Your kids are going to Disneyland for the first time - what would be the first thing that you would do when you get to the park - besides go in the front gate :rolleyes: The kids are all 4 to 9 years old. I know what I would do but I want their first impression to be magical.

It depends on the time of year...
Non holiday season:
I'd of course take them to see the castle!!! In the world of a child, seeing a real life castle up close and personal is something that you just can't beat. I think that that castle puts a value on imagination and fantasy, that kids just don't get from school, no matter how much you pay for education.
Holiday Season:
Deffinately to see the Christmas tree. I don't know about anyone else, but my world still revolves around christmas. Seeing a tree bigger than your own house is pretty spectacular!!!

Potc

I'd take them straight to Mickey Mouse. I think ToonTown opens later, but Mickey's usually around in the morning near the bank/Lincoln. Then go to the castle and Fantasyland. Peter Pan is less crowded first thing in the morning and a great start to a Disneyland day.

Pirates of the Caribbean, no question--

Or, if they are girls, It's a Small World.

My 6-y/o wouldn't do Pirates at 4.

First attraction for me would be Railroad- get the overview of the land, or go straight back to Small World. It won't be crowded early in the day because people go right and/or left to the coasters at rope drop. So uncrowded and classic.

Adrienne

My 6-y/o wouldn't do Pirates at 4. Adrienne

Good point, it definetly depends on the kids. My 4 year old loves Pirates, but there are lots of 4 year olds who might get scared by it.

She'd definetly flip at It's Tough to Be a Bug

From personal experience...we took my niece/nephews for their first time and the boys were a bit older....9/10 so I thought they would want to do the coaster range first...so that is how I plotted our route... and they did have fun but when it finally got dusk and the lights came up and we were walking 'thru the hub' my niece was DONE and wanted to go thru the Castle....so we did a detour and walked across the drawbridge, thru the Castle into Fantasyland....and my oldest nephew looked at me and said, Auntie NOW I feel like we're at Disneyland....so never under estimate that first time thru the Castle into Fantasyland.

Your kids are going to Disneyland for the first time - what would be the first thing that you would do when you get to the park - besides go in the front gate :rolleyes: The kids are all 4 to 9 years old. I know what I would do but I want their first impression to be magical.

I would have to say go straight down main street and go through the castle (but there is a problem)..right now they are refurbishing it for the 50th anniversary..I work at california adventure and have heard rumors from disneyland they have opened it temporaily..if it is open that would make any kid think disney is magic!!