What is the best 'first coaster' for kids at Disney?

I used to always answer Thunder Mountain but I think Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is probably a better half step in between a proper kiddie coaster and a “grown up” coaster. The caveat here being that SDMT is still labeled as a family coaster, so if that terminology renders it moot then Thunder is the best gateway drug.

Aren't all Disney Coaster's, Kid coasters....

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Without answering the question asked but going for the spirit of the question, I think that Splash Mountain is the perfect introduction to "roller coasters" as far as experiencing the sensation. Plus you have some moments of calm to prepare them pre drops and comfort them post drop. I think it's a better experience than some head knocking coaster that you guys are straight jacketed to and can't even touch each other.

I haven't had a chance to ride Tron yet, but I don't think you can call any coaster with a 48" height requirement a good "first coaster". First coasters (beyond kiddie coasters) should be limited to those with a height requirement of no more than 42-44", so even though I can't evaluate Tron since I haven't personally ridden it, I think it should be disqualified because of its height restriction.

I think the easy choice is 7DMT, but in my view the coaster sections are just so short and the swinging carts lacking dynamism that it's really nothing more than a glorified kiddie coaster with a gimmick train that doesn't actually do anything. I would say the same about BTMRR, which is the same disguised as a traditional mine train. Aside from the final helix through the geysers, there's nothing intense about the coaster, and I feel that both the Barnstormer and Gadget's Go Coaster are both more intense than BTMRR.

I think Space Mountain is a good coaster, and the coaster-in-the-dark novelty and the overall mystique of the attraction put it on a high bar. However, is it really the BEST coaster for first timers to make the jump from kiddie coasters to "real" coasters? I think that Everest is actually a better ride in that it's smoother, faster, includes dark sections, and even a dynamic gimmick (backwards section) that delivers some real thrills, not artificially generated thrills from turning out the lights to fool riders into thinking they're moving faster than they really are. Of the 2, I would probably steer guests to Everest over Space Mountain, because it's the better experience overall, and comes closer to being like a real roller coaster than either US-based Space Mountain (I would easily rank DL's ahead of MK's for what it's worth).

I think there's some justification for ranking SDD at the top of a first coaster list, because it is more like many modern roller coasters with LSM launches and a fun layout with decent forces without being unapproachable. With so many newer coasters featuring launches, SDD actually is a better first coaster to help inexperienced riders get used to what they will find on many other modern coasters around the world.

However, the BEST first coaster at an American Disney park is actually more iconic than Space Mountain - and conspicuously not mentioned here. The Matterhorn was the world's first steel tubular coaster, and is actually pretty similar to MK's Space Mountain, just placed in an outdoor setting (with a few indoor sections). The Matterhorn has excellent theming, lots of different types of forces, and even a splash down section (for puckpilgrim who wanted to espouse Splash Mountain). Sure, the Matterhorn isn't the smoothest coaster, though it's not any rougher than MK's Space Mountain, but because you can see most of the track, you can brace/prepare yourself for what's about to happen instead of getting flung into unknown directions while riding in the darkness on Space Mountain. The other benefit of the Matterhorn is that the Yetis actually WORK, unlike the massive animatronic on Everest that's been in "Disco" mode for decades. I think if you're a young or inexperienced coaster rider, The Matterhorn is the perfect gateway to the wonderful world of roller coasters with it's dynamic, but not too intense, layout, excellent theming, and long, fulfilling experience.

When my family went to Disneyland in 2023, my sister's son was four years old, figured we'd break him in with Gadget Coaster. Instead, he was all set for Big Thunder and then Space Mountain, twice each. He was totally fine with it, loved both so it can depend.

Russell got it first and he put it so eloquently...

Matterhorn Bobsleds. That ride is loads of fun too.

At the Disneyland Resort, the best pick is Chip & Dale's Gadget Coaster. Yes, I know it's just a junior coaster, but it's very visible to kids so they can see exactly what it does before they climb aboard. Additionally, it's a short ride, so if the kid winds up not liking it they're not subject to three rounds of coaster (which is the main reason it beats out Big Thunder Mountain Railroad for me).

The worst pick at Disneyland Resort (excluding the obvious Incredicoaster) is the ride mentioned above: Matterhorn Bobsleds. There are three reasons for this: 1. It is a rough ride that might be off-putting to those not expecting such aggressive sensations, 2. The ride both has significant dark sections and animatronics that might frighten younger riders, and 3. All riders must sit individually, so kids are entirely on their own without anyone to hold onto.

Over at Walt Disney World, I'd probably say Slinky Dog Dash is a slightly better pick than Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, but I don't think you can really go wrong with either choice. The first has similar advantages to Chip & Dale's Gadget Coaster, though it does offer twice the ride in exchange for replacing the intimidating chain lift with a very gentle LSM launch. The second is basically Big Thunder lite, with a shorter ride featuring a themed environment to disguise the coaster and lacking the brief dark sections of Thunder.

It's tough to pick a singular worst choice at Walt Disney World, so I'll list the ones that should absolutely be struck from consideration (coincidentally, one per park):

-Space Mountain, which has almost all the same issues I cited with Matterhorn Bobsleds above (minus the abominable snowman)
-Guardians of the Galaxy, which I haven't actually ridden, but seems to be a massive and very dynamic attraction that takes place largely in darkness
-Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, which is extreme enough that even those familiar with coasters will think twice about riding this one
-Expedition Everest, which despite not being excessively intense still climbs over 100 ft. off the ground, features an 80 ft. drop out of the mountain, and goes both forwards and backwards through darkness, making it far too much for a novice coaster rider

The Matterhorn was my first ever coaster at age 4. While I can only remember moments of that trip thanks to a photo album, I can vividly remember riding it. The experience scared the hell outta me and it took a long time to trust in coaster riding. My parents found it humorous....I however did not!

California Space Mountain was my first coaster, and it's far better than the Florida version. I wouldn't recommend Matterhorn to anyone based on how rough that ride is.

@AJ - I see where you're coming from, but I feel that Gadget Coaster is a true kiddie coaster that would not really qualify under the parameters outlined. I would agree that as kiddie coasters go, it's pretty dynamic, but the reality is that it's not a "real" coaster that would bridge the gap between kiddie coasters and "real" coasters. I also view this topic as not simply a "first coaster" for kids, but also a "first coaster" for adults as well. Let's face it, not everyone visits theme parks all the time like many who read and contribute to TPI, so I viewed this topic not just from the perspective of little ones, but also from adults that might not have ridden a roller coaster (or other major theme park attraction) since they were in elementary school on vacation with their parents. Therefore, I didn't consider the "fear" factor of startling effects or rapid movement when evaluating attractions. I did think about the bobsled seating arrangement on Matterhorn, but in my view, it's just as easy to be comforted by someone in front/behind on Matterhorn's trains as it is on other coasters with side by side seating. In fact some coasters with flat bench seats are downright uncomfortable when you're squeezed and sliding back and forth around turns. I do definitely agree that Matterhorn's roughness can be a bit of a barrier, but it's far better than the complete darkness of the similarly tracked Space Mountain, and the toboggan-style seating really softens the roughness quite a bit. It also helps to prepare future enthusiasts for the wider world of coasters where many around the world are a little rough around the edges. There's definitely been a trend over the past 5+ years to make coasters track as smooth as possible, but the reality is that those ultra-smooth rides represent a very small percentage of the coasters around the world. The way I look at it, an uninitiated coaster rider that can handle The Matterhorn would then be prepared for and comfortable with a lot of coasters.

These days, Big Thunder.

It was the Matterhorn when you could literally have the kid in your lap, & Harold didn't move.

I tried to keep my son from knowing about Gadget. Not for intensity, but for the ridiculous wait, esp since he was already doing inversion before he turned 5.

Russell, given that the question asked is "What is the best first coaster for kids at Disney?", my assumption was to base it around someone in the 4-6 range as that's when most kids will reach the height necessary for most (if not all) of Disney's coasters. As such, I feel it's fair to include the junior coasters that are geared toward that age range, especially as they are still large enough to accommodate parents riding with their kids (unlike true kiddie coasters that can't fit an average adult). Plus, if we're going between a Miler (what I think of as a true kiddie coaster) and the Matterhorn, Gadget's fits right into that gap. Now, if the question were asking about the best first coaster in general, or the best first coaster for older novice riders, I would agree with tossing out the juniors, but as long as the audience is elementary schoolers (or below) I personally think they're fair to consider.

Truthfully, the best "first (non-junior) coasters for kids" aren't even at the Disney parks, but because it's such a popular destination for family travel it's often where kids will be first exposed to one. Personally, in the modern world of coasters, I think rides like the Vekoma family boomerangs (ex: Snoopy's Soap Box Racers @ Kings Island), Gravitykraft woodies (ex: Bobcat @ Great Escape), or B&Ms new family coaster line (Penguin Trek, Phoenix Rising, Big Bad Wolf) are better introductions to the coaster scene than those offered by Disney.

I think we forgot the most family friendly of all coasters, great for kids, teens, adults and grandparents…

…a drinks coaster.