Best First Ride?

[Truxi]

So 60-day mark is approaching (tomorrow!) and I'm still undecided. It's my best friend's first trip to DisneyWorld and I want to make it special. I want to open with something really exciting, but also magical. My original plan had been to rope-drop Peter Pan, but (sob) it's going to be closed when we're there.

So now I'm stuck trying to suss out the best attraction rope drop for his first Disney attraction. And until I have an idea which area we'll be in, I'm not sure which order to book our fastpasses in.

As for the MK fastpasses, I'm thinking Mine Train and Jungle Cruise, but not really sure about the third. Maybe Big Thunder?


We're only in MK half the day, but we'll have a whole day there later in the week, and I'm really not sure which FP to make for that one either
Any thoughts?

 

[kiramay]

Most people head to Fantasyland first for the Mine train, PP, and the classics. My family usually books those as fastpasses and start in Tomorrowland (space mountain, buzz) one day and Frontierland another day (Thunder mountain, splash, haunted mansion, pirates).

 

[DisArmyWife215]

Might seem crazy but I'd go straight for Splash Mountain. That final drop with the view of the castle can't be beaten! If you're planning to rope drop you won't need to burn a FP on anything back in Frontierland as most people will rush to Mine Train. I think Jungle Cruise and Space Mountain would be great ones for FP.

 

[Klayfish]

There's no right answer, it all depends on your taste. I may suggest going to Splash Mountain. It's a classic with a great view of the castle as you crest the final hill. Other good options would be Space Mountain, Pirates or even Small World (it's about as classic Disney as it gets).

 

[scrappinginontario]

I love the idea of Splash Mountain but I would recommend stopping to look at the 'drop' section first and see if they have the water turned on that is getting people wet.

We went on it in August during the Halloween Party and I GOT SOAKED!!! Within a minute of the ride starting I got hit by a wave of water when another log went down the big hill.

It was 90o out and I was okay but I still had to tie my jacket around my waist as my white pants were now ummm...indecent! We didn't leave the park for another few hours but I was wet for the balance of the night.

Just not sure that's the first impression you might want to make if they have the splashes running fully.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Splash Mountain or Big Thunder or Pirates or Haunted Mansion, in that order (assuming your friend is an adult).

 

[sanapp]

I agree! Haunted Mansion or Pirates would be a great start. You could start with Pirates/Jungle Cruise/Splash/BTMRR

 

[Laura's Dad]

All of these are great choices and doing that side of the park first would be great. But I would do Splash/Big Thunder first. Pirates and Haunted Mansion load faster because they run more people in/out quicker.

 

[Lisa F]

if you are only there for half the day I suggest you rope drop frontierland and you can knock out both mountains in about 45 minutes, then fastpass one of jungle cruise or pirates for 9:15-10:15, then fastpass 7DMT, then fp space mountain. You'll get all of the best in with only 3 fastpasses. you can fill in with the others.

 

[TwinkleKS]

To me, if it was a first trip, I wouldn't be in some huge rope drop hurry. The magical part is walking in and seeing the castle, having your picture taken in front of it, etc. So I would go in and leave time to stop and smell the roses, not run past the castle and say "whelp there it is" as you hurry on to some ride. Especially considering you will be there other days as well.

 

[BrianL]

Well, Peter Pan would've been the right choice, no question in my book. But since that's not an option, I'd probably just hit Adventureland and the Jungle Cruise, or POTC for that extra wow factor. POTC is quintessential Disney like PEter Pan is. There's always the Haunted Mansion too, but that might spoil them for all other rides.

 

[Lisa F]

To me, if it was a first trip, I wouldn't be in some huge rope drop hurry. The magical part is walking in and seeing the castle, having your picture taken in front of it, etc. So I would go in and leave time to stop and smell the roses, not run past the castle and say "whelp there it is" as you hurry on to some ride. Especially considering you will be there other days as well.

except you can do all of that before the rope actually drops and not waste any park time since main street is open so much earlier than the rest of the park.

Rope drop frontierland into adventureland. TRULY magical, there is almost no one there (everyone goes to fantasyland first) .

 

[soccereissele]

Probably an *UNPOPULAR OPINION* but Astro Orbiter would give you a sweet view of the park. I would rope drop Space Mountain, then hop on Astro Orbiter. Then you could go use FP for 7DMT, walk to It's a Small World, FP Haunted Mansion, FP Big Thunder, and probably get a 4th FP for Jungle Cruise while you wait 20 mins for Pirates.

 

[Klayfish]

To me, if it was a first trip, I wouldn't be in some huge rope drop hurry. The magical part is walking in and seeing the castle, having your picture taken in front of it, etc. So I would go in and leave time to stop and smell the roses, not run past the castle and say "whelp there it is" as you hurry on to some ride. Especially considering you will be there other days as well.

Very good point, I'd agree with this. I'm not a rope drop person anyway, but I'd very much agree with allowing time for the newbie to walk onto Main St and soak it all in. Look around, walk slowly, get a picture, see the castle, etc....

 

[SteveH]

It had been 10 years since my wife and I were at WDW and I wanted to start off with a great round of Disney rides. We had FPs for Mine Train, Big Thunder and Space, Splash was down. We started off on the Jungle Cruise then hit Tiki Birds and Pirates, all before things got really busy. Then we used our first FP for Big Thunder, then we were off to Haunted Mansion. It was a wonderful start to our trip and the lines were manageable. Personally starting with Jungle Cruise is great, because its a Classic and puts you in a good mood.

 

[CMNJ]

if you are only there for half the day I suggest you rope drop frontierland and you can knock out both mountains in about 45 minutes, then fastpass one of jungle cruise or pirates for 9:15-10:15, then fastpass 7DMT, then fp space mountain. You'll get all of the best in with only 3 fastpasses. you can fill in with the others.

I agree with this strategy

 

[marmar]

We’ve brought newbies 3 different times and believe it or not the first thing they wanted to ride was DUMBO! Followed by Pirates and Space Mountain.

 

[DVCcurious]

I’d choose Pirates of the Caribbean as the first ride. I think it’s the second most well-known Disney ride ever (after Its a small world). So your visitor is definitely wondering what Pirates is all about.

 

[MooseBucks]

Most people head to Fantasyland first for the Mine train, PP, and the classics. My family usually books those as fastpasses and start in Tomorrowland (space mountain, buzz) one day and Frontierland another day (Thunder mountain, splash, haunted mansion, pirates).

Probably a good plan with PP closed. Rope drop mine train and use FP for fantasyland.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I'd likely go with Splash first. Reason being, it is a fun, classic ride with great views, as others have said. If you rope drop, you will get on with little wait which is great because, in my opinion, the queue is nothing to write home about. I'd save Haunted Mansion and Pirates for a little later because, especially with Haunted Mansion, the queues are a little more fun and magical. If I'm going to stand in a line, especially with someone who has never done any of this stuff before, I'd rather it be in a good line like that. Now, if you aren't going to rope drop so there will already be lines when you arrive, Id suggest Haunted Mansion. Absolutely Haunted mansion.

And I'd add Space Mountain to my fast pass list.