Best Rides at Magic Kingdom Disney World to Wear the Kids Out
Magic Kingdom is our favorite theme park of all time. The best rides at Magic Kingdom are family friendly, and not just in the way Barney and hot dogs are technically family friendly.
The best Magic Kingdom attractions Orlando has to offer are enjoyable for everyone, from the new walkers to the Golden Girls. The rides have an impressive amount of detail, and unlike at Universal, no one feels like they need to vomit when they get off of them.
The vast majority of the Magic Kingdom rides and attractions are great, but there are fifteen our family considers to be the best attractions at the Magic Kingdom.
What are the Best Attractions in Magic Kingdom Orlando Florida?
15. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
14. Town Square Theater
13. Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
12. Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
11. Mickey’s Philharmagic
10. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
9. “it’s a small world”
8. Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
7. Splash Mountain
6. Pirates of the Caribbean
5. Haunted Mansion
4. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
3. Peter Pan’s Flight
2. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
1. Space Mountain
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Magic Kingdom Attractions Touring Plans Orlando
Disney World is crowded. Like Soldier Field crowded. Waiting in long hot lines is fun and all, but I personally would rather minimize wasted time and irritation.
If you want to enjoy all of best Magic Kingdom attractions and rides in a single day, you will need a touring plan. Decide what you want to ride and input your must dos into the free Touring Plans app to get a tentative Magic Kingdom itinerary that you can update throughout the day.
A good personalized touring plan is key to enjoying your day without picking up a misdemeanor for choking a poorly mannered stranger sporting Minnie ears.
Best Attractions in Disney Magic Kingdom
15. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is one of the best attractions in Magic Kingdom for toddlers. It is a (mainly) slow moving ride in a honey pot through the Hundred-Acre Wood. The ride can get a little jerky at times, so it may not be ideal for someone who is sensitive to sharp movement. It also has a bit of a Requiem for a Dream vibe in the Heffalump section.
This line gets long. Consider going to this ride first thing in the morning. There is a cute play area in which kids can entertain themselves while they wait, so the Magic Kingdom queue times don’t feel too painful.
Location: Fantasyland
Height Requirement: None
FastPass+ Accepted: Yes
14. Town Square Theater
This is one of the few Magic Kingdom Main Street attractions that does not cost extra. The area is dominated by places for you to spend more money.
Town Square Theater is a place to meet Magic Kingdom characters Mickey Mouse and Tinker Bell. This seemingly unimpressive room makes the list because it is a quick way to meet Mickey Mouse and Tinker Bell in the air conditioning near the entrance to the park.
The entrance to Town Square Theater is connected to Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. If you purchase a Festival of Fantasy Parade package, you can conveniently knock this one out before or after lunch.
Location: Main Street, U.S.A.
Height Requirement: None
FastPass+ Accepted: Yes
13. Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is one of the best rides at Magic Kingdom for toddlers. It is a ride on a track through Tomorrowland. The cars speed up and slow down, but the speed is always easy to handle.
The majority of the ride is outdoors with a nice breeze. The cars pass through the interiors of some buildings, giving you a view of Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.
More than anything, this ride is amazing because it is a good length and always a walk on. You can ride it repeatedly while most other attractions have a wait. It is a great place to sit down for a few minutes.
Location: Tomorrowland
Height Requirement: None
FastPass+ Accepted: No
12. Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor is not a ride, but a Magic Kingdom indoor attraction featuring an air conditioned show. This is one of the best attractions in Magic Kingdom for adults who like dad jokes.
The audience helps Mike Wazowski collect laughter by mocking audience members. Cameras zoom in on unsuspecting middle-aged men and hilarity ensues. The show is cute, and it’s a great place to take a break from walking.
You can usually get into this attraction pretty quickly. I have never waited for more than two shows to end before it was our turn. Visit during the afternoon.
Location: Tomorrowland
Height Requirement: None
FastPass+ Accepted: Yes
11. Mickey’s Philharmagic
Mickey’s Philharmagic is an indoor, 3-D movie in a large theater. It is one of the best Magic Kingdom shows. Mickey conducts an orchestra with characters from Fantasia. Donald Duck throws a few fits, those giant brooms stomp around, and instruments fly. The movie is entertaining, and takes place in much appreciated air conditioning.
You will be able to get into this attraction with a minor wait at best. Save this attraction for a more crowded time of day.
Location: Fantasyland
Height Requirement: None
FastPass+ Accepted: Yes
10. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a roller coaster through tunnels, caves, rocks and waterfalls. The vehicle is a train that moves quickly. The ride is relatively mild and should be fun for those who are not huge thrill seekers.
This. Line. Is. Hot. There is a roof over this outdoor line, but it is not air conditioned. Prepare yourself to bake like Doug in The Hangover. Try to avoid this line in the middle of the day.
Location: Frontierland
Height Requirement: 40″
FastPass+ Accepted: Yes
9. Magic Kingdom it’s a small world
“it’s a small world” is another one of the best Magic Kingdom attractions for toddlers. It is an indoor boat ride through several rooms representing different cultures. There are roughly four billion animatronics singing the song over, and over, and over again.
This ride is old one of the Magic Kingdom original attractions, so some of the animatronics are less than politically correct. Putting that aside, the amount of work that went into this ride is mind blowing.
The ride is smooth, slow, and air conditioned. Everyone can ride. It clocks in at over ten minutes long, so it is worth some wait. The queue is outdoors and hot. Try to avoid riding during the middle of the day.
Location: Fantasyland
Height Requirement: None
FastPass+ Accepted: Yes
8. Magic Kingdom Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid is yet another one of the best Magic Kingdom rides for toddlers and small children. It is an indoor, air conditioned ride through scenes from The Little Mermaid. The cars move slowly, so everyone can ride.
This is one of our favorites, and we only have boys. There is a lot of detail, the colors are eye-catching, and the music is fun. It reminds me of elementary school and rewinding the VHS tape repeatedly to see if the priest really did have what we thought he did (and he did).
The Magic Kingdom attraction wait times for this ride can get long, but are usually reasonable.
Location: Fantasyland
Height Requirement: None
FastPass+ Accepted: Yes
7. Magic Kingdom Splash Mountain
Splash Mountain is a Magic Kingdom water ride through the story of Song of the South (a movie that will not be leaving the Disney vault, ever, because it is so racist). The ride is slated for an update to change the theming, but the work has not begun as of the time of this writing.
Putting aside that pesky highly inappropriate racist thing, the ride is fun. You slowly pass through several rooms with animatronics. The ride ends with a substantial drop. You will get wet. Pack your poncho.
Splash Mountain is a great ride to enjoy during warm weather. Cool weather, not so much (be a better mom than I am).
This line gets quite long in warm weather.
Location: Magic Kingdom Frontierland
Height Requirement: 40″
FastPass+ Accepted: Yes
6. Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean is a Disney World classic and one of the best Magic Kingdom Adventureland attractions. This slow moving, indoor boat rides takes you through several scenes starring pirates making bad decisions. The music is fun, and there is a lot to see.
This ride has certainly been around the block a few times. You may not love some of the messages these pirates convey. You have to have these uncomfortable talks with your kid sometime, right? Why not start when they are two at Disney World?
Ignoring the whole teaching the toddler to drink alcohol and commit crime thing, you have to appreciate the intricate detail. You will also appreciate the chill atmosphere and air conditioning. The line tends to move quickly and is mostly indoors. Save this one for the middle of the day.
Location: Adventureland
Height Requirement: None
FastPass+ Accepted: Yes
5. Magic Kingdom Haunted Mansion
Haunted Mansion is a famous Disney World ride in a haunted house. You ride through different areas of the house on a slow moving vehicle. It is one of the best rides in Magic Kingdom Orlando because there is a ton to see, from dancing ghosts to a graveyard scene that is reminiscent of the Thriller video. The level of detail is beyond impressive.
Most kids will be fine on this ride, but it might make some uncomfortable. It is definitely dark, but it is more silly spooky than scary. There is a stretching room before you board the car that has loud laughter, darkness, and thunder. If this will be too much for your child, ask an employee to skip this part.
Part of this line is outdoors, but it moves quickly. The attraction itself is indoors in air conditioning.
Location: Magic Kingdom Liberty Square
Height Requirement: None
FastPass+ Accepted: Yes
4. Magic Kingdom 7 Dwarfs Mine Train
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is one of the Magic Kingdom new attractions, relatively speaking. The ride is modern and updated. It switches between quick twists and turns (but does not go upside down) and slow moving sections with animatronics mining brightly colored gems. It is one of the best Magic Kingdom rides for adults.
The Magic Kingdom wait times for this ride are extremely long. Like getting your Real ID at the DMV long. People run to this ride at rope drop like Walmart just opened the TV aisle on Black Friday. The ride is fun, but not two hour line fun. What kind of a crazy person would wait more than two hours for a ride? Spoiler alert: me. I am that moron.
Location: Fantasyland
Height Requirement: 38″
FastPass+ Accepted: Yes
3. Peter Pan’s Flight
Peter Pan’s Flight is another one of the best attractions at Magic Kingdom for toddlers. You fly in a slow moving vehicle over scenes from Peter Pan. The colors are bright and fun, and the music is recognizable. The whole family can enjoy this ride together. It is indoors in air conditioning, so it is a great break from the sun.
The ride is short, and the line is bananas long. Arrive early.
Location: Magic Kingdom Fantasyland
Height Requirement: None
FastPass+ Accepted: Yes
2. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is an indoor ride where you shoot aliens with lasers. This is one of the best Magic Kingdom rides because you compete against the rest of your car, so your children are guaranteed to get into an argument.
The cars move slowly, so everyone can ride without difficulty. The ride is full of brightly colored things at which to aim. It is fun for everyone (until the fistfight).
The line can get long, but the majority of it is indoors in the air conditioning.
Location: Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland
Height Requirement: None
FastPass+ Accepted: Yes
1. Magic Kingdom Space Mountain
Space Mountain is an indoor roller coaster through space. It is one of the best Magic Kingdom attractions for adults. The ride was around well before the Tanner family stopped by with Uncle Jesse. It could use a tune up, but it is awesome. Just not for people with neck problems.
It is dark, and I mean really dark. You sit three to a car single file, and you cannot see the person in front of you. I spent the entire ride convinced my son had fallen out of the car.
The line for this ride gets long, but it is indoors, so it is easy to tolerate. The building is air conditioned.
Location: Tomorrowland
Magic Kingdom Height Requirements: 44″
FastPass+ Accepted: Yes
Final Thoughts – Best Attractions at Magic Kingdom Orlando
Magic Kingdom park attractions and rides are some of the best of any theme park in the world. The vast majority can be enjoyed by the whole family. You really need two days to enjoy all the park has to offer. Make a touring plan for Magic Kingdom, save as much as possible, and go for it. Visit Disney World. You will not regret it.
How cool! These all look like so much fun! What lucky kids!
This looks really fun, and some of your movie references are hilarious! Curious about The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh 🙂
So much information here. This is great. I love the pictures of your boys. They are so adorable. My daughter would probably love the little mermaid ride and great tips on the fast passes.
Really hoping to visit soon, haven’t been since I was a kid! Super great tips, thanks!
I love Haunted Mansion its one of my favorites!!! My niece who is terrified of the dark actually liked this ride but was freaked out on Pirates, too weird!! I think it’s about how you approach it with kids too. Saying oh we’re going to go see some silly ghosts and laughing will change their perspective of how they view the experience.
I’m so glad Space Mountain is your number one! It’s my favorite ride at Disney, by far! Great list, though! Some real gems on here!
Wish we were going back soon, this is a great list!
Oh I want to go back! The lines were too long for the Seven Dwarfs but the kids loved Winnie the Pooh! Thanks for the tips.
I loved the Magic Kingdom. All the rides had great details and everyone played the part of the rides. It was great! I’m not sure which one was my favourite ride…by Peter Pan really stands out in my mind the most. I can’t wait to go back
Wow. There is so much more at Disney from when I was a kid. I would love to take my boys there one day! Thanks for sharing.
Great info and very thorough! I totally agree with you about Space Mountain being the best! I also had no idea about the club level extra fast passes. What a ridiculous waste of $$$!
This is such a great post and you did an awesome job explaining all the great options at Magic Kingdom. MK has definitely become my favorite park as I’ve gotten older. I totally agree with what you said about how different Universal is from Magic Kingdom. The rides are of better quality and are family-friendly! Thanks for posting this.
Great! This will help me plan for the future!!
This is a great list! My favorite Magic Kingdom attraction is Space Mountain! There are so many attractions at the Magic Kingdom it’s hard to choose!
These truly are the best rides at Magic Kingdom! Even though there’s a whole lot of other rides at the park, we somehow always end up riding these. Great tips as well!
Reading this sent me on a lovely trip down memory lane. I am remembering our first trip to Disney and how much my kids loved Kingdom! You summed up all the great attractions! Thanks for sharing.
Wow! You guys really have this down to a science. Impressed. The kids look like they’re having a blast 🙂