What Would You Do FIRST in Magic Kingdom?

[Bubblegum1286]

Okay guys, I want everyone's input on this one.

We are taking our 3 children to WDW for the first time in June. Our first day in-park will be MK. Our kids are 6, 4, and 3. The first thing I planned to do was to get everyone's ears at the Chapeau Hat Shoppe and then .... I don't know!

I want their first Disney attraction or ride to knock their socks off and to be something they won't forget. So. What would you recommend as their FIRST ever Disney must-do? Don't worry about what part of the park we'll be in when, we can work around that. I just want your personal thoughts on making a huge hit first thing out of the gate.

Annnnd go!

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

Peter Pan. It's a classic ride that has stood the test of time and it's short so your kids will be eager for more. If flying over London doesn't blow a little kid's socks off I don't know what will. If you wait to ride it until later the line will get ridiculously long.

This is my family's traditional first ride every trip.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Almost anything in Fantasyland. Classic!

Fast pass mine train (my 4yo LOVES it).
Peter Pan is wonderful and my littles loved IASW, it that one doesn't knock socks off.

Tea cups are a definite.

 

[vicb]

Save hats for later in the day... rides first . What characters do your kids like best? If Toy Story go for Buzz, if more classic go for Dumbo or Peter Pan. If Aladdian go for the Flying Carpets. So many choices. When my kids were that age (a long time ago) we headed straight for Fantasyland. I wouldn't want to worry about keeping track of ear hats. I would do that later in the day, maybe combine with a treat from Main Street (Mickey bar or something from the candy shop) and a rest in the rocking chairs which are right by the hat store! Have fun.

 

[Puffy2]

Get there at park opening. Do not get ears first - that will slow you down and waste prime ride-with-no-line time. Try to get fast passes for some of these rides to ride later in the day with little or no wait. Show your kids the options and ask them what they want to do first. Dwarf Mine Train, Peter Pan and Buzz would be rides to get to first to avoid long lines. Try to get a fast pass for Mine Train. They will have a great time no matter what you do.

 

[WDWsBFF]

My husband and I always make Pirates our first ride but it will be down for refurb then...boo.

So our votes are for Peter Pan or Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin as well. Either would be an excellent start!

 

[Bubblegum1286]

Okay okay... We can wait on the ears. Mama wants that iconic picture with all of their little ears, but we'll have 7 days at Dis, so it's not like we HAVE to do it right away. My sentimental heart was wanting that first, but you guys are right- it can wait. Peter Pan is my absolute all time favorite ride at Disneyland. I just LOVE it, so I know that one will probably be a winner at WDW. I think we may try to do that or the mine trains first.

Keep the suggestions coming! I love hearing all of your traditions!

Next question: EMHs the day we're going to be at MK (June 18th) are from 8-9 am, so how early do we need to be AT the gate?

 

[DisneyFive]

Wow, I need to disagree with some of the other replies. For the first time in MK, I think it is really important to go with the flow . Pick your top 3 and FP+ those. Other than that, wing it. There are SO many great things in MK to see; let the magic happen organically... I would hate for you to feel super scheduled and rushed.

The issue I see is that you have a 3 year old and that can be tricky for rides. Some of what I would like to recommend, like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad might be a little much for your 3 year old. I would recommend a FP+ for Peter Pan at 9:30 -10:30 am or so. It's a ride that all ages will like, but not a ride that totally drives all your senses. That gives you plenty of time to get your ears. Then, I think the 7 dwarfs mine train would be just about perfect. Exciting, but hopefully not too exciting for a 3 year old. That could be a FP+ for 10:30-11:30. Then see how your kids handle those two, and if Big Thunder looks like it will work, book a FP+ for that later.

Just my thoughts.

Dan

 

[Bubblegum1286]

Wow, I need to disagree with some of the other replies. For the first time in MK, I think it is really important to go with the flow . Pick your top 3 and FP+ those. Other than that, wing it. There are SO many great things in MK to see; let the magic happen organically... I would hate for you to feel super scheduled and rushed.

Thanks Dan, being rushed is a real concern of mine. The last time we were at DW in 2007, I over-scheduled to the MAX. There was NO time to just wander, to explore, to sit and take things in. Two years ago when we went to DL, I took it much more casually. I knew the rides and attractions that were absolute musts, but other than that, we just kind of explored and wandered. I let our son lead the way and do what he wanted to do. It was SO magical that way. I want to get so much out of our trip of course, and I'm extremely excited to share my love of WDW with my kids, but I definitely don't want to over-schedule to the point where it's just not enjoyable anymore.

 

[uccats97]

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

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

The Teacups or Dumbo for sure.

 

[JZCubed]

Okay guys, I want everyone's input on this one.

We are taking our 3 children to WDW for the first time in June. Our first day in-park will be MK. Our kids are 6, 4, and 3. The first thing I planned to do was to get everyone's ears at the Chapeau Hat Shoppe and then .... I don't know!

I want their first Disney attraction or ride to knock their socks off and to be something they won't forget. So. What would you recommend as their FIRST ever Disney must-do? Don't worry about what part of the park we'll be in when, we can work around that. I just want your personal thoughts on making a huge hit first thing out of the gate.

Annnnd go!

What to do FIRST - skip buying the ears and go directly to the rides. Get the Ears on the way out or after a few rides. The best advice I (and most of us) will offer is get to the Parks as early as you can. Rope Drop at the opening of the Park, if possible, to minimize your waiting on lines.

Second: http://www.disboards.com/threads/fa...ed-priorities-and-strategies-part-ii.3326057/

Third: http://www.easywdw.com/cheatsheets/mk_cheatsheet.pdf

Strictly from time point of view - what are the longest lines for a 3 y.o. at 12pm:
--Meet & Greet Princesses or Characters
--Peter Pan
--Buzz Lightyear
--Under Sea Ride
--Jungle Cruise

** Is 7 Dwarfs too much for a 3 y.o.?

So I'd likely go to Peter Pan (or 7 Dwarfs) FIRST.
Next, Mountain (Space or Big Thunder) for 4 & 6 y.o. (check height requirement for 4 y.o.)
Next, Jungle Cruise after Big Thunder....or, Buzz after Space Mountain.
Next, Haunted, Pirates, and/or Carpet Ride after Jungle...., or Under Sea after Buzz.

FP+ for Characters/Princesses or make these connections in the restaurants, otherwise, even before Peter Pan.

 

[Amanda999]

I would agree with something in Fantasyland - party because I think the first thing you should do it walk up Main Street through the castle to get there. Its just soooo Disney. Be sure you are there in the morning before they close the castle doors (they do that before the little stage shows they do at the castle - first one is around 10am when I was there last week YMMV). There are beautiful mosaics floor to ceiling depicting Cinderella scenes.

I guess after that - for the 1st ride, Pan is a good one no matter your kids gender. I'd go close to when the park opens so not too long a wait (interactive stand by line at Pan).

Have a great trip!

 

[DisneyFive]

Oh yeah, the show that they put on right before opening the park was a major highlight for us. It happens (I think) around 15 minutes before park open. Was a big surprise for us, and we loved it!!!!

Dan

 

[Arden01]

Last year (our first visit), we started with meeting Talking Mickey. It was a really magical way to start and that's the first thing we'll do when we return this summer.

 

[isabellea]

We always hit Peter Pan first than tour Fantasyland.

Have a magical trip!

 

[sharonabe]

Does your son remember anything from DL? If what he remembers has a "duplicate" at WDW, I would go with that attraction first. It would be his introduction to his siblings of one of his favorite things.

I am also going to disagree with the go, go, go PPs. This is your kids' first visit and they are going to want to take it all in. You said you have seven days, so you have lots of time. Make this first day what YOU want it to be. Stop and get their hats and wander if they want to. Plan your FP+ at intervals where you're not needing to rush around the park. Get those pictures. You only have a first time to MK once. Their second day their even on this same trip won't be the same as this first day and you can go, go, go on that day.

 

[mikec442]

Our tradition (every visit since the kids were 4 & 1, now 15 & 12) is the Tiki Room. Works for DL as well as the MK...

 

[Newsies]

Peter Pan, Dumbo, PotC, or the Jungle Cruise! Have a great vacation

 

[WhispyPixie]

Peter Pan
Dumbo (very iconic)
Haunted Mansion