Sometimes after spending a long time in line or at a restaurant, little ones just need to GO! They need to run and jump, slide and spin. I like to think of it as their version of “me time”. They get to be in charge of their environment and recharge by getting all their wiggles out.
When there’s a long or busy day ahead, wise parents will scope out places for kids to get to let loose in advance so they’re not scrambling right in the middle of a melt down. Well, our family has been there and I want to share our Top 5 Favorite Playgrounds at Walt Disney World.
Top 5 Playgrounds at Walt Disney World
1. The Boneyard
The Boneyard at Animal Kingdom is my favorite playground in all of Walt Disney World. What used to be a sand pit (which was also cool) is now a multi-story playground with towering slides, bridges, and tunnels. It is themed to look like an excavation site, complete with dinosaur bones and a half-buried Jeep.
The only downside is that it’s hard to keep track of your kids, so it’s better for kids who can play on their own and find their way back to mom and dad.
2. Mission Space
I love this playground in the exit of Mission Space. It’s the perfect place for kids to play while the adults (and older, taller siblings) are using rider swap on both Mission Space and Test Track. Parents can easily monitor the whole playground, so it’s much better for young kiddos.
3. Magic Kingdom Ride Playgrounds
I am going to group all of these playgrounds together because they are all fantastic! Magic Kingdom has started putting playgrounds into the ride queue to help little ones with their restless energy.
Our favorite is The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, but we also love the play space in the queue for Dumbo.
4. The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Another one of our favorites, the Seas with Nemo and Friends features a space where kids can play with the sharks.
Pair that with the huge aquarium and you have one of our favorite spots at Epcot. Sometimes we skip the ride all together and head straight for the play area and aquarium. Just head to the right and go through the gift shop instead of entering the ride.
5. Resort Playgrounds
Several of the resorts have playgrounds of their own – you’ll have to check the map when you arrive for their exact location. If you’re at Disney for one of the 5 days a year that it’s too cold to swim (that might not be true, but it’s close!), this is the perfect option for kids to expend a little energy without even leaving the resort.
Bonus – an option for Hollywood Studios
You’ll notice I did leave Hollywood Studios off the list. While I grew up with the fabulously themed Honey, I Shrunk the Kid’s Playground, it has been removed to make room for Star Wars and Toy Story Land. I’m guessing that once those projects are completed, there will be some sort of area for little ones to let off steam, but for now there is not a great option at that park. If you (and your kiddos) need a bit of a break, I recommend Disney Jr. Live on Stage. It’s an air conditioned room and everyone sits on the ground, so little ones have plenty of wiggle room. They are encouraged to dance, sing, and spin with their favorite Disney Jr. characters. It’s not exactly the same as a playground, but it gave us a pretty sleepy toddler who took a GREAT nap after the show!
Did I leave your favorite playground off the list? Share it with us in the comments below!
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