What is your 'I'm really here' moment?

Sparkle81

Sparkle81

Well-Known Member
I was listening to one of my Disney CDs in the car (yes, I do that) and the music from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride came on. I realised, as my stomach filled with butterflies, that the ride is my 'I'm really here at WDW' realisation moment :D

So, what's yours? :)
 
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wdwcandice

Member
I slowly start to get the feeling as soon as I see that first Disney property red, purple and black signage, it is slowly creeping in as we check in, go to our room, prepare for our first park....but it totally sinks in as soon as I am seated on the bus...dear Disney transportation. Hearing the music, the advertisements, that's when it hits me. :)
 
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pixiesteno

pixiesteno

Well-Known Member
Aha, well it would depend on how we are getting there. If we fly our trip has us coming over the coast at Daytona and getting set for our approach to MCO, that's when it starts, get me on the ground and to the DME bus!
However, we have driven the last few trips so it is a gradual thing of all the sights that let me know how far south we are on the journey: spanish moss on the trees, Pedro signs, the first palm tree just before the Georgia Welcome Center, Florida Welcome Center, the Dayton Harley Shop signs (I4 is the next exit), I 4, Lake Mary bridge, the Disney exit to the MK, Fort Wilderness area, "welcome home" from the CM. Yes, we are here!!!
 
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71dsp

71dsp

Well-Known Member
DME bus for us. Although when we see the Disney store in the airport, that's kind of like the movie preview before the main feature. :)
 
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Cmdr_Crimson

Cmdr_Crimson

Well-Known Member
Mine I love to build up the suspense...Even tho I take DME To Pop and then drop my stuff in my room..The First place I have to go is Epcot...
I wait for the bus, Get on..and turn away from any view of the park...Once I get at the bus lot..and start faintly hearing the music as I get closer to the entrance I keep from turning to look into the park...So as I finnally get to the front gate and enter my head is still down and with listening to the Entrance loop Soooooooooooooooooo many times I time it right for the reveal to see Spaceship Earth in all it's grandure, I take a deep breath, a sigh of relief, and say to my self...I...am....Home!
 
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MissAlmyra

MissAlmyra

Active Member
Walking under that gate into Main Street USA. When you turn the corner and see The Castle, there's no question where you are! The airport/hotel is exciting, but it doesn't really "hit" until I get to see that iconic view.
 
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mouse_luv

mouse_luv

Well-Known Member
Going under the Walt Disney World sign on the highway, but it doesn't really set in until I smell the popcorn on main street usa and see Cinderella Castle. Then I tear up and go Yay I'm here! :)
 
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EvilQueen-T

EvilQueen-T

Well-Known Member
Part of me apparently knows it the night before because I've never slept before a disney vacation no matter how many I take lol. But I know I'm REALLY on vacation when I'm walking down Main St can see the castle and smell the heavenly sugary smells from the confectionery. Funny part is is that I think I've only purchased items from the confectionery maybe 3 times in over 30 visits but it's half of what I need to feel like that aaaahhhhh vacation feeling.
 
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Britt

Britt

Well-Known Member
My first trip, my first moment was just after checking into Ft. Wilderness Cabins and we had a dinner at the Grand Floridian right away. We had to get on a ferry to Magic Kingdom to get on the tram and sitting on that ferry after our long flight, taking in the breeze, the lake, the sites of the Castle right up ahead....that was my "Wow. I'm finally here".

Definitely an emotional moment after a year of planning : )
 
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ishmael0316

ishmael0316

Active Member
Sparkle81 said:
I was listening to one of my Disney CDs in the car (yes, I do that) and the music from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride came on. I realised, as my stomach filled with butterflies, that the ride is my 'I'm really here at WDW' realisation moment :D

So, what's yours? :)
Click to expand...
The second I walk through the gates of the Magic Kingdom, look down Main Street USA, and lay eyes on the most beautiful thing in the world, MY castle! I am getting goosebumps just thinking about it. Ahhhhhhhh to be home. Soon, very soon.
 
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SpaceMountainK

SpaceMountainK

New Member
For me its probably when I land in the airport, because I know there's only one more stop to go.. and that's to the Poly! Another moment is when we step off the Magical Express, walk under thee monorail and into the GCH where we see the waterfall planted in the center. My entire family is entranced by the music at the Poly, anywhere you go. I've set downloaded all the songs on each family members computer, and we play it constantly... the music is a HUGE thing anywhere I go in Disney. You don't hear it anywhere else. You're home.
 
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flipadeeflop

flipadeeflop

Active Member
My moment literally begins the moment I wake up the day we are leaving. Our Disney vacations have always been about the complete experience. Growing up we've always driven there from MA, about a 1 1/2 day drive if you start early and drive well into the night the first day (22hours). So, for me, the drive was a big part of excitement build up. Last year was my first time flying and when I woke up I came to the realization that in less than just a few hours I would be IN disney! I felt like I already WAS in Disney when I woke up that morning!

But, maybe that's cheating, since, technically I'm not really there... So, it's definitely stepping into the seat for the first ride for me when I'm there. Last year that meant Space Mountain. We got strapped in and the cart started moving and I thought, "I'm here."
 
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Disneydreamer23

Disneydreamer23

Well-Known Member
Getting to the Air port is my first big like o wow I'm going moment but as soon as we land IN Orlando and I walk off the Plane and look onto the sunny Skies and Heat Is when I'm like I'm going to Disney world!!
 
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rob0519

rob0519

Well-Known Member
For me, it's driving under the arch on the way to the CR or the Polynesian for check-in. Once past the arch, the real world is psychologically behind me.
 
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swissamy

swissamy

Well-Known Member
For me there are a few...One is when I see and drive under the Walt Disney World sign, the next is when we drive past the Caribbean Beach Resort (where we stayed on our honeymoon 22 yrs ago) and the last is when I smell the resort at check in - even the bathrooms have that special Disney smell that says "I'm HOME!!". Now i miss it more at this moment...How much longer until Nov.1??
 
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DisneyJunkie

DisneyJunkie

Well-Known Member
Good question. For me it can be one of several things:

1. Driving past the "Welcome to Walt Disney World Resort" sign heading to our resort.
2. The first walk into Space Mountain for my first ride.
3. First ride on the monorail to the Magic Kingdom (and hearing the boop beep sounds as we take off).
 
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Sammy5150

Sammy5150

Well-Known Member
For me, waiting for my wife to check into the hotel, anticipating the bus ride to the Magic Kingdom to see the Castle again.

My 10 year old son, going through the Welcome to Disney World arch.
My 9 yrar old Daughter, easy... Seeing the castle from Main Street.
My wife "Welcome to Disney" like my 10 year old son.
My 13 year old son I'm not sure but it probably has something to do with the smell of food.
 
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