I know this story is not exactly what you were asking, but here goes. My first time going to Disney, I was about 35. When I was six, my parents took my older sisters and drove across country to
Disneyland; my little sis and i were too young to go. When I was 10, we went to visit my brother in Florida, and Disneyworld opened a month later. During a high school trip to Florida, none of the other girls wanted to go. When I was married, my husband's family would invite us to Florida every year, and you guessed it - none of the adults ever wanted to go!
I desperately wanted to go to Disney. When I was in my mid-thirties, a friend and I went to CA to visit other friends, and we went to Disneyland first. When I walked onto Main Street, I was improbably excited. Everything so beautiful! The crowds so happy! There was a parade going on so we were stopped right at the mouth of Main Street.
And who drives by, just feet away? The 'Grand Marshalls' of that day's parade, looking stylish in a red convertible - none other than Frankie Avalon and everyone's favorite Mouseketeer, Annette Funicello! There they were, in all their glory - Annette still looking healthy (though she had undisclosed MS at that time). It was wonderful, joyous, and overwhelming, finally being at the Happiest Place On Earth.
I expected Disney to be great. I just didn't think it would be that great.
