Magic Kingdom’s Indoor Playground for Toddlers (Parent Review)
Nestled within the queue line of one of the most iconic rides in Magic Kingdom, lies a hidden gem that both parents and little ones will love - an indoor playground.
Why, you may ask, is this cause for excitement? I’ll answer that question with two of the most wonderful words you’ll ever hear visiting Florida in the heat: air conditioning.
Parents, at this point, I feel fairly confident no further explanation is necessary - other than to clarify this is a free to play area. Admittedly though, I can see how the little ones might require a bit more convincing.
So, in this post, I’ll share where the Magic Kingdom indoor playground is located and why my toddlers request we visit every time we’re in the park.
Where the Indoor Playground Is Located
In 2012, Disney completed the Fantasyland expansion known as Storybook Circus. This highly themed area includes rides, snack stands, character meeting spots, and a splash pad. Most importantly, it’s home to Dumbo the Flying Elephant.
There are two carousels of flying elephants, located on either side of a big top circus tent. If you enter the standby queue on the right-hand side, you’ll soon find yourself inside the big top circus tent - and inside the indoor playground.
There is no charge to enter, and children of all ages are welcome. Strollers are not permitted in the queue or inside the play area, so you will need to park them in the designated stroller parking area before entering the line.
What Toddlers Can Expect Inside the Playground
As you enter the play area, you’ll notice two main sections: the center ring and a large climbing structure with obstacles, platforms and slides.
The center ring is designed for the littlest visitors (around ages 2-3). It includes a few climbing structures, a small slide, and several sliding puzzles. The entire circle is surround by bench seating for parents, which is very convenient.
The larger climbing structure toward the back is geared toward slightly older kids. My son, who is 4 and pretty tall for his age, is able to enjoy all the different interactive elements on his own.
Disney does such a great job with theming, and the Dumbo circus theme is really well done. The different level platforms are designed to look like trampolines, and when kids step onto them you can hear bouncing sounds, which they love.
Inside the netted climbing structure there are obstacles that light up and play sounds when kids climb on them. There are stairs, slides, and fun lighting effects. My toddler will happily run around here for the better part of an hour when we visit.
A Great Place for Parents to Take a Break
Along the outer edge of the play area, there are multi-level benches available for parents. We’ve never had trouble finding a place to sit, even when the park is quite busy. It’s a great spot to sit down, cool off in the air conditioning, and let the kids run off some extra energy. The lighting is slightly darker inside, so it can also be a comfortable place to nurse while your older kids play.
What Happens After Playtime
Once the kids have finished playing, you have the option of rejoining the line to ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant, or you can exit through one of the side doors inside the playground area back out into Storybook Circus.
If you’re continuing through Fantasyland afterward, another nearby attraction toddlers tend to love is “it’s a small world.” The gentle boat ride, bright colors, and catchy music make it a great next stop for little ones. I share more about our experience and why my toddler loves this attraction here.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this lesser known indoor playground quickly became my toddlers’ favorite stop in Magic Kingdom.
It’s an absolutely fantastic place to take a break from the heat, nurse, and rest without the little ones feeling like they’re missing out on something fun. The Dumbo circus theme is adorable, with bright colors, lights, music, and lots of interactive elements.
My one-year-old was too small for the climbing structure but loved the center ring area - and honestly just walking around the play area itself. There are so many things for him to look at that he was having the time of his life.
Five out of Five stars in our book!