In this post we give an overview of The Barnstormer, a roller coaster at Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park in Walt Disney World. We cover the basics of the ride, how to ride it, and our thoughts on the experience before closing with an FAQ. Read on to learn more!
Related Posts
This post is a quick guide to Barnstormer, but we have related content that dives deeper into topics. Our Magic Kingdom Genie+ and Lightning Lane post covers Lightning Lane strategy in deep. The Magic Kingdom Rides and Entertainment Guide gives brief introductions to all the park’s offerings. For putting together your day at the park, we have a One Day Plan for Magic Kingdom.
Barnstormer Basics
Barnstormer is a ride at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. The ride
offers rider switch
has a Lightning Lane that is a part of Genie+
does not have a single rider line
is a part of Early Entry at Magic Kingdom
is about 1 minute long
Disney warns that expectant mothers should not ride.
Where is Barnstormer located?
Barnstormer is located in a far corner of the park—the back of the Storybook Circus part of Fantasyland. Entering the park, you’ll go the the hub and then to the right toward Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. Taking the second bridge on your right will take you toward Mad Tea Party. Go around that and into Storybook Circus. Pass Dumbo, and Barnstormer is on your right.
If you’re riding it first at rope drop, which we don’t recommend, you’ll queue with the group on the bridge into Fantasyland. Most of that group will head to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Peter Pan’s Flight, but a small group will head to Storybook Circus.
How to Ride Barnstormer
If you have Genie+, Barnstormer is a low priority ride. It typically has immediate return times for much of the day. We’ll typically try and ride it as part of a back-to-back sequence with rides like Under the Sea, Dumbo, and Mad Tea Party.
Without Genie+, you can try and get to these same rides—Barnstormer, Under the Sea, Dumbo, and Mad Tea Party—within the first hour or so of the park opening if you want short waits. Waits will also drop at the end of the day because of the ride’s remote location surrounded by rides mostly for small children.
If you’re visiting Magic Kingdom with small children, Barnstormer has the second lowest height requirement at the park, 35 inches / 89 centimeters. Our toddler was just tall enough at 2 years old, and Barnstormer—imperfect as it is—will always hold a special place in our hearts as Zoe’s first roller coaster. (Read more about Disney World’s coasters here.)
Since it’s short (about a minute long) and not particularly intense, it’s a good ride for little ones. They can also watch it from outside the queue to get an idea of what to expect.
If your child doesn’t yet meet the height requirement, nearby Dumbo, Under the Sea, Mad Tea Party, and Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh are good options with no height requirement while taller members of the party ride Barnstormer. There’s also a Casey Jr. splash pad (which may or may not be on).
Barnstormer Ride Experience
Barnstormer is a very short roller coaster. Prior to having a kid, I thought it was pretty laughably bad. I still don’t think it’s worthy of a spot in Magic Kingdom, but I’d say its short duration makes it tolerable for young kids who just meet its 35” height requirement, and that’s a redeeming quality. You can watch a video of the ride here.
Barnstormer FAQ
What age can ride the Barnstormer at Magic Kingdom?
The specific requirement for the ride is 35 inches / 89 centimeters. Our toddler Zoe was able to ride it just after their second birthday.
Does Barnstormer go upside down?
Barnstormer doesn’t go upside down and in fact you can stand just outside it and see the entire ride before getting in line if you’d like.
All Your Other Disney World Planning Questions Answered
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Know what to ride with our guides to: Magic Kingdom rides, Hollywood Studios rides, Epcot rides, and Animal Kingdom rides! Plus learn about the water parks with our guide to Blizzard Beach and our guide to Typhoon Lagoon! And for some some fun prep, check out our Ranking of Every Ride at Walt Disney World.
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