Walt Disney World has so much magic to offer that it is impossible to get it all in during one Disney vacation. When planning a first trip to Walt Disney World, it can be hard to know what rides and experiences you should prioritize.
To help you figure out what rides you shouldn’t miss on your first trip to Walt Disney World, we have the ten rides we think all first-time visitors to Walt Disney World should experience.
These 10 rides might not be the most thrilling or most popular; however, they are ones that we think really make a Walt Disney World vacation special.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The first ride we think that all first-time visitors to Walt Disney World should experience is the outstanding Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This fantastic ride remains one of the most popular and advanced rides in Walt Disney World.
Guests join the Resistance as they help Rey, BB-8, and others. With multiple ride systems, this attraction is like nothing else in or out of the galaxy.
Avatar Flight of Passage – Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Our next ride for first-timers is over in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. On this ride, Guests are connected with their very own Banshee and then soar over Pandora’s breathtaking landscape.
The feeling of connecting to the Banshee as you fly around Pandora is amazing and truly makes you feel like you are flying throughout the land.
Because of how unique this experience is, we think it is a must-do for first-timers at Walt Disney World.
Guests can choose to wait in line for this ride, which can be over an hour sometimes, or consider purchasing an Individual Lightning Lane that allows you to skip the standby line. You can also use early entry if you are staying at a Disney Resort.
Soarin’ Around the World – EPCOT
Another ride we think is a must for first-time visitors to Walt Disney World is Soarin’ Around the World in EPCOT. On this ride, Guests soar over iconic and breathtaking views from around the world.
From the Eiffel Tower to the Great Wall of China and Spaceship Earth, Guests will be swept away by the beauty of our world as they glide over it.
This is a great ride for the morning or for using Genie+ if you choose to purchase it during your trip. Guests staying at a Walt Disney World deluxe or deluxe villa Resort can also enjoy Soarin’ during extended evening hours.
Spaceship Earth – EPCOT
Not a thrilling ride, but an iconic ride in EPCOT is our next must-do ride for first-timers to Walt Disney World. Spaceship Earth (not a golf ball) is the icon of EPCOT found at the front of the park. Inside, Guests travel through time as they take a look at how our communication has changed over time.
This is a slow-moving ride that might not be a super thrill, but it is a true look at what makes Walt Disney World and EPCOT special with the edutainment it offers.
Because it is so iconic, we think it is important for those visiting for the first time to experience it during their vacation.
Pirates of the Caribbean – Magic Kingdom
In Magic Kingdom, the top ride we think first-time visitors should experience is Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland. This ride has a little of everything: great animatronics, a small drop, and fun songs. All of these features join together to make a fantastic ride.
Since it is such an iconic and classic attraction, we think that first-time visitors to Magic Kingdom should take the time to ride Pirates of the Caribbean. They will get to see Disney storytelling at its finest.
Jungle Cruise – Magic Kingdom
Also in Magic Kingdom is the Jungle Cruise. First-time visitors will enjoy a boat tour through the rivers of Asia, Africa, and South America with a comedic tour guide.
We think that this is a must-do for first-time visitors because it showcases the creativity of Disney Cast Members as well as the magic of Disney.
This ride remains extremely popular, so Guests will want to rope drop it or consider using Genie+, early entry, or extended evening hours for shorter wait times.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – Magic Kingdom
First-time visitors should not miss Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the reimagined version of Splash Mountain, which opened in 2024. This ride immerses Guests in Princess Tiana’s world as they journey through the bayou accompanied by music from Disney’s The Princess and the Frog.
This thrilling and musical adventure is a wonderful way to experience Disney’s storytelling magic.
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
To truly experience the creativity and skills of Disney Imagineers, Guests need to ride the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. From the queue to the lobby and the actual ride itself, the creative and outstanding theming of this ride is among the best Disney has to offer.
Guests will love traveling into the 5th dimension as they drop into the infamous Hollywood Tower Hotel where the dusty lobby is stuck back in 1939. It is a fantastic and unique ride that first-time visitors will enjoy!
it’s a small world – Magic Kingdom
Even though it gets mixed reviews, we think that every first-time visitor to Walt Disney World should experience it’s a small world at least once during their vacation.
This iconic attraction is truly what Walt Disney World is about as kids from around the world are brought together in harmony.
For those visiting for the first time, we feel that this attraction is a must-do.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Our final ride for first-timers in Walt Disney World is Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway found in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The first ride to feature Mickey Mouse, this trackless ride is a fantastic experience that shouldn’t be missed.
Not only is it the only ride in all the Disney Parks featuring Mickey Mouse himself, but the technology is state of the art, bringing outstanding scenes to life as the audience rolls through.
There are so many outstanding rides throughout the four Disney Parks, but these are the top ten rides we think that first-timers should have on their priority list.
