4. Honey I Shrunk the Kids Play Space

The “I Shrunk” movies have long since faded into memory, but the idea of a world in which people are the size of bugs has always been fascinating.  Perhaps that’s why the Honey I Shrunk the Kids attractions at Hollywood Studios are still open – and still fun. 

The Honey I Shrunk the Kids play space is one of the coolest playgrounds ever conceived – and it was designed to be big enough for teens and adults to join in the fun.  Enter the space, and you become a teeny tiny human, wandering among 30-foot-tall blades of grass, giant plant-root mazes, huge scary spiders and a terrifyingly enormous sniffing dog.

Like all playgrounds, this one also incorporates several fun, themed slides and plenty of opportunities to climb and scramble around.

5. The Laughing Place

This small but highly immersive playground for younger children is themed around the characters and locations of Splash Mountain (the B’rer Rabbit stories).  It may not be Disney’s greatest achievement, but it’s low-key, fun, and rarely crowded.

6. Casey Jr. Splash n’ Soak Station

On a hot day, it’s amazing how refreshing a little water can be.  Of course, a lot of water is even better!  The Casey Jr. Splash n’ Soak Station is a playground area in Fantasyland themed around the circus and steam engines.  Kids (and adults) can cool down with Casey’s “steam” (misted water spray) or get squirted by various critters throughout the area. 

7. Dumbo the Flying Elephant Playground

Here’s a great idea: a themed playground built right into the queue at one of Fantasyland’s most popular kiddie rides.  Not only can families take a break from standing and waiting to explore the features, but they can do so without losing their place in line through a “virtual” placeholder that pages folks when they reach the front of the queue.  The playground is Imagineered in the style of Dumbo’s Big Top, where kids can perform feats while parents applaud (or, of course, vice versa!).