Start Soft: Why Your First Disneyland Ride Matters (a lot more than you'd think)
I made a classic rookie mistake on our first Disneyland trip with little kids: I led with my heart, not my head.
It was the season of Haunted Holiday Mansion— Haunted Mansion being my all-time favorite ride. I have crystal-clear memories of riding it with my mom and grandpa when I was nearly four, the same magical year The Little Mermaid was released. So naturally, I wanted to share that nostalgia with my own kids.
Cue the tears.
As it turns out, Haunted Mansion, even with its festive Nightmare Before Christmas overlay, is still very much a haunted house. Jack Skellington literally shatters a stained glass window with a ghostly "BOOM!" right at the beginning. Super cool when you’re 30 - something. Absolutely terrifying when you’re 3.
Then we doubled down with Pirates of the Caribbean—a cannon-blasting, skeleton-filled voyage through murky waters. Honestly, not our best sequence of ride choices for first-timers. Our nephew’s had an equally unpleasant experience with his first ride, Peter Pan’s Flight, which seems like a gentle choice until you remember—you’re flying over a dark London night with ominous music and zero lighting. Not exactly soothing.
If we could do it all over again, we’d absolutely start with something cheerful and safe: Dumbo, the Carousel, the Tea Cups, or It’s a Small World. Bright, musical, non-threatening—perfect for little ones who are still figuring out what Disneyland even is.
Fantasyland warning: Avoid Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, Pinocchio, or even Alice in Wonderland until you’ve broken the ice with lighter rides. They’re charming for grownups, but those creepy forests, loud sound effects, and sudden villains? Way too much for brand-new Mouseketeers.
But here’s the plot twist: kids are unpredictable.
Fast forward a bit, and our once-nervous daughter rode Guardians of the Galaxy before she even turned 4. Somehow, the dark tower, rocket-launch-style drops, and loud music didn’t faze her one bit. In fact, it’s now also my youngest’s favorite ride. Go figure.
Pro tip: Start soft. Let them warm up to the magic before diving into the darkness (literal or figurative). Your kids—and their nap schedules—will thank you.
