Remember your first Disney Trip?

[betz]

1969, we drove across country to see my brother Billy come home from Viet Nam. Then we all went to Disneyland. It was a thrill.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I visited DL in '68, while visiting a buddy in LA. 'Just a theme park' to me then. Our family did DL while in a vacation to LA in '92, 'just a theme park' to me again.

Fast forward to '98. Marie was very ill with breast cancer, I had a business convention at WDW. I did not want to go, she wanted me to go. I did. While there, I promised that if she recovered, we would all go to WDW to celebrate. She did, we did. We did a lot, had a wonderful time. I got bit by the Disney bug big time, I am here now, on my 10th trip since and was at DL 2 more times.

My best memory, which I related to a few people the past few days here, (and often over the past few years) was, after making a bathroom break in the middle of the night, walking out on the balcony of the Poly, 3rd floor, lagoon view, watching the Castle slowly changing colors off across Seven Seas Lagoon, the reflection of the moon on the still, glass-like water, the Contemporary and Grand Floridian Resorts aglow in the distance, while my family, Marie, Natalie and Vince, could all be quietly heard, sleeping soundly, peacefully, contently, behind me.

 

[meeko_33785]

I don't remember my first trip at all. Of course, I was two years old at the time, so that might have something to do with it. The only things I know about the trip are what my parents tell me and through photos. Apparently, the only ride I went on was Cinderella's Golden Carousel. I also saw the afternoon parade and met some of the characters (they say that I absolutly loved Pooh). The first trip I remember was a year latter when I was three years old. I remember meeting Mickey and Minnie in the Tour Guide Gardens at MK, seeing Small World and the Country bear Jamboree, and seeing the swans that use to swin in the moat outside the castle.

 

[adamak]

You know, if Disney people are reading this thread, they should make some of them in to advertisements.

These are more than kodak moments.

 

[HomeToPIT]

Wow, Great Thread!!

My first trip was in 1975 or 76. I've been back many times to all of the parks but the first trip was the most memorable. My mom and sister drove down from Pittsburgh. This was also my first time in Florida.

Memories that are flooding back:

Seeing the different sights along I-95. The one that really sinks into my mind is South of the Border...what a place. The anticipation of finally getting there after seeing the signs for miles and miles. The signs were very slanted towards very bad Spanish, they were changed in 1993 at the request of the Mexican embassy.

Being able to go into a store in South Carolina and actually buy fireworks.

We went in June with no air conditioning in the car. Whew!!

The drive through Washington DC's beltway. I remember it being really hectic at the time. Funny, but I drive it about 5 times a year now and I'm used to it.

Seeing Palm trees! Up until then, I was never further south than West Virginia!

The complementary glass of orange juice at the Florida welcome building on I-95.

We stayed a motel on International Drive. I can't remember which one but it was almost at the end of the road. I remember a gas station there that sold those 10 pound bags of oranges. I was just in Orlando on International drive last month and I was shocked at how much it has developed!

We also stayed at another motel at the intersection of 192 and I-4. Can't remember the name, but there was NOTHING around it!

The drive along the entrance road to Disney World itself. Talk about anticipation! And then finally parking and waiting in line to buy tickets.

Tickets...Trying to keep the "E" tickets for the good rides.

The cleanliness of the park.

The quality of the landscape. I can't remember where, but I can still see the hedges pruned to resemble animals, ala Edward Scissorshands.

Tiki Room. I can still catch my mom (86 years old) humming the melody. ...In the Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki room.

Lugging around an old heavy Nikon 35mm camera with about 3 different lenses. I still have the photos.

Going into the submarines. I still marvel at this ride.

Space Mountain. Not having the nerve to go on this ride with my sister. Actually, I still don't have the nerve!

Tomorrowland. The rumbling seats in the space simulation. This effect seems kind of lame today but back then it was incredible.

Haunted Mansion. While waiting in line, reading the tombstones. We were in this ride and the power went out. The whole place was pitch black except for the CM's flashflights. Really scary.

Carousel of Progress. I can remember down to the wagging tail that darn dog that's in this attraction! The mechanical movements blew me away, they seemed so real.

Gosh, there are so many memories that are coming back right now. I can recall some of the smallest details of that first trip. But the best memory is spending time with mom, she just turned 86 last Saturday and this is the first year that she didn't want to go anywhere on vacation. I suppose that this means that she is slowing down. I still can't believe that on that first trip she walked around the entire park effortlessly. I guess that she (and me) are getting old. I think that I'm going to dig out the pictures from the first trip to Orlando and show them to the family at Christmas.

When I look back to my first Disney trip, it was the beginning of a life of travel. I'm fortunate to have a job where I travel extensively in the US and also Europe, South America, and throughout Asia many, many times. But it all started with a fun, definately budget oriented adventure to Orlando many years ago. For this, I will always try to stop in to Disney World when my travels take me near Florida.

Peace

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I sure do remember. I was 17 and it was 1987. I hadn't yet graduated high school. Mom and dad decided since I did so well in high school that year to take me and little sister to Disneyworld. She was just 13. Took my then 3 year old neice who remembers it somewhat now at the age of 19, but it's not vivid to her at all.
I had fun and remember staying at the Days Inn in Kissimmee. Mom and dad just found it to be cheaper to stay offsite. Regretted that though when driving to the parks each day. The only parks then was EPCOT and the MK and it's hard to believe how much those parks have progressed in 17 years!

Nothing compares to the first trip I took with DH in 1998. It was wonderful and holds so many more awesome memories for me. our 10 year was quite special too and I can remember it like it was yesterday...amazes DH how I can do that! A gift I suppose.

 

[djkeenan]

I'm getting nothing done today...

I keep checking back to see the latest posts. What wonderful feelings they impart!

Thanks Dan Murphy for sharing all your gorgeous photos. What a way to share memories. I grabbed several of them to set as my desktop background.

This is getting very addictive!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Glad you enjoy them, djkeenan, that is what they are for.

 

[Micca]

First trip DL 1965 age 9. Second trip DL 1975--first vacation with DW having been married just over a year. Third trip WDW 1977--got bit by the bug big time. Couldn't tell you the number of times we've been--25-30?

 

[Pat]

My parents spent the winters at Treasure Island outside of Tampa/St. Pete. We (my husband and kids and me) went to visit them for a week or so and we drove to WDW for the day. The first trip was in 1972 and the next one was in 1973. Of course, at that time, the only park was MK. We were all awestruck by everything about it. I remember some of the rides and my girls even remember things from those first two trips.

 

[chewooki]

Well, now you all got me thinkin'.... My first trip to Disney was somewhere around 1973 - I was 4 years old-ish. I remember my Mom putting my very first Disney hat on me. It was white straw with a pic of Micky on the front and a white ribbon that tied under my chin (which she apparently forgot to tie). How I loved that hat instantly!!!! So much so, that when it BLEW OFF while riding the tram into the park - I went hysterical!!!! - I don't ever think I will forget that moment. (thank God I can laugh about it now)

The other thing I remember is being so insulted it hurt and cried my eyes out, becuase my 5 brothers and sisters got to go on Space Mountain and I had to stay outside and wait for them with my Father. (I just wasn't tall enough, he said)

Honestly, I was a tomboy - not a cry baby!

I remember the tickets. They were made of paper then and they came in pretty colors.

I remember my father taking me to the skyway saying "You can ride this ride AJ" I marvled that we were in the sky.

Ah, the enchanted Tiki Room, I think it was years before I realized those birds were not real!

We returned to Disney almost every year, sometimes twice a year. I have to imagine that I have been there at least 25 times or so.......and it just keeps getting better. I can't imagine my life without it!

 

[DocRafiki]

I'm only halfway through, but I am really enjoying reading all of these. Thanks, everyone!

 

[djkeenan]

Seems like this thread is about dead. Thanks again to all who shared such great memories. I (and apparently several of you) really enjoyed it!

PS: Gotta share this with someone... Just signed up 2 theaters in Florida (we do the trivia slide before the movie starts) so guess where I'll be going in Jan? You betcha!