After a recent visit with our three young children (aged 4, 3 and 4 months) we tried and tested all of the rides suitable for a 3-year-old at Disneyland Paris. Our 3-year-old had some firm favourites as well as some rides which she wasn’t as big a fan of. Having consulted at length with her, we’ve put together this list of the best rides for a 3-year-old in Disneyland Paris!
Best rides for 3 year old at Disneyland Paris tip: we’ve visited Disneyland Paris twice with a 3-year-old and both shared very similar views on the best rides!
Which Rides can 3-year-olds go on at Disneyland Paris?
From Dumbo and Slinky Dog to Peter Pan and Ratatouille, a 3-year-old can ride most of the non-thrill rides at Disneyland Paris. However, there are some rides that they might find scary or overwhelming, and I’ve noted these further in this article.
Where to Stay at Disneyland Paris with Kids
We try to stay at the Disneyland Paris Disney hotels when visiting Disneyland Paris. If you book through the Disneyland Paris website tickets are included with the hotel and cover park access from the day of arrival to departure. There are some major benefits to staying on-site with kids that make your time at the parks extra special:
- Walk to parks: most of the Disney hotels are within easy walking distance of the parks (especially if you have a stroller) so you don’t have to get shuttle buses or do any advance planning!
- Extra Magic Hour: This is one of the biggest benefits of staying at a Disney property! Disney hotel guests have an extra hour in the park before it opens for general entry (so you can enter the park at 8.30am compared to the general entry at 9.30am). This is an amazing time to get on some of the most popular rides with very little queuing.
- Late morning downtime: young kids will be exhausted in Disneyland Paris so it’s really handy to take a break back at the hotel for some rest and chill time.
- Character meets: Disney characters visit Disneyland Paris hotels for special meet and greets in the morning or evening. Our kids really looked forward to these at the hotels
Book your Stay at a Disneyland hotel now
Disney Davy Crockett Ranch
If you are driving to Disneyland Paris and are a family or group wanting extra space then Disney Davy Crockett Ranch is a fantastic option – check availability and prices here!
It is located a 15-minute drive from the parks and offers two-bedroom cabins which sleep up to 6 guests – we have 3 young kids so love having the space and the kitchenette and the kids love having a separate bedroom!
Disney Davy Crockett Ranch is a beautiful spot to relax and enjoy the extra space and sometimes you can grab a great rate on stays.
Height Requirements for Rides at Disneyland Paris
The majority of the rides in Disneyland Paris (in both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios) don’t have height or age requirements.
Riders must be age 1 for a couple of rides (Slinky Dog and Cars Rally) and then the first height requirement is 81cm (Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop and Autopia) which most 3-year-olds will meet. Cast members typically check heights on entry and just before boarding the ride if your child looks close to the height requirement.
The bigger thrill rides like Thunder Mountain and Twilight Zone of Terror have a 102cm height requirement, Crush’s Coaster 107cm, and RC Racer, Indiana Jones and Avengers Assemble all require a 120cm or more minimum height. However, these rides are probably not age-appropriate anyway unless your little one is closer to 4.
Best rides for 3 year old at Disneyland Paris tip: on our most recent trip our 3.5 year old measured around 96/97cm so was able to ride everything with a 81cm height requirement and those with no requirement.
Below is a quick summary of the rides that most (assuming they are of average height) 3-year-old can and can’t ride at Disneyland Paris: this is based on our experience in the park in August 2022 with our 3-year-old. I’ve included more details on each ride further down.
Disneyland Park: Fantasy Land
- 3-year-old can Ride: Dumbo, Peter Pan, Lancelot’s Carousel, Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups, Casey Jr Circus Train, Snow White, Pinocchio, Alice’s Curious Labyrinth
Disneyland Park: Adventureland
- 3-year-old Can Ride: Pirates of the Caribbean, Aladdin’s Enchanted Passage
- 3-year-old Can’t Ride: Indiana Jones
Disneyland Park: Frontierland
- 3-year-old can ride: Phantom Manor
- 3-year-old Can’t Ride: Big Thunder Mountain
Disneyland Park: Discoveryland
- 3-year-old can Ride: Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, Orbitron, Autopia
- 3-year-old can’t Ride: Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
Walt Disney Studios
- 3-year-old can Ride: Cars Road Trip, Ratatouille, Flying Carpets Over Agrabah, Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure, Cars Quatre Roues Rallye, Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin, Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
- 3-year-old Can’t Ride: Crush’s Coaster, RC Racer, Avengers Assemble, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Click here to check out our full guide to Disneyland Paris with toddlers!
10 Best Rides for a 3-year-old at Disneyland Paris
One of the things we’ve noticed with our kids and theme parks is that just because they meet the entry requirements for a ride, it doesn’t mean they will enjoy it and Disneyland Paris is exactly the same! My 3-year-old loved a lot of the rides but was scared or overwhelmed by others and the majority of the younger kids around us on the rides were the same.
Best rides for 3 year old at Disneyland Paris tip: Fantastyland, one of the 5 themed lands in Disneyland Paris, is the best area for rides for younger kids.
Without further ado, these are our 10 best rides for a 3-year-old at Disneyland Paris:
1 | Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Location: Fantasyland, Disneyland Park
- 3-year-olds might not like: the height. Dumbo carriages can rise to 7 metres but riders can lower themselves with the control stick.
- If they enjoy this ride try: Orbitron, Flying Carpets of Agrabah
Dumbo the Flying Elephant is a huge hit with my 3-year-old and is a Disneyland Paris family favourite.
Riders board Dumbo-themed carriages which circle around as part of an aerial carousel as they join Dumbo on his first flight. Each carriage has a control lever which allows riders to move the carriage up and down and jovial carnival music accompanies the ride.
Best rides for 3 year old at Disneyland Paris tip: a Disney icon, Dumbo is ever popular and typically has long queues. If you have access to the park during Extra Magic Hours (you will have this if you are staying in a Disney hotel or have an annual pass) then Dumbo is a must do during this quierter period in the park. Our 3 and 4 year old loved the ride and we took advantage of the lack of queues to ride it twice each morning during Extra Magic Hours. This is our 3 year old’s favourite ride in all of Disneyland Paris!
2 | Lancelot’s Carousel
Location: Fantasyland, Disneyland Park
From Central Park to Tokyo to the Eifel Tower my 3-year-old is somewhat a carousel addict and she absolutely adores the beautifully ornate Lancelot’s Carousel in Fantasyland at Disneyland Paris. Both she and my 4-year-old made a beeline for the oscillating horses every time we passed by!
Best rides for 3 year old at Disneyland Paris tip: the carousel horses have waist belts and there are footprints on the platform where adults can stand behind and accompany younger riders. Carriages are also available.
3 | Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups
Location: Fantasyland, Disneyland Park
3-year-olds might not like: the spinning motion. There is a base level of whizzing and spinning but riders can control additional spinning.
If they enjoy this ride try: Cars Quatre Roues Rallye
A theme park classic, the Alice and Wonderland themed Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups are another great ride for 3-year-olds at Disneyland Paris. The colourful oversized teacups whiz and spin across the platform round and round the garden accompanied by carnival music!
Riders can control extra spinning by turning the wheel in the teacup, something which my kids take great delight in!
4 | Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin
Location: Toy Story Playland, Walt Disney Studios
If they enjoy this ride try: Casey Jr – le Petit Train du Cirque
Age Requirement: 1 year
Slinky Dog chases his tale round and round his dog bowl on this relatively tame rollercoaster in Toy Story Playland in Walt Disney Studio. The Slinky Dog carriages weave up and down on a small incline as the ride loops around.
My 3-year-old adored this gentle introduction to rollercoasters!
5 | Buzz Lightyear Laser Bash
Location: Discoveryland, Disneyland Park
3-year-olds might not like: darkness, vivid colours and shooting targets
It’s Buzz Lightyear versus the evil emperor Zurg on this relatively gentle space ride through the Gamma Quadrant. Riders become junior space rangers and score points by hitting targets with a laser cannon as they cruise through the toy universe in a XP-37 star cruiser. They can also take control of their own vehicles by spinning it around in search of targets.
My 3-year-old is a little apprehensive of this ride as she is with all of the indoor rides in the darkness. However, my 4-year-old absolutely loved it when he was 3 and still does today – he rides it multiple times and loves shooting at the targets!
Best rides for 3 year old at Disneyland Paris tip: another popular ride, mark down Buzz Lightyear for Extra Magic Hours if you have access.
6 | Casey Jr: Le Petit Train du Cirque
Location: Fantasyland, Disneyland Park
If they enjoy this ride try: Slinky Dog ZigZag Spin, Walt Disney Studios
Another Dumbo-inspired ride, Casey Jr takes a journey through Storybook Land on a roller coaster-style ride for kids. There are some fast turns and gentle bumps to excite younger riders!
Similar to Le Pays de Contes de Fees, the boat ride which it overlooks, Casey Jr passes miniature scenes from Disney classics – the train whizzes by scenes from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast as it navigates the railroad.
7 | Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Location: Toy Story Playland, Walt Disney Studios
3-year-olds might not like: the height – the parachutes climb to 80 feet
Height Requirement: 81cm
As the name suggests, Toy Soldiers is a parachute jump style ride in Walt Disney Studios. The ride is based on the scene from the original Toy Story movie where the Green Army parachute down the stairs to check out Andy’s birthday presents.
The parachutes climb slowly before pausing at the top and freefalling towards the ground. With the parachutes rising to 80 feet high there are some fantastic views of Walt Disney Studios from the top.
8 | Le Pays de Contes de Fees
Location: Fantasyland, Disneyland Park
Take a gentle boat ride through Disney’s Storybook Land on Le Pays de Contes de Fees. The ride features miniature scenes from Disney classics including Snow White, the Little Mermaid and Rapunzel.
This slow-paced, open-air ride is perfect for younger kids.
9 | Orbitron
Location: Discoveryland, Disneyland Park
3-year-olds might not like: the height. Riders can lower themselves with the control stick.
If they enjoy this ride try: Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Flying Carpets of Agrabah
Based upon Leonardo Da Vinchi’s solar system drawings, Orbitron riders hop aboard a spaceship and soar high above Fantasyland. Riders captain their own spaceship as it whizzes through the planets and, similar to Dumbo, there is a control stick for height.
Location: Discoveryland, Disneyland Park
10 | Cars Road Trip
Location: Worlds of Pixar, Walt Disney Studios
Riders hop aboard the Cars Tram for a scenic drive along Route 66. All the action occurs in the Canyon when a fire breaks out on a diesel tanker but the rest of the journey is slow-paced and relaxed.
There’s some rocking/vibrations/heat and water used when the tram pulls up in the Canyon so make sure to keep your baby to the right side of you in the car.
Location: Walt Disney Studios
11 | Ratatouille
Location: Worlds of Pixar, Walt Disney Studios
A relatively gentle 4D trackless ride where riders shrink to the size of a rat to join Remy and friends as they are chased through Gusteau’s Restaurant by Chef Skinner. Riders wear special 3D glasses and the visuals are fantastic as the carriages move through the restaurant.
12 | Peter Pan’s Flight
Location: Fantasyland, Disneyland Park
Riders board a flying sail ship for a journey over London and Never Never Land on the ever-popular Peter Pan’s Flight. It’s a magical experience with the boats soaring over some impressive London and Never Never Land scenery before Captain Hook makes an appearance.
Best rides for 3 year old at Disneyland Paris tip: Peter Pan’s Flight has some of the longest queues in the park. If you have access to the park during Extra Magic Hours then make a beeline for Peter Pan or consider purchasing a Disney Premier Access pass to skip the queue.
13 | Flying Carpets of Agrabah
Location: Worlds of Pixar, Walt Disney Studios
3-year-olds might not like: the height. Riders can lower themselves with the control stick.
If they enjoy this ride try: Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Orbitron
Riders board a magic carpet which soars over Agrabah in this Aladdin-inspired ride. The Flying carpets of Agrabah ride follows the same format as Dumbo and Orbitron – its location, tucked in the corner of Walt Disney Studios, means the queue times can sometimes be significantly less than Dumbo and Orbitron.
14 | Spider-Man W.E.B Adventure
Location: Avengers Campus, Walt Disney Studios
An interactive ride where guests have to use their arms to sling webs to help capture the spider bots which are multiplying and wreaking havoc.
This ride was a real highlight for our 3-year-old Spider-Man fan.
15 | Autopia
Location: Discoveryland, Disneyland Park
Height Requirement: 81cm to drive accompanied, 132cm to drive alone
The Autopia Speedway is a Disneyland Paris favourite and gives riders the chance to practice their driving skills on a futuristic track – each car is petrol powered and equipped with a steering wheel and accelerator pedal. There are 60 cars on the Autopia highways and as well as driving, riders have the chance to navigate bridges, turns and traffic signals.
Best rides for 3 year old at Disneyland Paris tip: my 3-year-old loved the independence of driving around the Autopia track and I was in awe watching her take to the roads!
Other rides for 3-year-olds at Disneyland Paris
Three-year-olds can also ride Pirates of the Caribbean, Phantom Manor, Snow White and Pinocchio – I’ve included them as additional rides as some 3-year-olds might find them a little scary at times:
1 | Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean is a boat ride which takes passengers on a voyage to 17th Century Caribbean sea towns culminating in a band of pirates attacking a port. There are some drops during the ride.
It’s dark, noisy and has lots of pirate action scenes. Our 3-year-old enjoyed it but was scared by the darkness, noise and pirates on Pirates of the Caribbean.
2 | Phantom Manor
Disneyland Paris’ famous haunted house tells the tale of the manor’s resident, a heartbroken young woman who faced heartbreak from four suitors. Riders explore the house aboard moving carriages which roam through the manor as the story unfolds.
Although the ride is accessible for all ages, we didn’t take our 3-year-old through Phantom Manor as she would have been terrified – it’s definitely one for an adult to ride first and decide if it’s going to entertain or terrify younger riders!
3 | Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs / Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains and Les Vogaes de Pinocchio
Both the Pinocchio and Snow White rides at Disneyland Paris are very similar with riders boarding wooden carriages for a journey through each of the fairytales. Like Peter Pan, Pinocchio and Snow White are dark rides and there is lots of noise and enchanting scenes throughout the rides.
There are also some scenes that younger toddlers might find scary in Snow White (the witch makes an appearance) and our 3-year-old was keen for both the rides to end!
Best rides for 3 year old at Disneyland Paris tip: Pinochhio doesn’t have any especially scary scenes but my 3 year old was done with rides through the dark having ridden Buzz and Peter Pan prior to Pinocchio and Snow White!
Other things to do with 3-year-olds in Disneyland Paris
There is loads to do with a 3-year-old in Disneyland Paris aside from the rides.
The daily parades encompass everything Disney and are suitable for all ages. The energy in the park is magical with the mix of colourful floats, dancing Disney characters and fun music.
Vibrant and energetic live shows take place in the parks: we watched Mickey and the Magician, Frozen and the Lion King and our kids loved all three. The shows can also be a welcome escape from the weather and we loved escaping the midday summer sun.
Our 3 year old loves the meet and greets – Fantasyland has two permanent meet and greets with both the Princess Pavillion and Meet Mickey Mouse. You can find other popular characters at meet-and-greet stations throughout both the parks.
Visitors can also board the Disney Railroad for a scenic journey through the park or take to the water on the Thunder Mesa Riverboat landing for a leisurely ride through the Old West aboard an old paddle steamer.
The Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Dragon’s Lair are nice to experience and my 3-year-old loves walking through the hedged maze known as Alice’s Curious Labyrinth. Aladdin is another great attraction with Le Passage Enchanté d’Aladdin showcasing scenes from Aladdin as visitors pass through the winding streets of Agrabah.
Adventure Isle and the Frontierland Playground are both great stops for a 3-year-old.
Adventure Isle is fun to navigate with its suspension bridge, pathways and caves in search of buried treasure.
Some playtime in the Frontier Playground is a great way to regroup and burn off some steam away from the rides – my 3-year-old had a blast climbing and sliding and chatting to other children of a similar age in the playground!
