36 year old takes first step into Disneyland

[ScubaD]

Back in 1997 I had the joy of taking my family (including DD-11 and DS-8) to Disneyland for the very first time. My DW had been there as a child but this was our first visit as adults, and with our own kids.

When I walked through the main gates, saw the "Mickey" garden, strolled onto Mainstreet, heard the band playing, smelled the "Disney" smell (mostly Carnation Cafe, which is our breakfast spot, regardless if the hotel has a free breakfast included) and sensed the world outside the gates ceased to exist I was hooked.

We live in the Seattle area and we even had an annual pass to WDW as we planned on visiting Disney World several times over the last year.

Disney has come to mean much to our family and we all look forward to visiting in the future. We even purchased into DVC.

And to prove how much my DW means to me I even wrote a valentines poem to my bride this last Valentines Day, which she says she really liked. She "is my Disney".

What stories do you have on how you got "hooked" to Disney?

 

[firemanx]

I dont remember my early years going to disney, but been going since i was born. What I do remember is when I "just got it". After a really rough patch and some bad times. I remeber that family vacation when we walked thru that train station, and it was just Magic

I found the DIS right before that trip, and havnt looked back since.

 

[ScubaD]

Firemanx,
I find it strange (good strange) that just walking through the gates and onto Main Street, having done it many, many times still gives me that "Disney feeling". Thanks for sharing.

Dave

 

[Minnie Lor]

I get that feeling on the short monorail at the airport. Then it really hits me when I get on the Disney monorail or bus headed for a park. That rush, the anticipation, the thrill, yes even some tears. 6 days and I can't wait to experience it again.

 

[Rylee]

Back in 1997 I had the joy of taking my family (including DD-11 and DS-8) to Disneyland for the very first time. My DW had been there as a child but this was our first visit as adults, and with our own kids.

When I walked through the main gates, saw the "Mickey" garden, strolled onto Mainstreet, heard the band playing, smelled the "Disney" smell (mostly Carnation Cafe, which is our breakfast spot, regardless if the hotel has a free breakfast included) and sensed the world outside the gates ceased to exist I was hooked.

We live in the Seattle area and we even had an annual pass to WDW as we planned on visiting Disney World several times over the last year.

Disney has come to mean much to our family and we all look forward to visiting in the future. We even purchased into DVC.

And to prove how much my DW means to me I even wrote a valentines poem to my bride this last Valentines Day, which she says she really liked. She "is my Disney".

What stories do you have on how you got "hooked" to Disney?

My parents started taking us the WDW in the early 70's. My Dad and I "got it," we really did, from our very first trip. While my mother could appreciate it... the cleanliness, the organization of so many employees, the details, etc., my Dad and I could FEEL it... we felt the magic. Each year, as we were leaving, Dad and I would turn around and stare at the Castle for as long as we could see it.

Flash to the future... I am 48, married, mother of 5. After returning from a trip 2 years ago, we invited my Dad out to watch our WDW videos. He hasn't been there in about 10 years. As we watched, my Dad had tears in his eyes and said, "I'll never get to experience the magic, again."

The following year we offered to take him for his 80th birthday. He declined, (it would be difficult for him). He said, "I appreciate your offer, but I have my memories, and now, I'm just glad you can take the kids to a magical place we enjoyed as a family."

We've been 2 times since then, and I always think of my Dad as we walk down main street... I always will.

I know my dad didn't have tears because he couldn't go to Disney anymore. The tears stem from his awareness of what point in his life he's at. I get it, I really do.

 

[disneymom8589]

Back in 1997 I had the joy of taking my family (including DD-11 and DS-8) to Disneyland for the very first time. My DW had been there as a child but this was our first visit as adults, and with our own kids.

When I walked through the main gates, saw the "Mickey" garden, strolled onto Mainstreet, heard the band playing, smelled the "Disney" smell (mostly Carnation Cafe, which is our breakfast spot, regardless if the hotel has a free breakfast included) and sensed the world outside the gates ceased to exist I was hooked.

We live in the Seattle area and we even had an annual pass to WDW as we planned on visiting Disney World several times over the last year.

Disney has come to mean much to our family and we all look forward to visiting in the future. We even purchased into DVC.

And to prove how much my DW means to me I even wrote a valentines poem to my bride this last Valentines Day, which she says she really liked. She "is my Disney".

What stories do you have on how you got "hooked" to Disney?

I got hooked on Disney when my dad got a Disney record at a gas station back in the late 60s. I loved that record as a young girl and dreamed of going to Disneyland. I went for the 1st time in 1974 and loved it! There was no turning back after that!!

(I enjoyed your thread, DH!)