Once you are in the world, isn't it "surreal?"

[chicky monkey]

I guess what I'm talking about here is this...you spend months, weeks, days on the DIS boards reading about, thinking about, planning for Disney.

Then, lo and behold, you find that your magical time has come and you are actually there in Disney instead of reading the boards. Does that "surreal" feeling catch up to you when you are finally there as if it's just not really happening to you?

I mean really, look all the time we spend preparing and thinking about our future Disney trips. We read threads about the resorts we are going to be staying at. We read reviews of all the restaurants...we read, we read, we post, and post....then all of that finally brings you to the moment you've been waiting for....WHEN YOU ARE THERE EITHER LOOKING AT THE CASTLE, OR RIDING THE MONORAIL, OR CHECKING IN.

Please share your experience/thoughts about the moment it actually hits you that your time is finally come and you are finally in the WORLD riding the rides you've been waiting so long to ride....eating the food in the restaurants you've had your ADRs for months, and staying in the resort you've read a million posts about.

Let's have fun with this one!

 

[chicky monkey]

Oh no! My thread is being ignored....I guess I'll go sulk in the corner now...

 

[dsnymomof4]

Oh, I know exactly what you mean! Sure, it's exciting when the airplane lands at MCO and when the bus pulls up to the resort. But the moment it really hits me is when I walk into MK and see the red brick pavement. I don't know why, but it just makes me feel like I'm in a whole different universe. It's so far removed from everyday life - it's just magical. Sometimes, we'll get there and just start going and going and I have to tell myself to stop and take a look around and realize where we are. I love that feeling!

 

[AllyCatTapia]

Our very first day we just settled into the hotel and didn't go to a park BUT we did go to Downtown Disney, went in teh big Disney store... Well I looked up at all the characters on the ceiling of that store and just started to cry! And I'm really not a crier, and not "too much" of a disney nut either BUT it was SOO overwhelming.

 

[Robindianne]

DH and I have only been once and it was a spur of the moment decision so planning was not quite non-existant, but was fast and furious. Once we arrived it definately seemed unreal to us. Hawaii and WDW are our two favorite places. We lived in Hawaii and actually moved to the mainland to make money to travel to WDW - how crazy is that! - and other "exotic" and spendy places.

What we couldn't believe at WDW: how truly nice every single CM was, how happy we felt and how childlike, how childish glee is the norm and not to be hidden by more "mature" behavior, how magical the whole atmosphere (even riding the busses) is, and I could go on and on for pages if I let myself.

So, in a word, yes it is surreal (ok 4 words)

 

[conciergekelly]

We would never ignore you! Good thread!

It hits me when we go through the archway! The purple and teal signs also make me happy. It means... Let the vacation begin!

What I find is sureal is that I can never stay on a budget while I am there. I have such good intentions before I go but I can stop myself from spending extra $ . I feel like the real world isn't even there. House payment? What house payment?

 

[grumpymakesmehappy]

I've got chills right now. The surreal moment for me begins when I'm on the bus headed to my resort and I look up and see the big purple arched Magic Kingdom sign. I know I have arrived! Then just stepping into the resort and taking a look around, whether it be the Poly or WL, I'm in complete awe. The I finally get to MK and see the castle and smell the popcorn on main street. I could cry right now. I want to go back!!! I want to go back!!!! I want to go back!!!!

 

[chicky monkey]

Thanks you guys...I'm so glad this thread didn't get ignored. I love reading your responses! You guys are awesome!

 

[Polyfor30th]

After checking in, before we hop-skip-jump through main street--dh and I take a little time to visit our brick. Even though it is always in the same place, I take a picture every year. One just never knows when/if it will be moved or gone forever. Seeing our brick always kicks in the rush of fluttery feelings, and then it's on with the show!

 

[dreamscometrue47]

For us, it is driving down the highway after landing at MCO and looking at all of the advertisments for WDW. Wow, we are REALLY here. But the very best part this last Jan trip and made it so surreal was arriving at the Polynesian, having the CM open the door to our towncar, then having other CM's great us with our lei's and "ALOHA!" I wanted to just stay right there, in that position, with a stupid smile on my face, for the rest of time!!!

Worries?? what worries???? Disney magically takes them all away......

 

[sleepyone]

After crossing over the WDW "border" we get so excited. My dd8 actually had tears of joy last year when she saw the resort sign.

My most favorite thing that always makes it real for me is the first interaction with a character.

The first time I ever saw the castle was magical too.

 

[Goofy Rulz]

All the planning that goes into the trip is totally unbelievable isn't it? And that's all part of the fun of the trip. I don't regret one second of time that I have spent pouring over guide books, looking at boards, making ADRs or looking on the web. It helps spread out that magic! But the minute it really hits me is sitting on the monorail heading towards the Contemporary and seeing the Castle for the first time and hearing my daughter and son cry out "mommy! There's the castle!!". A tear starts to make it's way down my cheek (much like it is right now just thinking about it). Then walking in the park and standing on the railroad landing, putting you above the crowds, looking towards the castle and seeing the horse-drawn carriage, Minnie & Mickey greeting guests, CM's walking around with balloons of every shape, cameras clicking, and the glorious castle in the background beckoning everyone further into the park, you just get a lump in your throat and for 30 brief seconds you don't even realize that your kid is pulling your shirt to drag you down Main Street towards the rides. You suddenly forget about your bills, your job or any other stress in your life (except for the stress from your DH when he says "they don't really want to ride Dumbo again do they?"). But am I the only one who starts "missing" Disney once you arrive? You know, that now that the trip has begun, it also means that it will have to end. Then you start to get depressed. Sure you try to push that emotion to the side while your down there, but it still tugs on you when you're riding Buzz or SM knowing it may be a while until you are back here again.

 

[Tegra89]

I know what you mean. It's almost like planning a wedding. All the work and it's gone in no time.

 

[sammielynn]

I have been known to shed a few happy tears as we arrive in the parking lot. Until now no one but my DS's knew that.

 

[__disneygirl]

I totally agree. It's completely surreal. It's just such a magical place.

 

[Wendy31]

Way back in 1991, my DH (well, then he wasn't my DH, of course; then he was just some guy I went to school w/ ) & I were seniors in high school, and our senior trip was to WDW. I still remember counting the days down on the chalkboard in our homeroom and then the feeling when we finally got there. We were walking down Main Street, and I just stopped & said, "Guys, we're here! We're actually here!"

Last year, was our 1st trip back since 1991, and when we walked down Main Street w/ the castle in front of us - this time w/ our 5 year old little girl & our 4 year old little boy - I felt it all over again. I looked over at DH & could tell he felt the same. "We're finally here!"

Our first dinner was at Liberty Tree Tavern, and the whole time we ate, I kept thinking, "I can't believe we're actually here - eating in the restaurant that I chose months ago!" Yes, it felt very surreal.

And, then later that night, as we sat and watched Wishes for the 1st time, I looked over at DH & the kids & watched the reflections of the fireworks in their eyes & got all teary... It's just a moment that you want to keep w/ you forever.

 

[Scottish-Helen]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who get these surreal moments. For me it's usually when I get on the plane, then get off the plane and then when I walk into MK and see the castle. This next time especially I have been planning for over a year and it feels like I am planning a make believe holiday and that it's never going to be real.

I work as a travel agent and I also get a surreal feeling of "this is what I am selling all day every day to people" that makes me smile

 

[susan0326]

I totally agree. It is very surreal.

It's sort of like planning for the birth of your child .. you plan, prepare, and dream of the blessed event. When I first walk down main street and spy the castle, it takes my breath every time! I try to take a deep breath and soak it all in.

I've learned to take moments (like waiting in line or waiting for parades) to just stop and take note of everything around me... what do I hear? What do I smell? What do I hear? It's then that I feel like I'm capturing the magic forever in my mind.

Thanks for the post. I feel the same surrealness! (if that's a word)

Susan
http://www.beentheredonethatgoingback.blogspot.com

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

We would never ignore you! Good thread!

It hits me when we go through the archway! The purple and teal signs also make me happy. It means... Let the vacation begin!

What I find is sureal is that I can never stay on a budget while I am there. I have such good intentions before I go but I can stop myself from spending extra $ . I feel like the real world isn't even there. House payment? What house payment?

So true!
on the house pymt thing- I too have noticed you have to work hard, I mean REALLY HARD, to keep your head about you while there... and not go overboard. It's easy to become like a 5yr old- no money worries and get everything to your (or your kids, etc.) heart's desire.... like you said, house pymt? what house pymt? don't talk to me about housepymt I'm at Disney!

 

[Wendy31]

on the house pymt thing- I too have noticed you have to work hard, I mean REALLY HARD, to keep your head about you while there... and not go overboard. It's easy to become like a 5yr old- no money worries and get everything to your (or your kids, etc.) heart's desire.... like you said, house pymt? what house pymt? don't talk to me about housepymt I'm at Disney!

I think this is even more true w/ the "key to the world" cards that you can tie-in to your credit card. Towards the end of our trip last year, I wasn't even carrying any cash w/ me. I just give the CM my "key to the world" card, smile, & say, "Put it on my card, please!"

The real world had completely ceased to exist for me. If you're on the dining plan, all your food is pre-planned - so no worries there. And, then you've got the magic of Disney transportation where Disney is whisking you from one wonderful place to another wonderful place.

It's like you're in your own little world. I remember after we left WDW, we drove to St. Augustine for a few days, and it felt very "weird" - coming back down to the real world. It felt as surreal as being in Disney had felt surreal - but in a totally different way.