Magic Kingdom Rides by Age: Most Are For Everyone
The majority of the rides at the park are for everyone, but that doesn’t mean your kids and people who enjoy a good early bird special at Steak ‘n Shake will love them all. What are the Magic Kingdom rides by age that you should consider?
Guide to Disney Magic Kingdom Rides by Age
1. Make a Plan for the Best Way to Tour Magic Kingdom
2. Front of the Line Pass Options
3. Disney Rides in Magic Kingdom For Babies, Toddlers, and Up
4. Rides for Preschoolers and Up
5. Rides for Early Elementary-Aged Kids and Up
6. Rides for Upper Elementary-Aged Kids and Up
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.
Disney World Magic Kingdom Rides by Age Group
1. Having a Touring Plan is a Must Do in Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom brings out the Sean Penn in the best of us. To minimize your encounters with Honey Boo Boo’s family in a two hour line, make a touring plan.
Every good touring plan starts with an early arrival time. The park is at its most glorious first thing in the morning. You want to be up nice and early whether it leads to divorce or not. If your kids do not look like the picture below at the end of the day, you left attractions at Magic Kingdom on the table.
What rides should I visit first at Magic Kingdom? That depends upon your priorities. Touringplans.com offers free personalized plans that you can update throughout the day.
Pro tip: If you want to ride something and your kid isn’t ready, utilize Disney’s rider switch program. Both adults can ride after waiting in line once.
Bonus pro tip: Try to save indoor, less popular attractions for the afternoon when it tends to be hot and rainy in Florida.
2. Magic Kingdom Guide to Front of the Line Pass Options
Disney World no longer offers the free FastPass+ system. If you want to skip the line, you have to pay. There are two systems in place.
A. Genie+
What is Genie+?
Genie+ is a paid system that allows you to enter the front of the line on specific Magic Kingdom attractions throughout the day. It does not apply to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Space Mountain.
Note: Disney has temporarily added Space Mountain to the Genie+ system as of the time of this update. That will likely change, so check the policy at the time of your visit.
How Does Genie+ Work?
Genie+ allows you to reserve spots to skip lines. Everyone who purchases it can start making reservations at 7:00 a.m. on the day of their visit. This applies whether you are in an on property hotel or not.
You can make a new reservation every two hours OR when your prior selection expires or has been used. This means you can book one less than every two hours if you have no selection pending. If your first selection is later in the day, you may end up holding more than one pass at once after you book your second one.
You cannot select your times. Disney gives you what it gives you.
You can only use Genie+ for each attraction once per day. The days of riding Buzz Lightyear over and over again with FastPass+ are over.
What Are the Magic Kingdom Genie Plus Rides?
As of the time of this update, the following are Genie Plus Magic Kingdom rides:
1. Barnstormer
2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
3. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
4. Dumbo the Flying Elephant
5. Haunted Mansion
6. “it’s a small world”
7. Jungle Cruise
8. Mad Tea Party
9. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
10. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
11. Mickey’s PhilharMagic
12. Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
13. Peter Pan’s Flight
14. Pirates of the Caribbean
15. Splash Mountain
16. Tomorrowland Speedway
17. Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
What Does Genie+ Cost?
As of the time of this update, Genie+ costs $15.98 per person per day. You can add it to your vacation package at any time.
Tips for Genie+
Pro tip for going to Magic Kingdom: Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad are hot ticket items. Book those early.
Bonus pro tip: You do not have to purchase Genie+ for every day of your trip. Purchasing it for Magic Kingdom doesn’t lock you into having to purchase it at the other parks.
Extra bonus pro tip: Official rules state you can be five minutes early or 15 minutes late for your reservation. If you arrive outside of your return window, they do not have to honor your pass.
Extra bonus pro tip: Sometimes, you have to prove you have a reservation multiple times in the same line. Don’t book another ride until you are sure you have gone through all the scanners.
Is Genie+ Worth it at Magic Kingdom?
Is Genie+ worth it at Magic Kingdom? Yes, it definitely is.
Unlike Animal Kingdom, a park with almost no rides, there are a ton of rides available.
Priority is given to Genie+ guests. The standby lines move like molasses. You’ve already spent this much. Spend the extra money and save your sanity.
If you decide to skip Genie+, arrive before Magic Kingdom opening time and have a solid touring plan.
Pro tip: If you don’t care if you sit with your party, single rider lines tend to be shorter.
B. Magic Kingdom Individual Lightning Lanes
Genie+ doesn’t apply to all rides. For the two most popular attractions at each park, you need to pay more. As of the time of this update, those Magic Kingdom Disney World rides are Space Mountain and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Individual Lightning Lanes require you to pay a flat fee to ride once. The cost varies based upon demand, but prices generally range from $7 to $15 per person.
Individual Lightning Lanes cannot be purchased ahead of time. Guests of on property resorts can start purchasing them at 7:00 a.m. Off property guests must wait until the park opens.
Note: Disney has temporarily added Space Mountain to the Genie+ system as of the time of this update. That will likely change, so check the policy at the time of your visit.
Are Individual Lightning Lanes Worth it?
Is purchasing an Individual Lightning Lane worth it? That’s really a question for you, but it might be.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train always has a long line, from sun up to sun down. If you really want to ride and saving a ton of time in line will make you happy, go for it.
Space Mountain, on the other hand, will have a short line at some point. Consider heading there first thing in the morning to avoid this cost.
Pro tip: If you don’t care if you sit with your kids, the single rider line may save you time.
3. Magic Kingdom Rides for Toddlers and Babies that Everyone Can Ride
How old are the rides at Magic Kingdom? It varies. A lot have been there since opening day in 1971, but Disney continues to build new ones.
What rides can kids go on at Magic Kingdom? The majority of the attractions on this list are slow moving dark rides that everyone can visit, but they do not just appeal to babies and toddlers. Don’t judge Magic Kingdom rides by height requirements.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Dumbo the Flying Elephant is an original Magic Kingdom ride that has been there since the park opened in 1971. You can’t watch a Disney World commercial without seeing an elephant whiz by.
Pro tip: The line loads slowly, but there is a play area in the queue.
Disney World ride height requirement: None
Best for: Babies and toddlers, preschoolers, early elementary
Location: Fantasyland
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor with an indoor queue
“it’s a small world”
“it’s a small world” is a slow moving boat ride that has been at the park since opening day. It shows. Despite the weird lack of capitalization and its subtly racist undertones, it is worth a visit.
This ride clocks in at 14 minutes. You travel through several air conditioned rooms representing different cultures (as of 1971 with some updates to incorporate intellectual property). There is a ton to see, the music is catchy to young kids, and there is no shortage of color and dancing dolls.
Disney height requirement: None
Best for: Babies and toddlers, preschoolers, early elementary, adults who appreciate the history and detail
Location: Fantasyland
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Indoor
Jungle Cruise
Jungle Cruise has been there since the park opened. This is one of the most popular rides at Magic Kingdom. It routinely has a long line in the sun.
Fresh off an update to make it more politically correct, this slow moving, 10 minute boat ride has animatronic animals throughout. There is a live skipper telling jokes, some funny, some Ralphie May. It is one of the best Magic Kingdom rides for adults if they appreciate the humor.
Height requirement: None
Best for: Babies and toddlers, preschoolers, early elementary, adults who like dad jokes
Location: Adventureland
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor
Liberty Square Riverboat
Liberty Square Riverboat is a giant boat that has been at Disney World since 1971. The entire experience takes around 17 minutes. There is never a wait beyond waiting for the next boat to arrive. It is nothing about which to write home, but it is somewhere to sit down and kill time in the afternoon.
Height requirement: None
Best for: Babies and toddlers, preschoolers, early elementary, adults who want to sit down
Location: Liberty Square
Genie+ accepted: No
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor
Mad Tea Party
Mad Tea Party is an iconic ride with spinning teacups that has been at the park since opening day. You control how fast the cups spin, so most adults grip the wheel and make it more difficult. It isn’t 1992 anymore, after all. Adults aren’t meant for the Gravitron.
Pro tip: The line can get longer than the ride justifies. Try to visit this one early.
Height requirement: None
Best for: Babies and toddlers, preschoolers, early elementary
Location: Fantasyland
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is a ride in a circle on carpets. The line gets stupid long in the middle of the day. It is not worth a wait.
Height requirement: None
Best for: Babies and toddlers, preschoolers, early elementary
Location: Adventureland
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor
Main Street Vehicles
The Main Street Vehicles drive you up and down the street in front of the castle. Options include a horse-drawn troller, omnibus, jitney, and fire engine.
Height requirement: None
Best for: Babies and toddlers, preschoolers, early elementary, adults who enjoy the view of the castle
Location: Main Street, U.S.A.
Genie+ accepted: No
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is a slow moving (but kind of jerky) ride through the Hundred-Acre Wood.
It is a short, three minute ride with an acid trip vibe to it. Little kids who watch the show and haven’t spent time in a dorm will enjoy it.
The line gets long and loads slowly. If this ride in Magic Kingdom is a priority for your family, consider heading there first.
Pro tip: The queue has things with which kids can play while they wait.
Height requirement: None
Best for: Babies and toddlers, preschoolers, early elementary
Location: Fantasyland
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Indoor
Peter Pan’s Flight
Peter Pan’s Flight is another opening day attraction. You fly in a slow moving boat over London and other scenes from Peter Pan. It is a unique experience with a lot to see.
The ride is short, lasting only three minutes. You may find this frustrating after a long wait.
Pro tip: This line gets long. However, the queue is worth a look if you don’t have access to Genie+. You walk through the Darlings’ bedroom.
Height requirement: None
Best for: Babies and toddlers, preschoolers, early elementary, adults who appreciate the history and detail
Location: Fantasyland
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Indoor
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel (not a typo) is like any other merry-go-round. It is not special, but its location next to the castle makes it more appealing than the one offered at your local county fair. It has been around since the park opened in 1971.
Height requirement: None
Best for: Babies and toddlers, preschoolers, early elementary
Location: Fantasyland
Genie+ accepted: No
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is a ride on a track above Tomorrowland. The cars ride through buildings with views of the Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear rides.
The ride lasts about 10 minutes and rarely has a substantial wait. It is a great place to relax for a few minutes.
Height requirement: None
Best for: All ages
Location: Tomorrowland
Genie+ accepted: No
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Both
Under the Sea~Journey of the Little Mermaid
Under the Sea~Journey of the Little Mermaid is a slow moving, air conditioned ride through scenes from the movie in a clamshell. The colors are bright and fun. It also reminds middle-aged women who grew up with the movie of childhood, sans the priest wood and box cover with a phallic symbol.
The ride is a decent length, seven minutes, and almost never has a wait.
Height requirement: None
Best for: Babies and toddlers, preschoolers, early elementary, adults who appreciate the detail and nostalgia
Location: Fantasyland
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Indoor
Walt Disney World Railroad
Walt Disney World Railroad is, surprise, a train, that takes you around the park. This is largely a mode of transportation, but it is a nice break from walking.
Height requirement: None
Best for: Babies and toddlers, preschoolers, early elementary, adults who want to sit down
Location: Fantasyland, Frontierland, Main Street, U.S.A.
Genie+ accepted: No
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor
4. Rides for Preschoolers and Up
Astro Orbiter
Astro Orbiter has rockets that spin around in a circle like Dumbo the Flying Elephant. However, they fly much faster and much higher. An elevator is required to reach the cars. This provides for a nice view and a line that moves at a painfully slow pace.
Note: If you are prone to motion sickness, this is not for you.
Height requirement: None
Best for: Preschoolers, early elementary
Location: Tomorrowland
Genie+ accepted: No
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor
The Barnstormer
The Barnstormer is a kiddie roller coaster at Magic Kingdom with a picture of Goofy. There is nothing exceptional about the ride or the queue, but it is enjoyable for kids who can’t get on the bigger rides.
Height requirement: 35″
Best for: Preschoolers, early elementary
Location: Fantasyland
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is a Toy Story-themed, laser shooting attraction. It is slow moving with a lot of neon colors. Competitive kids will inevitably cry when their siblings beat their scores.
Pro tip: The line can get long, but you can usually walk on multiple times in the morning. This ride is generally not a one and done for kids who care about winning.
Height requirement: None
Best for: Preschoolers, early elementary, upper elementary, tweens, teens, adults
Location: Tomorrowland
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Indoor
Tomorrowland Speedway
Tomorrowland Speedway lets your kids drive cars through a long race track. Smaller kids won’t be able to reach the pedal, so you will need to participate.
It is not a smooth ride. The area is accompanied by a distinct odor. The queue is set in the blazing hot sun. This ride isn’t for everyone, but it is perfect for a kid that wants to drive.
Magic Kingdom ride requirement: 32″
Best for: Preschoolers, early elementary
Location: Tomorrowland
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor
5. Magic Kingdom Park Rides for Early Elementary-Aged Kids and Up
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is an outdoor Disney World Magic Kingdom roller coaster ride on a train. It is mild enough for younger kids, but is not a kiddie coaster.
Pro tip: This line can get long, and it is not in air conditioning. Try it at night for a cooler wait and views of the park lit up.
Height requirement: 40″
Best for: Early elementary, upper elementary, tweens, teens, adults
Location: Frontierland
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor
Haunted Mansion
What rides should I go on at Magic Kingdom? There are a lot of choices, but Haunted Mansion should be on your list.
Haunted Mansion is a Magic Kingdom classic ride that has been around since opening day. It is a slow moving attraction through a dark, haunted house. It has a ton of detail, some of which may be too scary for some young kids.
If your kids can handle it, this is one of the must do rides at Magic Kingdom for adults.
Pro tip: The scariest part is a stretching room you enter prior to boarding your ride vehicle. A man with a scary voice laughs, the room goes dark, and you see a person hanging from the ceiling. Not great for small kids. You can skip this part. Ask an employee to walk you around if need be.
Height requirement: None
Best for: Early elementary, upper elementary, tweens, teens, adults
Location: Liberty Square
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Indoor
Pirates of the Caribbean
What should I not miss at Magic Kingdom? If you like Disney history, this ride should be at the top of your list.
Pirates of the Caribbean has been at Disney World since the 1970s. This indoor, slow moving boat ride has a lot to appreciate. It also has crime, guns, loud noises, darkness, and alcohol consumption.
The ride is seven minutes of air conditioned bliss. The wait times are usually reasonable. If your kids can handle it, it is a Magic Kingdom must do.
Height requirement: None
Best for: Early elementary, upper elementary, tweens, teens, adults
Location: Adventureland
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Indoor
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a legit Disney Magic Kingdom roller coaster in which some animatronics are sprinkled. It is short, lasting less than three minutes total.
The line is always long. Like two hours long. Crowds of people run to this ride at rope drop faster than people in Pamplona move to try to avoid that bull. You won’t win the foot race with young kids.
Disney loves its money, so it charges extra to avoid the long line. An individual Lightning Lane purchase is required.
Ride heights for Disney World: 38″
Best for: Early elementary, upper elementary, tweens, teens, adults
Lightning Lane attraction: Yes
Location: Fantasyland
Genie+ accepted: No
Lightning Lane attraction: Yes
Indoor or outdoor: Both
6. Rides at Disney Magic Kingdom for Upper Elementary-Aged Kids and Up
There aren’t many big kid rides at Magic Kingdom, but there are a couple that are limited to this age group.
Space Mountain
Space Mountain is an incredibly dark, fast, indoor roller coaster through space. It doesn’t go upside down, but every twist and turn is unexpected. It is a must do Magic Kingdom ride for thrill seekers.
Each car seats three people in a single file row. Because you cannot see anything, you will not know for sure that your child is still in the car until you pull into the station at the end. Enjoy.
Note: Space Mountain is normally an individual Lightning Lane attraction, but Disney has temporarily added it to Genie+ as of the time of this update.
Height requirement Disney World: 44″
Best for: Upper elementary, tweens, teens, adults
Location: Tomorrowland
Genie+ accepted: No
Lightning Lane attraction: Yes
Indoor or outdoor: Indoor
Splash Mountain
Splash Mountain is a water ride in a flume. This is great in the summer, and miserable when it’s cold outside. You will get wet. Bring a poncho.
The ride is slow moving for the most part, but comes with substantial drops that may be too much for younger children.
As of the time of this update, the ride still has scenes from Song of the South. What is Song of the South, you ask? You don’t see that on Disney+? Song of the South is a movie from the 1940s that has been shelved because it is so racist. It is slated for an update to a Princess and the Frog theme.
Disney World height requirement: 40″
Best for: Upper elementary, tweens, teens, adults
Location: Frontierland
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Both
Final Thoughts – Magic Kingdom Rides by Age
The park has a ton of rides, most of which are family friendly. You won’t be able to hit them all in one day. Prioritize what is important to you, select the best Magic Kingdom rides by age for your family, and make memories with your kids.
This is a very helpful post for next time I go, as I have forgotten so much already. We took our children, ages 10 and 12 in 2019 and we really enjoyed it. It’s a great place to visit for any age, old or young. I think my husband enjoyed it more than us! We are looking to go again, when visiting universities from the UK!
We had to reschedule our Disney trip for next year due to the pandemic, but I can’t wait to use this guide for then to get the most out of our trip! We’re so excited!
Now I know I definitely want to visit Disney
I have friends who went there a while back and some have said that it can be extremely daunting figuring out what to do when and how.
Thanks for sharing some great tips
Never been but seems like a great experience to go on with your children. I can’t wait to take my daughter.
My girls are teens now but they still love Disney Magic Kingdom! They are already hitting me up for a summer excursion to Disney. I just hope the coronavirus crisis ends soon.
We have not visited Disney World as of yet, but have been to Disneyland many times, and loved it! I hope people will be able to visit sometime this year depending on what the happens with the Coronavirus. Thank you for sharing!
Disney is so fun but it can be hard to navigate the best touring strategy. This is so helpful, I love the pictures.