Very first ride in Disneyland???

[surfmontana]

Our family is going to DLR/CA for the first time in a few days. I was there as a small child but this is the first Disney experience for hubby, son (9), and daughter (6). This is a surprise trip for the kids.

Our first day in the parks with is Tuesday 16th in DL with a Magic Morning early admission.

What would you hit first? I've read to do Fantasyland first.

There are not that many FP rides really. What FP should we make sure to grab first for DL?

I guess for CA it's a no brainer to get a FP to RSR.

 

[ChrisSD]

POTC no question.

Get FP to Space Mountain and then go ride POTC.

 

[Cinderpamela]

On our families first trip to DL I started my boys (then 4 and 8) off on Buzz Lightyear... it was a great intro into the fun and allayed fears of rides being "scary". We then moved on to Star Tours and I had them hooked!

Peter Pan is also a great one to start with... and all of FL.

 

[disneylandkitkat]

the train that goes around the park. Get on and off at main street then walk up main street and enter fantasyand through the castle.

 

[reguilliams]

Peter Pan

 

[surfmontana]

I am soooooooo excited

 

[10stime]

I would vote for Peter Pan as well. We are making a trip this Christmas with my friend (it's her little girls' first trip) and Peter Pan will be our first ride for sure. There is just something extra magical about it

 

[lurpee]

I think for your first day you have to take them right to the castle! Walk through the castle and you're in Fantasyland. Ive heard due to lines you want to do Peter Pan and then Dumbo.

When we go in December, my plan is to be there for rope drop, head right to the castle, hopefully use our photopassplus (did you get that yet?) for some shots and go right to Peter Pan and stick around Fantasyland. Then maybe head back to City Hall for some info gathering Nd really take in Main Street.

My first time at Disney was when I was 17 with my youth group and it was so much fun but we went right to POTC or HM, rode those and then I accidentally got on Splash Mountain and was hooked on roller coasters for life! I had so much fun but I want to really hone in on Disney for DD4's first time into the park. We also have 10 days in the park so we can take our time!

I can't wait to hear how it goes!
Kerri

 

[Kittyskyfish]

I also agree with Peter Pan! Since this is a Magic Morning first day and because it's a first visit for your family, you gotta start off with a (very fast) stroll through the castle and enjoy a few rides in Fantasyland, as it is the magical heart of Disneyland.

 

[laura&fam]

I would start with Fantasy Land. The rides are milder, it gets busy later in the day, and there are no FP for the rides.

Be aware that FP machines aren't open until actual park opening (not during EE). Also not all rides in the park are open during EE.

Have you considered getting RideMax? I did that for my first trip as an adult and it really helped me to have a plan to follow until I figured out how things work. Also they have some good tips and hints.

 

[aml3679]

Soarin - I think it is in California Adventure - a better park IMHO

 

[jsebsirois]

Great idea to start with Fantasyland rides since it gets crowdy as day go.

With that being said, if you want to ride the Holiday version of Haunted Mansion, I would hit it early in the morning, before that line gets too long!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Reidhome]

I'd be sure to get the Touring Plans or Lines App to have easy access to line wait times and Fast Pass times. Space Mountain is a great first stop - ride, then get FP for later. Fantasy Land does fill up and have long lines, so hit that very early and ENJOY! Be sure to do Thunder Mtn. POTC, Haunted Mansion, It's A Small World, Matterhorn, star tours... Have fun!!

 

[Girimama33]

It is best to do Peter Pan and Dumbo first. Reason being that these rides will have long, slow loading queues throughout the day and they do not have a FP option. Best to get those two out of the way at the start of MM/EMH, and then hit up the rest of the FL and TL rides. SM and ST will have short waits during MM.
POTC would not be open during this time.

 

[MICKEYFIL]

To me the best rides to do first are the ones that have the worst loading time and thus fill up quickly despite the level of the crowd (Dumbo, Peter Pan and Nemo). We just got back and on one day we did Dumbo first because our kids are younger than yours and it is a great family ride for little kids. The second day we did Finding Nemo and I would whole heartedly recommend getting there first if it is on your list of things to do. As soon as we got off the first ride there was a large line up and the load time is really slow. Regardless of what you pick, get a fastpass to another ride you want to do that offers this service on your way to the first ride of the day. Mainyl I would say just pick a ride in an area that you want to spend time in rather than running around the park from land to land.

We went to the park on the Friday of the first halloween party and walked on to Nemo, BL Astro Blasters, Star Tours, BL Astro Blasters, Astro Orbitor twice and then walked over to Plaza Inn for breakfest all within an hour with a DD3 and DS1.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

I'm not so sure that Peter pan is the best ride to do first. It seems that everyone follows this rule so now it is too crowded first thing. Our first day of early entry we followed this rule and rushed to get in line, meanwhile every other fantasyland ride was a walk on. By the time we got off the ride the line was way shorter then when we first got in line. The next time we had early entry we decided to wait to do Peter pan until about half an hour into early entry and we walked right on.

 

[sh00tfire]

I would suggest Fantasyland, especially Peter Pan and Dumbo. Those couple rides get very busy later in the morning. You even may want to get in line to see Rapunzel while you are there. She is very popular and many times you see an hour and a half wait throughout the day.

 

[DarthMole]

I'm not so sure that Peter pan is the best ride to do first. It seems that everyone follows this rule so now it is too crowded first thing. Our first day of early entry we followed this rule and rushed to get in line, meanwhile every other fantasyland ride was a walk on. By the time we got off the ride the line was way shorter then when we first got in line. The next time we had early entry we decided to wait to do Peter pan until about half an hour into early entry and we walked right on.

THIS

I noticed the same thing on our MM.

 

[OneoftheMels]

As for a great ride to start your Disneyland visit, I agree with Peter Pan or Pirates. One of those two is always our first ride each trip

 

[jlmarr]

the train that goes around the park. Get on and off at main street then walk up main street and enter fantasyand through the castle.

That's what I would recommend for your Very First Ride. Gives you a perspective on the entire park. On subsequent visits do something else.