So what got ya hooked?

[OrlandoMike]

When did you know that you were hooked on Disney?

For me, it was when a friend brought me this video from Florida.....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1pky3f56KM&feature=grec

 

[soulmates]

Well, we'd always loved watching the Disney Sunday movies, my fav part was when they showed DW...it looked like nothing I'd ever seen. But it wasn't untill 79' when my mom took my sister & I for our first ever trip there. Blew us away! We have been followers of the Mouse, ever since!

 

[C&G'sMama]

I went for the first time in 1988, DP went for the first time in 1978. We both got hooked after our 1996 honeymoon. This was our "once in a lifetime trip". We knew we wouldn't be back for a long time. Then came 1997 which was going to be our last trip for years. The rest is history..
(We are also very proud of getting others hooked including my in-laws who first went in 1999 to humor us and who have been back several times since and my brother who prides himself on always keeping busy and who went to humor his wife (they joined us on our most recent trip this past December), he and DSIL want to go with us on our next trip)

And I'm thinking why are we hooked? It's like going home but without the day to day grind. Our biggest decision is Fantasy Land or Adventure Land today.

 

[soulmates]

I went for the first time in 1988, DP went for the first time in 1978. We both got hooked after our 1996 honeymoon. This was our "once in a lifetime trip". We knew we wouldn't be back for a long time. Then came 1997 which was going to be our last trip for years. The rest is history..
(We are also very proud of getting others hooked including my in-laws who first went in 1999 to humor us and who have been back several times since and my brother who prides himself on always keeping busy and who went to humor his wife (they joined us on our most recent trip this past December), he and DSIL want to go with us on our next trip)

And I'm thinking why are we hooked? It's like going home but without the day to day grind. Our biggest decision is Fantasy Land or Adventure Land today.

Love it! You've got others hooked now!

 

[mikelan6]

I stil have that video in Beta format. LOL

I remember my dad taking us on day trips to WDW when I was a kid. Back then, it was the Magic Kingdom only, so you could see a lot in one day. I guess those memories of the good times got me hooked.

 

[soulmates]

I stil have that video in Beta format. LOL

I remember my dad taking us on day trips to WDW when I was a kid. Back then, it was the Magic Kingdom only, so you could see a lot in one day. I guess those memories of the good times got me hooked.

Yup, when we went, it was JUST MK, so went did a day at Sea World on that trip. Now, we NEVER go anywhere BUT DW!! Who has time for SW or US?

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Hasn't it always been Disney in some form?

I remember watching Disney movies on television and seeing Walt Disney explaining his next plan, or venture for the parks.

I saw a special on the "new" park in Florida years, and years ago. I remember being awed at the PoC, and yes, even IASW!

My first visit didn't go to well and I came away with the feeling that the park (MK) wasn't for me.

Then of course, I realized it was the people I was with, and not the parks.

History...

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I went to MK on a school field trip in 1984, so I was hooked then and there. I went to MK 3 more times between that trip and 1988, then I moved to TX. I didn't think much about WDW for a long time.

In 2004, DS was one of the top individual fundraisers for the AIDS walk, and he won an airline ticket in a raffle at the awards party. One of the girls from the agency told him to make us take him to WDW. So we did.

DH was hooked by the time Wishes started on our very first day of that very first trip in Jan. 2005.

 

[itsmuggsie]

It was always Disney for me. I remember watching the Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights and watching repeats of the Mickey Mouse Club every day after school when I was a kid. My brother brought me to my first Disney movie, Bedknobs and Broomsticks. We took our first trip when I was 5 in 1972 and went back every year until I was in my late teens. I really couldn't imagine my life without Disney.

 

[PghLybrt]

I blame it all on my Mom, its a good blame!
We went every year growing up, sometimes twice. We always went in the summer without Dad (he was working) and instead went with Mom's good friend and her kids. Then we would go with Dad in the winter.

We NEVER stayed on property. In fact my Mom made us stay close to Kissimmie. Why??? My Grandma lives there. We never stayed with her, always a hotel/motel. Ahhh the Parmesan inn...... ( Thats what my brother and I called it)
We always had a great time ( or a t least that is how my memory works!) We would also do seaworld, circus world, some baseball park ( i can't remember the name) and of course Disney! Each new park opening was so exciting!

Now I just call it my happy place. I am comfortable there. I have a confession, I am not a big disney fan but a big Disney World fan.

I guess I remember my family always happy and togther there. Now we are just a total disfunctional mess.

 

[Tony-NJ]

Was at WDW back in 76! Only the MK then and we stayed at the Poly. Got hooked in 1996 - it was mine and Chris' first vacation together! It was his idea actually and then I became hooked.

 

[C&G'sMama]

Man I'm getting forgetful. 1973 Disney Land. How did I forget that? I was 9 years old. It was a big trip to CA with my parents and one brother. I remember the Tea Cups. I remember my big brother riding the Mattahorn and I remember wanting a chocolate covered frozen banana. My dad wouldn't get me one. I get one every trip now.

And of course watching MMC (I loved watching the reruns of the original). Especially Spin and Marty. Because I wanted to be Spin and Marty. I wanted to be the cowboy. Should've known then and loved Wonderful World of Disney. But I definitely got hooked on the parks in 1996.

Okay back to the present.

 

[colaboy29]

I was two when WDW let Florida residents into the Kingdom the month before it opened. I've been hooked ever since.

 

[f86sabjf]

about 2wks after opening day when Mickey gave me a hug

 

[MonorailMan]

I'd have to say it'd be the first time I visited WDW with my parents after having spent 3 days on the road in a van with thick dark blue carpet. We pulled into the Poly parking lot and one of the attendants let us know that we could pull right up to the door. (For some reason, that amazed us.) I stepped foot into the Great Ceremonial Hall and this strange smell of plants and treated water filled my nostrils. (Yes, it's similar to the smell you get on the water rides, but not exactly.) I fell in love with it. Shortly after that one of those golf carts picked us up and carried us away to our room, which felt like paradise.

Yeah, the parks are more entertaining and have always been the highlight of my vacations, but the simple thing that took place in the lobby of the Poly is what made me fall in love.

That indescribable smell is still there......and so is my heart.

 

[zulemara]

I visited in 1995 on a trip with a tour group from WI. I was not impressed at all, but I was 10..too cool for Disney LOL

Then my band marched in MK when I was a senior in high school. That trip was awesome in every sense of the word.

Then at college orientation I was told about the college program by my tour guide.

Fall 2004 I did the college program and the rest is history. I agree with PP, it's as much, if not more, about the people you are with. It's sharing that experience that brings people back and gives people such a connection to disney.

 

[soulmates]

It was always Disney for me. I remember watching the Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights and watching repeats of the Mickey Mouse Club every day after school when I was a kid. My brother brought me to my first Disney movie, Bedknobs and Broomsticks. We took our first trip when I was 5 in 1972 and went back every year until I was in my late teens. I really couldn't imagine my life without Disney.

Me TOO!!! I LOVE the original Mickey Mouse Club!! My mom bought me a Mickey Mouse Club scrap book. I poured over the pages...we couldn't wait for Sunday night!!! I think we're telling our ages?!!

 

[TinkerChelle]

I'm a late bloomer! My DP has always been a Disney freak and always talked about her family trips. Her Mom always took her and her sister every year to WDW. Finally, she forced me to go in 2000. I remember calling it the "once in a lifetime trip" so she better enjoy it.

I cried the first time I saw the castle-it really WAS magical. I was shocked BUT a WONDERFUL shock!

Anyway, I've been 10 times since 2000. Guess who is the Disney freak now?

 

[Sphyrna]

Will I get kicked off the boards if I reveal I'm actually not a huge Disney nut? I like Disney and am getting more into it but wouldn't say I'm a Disney nut yet. I enjoy many of the movies but there are also many more that I haven't seen. I guess for now I'm more into the parks than anything. And I agree it's the people and experience that makes it memorable. I know I took a trip to WDW when I was a kid but don't remember too much of it. I do remember a trip I had in college. My family won a trip to WDW from AT&T. It was such an awesome trip. It was like we were royalty. We could pick any place to eat and not worry about the $ since food was included. But if I had to pick what got me "hooked", I'd have to say it was my first Gay Days. It just made the Magic Kingdom that much more magical!!

 

[dauser]

I was always a fan of theme parks and roller coasters, with Disney being only a part of that obsession.

Growing up, I went to DL once and WDW twice with my family. As an adult, between 1991-2000, I went to WDW a total of 3 times for a combination of business and pleasure. I never thought of myself as a Disney freak.

Then, in Nov. 2002 I decided to take a solo trip to DL. I had a lot of vacation time to burn, and my DP, who teaches, was not able to join me. I don't know what it was, but something about that trip triggered my obsession with Disney. I just love the feeling of being in a Disney theme park. Ever since then, I have gone on at least one trip per year to DL and/or WDW.

2009 included trips to WDW in Jan and Oct, and to DL in Nov.

2010 trips include a trip to WDW next week (with my parents, sister, and her husband and 3 kids - help! I am used to taking adults-only Disney trips) and a possible fall trip to WDW with a friend who is not a huge Disney fan except that he loves the Food and Wine Festival.

Good times ahead!