Okay, what's the FIRST thing that tells you, "Wow, we are DEFINITELY at WDW!" ??

[LuluLovesDisney]

First sign- The streaks of terracotta and cerulean blue coming through the clouds- the clay tile rooftops and the poolwater showing through! Soooo different from the grays and blacks of New Jersey asphalt and buildings.

Second sign- the brightly colored roadsigns specifying Disney locales.

Third sign- The Castle!

With each sign, my feelings of peace and happiness increase tenfold!!

 

[TxDisneyFan]

For me it was the sign.

Our family's first trip in May-June 2004 we pulled our travel trailer. We left Texas and took a LONG 3 days (my dh didn't want to push it) to get there. It was pretty cool to see the mouse ears on the water tower at MGM, but I gotta say tears came to my eyes when we saw the welcome sign. We're here!

Looking forward to seeing it all again...and decorated for Christmas!

 

[Thea]

For us it is definitly driving under the welcome sign. For us the sign signals a week of fun, magic and relaxation


Thea

Only 21 days to go....

 

[emememem]

Pulling out of the parking garage at MCO....we're on our way!!!!

 

[Credit Man]

We have a family tradition of a count down to the welcome arch. When we scream, were home!!!

 

[Pocahontas1]

I'm with the majority. The welcome arch and the purple signs.

 

[jlowejd5]

We've done DCL cruises our last two trips down (and will again in 248 days, not that I'm counting or anything).



For me, the moment when I know I can finally relax and let the Mouse do all the work is when we get off the shuttle at MCO and see the DCL CMs waving those big Mickey hands.

Once I see those folks, I know everything else is out of my hands, and that I can just sit back and chill out for a week or so.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

... is once we check in. Just walking into any Disney resort makes me feel like we have arrived!

 

[OzFan]

My 7 yr old DD getting out of the Limmo and taking a deep breath and then saying in the sweatest voice ever "Yep we're here, it smells like Disney!"
it makes all the planning and cost of the trip worth every penny!

 

[lissawynn]

I think for me it's my first ride on the monorail. Even if we arrive late and aren't going to a park, I love to ride around the parks and just see the castle or the sphere.

 

[Eeyoreloverforever]

when I can see the lights of Downtown Disney as we are driving in from the airport.

I just realized, we always arrive at night!

I think this time we might be arriving during the day. I wonder what will tell me I am home?

 

[Mickeyistheman]

The smell.......

The smell that comes from the hotel and the dtd shops.....It really strikes a cord to me.

I totally agree with you, once I step off the plane there is something in the air and I feel that I am at home, but once we go under the Purple arches... I get a little misty everytime just because I know it is the beginning of a great trip! No matter how many times I come down there I love that feeling.

 

[elastigirlfan]

As soon as we drive under the Welcome to Walt Disney world archway I get so excited!!!

 

[strmtroopr96]

For me, it is when you step off the plane and immediately feel the warm Florida air. LOL Ahhhhhh, Disney!!! Rebecca

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

For me it has always been the Welcome arch. Once I pass under that I know I'm in Disney.

 

[SeattleMark]

Walking into the lobby of the Animal Kingdom Lodge. No matter how many times I see it, it always floors me.

 

[brer rabbit 28]

the moment on the ferry when the castle comes into view,that always puts a tear in my eye!

 

[scrump]

I get chills when I get off the plane at MCO, and they stay with me throughout the drive into WDW. But I really feel that I'm in Disney World when I'm finally walking on Main Street. Can't wait!!!!!!

 

[julie d' tooth fairy]

So many things to list:

Taking off at Gatwick [London]
Arriving at MCO
Driving on the wrong side of the road in the rental car...!
The first rear buzz is the ferry to MK as the castle appears.

The best feeling is as we enter Main Street early in the morning and there are only a few guests in the park...


The sights, sounds and smells are just amazing...
It's just under 2 months until we arrive and I'm starting to have sleepless nights with excitement already...I dread to think what I will be like when there is only a week to go.

Its extra special this year as my husband is safely back from Iraq (He's in the Royal Navy)
Also, as I was quite ill at the end of last year (I’m 100% fine now) and my twin sister took a lot of time off work to care for me while DH was away therefore we decided to pay for her vacation.

She is even more excited than me (if that's possible) as she has never vacationed outside Europe before...

So when we first enter MK on the 29 Aug, look out for 2 identical 30-Something Brit-girls going crazy.

Jue

 

[tmfranlk]

First sign: The "monorail guy" on the shuttle between the airport terminals and the main building.

Second sign: The big purple welcome signs.

We'll be there soon...with any luck only 44 days if we get to squeeze in an extra trip with Mom, Dad and 9yo DSis!