First ride for first timers at both parks?

[KateDrake]

Hey all!

We're having a fun debate in our family and thought I'd see what you all think. We are taking our friends (Mom, Dad, DS5, DD2) for their first visit this January, and we've been talking about what we should ride first in each park. Our big criteria is to have something we can all ride together for the first time (we'll be child swapping plenty as the trip goes on). I'd also love it to have that iconic, magical, Disney feel.

My votes are Peter Pan and Toy Story Mania, but would love to hear what you think! Other suggestions have included Jungle Cruise, IASW and Dumbo in DL and Ariel in CA. Would love to hear your thoughts!

 

[BrianL]

Peter Pan or Pirates of the Caribbean at DL. Soarin' at DCA.

Edit: Sorry, didn't realize the 2 yo may not meet height for Soarin (but maybe?) so I change my vote to the Monster's Inc. ride or Little Mermaid.

 

[figment_jii]

Given the ages, I'd go with IaSW for DL (with Peter Pan as a close second). DCA is harder; I'd normally say RSR, but given the height requirement, I doubt the 2-year old can ride. So, yes, I'd probably lean towards TSMM as well.

 

[violina]

Alright, were it just up to me, I'd head straight to Haunted Mansion, which is pretty much what I always do. That ride however is something befitting of myself and very reminiscent of my usual trips (during Fall/Halloween).

For the first one, altogether, I'd lean towards ISAW or Peter Pan since it works for all the ages in the group (I have a personal preference for ISAW). Were it all adults, I'd go with Jungle Cruise as was a fav of Disney (supposedly) and the adults are more likely to appreciate the humour of the ride (not that kids wouldn't; but the adults would get the idea they are going for).

 

[pennym]

Pirates of the Caribbean! Then Toy Story if you cant do Soarin all together.

 

[nursejackie]

It's a small world or Peter Pan at both resorts. We first visited as children in the 1970's and all these years later both rides take me back to my childhood.

 

[pharmama]

I'd go with IASW and Ariel given the ages. Other nice part about IASW is both families can go together in one boat. Jungle Cruise or even the DLRR would also work (as would POTC but I'm not sure that would be the best first ride for kids those ages).

In DCA you might all be able to get in one Monsters Inc car if you wanted to ride together but I'm not sure how many people total are in your party.

 

[Kestryl]

It’s a Small World or the Carousel (which is just so dang iconic for the history of Disneyland, and the reason we made it our last ride).

I’d say the Ferris wheel for DCA.

 

[Pamela M]

For DL I say Pirates or Haunted Mansion, Small world would be a close 3rd.
For DCA- I'd recommend LIttle Mermaid and get a fast pass for Toy Story Mania. Monster's Inc is also a good choice.

 

[CateinPhoenix]

Based on the age of the kiddos and the least wait, I would recommend Little Mermaid. Since it is their first visit to the theme park, it's cute ride, with catchy song and story, not scary that will get them excited for the rest of the attractions. I would normally say Peter Pan, but the line is so dang long, you could have a meltdown situation before even riding your first ride!

 

[Cal-Pie]

Jungle Cruise or Dumbo! I wouldn't make the cut throat mad dash to Peter Pan anyone's first experience in the park.

 

[Mr Snappy]

It's not about the best ride, it's about what ride will have the longest line the rest of the day.
I would recommend Dumbo in DL and Radiator Spring Racers in DCA

 

[VandVsmama]

Hey all!

We're having a fun debate in our family and thought I'd see what you all think. We are taking our friends (Mom, Dad, DS5, DD2) for their first visit this January, and we've been talking about what we should ride first in each park. Our big criteria is to have something we can all ride together for the first time (we'll be child swapping plenty as the trip goes on). I'd also love it to have that iconic, magical, Disney feel.

My votes are Peter Pan and Toy Story Mania, but would love to hear what you think! Other suggestions have included Jungle Cruise, IASW and Dumbo in DL and Ariel in CA. Would love to hear your thoughts!

If the 2 yr old was tall enough, I'd say RSR for DCA. Otherwise, Toy Story, Ariel, Luigi's, or Mater.

For DL, there are a few good options:
- Dumbo
- Alice in Wonderland
- Mr Toad's Wild Ride
- Autopia

But for the above, you can't all ride together in the same ride vehicle. If that is a priority, then your options are:
- 1 loop around the park on the train
- Pirates
- HM (but the kids might be really scared by this)
- Mark Twain river boat
- It's a small world
- carousel

If you're not THE first person in line at the turnstiles when they start scanning tickets, then Peter Pan's wait will be 45 min. That's not fun for a 2 yr old.

 

[JohnR5101]

I think back to my early impressions of Disneyland in the late 50's. Entering and looking up at the big Mickey in the flower bed and that train station, then entering through the tunnel(s) while observing the classic "Here you leave...". Then walk up the steps to the train station, look out at the view down Main street for anticipation. Then take the circle tour on the train. When you get back to Main Street Station take a leisurely walk down Main Street while taking in the atmosphere (music, smells at candy store, store windows and second story windows). Not necessarily spending a large amount of time there, but don't rush past everything to get to a ride. Or you could take one of the vehicles (but I would leave that for a different day, or for returning from the castle area). To me this really resonates with the original intent of Walt's park and sets the stage for what is to come.
Now, I know that spending that much time on a first MORNING entry seems like you would be sacrificing lots of short lines to do this. However, I'm going to be taking grandchildren (5 & 10) for their first visit next year and we will be arriving in the afternoon of our first travel day. SO, doing this on the first afternoon you arrive doesn't sacrifice any wait time advantages AND you really get to absorb the vibe. To me this is what gives the first time visitor the iconic, magical, Disney feel. Leave the mad dash for lines until after the guests have had a proper introduction. You don't want them thinking "ugggh, it was just a bunch of waiting in lines"

 

[smartlabelprint]

IASW
Little mermaid

You should make a poll!

 

[Becca1007]

Another vote for the grand circle tour... its just the magic of seeing each land and deciding from there where you want to go first. Then I'd lean towards Dumbo. [Peter Pan gets all the love but you can't really ride it together].
If you are park hopping, then I would take the monorail (full route) so you get to peek at DCA too.
For DCA, I'd start with Toy Story.

 

[KateDrake]

Great ideas everyone! I should have added that we'll be there for Magic Morning during the off season, mid-week, so the Peter Pan line shouldn't be TOO crazy. We aren't super worried about being able to ride in the same vehicle, but that is a good thing to consider!

 

[interstate70s]

I'm voting Dumbo in DL or another outdoor ride. If the 2 year old has never been on a dark ride before, they can be terrifying. I'd start with a couple of outdoor rides and then move on to Small World, Pooh, etc. Every kid has a different tolerance but our 13 month old was very scared of Pan and Alice.

 

[skyblue17]

When we went to WDW with my brother was six, he was scared of basically anything that is dark (so, a lot of stuff!). Are your kids generally ok with dark, unknown things? If apprehensive, I would steer away from Pirates, as that is a LONG ride. You wouldn't want the first impression of the park to be that everything is scary and unknown with no way out. It might be better to get them acquainted to being at the park with something a little more welcoming and bright, like Jungle Cruise or It's a Small World, or, if the size of the vehicle isn't a concern so long as everyone is near one another, Peter Pan or Dumbo.

 

[disneylover102]

Space Mountain is the most nostalgic ride in our family. We always do it first (unless we go to DCA before DL. In that case we do GOTG first).