Suggestions for the very FIRST ride to take my kids on in MK?

[triplefigs]

This will be their first trip to WDW (or any theme park/amusement park). We're doing MK our first day. What would be the very best way to start off? They'll be 5 when we go and are still "young" for their age. I really want to make it a special memory and moment.

Thanks!

 

[SorcererDonald16]

It really depends on what they like. But I would definitely say avoid any of the scarier rides (Snow White with the witch everywhere, Pirates of the Caribbean with the loud noises, etc.) at the very beginning. Not that it was incredibly scary or anything, but my very first trip to WDW was in 1993 when I was 9, and I hated being in the dark or with weird lights flashing on me. First ride we went on was Delta Dream Flight, and there was that weird segment with the black and white swirling lights that, at the time, seemed like it would never end. Freaked me out/ruined the day/made me very untrusting of Disney, and it wasn't until the next trip (in 1996) before I would ride anything other than outdoor rides. Whew, bad memories indeed.

My suggestions for you (in no particular order) would be:

It's A Small World
Peter Pan's Flight
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Dumbo (I'd try to do this early regardless-- assuming they want to ride-- since the line can get so long)
Mickey's PhilharMagic (that'd prob. be my choice if I had a 5 year old-- or any child for that matter, LOL-- assuming they like Lion King, Aladdin, Little Mermaid, etc. and wouldn't be scared at things "popping out" at them; otherwise, I don't think it would be scary to a 5 year old; obviously not a ride, but still completely magical, even to this 22 year old, LOL )

If you'd prefer for them to work up to things, the carousel or tea cups might be a good choice; or the WDW Railroad. Or if you think they wouldn't be intimidated by the characters and would enjoy meeting them, head to Toontown Fair and try to meet some.

For me, I'd prob. go with PhilharMagic, but if I had to choose a ride, I'd say Small World. Good luck, and have fun!

 

[lomillerin]

It's a Small World

 

[cowtownmom]

They're not rides, but Mickey and Minnie's houses are fun for their age (my age too and I'm 41! )!

 

[mello]

We went straight to Fantasyland and just asked them what looked like fun. As you may know, in DL, Small World is sort of behind and off to the right of Fantasyland - otherwise it probably would have been my first choice. But once they got through the castle they wanted to do the things that were right there. Their favorite was Peter Pan. They were 5 and 8 at the time.

That whole trip was so memorable! The funniest thing was that dh and I were way more excited than the kids before we got there, and as we were heading over to the park we were practically jumping up and down, and the kids just didn't get it, until the next morning, when they were as excited as we were!

Have fun making those happy memories!
melinda

 

[MelodyMack]

The guide books will tell you to hit Dumbo first, because it loads so slow and the line can get pretty out of hand. We did it second, because Peter Pan was our first choice. Peter pan is a HUGE favorite of our DD's, and the characters have a lot of personal significance for us.

If there is any one movie/ character your kids are drawn to, I'd pick that one. There faces make everything up to that moment worth it. If they all like different things, or don't have any one favorite then I'd suggest any of the following for quality Disney memory making experiences:

1. Peter Pan
2. It's a Small World
3. Winnie the Pooh

No matter what ride you choose (or your kids choose for you), you and yours will have a great time. Really try to focus on the moments...it goes by soooo fast.

Good Luck Planning!
Mel

 

[dawgsgirl]

Dumbo!!

 

[CaipiraBob]

All of the responses are excellent suggestions. I would only echo them and suggest you arrive to the MK upon opening.

You should then cut through the park as quickly as you can stand to and make your way to Fantasy Land, usually around the left or right of the castle if there is an "event" taking place and the throughway is closed.

WTP is my first suggestions, then MPHM followed by PP, SW, IASW or Dumbo. Then you have all of the "Toon Town" area to explore.

Enjoy!

 

[disneydreamer98]

If you are going to be there at park opening, then by all means head directly to Fantasyland and go on Dumbo! The lines for this later will be obscene! Also....while you are in line it would be great to have someone who could run over and get a FP at Winnie the Pooh. That way when you are finished with Dumbo, you can hit the rest of Fantasyland before returning for your FP time at Pooh! This is what we always do and it always works for us and it's the quickest way to get to see/ride everything in Fantasyland!

 

[pklein09]

It may sound silly, but take the Monorail from TTC. I always consider it my first ride. I thought (and still think) it's the coolest thing.

Then, head to Fantasyland. But don't forget to take in Main Street on the way through. There is soooo much going on there and you might get caught by a ton of characters right as you pass through the railroad station arches. Try to take the day as it comes. I find the most magical moments are the ones that are unexpected.

Have a fantastic trip!!!

 

[knovak]

If you think they would enjoy Dumbo I would go there first. The line gets so long at Dumbo. We did that 1st and my girls 2 and 5 loved it.

 

[twotoohappy]

Dumbo's always our first ride!

I'd skip by Snow White until later, my neice did this first (age 4) and the rest of the day she was scared to go on rides. (dark, loud, intense) My dd did it at 3 and had no problems though. But, better safe than sorry is how I'd play it.

Here's our touring plan....

Dumbo
Peter Pan
It's a small world
carousel (go grab pooh fast passes)
then to Mickey's Philharmagic to cool off
Pooh
buzz lightyear
SKIP STITCH....very intense/dark/loud
toontown
back to room for a swim, relax
too much in one day is overload
return a few hours later and hit adventureland/frontierland

Good luck

 

[java]

I say either winnie the pooh-our get in the mood fav. or Peter Pan(my fav)or if it were just your son I would say Buzz Lightyear. I agree with all above posters that mention if they want to do Dumbo(or you want that cute picture of the "first ride" do Dumbo first thing. But one that has not been mentioned that my kids LOVE is the tea cups(also cute photo ops there) You could hit tea cups before heading to toon town. Ok I am no help I gave you 4 first rides!!

 

[Amirah95]

Splash Mountain was my DD's first and that was because she was 8 at the time. Had she been younger, DUMBO would have been first choice!

 

[Emmaline Lola]

my dd's very first ride was Small World and went over very well! However, she was just 2 months old!

I vote for small world, peter pan, or winnie the pooh! DO NOT do Snow White! I am still getting over that experience from when I was 6 years old!

el

 

[MAKMOM41]

Dumbo is smart because it gets a line fast....But we love Peter Pan..then Small World.

 

[disneyaggie]

Have you thought about sitting down with your kiddos and sharing the great ride selections already posted, and letting them decide which ride to go on first?

I believe talking about each ride will not only further their excitiement and anticipation, but they would truly get into the spirit and look forward to the first ride that they both chose together. What fun!

 

[kakjoe]

Buzz lightyear!

 

[MelanieC]

I would say Dumbo, Its a small world, Buzz, tea cups or even the carousel would be fun!!

 

[bridget8822]

Well when I was 6 years old we took our first Disney vacation. I can remember being in the boat for It's a Small World and being SO scared because it looked dark through the tunnel and my little imagination was playing tricks on me. I closed my eyes so tight and held on to my mom. She said, "Bridget please open your eyes! All the dolls are singing to you." and when I finally peaked through my fingers and saw all those dolls singing to me I was in heaven!!!

I'll never forget that first Disney feeling and now at 29 I still think all those dolls are singing to me and its the first ride I go on everytime.