Top things NOT to be missed by a 1st timer

[hmwnick]

Some friends are going to WDW for the 1st time in 2 weeks. Can you recommend some top things NOT to be missed &/or things not to waste valuable time on. BTW they have 2 boys ages 6 & 8 & have 4 day park hopper passes. Your expertise is much appreciated! We have not been to WDW since 2000 so my input is out dated! Thanks!

 

[Elk34]

I can almost guarantee that the boys favorite ride will be Buzz Lightyear at MK. Also, the toy stand outside of the ride has some toys that you don't see at regular toy stores. My daughters 7 and 4 loved the ride but I bet boys would really love it.

 

[KatelynnsAuntie]

My top things not to be missed are Spectromagic and Fantasmic! And Illuminations is good too!

 

[TCPluto]

Legend of the Lion King show in the AK.

Beauty and The Beast show at MGM.

 

[Rpsemont]

Another vote for Fantasmic
They'd probably love Test Track, too.

 

[buddyboo]

Seeing tink fly before the fireworks
Fantasmic - w/ the dinner pkg
Festival of the Lion King
It's Tough to Be a Bug - love it!

 

[zcomic]

1. Illuminations
2. Fantasmic
3. Rock 'n Roller coaster
4. Tower of Terror
5. Space Mountain
6. Splash Mountain
7. Spectromagic/MK fireworks
8. Big thunder Mountain
9. Buzz Lightyear
10. Test Track

Of course the rides depend on the size of the kids and they're enjoyment of wild rides but these are unlike anything else.

 

[travelbug]

Something else that the kids would love is a ride on the monorail. They could just ride the circle from MK around the resorts. They should approach a CM on the boarding deck and ask if they can ride up front with the driver. It's first come first served to ask for that privilege. Up to 4 people are allowed to ride in the driver's cab at once. The driver usually hands out a little souvenir honorary captain's card at the end.

 

[Chicago526]

Why, the Mountains, of course. Space, Splash, and Thunder!

 

[PhotobearSam]

Ride up front in the MONORAIL!!!

It's my favorite ride...

It's very special...I Love doing it going into Epcot.

 

[dturner]

Not sure if the kids would like this or not but don't miss The American Adventure. When Epcot first opened the first two times I went, I walked right by not realizing there was a show in there.

 

[timbud1]

Here's my list - lots of repeats and I'm leaving off some super stuff - I'm a kindergarten teacher and I'm going for their gender/ages!!!

Front seat of monorail
Buzz Lightyear
Test Track
Lion King show
Star Tours
Fantasmic
Haunted Mansion
Thunder Mountain
Country Bear Jamboree...sorry, it's a must-do!!
Character meal if possible
Goofy's Barnstormer
Peter Pan
Muppet 3-D
Kali RIver Rapids
Kilamanjaro Safaris

Tell your friends to encourage even the most timid to TRY new things - my scaredy-cat girls were pleasantly surprised most of the time!

 

[gshoemate]

My list:

Magic Kingdom - Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, meeting Mickey of course, Pirates of the Caribean Cinderellas Surprise Celebration and Fireworks.

Animal Kingdom - Festival of the Lion King, Tarzan, Safari, Tough to be a Bug, lunch at the Rainforest Cafe, Kali River Rapids and if time, the Festival of the Lion King again (what can I say, I'm hooked)

Epcot - Test Track, Mission Space maybe for the 8 year old, visiting some of the countries, eating at the bakery in France.

MGM - TOT, Beauty and the Beast, Indiana Jones, meet characters from Toy Story, parade.

If they have some extra time Downtown Disney is a place to unwind a bit. The boys would like the Lego Store and the Disney store.

 

[KSgirl]

When we went in November, my oldest two boys were 7 and 9 (daughter was 6, other son was 2.5). The oldest 3 loved:

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Riding up front on the monorail
Test Track
Tower of Terror
Rock n' Roller Coaster
The Lego Store at Downtown Disney

Honorable Mention:

Peter Pan
Buzz Lightyear
Once Upon a Toy Story
Star Tours
Primeval Whirl
Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground
It's Tough to Be a Bug

Hope that helps!

 

[puffkin]

Do not miss:
Spectromagic
Fantasmic
Illuminations

 

[PKS44]

Please make sure they are aware of the scare factor on some of these rides---each kid has a different tolerance for things and they know their boys best.... if they start off on a ride that scares them it will ruin EVERYTHING afterwards for some time...in other words the number one thing is to start off easy:

Rides people have already endorsed but with the potential to scare or bother include:
haunted mansion
any of the mountains
any 3D movie (honey I shrunk, especially Tough to be a bug, even Muppets 3D has in your face effects that some younger ones do not like)
Test Track has the fast section
Tower of Terror
Rock n Rollercoaster
Dinosaur
Even Journey into Imagination has some LOUD surprises that some kids freak out over-

Make sure they know ahead of time what to expect before subjecting the little ones to the thrills---and like I said,,,start with the easier and build later to the more daring if the kids seem up to it.

Stuff that my boys of the same age would list as their favorites:
Honey I Shrunk PLAYGROUND
The BONEYARD PLAYGROUND
The fountains at Epcot you can play in (on the walkway from Futureworld to World Showcase)
Big Thunder
Buzz Lightyear
Pirates
Test Track

Paul

 

[kdibattista]

Not sure if this has been mentioned but.... Disney Quest!!!

 

[LadyAurora]

First, I recommend that your friends check out a book called Walt Disney World With Kids by Kim Wright Wiley.
Second, here is my opinion:
character meals
They should be prepared to spend a long time with the "interactive" fountain at Epcot...and have the kids wear clothes that are OK if they get soaked. Let them go barefoot, as wet socks and shoes are no fun.
Hopefully, they will stay onsite. They definitely want to take a break midday to go "home", swim, relax. Otherwise they will have cranky kids and the trip will not be as much fun. Cranky grownups too!
If they are going to take the kids on "scary" rides, they should work their way up. For example, start with Goofy's Barnstormer before BTMR. Haunted Mansion before Alien Encounter. They should think twice before taking the kids on AE at all!
Donald's boat at Toontown is a must do.
They should be prepared that the kids will enjoy the fireworks shows, but not the wait before. And Illuminations and Fantasmic are a little long for a 6 year old, he may get bored before the end. Or maybe fall asleep!
Hope that helps!