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When did you first realize your love affair with Disney?
- Thread starter omahadisneyfan
- Start date
sliberatore
Member
This is one of my most favorite subjects.
We first went to WDW as a family in December 1997 at the invitation of wife's parents who owned a non-Disney timeshare. (At Westgate, a terrific place.) Our kids were 9, 6 and 1. Growing up in California, I had been to Disneyland many times, and we had gone there with our kids a couple of times, but WDW was DL x 100! I remember being mouth-wide-open awe-struck by the Swan and Dolphin rising above the trees with the hugh sculptures on the roof. From the moment we drove onto WDW property, I was smitten and there was no turning back. During that first trip it rained hard every day of the week, and we usually returned to the resort soaking wet, but we loved every single minute. We were/are a close-knit family but we had never had so much fun with each other.
At the end of the week, my wife told me that her parents wanted us to come back with them the next year and I actually said that, as much as I would like to return, I didn't want the kids to come to expect an annual trip to WDW. Well, we did return in 1998 and had just as wonderful a time as we had the year before.
Then, in 1999, my in-laws put their timeshare up for sale and had a buyer. I figured it would be a long time before we ever got back to WDW. But then the sale fell through, and I suggested to my wife that we buy the timeshare. We did and the rest is history. We've returned to WDW every December since, and I no longer worry about my kids' expecting an annual trip. In 2002 we bought into DVC, which has only added to the magic.
Looking back, I am certain that first trip was so wonderful in large measure because it was our first visit and everything was new and everything we did we did for the first time. Though no longer "new," our experience each year has the comfortable feel of returning to place where we "belong," where we can set aside for a short time our daily, everyday concerns, and enjoy each other's company and the Christmas atmosphere at WDW.
This year will be very different as our oldest is a freshman in college and will not be with us. But he will be with us next May when we go on our first Disney cruise!
We first went to WDW as a family in December 1997 at the invitation of wife's parents who owned a non-Disney timeshare. (At Westgate, a terrific place.) Our kids were 9, 6 and 1. Growing up in California, I had been to Disneyland many times, and we had gone there with our kids a couple of times, but WDW was DL x 100! I remember being mouth-wide-open awe-struck by the Swan and Dolphin rising above the trees with the hugh sculptures on the roof. From the moment we drove onto WDW property, I was smitten and there was no turning back. During that first trip it rained hard every day of the week, and we usually returned to the resort soaking wet, but we loved every single minute. We were/are a close-knit family but we had never had so much fun with each other.
At the end of the week, my wife told me that her parents wanted us to come back with them the next year and I actually said that, as much as I would like to return, I didn't want the kids to come to expect an annual trip to WDW. Well, we did return in 1998 and had just as wonderful a time as we had the year before.
Then, in 1999, my in-laws put their timeshare up for sale and had a buyer. I figured it would be a long time before we ever got back to WDW. But then the sale fell through, and I suggested to my wife that we buy the timeshare. We did and the rest is history. We've returned to WDW every December since, and I no longer worry about my kids' expecting an annual trip. In 2002 we bought into DVC, which has only added to the magic.
Looking back, I am certain that first trip was so wonderful in large measure because it was our first visit and everything was new and everything we did we did for the first time. Though no longer "new," our experience each year has the comfortable feel of returning to place where we "belong," where we can set aside for a short time our daily, everyday concerns, and enjoy each other's company and the Christmas atmosphere at WDW.
This year will be very different as our oldest is a freshman in college and will not be with us. But he will be with us next May when we go on our first Disney cruise!
CAPTAIN HOOK
Well-Known Member
I'm still in denial
Simba's Mom
Well-Known Member
Unlike a lot of people here, it wasn't "love at first sight" for me. Our first trip was in 1987, and ending that trip I felt kind of "OK, now I can check that off my 'things to do' list". But then I wanted to go back again...then again...then even again. But I didn't admit that I'd fallen in love until after our 4th trip in 1994. I was sitting on the living room floor studying a map of the Magic Kingdom. DH asked, "What are you looking for?" "I'm trying to figure out where all the restrooms are and see how many I haven't been to yet." When I heard myself say that, I knew-I'm in love!
Disney love affair
I used to march around my chair every afternoon wearing my Mickey ears, singing the "Mickey Mouse Club" theme at the top of my lungs. Every Sunday night the family was glued to the TV watching "Wonderful World of Color" and dreaming of going to Disneyland. Still have never been to DL, but took my first trip to WDW in 1983 and my wife and I have been going every year since.
Next trip: November 23, 2006 Port Orleans French Quarter:xmas:
Like Justin Rose, I too have shot a 60 on the Palm golf course. Then I played the back nine.
I used to march around my chair every afternoon wearing my Mickey ears, singing the "Mickey Mouse Club" theme at the top of my lungs. Every Sunday night the family was glued to the TV watching "Wonderful World of Color" and dreaming of going to Disneyland. Still have never been to DL, but took my first trip to WDW in 1983 and my wife and I have been going every year since.
Next trip: November 23, 2006 Port Orleans French Quarter:xmas:
Like Justin Rose, I too have shot a 60 on the Palm golf course. Then I played the back nine.
LoriMistress
Well-Known Member
Watching The Wonderful World of Disney on television, watching Disney movies, and going to DLR as a child made me absolutely love Disney, and after going to WDW on my honeymoon (never been to WDW until that week), made me fall in love with Disney all over again, but at the same time there was a new love and appriciation for Disney.
Tinkerbella16
Well-Known Member
Ever since my first trip back in 1992...I was 6 years old. WDW is the only place I've ever been on vacation to, and we've been going every year since my first trip. I wouldn't wanna spend a week anywhere else. Everything about WDW is amazing. As soon as I get there, everything back at home is out of my mind and that started happening when my mom took me and my sister once a year. My mom really was the one who got me into loving disney as much as she does. Our christmas tree is nothing but disney, we have mickey and goofy statues in the foyer of our house sitting next to my moms big curio cabinet loaded with disney frames and glass disney figures from each trip...everything is disney and we wouldn't want it any other way.
magic cait ball
Member
I went to Disney for the first time in 1993, when I had just turned 5. I remember getting myself ready by watching the planning video my parents got and the "Barbie goes to EPCOT" video i was hooked on at the time. I don't think it really hit me untill I got home. Sure, I had an amazing time while I was there, but I was 5 and didnt realize much. But I do remember that on the day after we got back home, I put on the planning tape and sat in front of the tv and bawled. My dad came in and tried to make me feel better and i clearly remember saying, "but its perfect daddy. everyone was happy. and no one fought. it really IS magic!"
We didn't go back again untill I was 11 (everyone wanted to, but NYPD cops just werent paid enough back then to afford it). The next time we went, I was old enough to appreciate it. And we went with my new baby brother. I remember being awestruck. It was exactly how i remembered it. Yeah, some rides changed and it physically wasnt the same as it had been 6 years ago, but I got that same feeling when I saw the castle, or Mickey, or when I looked a my family and saw us all togehter, having the time of our lives. It was then that I realized that this place was one of a kind. Any place that can make you feel that way was special and thats when i was hooked on the disney magic.
We didn't go back again untill I was 11 (everyone wanted to, but NYPD cops just werent paid enough back then to afford it). The next time we went, I was old enough to appreciate it. And we went with my new baby brother. I remember being awestruck. It was exactly how i remembered it. Yeah, some rides changed and it physically wasnt the same as it had been 6 years ago, but I got that same feeling when I saw the castle, or Mickey, or when I looked a my family and saw us all togehter, having the time of our lives. It was then that I realized that this place was one of a kind. Any place that can make you feel that way was special and thats when i was hooked on the disney magic.
WaltzingMatilda
Member
My first Disney was at Disneyland in 95... I was on a business trip and my boss and I walked around until we found it, we were totally casual and just doing it as an experience.. I had no idea that it would move me as much as it did...I nearly wet my drawers meeting Mickey. I have a ton of pictures of me goofing in Disneyland, biting Snow White's apple and just generally making an a$$ of myself. I have to say, bless that man's heart, he was a good sport about taking all the pictures.
To this day I can't say why I was so affected...and in 97 I went with then husbands family to DisneyWorld, I was lunging all over the place, my inner Disney was in full force. Now after 4 trips to the World, I still can't explain it. All I know is when I walk in, I feel like I'm home.
If you believe....
To this day I can't say why I was so affected...and in 97 I went with then husbands family to DisneyWorld, I was lunging all over the place, my inner Disney was in full force. Now after 4 trips to the World, I still can't explain it. All I know is when I walk in, I feel like I'm home.
If you believe....
annadseal
Member
On our first trip as a family in 1994. My parents had been to Disney World before (on their honeymoon), and both of them had been to Disneyland, but 1994 was when my siblings and I were introduced to Disney. We went back in 1995, and then again in 1997, but our next trip wasn't until March of 2005, and I think maybe that last trip made me fall in love with it all over again.
SallyShine
New Member
I realized on my last trip (Oct 06) that mine is not just a love of Disney. I tagged along with my husband on a business trip. He was working the whole time, the kids were at home, so I was all by myself. I finally realized that it's not just being at Disney, but being at Disney with those you love. I still managed to have a nice time, but it will never compare to a trip with my family.
Craig & Lisa
Active Member
In 1997, when my wife pretty much had to drag me there for the first time. Since then it would take a whole lot to keep me from going. 13 days till our third trip this year...... CAN'T WAIT!!! Our bags are out and waiting to be packed.
minnie61650
Member
My first Disney experience was when my family traveled to California from Michigan in 1959 and we went to Disneyland. I was 9 years old. I fell in love with the place and always dreamed about what it would be like to be able to live there.
My mom bought one of those big park maps and hung on the wall of my room and I dreamed about the day I would be able to return.
DH took to me and our daughter almost 2 at the time to Walt Disney World in mid October of 1971. It was
brand new and a dream come true.
My mom bought one of those big park maps and hung on the wall of my room and I dreamed about the day I would be able to return.
DH took to me and our daughter almost 2 at the time to Walt Disney World in mid October of 1971. It was
brand new and a dream come true.