As our first family trip to Disney World approached, I realized that my 6 year old had never experienced the thrill of a roller coaster ride before!
This could be BAD.
We all know how kids can be and if he hated the first ride he would probably refuse to ride others as well, which would put a damper on our magical Disney vacation.
If you find yourself looking for the perfect first beginner Roller Coasters at Disney World there are definitely a few things to consider. Keep in mind I’m leaving off rides/ attractions that are good for ALL ages and keeping it to more traditional roller coasters.
Outdoor Roller Coasters Are Good For Beginners
Part of the thrill of Space Mountain and Rockin’ Roller Coaster comes from the dark surroundings and not knowing exactly what is going to come next. It’s also that type of thrill that may be just enough to push your little one over the edge towards a less than magical experience.
However there are PLENTY of outdoor rollercoasters that allow for full visibility which should help you or your child get used to the whole shebang!
NO Loop – de – Loops
Personally I LOVE hanging upside down on a roller coaster, but loop – de- loops (and even corkscrews) can be down right terrifying to rollercoaster newbies. So look for smooth tracks with NO moments spent upside down.
Themes Can Go A LONG Way
While certainly not the ONLY factor to consider, if your child LOVES a certain Disney movie it’s definitely worth taking that into consideration.
After all even the most patient parent would find it slightly frustrating to wait in line for 45 minutes only to have them get scared and bail at the last minute. Being surrounded by their favorite characters may go a long way to ease their fears and keep them distracted!
The Best Beginner Rollercoasters for Kids at Disney World
1 ) Slinky Dog Dash
Between the dearly beloved characters, the interactive line, the awesome visibility and fairly easy track this ride is an entire experience in itself!
If you notice your little one starts getting antsy you can point out the antics of the MANY characters along the way, offering a temporary distraction and possibly changing the entire experience!
However the line can get LONG quickly so it’s good to have other options!
2 ) Big Thunder Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain doesn’t take a lot of sudden turns or twists and the line has few gizmos for little ones to mess with, however the ride definitely is not not the smoothest and it can be a bit loud!
3 ) Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Hi Ho Hi Ho it’s off on a roller coaster we go!
The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is another great first time roller coaster option because of the animatronic character “experiences” that break up the ride! Once again the track is fairly easy for a first timer and there are no “surprises” that may jolt the newbie even further out of their comfort zone.
4) The Barnstormer
Back to more of a traditional roller coaster the Barnstormer is another option for a first time roller coaster experience. The line does tend to be a bit more boring than the other options on the list (but then again it’s often shorter as well). While by far not one of my favorite roller coasters at the parks, it can be a solid option for newbies!
We ended up riding Slinky Dog Dash first, and my six year old LOVED it enough where before long he was willing to give more exciting rides like Space Mountain a try!
If your child doesn’t come around and attempts to boycott rides, go take a break and buy a treat then go try one of the rides that even infants can ride!
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