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Florida - Orlando - Walt Disney World - Magic Kingdom - Activities and Rides List

Howdy! Since I have visited WDW repeatedly over the last 11 years with kids that ranged in age from infant up to 14 year old, I get asked all the time "what are the best things for a child to do?" Of course, I can't give you a simple answer because a lot depends on the child in question. One of my children loves fast rides while another hates roller coasters and/or dark rides. Just because a child is TALL enough to ride something doesn't mean they will LIKE it. A bad ride experience can also set up a domino effort for all future rides. So I hope this checklist will be helpful as it takes those characteristics into account.

Magic Kingdom:

Name of Ride: Astro Orbitor
Summary: Circling up/down two-person rocket ride above Tomorrowland
FP Recommended: N/A
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Medium
Contains Gravity Drop: End of ride cars slide down to platform
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Up/down motion, heights
Photopass: No
Misc: It's similar to Dumbo. It's neat riding at night during fireworks


Name of Ride: Barnstormer
Summary: Kid-friendly rollercoaster with Goofy theme
FP Recommended: On Busy Days
Height Requirement: 35" min
Speed of Ride: Medium
Contains Gravity Drop: Yes but small
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Low
Photopass: No
Misc: Feels like a "baby" roller coaster for those who don't like roller coasters


Name of Ride: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Summary: Big, fast rollercoaster through abandoned mine
FP Recommended: Yes
Height Requirement: 40" min
Speed of Ride: Fast
Contains Gravity Drop: Yes
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: Some
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: High, bumpy
Photopass: No
Misc:


Name of Ride: Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Summary: Fun laser-shooting game in spin-enabled cars that fit 2-3
FP Recommended: Yes
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Slow
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: Tunnel at end is dimly lit
Contains Flashing Lights: Camera light flashes
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Spinning Car
Photopass: Yes
Misc: Photopass camera is on right; Check out Zurg statue in gift shop


Name of Ride: Carousel of Progress
Summary: Rotating theatre depicting different time periods
FP Recommended: No
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Slow
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: Maybe at beginning before show starts
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Theatre moves slowly
Photopass: No
Misc: Cute show might not appear to everyone; good way to escape rain/heat/crowds


Name of Ride: Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Summary: Circling ride that goes up and down
FP Recommended: On Busy Days
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Medium
Contains Gravity Drop: End of ride cars slide down to platform
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Ride can move up/down; height
Photopass: No
Misc: Wait queue leads to a playground/circus where you receive a pager. When pager buzzes, it's time for you to ride.


Name of Ride: Enchanted Tales with Belle
Summary: Not a ride per se; Kids and adults can participate in retelling of Beauty and the Beast
FP Recommended: On busy days
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: N/A
Contains Gravity Drop: N/A
Can Get You Wet: N/A
Contains Dark Periods: Dimly lit rooms
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: None
Photopass: Yes
Misc: They have plenty of props for everyone to participate so encourage shy children to join


Name of Ride: Enchanted Tiki Room
Summary: Animatronic bird show
FP Recommended: No
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: N/A
Contains Gravity Drop: N/A
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: None
Photopass: No
Misc: Cute singing show with birds everywhere


Name of Ride: Haunted Mansion
Summary: Ride through a haunted mansion in a 2-3 person buggy car
FP Recommended: On busy days
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Slow
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: Yes (before you get on ride); ride goes through dimly lit rooms
Contains Flashing Lights: Flashes of lightning
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: First room is crowded and dark then there's a mad rush to get to the car; ghosts
Photopass: Yes
Misc: Some scenes in the ride might scare young kids


Name of Ride: It's a Small World
Summary: Boat ride through different countries with animated dolls singing
FP Recommended: On Busy Days
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Slow
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Low
Photopass: No
Misc: Look for hidden mickeys


Name of Ride: Jungle Cruise
Summary: Boat ride through a jungle while captain tells silly jokes
FP Recommended: On Busy Days
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Slow
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Possible seasickness
Photopass: No
Misc: During the holidays they change it to Jingle Cruise


Name of Ride: Liberty Square Riverboat
Summary: Paddle-wheeler boat ride around Tom Sawyer Island
FP Recommended: N/A
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Slow
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Low
Photopass: No
Misc: Nice ride for a break from the hectic park


Name of Ride: Mad Tea Party
Summary: Spinning tea cups that circle around a platform
FP Recommended: On Busy Days
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Can get fast
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Fast spinning motion
Photopass: No
Misc: The steering column controls the speed and spin


Name of Ride: Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Summary: Circling up/down two-person carpet cars ride above Adventureland
FP Recommended: On Busy Days
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Medium
Contains Gravity Drop: End of ride cars slide down to platform
Can Get You Wet: Maybe
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Up/down motion, heights
Photopass: No
Misc: It's similar to Dumbo


Name of Ride: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Summary: Ride through the Pooh story in a honey pot
FP Recommended: On Very Busy Days
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Slow
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: One room is dark and simulates a rain storm
Contains Flashing Lights: Simulated lightning
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: The car bounces like Tigger in one area
Photopass: No
Misc: Kids love the play area (which you can use even if you have FP)


Name of Ride: Mickey's PhilharMagic
Summary: 3D Show requiring wearing 3D glasses
FP Recommended: No
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: N/A
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: Minimal
Contains Dark Periods: Yes
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Some kids don't like the 3D aspect
Photopass: No
Misc: 3D glasses are generic and don't fit all heads and break easily


Name of Ride: Monster's Inc Laugh Floor
Summary: Comedy show with audience interaction
FP Recommended: No
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: N/A
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: Yes
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: No
Photopass: No
Misc: You can submit a joke via text; some people might be chosen to participate in show


Name of Ride: Peter Pan's Flight
Summary: Climb into a flying ship through Peter Pan's story
FP Recommended: Yes
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Slow
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: Some rooms are dimly lit
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Ships fly high over scenes
Photopass: No
Misc: Meet Peter Pan outside the ride around the corner


Name of Ride: Pirates Adventure
Summary: Treasure-seeking game completed by walking around Adventureland
FP Recommended: N/A
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: N/A
Contains Gravity Drop: N/A
Can Get You Wet: N/A
Contains Dark Periods: N/A
Contains Flashing Lights: N/A
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: N/A
Photopass: No
Misc: Keep an eye on young kids who might run off/get lost; get a completion card for finishing the adventure


Name of Ride: Pirates of the Caribbean
Summary: Boat ride through a world of pirates
FP Recommended: On Busy Days
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Slow
Contains Gravity Drop: Yes
Can Get You Wet: Maybe
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Possible seasickness; moving up-escalator after ride
Photopass: No
Misc: Kids have a lot of fun in the gift shop


Name of Ride: Prince Charming Carousel
Summary: Fantasy-themed carousel ride that moves in slow circles
FP Recommended: N/A
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Slow
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Animals move up and down; circling motion
Photopass: No
Misc: For those who prefer not to ride horseback-style, they do have a chariot you can sit on


Name of Ride: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Summary: Fast-moving roller coaster through Snow White scenes
FP Recommended: Yes
Height Requirement: 38" min
Speed of Ride: Fast
Contains Gravity Drop: Yes
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: Dimly lit cave
Contains Flashing Lights: Camera flash
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Typical roller coaster but not too high
Photopass: Yes
Misc: There's a good warning before the big drop; camera is on right


Name of Ride: Space Mountain
Summary: Indoor roller coaster entirely in the dark
FP Recommended: Yes
Height Requirement: 44" min
Speed of Ride: Fast
Contains Gravity Drop: Yes
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: Yes
Contains Flashing Lights: Yes
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Typical roller coaster but in dark
Photopass: Yes
Misc: There are fun photo booths inside the gift shop


Name of Ride: Splash Mountain
Summary: Flume-ride through Song of the South themes
FP Recommended: On hot days
Height Requirement: 40" min
Speed of Ride: Slow
Contains Gravity Drop: Yes (big one at end)
Can Get You Wet: Yes
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: Camera flash
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Big drop at end
Photopass: Yes
Misc: Pick up Ziploc bags before you ride to store your phone/camera


Name of Ride: Swiss Family Treehouse
Summary: Not a ride per se, more like a walking adventure through a giant treehouse
FP Recommended: N/A
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: N/A
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Climbing spiral stairs up and down heights
Photopass: No
Misc: House contains rooms and signs and areas to pause


Name of Ride: Tomorrowland Speedway
Summary: Gas-powered cars you steer around a track
FP Recommended: On busy days
Height Requirement: 32" min
Speed of Ride: Medium
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Swerving/banging against track
Photopass: No
Misc: Ask for a driver's license; might be hard for short legs to reach gas pedal


Name of Ride: Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Summary: Relaxing train ride around the top of Tomorrowland
FP Recommended: N/A
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Slow
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: The track inside Space Mountain is dark
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Moving belt to get to/from ride; moving platform; some swervy motion along track
Photopass: No
Misc: Great way to escape a hectic day


Name of Ride: Tom Sawyer Island
Summary: Ride a raft over to an island right out of the Tom Sawyer story
FP Recommended: N/A
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Slow
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: Yes (the caves)
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Narrow stairs up/down caves; dark caves; walks across bridges
Photopass: No
Misc: Crowded standing-only raft ride to the island; lots to explore on the island; playground; difficult climbs through the caves


Name of Ride: Under the Sea
Summary: Take a ride into Ariel's world under the sea in a clam shell
FP Recommended: On busy days
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Slow
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: Some parts of cave are dark
Contains Flashing Lights: Some
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Clam shell goes backward as you descend into "sea"; spooky eyes in dark cave
Photopass: No
Misc: