Remember your first Disney Trip?

[djkeenan]

Remember your first Disney Trip?

I’m hoping you will share some of the magic and memories of your first trip to Disney. Here’s my story:

Like many of you, I grew up on Disney. Every Sunday night, “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color” kept us glued to the TV. I couldn’t get too much of Old Yeller, Toby Tyler or Johnny Tremain and the Sons of Liberty. But my favorite shows were the ones where Walt would give a tour of Disneyland and later the plans for WDW and Epcot. Growing up, a vacation was a day trip to the nearby beaches, so going to Disneyland never occurred to me.

Years later, on a business trip to a trade show in Anaheim, CA, one of our local reps and his wife stopped by our booth. They told me all about how they spent the day before at Disneyland. Learning that I had never been they insisted that I leave right then (they would watch the booth) and take the afternoon and evening at Disneyland, but I had to promise them I would ride on Space Mountain. I hurried to my room, changed into jeans and headed out.

I remember seeing the silver monorail as I entered the park and recalled the many times I had seen this sight on TV. The crowd was very light with almost no lines. I went to as many attractions as I could, but now, 25 years later, what I remember the most are, A Small World, The Matterhorn and of course, Space Mountain.

Until then I had never been on a roller coaster of any kind. The thought of it scared me something awful, so I stood for several minutes in front of Space Mountain trying to get my courage up. Then 3 kids, about age 10, ran past me coming from the rides’ exit hurrying to enter again. I asked them if the ride was scary, and of course they told me “no, not at all”.

I remember vividly how scared I was as we climbed the first big incline and began to race through Space Mountain. It seemed to take forever. At the end I caught my breath and raced those kids through the exit and back into the entrance! I was hooked. Nobody entertains like Disney! (I've made at least 16 trips to WDW since then!)

 

[IloveDMB]

I don't remember much about my first trip as I was only 5 but I will do the best I can.

We stayed at the Polynesian because my father was never allowed to go to Disney when he was younger. Though his family could afford it, they never went. So when my brothers and I got to an appropriate age, he took us.

I remember how special I felt on the monorail. It was so much fun.

I remember the pool and the lagoon. Walking up Main Street for the first time.

I can't remember much else but thinking about that trip made me smile.

 

[Cruisin]

My first visit to Walt Disney World was in 1974 when I was 18.
I went with my parents and my two brothers. We camped there.

I don't have a lot of specific memories but I remember the August heat, the "cattle corrals" (as we called them), the themed swimming pool with a waterfall, the long lineups to get on rides.

Most of all I remember missing my boyfriend, who is now my husband. I wrote him a letter every day that I was gone away.

 

[Alice28]

I was 4 1/2 for my first trip to Disneyland. 1976

I remember: sitting in the pink monkey car on Casey Jr.'s Circus Train

Loving It's a Small World

Being quite scared of the Matterhorn (I sat with my Mom and kept my eyes shut the whole time)

Thinking the burning ceiling in Pirates of the Caribbean was going to fall on us

The red carpet of the Howard Johnson Hotel we stayed at

I have very vague memories of the Mine Train, which is now Big Thunder Mtn...it was probably one of the last years it was open.

 

[DocRafiki]

I have no idea. It was 1974 and I was a year or less old. I do have a few visions of some trips before 1977, but don't know which trip was which.

--peter pan's flight, thinking we were REALLY high up in the air over some city

--sitting in the old blue stroller having a grape juice handed to me (remember the juices that were in the fruit-shaped containers? yum)

--being scared on 20,000 leagues

--the old mill on tom sawyer island

ok that's all, and yet it was enough to instill a life-long Disney love

 

[KimRaye]

Oh Gosh, my 1st trip was in 1991, at 29yo with DS who was 3-1/2yo! We were SOOO outta-the-loop on what to do, when to do, how to do but, we managed. We stayed onsite at Caribbean Beach, DS & I sharing a bed and, now-ex having his own double. I think it was a good trip.. After all, I went back in '93, '96, '01 & '02, with different members of family, a new dh, new DD and, in '02 I went alone for DisconII.

 

[Bon Bon]

My first trip to the world was in 1979, when I was 12. It was just the Magic Kingdom then; they were building Epcot. We spent 3 whole days there and I cried when we left! We did one of those tours, saw Sea World, Bush Gardens, Cypress Gardens and Disney World.

I remember 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was pretty cool. I was disappointed for my kids when I finally returned in 1995 and it was closed. I loved the Tiki Birds, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Haunted Mansion the best. Space Mountain was the scariest thing ever. I cried! But now I go on it every visit. I thought the Monorail was awesome too, especially going through the Contemporary.

 

[KathyFP]

This is a fairly easy since my first trip ever was in 2001.

Now identifying the overwhelming feelings is a little more difficult.

I just remember saying WOW WOW. I just could not believe how beautiful everything was.

I remember sheading many emotional tears wtaching ToD, DD's face and especially, the day we were leaving!

 

[Mickey76]

I don't remember much be cause I was only 4, but I do remember going on Thunder Mountain with my father and grandmother and crying the whole time that we were on it. I also remember seeing a lot of the characters and being in awe of Cinderella's castle.


Mickey76

 

[Phrebert]

My first trip was back in 91. My parents won a trip for 4 to WDW. We stayed at the Carribean Beach Resort. It seemed really magical as it was so clean. The world showcase was awesome and the Downtown Disney area was neat, I spent every night watching the Illuminations and then going to Downtown Disney for closing. It was thanksgiving week and there was also a Space Shuttle launch. WOW!! I really got a kick out of seeing wreaths and christmas lights on Palm Trees.

 

[Kitty 34]

I remember my first trip.....it was 5 years ago!! It was so awe-aspiring!!

 

[Chattyaholic]

I was 14 (I think it was January 1972 when I went with my Mom and Grandparents) when I went to Disney World for the first time, and the highlight of my trip was having my picture taken with Winnie-the-Pooh. I loved Haunted Mansion and It's a Small World, also the Carousel of Progress, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (was so disappointed when it closed). Another memorable moment was when Chip and Dale made a fuss over my Grandma. She had polio as a child and walked with a limp, so we got a wheelchair for her for the day, and Chip and Dale spent several minutes with Grandma. It made her day. Mom was just so engrossed in watching that she completely forgot to take pictures though!

 

[lizdotcom99]

I don't remember the year...maybe 75 or 76.....I do remember the juice bottles that looked like the fruits though. I also remember wanting to see Mickey Mouse so bad...he was no where to be found. Of course when me, my mom and my sister went to the bathroom....my dad saw Mickey Mouse. He had him autograph the little blue Mickey Head name tags got at entry. I was very surprized to see that Mickey's autograph looked a lot like my dad's but I never put two and two together. I still have that Mickey autograph....and a great memory! I also remember my little sister screaming her head off in the haunted mansion....and her and my mom being escorted out. We still tease her to this day about that. Thanks for helping me to relive a great memory!! This has brought a HUGE smile to my face and made me pull out my scrapbook with Mickey's/dad's autograph!!!!

 

[SusieJane]

My first trip was July 4, 1974 to Disneyland. We got there when the park opened and stayed until it closed. That was when you bought E tickets for the good rides and Thunder Mountain was mine cars instead of trains. All of the lands opened off of the castle and it was total magic from beginning to end. My mother and sister and I rode the teacups and we really had our cup spinning. When we got off, my sister and I were dizzy but we were being cool and walking slow but straight, our mother on the other hand, stumbles off the ride and grabs her head and yells, "are my eyes spinning?" We still laugh about that. That night after the fireworks show, everyone sang the Star Spangled Banner.

 

[tmli]

My first trip was as an adult with my ds in 97. What I remember most was crying the first time he ran into Mickey's arms. I just kept pinching myself....evrything was familiar some how.

We were so overwhelmed though, we certainly missed alot. I still, after 4 visits, have not even begun to experience everything.

 

[julie_yet]

I don't remember my first trip 'cause I was only a year old.

 

[MemereMouse]

It was the year Disney World opened and when we were driving in the limo from the airport you could see the castle in the distance from the road. It was awesome. We stayed at the Polynesian and enjoyed the monorail right at our doorstep. Since then we have been back many, many times (my daughter belongs to DVC) but that first sight of the castle remains etched in my memory.

 

[DisneyCP2002]

My first trip to disney was in the late 70's. We only spent one day in the Magic Kingdom but I remember wanting to go home after that first day. It was rather warm and the lines were long. I do remember riding the skyway, small world, and Carrousel of Progress. I'm making up for lost time now by going as often as possible so I can see everything

 

[lynxstch]

Thanks to the person who started it
My first trip to WDW was in 1995 at the tender age of 41..lol..stayed off site...the week of July 4..heat, heat, lines, lines, people, was most of what I remember..but it was also the last year for Figment (thankfully they have since reopened him!)..Animal Kingdom was still in the process of being built..wish I could have seen that then!..also did Universal and Seaworld on that trip..wasn't impressed by either!
Disneyland in 1996..that was special..but somewhat a let down after seeing WDW first..went in March..80 degree weather..no lines, no heat, no crowds..loved it..also did Universal and Sea World out there ..still not impressed..lol!..missed the opening of Jurassic Park the ride by 2 weeks..but did see Kevin Costner at a movie premier party being held at the MGM backstage lot!..
2001..honeymoon trip to WDW..first stay on site..Dixie Landings..had 10 glorious days of nice weather (went at the end of March)..and low crowds..saw the last performance of the Main Street Electrical Parade..and took our time exploring everything..was sad to see that 20000 leagues under the sea wasn't there..Figment was back though!
Looking forward to another trip in 2004~!~!~~!

 

[djkeenan]

What wonderful memories! I read and enjoyed every one. Let's hope we can keep this going... it brightens up my day!