All Disney parks have something for everyone; that's part of the company's magic. But when you're surrounded by rides that are too dull or scary for your little ones, the day can feel anything but magical. Flock to the parks that have wide open spaces and offer opportunities for kids to do something other than wait in lines.
Disney World's Magic Kingdom and the Disneyland Park are the flagship parks of each resort, and with good reason. These two parks, which include many of the same attractions, offer a huge variety of rides. Each park has Fantasyland, an area full of rides that are appealing to little ones. The Disneyland Park also has a land called Mickey's Toontown that's designed especially for the preschool set. Every land in each park offers at least one ride that's accessible and not too frightening for the average young child, such as Adventureland's Jungle Cruise.
Because Disney World's Epcot is home to showcases that feature international cultures, it may not seem like an obvious hit for young children. But this park is actually a must-see for families with little ones. The park is laid out in a circle, making it easy to navigate -- no need to spend the day crisscrossing the grounds with strollers in tow. Kids will love hands-on exhibits that are all about innovation, and the interactive show Turtle Talk with Crush will delight "Finding Nemo" fans of all ages.
The highlight of any visit to Disney World's Animal Kingdom is the Kilimanjaro Safari, a guided tour of the park's 110-acre reserve that's populated by wildlife such as lions and elephants. At 18 minutes in length, it's just long enough to keep little ones entertained without giving them a chance to get antsy. The park also offers a petting zoo, multiple nature trails where energetic youngsters can burn off some energy, and an entire land devoted to dinosaurs.
Both of Disney World's water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, have a kids-only area where children under 4 feet tall can enjoy water thrills on scaled-down rides. Little ones can float along on the mini inner-tube ride at Tike's Peak, and splash beneath animal-shaped fountains at Ketchadkiddee Creek. The parks also have slides with sharper drops for the adult thrill seekers in your group.
