Your Favorite FIRST sight?

[Susan Savia]

We're really there when we make that turn into Epcot's parking lot and see Spaceship Earth.

 

[Texas84]

We always come in through Western Way and the trip officially starts when we pass through that gate. On the 429 Beltway you can see several landmarks from an overpass. SSE and Contemporary stand out.

 

[WDWVolFan]

What would you say is your favorite FIRST sight on your WDW vacation?

Could it be the first instances of those purple highway signs directing you towards WDW? Or might it be the first "Welcome to Walt Disney World Resort" gateway you drive through? The colorful "Magic Kingdom" tollbooth (what I call it)? Or maybe it's the first spotting of one of the park icons (Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, Earful Towers, etc)? Or could it be the first sighting of the resort you'll be staying at? Or maybe just spotting that Epcot monorail moving along its tracks as you drive on?

For me is none of the options given...while I love WDW and stay on site, the entire Orlando area is somewhat magical...I've been to conferences in Orlando before and it doesn't feel like work, it has a childhood and innocence feel to it.
So to me, I start getting excited and getting the warm and fuzzies as I'm driving down and start seeing signs for different attractions in the Orlando area, including WDW. As I start seeing those the excitement increases and I just want to be there.

On the flip side, when not going to the area and driving on the Florida roads, seeing those signs is like torture!

 

[JusticeDisney]

I never even realized how wonderful those purple signs made me feel until I viewed this poll and really thought about it!

 

[jengrey]

This is a tough one. Seeing the monorail passing by as I drive in is always a favorite because for some reason that's when I really know I'm in WDW. I also love seeing the Earful Tower when I'm driving in on the first day. and that first glimpse of Cinderella Castle is always magical, whether it's from monorail, ferry, or bus.

 

[bethymouse]

It's Cinderella's Castle for me! When I hear the Dream Along With Mickey songs, or the Trolley songs, I know I'm "home".

 

[danyoung56]

During the drive from MCO to WDW, I start the chant - "I just GOTTA see a monorail!"

 

[littlered]

mine is the Disney Billboards...cause you know it's only a matter of time before driving under that other favorite "Welcome to Walt Disney World Resort"

 

[Raineman]

The welcome gateway and the road signs gave me the warm and fuzzies, and checking in to the resort, I started getting a bit more excited, but nothing compared to walking through the tunnel at MK and getting that first glimpse of the castle at the end of Main Street. The first time I did this with my DD, I could have sworn something was in my eyes, the way they were watering

 

[JIMINYCR]

When we drive... the view of he first Purple highway signs. Then I know its just a matter of miles and time before we get to Disney. When we fly, its seeing the first palm tree after we land. Now we're safely on the ground and I'm officially in FL.

 

[ewensell3]

Approaching from the western side, the Mickey shaped high tension power line towers.

 

[cosmicray]

First view of Cinderella Castle or Spaceship Earth for me. I'm instantly five years old again.

 

[stargrl33]

I actually get really excited when I see the monorail thing at MCO that takes you to the Magical Express.

Also, if I take the monorail to MK, whenever I see the castle in the distance, I always have this one part from the Little Mermaid soundtrack playing in my head. (never admitted that to anyone before.)

 

[Pecosburger]

Entering hotel drive from Lake Buena Vista and driving to whatever resort we are staying at.

 

[wendysue]

I get excited as soon as we get on the tram that goes from the gate areas to the terminal at Orlando airport. It's like "the first ride" of our vacation.

 

[PlaneCrazy1978]

I drive in from the north, so when I get on 429 south I usually begin the mass hysteria of excitement.

 

[worldfanatic]

That Magical Express packet in my mailbox is a pretty sweet first sight.