Walt Disney World with young kids

Whenever someone is planning to take their small children to the Walt Disney World Resort, there is always the question: “What rides can they ride?” There is always a worry that you will spend time and money planning a trip and then your little one will be left out of all the fun. Well, no worries! Going to Walt Disney World with young kids can be GREAT!

Luckily, Walt Disney himself wanted to create a place where families could enjoy time all together. In fact, of the almost 100 rides at the 4 main parks of WDW, less than 20 that have restrictions on the height of the riders. The Disney Imagineers work hard to create rides for the whole family to enjoy together.

Disney Parks also offers two ways to help families out when they have small kids that can’t enjoy a ride though- Rider Switch Service and Single Rider Line.

Walt Disney World with young kids : Rider Switch Service

Disney’s Rider Switch Service is especially great for older kids, since they can actually get to ride attractions TWICE. What happens is that you go to the Cast Member at the beginning of the Queue and request a Rider Switch card. One adult stays back with the child that is not able to ride, while the other adult goes with the taller child. After the first ride, the adults switch places and the taller child can ride AGAIN while the first parent stays with the younger child.

Rider Switch return pass, A great tool at Walt Disney World with young kids

Another great options for families is the Single Rider Lines. Typically these lines move fast. What happens is if there is a family or group with an odd number of people, they grab someone from the Single Rider Line to fill the spot. I have used this a lot, since I’m the thrill seeking type and my husband prefers rides that don’t have sudden drops.

Walt Disney World with young kids : In The Parks

This is a brief overview of what your kids may not be able to ride broken down by park.

Magic Kingdom

While Magic Kingdom has the most height restrictions overall, but with rides like It’s a Small World and Peter Pan, you won’t miss a beat! When my youngest was only 19 months old, we were able to ride plenty of rides to keep her happy. She enjoyed riding Dumbo and even took a ride on the Haunted Mansion with me without being too scared, since she was so small.

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- Tomorrowland Speedway (Children under 12 months should not ride)
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- The Barnstormer (Offers Rider Switch)
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- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
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- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Offers Rider Switch)
- Splash Mountain (Offers Rider Switch)
- Stitch’s Great Escape (Offers Rider Switch)
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- Space Mountain (Offers Rider Switch)

EPCOT

Mission: Space at Epcot

For EPCOT, the most exciting moment in our family is when you hit 40 inches. Because at that moment, I know that you get to ride Soarin’, which is our family’s favorite ride at Disney! Luckily, my youngest is officially 40 inches, so no more Rider Switch for this attraction.

There are still plenty of rides to explore if you have a little! Maelstrom in Norway is getting a big overhaul to create a Frozen wonderland ride. The Seas and The Land Pavilions offer rides and attraction that keep my little ones excited.

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- Soarin’ (Offers Rider Switch)
- Test Track (Offers Rider Switch & Single Rider Line)
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- Mission Space (Offers Rider Switch)
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- Sum of All Thrills (If under 54in, riders may not ride versions that go upside down!)

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is where you find two of the most exciting thrill rides at The Walt Disney World Resort! While my littles can’t enjoy the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster just yet and my husband doesn’t enjoy it either, I typically hop in the Single Rider line to take that fantastic limo ride while my husband takes the littles to the Disney Junior stage show and to meet their favorite Disney Junior Characters.

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- Star Tours- The Adventures Continue (Offers Rider Switch)
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Offers Rider Switch)
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- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (Offers Rider Switch & Single Rider Line)

Animal Kingdom

Expedition Everest, Walt Disney World with young kids

Pictures like this make Walt Disney World with young kids amazing!

We love being able to ride the Kilimanjaro Safari together as a family when we visit Animal Kingdom! Even at 19 months old, my youngest loved looking at all of the animals. I do suggest sitting closer to the front of the vehicle as it is less bumpy that way, if you have smaller riders.