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So you want to bring your toddler to Disney World?
All the power and patience to you! This will be a trip of a lifetime. These are going to be some of the first memories your toddler will have. It will be even more special because it will be in the magical setting of Disney.
You may be intimidated or over whelmed with all the options for entertainment. There is ALOT to do inside Walt Disney World and there is no way you can do everything in 1 trip. Don’t fear, I have made you a comprehensive guide to all things toddler friendly in Disney.
(these are my kiddos, Walt & Daisy. They helped me create this guide after many MANY trips to Disney.)I was inspired to write this guide because a fellow Disney mom from the west coast email me recently. She told me the story of her son who is battling an illness. Through the incredible foundation, Make-a-Wish, this family was going to get a trip of a lifetime to Walt Disney World. This momma was overwhelmed and asked me what she could do with her toddler inside each park. She was so sweet and ready for adventure.
I want to share this toddler guide to Walt Disney World with YOU and every mom who is looking to have the most fun with kiddos who are 5, visiting Disney World.
As you will see there are a few attractions/shows that I will deem as a “CAN’T MISS”
These are the top things to see and do. You won’t want to skip them!
There are 4 parks (not including the water parks and the outdoor mall Disney Springs) in the entire Walt Disney World Resort. I am only going to mention the top toddler fun attractions. There is obviously SO MUCH MORE to do in each of these parks and areas. Let’s start with the most popular…
Magic Kingdom
This is the most popular and biggest park. This park has the classic Cinderella Castle down main street.
Top Toddler Fun divided by park area:
TOWN SQUARE MAIN STREET area
-Ride the Railroad to get from the back to front or front to back of the park.
-Meet Tinkerbell & Mickey Mouse inside the Town Square Theater by the entrance
TOMORROWLAND area
-Monsters Inc Laugh Floor (silly indoor comedy show)
-Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin (laser shooting game for any height)
THIS IS A CAN’T MISS-Astro Orbiter (gentle rocket ride that gives you a really high up. It’s a birds eye view of the park! any height can ride)
-Tomorrowland Speedway (loud cars that you drive on a track. Must be 32in or more)
FANTASYLAND area
-Mad Tea Party (spinning tea cups for any height)
-Dumbo the flying elephant
-Casey Jr Splash pad (if you don’t mind your kid getting wet and have extra clothes)
-The Barnstormer (mini rollercoaster goofy themed, must be 35in)
-Meet Minnie, Donald or Daisy dressed as Circus stars in Pete’s Silly Sideshow tent
-Under the Sea Ariel Mermaid Ride (indoor little mermaid ride, any height)
THIS IS A CAN’T MISS-Enchanted Tales with Belle (Interactive story telling of Beauty & the Beast, you also meet Belle.)
-Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (thrilling roller coaster, Snow white themed, must be 38in)*This is the most popular ride in the park. Definitely try 30 days in advance to get a fastpass ticket on the myDisneyexperience app.
-Winnie the Pooh ride (any height)
-Prince Charming horse Carrousel (lighting and colors make for some beautiful pictures while riding!)
-Mickey’s PhilharMagic (indoor 4D w 3D glasses cartoon theater show featuring classic disney movie songs.)
-Peter Pan Ride *This is the second most popular ride. Definitely try 30 days in advance to get a fastpass ticket on the myDisneyexperience app.
-It’s a Small World
-The Magic Carpets of Aladdin (same concept as the dumbo ride, but you are on a “magic carpet”, any height.)
ADVENTURELAND area
-Jungle Cruise (this is a slow boat ride narrated by captains telling funny corny jokes.)
-Tiki Room (This is an animatronic bird show. You sit and the birds sing and move. It’s old and indoors but little ones like it.)
-Pirates of the Caribbean (Some little ones might be scared by the skeletons, dark rooms and a small drop. no height restriction.)
FRONTIERLAND area
-Thunder Mountain & Splash Mountain are thrilling rides where you must be 40inches. These are usually a 5yr and up kinda rides. But each parent judges for themselves. 🙂
Top Family Fun:
-5pm Flag Lowering and Veteran Honoring at the entrance. (It’s a beautiful ceremony and fun to watch.)
THIS IS A CAN’T MISS-Happily Ever After Fireworks show (check what time it starts 9p or 930p. You want to be close up to the castle or on mainstream because they project images on the character. This show is INCREDIBLE. It is my favorite thing in Disney.)
-3pm Festival of Fantasy Parade
-Move it Dance Street Party (This is a mini parade that they do 3 times a day. Usually 11, 12:30 & 5:45p)
-Royal Friendship Show on stage in front of the castle (plays 5 times a day. Really cute and features a lot of charters including Mickey!)
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Hollywood Studios Park
This park has the big up and coming things. Toy Story Land (summer of 2018) and Star Wars Land (2019). It is a smaller park.
Top Toddler Fun divided by park area:
SUNSET BLVD area
-Beauty & the Beast Broadway Show (outdoor covered theater)
ANIMATION COURTYARD area
-Disney Junior Dance Party! (fun interactive show where kids can sing, dance and jump around while watching the best Disney junior characters.)
-Star Wars Launch Bay (Walk around star wars sets and meet a few Star Wars Characters. Only worth it if your kid likes star wars.)
-Voyage of the Little Mermaid (theater broadway like show of the movie)
TOY STORY LAND – THIS IS A CAN’T MISS
(This land is an attraction in itself. Just walk around and see the larger than life displays of all your favorite childhood toys.)
-Toy Story Mania (fun “shooting” game for points, any height)
-Slinky Dog Dash (kids rollercoaster, best views of the park, must be 38 in) *This is the most popular ride in the park. Definitely try 30 days in advance to get a fastpass.
– Alien Swirling Saucers (short jerky ride exactly like Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree)
ECHO LAKE area
THIS IS A CAN’T MISS-For the First Time in Forever (Hilarious Frozen sing-along show)
-Indiana Jones Stunt Show (can be intense with pretend gun shots and fake fight scenes.)
THIS IS A CAN’T MISS-Jedi Training (Kids get jedi training and fight Dark Vader on stage. It’s free! Must be 4 years old to participate. The kids get to take home an official graduation diploma from the jedi academy. It’s a GREAT experience. You have to sign up in person on the day at an outpost located between Indiana Jones show and 50s Prime Time Cafe.)
GRAND AVENUE area (back of park)
Jim Henson’s Muppets 3D theater show.
Top Family Fun:
Star Wars Fireworks show before they close the park (I hear they are only doing the show on select nights. Check the schedule.)
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Animal Kingdom Park
This park is very spread out and has a weird layout. Definitely get a map! The most popular rides are adult rides where you have to be 44in or taller. Flights of Passage and Expedition Everest.
Top Toddler Fun divided by park area:
TREE OF LIFE / DISCOVERY ISLAND
-Meet Doup & Russell Wilderness Explorer Club House (by the tree of life)
-It’s Tough to be a Bug (4D show w 3D glasses. There are intense parts of the show where giant spiders come down and it’s dark. A lot of kids hate this show. It’s scary. But my kids enjoy it so I wanted to mention it.)
PANDORA
This whole area is beautiful. Worth a walk through and photos. My favorite restaurant “Satu’lu Canteen” is in here. Freshest Disney food!
– Na’vi River Journey (beautiful slow indoor boat ride)
AFRICA
THIS IS A CAN’T MISS-Festival of the Lion King (incredible broadway type show with acrobatics, parade floats and more.)
THIS IS A CAN’T MISS– Kilimanjaro Safaris (This is a real safari. You will never get this close to lions, elephants and giraffes!)
-Train to Rafikis Planet Watch – (petting zoo, learn about animal conservation and how they care for the animals at the park)
ASIA
-Up! A Great Bird Adventure (live bird show)
– Kali River Rapid (water soaking ride. You will get very wet, must be 38in)
-Maharajah Jungle Trek (asian Tiger area walk through)
-Finding Nemo Musical (Indoor musical broadway show with larger than life puppets)
DINOLAND
(There is an outdoor arcade/fair area with silly games and rides. My kids always think this area is overwhelming and too loud. We usually skip it.)
-The Boneyard (Huge playground with fun slides!)
Top Family Fun:
Rivers of Light (nighttime magical boat show, usually at 9:15p)
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EPCOT Park
This park has the big silver ball and all the countries. It has many hidden gems!
Top Toddler Fun divided by park area:
-Spaceship Earth (ride inside the big silver ball. It’s about how communication has evolved since the beginning of time. It’s very relaxing and beautiful.)
THE SEA
-Nemo & Friends Ride (the ride exits into a giant aquarium you can explore!)
THE LAND
THIS IS A CAN’T MISS -Soarin (This is a beautiful ride that simulates the feeling of flying infant of a big screen that shows you wonders around the world, you must be 40 in to ride) *This is a popular ride in the park. Definitely try 30 days in advance to get a fastpass.
-Journey Into Imagination (Fun and silly slow moving ride that is visually fun for kids, any height)
-Test Track (fast thrill ride that simulates car crash testing, must be 40 in)
WORLD SHOWCASE – 11 countries.
(If you go to https://agentpwsa.com, there are fun little missions you can play in each country with Phineas & Ferb. You follow instructions and you will find little hidden interactive areas in each country. These are really fun for kids & adults too.)
-Frozen Ever After ride in Norway (slow boat ride but it’s beautiful and frozen themed, any height) *This is the most popular ride in the park. Definitely try 30 days in advance to get a fastpass.
-Gran Fiesta in Mexico (slow boat ride that takes you through what is quintessential Mexico, any height)
*Worth mentioning: There are “Kidcot Fun Stops” in each country where you can collect stamps and create a personalized artistic souvenir.
Top Family Fun:
Each country has music/entertainment at certain times throughout the day. There are also princess meet & greet from that region or country (like snow white in germany).
-Illuminations: Reflections of Earth (This is a beautiful fireworks show that happens over the lake in the center, usually 9pm.)
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*Important to note*
There are Baby Care Centers in each park – usually not far from the entrance. They have changing tables, highchairs for feeding, play room with tv & chairs, sunscreen, baby food, diapers & wipes, formula, and just a quiet air-conditioned place to be – with less stimulation if your little one gets overwhelmed easily. Read more about the details of this amazing area at THIS BLOG POST.
There you have it. I know, that’s ALOT to do in each park and each section. But these are the most “toddler friendly” and the “can’t miss” fun options – especially if you only have a few days.
Don’t forget to check out my Bringing Food Into Disney Guide
My friend Joleen has some great advice on Tips for Visiting Disney World with a Preschooler
Relax, take it slow, and have fun!
If you have any questions for me or suggestions, I’d love to hear them. Please comment below. I look forward to hearing from you. Have a magical day! Make the most of your Disney trip!
xo
If you have any questions for me or suggestions, I’d love to hear them. Please comment below. I look forward to hearing from you. Have a magical day! Make the most of your Disney trip!
xo
There’s really so much for little ones to do! Disney is truly a family-friendly park.
How absolutely amazing!! I know you and your kids really do enjoy the park but to go out of your way to make such a comprehensive guide for parents and kids is truly wonderful. Thanks x
This is so cute. I don’t have kiddos and only recall going once when I was young. Such a magical place for kiddos!
If I ever get the chance to go to Disney World, I’m taking you with me. I want to make sure I don’t miss a thing!