Ever been first guest on a ride? First at a park?

GVentola

Well-Known Member
Dad and I were almost the first guests at Epcot back in October of 1982, but we had to go back home and get the camera. We still arrived before the crowds, but a more typical family got the lifetime passes.

A few years ago, when they were doing those random surprise things for guests, my parents and I got to "open" Flame Tree Barbeque for the day, and got a certificate for it.
 

ShoalFox

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
Yes
Last February I went straight to Test Track single rider at Epcot's rope drop, and not only was I the first person to board, I was the only person in the car!
 

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
I was there that night! And I was one of the last ones out of the park. We probably passed each other!!!
You weren't with Celebration 25 were you? We stayed at Italy until after the delayed inferno barge blow out and then were escorted to the main gate with workmen and utility vehicles arriving on the promenade - as seen from the 26 minute mark here (shameless plug):

 

danyoung56

Well-Known Member
Nope - I was just a regular guest who never knows when to leave. I like to walk around the World Showcase after park closing, and then be one of the last out of the park.
 

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
We were first on Dinosaur (just after rope drop) one time -- our first time on that attraction, in fact. Unfortunately, several of the animatronics were not working properly (completely static) and we were all pretty unimpressed and disappointed with the attraction in general, so "being first" ended up being the only positive about it.

At the very same moment, DH and my daughter (who opted to skip Dinosaur) were the first (and second, and third) rides of the day on Triceratop Spin, which they had completely to themselves. They had a ball!
 

Castle Cake Apologist

Well-Known Member
I was in the first couple groups that rode the rehaunted Haunted Mansion when it reopened in 2007. I was working Ops at MK at the time, and they opened it early for Cast Members during EMH a couple days before it officially reopened. It was very very cool, because there were only a couple of us in the stretch room, so the new 3D audio effect was very effective. We got to talk to a few of the Imagineers who were involved as well.
 

danyoung56

Well-Known Member
An amazing day. And ten years ago too!

I liked the special animations on the central globe and also lasered onto Spaceship Earth. And the music tracks of old themes like the Universe of Energy songs and It's Fun To Be Free from World of Motion were cool too. I have most of these tracks in my collection, but it was great to hear them over the big park PA!
 

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
I liked the special animations on the central globe and also lasered onto Spaceship Earth. And the music tracks of old themes like the Universe of Energy songs and It's Fun To Be Free from World of Motion were cool too. I have most of these tracks in my collection, but it was great to hear them over the big park PA!
Oh yes. I went to the AmAd bathroom after the park had emptied. I walked back to the Italian isola with virtually no one else around, only the streetlights lit, and the park PA was blasting out Makin' Memories, Listen to the Land and Centercore at a volume that almost made me cry. A real goosebump moment.
 

bh_trade

Member
I think it was 2011 when we rode BTMRR when it was quite late, think park was open til midnight. Ride ended and there was nobody in the queue. Noticed quite a few people stayed on the train, not knowing any better we got off and got back into line to ride it a 2nd time. Guess we missed our once in a lifetime chance to ride something twice after waiting in line only once . . .
 

Sundown

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Having a great time reading all of these terrific experiences. Just a cool aspect of enjoying a theme park, getting to be a "first". And I didn't think about adding-in being a "Last"! That's a cool experience as well! Thanks for posting everyone.
 

THEMEPARKPIONEER

Well-Known Member
Kali River Rapids in February 22 1999 before it officially opened. First family to ever ride it as we have been told. And if not we'll we were pretty close but we were the first on that day and it was an early soft opening so it could be possible.
 
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graphite1326

Well-Known Member
We were first at RnRcoaster once. I don;t know why but there were only about 10 people on the ride. We got to the end and they asked if we wanted to ride again. SURE. We all walked through the door and got on again. Still not many on the ride.

I was also surprised that the unload and load areas are not that far apart. Where the CM tells you what row to get into there is a door behind them. If that door was opened, you could see people unloading.
 

DisneyGirl3820

Well-Known Member
Kilimanjaro Safari. We "walked" extremely fast and made it up there first. That morning was so.....hot and all I could think of when I got there was, "to hell with the safari, let's go on Kali Rapids instead!"
 

Maerj

Well-Known Member
I think it was back in 2000, I went to WDW for the first time for Star Wars Weekends, mainly because Carrie Fisher was going to be there. I got to the Studios on Saturday, but she was only signing a limited number of autographs and we had gotten there late. So, my friend and I stayed in the parking lot overnight and I was the first one in the park the next morning and the first in line to get her autograph. When I told her I was waiting since the previous day to meet her, she gave me a hug. I was tired but it was a great day!
 

mergatroid

Well-Known Member
Been first at the entrance to Typhoon Lagoon several times. We get there early in order to get 'our spot', undercover and next to a snack kiosk. They usually have the first family there that day open the park by letting them in early and have them ride a slide to initiate the rope drop as well as giving them a special free cabana for the day. Despite being there first twice, both times they've selected a family with kids who've arrived after us to do this. I suppose Disney is about kids mostly though, so we don't get too upset by this.
 
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