A comprehensive guide to Disney World playgrounds, sharing where to find the best spots to get kids’ energy out when they’re tired of waiting in line.
You’ve worked hard to plan your magical family holiday, and your kids look to you to discover “what’s next”? Meeting a Princess or twelve, riding an attraction, grabbing a snack, or standing in lines for any of the above. It all falls to you. Wouldn’t it be great if there were places you could stop along the way and let the kids decide how they want to have fun for a few minutes? They’d love a chance to get their ya-yas out as much as you’d like a chance to not make the decisions for a while. It sounds like you need to find the nearest Disney World playground!
Does Disney World Actually Have Playgrounds?
Yes! There’s so much to enjoy everywhere you go at Disney World that if you aren’t traveling with children from two to twelve, you might not even notice them, but if you know, you know! There are playgrounds adjacent to many Disney World resorts, which might remind you of a neighborhood park, with opportunities to climb, swing, and slide. More than just that, there are unique playgrounds within the theme parks themselves, in case you need to take a break from all of this fun to … well, to have even more fun. Here’s where to find a few of our favorites:
Where to Find Disney World Playgrounds in the Parks
Green Landing Family Play Zone (EPCOT)
A large playground area is located next to the Creations Shop, featuring climbing structures and interactive activities themed to Wall-E.
Project Tomorrow: Inventing the Wonders of the Future (EPCOT)
Located at the exit of Spaceship Earth, this is not exactly a traditional playground, but it is an opportunity for self-directed play, rushing excitedly between engaging interactive displays.
ImageWorks – The “What If” Labs (EPCOT)
Located in the Imagination Pavilion building, this interactive exhibit allows kids to explore sensory exhibits in an indoor play area.
Bruce’s Shark World (EPCOT)
Located in SeaBase, this interactive play area allows children to climb in, over, and around shark-themed structures within the aquarium environment.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant (Magic Kingdom)
Located mid-queue, under the big top itself, this circus-themed play area offers the unique opportunity to play while you wait in line. A buzzer provided will let you know when it is your turn to fly!
Photo by Danny Shuster
Tom Sawyer Island (Magic Kingdom)
Get it while you can! This island in the Rivers of America is a masterpiece of self-directed play: trails, bridges, caves, a fort, and so much more! Soon to close in favor of a new Cars land, no closing date has thus far been provided beyond construction beginning in 2025.
The Boneyard (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
The ultimate Disney World playground, The Boneyard, is located in Dinoland, U.S.A. (which is scheduled to close in 2026). The Boneyard is a multi-level, dino-themed play area with climbing structures, slides, interactive exhibits, and the chance to excavate a fossil dinosaur. Enjoy it while it lasts!
Where to Find Disney World Playgrounds at the Resorts
The resort playgrounds generally offer features you might find in a neighborhood park, including immersive environments featuring soft and textured surfaces, swings, tunnels, and slides designed for interaction.
Photo by Danny Shuster
The following Walt Disney World resorts include playgrounds:
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort.
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort.
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas.
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas.
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
Splash Pads at Disney World: A Playground Alternative
Splash Pads at Walt Disney World are a great option for some self-directed fun, with the bonus of giving your Mouseketeers a chance to cool off. Great impromptu fun going in, though they may require a little bit of an adjustment upon exiting, depending on just how wet they get… there may be some (or possibly total) wardrobe changes needed, but at least you’re carrying that enormous backpack full of everything you might need!
Where to Find Disney World Splash Pads in the Parks
Liquid Layer Splash Pad (EPCOT)
Located in front of Mission Space, this happy distraction has water jets that squirt up from the ground as well as rigs that spray a gentle mist, allowing your littles to get anywhere from damp to soaked, and definitely to cool off!
Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station (Magic Kingdom)
Unmissable in the Silly Circus area, this splastastic play area is conveniently located near the restrooms which is handy should a wardrobe change be required. The surprise squirts from the train characters are fun, but the cloud of cool mist that sprays from the train funnel is where Dad wants to be, at least until his kids claim the spot.
Photo by WDW Magazine
Marketplace Splash Pad (Disney Springs)
Nothing puts the fun into a visit to the shopping district like those two magical phrases “Splash Pad” and “Toy Store.” When your trip to Once Upon a Toy is complete, step outside for even more fun!
Disney World Splash Pads at the Resorts
Most of the resorts on Disney property will help your team cool off with some splash pad fun as a part of their feature pool area. Here are a few unique and fun things that are worth a special look at when you are booking your resort. (Resort pool areas are only available to guests of that resort).
- Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter (Doubloon Lagoon Water Play Area): Water jets everywhere and a small twirly slide!
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (Copper Creek Springs): Climbing structure like your neighborhood park, if your neighborhood park has spray jets a-plenty and a giant tippy bucket ready to get you soaked.
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach: This aquatic play area has spray jets, a water wheel, bridges ,and a small slide.
- Disney’s Art of Animation: Part of the Big Blue Pool, this splash pad has the beautiful theming you find everywhere at Disney’s Art of Animation resort, only wetter!
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village: This aquatic play area is huge, with three connected sections aimed at guests of different ages. You WILL spend more time here than you intended, but you won’t be sorry!
