Save yourself some tears (and a mid-ride meltdown) by skipping these dark Disney World attractions.
It’s a rite of passage for every kid: At some point, they’re going to develop a fear of the dark. And while this fear is totally understandable – after all, what adult hasn’t been spooked by a too-dark room and some noises? – it does make navigating Disney World kind of tricky. After all, Disney is known for its dark rides, which…take place in the dark.
Taking your kids on a too-dark ride can result in a total meltdown and even more fear. So, if you’re wondering which Disney World rides are too dark for kids who are afraid of the dark and which are safe to ride, we’ve got you covered with this list of attractions to avoid.
Haunted Mansion
Photo by Laurie Sapp
Trust me: If your kids are scared of the dark, this ride is going to absolutely wreck your day at Magic Kingdom.
Haunted Mansion may be a favorite of tweens, teens, and adults, but it’s far too spooky for younger kids. And the entire ride takes place in the dark. Sure, there are bursts of light here and there, but it’s solely for added spooky effect, not actual illumination.
Combine the dark nature of this classic Disney World ride with all of its spooky characters and scenes, and it’s bound to frighten most kids. Pro tip: Before you even attempt to brave it with kids, watch a ride-through video on Youtube so you can see how they fare.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Photo by Marisa Alvarado
Like Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean takes place entirely in the dark. Even the brightest scenes of this ride are still pretty dark, making it a tough one for kids who are scared of any level of darkness.
In addition to the dark atmosphere, many of the scenes are also spooky for younger kids. The skeleton-filled opening scenes, the unexpected drop, and the combination of cannon fire and fog can make it all a bit too realistic and frightening. Unless your kid is firmly in their pirate phase, you may want to hold off until they’re out of their “afraid of the dark” phase.
Peter Pan’s Flight
Photo by Mike Billick
Peter Pan’s Flight is one of Fantasyland’s most beloved rides, and for good reason. It’s very kid-friendly, and guests of pretty much every age love its calm nature and nostalgic storyline. But if you’re visiting with kids who are scared of the dark, you might want to pause before getting in line for this ride.
Peter Pan’s Flight should be perfectly fine for most kids, but it is a classic Disney World dark ride. As a result, you should expect that the entirety of the ride will take place in the dark.
While a number of scenes do appear bright and there’s nothing scary inside the ride that’ll surprise little ones, it can still be too much for those who’ve just developed a fear of the dark. (Trust me: I took my two-year-old on this ride at the peak of his “too dark!” phase, and it was not fun to experience nonstop tears after a long wait in line!)
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Photo by Cliff Wang
My son’s fear of the dark came out in full force on Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. I figured it’d be the perfect ride for a one-year-old who’s obsessed with Mickey…and I was very wrong.
While Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway really isn’t scary, it does include darkness and moments of perceived peril. And that’s the perfect combination to terrifying kids who are already afraid of the dark. The ride takes place in dark room after dark room, and though the projections light up the scenes decently, it’s still pretty dark for little ones.
And when that darkness combines with scenes like the waterfall or factory, this ride can easily become scary for kids who are already afraid.
Na’vi River Journey
Photo by Marisa Alvarado
For most guests, particularly adults, Na’vi River Journey at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a chill (dare I say relaxing?) boat ride through vibrant scenery and cool air conditioning. If you’re a parent with a kid who’s scared of the dark, however, it’s a completely different experience.
While this Disney World ride is overall a pleasant, calm experience, kids who are afraid of the dark may find it too stressful. Sure, you can see your surroundings thanks to the bioluminescent scenery, but as a whole it’s still quite dark.
And if your kid isn’t soothed by a night light come bedtime, this ride is probably going to be too much.
Spaceship Earth
Photo by Marisa Alvarado
Unless you’re someone who’s spooked by slightly dated animatronics, odds are you won’t find anything frightening inside Spaceship Earth. But if you’re riding with a kid who’s afraid of the dark, you might find yourself battling some surprising tears.
Spaceship Earth, while relatively calm and uneventful as an EPCOT attraction, is a dark ride. And, as a result, it’s pretty dark and dimly-lit inside. While the scenes themselves won’t spook your kids, the overall dark atmosphere might.
If your child can handle a little darkness as long as there’s nothing scary around the corner, this is a good introduction to dark rides (along with Peter Pan’s Flight) so they can get more comfortable with others just like them.
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Photo by the WDW Magazine Photography Team
At first glance for adults, there’s little scary about a slow-crawling ride under the sea that follows the storyline of Finding Nemo. But The Seas with Nemo and Friends can actually be quite scary for little kids, particularly if they’re already facing a fear of the dark.
This is a classic Disney World dark ride, which means the entire experience happens in a pretty dark setting. Combine that with the scenes of the ride, which include an appearance from Bruce the Shark (which can frighten or, at the very least, surprise kids) and some scarier-looking deep sea creatures, and it’s got a perfect recipe to be scary for the five-and-under crowd.
The queue, too, is pretty dimly lit. If you aren’t sure how your little one might react to The Seas with Nemo and Friends, I recommend checking out the queue and seeing if they can handle that level of darkness. If not, the ride won’t be a good choice.
Frozen Ever After
Photo by Cliff Wang
While Frozen is undeniably one of the most beloved kids’ films of the last few decades, Frozen Ever After may not be the best ride for your little ones at EPCOT. It’s dark – from the boat launch to the ride’s final minutes – and it does feature a few moments that can make the dark setting feel extra scary.
As a whole, Frozen Ever After is a relatively relaxed boat ride through the story of Frozen. But with its dark setting, a particularly dark and misty scene featuring Marshmallow, and a surprise backwards launch in the dark, it can spook even the biggest Anna and Elsa fans.
If your kids are particularly sensitive to the dark (and don’t like surprises), this is one you’ll want to skip until they’re ready to let those fears go.
