Review: 5 top attractions for preschoolers in Magic Kingdom

After having traveled to Disney Parks four times with children aged 1 to 6, I’ve found that the entertainment and character greetings are sometimes the most magical parts of the holiday for the youngest and ride preferences can vary widely depending on personalities, but I wanted to put together a guide with some of the preschooler favourites from this year’s holiday:

* It’s a Small World
When we went to Disneyland Hong Kong before kids I remember considering going on It’s a Small World twice. This classic ride where families sit in slow-moving boats that take you on a journey through a world of singing dolls and iconic sights makes for a magical experience at any age. We love the catchy tune, the beautiful dolls and the message of togetherness. For me, This is a must-see Disney experience and the slow-ride is often a safe bet for families travelling with young children.

If your preschooler likes this, you might also want to try: Another boat ride that is similar in style is the Donald and Mexico-themed slow boat ride in the Mexico pavilion in Epcot – Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros – and Navi’ River Journey in Animal Kingdom is also a slow boat ride.

* Dumbo the Flying Elephant
For years and years Dumbo the Flying Elephant has been a favourite with many young visitors and one of the best parts now is the addition of the interactive queuing area, which can be great for families wanting to escape the sun and spend some time inside. When joining the stand-by queue riders can spend time in an indoor play area where youngsters can run around and play before their letter is called and they can return to the queue to ride. On the ride itself, riders sit in cute elephants that can be steered up or down.

If your preschooler likes this, you might also want to try: Aladdin’s Magic Carpet and Astro Orbiter in Magic Kingdom and Triceratop Spin in Animal Kingdom, which are all similar rides to Dumbo. To access Astro Orbiter, however, you take a lift up one level in Tomorrowland, and the ride is on the rooftop on that level, so it feels higher up than the others and this could be worth considering if you’re travelling with someone who is scared of heights.

*Peter Pan’s Flight
Embark a little pirate ship on Peter Pan’s Flight and see the story of Peter Pan brought to life with animatronics as your ship bends and turns through a magical scenery inspired by the Peter Pan Disney animation based on JM Barrie’s classic children’s book. The ride makes it feel like you’re flying through Neverland, and although it’s gentle, it features some small drops. The ride is also one of the attractions that feature an interactive queuing area in the stand-by line.

If your preschooler likes this, you might also want to try: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Magic Kingdom is another slow ride that feels similar in style, as riders travel through a magical world.

*Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Young visitors can be fascinated by the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, an elevated open-air slow-ride that takes you around Tomorrowland. We went twice this year because it’s one of the rides that tend to have short queue times and it was ideal when other members in the party wanted to ride Space Mountain. The PeopleMover goes through some of the buildings in Tomorrowland, including the dark Space Mountain and you also get a peek into Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. I would still mainly recommend this to families who need to occupy youngsters, want a little rest or escape the sun.

If your preschooler likes this, you might also want to try: Although it’s not a ride per se, your little one might enjoy travelling to and from parks on the Monorail. There’s also the Walt Disney World Railroad, which goes around the park, but this was closed for refurbishment when we last visited and it is still closed.

*The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Embark a giant honey pot and travel through Winnie the Pooh’s colourful world in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom. The honeypot bends and turns, and bounces along with Tigger. The ride brings the AA Milne story about the friendly bear to life, and the highlight for us is the cheerful birthday celebration at the end. The ride is also one of the attractions that feature an interactive queuing area in the stand-by line.

If your preschooler likes this, you might also want to try: Peter Pan’s Flight, which is also in Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom, is another slow ride that brings a popular children’s classic to life.

Tags: Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Family travel, Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Walt Disney World