What was it like when you first went to Disney World?

[Phonedave]

First trip - I want to say 1984 maybe 85

I was 14 (maybe 13 maybe 15)

We did not go to "Disney World" we went to Orlando. We stayed in a 3BR townhome in Kissimmee.

We did two day tickets to WDW - One day at MK and one day at EPCOT (That is all there was), we also did Sea World, Cocoa Beach, the Space Center, and maybe something else (if we did Universal, I don't remember it)

I remember it being easy to walk around both parks, it did not seem frantic or rushed. I remember thinking EPCOT was awesome and that I could have spent more time there. I also remember riding 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and thinking "that was a waste of time"

 

[hanwill]

My first trip was in 1975- I was 4. I remember being on the monorail and seeing the topiary animals down below and thinking that was unbelievable. I GASPED when I saw the castle. That trip I also remember randomly seeing characters in front of gates on the side streets of MK. I also remember bring in a panic because we ran out of whatever ticket (ABCDE) for the rides I wanted to ride, and we had to go get more at a ticket booth inside the park. I also remember the orange bird drinks and the fake grape shaped drinks sitting on ice. I also cried on haunted mansion, but laughed when the ghosts hitch-hiked in our doom buggy... I remember the sky buckets were so much fun!

First trip to Epcot was in 1983- February. We went with a school group for a trip. It was so much fun. I rode everything with my friends. and we loved the monorail. ( we also rode the tea cups in MK enough to make ourselves sick).

Once I had kids, we stated when my oldest had just turned 3, and we have been every year since. Its so much fun with kids!!!!

 

[stratman50th]

1982 pre-Epcot opening. Very small. Low crowds. Monorail ride to Epcot to see what would be opening later that year. We stayed in a camper at Ft. Wilderness which says something about us LOL

Staying in our coach at the Fort is the only way we go now.

 

[correcaminos]

Staying in our coach at the Fort is the only way we go now.

We bought into DVC years ago so I haven't stayed at the campsites in a long time. If I had a good get up I would, but my husband likes tent camping and I don't (pretty big back issues now) so we just stay next door now and then instead and leave the camping to him in our home state LOL

 

[LaughingGravy]

1977 - There was a mystery to it that is simply lacking these days. Real metal room keys with the shape of the Contemporary! Having monorail cars all to ourselves while our parents took us out of school for a couple of days with no consequences other than some pages of homework. After the first visit, our parents were OK with us leaving the hotel in the am and meeting us in the parks later at the castle.
We were 12 and 8! The park was fine with it as well. It was lovely. To say it was a different time is an understatement.

 

[jloucks]

1983 and 1984 were my first visits to DL and MK. We were pretty darn poor as kids (state fed us poor) so it was a mind blowing treat. We drove (no money to fly) from Texas to both and stayed offsite in a sketchy motel. It really is traumatizing, in a good way, to go from near poverty to the MK. ...going back to reality was a feeling I'll also never forget...

To say that the experienced shaped my perspective of the place as an adult is an understatement. I took my kids three times (four if you count Universal Studios) sparing little expense and only stopped going because the crowds drove us out. Happily, we had good visits and knew it was time to jump before it got too ugly.

 

[AndyS2992]

My first trip to WDW was early August 2008, I was 15, stayed for two weeks at Pop Century, it was Summer, the fantastic Year of a Million Dreams was in full swing and there was no construction and every single attraction was operating, Magic Kingdom had both a day and night parade, Animal Kingdom had one too, shocking by today's standards. I recall the weather was great, crowds were surprisingly minimal to what they are today and prices were also a lot more affordable than they are now. An incredible trip. I've been back in 2011 and 2015 and plan on returning September 2021.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

I went in March of 1991. I was in Grade 5. First time. It was magical, I loved it. I had just never experienced those sorts of rides. Everyone by that age has gone to carnivals and fairs and such but this was just different. It was just its own place. We did other things that week. We went to Sea World and Busch Gardens but just did the one day at Magic Kingdom. No doubt, Magic Kingdom was the best. I still think so. I think as adults we all get a little more skeptical and cynical and that's too bad. I do wish the crowds would be managed a lot better than they are and I wish there were more specific "down" times. But the magic is still there for me. I figure a way to get onto the monorail just to explore the resorts. That's a fun off-day thing for me. You don't do that if you don't love Disney parks.

I remember in 1991 we were in line for the Skyway, which I miss. I talked to an older couple from France who is almost certainly dead by now. They couldn't speak English, but I knew a lot of French back then so I talked to them. They were excited about Disneyland opening up in Paris the following year.

 

[disneyclipper]

I first went in 1983. We stayed in fort wilderness cabins. I remember discovery island, Epcot and space mountain.

 

[Jedi Stitch]

My first Disney World Trip was 2016, My first Disneyland Trip was at the age of 13-14 1987. Just a one day, so it was rope drop to fireworks. Just rides, Rides and more rides. Seeing every ride for the first time. I didn't have any money myself save a few dollars, so I didn't go into any shops, so I just rode rides. Met up with my Family to have a picnic lunch, then back to running from ride to ride. Just an exhilarating day.
After several trip to DLR. Finally one day my wife said lets do WDW, so we did.
going into MK on that 1st day, felt like that first day back in 1987, but with my wife and daughter, who was 10. Did Rope drop to fire works. This time we rode rides, and did the shops, and checks out everything. Some days it felt like we were either making our way to an ADR or a FP+. That was my Daughters first Disney experience.
Couple years later, we did DLR, My daughter first DLR experience. I will always enjoy the parks, but eventually, I feel I'll be priced out of Disney trip.

 

[KimoKaneki]

Our first time was our honeymoon in September 1974. We stayed at the Contemporary Resort, we were 20 yrs old and not old enough to rent a car so we took the bus ( whichever company it was at that time) and when we went underneath Bay Lake/Seven Seas Lagoon and up the other side and saw the Contemporary we were hooked. It was so magical. Magic Kingdom was beautiful and minimal crowds. We rode the monorail to Polynesian, took the bus to Golf Resort, the pirate boat to Fort Wilderness.
We live in Chicago and in 1976 started making yearly trips. We bought our first DVC in 1997 at Old Key West.
We were there for the 25th 10/1/96, for the grand opening of Disney MGM 5/1/89 and celebrated the Millennium 12/31/99.
We have enjoyed the majority of the updates, a few not so much.
My husband passed away last year but I flew down by myself to celebrate our 45th anniversary last month. I still enjoyed myself and planning another trip with friends next year. There is always something new to see.

 

[trainplane3]

Incredible and mindblowing.

Went in 97/98 at the age of 4 1/2 (or 5ish) because we didn't need a stroller anymore and I would walk every chance I got (literally the reason for the timing of the trip). Plans were MK, Epcot, MGM, and MK.

- MK was exactly what I imagined it to be. Lots of characters and rides. Lines weren't nuts either, tops of 30 minutes I think?

- Epcot was beyond anything I imagined. My only knowledge was the golf ball and my moms Figment plush. A dinosaur ride that told me about energy AND had Bill Nye?! Sold. A elevator thing that took me into a underwater seabase and a really cool movie? Awesome. Learned about how plants were grown and harvested with a "personal" guide on a boat? Neat. A dome that had a fun show and an aggressive ride that put me into the bloodstream? Woah. A ride that showed what imagination could be explained by two characters I've never seen before (aside from the plush), had good effects, and the incredible flying machine scene? Holy F-! Of course the golf ball that taught me all about how people used to talk to each other and how technology evolved over time. Just great! And two buildings with weird interiors that didn't make sense but had lots of fun tech things to play with and learn. Thanks for making me a computer nerd Disney. Then WS...lots of awesome movies and good interactions with CMs from all sorts of coutries. Fell in love because everything was something that I couldn't see outside the parks. No (major) movie tie ins or characters everywhere. Pure originality that showed me the future of things. And lines weren't dumb either. Never wait more then 20 minutes for something.

- MGM was action packed. Indy stunt show was neat. ST was fun for a SW lover like me. Muppets was a blast. Tram tour was neat.

Needless to say I said screw MK and demanded we went back to Epcot for our last day in the parks and had even more fun then the first visit. Obvious which one had the impact on me.

 

[TinkMar]

We first visited the Magic Kingdom when it was a visitors center and construction site! A couple years later we returned in 1972.
The monorail was clean and functional! So awesome to get on in the Contemporary... like living in future world! Then the topiaries were delightful on the ride over to the park.
In the park, it was serendipitous to see the characters while walking through the park! Pluto was my fav! I liked the movies there, and Orange Bird as well.
I was just tall enough to ride Space Mountain, with my Dad... who loved that ride!
My Dad liked disney... his quote was long lasting for me, “they don’t do anything half assed there”. He appreciated the quality of the park and attractions, and felt like you got a good day of family entertainment There... clean parks, rides did not break down all day, and decent food. We were not wealthy; but my parents cherished the good experiences if early Disney parks.

 

[SandyToes72]

My first trip was in May 1972 when I was 10. I went with a good friend and our mom’s. Living 2 hours away in a small town, we drove and when we reached the turn off of I-4 the line of cars ahead of us were stopped. We inched our way along for what seemed like an eternity to the parking lot. I couldn’t believe when I finally got the ticket book for the rides in my hand. Of course, I was hoping my mom was going to buy the 14 ride adventure book but not having a lot of money, she bought the 7 adventure ride book. It didn’t matter after all because there was so many amazing things to see and do. The sound of the railway train blowing its horn (it brings an uncontrollable smile to my face to this day), the cloppity clop of the horse’s feet as they went down Main Street (and the horses were HUGE), the colorful Mickey balloons, the building architecture, the topiaries, the flowers. One silly little detail I remember was the number of stalls in the ladies room! I had never seen bathrooms that big.

We stayed until the park closed and I experienced sore feet for the first time. My poor mother then had to drive us home. That trip started a love affair with the MK for my mother and I that we pursued during difficult times when it became our place to escape from reality. With my mom unable to walk a park any longer, we’ll spend a couple of nights in one of the hotels on property and drink in the environment, eat good food and relax. We call it getting “our Disney fix”. It’s still magical all these years later!

 

[Distant]

My first trip was actually to Disney LAND. I was 7, we had just moved to Northern CA.
I thought it was so special- from the trams in the parking area to the flowers/ hedges shaped like Mickey. (I was easily impressed.)
My family and I started going to DL every 2 years.

Our first visit to DW was summer 1978. I liked Space Mountain but I was bummed DW didn't have a Matterhorn.
It was still a great day though.

Took all 3 of my kids in 96, and we stayed in a $30 Comfort Inn outside the park.
The 2 littlest ones- ages 3 and 5- talked about that visit almost every day for a year.

I wish I had a recording.

But perhaps the best visit was june 08 when we stayed on-site for the first time ever. (PO.)
such a different experience.

 

[DisneyNittany]

First trip was in 1999, with my parents and sister, while I was in the third grade. Pre 9/11, you were able to go through airport security without a boarding pass. My mom made up a story about having to travel for work, and we all went to the airport to see her off. As she's about to board her flight, her and my dad let us know that she's not going on a work trip, but that we're going on a vacation to WDW. Hell of a surprise! My first time on a plane AND I'm going to Walt Disney World.

I fell in love with it immediately. We stayed at All-Star Sports, and being a sports obsessed kid, I thought it was the greatest hotel ever built. I remember loving every aspect of the parks, the transportation (I've always been a big fan of trains, so I thought the monorail was the coolest thing in the world), the resorts. It all just felt like I was on a different planet or something. I have no clue if it's because I grew up in hillbilly town or if they've changed since, but the last thing I remember doing was eating Casey's fries on the old bleachers, and thinking they were the greatest thing I ever tasted. I could continue to attempt to wax poetic about the trip, but I'll save you all from that.

When I got back to school, I think my friends stopped hanging out with me for a bit, because I wouldn't shut the hell up about Disney World. Heck, two years later, after "graduating" fifth grade, we had to put together a memory book. One of the sections was to say what you wanted to be when you grew up, and I said either a professional baseball player or an Imagineer hahah. As you can guess, neither one came true.

Well, I was big into sports, and played year round, so it was really tough for my family to find time to vacation. We had about a week stretch between baseball and football, and until about the time I graduated from HS, our family trips consisted of traveling the country and knocking out multiple baseball parks each year. So, I had a long, long break between Disney trips.

Five years ago, my girlfriend and I (now wife), and I were looking for last minute vacation ideas. We both travel for work, and were looking to use some air and hotel points. I'm not sure how or why, but we settled on a short WDW trip. For some reason, we booked it between Christmas and New Year, and to this day I'm not sure why, but we LOVED it. I hate crowds, I hate rude people, I hate waiting, but for some reason that didn't matter to me when I was back in Disney World. We were hooked.

A few months later, work took us out to a conference at the Disneyland Hotel. We loved it there too, and that's when we realized we were the weird Disney adults for sure. I somehow convinced her to make a third Disney trip that year, back to WDW in November, when it would be less crowded and when we could stay for longer. We ended up getting engaged that trip, in front of the castle before the park opened, and were able to enjoy an 11 day "engagement honeymoon". That was our first time staying at Swan & Dolphin (Marriott people), and I ended up falling in love with the Crescent Lake area. There's not much I enjoy more than walking out of IG, after a long post IllumiNations (RIP) stroll around WS, and then taking the long way back around the Boardwalk.

Anyway, as noted, we travel a lot for work, so we ended up going back down again the next year. That's when we decided to become Annual Passholders, which was one of the best decisions we ever made.

Fast forward, our APs just ran out this month, and we decided not to renew them. The "magic" definitely hasn't been lost, but we aren't traveling as much anymore, and just wanted to take a bit of a break. I'll miss it, but this gives us an opportunity to go elsewhere for a bit. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, and I'm sure that'll be true with WDW. I can't imagine it'll be a long break, but even by taking 1.5-2 years off, there's no doubt I'll be itching to get back.

I've often compared WDW to a PG version of Las Vegas, where the parks/casinos aren't the only draw. I'll always be grateful we had APs for a bit, because it allowed us to not spend all our time in the parks, and to really take in all that WDW has to offer. We spent a lot of afternoons at resort pools, and really got to unwind and relax, which was very different from our first few visits. Again, the magic hasn't faded, but I'm excited to get that "child like" feeling again, after a "significant" break from the World.

 

[Gitson Shiggles]

Me on my first visit:
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