Are you taking a trip into the world of Disney magic with your adorable 1-year-old?
I’ve covered the Orlando Theme Parks with my 1 year old, and Walt Disney World is THE place where dreams come true. Your little one is in for a treat too! Below, we’ll dive into the insider scoop on the best rides that are just perfect for your tiny tot. From gentle rides based on classic stories to exciting adventures that’ll have them giggling non-stop, Disney World has it all for your little explorer.
While your at Disney, be sure to use the Baby Care Center to make your day easier, and also consider double checking your Packing List, to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything essential.
How to use this Guide
These are Rides, not attractions. When you look at the Official List from Disney World, you’ll see that they list Attractions AND Rides together. The list below is ONLY Rides, and excludes Attractions. Attractions include fun options like Shows, Entertainment and Interactive Elements.
Can you Baby Wear on the Rides at Disney?
Yes, in most cases you can safely Baby Wear on the front on rides at Disney. This will always depend on the ride operator and updated safety advice- so you may need to adjust once at the parks.
To learn more about Babywearing at Disney, see this helpful guide.
Best Rides at Magic Kingdom for a 1 year old
Magic Kingdom is the winner for Rides for a 1 Year Old (and the reason it’s the first on the list!). As a seasoned Disney Mom, I’d go so far as to say that Magic Kingdom is a Two Day Park for 1 year olds. There’s plenty of rides, which you can repeat while your there if the lines are short, and Stage Shows, Theater Shows, Meet and Greets, Parades, Fireworks etc!
Rides for 1 year olds
Items with a Star are Highly Recommended⭐
- Buzz Lightyear ⭐
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant ⭐
- Haunted Mansion ⭐
- Mad Tea Party- Very spinny!
- It’s a Small World ⭐
- Jungle Cruise
- Liberty Square Riverboat ⭐
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin ⭐
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ⭐
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Pirates of the Caribbean ⭐
- Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover ⭐
- Under the Sea- Little Mermaid ⭐
- Carousel of Progress ⭐
- Disney World Railroad ⭐
Not Recommended:
Astro Orbiter- Longer lines and some intense force during the ride portion
Swiss Family Treehouse- an attraction, not a ride, but a LOT of steps. 0/10 recommend for little legs.
Best Rides at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for a 1 year old
Animal Kingdom is more of an Entertainment and Edutainment park than a park with rides for all ages! While the rides here are phenomenal for older kids, teens and Adults, young children will enjoy the shows and playground more than the ride selection.
Head to Dinoland Area to enjoy the Playground and the Finding Nemo Stage Show!
Items with a Star are Highly Recommended⭐
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Na’vi River Journey ⭐
- TriceraTop Spin ⭐
- Wildlife Express Train⭐
Best Rides at EPCOT for a 1 year old
EPCOT has a nice blend of rides and attractions (and a nice outside playground great for getting the wiggles out!)
Most of these rides are at the front of the park, since EPCOT is set up kinda like the figure 8. At the end of World Showcase (so the bottom of the 8) you won’t find any rides, but you can walk there and see the EPCOT Worlds. Around the World Showcase you can also do the KIDCOT Stations if you’d like a Souvenir for your little one.
Items with a Star are Highly Recommended⭐
- Frozen Ever After- this has a steep drop when can be hard on small bodies
- Gran Fiesta Tour ⭐⭐
- Journey into imagination with Figment (jump scare with loud sound and it goes black)
- Living with the Land ⭐⭐
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
- The Seas with Nemo and Friends ⭐⭐
- Spaceship Earth
Best Rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a 1 year old
Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the smallest humans is less Ride fun, and more Disney Jr fun! There’s the Disney Jr Show, the meet and greets, the paid Disney Jr Character Breakfast… all fun but they don’t make up for the lack of rides!
Items with a Star are Highly Recommended⭐
- Mickey and Minnies Runaway Railway ⭐⭐
- Toy Story Mania⭐