What ignited your Disney love??

[PSUGuy]

In the late 90s Mom came into an inheritance, she'd been to WDW and praised it but we had 3 young kids and a mortgage so we never went, Mom sprung for a trip for all of us. I was not enthused but went along 'for the sake of the kids'. It was the week before Easter the year MK was celebrating an anniversary and the castle was decorated like a cake. The first day there we took the ferry to MK and on the way over I was hooked. This clearly was not a standard amusement park, it was a 'World'. We didn't know about getting there for RD, we strolled in about 10 am I guess, stood in line for Space Mtn for over an hour, thought that's just how it was. We had a ball anyway. Two years later we went on our own having discovered this site and I went into Planning Mode and improved our experience. In 2004 I sprung for a family trip that included Mom, wifey, 3 children, one SIL my son's girlfriend and our first granddaughter, all of us at the Swan. Now that we've probably had our last grandchild, 6 in all, we all hope to go in Oct 2016.

Bill From PA

 

[xApril]

I was pretty much born into it. Both my parents were cast members hwen I was born so they took me all the time. I now have an annual pass and go several times a week with friends.

 

[suzimar57]

Every Sunday night watching "Wonderful World of Color" as a child - going to the 1964-65 New York World's Fair and going on the Disney attractions (Small World, GE Carousel of Progress, Ford Magic Skyways, Illinois Abe Lincoln) - FINALLY got to the MK in 1981 (for only half a day) to experience being there in person - always feel i'm "home" when i'm in WDW..

 

[tsme]

During my senior year in high school my brother died in an accident. My father decided to take us, including my DBF who is now my DH, to Disney World to help put some happiness back in our lives. It was our first real vacation we ever had. My DBF/DH and I went by ourselves touring the parks. He had done alot of research. We stayed from RD til closing every night. We even ate lunch at the Poly, which we were so excited and impressed with at the time.I found it so exotic and fancy, probably because I had never been anywhere before. In Disney World was the first real time that I smiled and laughed since the accident. Both my DH and I knew during that time that Disney really was the most wonderfully magical place in the world. Because if any place had that type of ability to sooth the broken soul, it had to be special, a wonder even! We fell in love with Disney World that trip.
Of course, it took quite a few years (10yrs to be exact) before we could afford to go back. But now we go yearly and have shared the wonder and magic with both our children. And we've even stayed at the Poly a few times.
Thanks to Mickey and friends!

 

[Disgrammy]

Every Sunday night watching "Wonderful World of Color" as a child - going to the 1964-65 New York World's Fair and going on the Disney attractions (Small World, GE Carousel of Progress, Ford Magic Skyways, Illinois Abe Lincoln) - FINALLY got to the MK in 1981 (for only half a day) to experience being there in person - always feel i'm "home" when i'm in WDW..

I almost forgot about the World's Fair - my first picture with a character - Goofy!
Last year when I checked out, the cast member's - "We're missing you already" brought a big smile and tears.

 

[elaine amj]

Growing up, I watched Disney movies like everyone else and The Little Mermaid was a huge favorite. My parents took me to Disneyland when I was 10 and WDW when I was 14. Super fun but otherwise no major impact. My mom even sold the last few days of our WDW tickets because she wanted to go shopping and she says my brother and I didn't complain so no biggie.

I decided to wait to take my kids since it was "crazy to spend $10k for a WDW trip!". I did fully expect to take them 1-2 times during their childhood.

Then we won one day free tix through the Give a Day, Get a Day promo a few years back. So we planned a quick weekend 4 day trip (2 park days). During the planning process, I got hooked. Once we got there, our whole family had a blast - DH particularly loved all my TGM techniques to not wait in line. Once we returned, we booked a proper 10 day trip just 3 months later.

I'm still surprised we love WDW as much as we do. I wouldn't have expected it knowing ourselves - we're very frugal, driven by dealhunting, and cheap/free ways to have fun. I prefer the great outdoors and tent camping. Particularly in the last couple of years, I haven't been as interested in being in cities, even awesome ones like Amsterdam, London,etc. But I always say there is magic in the air at Disney. Everything is better and every meal tastes better too! It's our favorite vacation spot in the world (although tent camping in Ontario is our other favorite).

 

[akmata]

It wasn't sparked until I was in my 30s. But going to WDW and seeing it through my kids eyes is what got me hooked.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

I was lucky enough to go a several times growing up beginning when I was 3 including a cruise on the "Big Red Boat" and Disney combo week. My DW and I went to Disney on our honeymoon (mostly because my mother and stepfather owned DVC). I always enjoyed it but was never totally hooked. When our first child was 5 my in-laws decided we should go to Disney. My folks booked the 7 of us a grand villa and off we went. My father in law paid for everything and let us know how much it cost every step of the way. The trip was miserable for my wife and I. I really thought we may never go again.

How quickly things changed. I started looking into a Disney trip for just the 3 of us and while the cost was rather prohibitive I decided I was going to find a way to make it happen. I called my mother to ask if she had any information about the value resorts and what they were like. To my surprise she said "why don't you just let me get you guys a room?" I was totally surprised and totally appreciative. She called me back 2 days later and we had a 1 br suite at OKW. I scrimped and saved and came up with money for 5 day park hoppers and our vacation was set. We packed the car with all the food we could carry and headed out. The second night we were there the MK had EMH and even though my wife went in at 8 pm my DS (7 at the time) and I stayed until the MK closed (2 am I believe). He was out like a light by the time we got back to OKW and I carried him back to the room. He woke up as I put him to bed and said "Thanks Daddy. That was the best night ever." And that was the moment I was hooked.

 

[Mrsd]

My mother-in-law went to Disney World in the early 70s and came home raving about it. That was before Epcot opened. We went the first year Epcot opened and many times afterwards when our kids were young. Now we go with our grandkids or by ourselves. Love it still.

 

[PCFriar80]

Our first Disney trip was in the mid 90's on the advice of a co-worker and we stayed at the Yacht Club. This was right around the time the Boardwalk was being constructed, and we remember thinking/saying "what an eyesore". We were novices and didn't appreciate the special touches. 20 years later, we've been more times than I can remember and have seen AK come alive on opening day, more than too many attractions to count that have come and go, 10 marathons........ I could go on, and are enjoying our 13th year as BCV members! Nothing like Epcot in your backyard.

 

[DizDaD7]

Okay! So, what/ who sparked everyone's love for Disney World. Mine was my mom. She used to put on the CD's Disney sold in the parks of the ride music, parade music, and movie songs. Plus always taking us there helped out too.

1st time was on my honeymoon ( 1st Week of it ) , I honestly got the lil bug as soon as I hit the bus ride on M.E., but it was Solid as soon as I stepped onto Main ST. USA, and I was in total awe..

 

[LisaBi]

This is an easy one! I went for the first time in 1999 when my sons were six and nine. The youngest one has down syndrome. It was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime kind of trip. But then we went back June 2004. Unfortunately I came home disgusted because I felt like then DH and oldest DS ruined it for the little one. He was 11 but having Downs still very much a young child. DH and oldest DS refused to wait for any character or kiddie ride lines. And they refused to split up. So I felt like the youngest had been gypped of his vacation and took him back solo that November. We had a blast and it was so much fun seeing him have such a blast and be able to do everything just like everybody else. That doesn't happen much in the real world for him. We have since been back just the two of us at least once a year since. He is now 22 and some of the magic has worn off - he no longer a cute little kid. But we both still cherish our memories and time together there. Looking forward to this years trip.

 

[FancyNancy]

I loved the Disney Channel as a child. A couple of my favorite shows were Winnie the Pooh and Mousercise I had been a few times before I had my daughter but I would say the first trip I took her on a few years ago when she turned 8 really got me hooked. We have been back 3 times since and will be there in just a couple of weeks for her 11th birthday!

 

[mikana876]

The first time I went to Disneyland when I was 5. After that I was hooked. We took trips every 3-5 years from then until now For me, it's all about nostalgia (I still remember eating ice cream at the Gibson Girl at Disneyland with my dad when I was 5, now I get to watch my dad eat ice cream with my son at the same place!)

 

[twinz]

We went to WDW in 1981 with our family (me and my twin sister, mom, grandma, aunt, uncle and 3 cousins)....then again in 1988 and 1990 (with family). My sister and I would watch World of Disney with our mom. I blame our family for the obsession...lol I am glad we got to go back then (I think it was only MK and Epcot the first time we went). I remember we stayed at a Marriott on International Drive in 1981 (we were 7). Now I am taking my 4 month old for her first time and I can't wait until May.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I got hooked on Disney culture as a kid, watching Wonderful World of Disney on TV every Sunday night. I always wanted to go to WDW as a kid, but we never made it there. I kind of forgot about Disney for 10-15 years, then my first child was born. We too DD to WDW in 2000 when she was 2. That was the first trip for me and my wife too.

I can tell you the exact moment I got hooked: We were riding to MK on the monorail. I was holding DD in my arms. When the castle came into view, she began bouncing and crying with joy. "Daddy! Daddy! There it is! There's the castle!" I was feeling pretty much the same thing. All of use were hopelessly hooked on WDW from then on. Soon DS joined us and our "Disney family" was complete.

Next month we get to take that baby girl to WDW to celebrate her high school graduation. I can't wait!

 

[Dimaline312000]

I don't remember who showed me the movie but I'd have to say Herbie: The Love Bug was the movie that ignited my passion and love for Disney, after that it just took off from there!!

 

[DLBDS]

My Aunt & Uncle took me along with them and my 2 cousins back in the 70's. They took me 3 times and we stayed at the CR and Poly. They eventually bought into DVC and continued to enjoy it for many years. I dreamed of returning once I was an adult but wasn't able (financially) until I was in my late 30's when I took my DH and DD9 (their first time). We've been going regularly ever since!! Thanks to the DIS my return to The Happiest Place on Earth has been MAGICAL!

 

[>Ash<]

My Disney bug started with the movies,

i was young, i saw the rerelease of snow white at the cinema, then my parents had vhs of peter pan, i loved that, i grew up in the 90's so i got to see some awesome disney films come to cinemas Aladdin, Beauty & The Beast, The Lion King, Hunchback, Mulan and then tons of direct to video sequels. my dad got me the disney chanel on the origional sky television (thats UK Cable lol) and they used to show reruns in the UK of the wonderful world of disney and it showed videos of michael eisener in the parks, and old reruns or walt in the parks like disney after dark

when i was about 6 i had a colostomy bag and some operations that my parents thought i would not pull through from, they took me to Disneyland Resort Paris. i had my op- pulled through and a few years later my dad was upset that my only disney trip was paris and he remembered when he went to US and visited Disney World when it first opened and he and my mum took me to Disney World for the first time, then about 2 years later we went again in a disney resort.

since then i have been every year somtimes 2 a year, i am very lucky and was very spoiled as a kid being able to go to the parks so often, i never grew out of my disney obsession im now 26 and my house is filled with disney ornaments and items.

 

[dsdeleon]

Although I went as a kid a bit, the exact moment I was hooked was on my youngest son's 4th birthday, running on Splash mountain very late at night. It was the first of many late nights just the two of us tearing up the Magic Kingdom.