When did you first realize your love affair with Disney?

[omahadisneyfan]

Our family took our first trip to Disneyworld back in 1993 without any preconceived notion of what to expect. We knew we were in a special place immediately upon entering Disney property. As we drove to the GF resort we were truly amazed by the environment When we arrived at the GF and saw the pure beauty and scale of this resort we knew then this was truly a special place. Throughout the week we continued to Disney magic throughout the parks and knew this would not be the last time we would visit WDW. Although we had a great time for the week I remember how bummed we all were the last day knowing we would be leaving this magical place.

Since then we visit at least annually and sometimes more often and now have a grandchild that we can enjoy the magic with all over again. Our house looks like a Disney Store and our Christmas tree has to be so big as to hold all of the Disney ornaments we've purchased over the years.

How long did it take you to realize your love affair?

 

[Debbie]

When I went with my godmother and her family in 1981. We stayed at the Contemporary for 7 days and there was only the Magic Kingdom.
I first went in 1976, at age 12, but my mom and dad did everything on the cheap and they bought the cheapest ticket books. I really didn't appreciate it but knowing my Nanny went every year, and stayed on the grounds; I knew it had to be something special------it was and still is

 

[C&D]

Since our first visit we were predisposed to Disney but I believe the love affair began after we first stayed on-property for the first time (and ever since).

 

[Glasgow]

When I was younger I didn't appreciate it as much -- I really liked it but just more or less thought of it as another amusement park. However, now that I'm older I enjoy the engineering and complexity of the parks and how it all works ... not to mention the complete immersion you experience when you roll onto the property. Not thinking about the real world for a week is a rare commodity these days.

I'd have to say staying on-site for the first time 3 years ago (after having been to WDW maybe 15 times before that) really took it to a new level for me .. not to mention going with my fiance (now wife) really put it over the top.

So while DW is great for kids and they really enjoy it, I'm not sure you can truly appreciate the effect of magic until you are a bit older and have the pressure of the world on your shoulders

 

[Nansafan]

Having grown up watching "The Wonderful World of Disney", I fell in love with the idea of Disneyland. I especially remember the episode where Walt showed the attractions PoTC and HM. I first visited WDW in 1980 with a group of 16, I was 20. I knew then that I was home. My next visit was on my honeymoon in 1984. My husband then fell in love (his first visit). We didn't make it back to the world until 1993 when our son was 6. Seeing WDW through his eyes made it even better. Since 1998, I have gone at least once a year including 3 trips to Disneyland. I can say that for as long as I can remember, I've been hooked on Disney.

 

[UKHelen]

I realised on last years holiday to Las Vegas (where I was desperate to go) when for the whole time we were there my favourite line was 'I wish we were at Disney.....'

We are leaving for the world on Saturday and I'm probably the most excited about this holiday than I have ever been before Let's hope I haven't built it up in my mind too much!

 

[Firewolfe51]

My first trip was when i was very young..... 5 or 6 back in the early 70"s.
Then did not return until 1988 may be 87, anyway that was a school trip with most off my good friends and my 1st trip to EPCOT CENTER (AT THE TIME). I could not believe anything, magic was all over me! I just completly fell in love and have ever since. My wife and I go about twice a year.


The Wolfe's

 

[DisneyMusician2]

I remember exactly...April 1990. I was seven and fell in love with the entire EPCOT Center. I wanted to everything 15,000 times and I think my parents were probably tired of me by then, but I've been a nut ever since. Still have the autograph book from that trip....which makes me a bit odd, I know....

 

[metscool]

I realized it when I was 8. Every year I have been going to Disney and then when I was 8 I realized that I missed going to Disney and then I would countdown the days until our next trip. I loved it when my freshmen year of high school when I found out that our marching band would be going to march in the parade I was even more happy that one we would be going march down main street and we were going to Disney World.

 

[xx_lilo_xx]

the frist time i went when i was 4 and i cant rember it b ut i think fthat was when i feel in love with disney and i been loads of time since i came back last month and by the next day was planining my next trip WOOOW! disney 2007 cant wait

 

[lwalker8]

I was so young I can't even remember. My mother taught my brothers and I to love Disney from the days we were born. So I was more or less born into an obsession with the parks, and it is something that bonds our family together.

 

[Uponastar]

We fell in love on our first trip in 1990. Like the OP we had no real idea what to expect and every experience of that trip made a lasting impression. Since then, we have gone back at least once a year and each trip brings more magic! It never gets old for us. If anything, we love it more each time. It has begun to feel like home!
I think the thing that makes WDW magical for me is that it is a total experience. There is something for everyone and something new happening all the time. I can have a manic run-from-park-to-park-and-attraction-to-attraction kind of day and then follow it up with a leisurely day of hotel hopping, pool-side lounging, or DTD strolling. Nobody does it like Disney!

 

[head mouse]

From my first trip.

Oddly I was only 9 months old, but I still remember seeing Mickey. Thats allI can remember, but I can still clos emy eyes and I see the view from looking out of the stroller (the old blue with the metal frames and the wire baskets on them that rattled lol) and seeing Mickey's face looking down at me.

Aside from the fact that my father retired from WDW and we were surounded with Disney our whole lives.

 

[meryll83]

I must have acquired it from being young, I know it was the first place I ever went to abroad.

As soon as I was old enough to go on holiday without my parents, it was the first place I wanted to go back to.

(my mum and dad trained me well )

 

[luna99]

we went as a family for the first time when I was 10.. I believe we stayed at a hotel off site and I slightly remember having a good time but I don't think I was obsessed with it until we went again when I was 16.. this time we stayed at a disney resort. I was hooked.

I talked two highschool girlfriends into going with me when I was 17 as a graduation present for us .. what an exciting trip! to be 17 and going to WDW all alone without parents .. then again the following summer when I was 18.. and since then I've gone at least once a year or two years and eventually moved to kissimme and worked at west side. I really miss living there sometimes.

 

[SirGoofy]

THe time I can remember was like my first or second trip, I can't remember exactly, but I was about 5. I remember riding JII, and loving it to death. Just being transported to that magical place was amazing. Oddly enough, it also started my dream of being an Imagineer. Of course I didn't know what an Imagineer was back then, but it made me want to design rides.

 

[figment1985]

I was conceived at a hotel at disney world, that's when it all began.....I kidd you not.


sorry if that was tmi

 

[AndreainNY]

October 2000 - when I walked down Main Street in MK for the very first time in my life (at the age of 35). I saw the castle, smelled the smells, heard the music and saw everyone getting ready for the parade. I sat by the board where ride wait times were listed, with my bowl of ice cream, and watched the parade with 14 other members of my family. I was hooked!!

Exactly 14 days from now I will be sitting in a plane on my way down to relive the magic for the 8th time!

 

[jim1051]

Our first visit with out 3 sons was 1983. I went with the idea that I hate "amusement " parks but we have to take the kids to WDW. Driiving out after 5 days I said to my wife "when are we coming back?" after 2 more visits in '86 and '89, it was college tuitions instead of vacations. Then in 1999 we became DVC members and have been back 6 moretimes since, now with grand kids.

 

[disneyfan56]

My affair started in 1994- my in-laws had just bought into DVC. We walked into our 2 bedroom room at OKW and counld not believe our eyes!! Our children were 5 yrs and 10 yrs at the time and were amazed by everything we saw...as was my husband and myself.
We have returned every year since then and finally bought our own little piece of heaven. We are members of DVC at the BRV since 2003.