What lets you know you're "home"?

[Simba's Mom]

Besides the greeting "Welcome home", what lets you all know that you've arrived at your WDW "home"? For us, it's that first glimpse of the OKW sign on the corner, think it's a wooden lighthouse or water tower (can't remember-must be time to go back!). I just hope the hurricanes haven't demolished it! Who else? How do you know you've arrived "home"?

 

[bwvBound]

For me it is the Epcot lagoon ... and the sight of the Dolphin/Swan. It hits me somewhere near the Yacht Club's boat dock.

 

[Coach Rick]

For me it's more of a feeling. You know the one, kind of like a giddy kid on Christmas.

 

[tjkraz]

The purple road signs!!! Close second would have to be the random billboards for Tower of Terror, Test Track, etc.

But I think as soon as I see one of those purple signs, my foot subconsciously puts the accellerator to the floor.

In terms of audio stimuli, I used to love the "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" commercials on resort TV. Was really disappointed to find that gone last time I visited. I ended up finding the entire Resort TV loop from 2-3 years ago on the 'net, so now I can play it whenever I want.

 

[ceejay13]

Getting off the plane in Orlando, followed by the big smile on my face as we pass the red and purple gates to WDW, and finally the security guard's Welcome Home!

 

[Tennesotans]

I *love* the purple road signs as well -- then I'm at the WORLD

This is what seperates wdw from a collection of amusement parks for me (I love Disneyland just fine... buts its not the wdw).

 

[gracelrm]

We drive down from Kentucky and I start getting excited as soon as I start seeing all the billboards as you get close to Ocala. That's the first rush! The second is seeing the big purple WDW signs. But the biggie is hearing the music at VWL. It makes me feel great. Even after a long day in the parks, it just makes me want to skip down the walkway to the villas. But, at 41, I'd look pretty silly skipping!

 

[Candace]

Even though I have more than one home resort, I still remember my first visit home to OKW in 1994. The Caribbean steel drum music that is always playing and the "smell" of the unit we are staying in. (I know - I'm weird, but the smell is still the same after 10 years.)

 

[AZKathy]

I feel that wonderful feeling the moment I step on the tram at MCO!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Once we pass under the Walt Disney World arches, we feel at home!

 

[MrsM]

The smell of the lobby at Wilderness Lodge.

 

[jmminarik]

My wife smacking me in her excitement saying "We're Home, We're Home".

Oh, and starting the road trip down with the WDW RR sound track from one of our 'park music' cd's.

-Joe

 

[JimC]

Another vote for passing under the arches coming on property at WDW -- leaving the rest of the world behind

 

[DebbieB]

When the flight attendent announces "welcome to Orlando" and we get the first glimpse of palm trees! Another big moment when we stay at BWV is when we walk out and get the view of the lake.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

When my kids stop asking "are we there yet" and start asking "can I have some money?". That feels like home to me.

HBC

 

[loribell]

It is the signs for me as well. I get a lump in my throat and start tearing up every time I see them.

Lori

 

[Beast fan]

For me, it's opening the door to our room and having the DS's rush past me. We only own at VWL, but each time we are at DVC (HHI, VB and VWL so far), this happens.

Dave

 

[SusanD]

When we land at MCO and I see the egrets standing in the pond. The smell that hits you when you walk out of the terminal. The sight of the of our home resort and having someone say "Welcome home". Finally, seeing the castle at MK at the end of mainstreet. Then it seems I have finally arrived.

 

[DiznEeyore]

For us, it's when we get ready to turn onto WDW property and I see the giant Mickey sign for the first time. That's when I get to squeal "MICKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!" at the top of my lungs.

I did it spontaneously on our first trip and it just seems to happen every time we go!

 

[rocketriter]

Art the Greeter at BCV.