The Magic Kingdom is definitely the most popular of the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, and is home to lots of rides that kids and adults will love. When visiting Walt Disney World, you may be wondering what Magic Kingdom rides your kids will enjoy during your visit.
We’ve been visiting the park since my kids were 10 months and 2 years old, and the kids have always found something fun to experience on our trips. Now, with the introduction of the TRON Lightcycle/Run, there are also some rides that are great for older kids.
The Magic Kingdom is separated by different “lands”, each with a different theme. These lands are all home to different rides that fit in with the theme. It can be hard to do the Magic Kingdom in one day – but it definitely can be done.
Keep in mind that rides regularly go down for refurbishment and updates, so check the Walt Disney World website before leaving on vacation so that you aren’t disappointed. You’ll also want to check the height restrictions in advance so your kids aren’t upset when you arrive if they aren’t able to ride.
Wondering what rides are at the Magic Kingdom? Check out our complete guide to the Magic Kingdom attractions and rides, including our picks for the best rides at Magic Kingdom.
Disclosure: I’ve been on some complimentary trips to Walt Disney World, some through Disney Social Media Moms, and some at my own expense. In the past, I was a member of the Disney Parks Moms Panel, but all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. A purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you.
When booking your Walt Disney World vacation, consider purchasing through our affiliate Get Away Today. They offer great prices on tickets and can book many hotels.
A Complete Guide to the Magic Kingdom Rides: Magic Kingdom Ride List
Tomorrowland
As you walk past Main Street USA, you’ll see the entrance to Tomorrowland to the right of Cinderella Castle. As a kid, I always loved Tomorrowland the best, because I loved the concept of the future as well as the rides within the land. Now, the future in the land is a bit dated – it’s more focused on our perception of what the future may have been like.
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
Compete with your family to see who can get the most points! This popular ride has you controlling the vehicle to spin around, gathering points by hitting targets. While it’s a bit similar to Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios, I love this ride. It offers Genie+, and the lines can be pretty long as the day goes on.
Space Mountain
This is my all-time favorite ride at Walt Disney World because I loved it so much as a kid. This dark Magic Kingdom roller coaster takes you on a ride through space. It offers Genie+ and is still very popular. It has a harness-style restraint, and the ride vehicles have one seat in each row. If your child is a little nervous riding this roller coaster, the seating can make it a bit difficult because you won’t be able to sit side by side.
Astro Orbiter
Take an elevator up to this ride, where you can control your vehicle to go up and down over the park. It’s a similar movement to the Flying Carpets and Dumbo, but because it’s already elevated, you’ll be up even higher than on those rides.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority
This tame ride is a nice place to relax and enjoy a little downtime. It takes you around Tomorrowland and generally has little to no line. Young kids can ride it as well.
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
This isn’t a ride, but an amusing show. It runs all day, and during the show, you’ll be treated to jokes in the Monsters Inc. style. It’s a nice place to get out of the sun and rest your feet, and the show is really fun. This has consistently been one of my kids’ favorite attractions.
TRON Lightcyle/Run
The newest ride at the Magic Kingdom is also one of the most exciting. Board a cycle and ride through this coaster which is mostly outdoors. It’s a thrilling ride, although it is a bit short.
Currently, you’ll need to either purchase an individual lightning lane or get a spot in the virtual queue in order to ride this attraction. It’s extremely popular since it’s so new, and you’ll want to get either so these as soon as they are released.
Tomorrowland Speedway
In this ride, you can “speed” along in a small car on a mini speedway. Kids over 54 inches can drive alone, while kids over 32 inches are able to drive if accompanied by someone 54 inches or over. Young kids really like this ride, but it isn’t the most thrilling.
Fantasyland
Fantasyland is probably the most popular of the lands at Magic Kingdom and includes many of the most iconic Disney Magic Kingdom rides.
Peter Pan’s Flight
This, surprisingly, is one of the most popular Magic Kingdom rides. It offers Genie+, and the lines can get very long. In this dark ride, you’ll board a ride vehicle and travel through the story of Peter Pan. It’s best for younger kids because older kids won’t want to wait in lines for this mild ride. But younger kids absolutely love it.
it’s a small world
I never skip riding “it’s a small world” when I travel to the Magic Kingdom. Known as “The Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed”, it’s a small world takes you through various cultures on this slow-moving boat ride. You’ll still be singing the song hours after visiting. My kids went on this as babies and still love riding it.
Barnstormer
This mild roller coaster in the new Fantasyland section of the park is the perfect first coaster for younger ones. It’s definitely the easiest of the Magic Kingdom roller coasters. We started with this one and moved up to the larger coasters. Visit early to avoid the lines.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
My kids were little before the new Fantasyland section of the park was open, and we used to wait in long lines in the sun to ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Now, there are two separate carousels, with an indoor queue. In this ride, you can control the elephant vehicle to go up and down as it spins.
Under the Sea – the Journey of the Little Mermaid
This attraction in Fantasyland is a dark ride that takes you through the story of the Little Mermaid. It’s a pretty easy, mild ride, although the sections with Ursula may feel a little scary for the littlest ones.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
One of the newest of the Disney World Magic Kingdom rides is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, which is part dark ride, part coaster. It’s the smoothest ride you can imagine, and you’ll want to ride over and over again. There’s an interactive queue, but Genie+ is also available. It’s extremely popular.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Younger kids will love this dark ride, which takes you through a story featuring Winnie and Pooh and Friends. Older kids probably won’t be as interested in this one.
The Mad Tea Party
Because I absolutely cannot spin without feeling sick for the rest of the day, this is the only ride at the Magic Kingdom that I haven’t been on. My kids love it though, and now that they are old enough, they can ride it on their own (much to my husband’s relief).
Mickey’s Philharmagic
This isn’t a ride as much as it is a movie. It’s fun to watch, and it’s usually a great way to rest and get out of the sun. We always try to see it when visiting the Magic Kingdom.
Liberty Square
The smallest land of the park is Liberty Square, between Fantasyland and Frontierland. Although it’s small, you won’t want to miss it. It’s also home to my favorite quick-service Magic Kingdom restaurants, the Columbia Harbour House.
Haunted Mansion
This iconic ride has one of the best themes at the Magic Kingdom. It’s definitely too scary for little ones, but older kids will love the storyline and the fun spooky touches throughout the ride.
The Hall of Presidents
This is another great spot to take a break from the sun. My kids find it boring, but I think it’s a great idea to spend a little time there and learn a bit more about US history and the US presidents.
Frontierland
Visit the Wild West in Frontierland, where you can ride two of the three “mountains” at Walt Disney World. It’s located between Liberty Square and Adventureland.
Big Thunder Mountain
Board this train ride through the mine. It’s one of my family’s favorite rides (although we definitely preferred the one at Disneyland Paris). It’s not too scary of a coaster, but some kids may still be a bit scared (and height restrictions do apply).
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Officially opening June 28th, 2024, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has replaced Splash Mountain in Frontierland. It’s still a flume water ride, but will have a different theme where you can embark on a journey through the bayou with Tiana and other characters from the Princess and the Frog.
Adventureland
Between Frontierland and Cinderella Castle is Adventureland. While you are there because to get a Dole Whip, one of the most popular and delicious treats at Walt Disney World.
Pirates of the Caribbean
The ride that inspired the movie franchise is definitely a must-do at Walt Disney World. It’s a relatively tame ride but is dark, so young kids may be a bit scared. This is another attraction that we always have to ride during our Disney vacations.
The Jungle Cruise
Prepare for some of the best (worst?) puns as you go on this cruise through the jungle. If you like the Jungle Cruise, you may want to visit the new Jungle Cruise-themed restaurant at the Magic Kingdom.
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
This ride, which is similar to Dumbo and the Astro Orbiter, lets you control the vehicle up and down as you travel in a circle. My kids always loved riding this one, as well as Dumbo, and we never missed it. Lines generally aren’t too long but are shortest in the mornings.
There are other Magic Kingdom rides and attractions not mentioned here, including the carousel, Philharmagic, Tom Sawyer Island, Enchanted Tales with Belle, the Carousel of Progress, the Country Bears Jamboree, the Enchanted Tiki Room, and the Liberty Square Riverboat.
The Best Magic Kingdom Ride With Toddlers
Families visiting the Magic Kingdom may wonder what the best Magic Kingdom ride with toddlers is. That will often depend on what your kids’ specific interests are. As little ones, my kids generally loved the rides in Fantasyland. “It’s a small world” and Dumbo the Flying Elephant were their two favorites.
If your kids are on the edge of possibly riding the roller coasters, you may want to start with the Barnstormer to see how they do. The first time I tried to take my son on the Barnstormer, he walked ahead of me onto the ride vehicle and immediately off. I had to run to chase after him, but I knew at that point he wasn’t even close to being ready for the bigger coasters!
The Best Magic Kingdom Thrill Ride
Looking for some thrill rides? The Magic Kingdom really isn’t home to any really scary thrill rides, although there are several coasters. The scariest ride at the Magic Kingdom is probably Tron – although it’s not scary, it does go fast!
See more about scary rides at Walt Disney World here.
The Best Magic Kingdom Ride
This one is almost impossible to answer because there are so many iconic rides there. Our current favorite is the Seven Dwarfs Mine train because it’s so unique and new. Luckily, you most likely won’t have to choose just one!
What is your favorite Magic Kingdom ride?
More Resources: Want to know more about Disney World rides? Click here to read all of our posts about Disney rides and attractions.
