At what point did you really know that Disney is Magical

[djm99]

I can remember the first time I came across this discussion board. I thought that some of you needed a life. Now some 2 years later I'm just as Disney "obsessed" as some of you. I was talking to a girlfriend of mine a few days ago. We talked about my upcoming trip and she asked me if I wanted to do "something different" - besides Disney. You know The Islands, Jamaica, Hawaii, or a cruise. I reminded her that this was only my 3rd trip as an adult, wife, and mom - and "No" I didn't want to do anything different. She asked me why Disney 3 years in a row - I told her this.

Disney is magical and life is a hard. It’s something about a place where most are smiling. Most people say excuse me, and almost always say thank you!!! It’s something about a place where a child and adult can have the SAME fantasy. Where Princess Jasmine hugs and kisses your daughter and YOU walk away smiling from ear to ear. Where Minnie takes time just for you and Genie cracks jokes and laughs AT YOU!!! Where Jafar doesn't look so scary, and the Witch from Snow White is actually 3 feet tall - so you know you could beat her down. It’s something about a place that makes me feel like a kid. No worries about work, money, or bills. Your only concern is making your PS on time, spending all your Disney Dollars this trip or next time, making sure you have a picture of everything, and if you forgot to film something on your new camcorder.

I am really lucky to have traveled to different places in this world. Not one of them made me feel the way I feel in WDW. Yeah some places I’ve visited were quiet, romantic, and serene, but NONE OF THEM HAVE BEEN MAGICAL!!!!!!

So my question is at what point did you realize that Disney is truly magical!!!!

 

[always quiet]

Disney has always held a special place in my heart. We would go almost yearly when I was a child. Something changed when I took my own children there.....the joy and wonder come from the simple things now like...watching a child meet Mickey for the FIRST time....listening to a little one, who has just gotten off It's a Small World sing that one line over and over again (and smiling at some of the misprounced words )....seeing the anticipation of a child, a little older, going on a "big" ride for the fist time.....It's a place where the kid in all of us lives on...........

 

[tink2]

I went once as a child- I was 12. I liked it, but it wasn't until I took my own children that I realized how magical it really was. We took my DD when she was 6 months old- it was wonderful. But the next trip when she was 2 1/2 was magical. We ate breakfast at CRT- and the look on her face when she saw Cinderella was priceless. And then she ran to Cinderella when she came to our table she knocked her to her knees. Cinderella graciously sat on the floor and hugged and kissed DD for several minutes- brought tears to my eyes.
Then this past trip, DD 4 and DS2 1/2. DD was truly into everything. She hid behind my back when the float with the mean guys came past us during the parade. She almost cried when she met Jasmine. She did cry when Captain Hook walked right past us and she asked Snow White a few minutes later to tell him to go away! She screamed with delight when Tinkerbell flew from the castle. She starting bouncing when we met Tigger at Crystal Palace. I could go on and on! She begged to move to Disney World- Cinderella lets us eat with her in her castle, she'll let us live with her too!! And DS meeting Buzz Lightyear- his hero- our first morning there- the grin was ear to ear on him and me! DS loved the princesses this trip too- asking them all about different things from the movies. DS loved meeting Mickey- kept saying "Hey Mickey Mouse!" And the "starlight" song from Wishes- both children still sing it at least once every other day- and we went in November!
Words cannot describe how it feels as a parent to take your children to Disney World. Our children are 4 and 2 and we've been 3 times as parents already- and are going again! It is increible- an escape from the harsh realities of our world. A safe place where fairytales do come true and magic does live. Even with all the problems Disney has had lately, it still is the most magial place on Earth!!!

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by djm99
So my question is at what point did you realize that Disney is truly magical!!!!

Right after my husband asked me to be his wife in front of Sleepy Hollow during a Spectro parade.

all together now... ::awwwwww::

 

[Ms. WDW]

I guess I'm what you call one of those Baby Boomers. I was born..... well, let's just say I remember seeing Elvis when he did his first appearance on Ed Sullivans!

Anyway having grown up with Walt Disney, I knew way back then that there was something 'magical' about the place. And like another poster just mentioned, my husband too asked me to marry him in WDW. But we were at the Poly.

Not too many people (other than all the wonderful folks here) can understand my love for WDW. Even DH will tell anyone that "my wife is the Disney fanatic in the family". It's my escape from reality for a short time each year. I become that "little girl" again who can't sleep the night before we leave!!

Then after our son was born we first took him when he was 4 or 5. Well, to watch him said it all. To see things through his eyes, the eyes of a child was all the "Magic" in the world.

I love WDW and I say that proudly!!! And I'll probably be 100 years old, and still stolling down Main Street with this big grin on my face!!

 

[StephStanley]

I can't wait to meet the magic in December!!!

 

[meganbear]

I had wanted to go to Disney for years, but finally in Oct 1990 (I was 28) my DH took me there for our honeymoon, walking through those gates and seeing Cindy's castle---well it was one of the happiest moments of my life, I was finally in Disney World and with the man I loved!!!!

We went back a couple years later on our second anniversary and again a couple years after that. In May 2000, we took our DS, then age 5 (a week shy of his 6th birthday), seeing him filled with wonder just brought tears to my eyes. I just kept thinking about the first time I was there, and then to be able take our son -- it just filled my heart with magic!!!! Those are two of the happiest memories in my life!!! I hope that doesn't sound too corny!!!

 

[ashjohnson80]

I suffered from depression for a really long time, especially as a teenager before I got on medication for it. I went to WDW on a band trip in the 10th grade and even though it was my 3rd trip to the world I think that is when it hit me. I realized that I was truely happy for the first time in a long time and I thought "This really is the most magical place on earth".

Now I'm pretty happy all the time but going to WDW still gives me this major happy buzz. I know it's something that will even get better as I have children. I took my husband last year and it was the first time he had ever been, now he loves it too. We're so excited about going back again and again and again... and again....

 

[dizagain]

Ooohh...I like this thread! I went to WDW with my family in the late 70's at age 10. I remember walking onto Main Street and one of the trolleys picked us up. The driver had me sit up front and from that moment on I was just in awe.

My family didn't return until the year I graduated from college and my sister graduated from high school. I remember remembering where things were and being so excited I could burst! My sister is not the "show excitement" type, and I know I got on her nerves that trip!

Less than two years later, I returned on my honeymoon and introduced my husband to Disney. He just had no idea...

We took our children for the first time last May, and after all the planning and dreaming and wishing, it was the most magical time of all for everyone. I'm just sitting here planning and wishing for May '05...I know you guys understand!!!

 

[crazywig]

i knew it was magical when my dh proposed to me in front of the castle on sept. 8, 2001


i had only been one time before, and that was in '96 when i was 30. my parents could never afford to take their 5 children so i finally went with a few girlfriends. it was commando style and i barely remember much of it!

dh and i decided to go in sept. '01...we stayed at the grand floridian and he proposed the first day. in fact, we checked in, went to mk and he proposed as soon as we got up in front of the castle.

it's been a love affair ever since, we've been twice since then and we bought DVC this past october so we can go every year.

 

[Kapp]

all things Disney but when my wife and I took our two DDs (7 and 4) to WDW for the first time and I saw their faces when they saw Cindy's Castle, all of Main Street laid out before them and Mickey and Minnie right there to greet them...it was magical!!!!! It still is but that first momemt is one I will always remember.

 

[litlpixie]

The point when I "figured it out" was 3 years ago and was sort of a dissapointment to me because at the time my 3yr old DD was not with us. Her father and I felt she was too young to appreciate it, wouldnt remember anything, and wouldnt be able to handle the busy running around of a what I thought was a "theme park" vacation. We only had our older boys with us. As soon as I entered the MK gates, it hit me like a lightning bolt of how wrong I had been. As I laughed during Muppets 3D, cried during FOTLK and Fantasy in the Sky, and reflected during Illuminations, I kept thinking to myself that I couldnt wait to plan to get back down here ASAP with her. We've gone for the last 3 years. And every now and then my now 6yr old DD will ask, "Mommy, why did you leave me home?

 

[ashjohnson80]

Originally posted by crazywig
i knew it was magical when my dh proposed to me in front of the castle on sept. 8, 2001

a happy *tear* That is so sweet! What a perfect place for a proposal!!!!

 

[princesstommi]

Wow. Good question.

I have always loved Disney - Disney movies, characters, shows - but had never been there until I packed up as a college student and moved there to do the College Program.

I was lucky enough to meet my Prince Charming during that internship. First night there, wandered into his apartment, and the rest is a fairy tale - complete with a WDW honeymoon. (man, I'm such a cheeseball, huh?)

But my first Disney *magic* moment, I will never forget. It was probably the first week I was there, and we went to go see Fantasmic! for the first time. When Mickey pops up at the top of the mountain in the end, I burst into tears. Sensory overload, and I was in love with the Disney Magic.

 

[GRAYWIFE]

I have never been to Disney as a child. My first trip was with my daughter Artie when she was 11. We (my ex-husband and I) had promised her we would take her to WDW and even though we had gotten divorced in the mean time, we stuck to our promise. The trip was not as magical as it should have been due to the underlying tension between my ex and myself. Our second trip was a year later after I had re-married with my daughter, new husband and my mother. It was a nice trip but I still didn't get the magic. I remember telling my mom I wished I could have brought Artie when she was little and my mother said she wished the same for me and my siblings. This was her first trip.

Anyway...it was the 3rd trip in 2001 to Disney that it truly hit me. We were walking down Main Street as a family: My Husband, My daughter Artie (then 17), her boyfriend and our little one, Sydney who was turning 3 that week. As we walked, Artie grabbed my hand and said "this is going to be the best trip here since we have Sydney with us now". I started crying and she started crying and the two guys started laughing and kept walking!! After we split from the 2 teenagers, my husband and I went straight for ToonTown so Sydney could meet her idol Cinderella. We walked in and there she was...Sydney looked at her like she was a rock star!! She got a hug and she turned around and gave my husband the thumbs-up!! I looked at my husband and he is bawling like a baby!! It was the most wonderful moment I can remember at WDW!! We have been back a few times since and it is always so great!!!

I know you can enjoy WDW without small children but it is just a totally different place for us since we have Sydney.

 

[Micca]

When I was 9, my family took a once-in-a-lifetime trip to DL. When I walked across the drawbridge of the castle, "When You Wish Upon A Star" was playing. It's been 40 years, and I still remember that moment.

14 years later I was married and living in Miami. DW insisted that we go to WDW for a weekend, but I hesitated believing it just wouldn't be the same as DL. We made the Miami-Kissimmee drive many times in the 3 years that followed. With each subsequent trip, I became so excited I couldn't sleep the night before our visit. I was hooked for life

 

[Gadget Girl]

I love this thread, too! I'm getting weepy just reading it (I hope my husband doesn't see my post, I'll never live it down)! I never got to go to WDW as a child, either, although I also loved all things Disney. My first trip was after DH and I were married and had our first baby, who was 6-months-old at the time. What an experience! As we walked in and I saw the castle, I knew I was hooked. Next week we are leaving for our 5th trip with our two dds, now 9 and 6. I can't wait...you're making me homesick for WDW!

 

[joshsmom]

The first time I walked on to Main Street USA and saw the castle, I broke out into tears because it was REALLY RIGHT THERE. I was in college at the time and the friend with me thought I was NUTS!!!

The Magic was reaffirmed when I saw it through DS(then 5) and my mom's eyes. My mom had never been there, my son had never been there. It was AMAZING!!! And when Josh hugged Mickey with sheer joy on his face and tears in his eyes, I was hooked for LIFE (and so was he!!!)

 

[Momto8]

I was 11 in 1964 when I went with my parents to DL, who have now both passed away. I knew I was hooked as soon as we walked through the entrance. I remember seeing the Mickey flower garden in front of the park. My parents both loved it as well, especially my DM. After we went, I remember telling everyone that DL was such a special place and it was like no amusement park I had ever been to and that it wasn't just an amusement park, it was so much more. I just couldn't put into words the feeling I had while I was there. Now I can....it's so magical! I still feel that way to this day.

 

[Mickey76]

For me, it wasn't one specific moment. I guess when I was older, in my twenties, is the time that I realized the "magic" of Disney. Of course, when i was younger, there was that element of magic. But it was when I went to WDW as an adult and realized that I was still captivated, mesmerized, and awestruck by the fact that a cartoon mouse and his friends could still bring a smile to my face. Walking through the parks, especially Magic Kingdom only heightened that feeling of witnessing something magical and I haven't been anywhere sles that gives me that same feeling, except Yankee Stadium (but even the Yankees have let me down in the past, Disney was always a constant joy). As I reflect on the 9 times that I have been to WDW, it are the most recent visits that I appreciate it more than i did when I was a child. It's the cleanliness of the parks, the friendliness of the cast members (and other guests!), the joy on everyone's faces. It's so much more than these things and then again, it isn't. Simply put, it's Magic.




Mickey76