I love this question! Despite its reputation as a park geared more toward adults, EPCOT is one of the best Disney parks for babies and young kids.
There are seven rides that babies and kids of all ages can enjoy at EPCOT. Only the Magic Kingdom has more rides suitable for babies.
In addition to rides, EPCOT has several play areas, shows and movies, splash pads, interactive fountains and characters that babies and young children can enjoy.
People often seem to think they should skip EPCOT when planning a Walt Disney World vacation with young kids. However, if you’re rushing through EPCOT and focusing only on the most popular attractions, there’s a lot you could miss.
With this in mind, let’s explore some of the fun things for the entire family that EPCOT has to offer.
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Can babies go on rides at EPCOT?
Yes, babies can go on seven rides at EPCOT.
That’s more than Hollywood Studios (2) and Animal Kingdom (4) combined. Additionally, there are three rides in the World Showcase and four rides in World Celebration that are suitable for babies.
What can babies ride at EPCOT?
World Showcase rides (without height requirements)
- Gran Fiesta Tour starring The Three Caballeros
- Frozen Ever After
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
World Celebration rides (without height requirements)
- Journey Into Imagination with Figment
- Living with the Land
- Spaceship Earth
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Most festivals also feature a pop-up playground with artificial grass and a variety of play structures. And also, there are exciting towers for older kids to climb and play on.
There are also smaller structures and tunnels that babies can explore. In fact, my one-year-old twins love having a chance to get out of their stroller to walk, crawl and climb on the playground.
My husband brought me delicious snacks from the nearby festival outdoor kitchens while the kids were playing. It was magical.
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What can a one-year-old ride at EPCOT?
One-year-olds can ride seven of EPCOT’s ten rides. The better question may be what CAN’T babies ride at EPCOT?
Specifically, babies can’t ride Mission: SPACE, Test Track or Soarin’ Around the World until they are 40 inches tall. For most kids, this is around age 3 (which is also when they start needing tickets for admission to Disney’s theme parks).
Fans of “Finding Nemo” and “Finding Dory” will love visiting the Seas with Nemo & Friends. It’s located in the area of World Celebration (formerly Future World) called World Nature. You’ll find it near the main entrance between Spaceship Earth and The Land Pavilion.
This dark ride takes you under the sea and through an actual aquarium. The baby can sit in your lap in the clamshell ride vehicle.
You’ll see a bright coral reef and gently swaying sea anemones as you travel along the same journey that Marlin and Dory take to rescue Nemo. Look out for Jellyfish, mines and sharks! Animated images of favorite characters like Dory, Marlin, Nemo, Bruce, Crush and Squirt are projected into the aquarium tank swimming alongside real fish.
Afterward, when you finish the ride, plan to spend some time in the aquarium. Young children can pick up a scavenger hunt sticker booklet there to guide their exploration of the exhibits.
You can also view manatees, dolphins, seahorses, sharks, sea turtles, rays and more in the aquarium that shares a building with the ride. Highly knowledgeable cast members are posted throughout the aquarium to answer your questions about the sea creatures that call EPCOT home.
There’s also an interactive show called Turtle Talk with Crush that little kids and parents will both love. The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion is a great place to take a break from the long lines. And you can spend some time inside, cooling off on hot days.
Another of my family’s favorite rides at EPCOT is the Gran Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros. It’s located inside the pyramids of the Mexico Pavilion along with an indoor night market and a table service restaurant.
I’ve been going to Disney World since I was a baby. But I never knew there was a ride inside the Mexico Pavilion until I was nearly 30. We were at EPCOT with our three small kids and I saw it pop up at the top of the wait times list in the My Disney Experience app. There are almost never long wait times for this boat ride that takes you on a tour of Mexico in search of the missing Donald Duck.
If your little one needs a quiet space to rest, visit the EPCOT baby care center. In fact, each park in Walt Disney World has a baby care center. EPCOT’s center is located between Test Track and the Mexico Pavilion.
Baby care centers offer private nursing rooms with rocking chairs, kitchens with sinks and microwaves, high chairs and restrooms with changing tables. So, if you find yourself short on diapers, wipes, baby food or formula, you can purchase these supplies at the baby care center.
Can babies ride Frozen Ever After?
Yes, babies can ride Frozen Ever After!
In fact, there is no height requirement for this fun ride found in the Norway Pavilion. Therefore, even your smallest princes and princesses will be able to enjoy this chilly boat ride. Sing along with Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Sven and Olaf as you visit Elsa’s ice castle.
Read Also: Disney Characters at EPCOT: What Characters are at EPCOT? [2022]
Can babies ride any rides at Disney?
Babies can ride any ride without height requirements at Disney World parks. However, they will need to sit on an adult’s lap or on the seat beside the adult.
Sometimes a cast member will give you more specific instructions when boarding the ride vehicle, such as “please make sure baby’s legs are under the lap bar”.
On rides like Dumbo, children younger than 7 will be required to sit on the inside of the vehicle with an adult between them and the door/exit. Of course, small children under 7 must be supervised by an adult or older kids (age 14+) on many rides.
Also, babies can stay in a front-pack carrier on many rides.
What can babies ride at Magic Kingdom?
Magic Kingdom has a few more rides for babies. These include:
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Mad Tea Party
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
- Under the Sea: Journey of The Little Mermaid
- It’s a Small World
- Astro Orbiter
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Haunted Mansion
- Jungle Cruise
- Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Walt Disney World Railroad (currently closed for refurbishment)
What can babies ride at Animal Kingdom?
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Na’vi River Journey
- TriceraTop Spin
- Wildlife Express Train
What can babies ride at Hollywood Studios?
- Toy Story Mania
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Have you visited EPCOT with the little ones? Let us know in the comments!
