Best Rides to Do First at Disney World (By Park)

The first hour of your Disney World day is the most valuable time you have. While most guests are still finishing breakfast or taking photos on Main Street, savvy park-goers are already experiencing 2-3 major attractions with minimal wait. The difference between choosing the right first ride and the wrong one can mean saving 60-90 minutes of queue time.

This guide breaks down exactly which rides to prioritize at park opening for each of the four Disney World parks, based on historical wait time data and crowd patterns.

Why Your First Ride Choice Matters

Park opening is when wait times are at their absolute lowest. By 10 AM, popular attractions like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Flight of Passage typically reach 60-120 minute waits. But if you're there at rope drop? Often 5-15 minutes.

The key is knowing which rides to tackle first, because not all attractions benefit equally from early arrival. Some rides maintain short waits throughout the day, while others become crowd magnets by mid-morning.

Magic Kingdom: Best Rides to Do First

Priority 1: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

This Fantasyland coaster consistently posts the longest waits at Magic Kingdom, often reaching 90-120 minutes by late morning. At rope drop, you can typically walk on or wait just 10-20 minutes. Head straight through the castle to Fantasyland and make this your first stop.

Priority 2: Space Mountain

The classic Tomorrowland thrill ride is your second target. After Seven Dwarfs, walk quickly to Space Mountain while crowds are still dispersed. Morning waits are usually 15-25 minutes versus 60+ later in the day.

Priority 3: Peter Pan's Flight

Despite being a slower-loading dark ride with limited capacity, Peter Pan generates surprisingly long waits (45-75 minutes midday). If you have young kids who won't ride Space Mountain, swap it for Peter Pan as your second attraction.

Alternative Strategy: Tron Lightcycle Run

If you're willing to use a virtual queue or individual Lightning Lane, Tron can be your first ride. However, Seven Dwarfs is usually the better rope drop choice since Tron offers virtual queue options throughout the day.

EPCOT: Best Rides to Do First

Priority 1: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

This is EPCOT's current headliner and the clear first-ride choice. The virtual queue fills up within seconds at 7 AM (you can join from anywhere, you don't need to be in the park). If you secure a virtual queue spot, use rope drop for other attractions. If you miss the virtual queue, head straight to Guardians when the park opens and use the standby line.

Priority 2: Test Track

After Guardians, make your way to Test Track in World Discovery. This high-capacity ride still builds significant lines (60+ minutes) by midday, but morning waits are typically 20-30 minutes.

Priority 3: Frozen Ever After

The Norway Pavilion's Frozen ride is the third priority, especially for families. This slow-loading boat ride develops 60-90 minute waits quickly. Walk through Future World to World Showcase and arrive before 9:30 AM for the shortest waits.

What to Skip at Rope Drop: Remy's Ratatouille Adventure loads efficiently and maintains more reasonable waits. Save it for late morning or afternoon.

Hollywood Studios: Best Rides to Do First

Priority 1: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Rise of the Resistance is the most technologically advanced attraction at Disney World and the most in-demand. Use the 7 AM virtual queue if available. If no virtual queue is offered, arrive at park opening and head directly to Galaxy's Edge. Expect 30-45 minutes even at rope drop, but that's far better than 120+ minutes later.

Priority 2: Slinky Dog Dash

After Rise (or if you have a virtual queue slot for later), head to Toy Story Land for Slinky Dog. This family coaster reaches 75-100 minute waits by mid-morning. At rope drop, you're looking at 20-35 minutes.

Priority 3: Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway

The newest non-thrill ride at Hollywood Studios, this trackless attraction is a smart third choice, especially for families with small children. Morning waits are 25-40 minutes versus 60+ later.

Advanced Strategy: If you secure a Rise of the Resistance virtual queue for late morning or afternoon, start with Slinky Dog, then Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, then use your virtual queue return time.

Animal Kingdom: Best Rides to Do First

Priority 1: Avatar Flight of Passage

This is the single highest-demand attraction at Animal Kingdom, regularly posting 90-150 minute waits by midday. At rope drop, head immediately to Pandora (turn right after passing the Oasis) and expect 15-30 minute waits. This attraction alone justifies arriving at park opening.

Priority 2: Kilimanjaro Safaris

After Flight of Passage, head to Africa for the safari. Morning is actually the best time for animal viewing as they're more active in cooler temperatures. Waits are typically 10-20 minutes at opening versus 45-60+ later.

Priority 3: Na'vi River Journey

If you have young children who can't ride Flight of Passage, do Na'vi River Journey first (it's right next door in Pandora), then proceed to the safari.

What to Skip: Expedition Everest is a high-capacity coaster that manages crowds well. While popular, it rarely exceeds 45-60 minute waits even on busy days. Save it for later.

What NOT to Do First

These attractions don't benefit significantly from rope drop strategy:

Magic Kingdom:

• Pirates of the Caribbean (high capacity, steady loading)
• Haunted Mansion (constant movement, reasonable waits)
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (good capacity, 30-45 min waits typical)

EPCOT:

• Soarin' (two theaters handle crowds well)
• Living with the Land (walk-on most of the day)
• Spaceship Earth (rarely exceeds 30 minutes)

Hollywood Studios:

• Tower of Terror (four shafts provide good capacity)
• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (efficient loading)

Animal Kingdom:

• Dinosaur (walk-on or short waits most days)
• Kali River Rapids (seasonal operation, moderate demand)

The pattern? High-capacity attractions with efficient loading systems don't need rope drop. Save your morning power hours for low-capacity, high-demand experiences.

How Park Autopilot Picks Your Best First Ride

While this guide provides general rope drop strategies, your optimal first ride depends on several personalized factors:

• Your party composition: Families with toddlers have different priorities than thrill-seekers
• Day of week: Weekends vs. weekdays affect crowd flow
• Special events: EPCOT festivals or Magic Kingdom parties change patterns
• Real-time conditions: Park hours, virtual queue availability, and live wait times

Park Autopilot analyzes all these variables in real-time to build your personalized itinerary. Instead of generic advice, you get specific directions: "Arrive at Magic Kingdom by 8:45 AM, head to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train first, then Space Mountain by 9:20 AM."

Our algorithm considers your family's preferences, current park conditions, and historical wait time data to maximize your day, starting with that crucial first attraction choice.

Key Takeaways

The best rides to do first at Disney World are:

• Magic Kingdom: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, then Space Mountain or Peter Pan's Flight
• EPCOT: Guardians of the Galaxy (via virtual queue or standby), then Test Track and Frozen Ever After
• Hollywood Studios: Rise of the Resistance (via virtual queue preferred), then Slinky Dog Dash
• Animal Kingdom: Avatar Flight of Passage, then Kilimanjaro Safaris

Strategy principles:

• Target low-capacity, high-demand attractions at rope drop
• Skip high-capacity rides that manage crowds efficiently
• Have a backup plan if your first choice has technical difficulties
• Move quickly but don't run (Disney policy prohibits running)

The first 90 minutes set the tone for your entire day. Make them count by choosing the right first ride, and you'll experience significantly more attractions with dramatically less waiting.

Ready to optimize your entire Disney day, not just your first ride? Park Autopilot creates hour-by-hour itineraries that maximize your time at all four parks, starting with the perfect rope drop strategy for your family.