1st Visit Age & Ride Opinions

[big blue and hairy]

This has always been interesting to me. Your age at your first visit has to have a big affect on what rides you like the most. Of course you've found new rides you like, but for instance DW first went to WDW as a small child when it was just the MK, so as you can imagine she loves It's A Small World.

The first time I ever went to WDW, I was 29, on my honeymoon and there were three parks, so my opinion is a little different. I HATE IASW . Don't get me wrong, I'm not for getting rid of it, I just don't want to ride it, but I do for DW.

DW, and I agree though on a different ride, because we experienced it for the first time together. Neither one of us want anything to do with JIY, and yes we've ridden every freakin' version

Again, this isn't a bashing thread, I'm just curious how your age on your first visit affects the way you look at certain attractions. They should stay, I should just stay away from them...

[joonyer]

I was 15 years old when I first went to MK in 1971, the first year it opened. I still have fond memories of 20,000 Leagues under the sea, mainly because I though the subs were so cool looking. By the time I got to take my own children, 20K was gone, which has always been a disappointment to me. My favorite attraction now is Splash Mountain, which wasn't there in 1971, so my age at first visit didn't affect my favorite ride now. I still love Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise. I even thought Country Bear Jamboree was cool then, although now it is in dire need of rehab. I even liked the Tiki Room in 1971, but it has pretty much been ruined now. I also really miss not being able to take my kids on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.

[biodtl]

Yeah - I think the nostalgia factor definitely has something to do with it. I started going as a young child in the early/mid 70's and IASW, PP and Dumbo are always faves.

And at non-WDW parks, I am an adreneline junkie, so it's not that I just like mild rides better.

[McGoofy]

I was 9 in 1980 the very first time that I went to WDW. My mom was scared of roller coasters, so my dad and I braved Space Mountain together without her. I loved riding that with him, and I felt so big and brave. Space Mountain is still today one of my favorites at MK. When we go to MK, it sort of a tradition with our family that Space Mountain is always the last ride of the night for us just to end on our favorite ride. (That would be after riding it a few times during the day as well!)

Now my son was 22 months old the very first time we took him. The only thing that he still likes that he rode back then is the teacups. He's almost 10 now, and he thinks he's too big for Winnie the Pooh, Dumbo, IASW, etc... (We still go on some of those things though!!)

[Mickey91]

I went the first time when I was two. IASW is my favorite along with Dumbo, the Carousel and Peter Pan. I also loved the skyway and Carousel of Progress.

I also have to say, I enjoy all the rides as they were when I originally saw them. JIYI should have Dreamfinder and the second level. Spaceship Earth should have Tomorrow's Child, Horizons and World of Motion and Wonders of Life should all still be there. And last but not least, I miss the MAIN STREET ELECTRICAL PARADE!!!

[KineGirl]

I was 22 (1994) for my first trip to WDW and my favorite ride was and still is HM though POTC is a very very close second

[Dulcee]

I was under a year old (21 years ago now ) and the first ride my parents took me on was Small World followed by Peter Pan. Every time I go now that is always how I open my WDW vacation.

[cal5755]

I was 11 when I first visited WDW and my favorite ride was actually in Epcot. It was JIYI. I bought everything Figment. First family trip was in 2003 and I was sooooo sad to see the updated version was so terrible. It is so not my favorite ride anymore.

I can't say I even have a favorite as an adult as there are so many awesome rides in the World.... I think Splash Mountain is top notch because you get it all... the show, the music and the thrill all in one... and it is such a LOOOOONG ride... oh yeah and it is refreshing too.

[chicklittlemom]

This has always been interesting to me. Your age at your first visit has to have a big affect on what rides you like the most. Of course you've found new rides you like, but for instance DW first went to WDW as a small child when it was just the MK, so as you can imagine she loves It's A Small World.

I have to admit, this is me, too!!

First trip- 7 months old and MK had just opened! (I even have a pic to prove it) I can't help it.. I still love IASW. I will never forget the 1st times I took my kids on it either. They loved it as well, but won't admit to it now

[Figment104]

I was 18 months old the first time I went and we only went to MK so now the first park I have to go to no matter what is MK and the last park I go to before we leave to go home has to be MK.
For rides BTMRR is the one for me. I was 3 and a half years old (you can imagine I must have been a pretty tall kid) and I went on it with my dad and every time we went the two of us always would go on it together. Now it's one of my favorites for me and my DH.

[hooberry]

I think for me it is a nostalgia factor, since I have been going since I was a young child MK is my all time favorite because IASW and Peter Pan. It just makes me feel like a kid again. Now I love taking my little one on those rides too

[loopner67]

I went to WDW when I was 8, so I love any of the nostalgia type rides, even IASW (which I had to look up by the way to figure out what it meant ). I will admit that I don't always have the patience for the lines that Dumbo has even though I love this ride. It just takes so long to get on it when it's even remotely busy in MK.

[SpecJoe Magic]

I was only 6 months old during my first WDW visit in 1981. Needless to say, I don't remember anything about that particular visit, but it was the beginning of my lifelong affection for WDW. It was a tradition for many years that Pirates of the Caribbean was the first attraction that we visited on every trip. We don't always do that nowadays, but we still tend to head towards Adventureland first. I imagine that I'll always have a special connection to Pirates of the Caribbean because of that tradition.

[#1donaldfan]

I was around 10 when I first went to Disney and I still remember 20g leagues under the sea, and once our kids came around we waited till #3 became 5 before going....through little research and foresight, I arrived ready to ride 20gs with the kids, that's all I talked about, (maybe a little of SM), I still remembered how to get to the ride and I almost ran straight to the former site, to find Pooh's playground or Ariel's Grotto. Still, not yet discouraged, I asked a CM to point me in the right direction, that I must be turned around, and at that point I learned that Disney has changed and taken away some old and incorporated in some new.......not to worry, we had a great first vacation to Disney together, and have had many since then.....I just learned that researching for upcoming trips is a must !!!!! I'm off topic, aren't I ????

[Venus0880]

Lets see...my brother was 6 weeks that means i was 14 months and my older sister pushing 3 years. I don't know how my parents did it. My younger sister was born a year and a half after my brother and we made it nearly every weekend until i was 10 (I lived in Florida). I don't remember anything specific before maybe 4 years old, but I still have memories of going. I remember that Polynesian and Contemporary gaming room most of all. That was when it was way cheaper. Ah, the good old days when my parents paid for my vaca's. I vow to take my child (none, yet) as early as financially possible in order to give them the same joyful memories. Boy, I can't wait to move back to the sunshine state.

[tinksmom02]

Space Mountain will always hold a special place in my heart, because my parents wouldn't let me ride it on my first trip, when I was 11. So now it's on my "must-do" list each trip, and hopefully DD will be tall enough to ride it in September!

DD5's favorite ride is IASW. I don't know what it is about that ride, but we have to ride it at least twice each time we're in MK.

I don't think DH has a favorite ride...but I know his LEAST favorite ride is Splash Mountain--he hates getting wet!

[WelshieLover]

After reading this thread now I understand why I love Adventureland the best. My first visit we went directly to Adventureland. The Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse and The Pirates of the Caribbean are near and dear to me heart. This is back when there were really "E ticket" rides

[teambricker04]

The first time I went, I was 12. I remember that I HATED the Tiki Room. BLUCK! All I could hear each time I thought of it was, "In the Tiki tiki tiki tiki room..." Over and over and over and over. I never went in again... UNTIL... I had my first DS. We went into get a break from the heat (he was 10mo) and guess what?!?!? HE LOVED IT. He still likes it at 3yo. When we went when he was nearly two (his 4th trip to WDW!) he danced front and center. We had people coming up to him afterwards telling him what a great dancer he was. That sealed it... now it is one of my favorite places to go because he likes it sooo much and I have such great memories of him loving it. It will probably change again when he and his brother get older and tell me its lame, but for now it is a must see.

His first memories of going are really just forming now... his absolute must see is the Castle, and I am sure when he is my age that is what he'll write about.

[Jodileigh]

I think I was nine. Sad, but my exact age at the time escapes me! And my first trip was to DL. Strangely, no one ride sticks out in my head! What DOES stand out was the fact the my whole family was enthralled by the magic! Even my brother and I got along! Since then, the magic is a part of me and I love it! For my boys, Brandon was 13 mo old on his first trip and now, even at 13 yrs old, he is addicted! He can't get enough of it, just like me. He likes all the rides and shows! Justin was 2 on his first trip. He loves it, too, but is definitely drawn to very specific things. His magic is not as widespread as Brandon's and mine. He could live just fine w/out ever seeing IASW again! He sits through COP with Brandon and I, but doesn't quite get the magic of it! He loves it, but isn't quite the addict I am! Even at 8! But there's still time for me to turn him around!

[elmjimmlm]

I dont remember alot of my first trip but I do remember Space Mountain...MK was the only park that was open at the time so for me it has to be the whole park itself that is my favorite...