Disney World Rides are some of the best in the world. With attractions for young children to adults, these are the best rides at Magic Kingdom Disney World.
We have visited the Walt Disney World resort many times with our kids since they were small children. Each year we have found new favorites and some of the best Magic Kingdom rides are what keeps us coming back.
If you are planning a visit to Disney World you need to understand there are 4 Disney theme parks. They are Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.
Each Disney theme park has a different theme and offers different attractions. For example you will find Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios.
The Frozen ride, Ratatouille, and Guardians of the Galaxy is at Epcot. Read this post for how we enjoy Epcot with Kids.
Animal Kingdom has Pandora: The World of Avatar as well as zoo and environmental elements. They also have a fun Wilderness Explorer Scavenger Hunt that we recommend doing when you are at the park. (It is free!)
You should also have a basic understanding of Disney Genie. Disney Genie is the free itinerary planner on the My Disney Experience App. Disney Genie+ is the paid skip the line reservation system that has replaced FastPass.
Guests can purchase Genie+ at an additional fee per day at the parks. These will allow you to skip the regular lines and enter attractions through the Lighting Lane (Previously FastPass line).
Typically the most popular rides are on the Genie+ list but there are a few that offer Individual Lightning Lane. They are excluded from the Genie+ and are purchased per ride. Read this for the most recent updates.
Best Rides at Magic Kingdom
Now that you have an overview of the Disney World parks lets take a look at the best rides at Magic Kingdom.
As you enter the Magic Kingdom you will walk down Main Street towards Cinderella’s Castle. From there you can pick a path to go to Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Tommorrowland, and Liberty Square.
You should start with the attractions you want to ride first. This list will give you an idea of the best attractions at Magic Kingdom to plan your visit.
New at Magic Kingdom
Tron: Lightcycle is set to open spring of 2023. This is the newest ride at Magic Kingdom and will be the most popular. The best time to ride this will be at park open or as the last ride of the day.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a ride at Magic Kingdom that is a family friendly coaster. It has a 38″ height requirement. Most kids do fine on this.
There are not any huge drops and it has fun scenes through the “mine” to see the Seven Dwarfs and Snow White. This ride is short but the lines get very long.
I suggest riding first thing in the morning or last at night. If you want to avoid the lines you can purchase and individual lightning lane.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a bit more intense than Seven Dwarfs Mine Train but it is great for school age kids. It actually looks tamer than you would expect and most kids really enjoy the drops and thrills.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a good choice to use Genie+ or ride in the morning hours. If you stay late riding during the last hour of park opening can have short lines and Big Thunder is so much fun at night!
Splash Mountain
Splash Mountain is my absolute favorite because it is the perfect mix of dark ride with animatronics and thrills. You will get wet on this ride but the Florida sun usually dries us quickly.
For me it is the best ride at Magic Kingdom. It reminds me of visiting as a kid and I absolutely love it. Spalsh Mountain has a 40″ height requirement and I recommend making a FastPass.
Check out this video from our visit with a quick shot of us on Splash Mountain. I am like a kid!! Loving it!
Disney World has announced they will be reimagining Splash Mountain to The Princess and the Frog. As much as I love this attraction I am so excited to see what the imagineers do with Tiana’s story.
Splash Mountain will close in January 2023. Tiana’s Bayou River Adventure is set to open in 2024.
Space Mountain
Space Mountain. I have to admit as I get older Space Mountain is a bit rougher on me and those unexpected twists and turns takes its toll on me.
With a 44″ height requirement Space Mountain is probably the “scariest” for kids because it is mostly in the dark. Most kids love it and don’t have any issues. Use Genie+ for Space Mountain!
Peter Pan’s Flight
Peter Pan’s Flight is a classic dark ride that lifts you off to the world of Peter Pan. It gets very long lines. As I am writing this during lunch time on a Thursday, the wait is 75 minutes. That is a long time to wait for a 2 minute attraction.
We usually ride this first, as soon as we enter the park. If you do not ride it first plan on securing a Genie+. Pete Pan’s Flight Genie+ passes will run out earlier in the day so be sure to secure a pass as soon as you can if it is a priority.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean can be a bit scary because it is a pirate dark ride but most school age kids really like it. Guests ride a boat through different pirate scenes and see Captain Jack Sparrow too.
There is no height requirement and we rode it when all my kids were under 5 on their first visit. Guests can use a Genie+ pass or try to ride early in the day.
Haunted Mansion
My kids don’t really like anything scary and Haunted Mansion probably is as scary as they can handle! It is not really scary, but is dark and has skeletons and ghosts.
There is no height requirement for this attraction and a Genie+ is a good choice or try to ride early or late in the day.
Jungle Cruise
Jungle Cruise is a boat ride with lots of corny jokes and silly humor. We have only done this attraction 2 times in all of our visits because it was closed for refurbishments.
It is one of the classic Magic Kingdom attractions and has no height requirement making it a great choice for families. The wait times can be upward to 60+ minutes.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is an all ages family fun shooting attraction where guests help Buzz fight off Zurg. If you love Toy Story you will love this. Lines get long in the afternoon so keep this in mind when planning your day.
Best Rides at Magic Kingdom Tips
- If you do not have Genie+: Start in Fantsayland with Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Peter Pan, then Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder. Then the rest of the attractions on the list.
- Check the app often to see what wait times are and plan your days based on less busy attractions.
- When Tron opens it will be the busiest attraction leaving Fantasyland more quiet.
- We always ride Peter Pan first and without a Genie+. Lines are typically manageable the first hour the park is open.
- After that, we make Genie+ reservations for any of the mountain rides and what is left from our favorites.
- If you don’t have Genie+:
- Arrive at rope drop about 30 minutes before park opens.
- Ride the most popular attractions in the first 2-3 hours of park opening.
- Take advantage of single rider line if you can.
- Watch shows in the afternoon or go back to your resort for a break. The afternoon often has very long lines.
- Return in the evening and enjoy shorter wait times during the nightly shows.
Favorite Rides at Magic Kingdom
Even though the kids are older we like to make a point to ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant and It’s a Small World. They are classics to Magic Kingdom and a visit to the parks isn’t the same without a stop on these attractions.
Plus It’s a Small World is great to rest your feet and cool off. Part of the fun of visiting Magic Kingdom is immersing yourself in feeling like a kid again.
We also like to ride the Mad Tea Party, Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover, Journey of the Little Mermaid, and Disney’s Carousel of Progress. We usually save these for the afternoon.
Best Rides at Magic Kingdom for Small Children
You want to stick to the classic rides at Magic Kingdom when visiting with small children. Fantasyland has many attractions that are great for this age group.
If you are visiting with young children check out these rides and attractions:
- Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic (3D Show)
- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor (Show)
- Mad Tea Party
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
- Meet Princesses
- The Barnstormer (Small Rollercoaster)
- Dumbo The Flying Elephant (The waiting area is a playground and has air conditioning.)
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Sping
- “It’s a small world”
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Meet Mickey
- Peter Pan’s Flight
Thrill Rides at Magic Kingdom
If you are visiting Magic Kingdom with older kids or people who love thrill rides you need to prioritize these rides:
- Tron: Lightcycle (Opening Spring 2023)
- Space Mountain
- Big Thunder Mountain
- Haunted Mansion
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Splash Mountain (Closing January 2023)
Read this post if you are visiting Disney with Teens. The best thing about Magic Kingdom is the rides are really great for all ages. It is a place families can enjoy together.
These best rides at Magic Kingdom should definetly be on your list to include when you visit Disney World.
