Must Do Attractions for a First Timer

[SebastianMichael]

Hey there!

So a basic rundown of the three people involved with this (it's a little confusing and I apologize in advance for that)
Me (17): Gone to Disney several times with my father, never with my mom or brother
Mom: gone to Disney a few times, last time was prob in the 90s, never with my brother or I
Bro (10): Never been!

Little bro has a competition in FL in a few weeks and Mom and I managed to get together just enough for a day at MK. It'll only be that one day-trip (even though I wish it was longer, of course!) because of money and school. Little bro doesn't know we're going yet and Mom and I are planning lots of things. However, it's been a while since either of us were ten and I'm a bit of a Disney freak so I don't have the most subjective planning skills. It'd be great if anyone with relatives near his age could suggest two or three things that absolutely must be done for his first trip, since we obviously an't see all of MK in just a day.

Thanks!

 

[snowybelle]

I would say Splash Mountain, BTMRR and Space Mountain for FP+ if you can get them. (ETA: 7 Dwarves will probably be gone if this trip is just a few weeks away. But if you can get that in place of Splash, I would do it. Still ride Splash though!)
I would also not miss Monsters Inc Laugh Floor — went with my husband (not a 10 year old boy, but frankly close enough lol) for his first trip ever a few weeks ago, and that was his favorite attraction in all of MK!
For sure hit Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and Philharmagic too.

Those would be my recs as someone who just brought a first-timer.

 

[TJA]

I'd say to get a FP for sure for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. The stand-by wait times can be huge for that ride. If your brother loves thrill rides, then request a seat in the back of the train.

Another must-do would be the speedway. We always use a FP for it, but if your brother likes thrill rides, then you'll need to consider booking Space Mountain and Splash Mountain. Big Thunder is another coaster he would probably like if he's into those kind of rides.

Being that you only have one day, I'd get to MK early and try to zip on some rides through stand-by lines and have your FP's booked for later morning when it gets more crowded. Immediately find Kiosks to keep booking more FP's.

I agree with the above poster about Monsters Inc., Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Philharmagic, and I'd add Buzz Lightyear too. There is really a lot to cover in just one day, but if you get there early enough, things should go just fine.

If there for dinner, maybe he would enjoy BoG dinner with the Beast.

 

[MrKnight]

It really depends on whether your brother is a thrill seeker or not, I will list recommendations for both a thrill seeker and a non-thrill seeker, note that attractions in BOLD are classic Disney attractions:

Non-Thrill Seeker
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover
It's A Small World
Mickey's PhilharMagic
The Haunted Mansion
Pirates of the Caribbean
Jungle Cruise
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Under The Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

Thrill Seeker
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Get a FP+ for this, LONG lines)
Space Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Splash Mountain

 

[caroline1851]

I just managed to get a fp+ for 7dwarves for a friend only 10 days before their trip, so not impossible at all.
He needs to ride:
space mountain, buzz, Splash, Thunder, Pirates, Haunted Mansion

 

[Quellman]

I'd also venture out and NOT spend your time at a sit down restaurant with a reservation. Quick services should do fine and afford you more time for park activities.

 

[Hannahinwonderland]

Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, 7DMT, Buzz Lightyear.

 

[SebastianMichael]

It really depends on whether your brother is a thrill seeker or not,

It's his first time to any theme park, so unfortunately, I don't know what he'd prefer more in terms of rides. I was thinking one thrill seeker and one not thrill seeker when we get there in the morning and then seeing which he prefers more.

I'd also venture out and NOT spend your time at a sit down restaurant with a reservation. Quick services should do fine and afford you more time for park activities.

Definitely not going to a sit down restaurant! Other than the obvious time issue, it's also a good deal more expensive and just going to the park is already a splurge. So, it's a double win with going to QS haha

Thanks to everyone that offered rides!

 

[Oneanne]

Big Thunder is the perfect ride to test his tolerance for "thrills"... for a roller coaster it's pretty tame but also exciting as it goes fast but doesn't go upside down. Jungle Cruise is a must do as is Pirates and Haunted Mansion.

 

[SebastianMichael]

BTMRR as a test for his tolerance level is something I hadn't thought of, but great advice. Thank you! As for Jungle Cruise, I see a lot of people recommending it, but a lot of the enjoyment for that ride depends on the skipper. Without a good skipper, most of the fun is just lost. I don't go on it regularly enough to know the average wait times, but I don't think I'd want to take too long a wait with the risk of getting a mediocre skipper. Anyone have an ideas as to the average of wait times for Jungle Cruise?
Thanks!

 

[SebastianMichael]

Sorry don't know why it posted twice

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

It's his first time to any theme park, so unfortunately, I don't know what he'd prefer more in terms of rides. I was thinking one thrill seeker and one not thrill seeker when we get there in the morning and then seeing which he prefers more.



Definitely not going to a sit down restaurant! Other than the obvious time issue, it's also a good deal more expensive and just going to the park is already a splurge. So, it's a double win with going to QS haha

Thanks to everyone that offered rides!

I would recommend 7DMT at rope drop, waits are not too bad yet and you can hustle there immediately. From there go to BTMRR, also not bad lines if you've done rd... From there plan your FP+ for Space, Splash, and maybe Jungle cruise. I agree about Monsters Inc, total hoot. Haunted Mansion and Philharmonic would be must dos. I think PPs have given you great advice for rides. I just thought I would chime in on sequence. We just got back and we're able to do 7DMT and BTMRR without FP by doing rope drop!
Have fun, it's so special to introduce someone you love to Disney!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Also, since you're on a budget (and most of us are ;-) Cosmic. Rays in tomorrowland has HUGE meals, easy to share! You could probably get 2 meals for the 3 of you and have plenty of food!

 

[SebastianMichael]

Have fun, it's so special to introduce someone you love to Disney!

I know, I'm so excited! I absolutely love Disney and he doesn't really understand why I'm so passionate about it, so I hope to open his eyes to the magic of it all

Also, since you're on a budget (and most of us are ;-) Cosmic. Rays in tomorrowland has HUGE meals, easy to share! You could probably get 2 meals for the 3 of you and have plenty of food!

That was actually where we were considering! So good to know that meal portions there haven't changed since last time haha