I will never forget the first time I experienced...

[Aurora]

Remember that feeling of awe you had when you experienced a particular Disney attraction for the first time? Getting off a ride or out of a show and saying, "That was so cool!" or something to that effect.

Which one springs to mind immediately?

I'll start with one that, I think, most people won't put on the top of their list: Catastrophe Canyon at the Backstage Tour at (then) Disney MGM Studios.

We rode this soon after the park's opening, and we were blown away. Between the flames' heat and the water pouring down from the rocks and over the tram, it was awesome -- so much fun.

What attraction blew your mind the first time you saw it?

[TinkerbellT421]

Soarin! first time I rode it I was in complete astonishment of how they associated the scents and music with the scenes. The whole experience blew me away! and how I really feel like I'm soaring over California!!

[Main Street Jim]

Hands down: Horizons.

Journey Into Imagination is a *very* close second, followed by The Living Seas. Pretty much any of the original Future World attractions.

[EpcotFan182]

another vote for Soarin! I was totally blown away when I first went on it.

[Melanie]

Really, really good topic. I'll have to think on this one.

[Gator]

I'm sure I'll have more later, but the first one that comes to mind is from 2002. It was our first trip to WDW on our honeymoon, and day #2 which we spent at MGM Studios as it was known. We boarded Rockin'Rolloercoaster because we thought it would be fun. We had no idea what was going to happen on it. It was 3 seconds of excitement I'll never forget. It's all we could talk about until we came back two years later.

[Gator]

Oh, another one. Can't believe I didn't think of this first. It was from the same trip in 2002. We got a decent spot to view Illuminations. I thought it was a great show, and then it slowed down for the finale. When the "star burst" portion of the ending hit, I was in shock. In fact, I videotaped it and you can hear me screaming like crazy. I still love that ending.

Great thread! Makes me remember why I continue to go back. It all started with the first trip.

[retiredfigment]

Aurora, we went on CatastropheCanyon that first summer too. It was awesome. Everyone was screaming, especially DD! Went on it a few years later and was disappointed at how theyy 'tamed' it

[barnaby]

The first time I rode Expedition Everest.
The queue, the theming, going backwards fast in the dark, seeing the Yeti - all stick in my mind.

[Joannelet]

I will never forget the first time I walked through the Osborne Festival of Lights at DHS. It was truly an amazing and unexpected experience! I was there on the college program and was missing home for the upcoming holidays. I was doing some shopping in DHS when a cast member stopped me and told me that I had to stay and see this. They handed me 3D glasses and told me to wait. (the glasses made angels around all the lights when you looked at them.) this was in 1998.
What I was really missing was snow! I am from NJ and well Florida doesn't see the white stuff.
So I waited by a rope. Suddenly Minnie came out with Pluto. The story started playing about how it came to be there.....and the lights went on!
Then Minnie and Pluto dropped the rope. Minnie (who is my fav!) walked through with me, pointing at all the lights etc. when I turned the corner there it was.....SNOW! Bubbly snow falling on my head i will never forget that first time!
I still love those lights!

[Dopey's Girl]

Good one!!

I'd have to say my first ride on Tower of Terror. I had avoided it for a while (can you say chicken?!) so when I finally entered the lobby, I was blown away by the details. I'm pretty sure I laughed the whole ride, amazed by the fact that I had been missing this crazy ride for so long. I mean come on, it lifts my pooh sized rump out if the seat. That's just awesome!

[darthmacho]

Well, I have a few actually, and for different reasons...

• ...the Wilderness lodge Lobby. Not an attraction, I know, but the first time I walked into it, it blew my mind.
• ...Space Mountain, because it was the very first WDW attraction I ever experienced.
• ...Dinosaur, because I believe this will be the closest I'll ever get to being in the presence of real dinosaurs, and when that carnotaur charged at our vehicle, it was exhilarating.
• ...Soarin', because I expected this attraction to be overrated, and it actually exceeded all of my expectations.

[mgmnut]

The first time I rode Expedition Everest.
The queue, the theming, going backwards fast in the dark, seeing the Yeti - all stick in my mind.

I will have to second Everest, we got to see the contruction of it early on with the track all exposed on an earlier trip in 2004. I couldn't wait to ride it in 2006 and it did not dissapoint, especially sice the Yeti was working. I couldn't believe how fluid he was when he moved.

Great thread!

[EeyoresBestFriend]

I will never forget the first (and only time) that I experienced the Tapestry of Nations parade in 2000. It was an amazing experience and still one of my favourite memories.

[Ms. Mode]

Soarin! first time I rode it I was in complete astonishment of how they associated the scents and music with the scenes. The whole experience blew me away! and how I really feel like I'm soaring over California!!

Exactly! But, I also remember the first time I stepped into Epcot, with the music playing and the fountains roaring.

[TinkerbellT421]

Exactly! But, I also remember the first time I stepped into Epcot, with the music playing and the fountains roaring.

Definitely! I also couldn't believe how well they synch the music with the dancing fountain!

[Lindsey310]

December 2011 was the first time I had been down for the holiday decorations. The first time I saw those Osborne family dancing lights, I was in awe. I had never seen anything like that and it was spectacular!!!!!!! I loved going to Disney at that time of year!

Ride wise is tough, there are so many great rides! I would probably have to say splash mountain. I rode it for the first time when I was a kid and fell in love. Still to this day one of my favorite rides.

[Lindsey310]

Oh! And loved the Main street electrical parade!!! Beautiful!!!


15 days!!!

[BigRedDad]

The first time my DD went to WDW and the only time she got to go with her grandpa. I think this is one of the main reasons we still stay at Pop Century.

I think my dad knew something was wrong. He took trips with all of the family that year. The way he and my daughter played and interacted was so special.

So, I will never forget the first time my DD went and the last time my father went.

[sorcerer fan]

another vote for Tapestry of Nations . the rotating drums just were wild