The first time I went to WDW was 1972 and I wasn't even a year old (I was born the same month that WDW opened--October, 1971. Obviously, I don't remember any of that...but I've seen the old 8mm home movies about a million times. :lol:
The next time my family went was 1976. We stayed in Fort Wilderness in our camper. I remember taking a boat over to MK. I remember the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse (it's still the one thing I MUST do when I go to WDW), the gondola (R.I.P.) and the teacup ride (I made my teenage sister sick!). My dad took me on the Astro Orbiter (I think that's what it's called). That was the most fun! I remember other bits (Space Mountain with my mom, Pirates of the Carribean, Haunted Mansion). I also remember my mom not letting me ride 20,000 Leagues (she thought it would scare me...and it closed down before I got the chance.
I rode Peter Pan with my sister. She had one of those old cameras that you would put the disposable flashes in (the one that looked like a flat bar with several flashes in it). She was trying to take a picture of the scale model town and leaned out too far. Well, as far as I know, there's still a flash bar on the city streets! :lol:
The most vivid memory I have, though, happened at Fort Wilderness the day we left. My brother, who was 7, and I were standing in the door of our camper talking to my mom who was standing just outside the door. We saw something fall out of the tree behind her. We all looked and it was a snake with feathers in it's mouth! Well, my sister's boyfriend had joked about buying a rubber snake to scare my mother with, so she thought Lynn had done just that. Mom stood there looking at the snake and yelling for Lynn, who was helping my dad hook the trailer to the truck. Dad, Lynn and Vickie (my sister) all ran around to see what the fuss was. Mom pointed at the snake and said, "Lynn, get this rubber snake away from me!" Lynn looked puzzled and said, "I didn't buy that rubber snake." About that time, the snake moved...just a little. I still remember jumping out of the way when Mom launched into the trailer door! I'm sure everyone in Orlando heard her scream. Apparently, the snake had just finished feasting on some bird eggs (or birds) and fell out of the tree. The fall must have stunned him and therefore he didn't move when he hit the ground. But Mom sure did!
I never went back to WDW from 1976 until 1996. I really didn't think I'd enjoy it. I thought, "it's just for kids". Well, I went with a girlfriend and her family. The week with her was miserable. BUT, I realized I still loved WDW. I returned with friends at Thanksgiving 1996 and then again in late summer 1997.
I married my wife in 1998 and we've talked about going back ever since. She's only been to MK and that was just for one day. Well, this December, we'll be going back. It's just for four days, but I can't wait! I want to enjoy everything with her. I want to hold her hand while watching Illuminations. (my ex was in a bad mood the night we watched it, so that sucked). I'm just ready to be there!!!!
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