15 Best Disney Rides for Kids – Ranked in Order
Look, I’m an adult and I love going to Disney parks, but you and I are not the target audience. Disney is for children more than anyone else.
As a parent, you almost certainly wonder which rides will bring your kids the most satisfaction. MickeyBlog is here to help.
Here is what I believe are the best Disney rides for kids.
15) Dumbo the Flying Elephant
The only rule here is that none of these rides have a height requirement, which means that anyone can jump on board and have a good time.
Dumbo works as a catch-all because there are two other rides just like it – TriceraTop Spin and the Magic Carpets of Aladdin.
All of them include the same gimmick, which is that you enter a ride cart and then get spun around at a gentle but satisfying pace.
Photo: Disney
Your child is always safe, but that special brand of Disney escapism allows them to feel like they’re flying.
Kids will love Dumbo (and similar rides) until they outgrow it.
14) Mad Tea Party
Parenting is a tough gig.
You’ve gotta do some stuff you don’t wanna do, and while your stomach may hate Mad Tea Party, your kid will delight in spinning that cup so fast that you’ll get sick.
And then they’ll taunt you for it.
Alternately, your child will get sick and you have to deal with a cranky youngster.
Photo: Disney
Either way, this ride is an icon of Magic Kingdom.
13) “it’s a small world”
You have sat through enough children’s television programming to know that kids love repetitive songs.
Decades before “Baby Shark,” the Sherman Brothers created a similar monstrosity in “It’s a Small World.”
Kids will get a kick out of the cartoonish imagery and will sing that song until you’re ready to grab a bottle of Tylenol.
Photo: Paul Hiffmeyer/Disney Parks
You also can’t beat the wholesome message.
12) Haunted Mansion
You probably expected this one to be higher since it doesn’t have a height requirement, but let’s be honest that this ride isn’t for all kids.
Some are legitimately terrified by it.
After all, Constance Hatchaway is killing husbands, and the pre-ride show starts with a guy hanging himself.
Kids will appreciate this one more as they get older.
Photo: Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort
11) Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Sibling rivalries are real, and kids love it when they beat their parents at anything. Thus, these rides with video game elements prove wildly popular.
This one isn’t the best or even the best one with a Toy Story theme, but it’s still plenty of fun and rarely has long lines.
10) Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
Yes, we’re ranking this higher than “it’s a small world,” even though it’s an unmistakable imitator. I think you understand the reason why, though.
“it’s a small world” may have Mary Blair-inspired dolls, but Gran Fiesta Tour has Donald Duck.
9) Pirates of the Caribbean
My wife and I had a fierce debate about this one, as she’s voting on this list as well. She argues that the overwhelming popularity of pirates makes this a destination attraction for kids.
I actually agree with her on the point. However, if you read the rest of this list, you’ll appreciate how many high-quality, child-friendly Disney rides are available.
Pirates of the Caribbean is fantastic and an attraction you’ll appreciate more as you get older. For some kids, it feels dated, though.
8) Peter Pan’s Flight
Everything we’ll discuss from this point forward is an attraction your kids will want to ride over and over again.
The joy with Peter Pan’s Flight begins in the line queue when kids explore the magical bedroom of the Darling children.
Then, it continues as they fly through Neverland, providing one of the best escapist experiences at Walt Disney World.
7) The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Finding Nemo and its sequel Finding Dory embody the best of Pixar. As such, kids love these stories, especially one with that ridiculous fish, Dory.
There’s something engaging and approachable about Dory that makes her uniquely appealing to children.
This ride is one of the hidden gems of Walt Disney World. And the line is usually short.
6) The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
The Hundred Acre Wood has delighted children for generations now, and Disney’s interpretation is particularly reverential.
Image Credit: Disney
You will feel like you’ve joined Pooh and friends on a grand adventure.
Kids of all ages love Tigger in particular, and one section of this ride offers the chance to bounce right along with him.
5) Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Kids love cute characters, fun songs, and fart jokes. So, this ride has the holy trifecta for them.
Plus, you loved Figment as a kid, and that never changed.
4) Toy Story Mania!
Remember the things I said about Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin? Stretch those to the nth degree.
Toy Story represents the best gamified experience to date at Disney theme parks. Even the recent addition of WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure utilizes the same ride structure for its core.
This ride embodies the greatness of Disney rides keeping you young forever. Frankly, it’s stunning that there are rides better than this.
3) Kilimanjaro Safaris
This one’s pretty simple. Disney marries a theme park ride with a zoo visit.
When kids board this attraction, they get to watch animals in their natural habitats.
I’m not sure any other ride will impact your child as much as this one.
However, it is a 20 to 30-minute ride in the blazing sun, and animals are every bit as mercurial as children. So, some experiences are better than others.
2) Frozen Ever After
One of my other gigs involves keeping up with streaming media ratings. I’m constantly amused by how well the Frozen movies do, as they’re often among the top ten movies on Disney+.
You’re more than five years old, so you know all about the Frozen craze that swept the world a few years ago.
Frozen Ever After makes Arendelle feel real and the relationship between Anna and Elsa all the more poignant.
Image Credit: Disney
Plus, kids will love that Olaf and Sven make an appearance, too.
1) Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
My wife and I had a long debate about what should win. We fully understand if you prefer Frozen Ever After, Kilimanjaro Safaris, or one of the other attractions on this list.
Ultimately, whatever ride is your child’s favorite is the one that wins for you.
We’re picking Runaway Railway because children get to live out one of their truest fantasies. They enter a cartoon.
Despite the fact that it’s been open since March of 2020, this ride remains an unknown to many due to the pandemic.
I assure you that it is a destination-worthy attraction, one that will justify your next Disney vacation.
