Walt Disney World Resort is known for its pixie dust and fun attractions. But amidst the adventures, it's important to find time for the tadpoles to let loose and get their wiggles out. Sitting in a stroller or waiting in long lines for most of the day can make anyone feel a little froggy! Fortunately, Disney World has a variety of play areas found throughout the parks and resorts. These playgrounds are a place for kids to release their wiggles while the parent frogs can recharge and savor a moment of respite. In this post, we'll explore the Walt Disney World playgrounds and highlight their unique features and locations. Ribbit!
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FAQs
- Are playgrounds open at Disney World? Playgrounds are open at Walt Disney World and are available at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios (coming soon!) and most resorts.
- Where can you find playgrounds at Disney World parks? You'll find play areas at Magic Kingdom in the Storybook Circus area, several at EPCOT, including Bruce's Shark World in the Seas Pavilion and World Discovery Playground near Test Track. The new playground, Drawn to Wonderland, is coming to Hollywood Studios in summer 2026.
- Do the Disney World Resorts have playgrounds? Many of the Disney Resorts have playgrounds near the main pool or recreation areas.
Where to Find the Disney World Playgrounds When the Tadpoles Need a Break
Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak Station — Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak Station is a water play area near Dumbo the Flying Elephant in Fantasyland. It's great for cooling off on hot days. While it may require extra clothing changes, being able to cool off during the heat of the day is worth it! There are restrooms nearby for changing into dry clothes if needed.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant — Under the big-top tent, Dumbo's play area is an air-conditioned space where kids can play while waiting for their turn to ride the classic Dumbo attraction. This circus-themed playground is fit for all ages! You'll receive a buzzer upon entry that will alert you when it's your turn to ride the attraction.
Project Tomorrow: Inventing the Wonders of the Future — Located at the exit of Spaceship Earth, both kids and adults can engage in hands-on activities related to technology, communication and innovation. This is an air-conditioned space with bench seating. Leap and I like to find a seat and give our legs a rest, while Tad and Lily explore the interactive activities. Tad enjoys the simulated driving games, and Lily heads to one of the Project Tomorrow kiosks. Did you know you could email the video you made riding through Spaceship Earth to friends and family? We didn't either ... until Lily showed us!
Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana – This isn't a typical playground, but a newish attraction that debuted in the fall of 2023. We're mentioning it here because it's a self-guided trail where kids of all ages can engage with water in exciting ways. There's even an educational aspect that teaches the water cycle. As you journey along the path, kids (and adults!) can interact with various water features. And, there's no need to rush – children can explore at their own pace. It's quickly become one of Lily's favorite attractions, particularly on hot days.
World Discovery Playground — This outdoor playground is located between the Creations Shop and Test Track. The formal name is frequently rethemed and seems to change (at times) with the different EPCOT festivals. The space is complete with climbing structures, engaging activities and interactive displays. Typically, there are tables and chairs in the adjacent patio space for additional seating.
ImageWorks - The "What If" Labs — Continuing EPCOT's tradition of innovation, the "What If" Labs are another interactive play area. You can find it inside the Imagination Pavilion, easily accessible from the Imagination Pavilion exit or right after enjoying the Journey into Imagination with Figment ride. This cool space inspires kids to get hands-on with sensory activities and creative games. One of the highlights? Making music by moving your body with Figment's Melody Maker!
SpaceBase — This play area is located at the exit of Mission: SPACE. You don't have to ride this attraction to get to this area; just enter through the merchandise shop exit. Here, you'll find a variety of tube-like structures to climb through, plus a slide. The theming is toadally out of this world! There are interactive digital games where you can race an opponent to send a rocket into space. Our favorite is creating a digital postcard and sending it to family from "space."
SeaBase — At SeaBase in World Nature, young adventurers can dive into the incredible world of the ocean. Inside the huge 5.7 million-gallon aquarium, there are over a thousand sea animals to discover! Kids can watch dolphins, manatees, sharks and even spot scuba divers exploring below. Look out for surprise visits from Scuba Mickey, too!
For extra fun, grab a free "Finding Dory's Friends" scavenger hunt near the exit of The Seas with Nemo & Friends. It's a self-guided hunt with stickers, clues and interesting facts to help find all of Dory's pals.
Bruce's Shark World — Located inside SeaBase, this fun, hands-on exhibit is a must-see. It’s themed around Bruce the shark from Pixar’s "Finding Nemo" and teaches about sharks in a playful way. Tadpoles and adult frogs can test their knowledge of sharks through games such as Bruce’s Shark Challenge, which includes multiple-choice and true-or-false questions. There are also interactive displays, models and even a photo op where you can pose inside Bruce’s mouth.
Also, depending on the season or current EPCOT festival, you may find an additional playground area located between the Imagination Pavilion and World Showcase. This space changes depending on what's going on at ECPOT, but it typically includes seating, shaded areas and a play structure for kids. In the fall, it was the Harvest Hollow playground and returning for spring, it's the Playalong Bay playground.
Drawn to Wonderland – Opening May 26, 2026: a playground filled with huge flowers, a Mad Tea Party and an exploration area as part of the The Magic of Disney Animation expansion.
Marketplace Area — With Disney Springs labeled as the shopping district, you probably wouldn't expect a Disney World playground here. But in the lower portion of the Marketplace, next to Once Upon A Toy, there is a small splash pad for kids to play in. Momma and Poppa frogs, you can keep a watchful eye over the tadpoles while you're enjoying a tasty treat or drink. In the same area, there are small attractions for young children, including a carousel and a ride-on train. Ride tokens cost about $5 per ride.
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
Tadpoles can unleash their energy at the play areas found at most of the Walt Disney World Resorts. Each Disney resort playground is designed to match the theme of its home resort. As Dis-nerds, we think this is toadally cool!
Playgrounds can be found at these Disney World Resorts:
- 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 – Jambo House
- 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 & 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
Whenever your kiddos need a break, now you know where to find the Disney World playgrounds. What is your favorite playground at Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
Related: How to Navigate EPCOT's World Showcase with Kids
Related: Where to Take a Sensory Break at Disney World
Hoppy planning!
