When Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom opened on October 1, 1971, there were only 22 attractions, including the parades and fireworks show. Several of those rides and attractions are still operating today, delighting children of all ages and bringing joy to thousands each day. Parents and young grandparents (like us) can bring their little ones to enjoy the same toddler-friendly Magic Kingdom rides that we loved when we were their ages.
Classic Toddler-Friendly Magic Kingdom Rides
Prince Charming’s Regal Carrousel
Whether you walk through Cinderella Castle or around it, you can’t miss Prince Charming’s Regal Carrousel. Located directly behind Cinderella’s Castle, the carousel is home to 90 beautifully carved and flower-bedecked horses. The carousel is actually over 100 years old; it was built in 1917 for the Belle Isle Park in Detroit before making its way to Walt Disney World for the 1971 opening.
Prince Charming’s Regal Carrousel was known as Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel until 2010. All 90 horses are white because, well, we all know that heroes ride white horses. While you are there, check out the Cinderella scenes at the top. And, see if you can find Cinderella’s horse. Hint: It’s supposed to be the one with the gold bow on its tail in the second row.
Little ones love carousels. This one is sure to delight kids of all ages.
Mad Tea Party
If your little one is not prone to motion sickness, he may enjoy the Mad Tea Party’s spinning tea cups. One of the Magic Kingdom’s original rides, the Mad Tea Party is located in Fantasyland behind and to the right of the castle.
The Mad Tea Party did not originally have a roof, but because of Florida’s torrential summertime storms, one was added in 1973. At that time, the imagineers also added a teapot in the center of the attraction. Be sure to watch for the Dormouse who pops his head out of the teapot!
Peter Pan’s Flight
Located to the left of the carousel, Peter Pan’s Flight is another toddler-friendly Magic Kingdom ride. The line is usually long due to the ride’s low capacity, so if you can, make this one of your FastPass+ selections. If you are unable to get a FastPass+, the indoor queue through the Darling family’s home, including the nursery, is full of detail.
Once you board your sailing ship and fly through the window, you’ll see the lights of London before venturing off to Neverland. If your child is familiar with the story of Peter Pan, she will be thrilled to see the familiar scenes unfold.
It’s a Small World
Your husband may hate you for this, but toddlers love the It’s a Small World boat ride across from Peter Pan’s Flight. The music is quite catchy–I’m sorry, but it WILL be in your head for the rest of the day!
Older children will have fun pointing out the features and landmarks of each country as they glide through on their boat. The dancing dolls are dressed in traditional garb from each area of the world. From the French can-can dancers to the Chinese children flying kites, toddlers will find so many things to keep their interest. Â Be sure to wave at the people in the restaurant windows up above as you embark on your boat ride!
The Walt Disney World Railroad
We’ve all had that one kid who is fascinated with trains! If your son or daughter loves steam engines, make sure you ride the Walt Disney World Railroad. The trains make three stops: in Frontierland, in the Storybook Circus area, and at the head of Main Street near the park entrance. Unfortunately, you can’t take your stroller on the train, so if you do have one, you’ll have to come back to your boarding point later to pick it up.
Due to construction, the train is not currently circling the park. However, you can check it out and take photos at the Main Street U.S.A. station.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Dumbo the Flying Elephant is my favorite classic toddler-friendly Magic Kingdom ride! I’ve forced my poor husband to ride Dumbo even when we didn’t have little ones with us (he’s a saint!). Only one of the two Dumbo rides is original, and if you ask, the staff will let you know which one. Hint: the new one spins clockwise. In 2012, Dumbo moved from its original spot and became now a part of the Storybook Circus section of Fantasyland.
If the Dumbo line is long, don’t worry. There is a wonderful indoor queue with a play area that kids love. Cast members give parents a pager which flashes when it’s your turn to go on the ride.
Conclusion
I think it’s great to take the little ones on these classic toddler-friendly Magic Kingdom rides. It’s fun to watch them ride attractions that I rode when I was young. Reliving memories that I made with my family on my first trip brings back a lot of nostalgia.
Walt Disney World is fun for all ages. If you are taking a larger group, read about my ideas for accommodations for larger families. Also, check out these hints to help you save money on food while vacationing at Walt Disney World. And finally, here’s advice to help you plan your next visit.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. We were recently in Disneyland and experienced these rides with our young grandsons. Pure magic!!
I love how many classics have stood the test of time! This just got me so excited for my son’s first trip to Disney!
Great idea! I have never thought what rides toddler might like. it also puts me in toddlers position: I find the list above attactions the best of my won shoosing (a 3o year old toddler here, haha)
I love how Disney caters to every age group it’s so much fun
The Dumbo ride just gave me such a nostalgic rush. I need to go back to Disney as an adult, what a magical place. I don’t have any toddlers, but I may pass this list onto my mom friends
From the looks of things, you all certainly had a wonderful time. The different rides you showed look like so much fun, in fact, I wouldn’t mind riding them myself. I really enjoyed the history lesson about the rides and other features.
What nostalgia!! I can’t wait to take my family to Disney Land and do exactly what you’ve talked about; watch them do all the things I did when I was little.
I would love to take our kids to Disney Land one of these days! I bet the Mad Tea Party spinning cups would be their favorite ride!
That flying elephant is so fascniating. We are planning a trip there during the fall break.
I remember enjoying that cup and plate ride as a kid a lot! By the way, the photos are lovely dear! 🙂
This is awesome! I have plenty of little cousins who would love these rides!!
This list is great! I have never been to Disney World, but I am hopeful to plan a trip soon. This will be a great list when planning rides for my little one.
For basically all of my childhood my parents told me that we couldn’t vacation at Disney World because I was too young! Well your post here just confirmed what I always knew to be true in my heart. They. Are. Liars. Haha just kidding! But this is great to know that there are so many options for small children too! I actually am guilty of the same thing my parents did to me and I keep putting off the Disney trip. But I really think it’s time for me to start considering it for our next destination getaway! Great post, thanks for sharing!
I’m not even a toddler but I want to go on a toddler ride. I find this really fun and exciting. Lol.
As a child, I didn’t get to such places. However, when I become a parent, I plan to do a tour with my little one(s) 🙂 It must be really fun to share an experience like this with them
Aww, its my dream to take my daughter to Disneyland one day, sadly that hasn’t come true yet. But i hope to take her within the next 5 years.
What a fun time for the little, little ones. They deserve to go on rides too!
I didn’t think that reading this post could make me want to take my kids to Disney World but you described things so well plus the looks on your grandkids faces made me want to see that look on my toddler. I have taken my now 6-year-old there but my toddler was then only 1 year old and he didn’t really express much interest. Now I would love to see his face light up like your grandkids. Even though we live in Florida I am a single mom of 3 and it’s just too expensive to take my kids I’m afraid.
Single day tickets are so expensive. The price per day really goes down once you hit 5-6 days. I wish Disney still had the no expiration option.
This is a great ride guide for what to look for when in Disney with Toddlers! I went a couple of years ago with my niece and rode the tea cups and the small world ride with her and they were great rides!
– Sarah from happylittletadpole.com/blog/ A curated children’s gift resource guide
I’ve been to Disneyland in California twice and you have brought back memories. I loved It’s a Small World. And yes, Tracy, thank you – the tune is now in my head just from thinking about it.
I had no idea that Magic Kingdom had toddler-friendly rides! That honestly never would have crossed my mind. I’ll be sharing this to some Pinterest boards where parents will find this information super helpful. I’m not big on heights or anything that moves very fast, so I feel like these are great rides for me, even as an adult.
This is great information for parents with small kids visiting Magic Kingdom. I remember last time when we visited , We ride the Dumbo the elephant, mad tea party and the carrousel after doing other rides. Those rides are so colorful meant to attract adults along with small kids. It was so much fun doing the rides that small kids enjoy. Thanks for refreshing my memories .
Carousels are my all time classic favorite! The faces on the toddlers are priceless!
these are so good! My little one is super afraid of rides, but the merry go round is always a winner!
Love this helpful post for parents who really need some guidance on what is most appropriate and popular for their little ones. The lines can sometimes be a challenge depending on the ride. It’s a small world has always been a universal hit for all ages!
Such great rides! It’s hard to choose my favorite, but as a child I LOVED the Dumbo the Flying Elephant. I still enjoy It’s a small world and the Mad Tea Party too. There aren’t any “bad” rides at Disney, but there are so many I call favorites 🙂
Kid friendly and adult friendly. My girls are 15 and 19 and we STILL ride Peter Pan and the Carousel. I love It’s a small world because it’s easily 20 minutes or more in air conditioning when it’s hot outside. And yes we always wave to the people in Pinocchio Haus. Fantasyland is still a good place to be even with older children.
I totally agree! We ride these rides even when the kiddos aren’t with us. One trip, we were the first two people (and only ones) on Dumbo, and it was great fun!