Disney World is synonymous with excitement, magic, and (probably most of all) family-friendly entertainment. Disneyland (and the Disney parks that followed it) began primarily as a place for families to enjoy thrilling and fun rides together. While the Disney Parks have certainly expanded since their origins, Walt Disney’s core vision for family fun still remains intact. In honor of that vision, we want to bring you our picks for the top five family-friendly rides at Walt Disney World. Have fun enjoying them with your family!
The Jungle Cruise
The Jungle Cruise, based on a design by Walt Disney himself, is one of the great family rides at Disney World. This river boat style cruise is scenic and lighthearted, making it perfect for all ages. Another thing that makes the Jungle Cruise particularly ideal for families is the seating style. Instead of facing forward, passengers sit on benches with the ability to interact with one another throughout the tour. We think that the ability to share the experience makes this ride especially wonderful for families.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is the only ride with a height limit that I included as a “family friendly” Disney World ride. That is because the height requirement for this steel roller coaster is low enough that it can still be enjoyed by kids within a wide age bracket. This ride features many fun details from Snow White and The Seven Dwarves that will entertain younger children. However, it has enough drops and thrills to be fun for those who enjoy a little dose of adrenaline! Another thing that makes this ride fun for families is that it includes a video capture of your experience that makes a great memory for families to enjoy later!
Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean is truly a classic ride that is fun for any age. This ride has some exciting drops, splashes, and really amazing pirate-themed sights and sounds! The ride capacity allows for a family to ride together in one or two rows, but those on a family reunion can arrange to take a whole boat. You can get a ride photo on this one, which makes a good keepsake. However, the experience is great on its own! Prepare to come away singing: Yo Ho, Yo Ho, (A Pirates Life for Me)!
Kilimanjaro Safari
At the Animal Kingdom park, your family can enjoy the Kilimanjaro Safari. This Safari is a fun expedition designed to mimic a visit to the African Savannah. There is a lot to see on this tour, and the vehicle is a high-capacity tram. It’s ideal for families who want to ride together and be more free to interact with each other during the ride. The animals you can see on the Kilimanjaro Safari are all real, which makes the experience very exciting and educational for all ages.
People Mover
The People Mover offers a nice, smooth trip around Tomorrowland. There is never a line for this ride, so it offers a great chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy a great view of the park from up above. This is a wonderful ride to share with your family because you can face each other while riding together in the same “bucket.” It also gives families a chance to relax together and enjoy the attraction and scenery. Another interesting thing about this attraction is that it reveals part of Walt Disney’s model for EPCOT, and therefore provides a great opportunity to talk to kids about the importance of following your dreams.
Are you planning a trip to Disney in the near future with your family? Which of these rides do you most look forward to enjoying together? Do you have other rides that you consider to be family friendly? Please share them in the comments!
I need to start planning a trip there! I’ve never been!
I love the rides in Disney but not all of the people. I need to go during off season.
I’ve lived 2 hours away from Disney for decades. I am all Disneyed out. Have fun!
Need to go back
Im heading there in August, it been 16 years since i had a vacation, cant wait!
My family almost went on the Peoplemover, the next time we go to Disney World, we totally will! Thanks for the recommendation.
I just watched a fascinating video on forced perspective in Disney (Cinderella’s castle is the best example)! My daughter gets motion sick easily, so she’ll probably skip these rides, but at least she’ll entertain herself with finding illusions like the castle.
Everyone thought the first “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie was going to flop because it was based on that ride, but I’m happy to see the movie has helped its fame.
I am super bummed we never saw the Safari! We were so close, but we never got around to seeing it.
I need to go back. I was a teen when i went and I’m in my 40s now.
My poor daughter was so nervous when we rode the Pirates ride, she hates roller-coasters, so the drop scared her quite a bit! It’s funny now, but it wasn’t then!
The seven dwarves are such underappreciated Disney characters, it’s nice to see someone is looking out for their ride!
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think I like Universal more than Disney! I know, I know!
I’ve heard the prices at Disney are skyrocketing, but that doesn’t matter. You go to Disney for Disney, not the money trouble!
5 more days an im there.
My 2 grandkids loved the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. So many great rides there. Time to go again. 🙂
Love it here… favorite vacation!
We were there at Christmas and what an amazing experience!! Already planning another trip for September 2020
We are going to Disney in 40 days! Thanks for the family friendly ride suggestions! We already have our fastpasses booked for some of them!
Disney is our favorite place to go. There are so many educational things to do there!!! (And it’s so fun!!)
Love Disney and planning vacations for others! Can’t wait til our trip in the fall.
We go back in February and our kids are clueless! I can’t wait!! ❤️
I’ve never been to Disney but I’m planning a trip for our family of 6 in the next year.
Articles like this were such a huge help when we went! Never having gone before I had no idea what we should do. Keep up the good work!
Great article!
I have always skipped the people mover because my family is into thrill rides, but last year we decided to try it, and loved it! It gives you time to relax, and the view of Tomorrowland is great!
Planning on taking my son there in a year or so, this is so helpful!
Kilimanjaro Safari is so fun. A ride and zoo experience all in one makes it a fave amongst us.
We love all these rides!
highly recommend fun for the whole family
We miss Disney. Haven’t been back since 2015. The people mover is that ride you do last just to catch up on your rest after a very long day at the park. It’s very relaxing.
I would love to take my 5 yr old grandaughter.
I haven’t been to Disney in years. These sound like fun!
I would love to take my grandaughter there one day.
My BFF goes there almost every year.
I know I would enjoy Pirates of the Caribbean!
Kilimanjaro safari sounds like so much fun!
The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is one of our family’s favorite!
I will pass this on to the rest of my family. I am not much for any type of rides.
These all sound like so much fun!
I have never been to any Disney Parks, but I hope to someday since it’s on my bucket-list. The People Mover sounds like a fun ride.