What's your earliest WDW memory?

[WHIT1]

that was always a joke my mom and i shared. it was when disney opened their doors to all the people who made disney possible. my stepfather laid all the tile in all the places that was opened at that time. so they took me to disney because it was free so hey lets go! well i'm a country girl and in the country you didn't wear shoes so i had no shoes on when we went and the cm told me no shoes no entry. so we had to go trek all the way to the car and go and find a store to buy me shoes. my mom was not to happy with me but years later we joked about it. so that was my funny moment with disney.

 

[Lancer]

First family trip to WDW
1. Space mountain under construction
2. ticket books-E ticket rides
3. 20,000 leagues

 

[CharlesTD]

In 78 I was 9 and I remember taking the monorail from TTC to MK and then taking the ferry back to TTC and it was raining and cold that is my earlies memory of Disney. I didn't return till 96 and had no desire because of the first trip in 78. We loved the parks in early Dec 96 mind you the Pepto Bismol castle was ugly during the 25th.

 

[chip64]

We made our very 1st trip to WDW in 1996 and we stayed at the CBR in Aruba. We stayed for 10 nights!!! The 25th Anniversary especially at Christmas time was packed with crowds at every park. I was 32 years old and our 2 children that are now teenagers were a mere 8 and 6 years old. My still knockout of a wife was a mere 36 years old. My how time really does fly. We didn't have a car and believe you me I swore after that trip that we would always have a car weather we rented one or took our own, and to this day we always have. We didn't even have a computer then or hadn't even heard about the official guidebook. We really went in blind sided with very little knowledge about how huge WDW really was. I honestly thought you could walk to each park no matter where you stayed!!! LOL!!!!! It's been many years since than and believe you me we have learned a lot. We even became AP's even though back then we thought you had to be a resident of Florida in order to have an Ap.. I honestly still feel the magic and am still in complete awe when we visit the world. My wife still feels the same. It's just a shame that our now 2 teenage daughters feel they are too old for the Magic Kingdom!!!! LOL!!!!!!. We went COMMANDO style the WHOLE time we were there and by day 3 I honestly hated being there!!! LOL!!!!! Again things change. Ya know it's funny when I still see family's that you can pick out and know what they say about trying to do this and do that when it comes to the attractions and it's obviously their 1st time and they are set out on a mission to do it all. I'm glad those days are now gone. Even though we still go, go go, we still take the time and take it all in. And believe me that is a FANTASTIC feeling that never seems to go away!!!!! Chip

 

[cdrn1]

1972, the Haunted Mansion. I was so amazed by it; noticing the pirate that sits above the doorway had hairy legs really sticks out in my mind! There were seven kids in our family and we were not very well-to-do but my folks scrimped for months and my mom packed enough food to feed us all week; we were one of the first cars in the parking lot on our MK morning, and we ate hard-boiled eggs and drank Hawaiian Punch from a cooler on the tailgate of our station wagon before the park opened! When it was time for lunch we went back out to the parking lot and ate PB & J from the cooler. I don't know how they did it but it built a love of WDW that I will never outgrow.

 

[Kimmielee]

My first memory wasn't until '81, spring break from college (first trip!!) and being in love with Jiminy Cricket.... I had to buy everything I could get my hands on...

You rarely see him around anymore.....

 

[k5thbeatle]

Earliest memory?...I'm not that old yet that I can't remember back to 1971! Maybe you meant earliest fond memory? Lol!

Seriously though, I don't know, there are soooo many. Where to start??? Stupid but one thing that stands out was while in the car and passing under the WDW sign. Then when we parked jumping out into the lot and thinking, "Wow we're really h-e-r-e...kinda spine tingling.

I guess another thing that stands out was the utter amazement and fascination I had with the Haunted Mansion. The coolest thing I had ever experienced up to that time. How did they do this? I was utterly and totally mesmerized by this attraction.

 

[k5thbeatle]

1972, the Haunted Mansion. I was so amazed by it; noticing the pirate that sits above the doorway had hairy legs really sticks out in my mind!... QUOTE]

I don't believe the POC opened until late 1973!

 

[warpdarkmatter]

my first memory was riding those subs but ofcourse there gone now

 

[dzneelvr]

Not my first trip to WDW, but most unique memory was in 1983 on our honeymoon, DH and I went to MK and then over to the "under construction" EPCOT. I remember standing at the edge of the lagoon which was dry and looking over at the nations being constructed. At that time, Israel had a marker as one of the nations. Pretty neat seeing it then and now.

 

[sexyravenfan]

My fondest memories of WDW was when i was 3 (i am only 18..i know im a youngin) and we stayed in a Fort Wilderness cabin. I thought the bed that came out of the wall was the coolest thing ever. We also had a character breakfast on the Empress Lilly and Minnie "kissed" me on the head..we have that on camera lol. The best memory had to be the jumping fountains at Epcot. I would scream and cry to stay there and play with the water that jumped over my head lol. WDW I LOVE IT!

 

[liamsaunt]

My earliest memory is...of being HOT! Lord, it was so hot. I had never been out of New England, and it was September, and I thought I was going to die. I didn't want to stand next to the characters to have pictures taken because I could feel the heat coming off their fur. The sun was so bright and so hot--we just were not prepared for the difference in temperature. My sister and I and all of our cousins spent half the time we were at the Magic Kingdom (all there was back then, though we could see Spaceship Earth under construction) begging to go back to the hotel and swim in the pool!

Ungrateful brats, weren't we? I know it. However, I am sure my commupance is on its way. My first trip with kids (niece and nephew) is coming up in December. My mother's revenge will at last be realized!

Note from my signature that it was many moons before they took us back to Disney, and when they did, it was in December!

 

[airplane]

Riding on Dumbo, the teacups and IASW. I remember it like it was yesterday.

 

[elaine and the boys]

I remember the Orange Julius stands that served Florida orange juice in cool plastic oranges with a straw! That was April of 1976. I was eleven. We saw Jose Feliciano perform late one night in MK. I also recall spending a lot of time in line for attractions, but having such fun meeting people from all over the country. Seven of us traveled by car from Massachusetts. Back again during Christmas of 1982. Rode Space Mountain for the first time with my older brother. Also visited Epcot, still under construction.

 

[tmanaster]

We went to Magic Kingdom to celebrate my sister's birthday. It was 1980 or 81 and I was about 4. We waited FOREVER in line for Space Mountain and I did not know it was a roller coaster (I am a big chicken). WHen we were about to get on, I realized I was going to be scared and didn't want to get on. My mom picked me up and put me on anyway. I cried the whole ride. I'm still somewhat scared of coasters. My perspective of this whole event has changed as I've had children. At the time I was FURIOUS with my mom, but now I understand she just couldn't not let my sisters ride after waiting this whole time. As a parent, you gotta do what you gotta do. THat being said, I love Disney and have many more wonderful memories than sad ones. This is just my earliest since it was my first visit.

 

[StephSalyer]

I have three great memories of the MK.
1. I am not sure which year this was but does anyone remember "The Mickey Mouse Review" when it was in Fantasy Land (I think)? I remember crying at the end when Cinderela and Prince Charming danced in the misty garden. I absolutley loved that show. I know there have been others done in a similar fashion, but it never really was the same.

2. The ticket books. I still have one (of course all of the E-Tickets are gone ) and I wouldn't part with it for anything.

3. I remember crying every time I got on the Ferry to go back to the parking lot. My Dad would hold my hand and promise to bring me back (which he did). AAMOF we were there together this past June for Father's day and he and I rode the Ferry together just like old times (I cried then too, just from the wonderful memories!)

Some of my best childhood memories are of WDW. Something magical always seemed to happen to our whole family when we were there. What is really awesome is to make even more "Magical Moments" with my DH, DS and DD. The Magic continues!

 

[DisneyJen0504]

My earliest memory was our first trip to WDW, we went to MK first. When my younger sister and I saw the castle for the first time, we cried with excitement. This prompted my mom and grandmother to cry. I remember us all crying on main street!!! Til this day I tear up everytime we make that first trip to MK.

 

[WDWOKW92]

Actually there was an accident on the skyway where someone was killed. Kinda puts a damper on things,... huh. I miss it too. It beats walking!

 

[Kande]

I remember being in line for 20,000 leagues with my brother and his friend and he said you know what a league is dont you. I said no and he said dead people . needless to say I did not ride that ride. Now I never got to ride it. I also remember the ticket books and the orange with a straw.

 

[minechuchie]

My first trip was 15 years ago on my honeymoon. This trip began not only a wonderful and happy marriage but also a love affair with a wonderful place that I will be seeing for the 10th time on December 1st to celebrate my 15th wedding anniversary. I can't wait.