magic kingdom guide for young kids
magic kingdom map & attractions
main street usa experiences
- main street usa experiences: main street usa is where all the magic begins for those little ones at magic kingdom.
- meet mickey at town square theater: the town square theater is just to the right of the main street hub. here is where the little ones can experience their first meet and greet with mickey. the wait time for this little hidden gem is around 15 minutes.
- the walt disney world railroad: the walt disney world railroad is located near the entrance of the magic kingdom park. take the staircase located at the center of the tunnel. the platform to board the train is located at the top of the tunnel. you can board the train and take a 20 minute ride around the park or disembark at train station locations in froniterland (located near tiana’s bayou) or fantasyland (located near storybook circus behind the barnstormer). you can embark at either of these train station locations to minimize your walk time through the park with the little ones (any height, all ages, slow ride).
- shopping & sweet treats: you can shop your way through main street with the kids and enjoy a stop at the main street confectionery for some of those classic disney sweet treats.
- captain hook tricks: if you rent a disney stroller, you will not be able to bring it on the train. only folded strollers are allowed. we recommend riding the train as a last round-trip adventure at the end of your park day.
adventureland attractions & experiences
- swiss family robinson treehouse: climb up into a treehouse adventure by exploring the island the swiss family robinson built after their shipwreck. cross a bridge and climb to the top of the 6 story treehouse (climbing stairs are required, outdoor).
- the jungle cruise: this boat adventure is a cruise through the nile river with hippos, lions, zebras, and crocodiles–animatronics of course (any height, all ages, slow ride, outdoor).
- pirate’s adventure–treasure of the seven seas: this is a fun interactive hunt through adventureland in search for hidden treasure. know before you go: no fee to participate, you can start the adventure 30 minutes before park closure, a magicband can be used to pick a talisman, and there are 5 missions (no time limited, but this adventure will take about 20 minutes to complete). this activity is located near the pirate’s of the caribbean attraction at the crow’s nest in adventureland.
- the magic carpets of aladdin: this is a 4 passenger magic carpet ride (2 in the front & 2 in the back) that goes up and down in a circle in the air (any height, all ages, slow ride, outdoor). be on the look out for the spitting camels. they will spray water on you if you are not careful.
- pixie dust tips:
- seating: there is plenty of shaded seating in this location for family members who may not want to climb the treehouse. it is a great place to take a break.
- restrooms: restrooms are located in the adventureland breezeway across from the treehouse.
- meet and greet: meet aladdin and princess jasmine in adventureland.
- captain hook tricks: the pirate’s of the caribbean attraction is another great ride with no height requirement, but it is a dark ride and might be a bit scary for the littles (any height, all ages, slow ride, indoor).
- pixie dust tips:
frontierland attractions & experiences
- the walt disney world railroad: you can disembark or embark the walt disney world railroad at the train station location in froniterland just behind tiana’s bayou adventure (any height, all ages, slow ride, outdoor).
- captain hook tricks: reminder: no disney strollers, only folded strollers are allowed on the train ride.
- country bear musical jamboree: the country bear jamaboree is a great place to sit down, relax, and enjoy air-condition. this musical in grizzly hall is a fun experience of animatronic bears singing and dancing to rocabilly, bluegrass, pop-country, and popular disney tunes (all ages, indoor, musical show). this show is approximately 15 minutes and 55 seconds.
- pixie dust tips: although, tom sawyer island and the river’s of america have gone away, disney is making way for a new “cars” themed-land. this land will feature a family-friendly attraction geared towards smaller children. construction began in early 2025, but no opening date has been announced.
liberty square attractions & experiences
- the hall of presidents: this indoor show is geared more for adults, but it is a great place to enjoy air-conditioning and maybe get in a nap for the kids. this a show with animatronics of 45 presidents (all ages, indoor, show). this show is approximately 25 minutes.
- captain hook tricks: the hall of presidents will temporarily close for refurbishment on January 20, 2025, and is expected to reopen later in 2025.
- haunted mansion: this is a ghostly buggy dark ride through an enchanted “haunted” mansion of dancing & singing ghost and graveyards (any height, all ages, slow ride, indoor).
- captain hook tricks: haunted mansion is another great ride with no height requirement, but it is a dark ride and might be a bit scary for the littles.
- pixie dust tips: visit the liberty bell and liberty tree in the heart of liberty square for a photo opt.
fantasyland attractions & experiences
- the walt disney world railroad: you can disembark or embark the walt disney world railroad at the train station location in fantasyland (any height, all ages, slow ride, outdoor).
- captain hook tricks: reminder: no disney strollers, only folded strollers are allowed on the train ride.
- cinderella’s castle: cinderella’s castle sits in the middle of the park, straight down main street usa as you enter fantasyland. walk through the castle to get to fantasyand and enjoy views of handcrafted glass mosaics that tell the story of cinderella.
- peter pan’s flight: with a little bit of pixie dust, take a flight over neverland and view glowing volcanoes and sparkling waterfalls (any height, all ages, slow ride, indoor).
- it’s a small world: take a 10 minute indoor boat ride of colorful scenic sights and sounds of nations from around the world (any height, all ages, slow ride, indoor).
- mickey’s philharmagic: this is such a fun 3D show that takes you on a journey with donald duck through some classic disney movies and songs with special effects (all ages, indoor, show).
- prince charming regal carrousel: enjoy a royal spin on a disney classic carrousel of wood-carved horses (any height, all ages, slow ride, outdoor). it is best to try and ride early morning since it is in the hub of fantasyland and crowds tend to increase as the day goes on.
- the sword in the stone: located right outside of prince charming regal carrousel is a great photo opt: this is where guests can try to pull king arthur’s sword excalibur from a stone, though the sword never fully comes out, it is a fun activity for the kids.
- princess fairytale hall: enjoy a meet and greet with some of your favorite princesses. meet cinderella and tiana for a photo opt and autograph (character experiences, all ages, indoor). note: characters are subject to change.
- the many adventures of winnie the pooh: get swept away in a world of honey as you travel with winnie the pooh through a honey pot adventure (any height, all ages, slow ride, indoor). pixie dust tip: there is an interactive play area for kids to explore as you wait in line for this ride.
- enchanted tales with belle: look into the enchanted mirror in a walk through attraction show of how belle & beast met. meet the enchanted wardrobe and belle in this interactive experience (all ages, character experience, indoor).
- under the sea–journey of the little mermaid: take a shell ride through an underwater adventure (not real water and you will not get wet) and explore the world of the little mermaid (any height, all ages, slow ride, indoor).
- pixie dust tip: meet and greet with princess ariel in her grotto right outside of the attraction.
- mad tea party: this is a fun spin around teacup that might make you a bit dizzy (any height, all ages, outdoor).
- dumbo the flying elephant: soar high or low in the sky in a circle motion (any height, all ages, slow ride, outdoor). pixie dust tip: kids play while you wait in the big-top tent in an air-conditioned indoor playground.
- smllephants on parade: this is an interactive adventure starting at the ticket booth in front of big top souvenirs. pick up an interactive map with sticker sheets and find all 8 smellephant statues scattered around storybook circus.
- casey jr splash ‘n’ soak station: this is a water play area for kids to cool off (any height, preschoolers, kids, water ride, outdoor). pixie dust tip: bring a swimsuit or a change of clothes for kids to enjoy this splash area.
- pete’s silly sideshow: this is a meet and greet experience with donald duck, goofy, minnie mouse, & daisy duck (character experience, all age, indoor).
- pixie dust tips
- the bibbidi bobbidi boutique at magic kingdom is a great experience that transforms children into princesses and knights. services include hair, makeup, & nails. hair styles include royal braids, classic buns, curly hairpieces, and ponytails. some packages come with costumes, but we recommend purchasing your own princess or knight costume ahead of time to save money. you must make an appointment by visiting the disney website for availability. prices start at $99.95.
tomorrowland attractions & experiences
- monster inc. laugh floor: this is a interactive comedy show. it is a great show to relax, sit down, and cool off (any height, all ages, show, indoor).
- buzz lightyear’s space ranger spin: this is a fun interactive ride of earning points as you spin around and try to defeat evil emperor zurg. as a junior space ranger, you try to hit targets with an infrared laser (any height, all ages, slow ride, indoor).
- walt disney’s carousel of progress: this is a sit down travel through the 20th century ride. it may not be as enjoyable for kids, but it is a nice break from the heat and a good naptime ride (any height, all ages, slow ride, indoor).
- astro orbiter: take a space ride high above tomorrowland. kids pilot a spaceship by going in a circle motion, pushing a lever to go high or low (any height, all ages, slow ride, outdoor).
- people mover: want a slow ride tour of tomorrowland? then the people mover is a great ride to take with the kids (any height, all ages, slow ride, out/indoor).
- captain hook tricks: astro orbiter will be temporarily closed for refurbishment beginning January 13, 2025, and is planned to reopen in the summer of 2025.
magic kingdom pixie dust tips
- tall toddlers: if you have tall toddlers, they might meet the height requirements for the following magic kingdom rides:
tiana’s bayou adventure in frontierland – 40 inches (slow ride but intense drop).
big thunder mountain railroad in frontierland- 40 inches (intense ride).
the barnstormer in fantasyland’s storybook circus- 35 inches (good introduction coaster).
seven dwarfs mine train in fantasyland – 38 inches (a bit intense).
- tommorland speedway (toddlers must ride or drive with an adult) – 32 inches (slow ride).
- rider switch: if a child can’t ride a particular attraction due to height requirements or other reasons, the rider switch service allows one adult to ride while the other waits with the child, and then they switch by using the lightning lane entrance.
- lightning lane passes: these passes are an additional cost, but are a great way to maximize park time and reduce wait times.
- single lightning lane: this allows you to bypass the regular standby line for a specific attraction by purchasing a pass. cost of passes depend on the attraction and time of year. you can select only 2 a la carte single passes in advance.
- lightning lane multi pass: this allows you to book multiple lightning lane experiences within a park for a set price. you an select up to 3 passes in advance and then select passes within the the park once you have used your first pass.
- lightning lane purchases: these passes can be purchased 7 days before your resort check-in through the my disney experience app. all pass reservation can be made through the app.
- peter pan’s flight: this classic ride tends to have long lines, so we recommend riding it first thing in the morning or trying to score a lightning lane for this one.
- jungle cruise: this another classic ride that tends to have long lines, so we recommend riding it first thing in the morning or trying to score a lightning lane for this ones.
- the festival of fantasy parade: this parade features mickey, minnie, and many beloved disney characters on floats down main street usa and then through frontierland. make sure line up on main street early to get a good spot or we recommend watching the parade in frontierland. It tends to be less crowded.
- mickey’s magical friendship faire: this is stage show in front of the castle with princesses, mickey, & friends and so much more. sing and dance for a fun filled show.
- restrooms: there are numerous restrooms found all around the magic kingdom park. first aide locations (at the front of each park) and companion restrooms (located throughout the parks) offer additional space and privacy.
- park tips: bring a backpark, snacks (snacking is great for waiting in lines), medicine, stay hydrated, dress comfortably with comfortable shoes, purchase souvenirs before your park visit at a cheaper price (this gives the kids a special surprise to keep them occupied), let your kids dress up (disney theming is fun), take a break midday (either in the park or go back to your resort for naptime), and ride during the parade and fireworks (wait times are usually shorter).
magic kingdom captain hook tricks
- dark & spooky rides: pirates of the caribbean and haunted mansion are dark and spooky rides that might be a bit scary for little ones.
- water splash: the camel’s outside of the magic carpets of aladdin spit water and casey jr splash ‘n’ soak station is a water play area for kids. we recommend bringing a swimsuit or a change of clothes for kids to enjoy this splash area.
- strollers: dinsey strollers will not fit on the disney railroad. we recommend riding this as your final park attraction.