Which Rides / Attraction Get You "Grounded" Into Your Disney Vacation?

[anniemae]

For me it's spaceship earth.

 

[GPC0321]

This is going to sound weird, but hearing the train whistle at the Magic Kingdom. I don't know what it is about it, but it always makes me smile. Love riding the train too, but just hearing that whistle is enough.

The Trolley show on Main Street too. When people suddenly break out in spirited song and dance right in the middle of the street, I know I'm smack dab in the middle of my Happy Place!

 

[gatorlisa]

The last 2 or 3 trips, Epcot has been our first park to visit, and I'd say that Spaceship Earth kind of does that. ToT is my happiest Disney place. Makes me grin every time I ride it. So far I've been fortunate to never have it closed for refurb during any of my trips. I think a Disney trip would feel as though it's missing something without ToT. At MK, there are several rides that give me that Disney feeling...Haunted Mansion, the Peoplemover at night, and Splash...in particular, the view from the top, just before you take the plunge down the falls. I'm extremely bummed Splash will be closed for refurb for my upcoming trip.

 

[DeterminedOne]

It's different every time. Last trip we had been in the World and Epcot for several hours before I got the "feeling." There was a special meet and greet for Disney Visa customers, but they couldn't tell us which characters would be there. Imagine my surprise when I pulled back the curtain and it was Mickey (IN HIS REGULAR CLOTHES!!!) I literally turned into a five year old.

 

[jameswb94]

Definitely Haunted Mansion above all. I always get in at least 3 rides every trip. But also PotC, Spaceship Earth, and the People Mover.

And on a similar note, not quite the attractions but the that particular smell on the water rides is always a great "I'm finally here" moment for me.

 

[adamreisinger]

For me, it's the moment I see Cinderella's Castle up close. My past couple of trips I've gone to a different park on my arrival day and it hasn't felt like a true Disney trip until the moment I walked into MK and saw the Castle. Then from that moment on, it really feels like a Disney vacation.

 

[DisneyCAL]

Splash Mountain and riding the monorail into Epcot and seeing Spaceship Earth. Either of those is a real beginning.

 

[momcloud]

Driving into the entrance arch of DW then first ride at MK is always Pirates of the Caribbean.

 

[Accidental Magpie]

Haunted Mansion ...

 

[PetePanMan]

pirates #1

followed closely by splash and big thunder

 

[LadyDiznee123]

Tower of Terror, Big Thunder, Splash, Haunted Mansion, Soarin

Not doing TOT is a good as not being at Disney at all for me.
I sure hope I never plan a trip while they doing any type of work on it. Not going to say I'd cancel my plans, but it would certainly be a downer. Luckily there are enough other favorites for me.

 

[goofy289]

Magical Express for me! The music and videos let me know I'm really there and ready to have fun!