The Best of Walt Disney World for Families

Welcome back to the final installment Part 7 of my blog series – The Best of Walt Disney World! I hope you’ve enjoyed the last several weeks as I’ve shared with you the top picks in attractions for various groups of travelers visiting the Walt Disney World theme parks. We’ve discussed favorites for babies, preschoolers, grade school kids, teens, adults and seniors. Today we’re going to wrap things up with families. When checking out the list, keep in mind each attraction that made the cut scored a minimum of four stars by at least half of the age groups surveyed and has no height restrictions so that everyone from baby to great grandparents can enjoy it together as a family. Come on, everybody, here we go!

The Best of Magic Kingdom for Families

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Location: Tomorrowland
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Spinning, Dark, Slow
4½ Stars

Climb aboard and take aim as you help Buzz Lightyear save the universe from the evil Emperor Zurg. Ride along on this slow-moving attraction where you control the spinning as you shoot your laser and score points. More Details

Country Bear Jamboree

Location: Frontierland
FastPass+: No
Thrill: Entertainment
4 Stars

Clap your hands and stomp your feet along with these lovable Audio-Animatronic bears as they sing humorous, old-fashioned country songs. A true Disney classic that is sure to make everyone smile! More Details

Dumbo The Flying Elephant

Location: Fantasyland
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Spinning, Slow
4 Stars

Soar high over Fantasyland in your own Dumbo The Flying Elephant. You control the height with a lever inside your ride vehicle. This attraction offers a unique circus-themed play area for young kids to enjoy with their families while waiting their turn to ride. More Details

“it’s a small world”

Location: Fantasyland
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Slow, Dark
4½ Stars

Sail away on this joyful cruise past child-like dolls wearing their nation’s authentic clothing while singing one of the most well-known songs of all time. More Details

Mad Tea Party

Location: Fantasyland
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Spinning
4 ½ Stars

A classic spinning teacup ride where spinning the center wheel in your cup increases your speed. More Details

Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Location: Fantasyland
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Entertainment
4½ Stars

Lose yourself in this enchanting 3D musical masterpiece featuring favorite Disney characters and songs from animated classics. More Details

Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor

Location: Tomorrowland
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Entertainment
4½ Stars

The monsters of Monstropolis need laughter to power their city and they are after yours in this hilarious interactive show. More Details

Peter Pan’s Flight

Location: Fantasyland
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Small Drops, Dark, Slow
4½ Stars

Climb aboard a magical pirate ship and fly high over London with Peter Pan on your way to Never Land. Unique to this attraction, your pirate ship is suspended in the air from a guide rail to allow for a more authentic flying sensation. More Details

Pirates of the Caribbean

Location: Adventureland
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Small Drops, Dark, Slow
4½ Stars

Climb aboard and set sail on a voyage past exquisitely themed scenes of pirates’ adventures from the blockbuster movie franchise. More Details

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

Location: Fantasyland
FastPass+: No
Thrill: Spinning, Slow
4 ½ Stars

A traditional merry-go-round made even better with that special Disney touch; especially beautiful at night. More Details

The Haunted Mansion

Location: Frontierland
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Slow, Dark
4½ Stars

Board your own Doom Buggy for a creepy tour of this spooky haunted house filled with extraordinary details and effects. More Details

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

Location: Adventureland
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Spinning, Slow
4 ½ Stars

Take a ride on a high-flying magic carpet where you control the height and tilt. Be sure to watch out for those spitting camels or you might get wet! More Details

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Location: Fantasyland
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Small Drops, Slow, Dark
4 Stars

Take an adorable and colorful ride in a “hunny” pot through the Hundred Acre Wood where you can watch the antics of Winnie the Pooh and his friends Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga, and Roo. More Details

Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

Location: Tomorrowland
FastPass+: No
Thrill: Slow, Dark
4½ Stars

Take a relaxing ride on this smooth tram of the future that provides fantastic views of Tomorrowland and Cinderella Castle; especially beautiful at night. More Details

Under The Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

Location: Fantasyland
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Slow, Dark
4 ½ Stars

Climb aboard your own giant clam shell as you journey under the seas with Ariel and the gang. More Details

Walt Disney World Railroad

Location: Main Street, U.S.A., Frontierland, Fantasyland
FastPass+: No
Thrill: Slow
4 Stars

Enjoy beautiful views while riding the rails on a vintage steam-powered train during a 1.5-mile full loop around Magic Kingdom. More Details

The Best of Epcot for Families

Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival

Location: Future World
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Entertainment
4½ Stars

Enjoy this lively and entertaining 3D experience that includes three animated Disney short films. More Details

Frozen Ever After

Location: World Showcase Norway Pavilion
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Small Drops, Slow, Dark
4 ½ Stars

Set sail on an adventure through the fictional land of Arendelle complete with your favorite Frozen characters and songs from the animated blockbuster hit. More Details

Living with the Land

Location: Future World
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Slow, Dark
4½ Stars

Hop aboard this relaxing boat ride to learn about food production and to tour several greenhouses that actually provide food to The Land pavilion. More Details

Spaceship Earth

Location: Future World
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Slow, Dark
4½ Stars

Travel through time to relive the story of communication from the beginning of recorded history until today. More Details

The Seas with Nemo & Friends

Location: Future World
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Slow, Dark
4 Stars

Take a ride in a clam-mobile as you explore the ocean looking for Nemo with your favorite characters from Finding Nemo. More Details

Turtle Talk with Crush

Location: Future World
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Entertainment
4 ½ Stars

Adults and kids alike will be entranced by this interactive marvel where young dudes and dudettes can have a hilarious improvised conversation with the sweetest turtle around, Crush. More Details

The Best of Disney’s Hollywood Studios for Families

Beauty and the Beast – Live On Stage

Location: Sunset Boulevard
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Entertainment
4 ½ Stars

Watch this enchanting retelling of the classic film Beauty and the Beast filled with delightful music and dancing. More Details

For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

Location: Echo Lake
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Entertainment
4½ Stars

A retelling of Frozen by the outrageously funny royal historians of Arendelle complete with Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, songs, stories, sing-alongs, and even snow. More Details

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!

Location: Echo Lake
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Entertainment
4 ½ Stars

An incredible stunt show that demonstrates and explains how some of the Indiana Jones movie magic was made. More Details

Muppet*Vision 3D

Location: Streets of America
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Entertainment
4 Stars

Join the Muppets for this delightful and hilarious 3D feature filled with fun and surprises sure to be a hit with the entire family. More Details

Toy Story Midway Mania!

Location: Pixar Place
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Spinning
4½ Stars

Climb aboard and try your hand at simulated 3D midway games with the Toy Story gang. More Details

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Location: Animation Courtyard
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Entertainment
4 Stars

Watch this captivating show filled with vibrant puppets, special effects, live performers, and musical favorites from The Little Mermaid. More Details

The Best of Disney’s Animal Kingdom for Families

Festival of the Lion King

Location: Africa
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Entertainment
4 ½ Stars

This 30-minute extravaganza combines puppetry, acrobatics, and music to tell the moving story of The Lion King. More Details

Finding Nemo – The Musical

Location: Dinoland U.S.A.
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Entertainment
4 ½ Stars

This Broadway-caliber production is an impressive combination of music, puppets, lighting, colors, and special effects that together tell the story of Nemo. More Details

Flights of Wonder

Location: Asia
FastPass+: No
Thrill: Entertainment
4½ Stars

A trainer demonstrates the incredible talents of several exotic birds. Keep in mind that some of these fine-feathered friends swoop into the audience. More Details

Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail

Location: Africa
FastPass+: No
Thrill: Experience
4½ Stars

A tranquil pathway where you observe animals such as gorillas and meerkat. More Details

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Location: Africa
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Slow, Bumpy
4½ Stars

Climb aboard an open-air safari vehicle for an 18-minute journey through the savanna where you can spot exotic creatures like hippos, elephants, giraffes, and lions in gorgeous natural settings. These animals are the real deal; no Audio-Animatronics here. More Details

Maharajah Jungle Trek

Location: Asia
FastPass+: No
Thrill: Experience
4½ Stars

A self-guided pathway where you can observe several animals such as tigers, deer, foxes, and birds. More Details

Na’vi River Journey

Location: Pandora – The World of Avatar
FastPass+: Yes
Thrill: Dark, Slow
4½ Stars

Enjoy a gentle, dark boat ride along a mysterious river through the bioluminescent rainforest of Pandora. More Details

Well, there you have it folks. I hope you’ve enjoyed The Best of Walt Disney World series!

Other Posts In This Series:

• The Best of Walt Disney World for Babies
• The Best of Walt Disney World for Preschoolers
• The Best of Walt Disney World for Grade School Kids
• The Best of Walt Disney World for Teens
• The Best of Walt Disney World for Adults
• The Best of Walt Disney World for Seniors

Have you traveled to Walt Disney World as a multi-generational family? Do you agree with this list? Have any additions or subtractions? Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!