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

[AuntPatti]

My moment comes when I'm on I-4, on my way from the west coast. As soon as I see the the Mickey "telephone pole" I get all tingly. I'm finally there! (It only took 2 hours, but I feel like I'm on another planet!)

I don't think I could ever go past that pole without stopping to see Mickey!

 

[Aurora in blue]

My "wow we are really in disney moment" is when I hear "here we go...off to neverland" it is my favorite wdw memory from childhood and it brings tears to my eyes every time.

 

[kimberlym4]

I mentioned this in another thread but my surreal moment was being in the empty park on our way to our ADR at the CRT. The reservation was for over an hour before the park opened and so we were let in early by security. I'll never forget being able to walk down Main Street with just my family and marvel at the quiet Magic.

 

[Goofyzgurl]

I don't know when it's most surreal for me, driving over into Fla/GA border or when we go through the purple arches with Mickey/Minnie on either side. I think it's really bad when I walk throught the turnstyles and see the castle and I smell the candy shops, I'll look at my watch and say, if I was at work, I'd be doing so and so.....DH says I grip his hand so hard when we walk down mainstreet towards the castle.

 

[disneyfanfamily]

Checking in....That to me is so exciting. We made it!

 

[DisneyCP2002]

Hmmm the moment it hits me, that would be walking down main street with the castle in front of you. That very first ride of your trip or your favorite meal.

 

[lovingthemouse]

No matter how old we get, the thrill of rounding Main St and seeing the castle is a wonderful one...all the things that bother you before a trip are often whisked away!!!

 

[PrincessJasmine]

I spent most of my 22 years dreaming about one day going to Disney World. When I finally started planning my first trip, I had all these ideas of what Disney World might be like. Nothing could have prepared me for it.

I got that first set of goosebumps when the plane landed in Florida. But once I saw the CMs with the mickey mouse hands at MCO waving me toward the Magical Express, I knew that this was going to be no ordinary amusement park. And I was right. From the moment I got on that bus to the minute I got back to that airport days later, my trip was indeed magical.

I'll never forget walking down Main Street for the first time, the castle in the distance. I got goosebumps and tears in my eyes and I knew that the trip was worth the wait. A few weeks earlier, my fiancè had broken off our engagement and I'd been pretty depressed over it. But once I was in Disney...you'd never have known it.

 

[ppony]

Surreal is the perfect word for it. it's just almost unearthly how it feels once you are finally there. Especially when you only go every 3-4 years or so. It's just magical. You take in all the sights, all the sounds, all the smells! Yes, hubby and I refer to that CLEAN bathroom bleach smell as "Disney clean". Is our bathroom at home just clean or is it "Disney clean".
Not sure if I can pinpoint the "moment" I feel it but I tink it hits me most when we get off the plane at MCO and intensifies greatly when we finally check in at our resort! ahhhhhhh! Then I suppose when you get through the gates at your first park! It just doesn't get better than that! there is NO world outside of THEE World!

 

[Kristina]

A big moment for me is walking into the Pop Century lobby, all gleamy with the Everything Pop! store in the distance. It does feel surreal after all the planning and dreaming I do. I love checking in, I feel so excited I could almost kiss the CM behind the desk! But the most surreal for me was this last trip, we made it to the Magic Kingdom for the opening show over the Mickey floral and I just loved it. With the characters waving us inside we walked under the bridge and right into my most favorite place on earth .

 

[Evad]

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.

I feel the same way. Once you are there you know it will all come to an end soon, then back to your job, bills etc. It can be very depressing.



Dave

 

[Vickie46]

my moment is when they sing Good Morning at the opening of MK.. then it leads to zip de da.. I love it.. I cry everytime! Especially when I see my little girl so happy!!!!!!!! It does me in and I am just a cryin under my sunglasses!

 

[Florida_luvr924]

It's very surreal. I always get chills when I see the castle for the first time.

 

[Goofy4Disney]

Same here.... this is why I try to start every trip by going to MK first. Once I see the castle, I think, "OMG, we are really finally here!"

 

[Kanga1]

Oh I LOVE this thread!!!

Since last summer was our first "real" Disney vacation, I don't have any traditional surreal moments, but for me last time it was this:

We had rented a car and were making our way to the Contemporary to check in. Somehow we ended up at the entrance to Animal Kingdom. The wonderfully nice CM at the gate gave us directions. As we were pulling away he exclaims, "Have a magical day!" I knew right then and there that this was by far a most special place and one I would visit often.

Can't wait til June!!!

 

[Pasty Irish]

The past 4-5 times that I've been to Disney World, we've always stayed at one of the resorts in the Boardwalk - Swan and Dolphin - Yacht and Beach Club strip and every time it's when I can finally get out the back of the hotel and take a look either across the lake to the Boardwalk or gaze over to the World Showcase and EPCOT. It's a fantastic feeling... only equalled by my excitement at hopping on the 2 knot travelling Friendship cruiser on my way to MGM Studios.