What would be very first family ride EVER!

[CAJUNBLAZE]

We are a family of four going for the first time in Sept.
We will be going to MK on the first day and want to ride the first ride together.
My kids are 10 and 4, my littlest one is 42 inches tall.
I am trying to get answers through this poll, but please post other suggestions.
Thanks

ps I know these are some big rides, so if I am missing one please tell me so I can add it to the poll.(especially for my 4 year old dd and by the way 10 year old is ds)

 

[cudworth]

I voted space mountain as that was the 1st ride we were on.

 

[dogsmom]

I think our first ride was either the teacups or Dumbo.

 

[DisneyWorldWisher]

Splash Mountain.

Pure Disney.

It was our first ride and I wouldn't have had it any other way

 

[jimmiej]

I voted for Buzz. A great attraction for ALL ages. However, if your little one is big enough & would not be frightened by the drop near the end, Splash Mountain would be my choice. Like another poster said, SM is pure Disney genius.

 

[clombardi]

This was a hard one to answer! I chose PoTC, but Buzz was a close second! I would choose Splash Mountain but I think it would be hard to get the kids to walk by all the other fun rides just to ride that one first!

You could make the train be your first ride and take it back to the station right next to Splash Mountain.

 

[DisneyWorldWisher]

I would chose Splash Mountain but I think it would be hard to get the kids to walk by all the other fun rides just to ride that one first!

If they take the Liberty Square entrance, the only rides they pass on the way to Splash Mountain are Haunted Mansion and Hall of Presidents.

 

[TxRabbit]

Here are the low down on the rides...considering that you want to pick your first "family" ride...oooo I can't see the options again so I'll try to remember...

Space Mountain...the cars for space mountain seat three, in single file, with one person in each section, there is a chance that your DD4 could fit with your DS10 in one section, or with a parent with not too long legs. Otherwise, your first family ride will be in two separate cars, and keep in mind that you will not be visually sharing the experience, like looking at your kids face as they ride their first ride in WDW.

Buzz Lightyear...the cars for this ride could seat three across, if the third is relatively small. We fit, DH, DS6, and me, and each one of us had a control. The two outside sitters had the guns, and the middle sitter did the joystick. So, same goes here, you will be in two separate cars for this ride. That said, you spin around in the cars and you could easily share the experience with each other as in various points during the ride there is not too much activity. This was my DS6 first ride in WDW and he loved loved loved it. We hit it early in the morning on an am EMH, and we rode it quickly 3X in a row, with each of us taking a turn in each position.

Indy...the cars are two per car for this ride. So again, not a shared experience, and you are so far apart in the cars that you don't really have much contact. The ride is fun, especially if the kids drive. DS kept yelling to make it go faster though, so a little low on the thrill factor in that way.

Pirates...You would all be able to fit in this car. You would have a shared ride experience...especially if your DS10 is a fan, this would be a really fun ride to go on together. It is a classic ride, and one that you don't easily forget, it has a lot to look at, and it is entertaining, and somewhat tame as well, with just a couple of dips. This ride does NOT offer FP, so if you hit this ride first thing, you would have the best shot of having the shortest wait for it. That is assuming that you are planning on hitting MK at rope drop.

Splash Mountain...This is another ride that you would be able to ride altogether in. I don't know that you would all fit in one row, but you would all be in the same car. It is a similar ride experience to Pirates with a lot to look at as you float along the river. Of course, this one is more of a thrill with the decent at the end. And you would run the risk of getting wet first thing in the morning, unless you took precautions (wearing a parka or something), and you may not want that.

I voted for Splash Mountain because you seemed to be wanting a more family experience and I think Splash is the closest to that. A main draw back to that is the fact that a lot of people head there first thing and so you may be looking at a wait first thing to ride your first ride...and I don't know if you care about that. FP is available for Splash, but then that would imply that you would go ride something else in the meantime.

I don't know if this helps you in your decision/planning...but I hope it does! I hope you have a wonderful vacation to the World!

 

[PoohsFan1]

First of all Sept. is the one of the best times of year to go to WDW. You can basically walk on to every ride. We went in Sept two years ago, the week after Labor Day, because all the kids were back in school. On that note, I voted for Splash Mountain because it has the best audio and animatronics out there. It is one of the best rides that Disney has to offer.

 

[Mecha Figment]

my vote goes for one that isn't listed. Mickey's Philharmagic. it's an attraction that really sets the mood and theme of what the park is all about. It's a good way to start off your first trip ever.

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

We always ride Dumbo first. It has become sort of a tradition. Of course you cannot all fit in one Dumbo, but it's such a slow loading ride, and the line just seems to crawl. With the lighter morning crowds, we would just hit that first when the line wasn't that bad. It really gets us all in such a great mood too!

We get to MK right at opening, stroll down Main Street, make our way right through the castle, and Dumbo is right there behind the carousel. It's my favorite time of the day!

 

[Robo]

Pirates!

 

[Conan the Librarian]

No question...Jungle Cruise. Make sure you laugh at every joke!

 

[TXTurtle]

I'd start with either Dumbo or one of the smaller rides in Fantasyland. First choice would be Peter Pan, followed closely by Philharmagic. If you want my 2c, the best "magic" is found in walking down Mainstreet and through the castle straight into Fantasyland and just absorbing it all. So I'd pick a ride that works with that journey, hense Dumbo, Peter Pan, or Philharmagic. THEN you can hit Adventureland and the rest!

 

[maraca]

I'm going on my first full family trip (we went when I was 4, before my brother was even considered) and our first day at MK we're booking it to Splash Mountain. The fact my 11 year old brother is willing to go on it is huge!

 

[Suzanne74]

I would personally walk up main street at opening thru the castle, hop on Dumbo, then do Peter Pan (both have long waits at times even in Sept) and then head straight to the Mountains (get fast passes for Splash a 2nd time later on!!) then go on Pirates, then Jungle cruise and Aladdin carpets before it gets real crowded. Most people tend to go right which leads to Tomorrowland in the morning. Adventure and Frontierland never seem to fill up until 11am, esp in Sept. After Jungle/Aladdin, go back and do, Haunted Mansion, Small World, Philarmagic. None of these seem to have a long wait in September and are all a nice break from the noon heat. Then head over to teacups, get fast passes for Space Mountain (depending on waits) eat at Cosmic Ray's for lunch and do Indy Raceway. Get fastpasses for Buzz right before redeeming your Space Mountain fastpasses. Then do Space Mountain and then People Mover and Astro Orbits and then redeem your fast passes for Buzz. Then go back to Main Street and enjoy the sights, watch the 3pm parade in the blazing sun and then redeem those initial fast passes for a 2nd ride on Splash!! Then the rest of the day - enjoy the stores, sights, additional rides and so on!!! Do NOT miss Spectromagic and Wishes - try and sit on Main Street for your first time. I usually try and sit right by Casey's so my husband and daughter can run and take the back way to Buzz for another ride while I hold the seats and people watch before the parade starts. These spots are also good since it is a great spot to watch the fireworks and the bathrooms are close!!


SSHHH - don't tell anyone my secrets!!

 

[ms_mckenna]

I voted for Splash but Pirates is a very close second for me. I agree that with if you want a "family ride" I think you should ride something that you can all ride together on.
Is there a reason you are steering clear of Fantasyland rides? The teacups, or Peterpan, even IASW? You might be suprised how much your 10 year old will enjoy them. Mine are 13 and 11 and are quick to point me in that direction even though they love both Splash and Pirates.

 

[katdocnorf]

Although Splash Mountain is the best one, I always hit Jungle Cruise first. The reason for this is the majority of people coming into the park automatically start walking to the right. Therefore, I go left to avoid the major crowd early. First ride you come to pretty much is Jungle Cruise, then I do Pirates, Then Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain. Also must go over the Tom Sawyers Island, this is so much fun especially for 4-8 year olds and it is also kind of relaxing because by the time you do the others in my list it is just before lunch and I will usually walk the island then catch a sandwich at the place on the island to eat and sit on that porch area. Then Haunted Mansion, Small World, Speedway, Space Mountain.

Of Course we hit some other stuff in between but that hits and misses around the park from left to right and added a couple you didn't mention.

 

[ziggybaby]

my vote goes for one that isn't listed. Mickey's Philharmagic. it's an attraction that really sets the mood and theme of what the park is all about. It's a good way to start off your first trip ever.

Me too

Phiharmagic would be a great first "ride".
We'll be there on our Disneymoon in September, like you our first day will be spent at MK and Philharmagic is the first attraction we'll be heading for.

Hope you have a magical first time

​

 

[MeMom]

Another vote for Splash Mountain. That's our kick-off ride. We'll all be going to Whispering Canyon to eat on our first day, then over to MK to ride Splash as a group. After that, we'll go all sorts of directions, but Splash is the official beginning for us. It's just a good family ride, with a little thrill at the end to get you smiling and really into the Disney fun. Whatever you choose, you'll have a great time!