers

Here are a few more helpful tips that will help you to navigate a Disney Vacation with toddlers and small kids:

Nap Time: While it may be tempting to go “all-out” in the parks, every day of your trip, your children might not be able to handle that fast pace. You know them best, and if they are the kind that need some downtime, we suggest scheduling some nap time in the afternoon.

Be Selective with Rides: You also know how much excitement your children can take and how adventurous they are. Encourage them to try new things, but don’t force them to go on a ride they are scared of, or they may be traumatized and not be keen on coming back to Disney World anytime soon. Height determines whether a child may ride, but emotional and sensory readiness determines whether they are likely to enjoy it.

Watch a Ride Video First: If you are unsure how your child will react to darkness, drops, loud sounds, characters, or screen-based motion, watch a full ride-through video together before your trip.

Use Early Theme Park Entry: Guests staying at eligible Disney Resort hotels and select other hotels can enter a park early on qualifying days. That quieter window can help families complete a popular toddler attraction before waits build.

Spend More Time at the Magic Kingdom: By far the best park for toddlers is the Magic Kingdom and if you have small children you should allocate a good portion of your trip going there. We suggest spending two full days at the Magic Kingdom in order to do all the rides and not have to rush through which would be very stressful and not realistic with toddlers.

Use Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Depending on the park you are visiting, we think Lightning Lane Multi Pass can be a valuable time-saving service at Disney World, but even more so if you have small children. It gives you access to shorter Lightning Lane queues at selected attractions, which can reduce the amount of time toddlers spend waiting.

Prices vary by person, park, and date, and Disney displays current prices in the My Disney Experience app. Eligible Disney Resort hotel guests and guests at certain other qualifying hotels can generally purchase and make selections 7 days before the first day of their stay, while most other guests can do so 3 days before their visit. Use your selections on toddler-friendly attractions with the longest expected waits. If adults also plan to ride major thrill attractions, compare those priorities before making your choices.

We go over more tips in our Guide Lightning Lanes at Disney World.

Kids Under 3 Get in for Free: One nice benefit of going to Walt Disney World with babies or toddlers is that children under 3 years old get into the parks for free. That means there is no ticket to buy for them. If you are undecided about when to go, going right before they turn three might be a way to save some serious money.

Count the Cost: Disney World is an expensive place to visit, especially if you have a big family. We wrote a post answering the question “How much does it cost to go to Disney World?” which includes a breakdown of all the costs associated with the trip. We also have a guide to the cheapest times to visit Disney World which will help you save money by choosing the right dates.

List of Rides that are NOT Good for Babies and Toddlers

While there are dozens of rides at Walt Disney World that are perfectly fine for toddlers, many thrill rides have minimum heights that rule out babies and smaller toddlers. Other children may technically meet a requirement but still find the speed, drops, darkness, or intensity overwhelming.

Magic Kingdom

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad — 38 inches (97cm). Its requirement dropped from 40 to 38 inches, but it is still significantly more intense than The Barnstormer.
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train — 38 inches (97cm)
• Space Mountain — 44 inches (112cm)
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — 40 inches (102cm)
• TRON Lightcycle Run — 48 inches (122cm)

EPCOT

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — 42 inches (107cm)
• Mission: SPACE — 40 inches (102cm)
• Soarin’ Across America — 40 inches (102cm)
• Test Track — 40 inches (102cm)

Hollywood Studios

• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run — 38 inches (97cm)
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance — 40 inches (102cm)
• Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets — 48 inches (122cm)
• Slinky Dog Dash — 38 inches (97cm)
• Star Tours: The Adventures Continue — 40 inches (102cm)
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror — 40 inches (102cm)

Animal Kingdom

• Avatar Flight of Passage — 44 inches (112cm)
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain — 44 inches (112cm)
• Kali River Rapids — 38 inches (97cm)

Even though some of your children might not be able to go on these more adult rides, that doesn’t mean you can’t go on them. How can multiple members of your group go on these rides without everyone having to wait in line?

Enter the Rider Switch service…

While there are dozens of rides at Walt Disney World that are perfectly fine for toddlers, there are a lot of them that they can’t go on. These rides are made for bigger kids and adults and have a height restriction that will not permit most toddlers from riding.

Using Disney World Rider Switch Service

One of the biggest problems parents with toddlers run into at Disney World is both parents not being able to ride one of the bigger E-Ticket attractions because someone has to stay behind and watch the child who is not riding.

This is an even bigger problem if the wait time for the attraction is one hour or more. Thankfully, Rider Switch allows eligible guests to take turns without requiring the waiting group to stand in the regular queue a second time.

Here’s the general Rider Switch process at Disney World:

1. Bring the entire party to the attraction entrance and tell the Cast Member that you want to use Rider Switch.
2. Divide into a riding group and a waiting group. The first group rides while a responsible guest waits with the non-rider.
3. After the first group returns, the eligible waiting guest or guests use Rider Switch rather than joining the standard queue.
4. Follow the Cast Member’s instructions for validation, where to enter, and how many guests may return with the waiting adult. Procedures and party-size limits can vary by attraction and may change.

It’s a great system and can save your family serious time. Always have the whole group present at the attraction entrance and confirm the current procedure with the Cast Member before anyone enters the queue.

New Attractions Coming to Disney World

Disney has several new and upcoming attractions that families with babies and toddlers should know about. Some look like excellent fits for small children, while others will likely be too intense or may have a height requirement.

New and Newly Updated Attractions

• Zootopia: Better Zoogether! and Bluey’s Wild World are now open at Animal Kingdom. Both can appeal to small children, though the 4D and sensory effects in Zootopia may be too intense for some toddlers.
• Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! is now open at Hollywood Studios and is one of the park’s best experiences specifically aimed at preschoolers.
• The Magic of Disney Animation is scheduled to open at Hollywood Studios on September 14, 2026. Its collection of experiences includes Drawn to Wonderland, a play space designed especially for children approximately 6 months to 5 years old. It looks very toddler-friendly, but we want to see how the full experience operates before ranking it too high.
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has reopened with updated vehicles, handheld blasters, new targets, enhanced gameplay, and a new Buddy scene. It still has no height requirement.

Animal Kingdom: Pueblo Esperanza

Pueblo Esperanza, the new Tropical Americas land replacing DinoLand U.S.A., is expected to open in 2027, though Disney may open its components in phases.

• Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto: Disney has confirmed no height requirement, making this a strong future option for toddlers and small children.
• El Carrusel de los Animalitos: This animal carousel looks like another excellent family and toddler attraction, though final operating details are still pending.
• Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent: Disney has not announced its height requirement or exact opening date. Until we know more about the ride system and intensity, do not assume it will be suitable for toddlers.

Magic Kingdom: Piston Peak and Villains Land

• Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along: This Cars-themed spinning attraction is the strongest likely toddler candidate announced for Piston Peak, but Disney has not released a height requirement.
• Cars Ridge Run Rally: This appears to be the more adventurous Piston Peak attraction. Its height requirement and exact intensity are not yet known, so families should not count on it for toddlers.
• Magic Mirror Realm: This Villains-themed attraction may be the more family-friendly ride in the new land, but Disney has not confirmed its ride system, height requirement, or opening date.
• Maleficent coaster: This is being designed as a major thrill ride and definitely will not be appropriate for babies or toddlers.

Disney has not announced a confirmed opening date for Piston Peak or Villains Land.

Hollywood Studios: Monstropolis

Parts of Monstropolis are expected to open in 2027 while work continues on the Doors coaster.

• Welcome to Monstropolis at the Glob Theater: This show with Mike and Sulley looks like the best toddler-friendly attraction in the new land.
• Doors coaster: Do not expect this coaster to open with the rest of the land in 2027. It will likely be aimed at thrill riders rather than babies and toddlers, and Disney has not announced its height requirement.

EPCOT Future Projects

Disney has announced future projects for Spaceship Earth and the Imagination pavilion. Both current attractions remain open unless Disney publishes a closure, and no replacement height requirements or full operating timelines have been announced.

For a more detailed look at more Disney attractions in the next few years, read our post on the Best New Rides Coming to Disney World.

FAQs

That wraps up our list of the best rides at Walt Disney World for toddlers. We hope you found some fun attractions you think your kids will like, and we are sure they will have a blast.

Going to Disney World with babies or 2 and 3-year-olds can be a challenge for sure, but if done right, it can create lasting memories you will cherish for a lifetime and prepare them for future visits.

If you are looking for more info on Disney World attractions, read these articles for more info:

• Best Disney World Rides Ranked
• Magic Kingdom Rides & Attractions Guide
• EPCOT Rides & Attractions Guide
• Hollywood Studios Rides & Attractions Guide
• Animal Kingdom Rides & Attractions Guide
• Best Disney World Roller Coasters Ranked

Don’t forget to check out our Disney World Vacation Planning Guide which covers everything you need to know before planning your trip. Our Disney World Crowd Calendar is also useful for finding the least crowded dates to visit.

Your Thoughts

I want to know what you think about our list of the best rides at Disney World for toddlers and babies…

• What is your favorite ride for toddlers?
• What is your Top 10 list?

Let us know in the comments section below!

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