A kid-sized first coaster designed specifically for first-time coaster riders. 35" height, gentle drops, no inversions, total ride time about 60 seconds. The graduation step from Dumbo to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
The Barnstormer (originally Goofy's Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm; now The Great Goofini following the 2012 Storybook Circus expansion) opened in 1996 as Magic Kingdom's first-ever kid-targeted coaster. The track is short — about 1,200 feet — and the cars are smaller than standard coasters. The whole experience is engineered for first-time coaster riders.
You must be at least 35″ (89cm) to ride The Barnstormer.
Rider Switch (child swap) is available for parties with kids under the height requirement. If your child is close to the line, the cast member at the queue entrance will measure them against the post.
You climb into a small open-sided car designed for 1-2 riders per row. The lap bar comes down (it's a small lap bar; not the heavy over-the-shoulder restraint of bigger coasters). The coaster pulls into a brief lift hill, drops gently, makes a series of banked turns through the Goofy-themed circus props, drops again, and returns to the station.
Total ride time is approximately 60 seconds. The maximum drop is about 25 feet at moderate speed. There are no inversions, no extreme G-forces, and no darkness.
The Barnstormer is a comfortable Lightning Lane Multi Pass pick when standby exceeds 25 minutes — common in summer. The brief ride duration means the line moves continuously, but the small per-cycle capacity (about 16 riders) caps throughput.
Average standby wait by season (observed over 2024-2025 data):
| Season | Morning | Midday | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low season | 10 min | 20 min | 15 min |
| Moderate | 20 min | 35 min | 25 min |
| High season | 30 min | 50 min | 35 min |
| Holiday peaks | 40 min | 65 min | 45 min |
First hour after rope drop. Storybook Circus is at the back of Fantasyland; most rope-droppers don't reach it for 20-30 minutes after park open. Arrive at the area within the first hour for under-20-minute waits.
Engineered for this exact purpose. If your child has been asking 'when can I ride a roller coaster,' the answer is here.
Sweet spot. Tall enough to ride, young enough to find it genuinely thrilling.
60-second ride aimed at 4-year-olds. Don't make a special trip if you're not riding for someone.
Even a small coaster is a coaster. If you'd rather skip the genre, skip this one too.
Use it as a coaster confidence-builder. If you're trying to figure out whether your kid is ready for Big Thunder or Seven Dwarfs, ride The Barnstormer first. The reaction tells you a lot.
Sit in the front car. Best view of the track ahead. Younger kids often prefer the front so they can see what's coming.
Don't ride after a meal. Even a brief coaster after a heavy lunch is uncomfortable. Allow 30+ minutes after eating.
Re-ride is easy. The brief duration and high turnover mean re-riding is usually feasible. Most kids ask.
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