Magic Kingdom with Kids: Your Parent Guide to the best rides, shows, and secrets! Planning a Disney World vacation and not sure how to make the most out of creating those magical moments for everyone in your group?
We know it can be overwhelming with so many exciting things to see and do at Disney. So if you are looking for thrill rides, character meet-and-greets, or relaxing activities, our detailed Budget the Magic park guides are tailored to help you plan for everyone’s needs & interests.
Park to Park Planning Guides
This begins our park to park planning guide series on discovering the Disney World Parks at different ages. Whether you are trying to wrangle rambunctious kids, trying to keep up with the latest & greatest teen adventures, or just searching for that adult Disney magic, our guides can help you get started with that planning.
Having experienced Disney World through the years with kids at different ages, I know all the tips & tricks to managing your park visit. Let’s be honest—what thrills a 5 year old, will trigger an eye roll from a teenager, but the good news is, Disney has something for everyone.
The heart and soul of Disney, Magic Kingdom is where all the magic begins. The park is made up of 6 different themed-lands all arranged in the main hub that surrounds Cinderella’s Castle. Let’s dive into Magic Kingdom’s rides, shows, and Pixie Dust magic for the little ones!
Main Street U.S.A
For kids, Magic Kingdom is Disney! From their first glance of the iconic Disney Railroad Station at the entrance of the park to their first glimpse of Cinderella’s Castle down Main Street U.S.A, the magic feels real. It ignites all the magic that lights up their faces and that helps to create lasting memories.
Steps to a Stress Free Visit
What is the first thing you can do to make your visit as stress free as possible with kids? Have a stroller on hand! The Disney Parks require lots of walking, so don’t create chaos for yourself, get the stroller. Besides, strollers make young kids more comfortable, offer extra storage, and helps you navigate through the parks at a faster pace.
Most Budget-friendly Stroller Option
The most budget-friendly option is to bring your own stroller. Though, Disney does have rules for this. Personal strollers must not be larger than 31″ in width and 57″ in length, and stroller-wagons are not allowed in the parks whether they are pushed or pulled. See Disney’s detailed stroller rules and policies for more information. However, the downside to bringing your own stroller is that you will have to fold it up to transport it on the buses, the monorail, or boat transportation when going from park to park or to and from your resort.
Stroller Rentals
Don’t have room to pack your own stroller? No problem, in fact, there are two different rental options that can meet all your stroller needs.
Off-Site Rentals
There are a variety of private stroller companies in the Orlando area that will deliver strollers directly to your resort or hotel. Strollers range in a variety of sizes and styles to fit your needs and are a cost effective option than renting directly from Disney. You will still have to transport the stroller to and from the parks, but it may be worth the price. Kingdom Strollers is a reputable company and our recommendation for off-site rentals. Visit their site to find the best stroller options and prices.
Disney Rentals
Moreover, Disney offers the convenience of renting strollers in all of the 4 Disney Parks and Disney Springs. If you aren’t going to bring your own stroller, in my opinion, this is probably your best option. Renting directly from Disney is a hassle free experience.
Disney stroller rentals are located at the front entrance of all the parks. Rentals at Magic Kingdom are located at the entrance of the park under the train station. This makes for a smooth system of pickups and returns.
Disney strollers come in a singles or doubles. A single stroller is recommended for children 50 lbs. or less. The daily rental fee is $15 a day or a Multi-Day rental fee for $13 a day. A double stroller is recommended for children 100 lbs. or less. The daily rental fee is $31 a day or a Multi-Day rental fee for $27 a day.
Disney Rental Convenience
It is always cost-effective to rent a Disney stroller for the length of your stay. However, you cannot make a reservation in advance, but you can purchase a multiple pass in person during your first park visit. Just simply ask a cast member for the multi-day rental.
It’s important to keep your receipt because it will be your “ticket” to redeem your daily rental whether you are spending a day in just one park or park hopping to another. With this option, there is no “hauling” a stroller from park to park or to and from your resort.
Main Street USA Meet and Greets
Main Street U.S.A is where kids experience the “first” unfolding of that Disney Magic! So, why not start their magical adventure at Mickey’s Town Square Theater. The Town Square Theater is just to the right of the main street hub. Here is where kids can experience their first meet and greet with Mickey. This is a great little hidden gem that has a short wait time of around 15 minutes if you plan it right.
Look for other character appearances throughout the Main Street Hub, especially in summer 2025. Disney promises for more character “outings” during early park entry hours so guests can experience those magical moments as soon as they walk through the gates!
The Walt Disney Railroad
Ready for an exciting adventure with the kids around Magic Kingdom? Then hop aboard the Walt Disney World Railroad located near the entrance of the Magic Kingdom Park. This is a real steam engine that takes you on a magical 1.5 mile adventure around the park with disembarkments along the way at Frontierland (located near Tiana’s Bayou Adventure) and Fantasyland (located near Storybook Circus behind The Barnstormer). This train ride is for all ages.
Train Location
To board the train, take the staircase located at the center of the park’s tunnel entrance. The platform is located at the top of the tunnel.
Captain Hook Tricks: A Disney stroller cannot be brought on the train, well, that’s because it will not fit. In this case, I recommend making the train ride a last round-trip adventure at the end of your park day.
Other Kid Adventures Along Main Street
It is fun to shop and enjoy some sweet treats on Main Street. A must stop with kids is the Confectionery. This is a Disney old-fashioned candy shop with many of those classic Disney savory treats that kids love. This is a fun place to “build” your own popcorn, mix and match your favorite flavors. It is shareable too!
There is so much entertainment to be found on Main Street U.S.A., families can enjoy tunes from the Dapper Dans and Casey’s Corner Pianist. Kids can also watch Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire stage show in front of the castle for a fun-filled show of singing and dancing with their favorite Princesses and Mickey & friends.
Parades and Shows
Enjoy The Festival of Fantasy Parade down Main Street U.S.A featuring Mickey, Minnie, and many beloved Disney characters. Pixie Dust Tip: Catch the parade in Frontierland, it tends to be a little less crowded.
Also, experience the magic of Disney’s nighttime Happily Ever After Fireworks show. Make sure your kids can tolerate the fireworks and sounds of the show. If not, it is best to either skip the show or make dining reservations at surrounding resorts where you can view the fireworks from a distance.
Another little hidden gem on Main Street U.S.A that I’m sure the kids will enjoy is The Magic Kingdom Engine Co. 71 fire station. The station is open for guests to walk through and explore throughout the day.
Visit the Disney World Website for all parade and fireworks times.
Adventureland
Kids can explore the tropical jungle vibes of Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland on rides like the Jungle Cruise and the Magic Carpets of Aladdin or they can climb the Swiss Family Treehouse for scenic views of the park.
Swiss Family Treehouse
Let the kids climb up into a treehouse adventure to explore the island the Swiss Family built after their shipwreck. By crossing a bridge, guests can climb to the top of the 6 story treehouse (climbing stairs are required, an outdoor adventure).
Jungle Cruise
The Jungle Cruise is a boat adventure for the whole family. Cruise along the Nile River with hippos, lions, zebras, and crocodiles–animatronics of course (any height, all ages, slow ride, outdoors). Several guests can fit on one boat at a time. The Jungle Cruise is a popular classic Disney ride, so it’s best to take on this adventure as a rope drop ride or lightning lane purchase. The lines tend to grow longer throughout the day.
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is a 4 passenger magic carpet ride (2 in the front & 2 in the back) that goes up and down in a circular motion in the air. It is perfect for young kids (any height, all ages, slow ride, outdoors). Watch out for the spitting camels. These animatronic camels are strategically placed along the walkway and occasionally will spray guests with water.
Pirates of the Caribbean
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 younger children (any height, all ages, slow ride, indoors). There is one small drop at the beginning of the ride, but there are also canons that fire and make water splashes throughout the ride. One boat has serveral rows of seats and can fit 4 to 5 people per row.
Advenureland Pixie Dust Tips:
- Seating: There is plenty of shaded seating in Adventureland near the Swiss Family Treehouse for family members who may not want to climb the treehouse. It is also a great place to take that much needed break with the kids.
- Restrooms: Restrooms are located in the Adventureland breezeway across from the treehouse.
- Meet and greet: Meet Aladdin and Princess Jasmine in Adventureland.
Frontierland
Frontierland is inspired by America’s Old West. Although, this land once had many adventures, it currently is undergoing lots of changes! Disney is finally making way for new “Cars” and “Villians” themed-lands in the Frontierland area, so Tom Sawyer’s Island and the Rivers of America are soon to be a distant memory. This is a great place for kids to run and play so get it in if you can. No official closing date has been scheduled.
Even with limited exploration at the moment, Frontierland is going to be even better when construction is complete. The new Cars themed-land will feature a family-friendly attraction geared towards smaller children.
Walt Disney Railroad
You can disembark or embark at the Walt Disney World Railroad at the train station location in Froniterland just behind Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (any height, all ages, slow ride, outdoors).
The Country Bear Musical Jamboree
The Country Bear Jamaboree is a great place to sit down, relax, and enjoy air-conditioning with the kids. This entertaining 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, indoors, musical show). The show is approximately 15 minutes and 55 seconds, just perfect for holding the attention of the little ones. The Country Bear Jamboree recently got a great overhaul!
Liberty Square
In Liberty Square, guests take a trip back to Colonial America. Unfortunately, there is not as much for the kids to explore in this themed-land as in the other Magic Kingdom lands. But still it’s worth a stop especially with those young kids that don’t mind a little bit of a scary adventure.
Haunted Mansion
Take a ghostly buggy ride through an enchanted Haunted Mansion of dancing & singing ghosts and graveyards (any height, all ages, slow ride, indoors). 2 to 3 people can fit in those haunting buggies, but you just might encounter a hitch hiking ghost along the way.
Hall of Presidents
Although, this indoor show is geared more for adults, I will not lie, it is a great place to enjoy air-conditioning and get a nap in for the kids. It is a show with animatronics of 45 presidents (all ages, indoors, show) and lasts approximately 25 minutes.
Captain Hook Tricks: the Hall of Presidents is temporarily closed for refurbishment and is expected to reopen later in 2025.
Fantasyland
Classic Disney fairytales and characters come to life for kids of all ages in Fantasyland! This is where kids will find the most adventure and parents will get the best bang for their buck. Make a stop in Storybook Circus on the Disney Railroad or walk through Cinderella’s Castle to view handcrafted mosaics of Cinderella’s story.
Great Rides for Kids
- On Peter Pan’s Flight with a little bit of pixie dust, of course, kids can take a flight over Neverland and view glowing volcanoes and sparkling waterfalls (any height, all ages, slow ride, indoors). 2 to 3 people per seat on the flying galleon. This is another popular classic Disney ride that I recommend getting to for rope drop or purchasing a lightning lane pass. Lines can be extremely long for this Disney park favorite.
- It’s a Small World takes guests on a 10 minute indoor boat ride of colorful scenic sights and sounds of nations from around the world (any height, all ages, slow ride, indoors). 4 to 5 people per row on this indoor boat ride.
- On The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, guests get swept away in a world of honey as they travel with Winnie the Pooh through a honey pot adventure (any height, all ages, slow ride, indoors). 2 to 3 people fit per hunny pot. Pixie Dust Tip: There is an interactive play area for kids to explore as you wait in line for this ride.
- Under the Sea–Journey of the Little Mermaid is a magical shell ride where guests travel on an underwater adventure with Ariel and friends. Don’t worry, it is not real water and you will not get wet (any height, all ages, slow ride, indoors). This ride fits 2 to 3 people per shell. Pixie Dust Tip: Meet and greet with Princess Ariel in her grotto right outside of the attraction.
Spinning Rides
- Prince Charming Regal Carousel is a fun royal spin for kids. This Disney classic carousel is made of wood-carved horses (any height, all ages, slow ride, outdoors), in fact, it is best to try and ride early in the morning since it is in the hub of Fantasyland and crowds tend to increase as the day goes on.
- The Mad Tea Party is a dizzy fun spin-a-round teacup ride (any height, all ages, outdoors). 3 to 4 people allowed per tea cup. Guests control the pace and speed of the spin.
- On Dumbo the Flying Elephant kids soar high or low in the sky in a circular motion (any height, all ages, slow ride, outdoors). Pixie Dust Tip: Kids can play while you wait in the big-top tent in an air-conditioned indoor playground. 4 people per elephant—2 in the front, 2 in the back.
Fantasyland Shows and Experiences
- Mickey’s Philharmagic is such a fun 3-D show that takes kids on a journey with Donald Duck through some classic Disney movies and songs with special effects (all ages, indoors, show).
- The Sword in the Stone is located right outside of the carousel, 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 let’s the little princesses enjoy a meet and greet with some of their favorite princesses. Meet Cinderella and Tiana for a photo opt and autograph (character experience, all ages, indoors). Note: characters are subject to change.
- At Enchanted Tales with Belle kids can take a 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, indoors).
- Smellephants on Parade is an interactive adventure starting at the ticket booth in front of big top souvenirs. Kids can pick up an interactive map with sticker sheets and find all 8 Smellephant statues scattered around Storybook Circus.
- Casey Jr Splash ‘n’ Soak Station is a water play area for kids to cool off (any height, preschoolers, kids, water ride, outdoors). Pixie Dust Tip: bring a swimsuit or a change of clothes for kids to enjoy this splash area.
- Pete’s Silly Sideshow is a meet and greet experience with Donald Duck, Goofy, Minnie Mouse, & Daisy Duck (character experience, all age, indoors).
Tomorrowland
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
What a fun interactive ride of earning points as kids spin around and try to defeat Evil Emperor Zurg. Junior space rangers try to hit targets with an infrared laser (any height, all ages, slow ride, indoors). 2 people per cart for this ride.
Monster Inc. Laugh Floor
Families can enjoy a fun interactive comedy show. This is a great show to relax, sit down, and cool off (any height, all ages, show, indoors).
Astro Orbiter
Take the kids on a space ride high above Tomorrowland. They can pilot a spaceship in a circular motion by pushing a lever to go high or low (any height, all ages, slow ride, outdoors). 2 people can sit per spaceship. Captain Hook Tricks: The Astro Orbiter is temporarily closed for refurbishment and is planned to reopen in the summer of 2025.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
While kids may not enjoy this one, it indeed is a good sit-down and travel through the 20th century ride. Besides, it gives a nice break from the heat and is a good nap-time ride (any height, all ages, slow ride, indoors).
People Mover
Similarly, if you want a slow ride to explore Tomorrowland, then the People Mover is just that ride to take with the kids (any height, all ages, slow ride, out/indoors).
Adventurous Thrill Rides for Kids
If you have tall toddlers and they are not afraid of thrilling adventures, then they might meet the height requirements for the following Magic Kingdom rides.
- The Barnstormer in Fantasyland’s Storybook Circus– 35 inches (good introduction coaster).
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Frontierland – 40 inches (slow ride but intense drop).
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland– 40 inches (intense ride). Captain Hook Tricks: Big Thunder is currently closed for refurbishment and construction on Disney’s New Villains themed-land. No date has been given for re-opening.
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Fantasyland – 38 inches (a bit intense).
- Tomorrowland Speedway (toddlers must ride or drive with an adult) – 32 inches (slow ride).
Magic Kingdom Pixie Dust Tips
There are so many great and fun things to do with kids at Magic Kingdom and to make sure you make the most of the magic, I recommend you plan ahead.
Visit the My Disney App for times and shows and all the experiences Magic Kingdom has to offer. Did you know kids can get a first haircut at the Harmony Barber Shop located on Main Street or transform into princesses and knights at The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique? Both of these require a reservation and may cost a bit over your budget.
Budget the Magic Guides to Magical Experiences
Take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry, Rope Drop, Rider Switch, Mobile Ordering, and Lightning Lane Passes to make your day go as smoothly as possible. Visit our Magic Kingdom planning guide for young kids to discover more detailed tips and tricks to navigating Magic Kingdom. There is so much more to discover and our site can provide you with all the step by step details on our favorite character dining locations, park essentials, and all the secrets to experiencing a magical day at the Magic Kingdom Park.
Want to learn more tips, tricks, and budget-friendly savings for Disney World? Check out our posts below.
