Must Fastpass Rides at Walt Disney World for Under 5s*

So far, every trip I’ve taken to Walt Disney World as an adult has been with my under 5 year old. Our first visit Little Miss had barely turned three when we went and still she managed to do so much! This is why in the old debate of “how young is too young for a Disney holiday?” (it’s a real debate, look it up) in my personal opinion and experience, if your kid is of a good temperament, go from an age where they can really experience the magic. Little Miss went to Disneyland Paris at two and she loved it, she probably would have loved it at the tail end of one! She’s patient and understanding, and seeing her face has been worth every penny!

Anyway, I digress, today I’m sharing rides you must Fastpass if you have an under 5. I’ve divided each park into ages 1 – 5 with one suggestion of a ride to Fastpass. If you visit during off peak season (which to be honest barely exists at Walt Disney World these days) you may not even need your Fastpass but I always feel like it’s better to have it to skip the queue!

Obviously starting with our favourite and home part, Magic Kingdom. We spend a good portion of our time at this park as it has all LM’s favourite rides and characters. It really is the home of magic and the best place to keep an under 5 year old amused.

2 & Under It’s a Small World
I find this ride incredibly painful to sit through but that’s because even at 4 year old, it’s still one of Little Miss’ favourites and she wants to ride it all the time. It’s perfect for the really little kids who are still sitting on your lap as it’s slow moving, brightly coloured with a really cheery song.

3 & Under Peter Pans Flight
Sat in the seat of a Jolly Roger you fly through the story of Peter Pan, a childhood favourite for sure. This is one of those rides that always has an excessively long wait (sometimes upward of 2 hours) so I cannot recommend enough you Fastpass to ride with your little one. You could exchange this out with Winnie the Pooh or Under the Sea as they both have similar concepts depending on your child’s movie preference.

4 & Under Goofy’s Barn Stormer
Time to take it up a notch, babies first roller coaster! It’s over in a matter of seconds so if your kid wants to ride it multiple times a FP is in order. It’s fast and fun, Little Miss fell in love with it after her first ride when she was barely three. It’s a good way to introduce your kids to the faster rides.

5 & Under Seven Dwarves Mine Train
Little Miss rode this for the first time in March and she is now completely obsessed with it! It’s actually one of the rides with the longest queue time ever in Walt Disney World, regularly reaching the two hour mark and beyond. If you are intending on riding this FP it, FP it multiple times as it’s rare you can pick up a pass on the day.

If you still need some ideas on what to FP at Magic Kingdom I’ve done a whole post about it.

At the moment Hollywood Studios is not exactly at it’s best. It’s under going some extensive redevelopment as a Pixar land and Star Wars land are in the works however there is still enough to make a day of it especially with all the shows that are available.

2 & Under Disney Junior Live
Not exactly a ride, but you can Fastpass it, it’s an air conditioned room and it’s interactive, everything you really need to keep your little ones entertained for half an hour or so. It features all your favourites from Disney Junior and then you can pop outside and meet them.

3 & Under Toy Story Midway Mania
Without a doubt one of the best rides on Disney property. It works the same as the Buzz ride over at Magic Kingdom but it’s better. It’s 3D for starters and it’s so much more fun! Little Miss really started to enjoy this on our visit last September as she was able to work the pull cord that you use to to shoot. It’s not the easiest for little hands but they can still enjoy watching.

4 & Under Star Tours
Even if your kid isn’t a fan of Star Wars, I think they can still enjoy the thrill of this ride especially now it’s in 3D. It’s a simulator ride so there is just the feeling of flying through space unlike being on a roller coaster. It will be an added bonus if they do like Star Wars (as Little Miss does, she’s so excited to ride in October, she was too short last time!)

5 & Under Tower of Terror
Little Miss has not been on this however two of my friends have taken their daughters on (both of which were 4) and they loved it! If your kid is a thrill seeker the height limit is low enough that a kid of the age of 4/5 can ride it. Personally I cannot ride this but I do know a fair few parents and kids who do and it is one I recommend you have a Fastpass for.

Probably Little Miss’ least favourite park, in fact all she ever wants to do is go see Baymax then play in the fountains. Once she’s ridden everything once she feels like we should leave as World Showcase is such a long walk around. However come October she’ll hopefully be tall enough to ride a few more rides! Yay!

2 & Under The Seas with Nemo
Slow moving ride with the characters from Finding Nemo. You sit in a clam shell and you try to find Nemo but at the same time you get to see in the tanks with real live fish. It all faces one way with not much moving around making it perfect for really young kids especially if you’re unsure how they’ll be on rides in general. This is a great starting point.

3 & Under Frozen Ever After
The newest ride at Walt Disney World, and of course one of the most popular. I haven’t personally been on this yet but I hear it’s fantastic and a must FP. It’s situated in World Showcase in Norway and close by you can meet Anna and Elsa. It’s proving such a success that Disney are even considering similar themed rides in World Showcase. Can Ratatouille from Disneyland Paris please comes to France?

4 & Under Test Track
Being too short for her age, Little Miss still hasn’t ridden it but I know she’s ready and will love it. I haven’t been on it since I was a kid but it used to be always one of my favourites. It’s one of the few high thrill rides at Epcot and you get to build your own virtual car. Great hit with boys.

5 & Under Soarin’
Again I’m yet to ride it as it was closed in March when LM could have gone on it but it is one of those you must FP in Epcot. This simulator ride is suppposed to be breath taking and really incorporate all the senses. A must for anyone of any age who is tall enough to ride.

I’ve done a whole post on must dos for under 5s at Epcot if you want some more information.

I left this until last as it’s really hard to do given there are so few rides at this park as it’s mainly made up of shows, character meets and animals. So instead I’m just going to tell you about some rides to get FPs for and for what ages I feel they’d suit best.

Any Age Kilimanjaro Safari
My favourite thing at Animal Kingdom, get a FP for first thing or last thing as it’s usually cooler meaning more animals are active. If you’re into the herbivores such as rhinos, giraffes and hippos morning is when we’ve seen most and if you’re into the lions and cheetahs we saw them more active in the evening. Elephants seem to be around all day.

3-5 Crowd Dinosaur
If your kid is a fan of dinosaurs you’ll obviously want to hit up the Dinosaur ride, however remember it’s in the dark and it’s pretty scary. Little Miss isn’t a fan of dinosaurs so we haven’t gone on yet, but if she was we would have definitely tried it by now.

5+ Crowd Expedition Everest
The biggest roller coaster on Disney Property in Florida, although the majority of kids will be able to ride this by 5, unless your kid is a serious thrill seeker I wouldn’t recommend it. It caught me off guard thinking it would be like Big Thunder Mountain or the Mine Train and how wrong was I? Although it doesn’t go upside down it is very fast and does go backwards and in the dark with a few decent drops. You’re only held in by a lap bar too. It is one that does need a FP though so if you’re planning on riding it make sure you grab one.

I’ve done a whole post about must dos at Animal Kingdom if you want to read some more of my recommendations.

If you’re thinking about a holiday to Florida for Walt Disney World and you haven’t thought about accommodation yet, what about looking into staying with Top Villas? They have a fab selection of villas in the Orlando area close to Disney, great for big families, large groups and those who want to self cater rather than eat out all the time. I’m completely besotted with the Tangled room at Reunion Resort 453 that can sleep up to a whopping 22! Their concierge team can help you arranged anything from park tickets to Walt Disney World as well as all the other big Orlando attractions along with any extras you may require on your stay including car hire, table reservations and even child care.

Wherever you decide to stay in Florida, I’m sure you’ll have a truly magical and memorible holiday! Remember Fastpass slots open 30 days out for people staying off property and 60 days out for those staying at a Disney Resort!