Are you wondering which is the BEST Disney World park for toddlers? Then you have come to the right place!
Though the happiest place on earth is a perfect destination for all visitors regardless of age, there are some sections of Disney World created with the little ones in mind.
So, which area should you put on the top spot in your itinerary?
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Which Is The Best Disney World Park For Toddlers?
Families often ask this question! And while all of Disney World is toddler-friendly, there are a couple of theme parks that the youngest guests will really love. Each of the four theme parks have toddler-friendly rides, attractions, and character experiences.
So to maximize your toddler’s magical vacation, I recommend a four day, four park hopper ticket so you can really maximize the magic of your family trip. This also gives you the option to return to any of the theme parks your little really enjoys and to make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Now, we have taken our kids to Disney World since my oldest was three months old, and we visited each of the four parks on many of our vacations. But, truth be told, some of the theme parks will have a few more toddler-friendly experiences.
Whether you only have one toddler or a bus full of excited children, this guide will give you an overview of the differences of the four parks so you can decide how you want to structure your family vacation.
Magic Kingdom: Disney World’s Best Area for Young Guests
There’s possibly no group that enjoys Disney World more than toddlers. Their expansive and creativity-filled imaginations are a perfect match for this enchanting destination.
For starters, this section includes some of the best attractions for kids in Disney World. A few of the best rides for toddlers you and your child are guaranteed to adore include:
- “It’s a small world”
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- The Barnstormer (if they are tall enough)
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Prince Charming’s Royal Carrousel
- Buzz Light Year’s Space Ranger Spin
- Pirate’s of the Caribbean
- Under The Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
- The Magic Carpet of Aladdin
- Jungle Cruise
- The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh
If you have a brave child who can handle the big thrills, and who is tall enough, you’re also not far away from adrenaline-pumping rides like the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Space Mountain.
Top Kid-friendly Areas and Attractions in Magic Kingdom
Of course, you and your toddler will tire quickly if your entire day is occupied with rides!
Fortunately, the Magic Kingdom offers a diverse range of opportunities for your toddler to get out of those lines (or their stroller) and stay engaged with the magic occurring around them. Here are our favorites:
· Play Areas: Tom Sawyer Island and Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station (located inside the Storybook Circus) are popular, air-conditioned play areas your child will love. You’ll also find a play area inside the waiting room for Dumbo, the Flying Elephant, and interactive activities while waiting for the Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh ride.
· Shows: The Country Bear Jamboree and Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room are two other attractions geared towards younger audiences.
· Character Meet & Greets: This is where the magic really happens! Make lasting memories (and pictures) by finding the many character locations throughout Magic Kingdom, including Cinderella, Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, and more!
· Parades: If you’re looking for an excuse to chill out for a few minutes, consider waiting for one of the Magic Kingdom’s engaging parades to swing by Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade and Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire are two fan-favorite events you can catch in Magic Kingdom.
· Fireworks: This quintessential Disney World event is perfect for visitors of all ages. If your toddler isn’t too tired, stick around until closing to watch a gorgeous fireworks show explode directly over Cinderella Castle! Still, keep in mind that this can be a loud event, so consider standing farther away from the castle.
Epcot: A Worthwhile Runner Up
Don’t worry; whether you have another few days to spend or simply want to explore the areas outside of Magic Kingdom, there are still more ways for you and your toddler to have a great time.
So, once you’ve experienced everything Magic Kingdom has to offer, consider making a trip to Epcot to keep the fun going strong.
And here’s a Disney World with toddlers tip: Be sure to ride the best non-theme park ride to get there – the Monorail. Toddlers also love the boat rides, but from Magic Kingdom to Epcot, the Monorail is the best way to get there. And, they’ll think it’s a ride!
Now, what exactly makes this park so great for the little ones? Well, there are a few reasons. For one, Epcot’s attractions are spaced much closer together compared to other areas in Disney World, meaning you’ll have to walk far less to get to each destination — an advantage that’ll keep your child from tiring out too quickly.
Next, Epcot is the second park with the most toddler-friendly rides at Disney World behind Magic Kingdom. A few to add to your list include:
- Frozen Ever After
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
- Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Spaceship: Earth
- Living with the Land
- Journey Into Imagination With Figment
- Moana’s Journey of Water (opening late 2023)
Of course, these rides are fun for all ages, so you can also expect to have a blast taking your child to each!
Top Kid-friendly Areas and Attractions in Epcot
Every year, millions of people visit Disney World’s Epcot alone. The enormous park truly has something for everyone, allowing guests of all ages to soak up that famed Disney magic wherever they find themselves.
Still, there are a few areas you must explore before you leave for the full experience, especially when visiting one of the best Disney World parks for toddlers. Some top spots include:
· World Showcase: This is one of Epcot’s biggest draws. Located around Showcase Lagoon, walking through this circular area will take you through a series of multicultural pavilions, including Mexico, China, Germany, Italy, and more. Each stop is staffed with cast members from each country, granting visitors a truly immersive experience.
· Kidcot Fun Stop: Don’t forget to stop by the Kidcot Fun Stop at each country in the World Showcase to receive a personalized Traveler Card souvenir!
· Character Meet & Greets: Epcot wouldn’t be part of Disney World without its fair share of character meet & greet opportunities! You’ll find multiple famous icons throughout the World Showcase, such as Mulan in China, Mary Poppins in the United Kingdom, and Snow White in Germany.
· Shopping: Of course, you will also want to look for the best shopping throughout Epcot’s diverse range of retail stores. Every country has their own themed stores to explore and discover your favorite souvenir to take home.
· Fireworks: That’s right; Epcot also has its own fireworks show! Every evening, you’ll catch the Harmonious fireworks finale sparkling over the Showcase Lagoon. You can see it from anywhere in the park, though you’ll get the best view of the spectacular if you’re facing the Stargate area.
The Other Best Disney World Parks For Toddlers
While Magic Kingdom and Epcot are the two not to be missed with toddlers, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios do have toddler-friendly areas. So they should also be on your list when visiting Disney World with toddlers.
Now, those parks have less for toddlers than Magic Kingdom and Epcot. But you shouldn’t rule them out if you are traveling with older kids, a multigenerational family, or even if you are planning to visit all of the parks.
As most toddlers love animals and zoos, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a great place for the youngest guests to stretch their legs and see animals up close. Rides they’ll love include:
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Rafiki’s Planet Watch
- Wildlife Express Train
- The Boneyard (a dinosaur themed playground)
- Na’vi’s River Journey
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has Toy Story Land. This area has Toy Story Mania and Alien Swirling Saucers that toddlers love. And a chance to get a photo opp with Buzz Lightyear or Woody is worth the price of any toy! Toddlers can also ride:
- Mickey and Minnies’ Runaway Railway
- Muppet Vision 3D
- Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
But if you can only visit two parks, Magic Kingdom and Epcot would be the best Disney World parks for toddlers.
Final Thoughts on The Best Disney World Parks For Toddlers
Disney World is great for all ages. But toddlers particularly enjoy the Magic Kingdom and Epcot for the extra dose of pixie dust tots adore.
Whether they are fans of Disney princesses, Toy Story, pirates, Mickey and Minnie or any of the friends, these are the best Disney World parks for toddlers. They’ll be sure to see their favorite characters and watch their favorite Disney films come to life.
Visiting these best Disney World parks for toddlers is sure to engage them in the magic and bring extra pixie dust to your Disney World vacation.
About the author:
Satya Pattigilli works for Orlando Vacations, a family-owned vacation company that specializes in Orlando vacation packages for over 30 years. Orlando Vacations helps families plan vacations and get discounts on hotels, home rentals, and theme park tickets and activities throughout the Orlando area.
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