Walt Disney World for Toddlers - Best Places to Play & Explore

Going to Walt Disney World soon and wondering how you are going to fulfill your toddlers need for physical activity? You've come to the right place! Recently, I found myself and my toddler seeking out all the playgrounds in the parks while waiting for other family members to go on rides, or complete a Rider Switch (a.k.a. Child Swap). These are the best places for young kids to be themselves (and burn off some energy before nap time!)

There are several playgrounds and safe, open areas across the Walt Disney World parks designed for younger children to run and explore.  Here are my family's favorites:

Magic Kingdom

1. Dumbo the Flying Elephant Play Area
Location: Storybook Circus

Details: An air-conditioned indoor play space where kids can climb, slide, and explore while waiting for their turn to ride Dumbo. It’s included as part of the ride’s queue. Parents can sit and relax while the kids play. When you are ready to ride Dumbo, you tell a Cast Member at the entrance and they will direct you onto the ride. This is a great place when it's unbearably hot, or raining.

2. Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak Station
Location: Fantasyland/Storybook Circus

Details: A water play area with fountains and splash features themed around Casey Jr., the train from Dumbo. Kids can cool off while parents supervise from nearby shaded seating. Warning: It is not open at some colder times during the year. Also, it can get slippery, so bring a pair of water shoes.

EPCOT

3. Space Base
Location: Future World, Mission: Space Gift Shop

Details: An indoor play area with climbing structures, slides, and interactive elements. It’s great for kids waiting while older family members ride the main attraction, and there are toddler sized tubes to crawl in, and things to touch like steering wheels. There are phone chargers and benches for parents. The attached gift shop has neat space themed toys and snacks. 

4. ImageWorks
Location: Journey Into the Imagination with Figment exit

Details: ImageWorks offers a variety of fun, hands-on activities for kids and adults alike. This is a large, open space for kids to wander around and touch all the interactive stuff. Some things to do include touchscreens where you can color Figment and other imaginative scenes bringing them to life, music and memory games, light and sound play, and photo ops with Disney-themed backdrops or effects.

5. Sea Base

Location: The Seas Pavilion

Details: This building features the ride Nemo and Friends, and is also is one of the largest aquariums in the United States. It's the second-largest aquarium in the country, and the sixth-largest in the world. It's home to over 1,200 animals from more than 42 species. This aquarium is one of the largest man-made ocean environments in the world. It's home to thousands of sea animals, including sea turtles, rays, sharks, and reef fish. Kids can explore freely without lines or time limits. 

6. Play Zone: A Temporary Playground During Epcot Festivals 

Epcot has a playground called Play Zone that's featured during festivals. The playground's theme changes depending on the festival. The playground also has play structures for kids of all ages, including preschoolers and older kids. This outdoor playground is located between the Creations Shop and Test Track. 

7. Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana 
Location: World Nature

Details: This attraction allows guests to explore and engage with water in various forms, mirroring the journey Moana undertook in the film. The experience is designed to be both educational and entertaining, and toddler and young kids love playing the water! Warning - if they're not in a stroller, they may get wet! Bring extra clothes just for this attraction. When we walked through, some of the splash pad features were turned off because of the cooler temperatures. We held her hand and she didn't get soaked. A central highlight is the 16-foot-tall figure of Te Fiti, which is a great photo-op. You can spend as much time as you'd like in here.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios does not have designated "play" areas like the other 3 parks, but, there are places to let toddlers out of the stroller to stretch their legs where there is less foot traffic.

8. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge paths
Location: between Rise of the Resistance and the bathrooms

Details: The pathways along the main walking area into Galaxy's Edge feature life-sized Star Wars ships such as an X-Wing. These are less crowded, safe areas to toddle around. Look out for Photopass Photographers in these areas.

9. Echo Lake
Location: Centrally located in the park, to the left of the Chinese Theater

Details: The areas around the lake have a relatively laid-back atmosphere compared to foot traffic of other areas. It’s a great spot for families with toddlers, as it features open space, ducks and squirrels to watch, and shady benches. You may even spot some characters such as Goofy, Max, Chip and Dale. All kids love to look at Dinosaur Gertie- A giant green dinosaur in the lake, which is actually an ice cream stand. 

Gertie in her Christmas attire

10. Disney Junior Play & Dance (Show)
Location: Animation Courtyard

Details: A fun, interactive dance party featuring characters like Mickey, Timon, Doc McStuffins, and Vampirina. Toddlers can move around, sing, and dance. The atmosphere is lively and perfect for little ones who love music and seeing characters. They generally have room to dance, but this is not an area for running or exploring as it is in a theater-type setting with other families.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

11. The Boneyard
Location: Currently DinoLand U.S.A.

Details: A large, themed dig site playground with slides, climbing areas, and a sandpit where kids can dig for "fossils." Disney has not announced a specific closure date for The Boneyard. However, given the ongoing transformations within DinoLand U.S.A., it's possible that The Boneyard may close in the future as part of the area's redevelopment into the Tropical Americas. For the most current information, I recommend checking Disney's official announcements or asking your Kingdom Konsultant Agent.

12. Animal Trails
Animal Kingdom has several walking trails where you can spend as much time as you'd like looking at the animals. 

• Maharajah Jungle Trek featuring Tigers, birds, bats, Komodo Dragons and more
  Location: Asia section of Animal Kingdom 

• Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail featuring Gorilla, flamingos, okapis, hippos and crocodiles
  Location: Africa section of Animal Kingdom

• Discovery Island Trails featuring otters, birds, tortoises, kangaroos, and monkeys
  Location: Central part of the park around the Tree of Life

Disney Resorts

If you're staying at a Disney Resort, many of them have excellent playgrounds and splash pads that rival those in the parks, making them a great option for downtime during your visit. 

Find your own fun spots in the parks! My daughter loved watching the squirrels and the Skyliner in the France Pavillion in Epcot. She loved to look at the many fountains around the World Showcase too! At Magic Kingdom, find the nice grassy (turf) areas near the castle to relax and have a snack with a view.

I hope this list helps you find some places to entertain your little ones and let them play and explore freely on your vacation.

Happy exploring!

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We Want to Hear From You

What are some of your favorite areas in the park for toddlers? Let us know in the comments. 

Summer Squires is a Mom of 4 who loves helping other parents plan memorable and stress-free family vacations! You can email Summer at summer@kingdomkonsultant.com.