MK- Best first ride/activity to impress newbie teenagers?

[OttawaDisGirl]

We're going in February with our two cousins who are 14 and 17. We LOVE Disney and we'd like to wow them with a cool/neat first ride. Granted, it will really depend on our FP's and what's available, of course...

We hope that they'll love Disney World the way we do.

But what thing would you do to land the hook? A ride? Maybe just the train that goes around the kingdom? Pictures in front of the castle?
Would you bring them to Space Mountain? Should it be Space Ranger Spin?

What do you think? What would you do? They LOVE roller coasters. But I'm not sure about Space Mountain straight away, I don't want to peak too early.

I realize it's entirely possible they might hate the whole experience but I'd also like to stack the deck, if I could.

Open to suggestions! Your thoughts appreciated.

THANKS!

 

[chartle]

Maybe ask them?

 

[sharona]

If they love coasters and you want to start with a classic then I'd go with Space for sure. When I was a teen, WDW was Space Mountain! Buzz wouldn't even make the top 10 of rides at MK for most teens.

If you don't want to "peak" too early then start with my personal favorite, BTMRR.

I'd be sure that they understand that WDW is not about thrill rides to avoid any misunderstanding...

 

[OttawaDisGirl]

If they love coasters and you want to start with a classic then I'd go with Space for sure. When I was a teen, WDW was Space Mountain! Buzz wouldn't even make the top 10 of rides at MK for most teens.

If you don't want to "peak" too early then start with my personal favorite, BTMRR.

I'd be sure that they understand that WDW is not about thrill rides to avoid any misunderstanding...

An excellent point, I'll make sure I mention the whole no 'big thrill' ride thing.

BTMRR!!!! Now THAT's a great idea. It also gives you the opportunity to walk through the park a bit!

 

[OttawaDisGirl]

Maybe ask them?

It's a good point. We did ask and it's part of the reason why we're here. They looked at the website with us. They said a few things looked cool but essentially said 'whatever you want to do is fine with us.' OH the pressure! haha.

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

I flashback to my first visit as a teenager, which was many years ago. I do remember that Space Mountain and The Haunted Mansion made the biggest impressions on me as a teenager. Teenagers are different today, but that's my two cents. Have fun.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I'd definitely go Haunted Mansion!

 

[set1208]

Space Mountain for sure!

 

[Hootch]

Space, Splash and BTMRR. BTMRR at night is my favorite attraction at the MK.

 

[LJSquishy]

I would save Space Mountain for exactly the reason you stated...you don't want to hit the peak too early.

I think Haunted Mansion would be an excellent one to start with because it's creepy and amazingly themed. I love the switching heads part and bet they'd love that! I can't suggest BTMRR but only because it was closed on our 2012 trip so I haven't had the opportunity to ride it yet...although it seems the others think it would be a great choice as well!

I definitely wouldn't start with the train or taking photos (unless they're into taking photos in front of the castle). They would be starting the trip off on the wrong foot thinking MK is a boring place for little kids and might shut off.

 

[disneydude365]

splash mountain made a great impression on me its a well timed ride with some epic thrills

 

[chartle]

.... We LOVE Disney and we'd like to wow them with a cool/neat first ride. ...

THANKS!

Why didn't I think of this before Carousel of Progress for sure.

Oh and you are welcome.



I'm kind of not kidding. If they go to amusement parks even a little and ride roller coasters they may think Space Mountain is a coaster for toddlers. In the coaster world it would be called a junior coaster.

CoP, like HM and yes Country Bear and IASM have been in the parks since the start and about as Disney as you can get.

I forced a group of band kids to go on CoP and in the end at least a few were singing a long.

Good Luck and have a great big beautiful tomorrow. Its in your head now isn't it.

 

[OttawaDisGirl]

Why didn't I think of this before Carousel of Progress for sure.

Oh and you are welcome.



I'm kind of not kidding. If they go to amusement parks even a little and ride roller coasters they may think Space Mountain is a coaster for toddlers. In the coaster world it would be called a junior coaster.

CoP, like HM and yes Country Bear and IASM have been in the parks since the start and about as Disney as you can get.

I forced a group of band kids to go on CoP and in the end at least a few were singing a long.

Good Luck and have a great big beautiful tomorrow. Its in your head now isn't it.

It's a great big beautiful tomorrow!!! Darn you Chartle!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Space sounds good. I did it 4 times in December, 3 of which at MVMCP

 

[kbmartin]

I would start with Space Mountain or Haunted Mansion for sure. BTMRR is so, so, so much better at night. We rode it during the fireworks a few days ago, and it was magical. I would say it's definitely more thrilling at night, too, with not being able to see the track ahead of you as well, so it's more surprising.

If they love thrills and coasters, try to request the back row. I love roller coasters and always do - it's the "whiplash row."

If they liked Beauty and the Beast, I think you should take them to Be Our Guest. There isn't much more of a Disney restaurant than that! Just throwing in an idea other than a ride.

If they love thrill rides and coasters, Universal is the way to go. That's not to say they won't like Disney, but I teach 14-15 year olds, and whenever one returns from a Florida trip he/she always says that Universal was the fave. Expose them to both and see what they think!

 

[dja14]

For our next trip my teens asked for a day of just their favorite rides. Splash and Big Thunder were at the top of the list. (My daughter asked if we could ride Splash every day) I think there is something about spash mtn, So misleading, calm cool ride, you are just riding along, then down you go. And your dad gets soaked LOL That is such a nice area of the park too. It's usually crowded but there is so much to see. They also asked to eat at the Harbor House and get a funnel cake. I would never have thought it but I guess that is our favorite area of the park

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Don't get me wrong...I love Space Mountain and I think they'll enjoy it...but if they enjoy coasters...like Six Flags/Cedar Point style coasters...I don't think you want to play that as your trump card. I'd go with a multifaceted magical approach.

I know a number of teens who enjoy the shoot em up inside the video gaming aspect of Buzz...so that's one angle you could take. I think PotC and HM are your strongest of the nostalgia aspects in the world of dark rides and they'd certainly appeal to teens. I would approach Space Mountain from more of a "let's ride all of the mountains" standpoint vs. this one's a roller coaster. If they seem to be enjoying the nostalgia stuff...you could suggest things like IASW, Tiki, COP, and Jungle Cruise...but ONLY if you get those cues from them that they're getting into that aspect of WDW. I think FoF is pretty spectacular, so pausing for the 3 o'clock parade...even if just to see steampunk Maleficent...might hook them. MSEP, CtM, and Wishes should cap it all off well.

 

[BobC]

I wouldn't start them off with Carousel of Prog or Hall of Presidents. I think they want something more exciting first to start them off all hyped up.

I'd do space mountain fast pass. Always gets the Disney blood flowing!