What was your child's first ride at WDW?

Kairi_7378 · #1 08-14-2011, 08:54 AM

I'm going to WDW in September... my first visit as a parent! I thought that I'd ask all of the other parents out here what their children's first rides were at WDW, and why did you pick it? Was it something that you had planned, or were you just close to a particular ride at the beginning of your first day?

WDWgoofy · #2 08-14-2011, 09:26 AM

Dumbo, of course!

deedeebee · #3 08-14-2011, 09:40 AM

It's a small world, it was the first ride I rode on with my Grandma

There were tears.

DunkieKong · #4 08-14-2011, 10:37 AM

My sons first ride at Disney World was The Jungle Cruise. He was 7 months old. We were heading to do Pirates first, but the line for Jungle Cruise was unusually short, so we stopped there first. His second ride was Pirates, and he loved that too. I guess the "Disney" was just bred into him.

BigRedDad · #5 08-14-2011, 10:51 AM

Disney's Magical Express...

Kilimanjaro Safari - we arrived and checked into Pop at about noon. Since it was going to be an early day, we went to AK. She was only 2, so that was the best start.

darthmacho · #6 08-14-2011, 10:59 AM

Good question!

Both daughters rode DUMBO for their very first ride, and for different reasons. My DD1, was only 2yo when we first took her to WDW in 2003, so we were very limited in the amount of rides she could go on. We chose Dumbo because it was a classic, an icon of the park, and I knew the lines would get long quickly, so as soon as we were done with our Crystal Palace breakfast, we went right over there. We talked about it a lot afterwards, so it really stuck in DD1's mind, which leads to...

In 2010, for our return trip to WDW. As I was making out our itinerary, I asked the girls now 9yo and 6yo, whether they wanted to go on Space Mountain or Splash Mountain for their first ride. Well, they huddled up, whispered a bit, and they both, resoundingly answered, "DUMBO!" I was surprised, but I realized that I had so heavily emphasized her first ride on Dumbo that DD1 could not wait to ride it again with DD2 as her first ride.

Meanwhile, we're hoping to go to WDW again next year, so I figured my DDs were going to be older now, and I asked them the same question, "Space or Splash Mountain?" Guess what we're going to start...you guessed it: DUMBO!

Sorry I was so long winded, but I thought it was a cute story...

ElenitaB · #7 08-14-2011, 12:27 PM

He was five and it was Dumbo

... and now, you're making me cry (I'm such a sentimental sap).

MrPeetrie · #8 08-14-2011, 12:32 PM

Triceratops Spins.

We checked in around noon at POR and headed straight to the Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom. My DD (then 17 mos.) was frightened by the animatronics. (We couldn't finish our meal.) We weren't sure what she'd enjoy after that. We walked around AK. She seemed to really like the atmosphere. When we came to Triceratops Spins, my wife asked if we should take her on. She loved it!!! Uppy down. Uppy down. It became the uppy-down ride. Then Dumbo became the uppy-down ride the next day. She ended up enjoying most every ride, even the Haunted Mansion. Loud attractions (like Lights, Motors, Action and fireworks) bothered her, though. Still do.

Today she is 8 and a Walt Disney World lover!!! We are taking our son this October on his first trip. Can't wait. Spaceship Earth will probably be his first ride. Or Living Seas with Nemo &Friends.

disney obsessed · #9 08-14-2011, 12:37 PM

Dumbo

mreinventtt · #10 08-14-2011, 01:25 PM

Great movie ride

Daisy'sMom · #11 08-14-2011, 01:32 PM

For each one of them, it was Dumbo. My grandson rode Dumbo also, just a few months ago. It brought back so many tears and memories for me. Where did the time go? Cherish each and every moment of your child's life.

mousetrapper · #12 08-14-2011, 01:33 PM

It's a Small World!

I know many people don't like this ride, but for us it sets the tone for WDW -- it's so "Disney." When we took our first family trip to WDW in 1999, our DDs were 8 and 5 years old. IASW is still the first ride we ride every trip, and we don't even force the kids to ride! They wouldn't have it any other way.

Goofy Forever · #13 08-14-2011, 01:44 PM

I don't remember what my son's first ride at WDW was. However, later that same afternoon, my son (8 mos at the time) fell asleep on the TTA. We rode that ride for 45 min straight until he woke up.

It was heaven!!!!

AllDisney · #14 08-14-2011, 02:41 PM

Dumbo. Daughter was 3 1/2.

VWL Mom · #15 08-14-2011, 03:36 PM

WDW Railroad

texas211 · #16 08-14-2011, 06:10 PM

Monorail if that counts.

Kairi_7378 · #17 08-14-2011, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darthmacho

Good question!
Sorry I was so long winded, but I thought it was a cute story...

It was a cute story! Thank you for sharing it! We are going to be there on DS's 3rd birthday and I know that Dumbo will be the first ride that day!

WDWForever · #18 08-15-2011, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedDad

Disney's Magical Express...

Ditto.

Carousel since it was the first thing my girls saw in Fantasyland. That and Small World have been their favorites.

RavsRuleDisney! · #19 08-15-2011, 10:29 AM

hmmm....will have to verify with the dw on this but probably dumbo or the caroussel in fantasyland

Bay Lake · #20 08-15-2011, 11:15 AM

The first ride I took my son on was the Train. He was a big fan of trains and for him to see a live steam engine up close was a big thrill for both of us.