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Fondest WDW memory from your childhood
- Thread starter Lsumatt72
- Start date
Still in the single digit age range going to Disney in the late 70's - early 80's (pre Epcot). It was just the MK. There was only the Poly and the Contemporary. Remember days at the Ol Swimmin Hole. FW had a much bigger allure. There was no Disney Channel, no shows about DW on cable (cable was just in it's infancy). I lived the whole year on pictures and memories just counting down the days until the next trip. Disney was a place of mythical proportions to an 8 year old back then. It was a much simpler time.
Schneewittchen
Well-Known Member
OMG. I think I remember those.... sniffles
Ben_since_1971
Well-Known Member
I was 5 in 1972 when I first went. My favorite memory is of an attraction I barely saw. The only thing I remember about the Haunted Mansion was my father's knee. I was so scared I couldn't look. He was able to pry me off his leg long enough for the ballroom scene, but then right back to the knee at the next noise.
brb1006
Well-Known Member
I'm so jealous of that happening to you. You don't see that type of character interactions anymore.My first visit was also in 1991 and I was 13 years old. My favourite memory was arriving at the Magic Kingdom for the very first time on the ferry and just as the ferry docked and the gangplank was being lowered, Goofy, Pluto and Donald came running towards the ferry to greet us all. This was my first moment of feeling the excitement and real magic that disney gives to us all
brb1006
Well-Known Member
Wait characters used to meet guests as you left the air plane? Why haven't I heard about that?
MinnieWaffles
Well-Known Member
When I think about my first ever trip at 9 years old, I think of chocolate milk (I drank a LOT of Nesquik because I hated fizzy drinks as a kid!), being amazed at Mickey's Philarmagic and leaving the MK at night filled with awe at the lit up Main Street. Magical.
Club34
Well-Known Member
So my memory or memories stem from the 70's and maybe early 80s [i was born a month before WDW]. We always stayed at the Contemporary Resort. The monorail and the concourse always get to me. The smells, the sound of the whoosh of the monorail. There is nothing like waking up to that every morning [i have to win the powerball 900M just to stay there again]. Another piece to that memory is the old Contemporary arcade with the shooting gallery. That arcade seemed like it was as big as a football field. The diner/snack shop was in there [what was it called?]. I would always get this donut. A chocolate covered donut as I recall. There is just so much.
I think that is why I keep going back. I keep trying to reclaim those moments even though they are gone. I keep trying to get that moment back as if I will somehow instantly be transformed back to that original moment in time. And when there are sights, sounds, and smells, I feel as if it is right there in front of me and I reach for it and it disappears like trying to catch smoke. Its almost sad in a way.
I think that is why I keep going back. I keep trying to reclaim those moments even though they are gone. I keep trying to get that moment back as if I will somehow instantly be transformed back to that original moment in time. And when there are sights, sounds, and smells, I feel as if it is right there in front of me and I reach for it and it disappears like trying to catch smoke. Its almost sad in a way.
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Csmith041177
Well-Known Member
This is an awesome thread! It was 1983 during my first visit to WDW, and I was 7 years old (yes, I know I am dating myself). I remember the first time I rode 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, it absolutely blew my mind. Growing up in a very small town and watching the movie growing up, I had never in my life seen or experienced anything like that. I remember trying to explain it to my buddies when I got home. Something I will never forget.
Sadly, I did not visit WDW until I was in my 40s. But my fondest Disney memories are the other park. Getting dressed up in my Sunday best dress (yes, back then we dressed up to go to Disney) and probably driving my parents nuts during the 45 minute drive from our house to Anaheim. "Mommy, are we there yet? Are we there yet?!" as I bounce up and down in excitement in the back seat of the car. Walking through the Castle of MY princess, especially after seeing the movie which had just been released (yes, I'm getting old). My fondest memory (but probably not my mother's) was spinning the tea cup we were in as fast as my 5 year old hands could do it because I wanted to go fast. I remember my mother grabbing the wheel to slow us down. She probably didn't feel very good when we got out. And I probably didn't either, but that I conveniently have forgotten. Best was proudly wearing my Mickey ears to school.
goofyfan78
Member
I remember this! I also remember the 25 year anniversary coins that the cast members used to give to the crowd during the 3 O'clock parade. Sadly I dont have any of these now but I remember collecting sooooo many of them in every colour
graphite1326
Well-Known Member
I don't have one since I have always been an adult going to WDW. My first trip was 1979. However, in 1964 I did see CoP at the worlds fair and remember it. Does that count?
That Guy
Active Member
I'm not even sure how many of my childhood memories are even real anymore…'78-'79
I remember topiaries in the seven seas lagoon; an observation area where you could watch the rockets race and the "chocolate chip cookies" (so I was told) cruise across the ceiling of Space Mountain; truly believing that the 20,000 leagues submarine dove under the water; and trusting my dad when he told me if I dropped my Mickey while riding the boat back to the car it would be lost forever.
I remember topiaries in the seven seas lagoon; an observation area where you could watch the rockets race and the "chocolate chip cookies" (so I was told) cruise across the ceiling of Space Mountain; truly believing that the 20,000 leagues submarine dove under the water; and trusting my dad when he told me if I dropped my Mickey while riding the boat back to the car it would be lost forever.
fireworksandfairytales
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
I have so many fond memories in the parks, but my favorite one was my very first time meeting Mickey. I was about three years old and while I barely remember it, I've seen the video of it countless times. We were in the Judge's Tent in Toontown and I was eating some sort of candy while we were waiting in line. When I was the next person in line and there was no one standing between Mickey and I, I was so shocked that I stopped dead in my tracks. My jaw dropped and the candy I was eating fell out of my mouth. I quickly picked it up off the floor, shoved it back in my mouth (gross, I know) and ran up to Mickey to hug him. I was surprisingly not scared of him and we had a great first interaction. 
To add to my OP. Another memory I have involves the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area (when it was more interactive). Being so small and everything around me so big, it was quite awe-inspiring.
I also remember being absolutely terrified of Splash Mountain and now it's my favorite ride!
I also remember being absolutely terrified of Splash Mountain and now it's my favorite ride!
ag3_tre
Member
The year was 2002. It was right after the Millenium Celebration in Epcot, and I remember watching the new show, "Reflections of Earth" in the rain. We were eaten alive by mosquitos that night. I remember walking through "Ice Station Cool" and seeing snow for the first time, even if it was fake. The Epcot Wand glittered in the night sky, and I always associated the wonder and majesty of WDW with Epcot because of that trip.