Did you go to Disney as a kid?

[twinmomplus2new]

My first Disney trip was 1976. I was 6 years old. I remember the parade the characters were dressed for 1776, colonial style with these giant heads, I was scared to death. We stayed offsite and went to that Cafeteria style place Morrisons was it? I also remember A giant Parrott it must have been at Discovery island? Taking a toupee right off a mans head.

After that, I did not return until 6 years later when I went with my Aunt and Uncle, In a Motor home to Ft Wilderness over Easter. You know its funny I don't remember anything about the parks that vist at all. I remember fishing near the bike barn, the campfire, Hoop de doo review, Horseback riding, and River country. I remember what a great time we all had.
And on a funny note, My aunts grandmother died the day before Easter, ( that parts not funny) This is though..We drove her to the airport and us kids were all sleeping it was Easter sunday and I could hear them talking in the front of the motor home. And my Aunt was saying now Tom it's Easter Sunday the kids have to go to church. He replies of course they will go to Church, I agree, Right after they get thier baskets off to church. Well after we got back and dispensed with the candy my uncle said ok get dressed for church. We all got ready and I was a little upset. I didn't want to go to Church,Boy was I surprised when we wound up at the CR. I said I thought we were going to Church? boy was I confused at which point all his kids started roaring., YOU THOUGHT HE WAS TAKING US TO CHURCH!!!! He claimed the CR was Walt's church and what better way to celebrate. We rode the water sprites that day, played shuffleboard, swam, and ate ate I guess Chef Mickeys? I had a great time.
As for my kids they have been at least once per year since I became a parent myself.

 

[mom2rb]

My aunt was living in Fla. the summer of 1980. She let me, my brother and two cousins come stay for two weeks. We were ages 5,9,10,11 and our parents let us fly alone. My aunt drove us the two hours from her house to DW twice during our visit. She was six weeks pregnant and she had to keep pulling over on the highway to throw-up.

The next trip was when I was 13. I had two aunts and their families going and they brought me along. I had to sleep on the floor of a cheap off-site hotel. I still had a great time.

I didn't get to stay on site until my honeymoon in '96.

 

[pkitty]

My first trip was in 1980 when I was 10 years old.My sister and brother-in-law took my because my parents could not afford to.It was my first time on a plane and I remember being at Pearson International Airport (Toronto) with my mom, dad, sister and brother-in-law crying my eyes out because I was so scared about flying.Makes me laugh now because my DD at 10 is a professional flyer...first flight at 4. Anyway I remember Space Mountain scaring the wits out of me...I rode it this year for the first time since that trip...talk about scarred for life!!!!We only went for two days because we did Busch Gardens and the beach as well,but I'll never forget it.That walk up Main St USA was Magical. I watched Disney every Sunday night faithfully and remember having seen Main St on there and now I was actually standing on it!!!!The feeling was surreal!!! I had didn't have anther opportunity to visit again until 96 when dd was 4. We've been every year since and are now DVC owners at SSR. She is getting the opportunity to experience this sensation every year...that's my gift to her and her children for the next 50 years, Magical moments and Magical Memories.

 

[DrTomorrow]

I was 12, and we stayed there over Easter of 1973. We stayed at the Contemporary Tower, 11th floor overlooking the MK. I remember sitting up front in the monorail being about the coolest thing ever; we also had several meals at the Polynesian's Papeete Bay Verandah (now 'Ohana). The trip gave me such fond memories that I had to make my first family (DW,DS) include a stay at the CR, even though it is one of the weaker themed resorts.

 

[disney4me4ever]

We went as a family Chirstmas, 1971, right after WDW had opened. I will still never forget the feeling of awe....that I really had entered the most magical place on earth. After at least 30+ trips later, I feel exactly the same way, every time I go.

Nancy

 

[MinnieGi]

Yes, my parents started my Disney addiction! I was four years old the first time we went and we stayed at the Hotel Royal Plaza along with my grandparents. It was my first stay at a "high-rise" hotel rather than a Holiday Inn. I was awed by the outside elevator! Before our trip I never had even heard of WDW. I remember having paper tickets to go on rides, I remember my Mickey balloon my parents bought me and I remember being wowed just by the site of the CASTLE! Although I thought Mickey and Minnie lived there and not cinderella! I also remember of being frightend by the fireworks and my dad having to hold me. I think we only stayed three or four days as it was only the MK back then. Other than that I don't have any memories of that trip, but I know I loved it. And so did my parents, my mom especially. She cried when we had to leave MK for the last time, she thought she might never be able to visit again.

Well lo and behold we went at least eight times during my childhood creating many magical memories. We never stayed on-site. The Magic lived and still does for my parents in the parks - not the place where you sleep! BTW, my mom is still a park commando!

Staying on-site was my dream - and that came true during our honeymoon which was also DH's first time ever to WDW! And now we've been DVC member for over a year. "When you wish upon a star...."

 

[AmyTags]

I did not go as a kid. I went to Disney for the first time with my dh(boyfriend at the time) and his family for Christmas 1994. He went every year for Christmas with his family since he was 5. We have continued going to Disney every year (sometimes 2 or 3 times a year) since 1994 and went on our honeymoon to WDW and the Disney cruise in 1999. We took our dd last year (she was 9 months old) and we are taking her again in May. She will probably be going to Disney every year for a long time since we are not DVC members. We love it!!

 

[lenshanem]

Shannon
I used to look forward to your posts(spelling mistakes).............now you are a "pro" typing.

I'm sorry Nick!
Blame it on the program I now have installed.
I'm glad to hear someone liked the old me.

 

[kweaver]

I went to WDW for the first time when I was 10...with my sister, parents and grandparents (who used to winter in Marathon). The whole trip was a whirlwind...I barely remember any of it...except riding the "train" at the Orlando airport.

Didn't get back til our first trip with my own family...DH, DD and I when she was 3 (1997). Now THAT was magical (even if I was 5 mos pregnant!)! We live in Atlanta now...so we're close and get to Orlando fairly often. We've been to WDW five times...and now that we are DVCers...we'll be there much more often!

 

[DisneyBill]

We didn't go to WDW as kids. In fact our family never went on any vacations, not because we couldn't, we just didn't. We just sent my parents to Destin for their first vacation. They're 70.

 

[Shelby5514]

My first trip to the World was in 1997. I was 27 at the time. In 2001, DH and I took my mother for her first time, she was 68!!! What a joy to be able to show her the World. She still talks about how clean the parks were.

Next year we hope to take our friends and their newly adopted children from Russia. (Aged 2 & 3) I love showing off the World!

Shelby5514

 

[disneycrazed139]

I also went in 1972 when it first opened. I was only four years old but I do actually have vivid memories of it, even at that really young age. I specifically remember seeing Cinderella's castle and being in absolute awe.

I also remember the monorail and thinking it was the absolute coolest thing in the world. We must have been in the contemporary because I still have a vision of this space age looking train going THROUGH the hotel. What a trip at that age. It's no wonder I'm addicted to this day.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I went to DL in '63, when I was 17. I remember the Matterhorn and getting my picture taken with a crazy cut-out wood scene. I have stripped pedal-pushers on. I went with friends, mom, who was with me in California, wasn't interested in going there.

DH and I took DS#1 when he was 2 1/2 in '77 and I was pregnant with DS#2. We went every 3 years with the boys when they were growing up.

It was very easy to ride in the front car of the monorail way back then!

Bobbi

 

[SamRoc]

I went for the first time to Disney World when I was 17. I remember how much I loved it and how hot it was in August! The next time I went was with my husband and nephew when I was 24. I promised my nephew (he was 12 at the time) that if was in my wedding party, I would take him to Disney, and I did. It has been an annual event ever since then, with nieces, nephews and every year with my kids (who are now 19 and 14) Friday will be our first trip as DVC members (its about time we bought!) This trip will be with my husband and kids, as well as my Dad, sister and nephew Brian. This will be Brians first trip to Disney, and I am glad we are able to show him our favorite place.

 

[ilovefh]

When my parents got married my mom suggested WDW for their honeymoon and my dad said no way...it was for kids. At the last minute in either '83 or '84 (can't remember which) my family (mom dad and I) decided to drive down with some friends (mom dad and three boys) all in a station wagon from NH to Orlando straight through. I remember riding in a carseat in between my mom and their mom in the back seat while the boys got to rise in the back of the station wagon. We gone every year since at least once! When DVC came out my parents looked into buying and decided not to. Even though I was only 12 I really wanted to buy into DVC! I was a Disney addict! I did the WDW College Program in 2001 and became even more of an addict! So after some changes in my life I decided that I should buy now...cause it would be now or never! If I waited until I graduated the price would go up and I wouldn't be a CM anymore and knew I'd look at it and say it was too expensive! But now that I have bought in I know I will add on! I can't wait to start using my points!!

 

[niks81]

I went for the first time when I was 10 and my brother was 6...my parents felt that kids should be old enough to remember this expensive experience Stayed at the Poly.

Not sure what you consider the cutoff for a "kid" but I went when I was 16, 17 and 18....and those were probably the best memories for me. I think it is so much better when you are older (and can do more!)

 

[rae519]

Hi Colleen!

How are things in Bloomington? Uphere it's the same-0, same-0!

I think we need to define the word "kid" here! I was nearly 20 years old when I was stationed at March AFB (Riverside, CA) and visited Disneyland for the first time! The pictures taken of me that day show a little girl not a woman/soldier!!! So maybe that qualifies me!!!

I returned several times and enjoyed each visit!! I still have the guidebooks!

Rae

 

[Yensid_MD]

I visited first with my family in 1972. I only have a few memories of that time, the biggest being the ticket books and staying in The Contemporary. My Dad tells me a room at the Contemporary cost $75 per night back then.
I went once more as a kid, don't remember the year, River Country was open, but Epcot was not open yet and then started going as an adult in 1998 when my son was four and have gone every year since. Sometimes with the children, sometimes without. Going in December this year (no children just the wife and I ) and September next year with all four kids. Yeah!!!