The Best Disney Park for Toddlers in 2025

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Which Disney World Park is the best for toddlers?

I have been to Disney World almost a dozen times during my life. But it wasn’t until recently that I had a child to take with me.

Yes, I was a Disney adult. You know those childless people you see living a carefree life at the parks.

Well, that’s no longer the case.

As I was thinking about our first Disney trip with my three-year-old, I realized I had to plan this Disney World vacation from a whole new perspective.

And the first thing was figuring out what my little guy would be most interested in and then deciding which is the best Disney Park for toddlers. Because I wanted him to enjoy this trip, even though he probably won’t remember it.

So, since we’ve enjoyed our vacation at the happiest place on earth, I’m here to share with you some of the best rides and attractions for toddlers, best places to eat with toddlers, and some tips to make your toddler’s Disney vacation more fun and easier on you!

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What makes a Disney Park toddler-friendly?

In my mind, a toddler-friendly park has rides with no (or minimal) height restrictions, play areas where kids can run off their energy or cool off, shows that are engaging for little ones, restaurants with good food for parents and a menu with foods kids will actually eat, friendly employees, and a baby center where young children can get away from all the stimulation.

That sounds like a tall order. But I think Disney World is up for the challenge!

Magic Kingdom: The Best Disney Park for Toddlers

Magic Kingdom is the iconic park associated with Walt Disney World. It has Cinderella Castle; it has Mickey Mouse: it is Disney World! And it is the central focus of the resort.

So, it’s no surprise that it tops the list of the best Disney Park for toddlers.

Take a walk down Main Street, USA for the perfect first glimpse of the iconic castle. Then venture off into any one of the six lands where you can enjoy rides, shows, and character experiences, with young kids, parents, and grandparents coming together to make lasting memories.

Best Rides and Attractions for Toddlers

Most of the rides in Magic Kingdom are suitable for kids of all ages, meaning kids and adults can enjoy these rides together. And they have some of the best shows for small children, where they even get to participate.

Rides with No Height Restrictions

• Astro Orbiter
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station (splash area)
• Dumbo The Flying Elephant
• it’s a small world
• Jungle Cruise
• Mad Tea Party
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Prince Charming Regal Carousel
• Swiss Family Treehouse
• Tom Sawyer Island
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
• Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Walt Disney World Railroad

Fun Shows for Toddlers

• Country Bear Jamboree
• Enchanted Tales with Belle
• Festival of Fantasy Parade
• Happily Ever After Fireworks
• Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Best Dining Options for Toddlers

1. The Crystal Palace

My favorite dining option for toddlers is The Crystal Palace, located at the end of Main Street. While this may sound like a super fancy restaurant to be taking a toddler, it’s actually one of the best character meals in Magic Kingdom.

You can meet your favorite characters from Winnie the Pooh while eating your meal. It’s a buffet, so there are plenty of options for both adults and young children, even the picky eaters. Be sure to make your dining reservation in advance as it can book up quickly in the busy months.

2. Pinocchio Village Haus

The Pinocchio Village Haus is a quick-service restaurant located in Fantasyland, right near all the best toddler rides. They have flatbread pizzas and salads; but also have turkey sandwiches and chicken strips for the kids.

If there is one available, you can get a table right above the entrance of it’s a small world and wave at all the park guests as they enjoy the ride.

3. Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe

This is a quick-service restaurant located in Frontierland, and I have never not seen this place packed.

They cover a wide variety of tastes with cheeseburgers, tacos, nachos, and fajitas for the adults. While kids can enjoy burgers, tacos, mac and cheese, and even PB&J uncrustables. Those are perfect when you’re completely out of ideas for your picky eater.

4. Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe

Cosmic Ray’s is a quick-service restaurant located in Tomorrowland. This restaurant always has long lines, but they move quickly, and you can always find a seat. It also has the bonus of an out-of-this-world (animatronic) DJ, Sonny Eclipse.

Mostly burger options for the adults, but kids can get a grilled chicken salad, chicken strips, or mac and cheese. The restaurant is also huge, giving kids a chance to run around a little, while you enjoy the a/c.

5. Casey’s Corner

Casey’s Corner is located on the corner of Main Street. They are a quick-service restaurant, but with no dining inside. They offer hot dogs and corn dog nuggets, with a side of fries or an orange.

The best part about Casey’s is that they are open until the park closes. So, if you missed out on a meal earlier in the day, or if you have a hangry toddler on the way out of the park, stop by Casey’s for a quick bite.

How to Navigate Magic Kingdom with Toddlers

Magic Kingdom Park is actually the smallest of the four main parks at Disney World, but it might take you two days to see everything with your toddler.

The best way to navigate it is to plan ahead. Know which rides you want to go on, and look at a map before you go, so you have a basic idea of the layout of the park.

I recommend getting there as early in the morning as possible, to avoid long lines and beat the heat. Take water breaks often and try to stick to your daily meal and nap schedule, if possible. Use a stroller, so your little one can nap in the park, or go back to your hotel midday for some rest and a/c.

If your little one is interested, Magic Kingdom is the best place to meet the princesses: Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Tiana, and Jasmine (and Aladdin). You can also find Mickey, Donald, Daisy, Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger around the park.

Animal Kingdom: Wild Adventures for Little Ones

A lot of people think of Animal Kingdom as just another zoo, but it’s quite a unique animal experience where you can learn more about nature and conservation, while enjoying some fun attractions.

Although the list of rides isn’t very long, there are plenty of animal trails to explore, and many cast members are available to discuss the animals and their behaviors. And they are great with little ones! If your child loves animals, this park should be at the top of your list of things to do on your Disney vacation.

Best Attractions for Toddlers

Rides with No Height Restrictions

• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Na’vi River Journey
• TriceraTop Spin

Fun Shows and Attractions for Toddlers

• Festival of the Lion King
• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!
• Winged Encounters
• The Boneyard (playground area)
• Conservation Station
• Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
• Maharajah Jungle Trek

Best Dining Options for Toddlers

1. Pizzafari

Pizzafari is a quick-service restaurant located on Discovery Island. With bright colors to catch your toddler’s attention, and plenty of yummy toddler-friendly food, this is a great restaurant option for families with young children.

Pizzas, pasta, mac and cheese, and PB&J uncrustables make up the kids’ menu. Oranges and graham crackers top the list of yummy sides to complete the meal.

2. Restaurantosaurus

This is a quick-service restaurant located in none other than DinoLand USA. From the outside, this restaurant always looks like it’s closed to me (how it’s tucked away). But it’s open and it’s usually busy.

Cheeseburgers and foot-long hot dogs make up the adult menu. For kids, they have cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets, and mac and cheese.

3. Tusker House

Head over to Tusker House located in Africa for breakfast, lunch, or dinner with Donald Duck and his Disney friends. Decorated as a Harambe marketplace with artifacts lining the walls, you’ll feel as if you stepped into a safari adventure.

This restaurant offers a buffet meal with character dining, so you’re sure to find plenty of delicious food for your entire family while the kids get to meet their favorite Disney characters.

4. Yak & Yeti Restaurant

For a delicious Asian meal and specialty drinks, check out the Yak & Yeti Restaurant. While it may not look like your typical toddler hangout, the kids’ menu is one of the largest around, so finding something for all your picky eaters should be no problem.

If you can’t get into Yak & Yeti, try the quick-service option located nearby – Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes. The menu doesn’t compare to the table-service restaurant, but it’s a good option if you’re looking for a quick bite.

5. Rainforest Cafe

The Rainforest Cafe is actually located just outside the park, so know that if you leave for lunch, you’ll have to go back through security to re-enter the park. It’s one of my favorite places to eat at Animal Kingdom, and we usually make a reservation for just prior to park close (to beat the crowds).

Enter a jungle-themed restaurant with animatronic animals and an occasional thunderstorm. It’s already loud, so toddlers being toddlers is just fine here!

The kids’ menu is quite large with various items, so you’re little one should have no problem finding something they’ll eat. With the picture menu, my son showed us exactly what he wanted (without any coaxing from us).

How to Navigate Animal Kingdom with Toddlers

Animal Kingdom is the largest of all the parks. So, while your little one may be enjoying a shaded ride, you’re walking, pushing the stroller, and sweating like mad. Be sure your family stays hydrated and take breaks throughout the day.

Take advantage of the Rider Switch program for the rides where your toddler doesn’t meet the minimum height requirement.

Arrive at Animal Kingdom early in the morning to get the most out of your day. This park closes early (usually around 7 in the busier months). You want to be sure you have enough time to do everything you want.

Animal Kingdom is also the only park where you can meet Mickey and Minne together. Donald, Daisy, Chip, and Dale are others you can connect with.

Epcot: A World of Exploration for Toddlers

Epcot is known for being the educational park of Disney World, and for that, I think a lot of people overlook it. It’s also the most culturally diverse of all the parks, so there is a lot for your little one to experience.

I would probably rate this as the second-best Disney World Park, except that there is a lot of walking and once you get to World Showcase, there’s not much for toddlers to see.

Best Attractions for Toddlers

Rides with No Height Restrictions

• Frozen Ever After
• Gran Fiesta Tour
• Journey into Imagination with Figment
• Living with the Land
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends
• Spaceship Earth

Fun Shows and Attractions for Toddlers

• Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along
• Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
• Turtle Talk with Crush
• Epcot Forever Fireworks
• Bruce’s Shark World
• Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana
• Kidcot Fun Stops
• SeaBase

Best Dining Options for Toddlers

1. Garden Grill Restaurant

The Garden Grill Restaurant is located in World Nature and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with your favorite mischievous chipmunks: Chip & Dale and some of their Disney friends. Each meal is family-style, with plenty of options, so everyone in your party is sure to find something they love.

One of the best things about this restaurant (besides the character meal) is that the entire restaurant slowly rotates while you eat, so you are treated to changing landscapes while you dine.

2. Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

This restaurant is located in the Norway Pavilion of World Showcase. It offers character dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meals are served family-style and are all-you-can-eat.

While dining in this medieval castle, you’re going to be meeting Disney princesses during your meal. I like this location better than Cinderella’s Royal Table (at Magic Kingdom) because it’s slightly cheaper, there’s more toddler-friendly food, and they have more characters. Always make advanced dining reservations for this restaurant!

3. Connections Eatery

For a quick-service meal, try Connections Eatery in World Celebration. This restaurant recently got an overhaul, and it’s offering new menu items with inspiration from French, Italian, and Asian cuisine.

It’s great for a quick bite and super easy to find. And the kids’ menu offers simple items like cheeseburgers, chicken strips, and pizza.

4. Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria

When you’re looking for a toddler-friendly restaurant while touring World Showcase, check out Via Napoli. There are so many amazing restaurants located throughout World Showcase that you can’t really go wrong, especially when having a romantic dinner. But for picky eaters, the choices become very limited (and some are just too pricey for kids).

Here you can find a variety of Italian foods and delicious desserts. Kids can choose from pizza, spaghetti, or chicken tenders.

5. Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 is a newer restaurant located in World Discovery taking you aboard a space station to dine 220 miles above Earth. Viewports offer amazing daytime and nighttime panoramic views.

The menu is quite literally out of this world having incredible options for lunch and dinner. Kids have a choice of spaghetti, chicken tenders, mac and cheese, cheeseburger and fries, or salmon plus a tasty dessert. Make a dining reservation early and expect your little one to talk about their space meal well after you return home.

How to Make the Most of Epcot with a Toddler

To make the most of your time, plan to visit Epcot when they are not holding a festival. They have an Arts Festival, Flower and Garden Festival, and Food and Wine Festival. People flock to these festivals, so it’s harder to navigate with a stroller. They also have pop-up kitchens, so people are in the streets buying food and looking for a place to sit and enjoy their meals. It can get crazy!

Take advantage of the Kidcot Fun Stops in World Showcase to allow your toddler to interact with people of different cultures. Each station has a postcard that someone from that country will sign hello in their native language, along with other facts about the country.

This is another park where you may consider arriving early and leaving midday to get a break from the heat and all the walking. Although this park has some great shows, with good a/c.

Don’t forget to check out the characters while you’re here. Donald Duck is in Mexico. Anna and Elsa are located in Norway. Mulan is in China. Snow White is in Germany. Jasmine is in Morocco. Princess Aurora and Belle and located in France. Winnie the Pooh and Alice can be found in the United Kingdom. Minnie Mouse, Pluto, and a few others can be found throughout the park.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Adventures Await

Hollywood Studios, unfortunately, ranks at the bottom of the list of the best Disney Park for toddlers.

Although they do have a bunch of shows for kids, including Disney Junior Play and Dance! and the Frozen Sing-Along, they don’t have many rides for little kids. However, if your kiddo is a fan of Woody and Buzz, you have to check out Toy Story Land. You can meet characters and feel like you’re the size of one of Andy’s toys.

For parents and older children who are fans of Star Wars, Hollywood Studios is the best park for you. Just know that your little ones won’t have much to experience at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.

Best Attractions for Toddlers

Rides with No Height Restrictions

• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Toy Story Mania!

Honorable Mention – Alien Swirling Saucers – minimum height 32″

Fun Shows for Toddlers

• Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage
• Disney Junior Play and Dance!
• Fantasmic! Fireworks
• For the First Time in Forever – Frozen Sing-Along
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
• Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
• Muppet Vision 3D
• Vacation Fun
• Wonderful World of Animation Fireworks

Best Dining Options for Toddlers

1. PizzeRizzo

For a quick and tasty meal, head over to PizzeRizzo located on Grand Avenue. With assorted pizzas and subs, it’s the perfect place to sit, cool off, and recharge with a quick lunch.

It definitely gets more busy right at lunchtime, so get there a little early or later in the afternoon to avoid the lines and grab a table.

2. Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano

For a more upscale Italian meal, check out Mama Melrose’s located on Grand Avenue. They have delicious options for adults and a wide selection of Italian meals for kids, including pizza (if that’s all they’re willing to eat).

Get your dining reservations early, as it does book up quickly and you may not get in the day of.

3. Backlot Express

Another terrific quick-service option is the Backlot Express located near Echo Lake. They have all kinds of flavors on the adult menu: Cuban, Southwest, and Teriyaki. For the kids, they have chicken strips, mac and cheese, and even uncrustables. You get to enjoy some savory dishes, knowing there is something your kiddo will enjoy.

This restaurant has three levels of dining, with the order window located on the bottom floor. So, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a table, but look for the ramps, if you’re pushing a stroller.

4. Hollywood & Vine

Head over to Hollywood & Vine located near Echo Lake for character dining with Disney Junior characters for a breakfast buffet. Lunch and dinner do not disappoint with Minnie Mouse and friends hosting their own character meals.

This is another dining option where you must make reservations in advance. Due to the character meet and greets, these reservations go fast.

5. Woody’s Lunch Box

For a super-quick meal while you’re in Toy Story Land, head over to Woody’s Lunch Box. I say it’s super-quick because it’s a walk-up window with outdoor seating. They only offer two breakfast items, and a few sandwiches for lunch and dinner.

It’s a great place to stop when you’re making your way through Toy Story Land, especially on a hot day when you’re looking for some shade.

How to Make the Most of Hollywood Studios with a Toddler

Have an idea of what your toddler is interested in before going to Hollywood Studios.

Will they enjoy sitting through the shows, which ones? If not, that’s going to cut out a lot of the things you have available for younger children.

Are they big into Toy Story? You’ll spend a lot of time in Toy Story Land. It is HOT there! Take plenty of water, a fan, and a stroller with a canopy.

Go early to enjoy the rides your toddler can ride or skip Fantasmic! (the firework show) and enjoy the rides at night. Not only can you avoid some of the long lines, but it’s also a different experience with the lights at night.

Beyond the few rides and shows, there are plenty of characters to meet at Hollywood Studios: Mickey and Minnie, Disney Junior stars, Olaf, Toy Story characters, Pixar characters, and Star Wars characters.

Tips and Strategies for Navigating the Best Disney Park for Toddlers

Should I bring my own stroller or rent one in the park?

I would recommend bringing your own stroller to the park, rather than renting one from Disney, and here’s why:

1. We were able to use ours at the airport, and it made keeping track of our toddler so much easier.
2. You know your stroller best, so you can easily fold and unfold it like a pro (which you’ll need to do when taking it on Disney transportation).
3. You can take it out of the park each night. When renting from Disney, you have to stand in line each morning and return it when leaving the park. That means carrying your sleepy toddler to the bus and into your hotel room.
4. In-park strollers don’t recline and have minimal shade covering.

However, you do have one other option, and that’s renting a stroller from a local company. Kingdom Strollers offers hotel delivery or airport pickup. These are also more like a stroller you might have at home.

What’s the best way to navigate the parks with a stroller and a young child?

Mostly just be courteous and aware of other people, meaning don’t run over anyone and watch out for other children running in front of you.

If there are sidewalks, drive on the street. There’s more room to maneuver, so you don’t have to worry about squeezing through.

Look for stroller parking signs near ride entrances (or ask a cast member where to park). You can’t leave your stroller just anywhere. It will probably be relocated, and you’ll have a hard time finding it.

Also, be aware that cast members are constantly moving strollers to make room in the walkways, so it might not be where you left it. Get a custom stroller tag, so you can always find it. (The sea of strollers around the carousel is no joke!)

Do all parks have baby care centers and what services do they offer?

All parks do have baby care centers. Check your map (or the app) to find one in each park.

Each baby care center offers a private room to breastfeed, changing tables, restrooms with toddler-sized toilets, a feeding area with highchairs, a small kitchen with microwave and sink, and a room with a table and television. There is also a small store with baby products for sale.

The first aid station is nearby with a nurse and paramedics.

This is also where they take children who become separated from their parents until they are reunited.

What strategies can I use to manage meltdowns or fatigue in the parks?

Try to stick to your home schedule as best you can.

Plan meals at the same time as at home. If you’re still doing naps, either go back to your hotel or have a stroller nap to get some downtime.

Starting your days early in the parks before it gets too hot, and then going back to your hotel for a nap or swim and going back to the park in the evening lets everyone recharge.

When in doubt, get some food and water, find some a/c, and take a break.

Another great way to avoid meltdowns is by planning rest days into your vacation. If you’re going for a week, you could plan to do five parks and two rest days. Enjoy the amenities at your hotel or check out Disney Springs.

We took a rest day the day before we left, so we could spend the day packing and enjoying the resort.

How can I plan my day to accommodate nap and meal times for my toddler?

The best way to accommodate nap and meal times is to plan ahead.

Get on the app a few months in advance and start reviewing restaurants (make those dining reservations early). Book reservations around meal times (trying your best to avoid the lunch rush).

Then check out the map and decide what rides (shows or characters) you absolutely must do. Plan your route from those rides to your meals, so you’re not running all over the park.

You could also choose to go back to your hotel, so your toddler can nap and grab lunch there. The hotels are typically less busy during the day (since everyone is at the parks), so there shouldn’t be much of a wait for lunch.

Are there attractions that might be too intense or scary for toddlers?

There are a few rides (with no height restrictions) that may be too much for kids.

I didn’t even include Haunted Mansion in the list above because it’s at the top of my too scary list for toddlers. The rest are mostly personal preference.

If your kiddo doesn’t like dark rides, they might not enjoy Pirates of the Caribbean, Na’vi River Journey or Frozen Ever After, even though they’re all slow-moving boat rides.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure have larger scenery that might frighten young children.

Mickey’s PhilharMagic and all the fireworks shows can be too loud for some kids.

Just be aware of your child’s tolerance when riding or watching shows, so you can avoid a future meltdown.

Can I use Rider Switch with my toddler on certain rides?

Many of the thrill rides that are not toddler-friendly are part of the Rider Switch program.

If your child does not meet the height requirement, or even if an older child just doesn’t want to ride, parents can use Rider Switch.

Before entering the ride line of the attraction, speak with a cast member that you would like to use the Rider Switch option.

The first party (a parent and any other children choosing to ride) then waits in the standby line, while the second party waits in a designated area. Once the first party is finished, the second parent returns to the Lightning Lane for a shorter wait time.

One person can accompany the second parent when they ride, meaning that an older child (or another adult) can ride twice.

Is it worth getting a park hopper ticket for a toddler?

This actually depends on how you have your trip planned.

If you’re only going for four days, and you’re focusing on one park a day, then it really doesn’t make sense to use a park hopper because you’re going to want to spend as much time enjoying the park that you’re in.

If you have more days planned, then it would make more sense to get a park hopper for your entire family.

On our toddler’s first trip, we went to the parks for five days and had two rest days.

One of the days we went to Magic Kingdom was a Halloween party. Since we didn’t have tickets, we had to leave by six. We left around three and took the monorail to Epcot to meet Pluto (the only character we missed).

We grabbed a quick bite of a Mickey ice cream sandwich then took the Skyliner over to Hollywood Studios to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land and do some shopping before heading back to the resort.

You could also do a quick morning trip at Animal Kingdom and hit another park in the evening, since Animal Kingdom closes early.

It’s definitely worth it, if you have enough time and can travel through the parks quickly.

What are some tips for keeping toddlers entertained in line queues?

Some of the rides actually have in-line entertainment.

Dumbo has an entire play area where you can wait until your party is called. The best part is that it’s air-conditioned and there are seats for parents. (You can access this area even if you’re not riding Dumbo.)

There are also activities in the lines for Winnie the Pooh and Seven Dwarf Mine Train (if your kiddo meets the height requirement).

For lines that don’t have anything included, you can bring small coloring books, stickers, a favorite toy, or even your phone to distract your little one.

Even if the ride line doesn’t have a play area for kids, you can use the decorations to make the time go faster.

In line for Frozen Ever After, we counted the purple lanterns and the green lanterns, then which ones had stars versus a photo of the princesses.

Do your best to find a way to make your surroundings fun. Do voices, have their stuffed animal do a dance, count something wrong or point to the wrong color to get them laughing. They should eventually come around and be less focused on the wait.

Check out all the tips for a toddler-friendly Disney vacation.

Conclusion

There you have it: the best Disney Park for toddlers and everything you can enjoy while you’re there. Hopefully, I’ve given you enough information to make an informed decision about which Disney Parks your toddler will enjoy most. Although some parks are geared more toward younger children, there is something for your toddler at each of the Disney World Parks, and they’re sure to have a magical vacation!

Are you planning a trip to Disney World with your toddler? Let us know which park you’re excited to visit in the comments.

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The Best Disney Park for Toddlers in 2025