First Ride Ever?

[Preacher Gravy]

My wife and I are leaving Oct. 6th for our first trip. We arrive in Orlando and are taking DME to our hotel (Wilderness Lodge). We plan on taking the boat to the Magic Kingdom that day (mid afternoon) and spending the day there. So the question is, what should our first ride ever at Disney be? I want something that screams 'Disney!' suggestions?

 

[Philo]

My first ride ever a Disney was Space Mountain in DLP - a great ride but perhaps not the most 'Disney' ride, my first ever at WDW was the Kilimanjaro safari - now that's a great ride.

With a little more experience, I would say try out Pirates, Big thunder Mountain Railroad or even TTA - not that exciting but to me it's very Disney and a good way to see what is on offer around the park (or at least around Tomorrow Land...). It's not like you will need to wait to ride it either!

 

[figmentisgreat]

MK - Haunted Mansion of POTC
EPCOT - SSE
DHS - Great Movie Ride
AK - Everest

(that being said, do either MK or EPCOT first, lol.)

 

[krankenstein]

At MK I would recommend you ride Splash Mountain or Haunted Mansion first.

 

[MattyFresh]

How about this thought.....do you have a favorite Disney movie that is also an attraction?? Why not go that route, say if your a big fan of the Pirates trilogy then do PoTC.....just an idea, that way I think it would maximize that exciting Disney effect.

 

[Susan Savia]

Pirates, then Splash, then Haunted Mansion....:animwink:

____________________

Next Trip - January 2009

 

[November Girl]

Haunted Manison- I still remember making a bee-line for it my first trip to Disneyland when I was 8!

 

[Preacher Gravy]

Here's the Finalist for our first ride ever!

Haunted Mansion - Might want to wait until dark just to make it cooler
Splash Mountain - Sounds as though this would be a good one, and we really don't mind a wait
POTC - We liked the movies okay, will we really like the ride?
Train - The only downer with it is that I feel like I might want to jump off at some point to run to a ride. . . . .

Decisions :shrug: Decisions :shrug:


This time next week we will be headed towards Epcot!!!!:ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL:

 

[themerebear6453]

Dumbo

I think the first ride of any visit should always be Dumbo. Its right in the middle of Fantasyland with a beautiful view of the castle and it gives you the whole childlike feel of Disney. Plus if you don't get to this one first there's a good chance the lines will be too long the rest of the day. But I always go in July so the crowd is probably much smaller now.

 

[Laura]

The ones that scream Disney to me are Pirates and Haunted Mansion. The best attraction EVER in Magic Kingdom is Splash Mountain.

I would skip the "sentimental" stuff at first like Small World, Dumbo, etc. because the thrill of those is usually found with people who have been going to Disney their whole lives. I think a first timer would come off Small World saying "what the eff was that?" LOL

 

[Laura]

Definitely don't ride the train first. It's not like typical train rides where you get a view of the whole park. It's a view of a wall of trees 90% of the ride.

 

[eroyee]

Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. take your time since its your first visit and soak up the atmosphere. Its amazing........Wilderness Lodge is a perfect choice for a resort. You will love it.

 

[gjpjtj]

I would have to say Pirates of the Caribbean or Splash Mountain. Really great immersive rides!

 

[gettingsmaller]

Boy, there are so many good choices and possibilities...
Splash Mt. is a definite "must-ride", but it may be "dangerous" to use it for setting expectations.

The things I'd offer up are:
Peter Pan/Winnie the Pooh - well done, easy rides. If you are familiar with the movies/characters, the rides will be very "familiar" and will definitely tell you that you are at DIS.

Jungle Cruise - nobody has offered this, and I can see reasons why (needs updating, lines can be long, experience depends on your 'skipper', etc.). However, the queue is cute, with the different elements about missing expeditions, and the "expectation" that it might set won't be difficult to exceed with other rides. Still, despite cheesy jokes and some of the oldest "animatronics" known to man, it is very "Disney".

The potential problem with all three is the possibilty of long lines. I think Peter Pan is awesome. Unless you're a big Pooh fan, Pooh is not worth a LONG wait, but it SHOULD be enjoyed with a fastpass or 15-20 minute line at some point. Of course, that depends on your personality and what you enjoy...

Philharmagic is great, too. Good thing about it is that you will probably not have a long wait outside. In less busy times, I'd guess that the theater accomodates all the people who are in line (though some people here surely know better than I). If you're going to WDW, I'm guessing that you (or significant other) have SOME exposure to Disney and probably have favorite characters, etc.. Philharmagic seems to run through most of the popular pre-Pixar characters, and you're bound to see your favorite at some point.

I'm being long-winded, but I'd say that the first ride depends on how you want to approach it. If you want one of the best (and longest) rides Disney has to offer, Splash Mt. would be my choice. If you want to start at a very-Disney-but-a-little-dated ride, Jungle Cruise fits the bill. If you want somewhere in the middle, Philharmagic, Peter Pan, or Winnie the Pooh would be good. I guess Small World is right there with Peter and Winnie. It's VERY Disney (what Disney reference can you see outside of Disney itself that doesn't say something about it?), and probably sets a sort of "medium" expectation for future rides.

 

[CatsMeow]

Either Splash Mountain or Pirates of the Caribbean. They are our most favorite! :sohappy:

 

[DisneyEverest]

I'd suggest taking the train all the way around the park to get a feel for things, then get off at Main Street again, walk down main street ands savor the atmosphere, then take a left over to Adventureland.

Ditto..

 

[CBug88]

I would say Space Mountain (be sure to ride this at least once during your trip I as believe it is going down for refurb in Jan 09), The Haunted Manison or Pirates of the Caribbean. All will give you that "Disney" feeling.

Be sure to also enjoy all the details- take it slow and have a look around. Details are what makes Disney so unique. Have a wonderful time and be sure to share which attraction is your first!!:wave:

 

[bjunderwood]

If you are torn between Splash Mountain and the train, you can do what my family always does first- ride the train to Splash Mountain.

Also, if it is raining, you have something else to consider. Evryone flocks to Tomorrowland and Fantasyland when it rains. I suggest going to Adventureland and hitting the Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean. The west side of the park is fairly empty when it rains, so these are two attractions with longer wait times that you should be able to get on fairly quickly.

 

[Fade_to_Blah]

Definitely Slash Mountain. Im trying to make it my first attraction everytime we go down. Love it. Honorable mention would be Haunted Mansion and PotC. If at Epcot, SSE!

 

[Tiggerfanatic]

Another vote for the train. It's right there at the entrance, take it all the way around the park, then start up Main Street towards the castle. Have a tissue handy - I can guarantee you'll need it! And don't hurry - take your time and savor the wonder and magic of being at Disney!

 

[disneymoc]

Tta!!!!!!