What Would You Do FIRST in Magic Kingdom?

[StirlingSilver83]

Peter Pan or Small World. Those are the classic Disney Magic Kingdom rides as far as I am concerned, lol. We have been to Disney 3 times and going again in April so our touring plans are a bit different in April. We are scheduled to arrive on the 12th and MK is our first park for 1/2 day. Its also the last day Jungle Cruise is running before going under refurbishment. Jungle Cruise is 1 of our fav rides its relaxing and fun and the kids love it. I was able to secure a FP for it late afternoon so we get that ride in before it goes under refurbishment

 

[Bubblegum1286]

Are you staying on site? If so, you can order the Mickey ears pre-trip and have them in your room when you get there. We do this alot.

We are camping at the Fort. Wonder if it works the same?

 

[Bubblegum1286]

If you arrive the day before, I'd say go to Downtown Disney to start the excitement and get some shopping done (like the mouse ears).

I actually thought about this. I think we may get the ears at DTD the day before and that way we're all ready to hit MK at rope drop. We're planning 2 days in MK for our trip- day one and day 7. I want to begin and end there.

LOVING these replies, guys! Thanks so much! I love hearing all of your special traditions.

 

[cakebaker]

#1 Peter Pan
#2 "it's a small world"
#3 Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Have a magical first family trip!

I agree, these are great choices.

But I disagree with skipping anything because you're wasting precious time. Skipping what you really want to do - stopping for hats for example- may get you more "rides" but you're skipping what I think is most precious- not time, but time to make memories. You'll be there for a week, plenty of time to get all the rides in, no need to rush to them first thing.

My girls are grown and they don't remember what we rode first- but they remember the castle and examining what at the time seemed like every tile on the walls. They remember the opening show and countdown and they remember walking, looking down the street and seeing the castle for the first time. Memories of which ride you rode when will fade, other memories you take the time to make will not.

So my suggestion is, make those rides with FP+, but allow a little time before your first one. If getting hats is important, stop and do it so they'll have them for all the pictures you're going to want to take. Walk slow, let the crowds pass by you running to get to a ride, take it all in and make first time memories because I promise you, that's what your children will love when they're adults.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I agree, these are great choices.

But I disagree with skipping anything because you're wasting precious time. Skipping what you really want to do - stopping for hats for example- may get you more "rides" but you're skipping what I think is most precious- not time, but time to make memories. You'll be there for a week, plenty of time to get all the rides in, no need to rush to them first thing.

My girls are grown and they don't remember what we rode first- but they remember the castle and examining what at the time seemed like every tile on the walls. They remember the opening show and countdown and they remember walking, looking down the street and seeing the castle for the first time. Memories of which ride you rode when will fade, other memories you take the time to make will not.

So my suggestion is, make those rides with FP+, but allow a little time before your first one. If getting hats is important, stop and do it so they'll have them for all the pictures you're going to want to take. Walk slow, let the crowds pass by you running to get to a ride, take it all in and make first time memories because I promise you, that's what your children will love when they're adults.

I agree with this.

One of my best memories is on our first on site big trip we stopped at the shop in MK for hats. XH and DS played checkers while we waited for the hats to be engraved. DD and I grabbed a snack and watched them play.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

FAMILY TRADITION , we always start with the POTC.

AKK

 

[BayouMickey]

We are camping at the Fort. Wonder if it works the same?

Doesn't hurt to call and ask! We do this because it's awesome for the kids to be already wearing their personalized ears when they enter the MK for the first time. Talk about photo opportunities! Here's the number : 407.939.4438

 

[defendthehill]

I am going a little different direction here with my two cents:

Your kids are young...some most likely will not remember their first Disney ride! But they will probably remember the trip. Momma wants the ears and the picture.....that memory will last a lifetime!!! To stand at the Walt/Mickey statue with your kids in their ears.....and get a family photo.....is priceless. Your first ride on SDMT or Peter Pan will have less lasting power than the pic!

Disney isn't the ride.....it is the experience! I say go for the experience.

I am a softy dad with three DD and our first trip years ago.....my lasting memory, my first, and my forever image of Disney is with my three girls and Cinderella.....I of course had trouble taking the picture due to the tears in my eyes as I saw the magic in my daughters.

Our first ride.....was Dumbo......it was fun....but the MAGIC was tons better!!

 

[PKK]

For my daughter's very first trip we went on arrival and happened to time it so that the parade was coming around the front circle just as we entered. It was the greatest thing EVER! I promptly started to cry and was teary for the first hour. But our first ride was Dumbo. And we had to have the Pink Dumbo! The only two things she remembers from that trip are Simba and Nala in the parade and riding the pink Dumbo (she turned 4 during that trip).

 

[FantasiaMagic]

I would go straight to Fantasyland! That is where I would take any newbie first. The whole place is filled with classic attractions and fun! I would go on Peter Pan, Dumbo maybe 7DMT or even Philarmagic if you don't want to start with a ride. Have a great trip!

 

[BebopBaloo]

Definitely not the Mine Train first unless you know that all of your kids love thrills. It's fast enough that it would be scary as a first ride. I would wait and work up to it, unless you already know that your kids like going fast. Start with the slow moving, but fun rides like Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Buzz, Dumbo, etc. My daughter loves things like Pirates, but she doesn't care for speed. Mine Train would have scared her away from trying other stuff if she had done that first.

 

[IBLarsen]

We always ride Peter Pan first, because that's what we did with our kids' first trip at Disneyland, so it's a tradition. Plus since the lines get so long, we hit that first, and then FP a few of our other must do's. After Peter Pan we just wander around Fantasyland doing whatever the kids want in any order. For our trip next week (first since 7DMT and fp+), we are hitting Peter Pan first, at rope drop, and then spending 2 hours in fantasyland, doing as the kids want, but have our FP for 7DMT for two hours after rope drop.

 

[cadawson]

If you want to tie buying your ears with something memorable - Go see Mickey at Town Square and Tinkerbell. Then, hit the ears-maker on your way out of meeting Mickey. Mickey talks! Really, it is not to be missed on your first trip with your littlest one. Mickey did the elephant march from Jungle Book with my DS. Take a picture of your group with your mouse ear's on Goofy's bench just outside.

Peter Pan's Flight and visiting new Fantasyland are must-dos. Stop in Gaston's Tavern for a snack while you are there.

Most of all, take pictures as your walk down Main Street for the first time. I agree - don't rush past all the good stuff just to get one of the rides. Enjoy the scenery - it is what Walt would want you to do. :O) Also, take the train at some point in your day.

 

[Dimaline312000]

5 suggestions for you. Peter Pan, 7 Dwarfs Mine Ride, Tea Cups, Dumbo, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin!!

 

[To the honeypots]

I haven't read all the posts yet, but can I just throw put there that when my son was three he did not love or even like Peter Pan. The problem was he was too little to see most of what was going on below and just ended up frustrated. I would vote for Small World or Seven Dwarves Mine Train.

 

[Amunet]

Okay, I'm just throwing this out there but ... What about the teacups?
I mean, you're a kid and you get to sit in a GIANT TEA CUP! Not only that but YOU get to spin the thing! And even mom and dad could help, but you know you're really doing all the spinning.
Plus, you get to choose the color you're sitting in ... AND it moves around ... AND SPINS! Plus cool music and cute themeing ^_^

Lol not sure how your kids are, but for some reason, the teacups are prominant in my mind for classic Disney ride

 

[BubblyTrip]

Peter Pan!!

 

[Mouse of Mystery]

If you want to tie buying your ears with something memorable - Go see Mickey at Town Square and Tinkerbell.

Agree here. For a first-time visit, catch the RD show. But don't pass Mickey by as he's in one of the very first buildings you'll see as you enter Town Square/Main Street! Nothing's more MK than Mickey! And a talking Mickey at that! (maybe don't tell them he's going to talk in case he's not talking for some reason that day)

Walk down Main Street and let them take it all in. Hey, look at Cinderella's castle over there!

Use your FPs for those top rides, just in case lines are long by the time you make it back to Fantasyland. Just don't rush it! The rides are only part of MK for the young and the young at heart.

 

[nat8199]

Peter Pan was closed our last trip (my kids first) and this thread is making me so excited that it will be open when we are there in Sept!

 

[lauradis]

First time, Its got to be the ears, pics. Rides aren't going any where.

Ears and pics would take more then hour. so what you wasted 1/2 of your time at rd for something you will never get back.