Do you need sensory-friendly attractions in Disney’s Magic Kingdom? In this blog post, I will list 16 options for fun, sensory-friendly attractions in the Magic Kingdom. Creating an alternate plan for your sensory challenged or special needs child will help the whole family have a magical time!
Are you wondering how you can fill an entire day of park touring if your child can’t tolerate either movement, loud noises, different smells, or tight spaces?
Are there are other guests in your party, such as siblings, that want to ride every swirling, whirling, dark, loud and scary ride in the park? How do you make it work for your entire family?
Are you worried your sensory challenged child will wake that morning and is having ‘one of those days.’ You know the one. They are in a state of poor regulation. Their sensory system is not being nice to them. Everything is TOO MUCH. How will you create an alternate plan for days like this?
How to Plan for a SENSE-ational day at the Magic Kingdom.
If you are a family with a sensory challenged child, then your vacation may need an alternate plan in your sensory strategies to take with you.
Creating an alternate plan with sensory-friendly attractions in Disney’s Magic Kingdom can make or break your day. And let’s be honest, a day at the parks isn’t cheap! I know you want to make the most of your family’s vacation time and money.
*Please Note! I have recommended if a Fastpass+ is needed (or not) for each of these activities. I am making this recommendation as if the parks are at a typical crowd level. If you are traveling during a time of heavy crowds, there may be longer waits for attractions that typically do not need Fastpasses.
Main Street
Let’s start where the fun begins in the Magic Kingdom; Main Street!
1. Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is a fun, interactive game where guests can sign up at the Main Street Fire Station. This building will be to your left when walking into the Magic Kingdom. Players receive a pack of cards and a map. If you are new to the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, a cast member can go over the steps to the game.
When the player holds up their card, it will unlock the screen, and a video will play instructing the player on what to do next. Your job is to solve the mystery using your character’s talents and strengths. The screens that come to life are low enough that guests in wheelchairs can participate. It is a lot of fun to collect the cards while making your way around the Magic Kingdom!
Wheelchair Accessible? Yes
Fastpass+ Not Available for Required
2. The Walt Disney World Railroad
Riding on the Walt Disney World train may or may not be on the ‘must’ list for your little conductor. While this is a relaxing and fun way to travel to other ends of the park, the train’s whistle and the conductor can be loud for kids with sensitivity to loud so you can enter/ exit the train from the Main Street Station at the entrance to the park, in Frontierland near Splash Mountain and Fantasyland, behind Barnstormer.
Wheelchair Accessible? No
Fastpass+ Not Available or Required
Please note! The WDW train is currently stationed at the front entrance and is temporarily not active. The closure is due to the construction for the upcoming “Tron” attraction located at the back of Tomorrowland near Space Mountain.
3. Festival of the Fantasy Parade
Keep an eye out for all your favorite characters including Mickey and his friends, a few princesses and even Tinker Bell in this colorful and lively parade that runs from Adventureland to the Fire Station at the end of Main Street (the entrance/exit of Magic Kingdom).
Wheelchair Accessible? Yes
Fastpass+ Not Available or Required
Tomorrowland
Let’s head to Tomorrowland where we have two great options for your little space ranger!
4. Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
This attraction is a show featuring your favorite characters from Monsters Inc., Mike, Sully, Roz, and Randall. The goal for audience members is to show Roz they can get enough laughs from the audience to fill their laugh tank. After all, laughs are the energy that powers Monstropolis now! Guests wait in the lobby, then enter an auditorium with plenty of seating and room for wiggly kids.
Wheelchair Accessible? Yes
FastPass+ Recommended? No
5. The People Mover
The People Mover is a constantly loading attraction. Guests stand on a slow-moving conveyor belt and load into the moving cars. As this will help the line move quickly, it is also not wheelchair accessible. It consists of open-air cars with seats facing each other. These ‘cars’ travel on a track around Tomorrowland, outside and inside some of the other attractions and shops, such as Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and Space Mountain. Some moments are dark as you pass through areas of the Space Mountain attraction.
Wheelchair Accessible? No
Fastpass+ Recommended? No
Fantasyland
Next, let’s head to the land where dreams and fantasies come true with their favorite storybook characters!
6. Casey Jr.’s Splash and Soak Station
If your little one is in the mood to be wiggly and loves some water, then this is a must to put into that alternate touring plan. Casey Jr.’s train cars spray water across to each other in this small, well-themed area. Just be sure to bring a change of clothes if they get soaked!
Wheelchair Accessible? Yes
Fastpass+ Not Available or Required
7. Enchanted Tales with Belle
At times the line for this attraction can be long so snagging a FastPass could be beneficial if you are not already using the Disability Access Service. This attraction is great for the little ones who need some downtime from fast motion and loud noises. Here, you are a guest in Belle’s cottage and help tell a story. Participation isn’t mandatory, but many kids love to be a part of the story and can volunteer to be chosen for a role. This could be standing with a prop, interacting with Belle and following some verbal direction. There is also a Photopass photographer to take your little princess or prince’s picture with Belle!
Wheelchair Accessible? Yes
Fastpass+ Recommended? Yes
8. Under the Sea with the Little Mermaid
Journey under the sea with Ariel, Flounder and all her friends in this retelling of the movie. Slow-moving clam shells move sideways to allow guests to view colorful scenes of the movie portrayed by screens, animatronics, and snippets of songs from The Little Mermaid.
Wheelchair Accessible? Yes
Fastpass+ Recommended? Yes
9. “it’s a small world.”
“it’s a small world” is an iconic ride original to the park opening in 1971. Guests travel through the ‘world’ in a large boat and enjoy scenes of children singing the song “it’s a small world” from different countries from all globe. The scenes reach to the ceiling with adorable animatronics. They are colorful and vibrant with a lot to take in and see.
WARNING!The song is repetitious and will get stuck in your head. 😵
Wheelchair Accessible? Yes
Fastpass+ Recommended? Yes
Frontierland
10. Tom Sawyer’s Island
Take a raft over to this open-air island where your little one can run, explore, and get out some wiggles. This attraction typically does not open until 11 a.m.
Wheelchair Accessible? No
Fastpass+ Not Available or Required
11. Country Bear Jamboree
An original and iconic attraction to the Magic Kingdom, Country Bear Jamboree can be polarizing. You either love it or hate it. Guests sit in an air-conditioned, low-light room to tap your toes to the beat of animatronic bears in a jug band; who also happen to make corny jokes in between songs. The upside? Your sensory child can take a break and relax. There may be a few minutes wait until the next show, but typically the theater has very low crowds.
Wheelchair Accessible? Yes
Fastpass+ Not Offered or Required
Adventureland
12. Swiss Family Treehouse
Go back in time to view a replica from the book and movie of the same title. No sounds, lights or motion, just walking up A LOT of steps to the view from this perch. Kids love to imagine themselves living in their very own treehouse at home!
Wheelchair Accessible? No
Fastpass+ Not Offered or Required
13. Enchanted Tiki Room
Enchanted Tiki Room
Guests can watch a short show featuring animatronics of tropical birds. Benches encircle the small theater, so everyone has a great view. Animatronic birds, at above-head height, sing three songs with a tropical feel. It can be loud with one song featuring thunder. If guests decide they are uncomfortable with the noise, they can exit at any time.
Wheelchair Accessible? Yes
Fastpass+ Not Available or Required
14. Jungle Cruise
A Jungle Cruise tour guide will take guests deep into the jungle on a search for corny jokes and kitschy animatronic animals. There are a few dark moments in a tunnel and a misty waterfall. The tour guide’s microphone can be a bit loud, but there aren’t any fast movements, bright lights or scary moments.
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Fastpass Recommended
Liberty Square
15. The Hall of Presidents
Hall of Presidents
Does your child love history and learning about our presidents? Past and present United States presidents are represented in this show by life-like animatronics, and a few will have speaking parts. The show runs for 20 minutes, typically has a short wait and is air-conditioned.
Wheelchair Accessible? Yes
Fastpass+Not Available or Required
16. Liberty Square Riverboat
Travel back to the eighteen hundreds and tour around the lake in Frontierland on Disney’s Riverboat.
Wheelchair Accessible? Yes
Fastpass+ Not Available or Required
Take a ride on a riverboat similar to those back in the eighteen hundreds. The boat moves slowly around the water area near Frontierland.Wheelchair Accessible? Yes
If this post was helpful in planning a sensory-friendly trip to the Magic Kingdom, be sure to check out my other posts on quiet places and alternate attractions in the parks.
