Choosing Your Child's First Disney World Ride: Things to Consider

Taking your child on their first trip to Walt Disney World is a milestone moment for many families. A key part of that milestone is selecting which Disney ride will be their first.

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During my initial trip to Walt Disney World, the first ride my family went on was Space Mountain. I was 10 years old at the time and this was my first real roller coaster. I’m prone to motion sickness so this was not my ideal way to start a vacation, but was able to quickly recover and move on to enjoy the rest of the visit. My sister was five years old and this was also her first roller coaster. Rather than experiencing the ride as mildly unsettling as I did, she experienced it with abject terror. She became convinced that every ride would be frighting and subsequently screamed prior to every attraction that was not fully visible from the start.

While Space Mountain was obviously a problematic first Disney World attraction choice for my five-year-old sister, it might be the perfect first ride for someone older, or with more amusement park experience, or who had been better prepared for what to expect.

Here are some things to think about as you choose your child’s first Walt Disney World ride.

How old is your child?

There is obviously a huge difference between choosing a first ride for a baby versus choosing a first ride for a tween. Not least among your concerns is the rides’ posted height requirements. But beyond that, age often comes with emotional maturity. In the example above, neither my sister nor I loved Space Mountain, but because I was older, I was better able to regulate my emotions and logically process that not all rides would have the same characteristics.

Another thing to consider is that below the age of about 18 months, a child’s reaction to a ride may more influenced by your demeanor and the general sounds and colors rather than the full experience of the ride. For example, Haunted Mansion is an all-ages attraction with no minimum height requirement. A ten month old baby might be perfectly content to sit on mom’s knee and watch the silly singing figures. On the other hand, a three year old preschooler might have more awareness that the darkness and skeletons signify “spooky and scary.” Haunted Mansion might be a fine first ride choice for a lap baby, but a disaster for a toddler.

On the other end of the spectrum, choosing a first ride that’s too juvenile might not work for an older elementary age child. Putting a nine year old on Dumbo or it’s a small world as a first attraction might put them in a “Disney is for babies” mindset that could influence their overall perception of your vacation. Something like Pirates of the Caribbean or Big Thunder Railroad might be a better choice for an older child.

Does your child have any experience with rides in general?

There are local expos, county fairs, amusement parks, and theme parks all over the world. If your child has been to many other attraction venues and been on dark rides, spinner, and coasters, and reacted well to these, then you’ll likely need to be less precious about selecting the perfect attraction to be their first WDW experience.

How long is the wait?

Attraction wait times vary from nothing to several hours. A ride with a brief wait time is a better choice for a first ride. A long wait gives more time for a child to develop jitters and can put the entire family in a sour mood, making the ride less enjoyable in general.

How long is the ride?

A ride on Goofy’s Barnstormer lasts just 21 seconds. The similarly challenging Big Thunder Railroad lasts about two and a half minutes. There are several attractions at WDW that last more than ten minutes (among them are Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, it’s a small world, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. If you’re concerned about a child’s reaction to a certain type of ride, then a shorter choice might be better. On the other hand, a long ride might allow a child to amicably settle in to an attraction, creating a fond memory, or it might spur boredom or frustration. Only you know what your child’s attention span can handle.

Is the ride visible in advance?

Some children are skeptical about any new experience that they can’t full assess in advance. For this type of youngster, a choice like Dumbo, the teacups, the carousel, Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, or Magic Carpets of Aladdin, all of which can be fully seen from spaces outside the ride, might provide them some piece of mind leading to a better overall experience.

Do you want a first ride photo op?

For many vacationers, a child’s first ride must be fully documented – either for the family album or for social media. If you want great photos of a first attraction, you’ll want to choose something that is well lit, colorful, and doesn’t move too fast. It’s a small world is a classic that meets all these criteria.

How is the ride seating configured?

I’m convinced that part of my sister’s adverse reaction to Space Mountain had to do with the attraction vehicle configuration. On Space Mountain, guests are seated in a single-file line, not next to their companions, making you feel like you’re riding alone. Avatar Flight of Passage has a similar I’m-on-my-own vibe. Even something as seemingly benign as the carousel could be problematic because a child will alone on a horse, even if a parent is standing nearby. Consider whether your child will have a better first ride experience if they are seated next to one, or both, parents.

To see what all the WDW attraction vehicles look like, consult our vehicle guides to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Are there any fear triggers for your child?

Just like adults, many children come with their own built-in fears and anxieties. Maybe they are afraid of the dark, or wary of heights, or don’t like bears, or snakes, or dogs. Be sure that whatever ride you’re choosing for a first attraction doesn’t trigger one of their aversions. For example, the Magic Kingdom’s Peter Pan attraction is short and mild, but it does feature a toothy crocodile. This ride might be a good first experience for some, but might be awful for a child with a fear of large reptiles.

Does your child have a particular affinity for a specific character or Disney IP?

On the plus side of the decision spectrum, children often have a positive first ride experience if they already have a pleasant association with some character or story element of the attraction. For example, an Ariel fan might have a great first experience on the Magic Kingdom’s Little Mermaid attraction or a Pooh fan might enjoy the Winnie the Pooh ride.

What time of day is it? Is your child well rested?

Nothing seems enjoyable to me when I’m over tired. This happens with children as well. If you want them to have a great first ride experience, make sure that your child is in a state that allows this.

Are there other physical factors to consider?

Is it too hot out? Is your child hungry? Do they have any medical issues or special needs that need to be addressed? If you wouldn’t be your best self or otherwise comfortable on an attraction, it’s unrealistic to expect that your child would be any different. If you want to have a wonderful first ride experience, then you may want to postpone your attempt until all the necessary ingredients are in place.

Are there sentimental factors to consider?

Some families have traditions where Dumbo (for example) is every sibling’s first Disney ride. Or maybe Pirates of the Caribbean was Dad’s first attraction and they want to replicate that for the next generation. Sometimes you have to honor the family lore.

Do I know what the ride really is?

In fairness to my parents, our first WDW trip was pre-internet and I don’t think they knew what sort of attraction Space Mountain was. That sort of excuse is long gone. There are hundreds of videos of every Disney attraction readily available on YouTube.

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Taking a quick look at possible first ride choices might avert some problems. For example, the otherwise cheery Little Mermaid ride features a giant Ursula, the Jungle Cruise is silly and bright except for a long dark tunnel, and the Frozen attraction at EPCOT is a slow water ride with princesses until there’s a snow monster and a backward slide down a hill. Those things might pose no problem for some children and they might totally derail others.

Date: May 13,

During its 119th operating year in ,Hersheypark amusement park will celebrate milestone anniversaries of five of its family-friendly rides and thrilling roller coasters. Read on to learn about 50 years of Kissing Tower and Twin Turnpike, 25 years of Lightning Racer, 10 years of Laff Trakk and 5 years since the historic Hershey’s Chocolatetown expansion with Candymonium hyper coaster.

50 Years of Kissing Tower

An iconic landmark and the tallest point in The Sweetest Place On Earth, Kissing Tower opened 50 years ago in the former “Minetown” region of Hersheypark with an official dedication ceremony on May 18, . In , the region was renamed to Kissing Tower Hill after the popular attraction.

Guests of all height categories from Hershey's Miniatures to Jolly Rancher board an enclosed circular gondola and sit on benches as they ascend high above Hersheypark while learning about the history of the town rooted in chocolate. The gentle cabin ride offers panoramic views of the 121-acre amusement park and downtown Hershey, Pa., from up to 250 feet in the air through Hershey's Kisses-shaped windows. 

Kissing Tower is open for all four seasons at Hersheypark, weather permitting. During Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, the family-friendly attraction provides a sweet aerial view of the more than 5 million lights decking the amusement park. Plus, a lighted Christmas tree is placed atop the Kissing Tower to add to the merry and bright ambiance. Throughout the holiday season, guests can also see a Kissing Tower light display at Hershey Sweet Lights drive-through holiday light attraction. 

Fun fact: there is a replica Kissing Tower in the center of Hersheypark Supply Co., a 10,000-square-foot flagship store located in the Hershey's Chocolatetown region.

50 Years of Turnpike

Beep, beep! Twin Turnpike presented by Sunoco turns 50 this year! The mid-thrill ride opened to the public on May 18, , according to the Times Tribune. 

Guests of all Hershey’s height categories can choose from two tracks - Classic Cars with antique autos or Speedway with sports cars. Both tracks are open for all four seasons, weather permitting, in the Kissing Tower Hill region of Hersheypark. The ride envelope is specially decorated for Hersheypark Halloween and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane.

25 Years of Lightning Racer

This year marks a quarter of a century since the race between thunder and lightning began in Hershey, Pa. On May, 13, , Lightning Racer opened in the Midway America region at Hersheypark as the first racing, dueling wooden coaster in the United States.

The double-track coaster built by Great Coasters International (GCI) features two staggered lifts along 3,400 feet of track on each side. This unique ride element creates a thrilling level of competition for riders of Hershey's height category (48-54") and above.

Throughout the 1-minute, 20-second ride, Lightning Racer reaches a height of 90 feet and a maximum speed of 50 mph. Although you see lightning before you hear thunder, the winner of Lightning Racer is primarily based on the weight of each Millenium Flyer train.

Lightning Racer is open during spring weekends, summer and Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights. In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Lightning Racer was profiled in a behind-the-scenes off-season maintenance feature story. 

10 Years of Laff Trakk

Laff Trakk opened on May 23, , as the first indoor, spinning, glow-coaster in the United States. The family-friendly house of laughs spins riders of Reese’s height category (42-48”) and above through an exciting adventure of sights and sounds during the 1-minute, 10-second ride. 

Those brave enough to conquer the fun house of the 21st century will catch a glimpse of colorful characters, a dizzying hall of mirrors and more. Laff Trakk reaches a maximum height of 51 feet and a maximum speed of 40 mph. 

Given its indoor location, Laff Trakk is open for all four seasons at Hersheypark. During Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights, the lights are turned off inside Laff Trakk for a completely unique and thrilling experience. For the holidays, riders will find the indoor coaster decorated with a large Christmas tree in the center.

5 Years of Candymonium

It’s hard to believe that marks five years since Hersheypark unlocked an all-new chapter Where Fun Meets Chocolate with the opening of its $150 million Hershey’s Chocolatetown region. The 23-acre development celebrates the life and legacy of Milton S. Hershey by bringing people together for happiness, fun and, of course, chocolate. 

Over the last five years, guests entering Hersheypark have been welcomed by the sound of Hersheypark Happy screams from riders on Candymonium, a hyper coaster that opened on July 3, , as the tallest, fastest, longest and sweetest coaster at the amusement park. The one-of-a-kind Bolliger & Mabillard attraction features a 4,636-foot milk chocolate track spanning seven acres in Hershey's Chocolatetown. 

Riders of Twizzlers height category (54-60”) and above embark on a heart-pounding, 210-foot ascent up the tallest hill in Hersheypark, then dip into thrilling drops reaching a max speed of 76 mph. Seven camelback hills and a 123-degree hammerhead curve serve up the ultimate feeling of freedom with a ton of airtime. The finishing touch is an impressive panoramic banked curve that wraps around the iconic Kisses Fountain. The World’s Sweetest Coaster merges fun and iconic Hershey brands to provide a thrilling roller coaster experience only found in The Sweetest Place On Earth.

Celebrate at Hersheypark

During your visit to Hersheypark, why not grab some special anniversary swag to mark the occasion? Now available in Hersheypark Supply Co. and Coaster Collectibles, you can find unique anniversary designs celebrating Kissing Tower and Lightning Racer. Select anniversary items, along with other great Hersheypark merchandise, can be found on our online store.

For more information, please visit Flying Chair.