Disney for Preschoolers: Best Attractions at Walt Disney World

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Many people ask me what is the best age for Disney. Naturally I tell them every age is perfect. However,  I think it is up to the parent to decide what age is best for your children because all kids are different. With that said, I do think that every child should visit by their fifth birthday. Take a look with me at the best rides for a preschooler. 

There is a truly magical moment when you are watching your little ones interact with their favorite Disney pals, or they see the amazing display that is Cinderella’s Castle.  Many of these moments are meant to be captured by the minds of preschool age kids. They have a pure innocence about the parks and believe everything is magic. 

Disney for Preschoolers

Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom is the best park for preschool age children, as they can ride almost every attraction. With the exception of a few big rides they can bask in the Disney magic until their heart’s content–or until their legs give out from under them.

• Take the Walt Disney World railroad around the park with stops at Main Street, Frontierland and Storybook Circus.
• Characters are all over the Magic Kingdom: take an autograph book for your child and let them meet with all of their favorite Disney pals. The faces are priceless!
• Mainstreet Vehicles are fun and great for all ages, ride from the park entrance to Cinderellas Castle and take in all the sights as you pass by.
• Preschoolers can ride everything in Adventureland. If they don’t like the dark, I would skip Pirates of the Caribbean.  From personal experience my 3-year-old daughter LOVED this ride and was not scared one bit.
• Tom Sawyer Island is a great place for them to stretch their legs and run around.
• Fantasyland is made for small children, there is not a ride I wouldn’t recommend here.
• Storybook Circus is another area dedicated to the little ones. Be sure to take a spin on the iconic Dumbo.
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority is a great ride for the little ones when they aren’t big enough for some of the other rides in Tomorrowland, Monsters Inc Laugh Floor and Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger spin are also perfect for little ones.

The Festival of Fantasy Parade held each day will delight them as their favorite characters parade down Main Street USA.

Epcot

Many visitors with small children tend to bypass Epcot. We never skip this park, because it’s great.

• Spaceship Earth is calm and relaxing and not at all scary
• Journey Into Imagination with Figment is perfect for any age as this silly guy transports you into the world of play
• In the World Showcase, there is a lot to explore and see. If they are mobile enough, let the kids out of the stroller to see all that is within each country
• The Land Pavilion is home to Living with the Land. Have your kids seen a 10 pound lemon?
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends is an aquarium, play area and home to Turtle Talk and so much more. Put this on the do not miss list.
• Look for the dancing fountains and let the kiddos splash and play to get the wiggles out

Hollywood Studios

• Disney Junior Live is a fun show and full of their favorite pals
• Dine with Disney Junior Characters for breakfast
• Any Star Wars kids? This is the park for them–from meeting Chewbacca to racing on a land speeder they will be in awe of the Star Wars magic. In late 2019, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge opens to a fully immersive Star Wars land
• Don’t miss Toy Story Land! Where toys are life size, and kids are surrounded by fun at every turn. Don’t miss Alien Swirling Saucers and Toy Story Midway Mania.

Animal Kingdom

• Take a trip on the  Kilimanjaro Safari and see all the majestic animals that call Animal Kingdom home
• Play in the Boneyard and dig up fossils
• Festival of the Lion King is a MUST see show for the whole family
• Pangani Forest Exploration Trail is a nature walk with smaller exhibits and encounters with silverback gorillas
• It’s Tough to be a Bug – a 3D movie with theater-level effects. One dark and loud sequence is especially scary, however, so some toddlers may wish to skip this ride.
• TriceraTop Spin– a classic “spinner” attraction like Dumbo, themed to cartoony dinosaurs. Fortunately, it seldom has a line. Small children always like these rides, despite their limited appeal to adults.
• Finding Nemo The Musical is fun for all ages! Sing along with your favorite under-water pals
• Rivers of Light, nighttime show. The colorful lily pads and animals that float in the water are mesmerizing. Make sure to stay until the very end for the grand finale that will delight and amaze the whole family.

Also, be sure to meander down the trails, and encounter amazing animals along the way. This park truly delights the senses and little ones love to explore.

No matter if you choose one park or visit all four there is something for your preschooler to do during their Disney Vacation. My only rule was my girls had to be potty trained–and then they could go to Disney!