Best Disney Attractions for Kids

Disney World may just be the best vacation destination for kids – period. After all, it’s home to 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, hotel resorts with fun themes, gigantic pools, sporting activities, and amazing dining options including Disney character meals, buffets, and mouthwatering foods of every kind. From the perspective of a kid, what’s not to like?!  But while most things at Disney are geared toward kids, there are still elements of the park which are more suited to adults and teens. Let’s review the best Disney attractions for kids in order to pinpoint the top rides and activities for toddlers, preschoolers, and younger children up to – say – age 10 or so. Whether you’re a parent bringing your children, or a grandparent bringing the grandkids, we’ve got all the information you need. As you go through this list, remember that even the most kid-friendly rides might have one or two brief moments that might be a little frightening for children, so make sure you do plenty of research if you have an especially timid youngster.

Magic Kingdom – Best Disney Attractions for Kids

Magic Kingdom is Disney World’s oldest and most iconic theme park. It may very well be the most exciting place for kids in all of Disney.

Centered around the majestic Cinderella Castle, Magic Kingdom is home to 6 lands (sections) with dozens of exciting rides, activities, dining locations, and more! Despite its relatively small size, there is so much to explore in this theme park that you really need several days here to take it all in.

Why not start by hopping aboard the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and chugging through a diamond mine, blast off on the Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, or fly over Storybook Circus on the classic Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction. Kids also love the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade, a fantastical procession of music, and dance around Fantasyland featuring all your kid’s favorite Disney characters. Young girls especially love Meet Cinderella and Elena at Princess Fairytale Hall where they have an opportunity to get up close and personal and take photos with these iconic female Disney characters.

Magic Kingdom is filled with fun attractions, lively entertainment, and mouth-watering dining to delight the young ones.  Here is a list of Magic Kingdom attractions that are suitable for preschoolers and kids of all ages.

Magic Kingdom Rides for Kids

Epcot – Best Disney Attractions for Kids

Epcot is the perfect theme park to discover new things and immerse yourself in new cultures. But the park is also brimming with exciting and memorable attractions and rides, aquatic wonders,  and plenty of food, entertainment, and Disney characters to keep everyone in your family very satisfied. Epcot is the perfect mix between fun and educational for toddlers, preschoolers, and kids of all ages.

Disney opened its Future World section of Epcot in order to showcase modern innovation. There is a myriad of “edutainment” attractions for children (and adults) of all ages. Epcot’s other section – World Showcase – endeavors to promote cultural awareness and unity through its world nations’ exposition of 11 different countries. Here you can explore each country and immerse your little ones in plenty of fun and enriching activities. As an added bonus, the restaurants located in World Showcase are some of Disney’s best! 

In Epcot, kids can help find Nemo in The Seas with Nemo & Friends attraction or spend some quality time with Turtle Talk With Crush. The Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot allows kids to get close and personal with Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy and experience magical interactions with Belle, Jasmine, Snow White, Anna & Elsa, and Disney friends. Kids also love the charm, diversity, and amazing cuisine of the 11 countries of World Showcase, where they can make their own craft and souvenirs at one of the Kidcot Fun Stops locations. Additionally, kids can experience the fun, adventure, and music of Frozen Ever After.

Here is a list of the best Epcot attractions which are suitable for preschoolers and kids of all ages.

Epcot Rides for Kids

Animal Kingdom – Best Disney Attractions for Kids

As one of the largest zoological parks in the world, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a fascinating experience for kids of all ages. Here you can see exotic animals as they roam freely and learn all about wildlife and nature. Like Epcot, Animal Kingdom isn’t just about education. The park has plenty of action-packed thrill rides and fun activities for the kids. Plus, there are interesting (and not so interesting) dining options that kids will love.

Some of the Animal Kingdom attractions kids will especially enjoy include Kilimanjaro Safaris, an open-air tram ride traversing through the park’s wildlife reserve. See zebras, lions, hippos, elephants as they graze and roam in the “desert.” Join Russell and Dug as they host the live stage show, UP! A Great Bird Adventure. Head to Donald’s Dino-Bash to see all your favorite Disney characters like Pluto, Goofy, Daisy, Launchpad McQuack, and Chip ‘n Dale as they help Donald Duck make the prehistoric party a lively event. Experience the puppetry and comedy of Finding Nemo – The Musical starring Nemo, Dory, and Crush. Catch the Broadway-style musical Festival of the Lion King, or seek out thrills on the kid-friendly TriceraTop Spin. And of course, you don’t want to miss the new Pandora – The World of Avatar land and its popular  Na’vi River Journey through a bioluminescent rainforest. The educational opportunities and thrills abound at Animal Kingdom.

Here is a list of Animal Kingdom attractions that are suitable for preschoolers, toddlers, and kids of all ages.

Animal Kingdom Rides for Kids

Hollywood Studios – Best Disney Attractions for Kids

With the recent opening of Toy Story Land, now there is more reason than ever to bring the kids to Hollywood Studios!

Andy’s world comes to life with a host of amazing attractions, including the Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster, Alien Swirling Saucers, and the interactive carnival game attraction of Toy Story Mania! Kids will surely love to join Buzz, Woody, and the rest of the gang in this brand new area of the park.

Bring your little one to Disney Junior – Live on Stage!  where they have a chance to dance and sing.  Head to the Meet Disney Junior Pals in the Animation Courtyard to get autographs from Captain Jake and Doc McStuffins, or meet Anna and Elsa at For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration. Kids ages 4 to 12 can participate in Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple and learn the ways of the Force taught by Jedi Masters. Between the shows, attractions, and mouth-watering restaurants, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has plenty of fun in store for the kids.

(see our Best Hollywood Studios Attractions page for more recommendations)

Hollywood Studios Rides for Kids

Our favorite Disney YouTube channel has also released a video showing some of their favorite picks for kids rides at Disney.  Check it out below to not only learn about the rides but see what they’re like!  It’s a great way to get excited when you’re planning your trip.

Thanks for Reading!

Hopefully, this list of best Disney attractions for kids gets you started on your daily itinerary! There are even more Disney attractions for kids at the shopping and entertainment district known as Disney Springs, as well as the two water parks – Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Please see our Disney Crowd Calendar, Disney Dining Plan Calculator, Best Disney Youtube Channels, and Disney Travel Agents pages for more insightful information.

If you need assistance booking your Disney World vacation, then please request a free quote from our friends at TheVacationeer. Have a magical trip!