Things to do with kids in Walt Disney World

Things to do with kids in Walt Disney World

1. 
   EatJapanese restaurantDisney Springs

   World Showcase of Flavors

   Epcot

   Select fan-favorites from the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival will now be available year-round, including lobster rolls and pierogies.

   Wheelchair accessible
2. 
   SeeAttractionHollywood Studios

   The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

   Rod Serling welcomes you into this mystery, involving an elevator on the 13th floor, a late-night lightning strike, and vanished guests. Most people ignore the story, though, and just go on this ride for the 13-story free-fall down the elevator shaft, followed by a random sequence of sudden rising and falling. Not for the faint of stomach, period. The view from the top is quite a sight, if you can open your eyes long enough to look. The pre-ride area of the attraction is filled with references both obscure and subtle to various episodes of the TV show.
3. 
   EatDisney Springs

   Fantasy Fare

   Magic Kingdom

   Popular dishes from Disney's worldwide theme parks that aren't usually available in Florida, like Disneyland's hand-dipped corn dogs.

   Mo-Su "Magic Kingdom park hours vary from day to day. For current park hours visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars/"
4. 
   SeeAttractionMagic Kingdom

   "it's a small world"

   Set sail on the happiest cruise around the world, to be serenaded by stylized Audio-Animatronics of children from every continent. This was originally Pepsi and Bank of America's pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair. The cheerful theme song is known all over the world, for its message of unity and peace, and for its relentlessly catchy tune.
5. 
   SeeAttractionMagic Kingdom

   Tron Lightcycle / Run

   This outdoor roller coaster which was launched in Shanghai Disneyland in 2016. The rollercoaster is the same as its twin. You will ride the coaster like a motorcycle going through different turns.

   8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
6. 
   SeeAttractionAnimal Kingdom

   Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

   Located in the fictional village of Serka Zong. Defy local wisdom and book a train ride through the heart of yeti country, crossing the Forbidden Mountain to forge a path to Everest. Don't say you weren't warned, however, when you find the tracks are out and your train starts careening backwards! This roller coaster is exciting and includes a number of neat twists and special effects. The queue is also worth seeing; it takes you through an expedition-supply shop and a museum purporting to hold conclusive evidence of the yeti's existence. Very popular ride, so you might want to consider a Fastpass, especially if you've been through the standby queue once already.
7. 
   SeeAttractionMagic Kingdom

   Peter Pan's Flight

   Experience the story of Peter Pan from your own flying pirate ship. Soar over the rooftops of London, and on to Neverland. Hit this attraction early, as the line can get very long.
8. 
   SeeAttractionMagic Kingdom

   Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

   A roller coaster with a runaway mine train theme. No inversions, but the hairpin turns, fast hills, and frequent tunnels make for an exciting ride.
9. 
   SeeAttractionEpcot

   Spaceship Earth

   This dark ride through the history of communication was revamped in 2007 with new scenes and new narration by Dame Judi Dench, but its message is the same as it was when it first opened in 1982: communication is the key to all human achievement. Kids might get bored; keep them occupied looking for humorous vignettes scattered among the Audio-Animatronic scenes.

   Wheelchair accessible
10. 
    SeeAttractionMagic Kingdom

    Space Mountain

    The classic rocket-themed indoor roller coaster. It's quite dark, which enhances the thrill because you don't know what's coming next. (And those who've been on it with the lights on will assure you that you probably don't want to see how close you get to the structure above you!)
11. 
    SeeAttractionMagic Kingdom

    Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

    An indoor dark ride with a laser gun game. Help Buzz Lightyear beat the evil Emperor Zurg by firing your laser at targets scattered throughout the ride. Some targets are worth more than others, but you won't know which are which! You'll want to ride multiple times to try to beat your scores.
12. 
    SeeAttractionMagic Kingdom

    Mad Tea Party

    The Mad Hatter and the March Hare invite you for a spin in a giant teacup. You can spin your teacup around its center axis at whatever speed you like, but that's not the only thing that'll be moving; each group of five cups also spins around a common axis, and then the whole shebang rotates around a giant teapot. Riders with plenty of arm strength can get their teacup spinning to ridiculous speeds; know your limits!
13. 
    SeeAttractionEpcot

    Frozen Ever After

    Ride a Scandinavian boat through the waterways of Arendelle, in a continuation of the story from Frozen. Opened on June 21, 2016 and replaced the former Maelstrom attraction, utilizing the same ride vehicles and a similar track layout. Very popular.

    Wheelchair accessible
14. 
    DoAmusement parkEpcot

    Mission: SPACE

    A centrifugal flight simulator lets you feel what it would be like to train for a journey to Mars, but it's not just a passive ride—you and the others in your capsule have tasks to do during the flight. The spinning of the centrifuge is effective at generating g-forces, but it can induce motion sickness (bags are available). It helps if you keep your head back against the headrest and focus on the images on the screen, which show straight-line acceleration; looking away removes the visual cues and makes it feel more like rotation. If you really want to avoid the spinning and the g-forces, look for the "Green Team" queue, which will put you in a capsule that doesn't spin; it's still a fun ride but not as thrilling. Gary Sinise appears as your mission controller..

    Wheelchair accessible
15. 
    SeeAttractionMagic Kingdom

    Dumbo the Flying Elephant

    Dumbo spreads his giant ears and flies around and around, and you can make him go up and down as you spin. This classic attraction has been the very first "thrill ride" for countless kids over the years. Now, with two carousels and an indoor "virtual" queuing area with activities and games, the days of insufferable waits for Dumbo are over. (Guests using FastPass+ will bypass the activities inside the big tent.)
16. 
    SeeAttractionAnimal Kingdom

    Kali River Rapids

    This is a wild whitewater ride through a tropical forest. Not much educational content here; it's just a fun, very wet ride. You will get soaked, guaranteed, not just from the ride but from the water guns controlled by guests on the surrounding walkways.
17. 
    SeeMagic Kingdom

    Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

    An innovative roller coaster takes guests through the Seven Dwarfs' mine in carts that swing precariously back and forth. This is not a mega-thrill ride like some of Disney's big coasters, but it will still offer plenty of excitement... particularly for kids who've graduated from The Barnstormer over at Storybook Circus.
18. 
    SeeAttractionAnimal Kingdom

    Avatar Flight of Passage

    A thrilling simulator ride allows guests to experience the landscape and scenery of Pandora from the back of a banshee, the vicious flying beasts ridden by the Na'vi in the film.
19. 
    SeeAttractionAnimal Kingdom

    Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail

    A walk-through area near the exit of the Kilimanjaro Safaris. This forested area is home to hippos, meerkats, and gorillas, among other animals. As you walk through, keep an eye out for research documents from the Harambe Reserve researchers and their student visitors, which serve to both maintain the fictional setting and provide information about the animals.
20. 
    SeeAttractionMagic Kingdom

    The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

    Guide your carpet up and down as it spins around and around, but if you don't watch out for the spitting camels, you're going to get a little wet!
21. 
    SeeAttractionHollywood Studios

    Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage

    Theater of the Stars

    A 20-minute condensation of the popular animated film. It's more "cartoony" than the Broadway musical you may have seen, but it's great for kids who may not sit through a longer production. Colorful costumes and the classic songs make for an entertaining time.

    Wheelchair accessible
22. 
    SeeAttractionHollywood Studios

    Alien Swirling Saucers

    Themed as a playset that Andy won at the Pizza Planet restaurant, step into these outer space saucers as the famous green Aliens whirl you around. Listen to some electronic intergalactic music play as you watch and see if you get "chosen" by the claw!
23. 
    SeeAttractionAnimal Kingdom

    Na'vi River Journey

    This boat ride lets visitors see Pandora at a much more leisurely pace. You'll have encounters with all sorts of exotic Pandoran flora and fauna, culminating in a visit from a Na'vi shaman.
24. 
    DoMiniature golf courseEpcot

    Fantasia Gardens

    Just southwest of the Walt Disney World Swan hotel is a whimsical pair of 18-hole miniature golf courses. True to the name, the area is themed around the 1940 animated feature Fantasia. The "Fantasia Gardens" course is the more traditional of the two, with big, colorful courses and obstacles and a few special surprises to boot. The "Fantasia Fairways" course is like a real golf course in miniature—rolling fairways, sand traps, and no rails to keep your ball from going off into the rough. It's much harder, too; young kids should stick to the Gardens course or head to Winter Summerland at Blizzard Beach.

    10AM-11PM·Adults $12, children $10 per 18 holes (second round, same day, is half price). Before 4PM, a Water Park Fun & More option can be used for one round of golf
25. 
    SeeAnimal Kingdom

    Dinosaur

    Head back in time to the late Cretaceous, come face-to-face with a variety of dinosaurs, then race against time to escape the asteroid impact that ended their reign. Pretty rough but fun. Very dark and probably too scary for little kids, with lots of "gotcha" moments.
26. 
    EatAmerican restaurantHollywood Studios

    50s Prime Time Cafe

    Very good homestyle "comfort food" served in a classic 1950s sitcom kitchen, complete with Formica tabletops and black-and-white televisions. Word to the wise: you had better eat all your vegetables if you want to order dessert. Your server, in character as an ersatz family member, will have no qualms about putting you on the spot about this or any number of things; it's all in good fun, but do not eat here if you're not in the mood to play along.

    11AM-park close·$13-$21 · Wi-Fi · Wheelchair accessible
27. 
    EatRestaurantHollywood Studios

    ABC Commissary

    An unusually international menu for a counter-service location. The menu varies, but there is usually at least one Asian entree and some sort of Latin American dish.

    Park open-park close·$6-$9 · Wheelchair accessible · Vegan options
28. 
    DoEpcot

    Turtle Talk with Crush

    Part of Disney's Living Character Initiative, this is an interactive show featuring the sea turtle character. Kids get to ask Crush questions, and he responds in real time. Great fun, especially for young kids, but very popular.

    Wheelchair accessible
29. 
    EatAmerican restaurantHollywood Studios

    Hollywood & Vine

    A buffet set in the glitter and glamour of Hollywood in the 1930s. Breakfast and lunch are called "Disney Junior Play 'n Dine", featuring the Disney Junior characters for young kids, while the dinner meal is "Minnie's Seasonal Dine", where Minnie and her pals put on a rotating schedule of seasonal music, food, and fun.

    Park open-park close·$25 · Wheelchair accessible
30. 
    EatSeafood restaurantEpcot

    Coral Reef

    Don't go in the main entrance of the pavilion; head around to the right and find the side entrance that leads to this unique restaurant. Here you can eat with the fishes (and the occasional diver), in a dining room that shares a wall with the main aquarium tank; huge windows let you see the action while you eat. Let the cast members know if it's a special occasion, and they'll try to seat you up close.

    11:30AM-8:30PM·$27-38 · Wheelchair accessible
31. 
    SeeEpcot

    Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros

    A much-needed update to this gentle boat ride added the Three Caballeros, from the 1944 Disney film of the same name. Join Panchito and José Carioca on a gentle boat ride across all of Mexico, searching for Donald Duck, the last member of the trio, who has been distracted by all the commotion and gone missing.
32. 
    SeeEpcot

    Journey Into Imagination with Figment

    A classic Disney dark ride, starring Eric Idle and the iconic purple dragon named Figment. The ride is much improved since its 1999 revamp, but still pales compared to the original 1982 ride. Even so, it's still fun to explore the senses and what your imagination can conceive with just a little sensory push.
33. DoAnimal Kingdom

    Winter Summerland

    Just outside the Blizzard Beach gates is this inventive pair of miniature golf courses. Winter Summerland makes good use of the snow and ice theme; as the story goes, Santa Claus and his elves have created a vacation resort-away-from-home here in Florida. Half of the elves wanted something resembling home, so they borrowed winter-themed elements from Blizzard Beach to create the "Snow" course; the other half wanted to feel like they were actually in Florida and created the "Sand" course. There are sight gags galore, and the courses are great for kids and adults alike. Be warned: you can take the Blizzard Beach bus during that park's operating hours, and bus service to the All-Star Resorts and Epcot continues until 9PM, but after that you'll need to have a car handy.

    10AM-11PM·Adults $14, children $12 per 18 holes (second round, same day, is half price). Before 4PM, a Water Park Fun & More option can be used for one round of golf · Entry 19 usd

34. 
    EatAmerican restaurantMagic Kingdom

    Liberty Tree Tavern

    Dine like the Founding Fathers in a tavern inspired by 18th-century New England. At lunch, choose from items such as roast beef, roast turkey, or even a cheeseburger if you must. Dinner, on the other hand, is served family-style, and the pork, turkey, beef, potatoes, veggies, stuffing, and mac & cheese will keep coming (and coming) until you're full. The dinner isn't cheap but it's well worth the price (especially if you use the Dining Plan); everything is well made and you can't leave hungry. You will likely need ADRs to get a table here at dinner time.

    11:30AM-3PM, 4PM-varies·Lunch $35 - $59.99, dinner $35 - $59.99
35. 
    SeeAttractionHollywood Studios

    Slinky Dog Dash

    Andy's wrapped his Slinky Dog toy around the cars of his Mega Coaster Play Kit — and you get to ride it! A tame but exciting family roller coaster that winds through the building blocks and around the Lincoln Logs of the backyard.
36. DoAmusement parkAnimal Kingdom

    Wild Africa Trek

    Wild Africa tour

    Take a three-hour guided expedition into the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, including areas not normally seen from the Safari or the Trail. Guests will trek through vines on a bushwalk, cross a rope bridge over a river, peer over cliffs at hippos and crocodiles, and enjoy a private elevated safari camp right in the middle of the animals' habitats. You must be at least 9 years old and tall, and you must weigh between 45 and 310 pounds.

    Multiple expeditions daily, until mid-afternoon·$200 (price varies by season); park admission required

37. EatNorwegian restaurantEpcot

    Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

    The Royal Banquet Hall is the best place in Epcot to see the Disney Princesses, but you'd better bring an Advance Dining Reservation if you want to get in. The Princess Storybook meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—are exceedingly popular. A select number of Disney's Princesses will be on hand to chat and pose for pictures. The food is served family-style.

    8:30-12:10PM, 12:15-4:40PM, 5:25-8:05PM·Fixed price: $59/$38 breakfast, $69/$46 lunch/dinner · Wheelchair accessible

38. EatAmerican restaurantEpcot

    Garden Grill Restaurant

    Revolving circular restaurant above the Living With The Land ride. "Chip 'n Dale's Harvest Feast" is the name of the meal here, featuring home-style meat-and-potatoes food served family-style, much of it grown right there in The Land's greenhouses. In addition to Chip 'n Dale, you'll find Pluto and Farmer Mickey coming by to say hello. Despite the characters' presence, it's fairly quiet due to the shape of the restaurant, with the seating arrayed around the perimeter and the kitchen in the middle.

    Park open-park close·Fixed prices: Dinner $29/$14 · Wheelchair accessible

39. 
    SeeAttractionMagic Kingdom

    The Barnstormer Featuring the Great Goofini

    formerly The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacres Farm

    A children's roller coaster. Perfect alternative for those too short to ride Space Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
40. EatPolynesian restaurantMagic Kingdom

    'Ohana

    The restaurant's name is the Hawaiian word for "family," introduced to Disney audiences in the movie Lilo & Stitch (although this restaurant is much older than the film; The Walt Disney World Explorer application from the 1990s mentions this restaurant by name). Breakfast features the title characters from the film (and often Mickey and Pluto), though dinner does not. Both meals are, appropriately enough, served family-style, and feature Polynesian flavors without being too exotic.

    7:30AM-11AM, 5PM-10PM·Lilo & Stitch Best Friends Character Breakfast $25/$14; dinner $31/$15

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Walt Disney World (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps.