15 Best Rides At Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom is the most popular theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort and is filled with an extensive range of exciting rides and attractions for the whole family.

However, with so many incredible rides and attractions to choose from finding out which ones are right for you and your family can be daunting.

For that reason, we’ve put together a list of the best rides inside Magic Kingdom complete with the minimum height requirement and average wait times.

1. Haunted Mansion

⏱ Average Wait Time: 33 minutes
📏 Height Requirement: None

The Haunted Mansion is one of the oldest and most iconic rides at the Magic Kingdom having first opened back in October 1971.

Situated just next to the Liberty Square Riverboat this ride sees you clamber into a Doom Buggy and take a slow, spirited tour through an eerie and mysterious estate, complete with ghostly ghouls, peculiar phantoms, and some sinister surprises

You will get a feel for the attraction before you enter. There are a couple of creepy haunts outside of the main entrance, including an other-worldly writer, a musical crypt and of course the incredible in-character cast members.

While this ride has no height or age restrictions, the outside alone can be enough to put off small children. We actually took my niece (aged five) and nephew (aged eight) on this ride during our wedding trip, and my niece became too scared conveniently needed the bathroom just as we approached the entrance.

The ride includes darkness and some semi-frightening scenes. However, there’s nothing startling, and no gore. In fact, the spectral residents of the Haunted Mansion are rather friendly. 

Be sure to pay attention at the end of the ride as the incredible attraction photography allows you to see yourself as a ghost – something that seems to delight most children.

2. It’s A Small World

⏱ Average Wait Time: 22 minutes
📏 Height Requirement: None

It’s A Small World is often referred to as “The Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed” situated in Fantasyland, opposite Peter Pan’s Flight this ride is one of the most popular, and iconic rides of all time.

The original It’s A Small World ride was created for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. The ride was sponsored by the Pepsi-Cola Company and was intended to promote international unity and peace.

The ride featured over 300 animatronic dolls representing children from different countries, each dressed in traditional clothing and singing the “It’s A Small World” song which was written by the Academy Award-winning brothers, Richard and Robert Sherman.

After the World’s Fair, the ride was moved to Disneyland in California and became so popular that the ride was also replicated at all of the Disney parks around the world including Walt Disney World.

Over the years, the ride has undergone various updates and renovations, however, the basic concept and design have remained largely unchanged.

For many long-time Walt Disney World visitors, it’s this nostalgia that makes the ten-minute boat ride along the Seven Seaways Waterway such a wonderful hit.

3. Space Mountain

⏱ Average Wait Time: 56 minutes
📏 Height Requirement: 112cm

Space Mountain is the perfect ride for older kids and thrill seekers. This dark ride is situated in Tomorrowland, opposite the Astro Orbiter and features a number of big drops as you take a rip-roaring adventure into outer space.

Much like It’s A Small World, this ride is relatively old having first opened in Magic Kingdom back in 1975. However, over the years the ride has undergone several renovations and updates, including the addition of new special effects and technology.

As such the current version of the ride is known as Space Mountain: Mission 2.

The ride itself sees you climb into an Astro rocket and blast off into the darkness with your fellow cadets, flying past shining stars and plenty of planets. Dodge cool comets, marvellous meteors and some celestial satellites too.

Throughout this ride, you’ll experience a high-speed launch system that takes you 0 to 28 mph in just 2.8 seconds and a G-force of 3.7.

4. Pirates of the Caribbean

⏱ Average Wait Time: 30 minutes
📏 Height Requirement: None

The Pirates of the Caribbean ride is situated on the edge of Adventureland, right next to Jungle Cruise.

This ride takes you on a swashbuckling trip of a lifetime and with no height requirement is suitable for the whole family – so much so that our six-month-old actually experienced it during our most recent trip to the Magic Kingdom.

The original Pirates of the Caribbean ride opened at Disneyland in California in 1967 having been personally overseen by Walt Disney himself. However, he never got to see it completed as he sadly died 3 months before it was finished.

The good news is that the ride was a roaring success and as such a replica was opened inside the Magic Kingdom in 1973.

From the ride, the popular Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise was made by Disney and in turn, the new characters that were featured in the films have been added to the ride including the famous Captain Jack Sparrow.

The ride itself sees you board a weathered vessel and head back to the 17th century as sea dogs and rapscallions ransack the seaport towns of the Caribbean.

Find yourself singing along with the crew, sail past Dead Man’s Cove and navigate plenty of cannon fire!

5. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

⏱ Average Wait Time: 78 minutes
📏 Height Requirement: 97cm

Over in Fantasyland, across the way from The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, you will find the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

This ride first opened at Magic Kingdom back in 2014, as part of the park’s Fantasyland expansion and was designed to be a more family-friendly version of a traditional roller coaster, with a gentle, swinging motion and mild drops that are suitable for younger riders.

The ride takes you on a journey through the mine where the seven dwarfs from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs work.

Meanwhile, the ride’s cars are designed to look like mine cars, and the track winds its way through the mine, passing by animatronic dwarfs as they work and sing.

This ride is the perfect introduction to roller coasters for young children (even if they’ve not seen the classic film upon which the ride is based on) and while it reaches a maximum speed of 55 km/h it doesn’t go backwards or upside down.

One drawback to this ride is that it’s one of the most popular attractions inside Magic Kingdom and as such often experiences some of the highest wait times of any ride inside the park.

As such we highly recommend researching Disney Genie+ and using an individual Lightening Lane to minimise how long you have to spend waiting in line.

6. Peter Pan’s Flight

⏱ Average Wait Time: 56 minutes
📏 Height Requirement: 

Peter Pan’s Flight is located in Fantasyland, opposite It’s A Small World.

This ride is based on the 1953 animated classic film of the same name and was constructed especially for Magic Kingdom’s opening to the public in 1971.

Since then, the ride has undergone several refurbishments, including an updated indoor queue area featuring interactive murals on the walls.

Riders board their pirate galleon and follow Peter Pan over London before arriving in Neverland. There are waterfalls, and volcanos and you might even hear the tick-tock of a certain croc!

You will witness the Lost Boys, the Mermaid Lagoon and Hook’s 48-foot pirate ship, the Jolly Roger. Captain Hook and Peter Pan engaged in battle before, victoriously, Peter leads riders safely back to London.

You can really step into J.M. Barrie’s story as it comes to life all around you. Be sure to keep an eye on your shadow as you queue. With no restrictions, it is a great ride for the whole family. 

7. Jungle Cruise

⏱ Average Wait Time: 44 minutes
📏 Height Requirement: None

The iconic Jungle Cruise is located in Adventureland near The Magic Carpets of Aladdin and takes guests on a scenic boat tour through some of the most exotic rivers across the world, including the Amazon River, the Congo, and the Nile.

This ride is perhaps best known for its humorous narration, provided by a live Disney cast member who serves as the boat’s “skipper”. The skipper tells jokes and puns throughout the ride, adding a comical element to the otherwise scenic journey.

Previously known as the Jungle Cruise Adventure, this ride has become so popular in recent years that Disney recently turned it into an action-adventure film starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

The ride features a variety of animatronic animals, including elephants, gorillas, and crocodiles. The boat also passes by scenes depicting various cultural and historical landmarks, such as temple ruins and a tribal village.

Should you have the pleasure of visiting the Magic Kingdom during the holidays and you’ll note that the Jungle Cruise becomes the Jingle Cruise.

During this time expect plenty of seasonal cheer and the occasional holiday joke. Christmas decorations will be on all the boats and throughout the adventure to spread some joy and cheer.

8. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

⏱ Average Wait Time: 38 minutes
📏 Height Requirement: 102cm

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is located in Frontierland just next to Splash Mountain. This thrill ride first opened in November of 1980 and has had a couple of refurbishments and updates over the years.

The story goes that gold was discovered here in the 1850s and after that, strange things began to happen. The trains would start by themselves and race off through the tunnels.

Riders will board trains at an enclosed loading station before twisting and turning through mountains, avalanches, caverns, and floods.

You will veer and swerve the falling boulders and exploding dynamite as you speed along this rickety track.

The Big Thunder Mining Company will take you on a bumpy ride through a haunted gold mine that you will never forget.

9. PeopleMover

⏱ Average Wait Time: 15 minutes
📏 Height Requirement: None

If you fancy having a tour of Tomorrowland (or just resting your legs) then be sure to get in line for the Peoplemover.

Once aboard this mass transit system of the future, you’ll experience unique vantage points, peak behind-the-scenes and learn plenty of fun facts about the Magic Kingdom. 

When it was first built in 1975 it was known as the WEDway PeopleMover and then the Tomorrowland Transit Authority between 1994 and 2010.

The ride was then named Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover before finally settling on PeopleMover in 2022.

During this most recent name change, the ride also received an updated narration which provides guests with information about the history of the PeopleMover, along with rides that are no longer in the park.

This ten-minute ride is incredibly leisurely and has no height or age restrictions making it the perfect choice for the entire family. 

10. Journey Of The Little Mermaid

⏱ Average Wait Time: 19 minutes
📏 Height Requirement: None

Journey Of The Little Mermaid is located just behind the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Fantasyland and first opened towards the end of 2012.

This ride is based on the 1989 animated film, The Little Mermaid and has no height or age requirements making it the perfect family-friendly ride.

During this six-minute-long journey, you’ll board a clamshell and become part of Ariel’s adventure with music and scenes from the movie. Spot gadgets and gizmos a-plenty as you venture under the sea.

However, despite the ride’s concept, you will not get wet, as no water is used on this ride. Instead, your oceanic journey will see you explore Ariel’s world and enjoy wonderful special effects.

Keep an eye out for Sebastian the crab, Flounder, King Triton, and Ursula the sea witch, who towers 7.5 feet tall and 12 feet wide!

Be sure to head next door after the ride to visit Ariel herself at her Grotto carved into the seaside cliffs under Prince Eric’s nearby castle.

11. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

⏱ Average Wait Time: 32 minutes
📏 Height Requirement: None

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is one of the most popular rides in Magic Kingdom.

The ride is based on the popular Toy Story character Buzz Lightyear and sees you become a space ranger, boarding an XP-37 star cruiser to help Buzz defend the galaxy from the evil Emperor Zurg.

As you head deep into the Gamma Quadrant in your XP-37 star cruiser you’ll be able to control the direction and aim of your vehicle’s infrared laser gun and shoot at the lit-up “Z” targets, earning points for each successful hit.

At the end of the ride, guests can see their score and compare it with others to see how they rank as a space ranger.

12. Mad Tea Party

⏱ Average Wait Time: 12 minutes
📏 Height Requirement: None

The Mad Tea Party is a spinning ride attraction located in the Fantasyland area of the Magic Kingdom just next to the Tomorrowland Speedway.

The ride is based on the iconic scene from the Walt Disney classic Alice in Wonderland, where Alice and the Mad Hatter have a tea party and comes complete with whimsical elements and a lively musical soundtrack.

To experience the ride you’ll board an oversized, spinning teacup and spin on multiple axes. Thankfully, this ride does have a wheel in the middle so you are able to control the spinning of your own teapot to create your own ride experience.

However, for some guests, this is still too much spinning and has subsequently been known to cause motion sickness. As such we highly recommend watching this ride (it has a large viewing area) before heading into the line so you know what to expect.

13. Astro Orbiter

⏱ Average Wait Time: 27 minutes
📏 Height Requirement: None

Astro Orbiter is located in Tomorrowland just opposite Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress.

This classic ride was originally known as Star Jets and sees you take flight in your own spaceship as you orbit an entire galaxy of planets above the hustle and bustle of Tomorrowland below.

Become the captain of a retro two-passenger rocket ship and use the lever inside of your shuttle to make your space capsule go up and down. Hold on tight as you pick up speed and make your way through the constellations.

14. Magic Carpets of Aladdin

⏱ Average Wait Time: 18 minutes
📏 Height Requirement: 

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is situated in Adventureland just opposite the Jungle Cruise.

This ride was inspired by the hit 1992 animated film, and sees you fly up and around a giant genie bottle and a magic lamp on your own magic carpet.

The ride allows you to take control of your magic carpet with guests in the front row being able to move the carpet up and down, whilst those in the back row tip the carpet backwards or forward. 

However, sadly the magic doesn’t last long as this ride is just 90 seconds.

15. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

⏱ Average Wait Time: 6 minutes
📏 Height Requirement: None 

Over in Tomorrowland next to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, you’ll find Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress.

This audio-animatronics show will take you through the 20th century, detailing the evolution of technology. Everything from old-school gas lamps to up-to-date virtual-reality games.

There is a lot of history here. Originally, Walt Disney created the show as part of the Edison Square area of Disneyland Park.

However, once that was abandoned, the idea was re-explored and opened in 1964 as Progressland at the New York World’s Fair.

After this success, it found its way back to Disneyland in California and was renamed The Carousel of Progress before being moved to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in 1975.

Since then the ride has undergone several reworks to illustrate the change in technology that’s been experienced over the past five decades.

This ride is an incredible tribute to nostalgia and the perfect place to relax your legs or escape from the Florida heat.