So what got you hooked on WDW?

[GhibliFan]

Back in 1992, walking into the Mexico pavilion in Epcot and then the rest of World Showcase taking me and y family away to other countries. Then going to Sci-Fi dine in for lunch and being in awe of how cool and kitsch it was. Finally, going back on a separate trip and experiencing AKL and BOMA.

Although, I've been a little negative on it lately ... I'm still yearning to go back. I think I'm just gonna wait until some more of the dust settles.

 

[jacks1023]

My beloved grandmother was the biggest Disney World fan. She had 18 grandkids and would take 2 or 3 of us each year. She saved her money all year long for us to have the best. I still remember the anticipation, the night before not sleeping, my first plane ride, mears shuttle, king kamehameha room at the poly, hoop de doo, luau, river country, the 'new' park, EPCOT center...The anticipation and hearing the older cousins' stories had nothing on the real thing! I've loved it since before my first trip and each trip afterwards in all the different stages of my life. I went twice with her as a kid, with our very large family as a surprise for her 80th bday, as a young married couple, with my daughter and then with both my kids... Still have the same excitement each time we go though it will never be the same as going with my Nanny.

 

[disnut8]

My family first went to Disney World back in 1977 for my sister's high school graduation. I was 15 at the time. We stayed at Fort Wilderness Campground and my dad, a person who would say "neat" if something totally floored him, was so impressed by everything and that was difficult to do.

For my high school graduation, my sister was home from the Air Force and we didn't have big plans so we just went to Hershey Park. We had been there many times and it was a fun place for all of us. And while we had a good time, my dad summed it up best as we waited in another line with no indication of how long it was going to take to get through. He said, "no other park will ever compare to Disney World." That phrase, coming from my father just described things perfectly. And on the way home, he said, "it was a great day but it wasn't a Disney day."

 

[tcherjen]

Went numerous times as a child... What got us hooked was our second on-site stay. We have been staying every spring break since. We make numerous short trips in between too. I am so glad to have found dis. It has really helped me with my planning over the years. Very grateful to all that have answered my questions over the years.

 

[Greenfairy]

We booked our first trip when the kids were 3 and 6 in 2009, thinking it would be a one time trip, or that we may go again when they were a bit older. We had a great time and had a couple of pixie dust moments, but just thought it was a good trip. It wasn't until we were home for a few weeks, that I found I could stop thinking about it. One day my husband sent me an email at work and said, "right now, I feel like I am walking on to Pirates". I replied that I felt like I was at Pop waiting for the bus to come. We laughed and admited we both couldn't stop thinking about the trip and decided we had to go back. the thing that got to us was how we felt like everything was taken care of for us, but in such a subtle way, we didn't realize it until we got home.
Well, we planned that trip for the following year, and have been back every year since then. Sometimes twice a year! We became DVC in 2013 and still look forward to every trip! Will be there in two and a half weeks!
Oh, and the "where are you now" has become our own personal family game. Sometimes it becomes 20 questions, and each and every time, it makes me smile.

 

[iheartbklyn]

The video that my signature links to sums it all up...seeing the magic through my daughter's eyes was wonderful. I never went to Disney growing up and I am so glad I can do it for my daughter. We are already planning our second trip for February 2017 which will be WDW and then DCL.

 

[mare1203]

This is a great and thought provoking question!

The easy answer is that Disney just makes me happy. However, I think it's more that it fits my personality. I developed a love of amusement parks at a young age. Plus, relaxing for me is active. I actually find Disney relaxing and a way to unwind and disconnect with the world. Theme parks, water parks, shopping, dining, golf...it's all there! I love story-telling, detail, and Disney's commitment to making sure even the things you don't see are a part of the story. There is always something new to see or some new fact to learn. The history of the Disney theme parks is fascinating to me, and I love to learn about the challenges, wheeling/dealing, and ultimate results. Incidentally, I'm not a huge fan of the movies. Although they are the foundation of the company I've always loved the theme parks. They're like a movie brought to life.

I've resigned myself to the fact that I am basically the ideal consumer for Disney because I love that I can go to one place and have basically everything laid out to me on a platter. They put everything in one place for me to pick and choose how to customize it to me. And, outside of a small age, I think there's something for everyone. What I loved about Disney when I was 9 is different from now, and will no doubt be different when I finally have my own family. Disney allows for that growth and will always welcome me back. I don't see Disney through rose colored glasses and don't think they can do no wrong, but I do trust that they understand the brand, honor the past, and like that they are willing to take a risk.

 

[rapunzelmom]

I "think" I always loved Disney when I went a couple times as a kids, the first being 1972~. I did many solo trips as an adult for weekend getaways when the Boston winter was killing me. What really hooked me was once you are at the park, no one cares if you care staying club level suite at GF or staying at the Motel 8 in Kissimmee, the CMs, the characters, the whole experience is the same I love that. Oh and the look of my 5 year old the first time she saw the Castle, yeah that did it too!