9 Disneyland Rides for 6 Year Olds That Are Awesome
Disneyland is known for its magical rides that take visitors on thrilling adventures through fantastical worlds. However, for parents of six-year-olds, it can be overwhelming to determine which rides are appropriate for their little ones. So in this article, I’ve selected 8 of my favorite Disneyland rides for 6 year olds, which should hopefully remove some of the stress and guess work out of your upcoming Disney vacation.
The Best Disneyland Rides for 6 Year Olds (TLDR)
If you have young children, particularly ones that are six years old, here are the best Disneyland rides for them:
- It’s A Small World
- Astro Blasters
- Mike & Sulley to the Rescue
- Mark Twain Riverboat
- Radiator Springs Racers
- Pixar Pal-A-Round
- Runaway Railway
- Disneyland Railroad
If your child is not a huge fan of rides, or they would rather walk around and enjoy the scenery, then visiting ToonTown is also a wonderful option as well!
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It’s A Small World
I simply couldn’t put together this list without including my absolute favorite Disneyland classic, It’s A Small World! This ride is truly a timeless attraction that is a must-see for people of all ages, and of course it offers a serene environment and soothing sounds that are particularly appealing to the younger crowd.
With its diverse array of cultures from around the globe, the ride immerses children in new and fascinating experiences that expand their worldview even if it’s on a small scale.
Although the catchy tune that we’ve mentioned before may stay with you long after leaving, the ride’s extended length provides the perfect chance for kids to unwind, relax in the cool air, and fully embrace the magical journey. If your six-year-old is still taking naps, this attraction is also a great, air-conditioned place for them to relax and take a quick snooze!
This attraction does not have a height requirement, and features fully wheelchair accessible ride vehicles for guests with mobility issues! This ride is very popular due to its length and air-conditioned surroundings, so if this is a “must do” for you and your six year old you’ll want to make sure you do it fairly early in the morning or later in the evening after the crowds die down!
One of my favorite ways to end a long Disneyland day is to hop on this attraction right before closing as its calming nature really helps me (and my family!) wind down!
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Astro Blasters
Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters is a laid-back and enjoyable ride that merges the excitement of a laser tag type attraction with none other than the beloved Toy Story character himself! Visitors can wield their “Astro Blaster” to assist Buzz Lightyear in eliminating pesky alien creatures, and six year olds can delight in feeling accomplished as they work alongside their family as well as notable Toy Story characters!
According to the Disneyland DAS website, this is another attraction in which guests with mobility issues can bring their wheelchair onto the ride! There is no height requirement listed for this attraction, making it a wonderful option for six year olds who may be on the smaller side!
If your six year old experiences difficulties with audio sensitivity or bright flashing lights, it may be best to consider skipping this particular ride as there are lots of sound effects and the occasional quick lighting changes.
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Mike & Sulley to the Rescue
This is one of the calmest and most peaceful attractions in either of the two parks, and can be found in Disney California Adventure (DCA). This attraction features all of six year olds’ favorite characters from Monsters Inc. and offers a fantastic opportunity for children to interact with and see these characters up close!
If your child is nervous with meet and greets, this is another way to get them close to and engaging with the characters without the fears of personal interactions! One of my favorite parts about this particular attraction is that it is out of the direct sunlight and offers a bit of respite from the Anaheim weather!
There is no height requirement for this attraction and there are ride vehicles available that are wheelchair accessible! Given the calm nature of this attraction, this is a great choice for children with physical or emotional disabilities that may be overwhelmed by larger attractions and crowds!
Speaking from the perspective of someone who cannot transfer out of my wheelchair, this is a wonderful attraction and a must do on every single one of my trips!
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Mark Twain Riverboat
This attraction is not your typical roller coaster or thrill ride, but it is still a favorite amongst Disney six year olds and Thrillseekers alike! Whether it’s the middle of the day and you’re ready to sit down for fifteen minutes and take a breather, or if your six year old princess loving kiddo is just dying to interact with Tiana, this Frontierland ride is an absolute must-do!
Tiana does not participate in this ride every single time it loops, but more often than not she can be located on the upper decks of the boat! Children that participate in this attraction can also enjoy seeing several animatronic animals as well as a wonderful audio story to accompany the sights seen.
The bottom level of the riverboat is wheelchair accessible, and there’s plenty of options for folks with mobility issues to sit and enjoy the beautiful scenery. While this is definitely a slower ride and certainly won’t satisfy any six year old’s need for speed, it’s very calming for young kiddos to just sit back and enjoy after a stressful morning in the parks! If your six year old still takes regular naps throughout the day, this is a great option given the length of the attraction!
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Radiator Springs Racers
This attraction is the only one on our list that has a height requirement, but it is one of my absolute favorites in DCA and is a hit among six year olds and adults alike! This speedy but wonderful ride immerses you in the world of Cars and even allows you to interact with several of the main characters in the film.
The attraction itself may be a short one, but it is packed full of themed experiences and even includes a race between two of the ride vehicles at the tail end of the experience! The scenery is absolutely gorgeous as well, and six year olds will very much enjoy being apart of the film and the ambience of the area!
There is a height requirement of 40 inches for this attraction and unfortunately it is not wheelchair accessible, however there are no large drops or overly jarring movements that may make this attraction uncomfortable for children with physical disabilities! There is one car on the outer right track that rotates quite a bit going around the sharp corner, but it is only for a brief moment and the seating restraints keep you from feeling like you will slide out of your vehicle!
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Pixar Pal-A-Round
There are multiple different ways to appreciate and enjoy this Pixar Pier attraction, with differing enjoyment levels for each method and age group in attendance. Riders have the option to choose between swinging gondolas that provide a more thrilling experience, or standard Ferris wheel gondolas that allow guests to sit back and relax without the added stress of swinging.
For parties with children around the age of six years old, I would highly recommend choosing the standard gondolas as they are far safer and more comfortable for those in the younger age group! The swinging gondolas are more popular among adults who grow tired of the same standard Ferris wheel, although either gondola truly provides a great view of the entirety of DCA!
If your six year old is enjoying the wheel and wants to participate in the attraction more than once, take some time on repeat interactions to point out visible landmarks such as Radiator Springs, the Matterhorn and the Avengers Campus Quinjet!
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Both gondola options are wheelchair accessible and can accommodate parties of up to five. If your six year old has mobility issues or if being thrown around just isn’t your child’s definition of a fun experience, I would highly recommend choosing the standard gondolas so that you both can truly enjoy the height and visibility of the entire park this attraction offers! Please keep in mind, this attraction frequently closes early to accommodate nighttime shows!
Runaway Railway
The newly opened Runaway Railway is an exciting and innovative attraction located in ToonTown in Disneyland. The ride takes guests of all ages on a wild and wacky adventure through a cartoon world, where they’ll encounter beloved characters such as Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Donald Duck.
The ride is full of surprises and unexpected twists and turns, as guests are propelled through a series of 2D and 3D projections, special effects, and animatronics.
One of the most thrilling moments of the ride for any six-year-old is when the train goes “off the rails” and travels through a zany and unpredictable landscape. This is such a fun attraction for any kiddo and while the wait times can be rather long since it’s a fairly new attraction, there is lots for six year olds to see and enjoy while waiting to board this attraction!
This ride queues are completely wheelchair accessible, with the exception of ride vehicles, which will require a transfer. Speaking from personal experience, the transfers for this ride are truly a breeze and it feels much like sitting in the train car.
This attraction can be a little more difficult for children who are sensitive to sharp and rather sudden movements and unfortunately is not wheelchair accessible, so if you have a six year old with mobility difficulties it may be best to do some extra research on this attraction before you participate!
Disneyland Railroad
Closing off our list today, we have another very popular attraction! If you are looking for a way to see the park without sacrificing the health and well-being of your feet and legs (or if you are tired of pushing around a stroller with a six-year-old inside), this railroad is certainly a wonderful way to do that while still enjoying all of the beauty that the park has to offer!
Similarly to a few other attractions on this list, this is a wonderful option for six year olds who may find themselves needing either a break from the hustle and bustle of the park, or an option for a longer attraction in which to take a nap!
While it’s not air-conditioned, the train cars are shaded and you can stay on the train as long as your heart desires! The tracks circle all the way around the Disneyland park, with stations near Main Street, Frontierland, Tomorrowland and Toontown! Wait times are usually no longer than 10 or 15 minutes, and depending on how many people need to enter and exit the train one loop could take up to half an hour to complete!
All of the train stations are wheelchair accessible with the exception of the Main Street station, and the train itself has a cart that can accommodate a wheelchair with ease! The standard seating is very roomy, and this is a great option for six year olds with sensory disorders who cannot participate in the more aggressive attractions!
ToonTown
The newest addition to the remodeled area of the Disney parks, ToonTown at Disneyland Resort is the perfect low-key and calm option for six year olds who are not huge fans of rides or character interactions. The area is full of cartoonish buildings, interactive play areas, and fun exhibits that will keep young children entertained for hours and hours on end.
Kids can explore updated attractions such as Mickey Mouse’s house, Minnie Mouse’s house, and Goofy’s Playhouse, as well as the Donald Duck’s Boat. ToonTown also offers plenty of opportunities for photo ops with timeless Disney characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, without the pressure of a formal meet-and-greet.
Overall, ToonTown is a great option for families with six year olds who want to experience the magic of Disneyland without being overwhelmed by rides or character interactions.
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This article was written by Peyton and edited by Michael.
