10 Best Magic Kingdom Rides For Kids (Elementary Age)

(Second Dad to the Right Note: This was written by my 9-year-old daughter. All research and opinions are hers. This disclaimer sounds official, but I just wanted to brag. She’s updated it since she wrote it in 2023 to include changes in the park.)

Hi guys! If you're heading to Disney World with an elementary-aged kid, you’re gonna want to learn the best rides for them. I can tell you what rides are best because I’m just finishing third grade! And I’ve been to Disney World a lot. So that makes me an official Disney World expert. Keep reading to learn all the BEST rides for kids at Magic Kingdom. And if you want to know about Best Hollywood Studios rides for kids, Best EPCOT rides for kids, or Best Animal Kingdom rides for kids, too, click on them.

Best Magic Kingdom Rides for Kids at a Glance

Rank	Ride	Minimum Height	Best For
1	Big Thunder Mountain Railroad	38 in.	Kids ready for a faster roller coaster
2	Space Mountain	44 in.	Older kids and thrill seekers
3	Prince Charming Regal Carrousel	Any height	A gentle classic and a break from thrill rides
4	It's a Small World	Any height	Kids who enjoy gentle, colorful rides
5	Dumbo the Flying Elephant	Any height	Younger kids and first-time riders
6	Tiana's Bayou Adventure	40 in.	Kids who like water rides and big drops
7	The Barnstormer	35 in.	A great first roller coaster
8	Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid	Any height	Kids who prefer gentle rides and Disney characters
9	Seven Dwarfs Mine Train	38 in.	Kids ready for a family roller coaster
10	Peter Pan's Flight	Any height	A gentle ride with a little darkness and height

Big Thunder Mountain

My sister and I on Big Thunder Mountain when we were 8 years old and 6 years old.

Big Thunder Mountain is my personal favorite ride at Magic Kingdom because it’s the perfect speed for most kids, but if your kid is terrified of heights, then this is not the ride for them. But, my research has told me that most kids love thrill rides. I’ve also researched that it only goes as fast as 35 mph, which is pretty fast, but not as fast as the Tron ride. They recently updated the ride to make it less jerky and add some new areas, and it’s even more fantastic! I’ve ridden the original at Disneyland and the one at Disneyland Paris, and they are all great.

Space Mountain

Space Mountain is great for kids. Can’t you see how much my sister is enjoying it?

This ride is amazing because it was the first roller coaster ever at Disney World. Oh, but that’s not all. If your child is NOT afraid of heights, or better, a daredevil, this ride is perfect for them. However, you do not want to get in the front seat if you can help it, because it is way too intense. But again, if your child is a daredevil, then that shouldn’t really matter. This ride is only 27 mph, which is less than Big Thunder Mountain. Also, if your child wants to ride with you for support that’s not going to work out because the ride is a one-seater.

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel 

My Dad being stupid on the carousel

This carousel is awesome because it’s a classic ride. For instance, there are pictures of the scenes of Cinderella, and it also plays classic Disney songs such as Chim- Chim-Cheree from Mary Poppins, Be Our Guest from Beauty and the Beast, and A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes from Cinderella. Also, what’s a theme park without a carousel? The perfect ride if you and your child want to take it easy after roller coasters. It’s also the oldest ride at Disney World because it was made in 1917 and was in a few other parks before it reached Disney World.  This is one of my seven-year-old sister’s favorite rides, and even my four-year-old brother loves it. Look for a white horse with a pink bow if you want Cinderella’s horse!

It’s a Small World 

It’s me and it’s a small world!

This ride is amazing because you are sitting in a boat, riding through different countries, discovering the landmarks and cultures of different countries and the cute little moving dolls singing the same song in their different languages. The end is my favorite part because all the different countries come together and celebrate their differences. Also, the Imagineers constructing this ride made the ride so detailed that it’s hard to see everything because you have to look left, right, and up. So that’s why I recommend riding this a couple of times to see all the details this ride has for you. Also, if you are wearing a MagicBand at the end, it will say your name on the screen. What it's supposed to say is “Goodbye, Ricky!” or something like that. (After I originally wrote this, they took this feature away, but some people recently have said they are tracking people with the Disney Experience app, and are using that to give personalized goodbyes again.)

Told you.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

My infant brother’s reaction to Dumbo.

This ride is amazing for elementary-aged kids and toddlers alike, and even better, babies! I have a one-year old brother, and his reaction to this ride was adorable. For those who hate roller coasters and thrill rides, this ride is perfect. It is gentle and not too intense which is why toddlers and babies are suitable for this ride. It also allows kids to discover the feeling of flying  which can be very fun. The movie it was based on is a very classic and fun film, which can be why children love it so much. Also, if you’re waiting in a long line to get on the ride, there’s a playground that your kids can play on, and you can get back in line when your children are done playing. It’s also a good trick if you play for a while, then the line could get shorter. 

Check out my dad’s article on Disney rides for babies and toddlers for more rides for them.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

The view on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is pretty cool.

This attraction is incredible because if it is a hot and sunny afternoon, and you feel like you’re sweating to death, then you need this ride. It is completely impossible that you’re going to stay dry on this ride. You get in a boat, and then you’re greeted by Tiana get turned into a frog by magic. Then Mama Odie leads you up the big hill right before the classic splash. The whole ride is filled with epic animatronics. If your child is afraid of heights and long drops, then this isn’t the ride for them.

Barnstormer

Goofy’s Barnstormer ride crashes through that sign. This was my four-year-old brother’s first roller coaster, and my sister’s when she was little.

This roller coaster is what I call a beginner roller coaster. I’ve researched that it is the slowest roller coaster at Magic Kingdom and Disney World. It’s all about Goofy and when he worked as a stunt performer, and you ride through Goofy shaped holes, which can tell is he smashing through some signs trying to do his stunt. If your child wants to try roller coasters for the first time, then I recommend this ride to figure out whether or not your child is ready for the bigger rollercoasters. This was my sister’s first roller coaster, and my brother’s first roller coaster at Disney World (technically his first coaster was the Gadget Coaster at Disneyland, which I also recommend).

Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid

Ariel animatronic at Magic Kingdom. My dad said he was only able to take this picture because the ride broke down long enough.

This ride is fun because if your child does not like roller coasters, then this is the perfect ride for them. You are discovering the adventures of the Little Mermaid, how she makes a deal with a sea witch to give her legs so that she can be with the person she loves. As Scuttle the seagull narrates this story, you are watching it all happen. If you've been on the Finding Nemo ride at Epcot, it is very similar. But the difference between this ride and The Finding Nemo ride is, that instead of looking at a screen, there are Animatronics moving. However, if your child is sensitive to flashing light sequences, then this is not the ride for them.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Me having a lot of fun on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

This ride is amazing because it was themed after the oldest Disney full-length movie ever, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This ride takes a tour of the mine The Seven Dwarfs work in. Can you find all seven dwarfs? When you go up for the big drop, you can see the shadows of the seven dwarfs. Then you drop and ride the roller coaster. At the end, you can see Snow White dancing with Dopey and The Evil Queen disguised as an old hag. But here’s a cool thing you can do when you stop: you can rock your seat back and forth and the entire train will move. I didn't realize this until the last time I rode it. If your child is afraid of heights or doesn’t like thrill rides, then this is not the ride for them. If you want to get to ride this ride more, check out the After Hours Event at Magic Kingdom.

 Peter Pan’s Flight

My brother, sister, dad, and me (and mom taking the picture) on Peter Pan

This ride is a very fun attraction because you are experiencing the Peter Pan’s adventure through Neverland, with Wendy, John, and Michael. While riding in a flying ship, you look below to see the mermaids, the native Americans, the Lost Boys, and Captain Hook’s pirate crew. They capture Wendy her brothers and the Lost Boys. But Peter Pan and Tinker Bell rescue them, and they fly back to London. The line is really cool, because you walk through the Darling family’s nursery and find Tinker Bell in there! If your child is afraid of heights or the dark, this is not the ride for them.

Best Rides for Four-Year-Olds and Five-Year-Olds

Wait, are you still here? Here’s some more things you might want to know. Now that I’ve had two younger siblings go through preschool, I can add a section about four-year-olds and five-year-olds because the rides they enjoy have been similar. For both of them, the speed of the ride wasn’t an issue, but the scariness was. Both kids were just fine on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, but scared of Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. And they both loved “it’s a small world” for the music. Jungle Cruise is okay, but they need to be a little older to get all of the jokes.

Best Magic Kingdom Rides for Four-Year-Olds

My four-year-old brother’s favorite rides are the either the somewhat fast ones that he’s old enough for (Barnstormer, Seven Dwarfs, Dumbo, Aladdin’s Magic Carpets), or the ones that he understands the story (Peter Pan, Ariel’s Under the Sea Adventure). I call Dumbo and Aladdin “fast” because it’s fast for them. Also, he’s just now starting to understand how to use the blaster in Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

Best Magic Kingdom Rides for Five-Year-Olds

My sister, when she was five, loved Prince Charming’s Carrousel, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Barnstormer, and really enjoyed Ariel’s Under the Sea Adventure. Big Thunder Mountain was a little scary for her, only because the beginning part was loud. I think they’ve fixed that.

Best Roller Coasters at Magic Kingdom for Little Kids

Magic Kingdom Roller Coaster	Minimum Height	Good to Know
The Barnstormer	35 in.	Short junior coaster and a good first coaster for kids.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train	38 in.	Smooth family coaster with swinging ride vehicles.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad	38 in.	A longer and faster outdoor coaster than The Barnstormer.
Space Mountain	44 in.	Indoor coaster with riders seated single-file.
TRON Lightcycle / Run	48 in.	High-speed launched coaster with motorcycle-style ride vehicles.

The first three roller coasters on this list are amazing for four- and five-year-olds. They aren’t too fast. They aren’t too scary. Space Mountain is a little scary because of the darkness, not being able to sit next to anyone, and not knowing which way you’re going to turn. TRON is amazing, but it’s really fast, and you have to have to be pretty tall to ride it.

Conclusion and Further Reading

That’s it for my favorite rides! If you want to know more stuff for kids, click on my name at the bottom to see all my articles, like my Disney ride speed article. Click on this link if you want to know about Magic Kingdom’s After Hours party. And let me know in the comments what your kids’ favorite rides are!