First roller coaster ride? Gentle roller coaster?

[Hopeful8]

We are planning on returning to WDW next year and DD (almost 9 y.o.) thinks she wants to try a roller coaster for the first time. DH (thriller seeker) and I (not a thrill seeker!) are trying to find a gentler roller coaster that would be a fun introduction to roller coasters. Any suggestions? (We think she may chicken out because she isn't very adventurous!).

 

[DrewJB]

I would think you'd want to start with The Barnstormer.

 

[BrianL]

Barnstormer and Mine Train are both pretty easy and short.

 

[Ava]

Mine Train is a much smoother ride than Barnstormer, and the themeing is a lot of fun. I'd start there, personally.

 

[robinb]

I would say the Mine Train is the best starter coaster. It's pretty gentle and it has a lot going on to distract her. Barnstormer can feel pretty zippy.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I haven't been on the mine train but I disagree about Barnstormer.
I think Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a better "starter roller coaster" than Barnstormer. On Big Thunder, you always look like you are on the ground (due to the fake mountain), where as Barnstomer it is obvious that you are "hanging in space" as it were.

 

[AntJulie]

I don't really like roller coasters (since I was a kid) but I can handle 7 Dwarfs Mine train and Big Thunder Mountain RR--I have never ridden Barnstormer.

 

[FantasiaMagic]

Mine Train! It is gentle, but exciting - if that makes sense lol. Fun for all ages. And the theming is A+++
One of my favorite rides!

 

[kollerbear]

The Barnstormer is a perfect first roller coaster. If you can get a FP+ for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train for later in the day, that would be a great follow-up! I'm pretty confident in saying that all of you can definitely handle both of those rides!

The 3rd in line would be Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which is a lot of fun and also pretty mild as far as roller coasters go. I'd probably recommend Space Mountain, Rock N Roller Coaster, and Expedition Everest just for your DH.

 

[Raenstoirm]

At age 4, the "runaway train" (Big thunder) was my all time favorite ride. My poor dad had to ride it over and over with me. As an adult I find it kinda painful so I really feel for what he went through! lol

 

[DavidNYC]

Toss up on Mine Train and Barnstormer for first one (I'd lean towards Barnstormer as it's an open design so you always see what's coming). If he likes them you can try Big Thunder Mountain - not too bad as roller coasters go. Mostly fast turns rather than the drops which I think are the things that cause the most fear.

 

[Kimosabe]

Mine Train is without a doubt the smoothest of any of the coasters (big or small) at WDW, plus there is also a "break" in the middle of it so your daughter could take a breath if necessary...at which point she would also be quickly distracted by the dwarfs and jewels in the mine. It's not terribly long either, so it's no like she'd feel trapped on something if it turns out she's not a coaster fan. I have a soft spot in my heart for Goofy's Barnstormer, as it was my girls' first, but Mine Train didn't exist. Barnstormer can jerk you around, plus it's quite small, so not always a great combination for adults. To be fair, the imaginee...vil genius who designed the Mine Train vehicles didn't give much love to anyone with any height or girth whatsoever, but on the bright side, you definitely feel secure once you're wedged in there!

 

[stinkpickle]

Either Mine Train or Big Thunder. Try to sit towards the front. The ride is quite a bit tamer than the back cars.

 

[Hopeful8]

Thank you all so much! Feeling much better about her giving a roller coaster a try!

 

[jvncnt]

We are just back from a vacation, and for our 8 year old who loves roller coasters (newest love is Rock n Roller Coaster), he HATES BTMR. Says it throws him around too much. However, he cannot get enough of 7DMT.

 

[tlmadden73]

I'd vote Mine Train over Barnstormer .. it is smoother and less fast change of directions.
.
My son (who was just tall enough at 3years old) loved the Mine Train .. and didn't like the Barnstormer (which gets more of a reputation as a "kiddie coaster"). In his words the mine train was "fast!" and the Barnstormer was "rough!".

Really .. when it comes to coasters (for those who aren't thrill seekers) Disney does it right. They are fun .. great theming and nothing that will make you ill doing. The biggest fear is the fear of the unknown. ..

None of the coasters at WDW (even Rock-N-Roller Coaster) are even close to the extremes you get at Six Flags or Cedar Fair parks (some of those can literally make you black out).

 

[mdoc]

This is hard for me to comprehend because I have kids who put granola bars inside their shoes to make themselves a little taller so they could get on the roller coasters when they were very young. I do not know where they even got that idea - it certainly wasn't from H or me.

Anyway, I think the Mine Train is the best. While Barnstormer is considered the "kiddie coaster," Mine Train is smoother and there's a lot of great theming so you're not fixated on the roller coaster part. If she likes Mine Train, you might want to then try Big Thunder. It's a bit jerkier and longer, but really not THAT much different. The first time I rode Mine Train I thought it was like a smaller Big Thunder.

 

[Frozen2014]

I tried the kids roller coaters last year. Although Barnstormer is small and in the younger section, I found it harder. I think the biggest challenge is that it's on a big slant so one is always falling into the other.

Mine Train is meant to small kids as well. We sat at the back, so it seemed a bit scary at times, but I think if you sit at the front or middle, you wouldn't feel it much. It's adorable though with the dwarfs in the middle and lots of fun. It does sway, but that doesn't make it any scarier.

Big Thunder is fun too. It's more just up and down hills and no huge ones. Sitting at the front may minimize the fastness.

My 5 year old loved all three.

 

[jesse8931]

I think the mine train ride is the smoothest disney has.

 

[kwdw]

The one advantage of Barnstormer over Mine Train as a first coaster - it is a bit shorter. I would have said Barnstormer FIRST, then Mine Train, then BTMRR.

BUT - for a almost 9 year old girl -- I'm not sure it makes much difference between Barnstormer or Mine Train first.

Kathie