When did you fall in love with Disney???

[arthur06]

I see alot of games and fun things that people do on these boards. I thought of a new nostalgia thread to try...

Share your first memory of DisneyWorld, DisneyLand, Walt, Disney Channel... whatever it might be, that began your love of all things Disney...

Today my aunt stopped over and dropped of pictures that she had acquired after the death of my grandparents. In the photos was the follow items...

It was in Iowa, and as the following article will tell you, Disney was looking for a place to hold Mickey's Birthday... The found a local farmer and planted the Mickey Silhouette in corn. They wanted something that air pattern traffic would see...

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...210262_1_town-methodist-preacher-city-library

Growing up, I always wanted to go to WDW... and this was the closest I ever made it as a child... it just seemed to fuel my fire for disney!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

When my parents first took me in 1972.

That said, I truly wish they would live up to the standards they set in the old days.
Lately it's been a path that leads directly downhill.. Still better than the competition, but nowhere near the standards they once held.

I would love to be all Disney lovey-dovey in his thread, but I'm just telling it like it is.

A past Disney apologist,
MG

 

[princessbride6205]

That is such a cool story - and photos!

I only vaguely remember my preschool-age trips to WDW (and actually remember Sea World more). But when I was 6 we did this family trip that was so much fun. I'm not sure how, but my parents convinced my dad's 20-something brother and his fiance to accompany us (mom, dad, 6yo me & 1yo sis) to Orlando. Well, my future aunt was chosen for two of the audience interaction segments (the sea lion show at SW and the Italy improv show in Epcot). We have them on video and still crack up watching them. Thinking about the size of our video camera at the time and the amount of video we have of the trip, my dad must have taken a suitcase to the parks!

 

[tinkerbellandeyor]

When I was 3 yrs old

 

[Peggy Sue]

Great photo and great idea for a fun thread!

I lived in CA as a child and my parents took us to DL the year it opened .. I can still remember the thrill of the matahorn and Mr Toad's wild ride .. my mom saved the ticket book from that day ... it's still in the scrap book she made for me.

My family moved from the west to the east coast shortly after our visit to DL ... we never had the opportunity to visit WDW.

My first trip to WDW was on our honeymoon in 1985 .. We stayed at the Poly and we had such a great time we couldn't wait to return.

1990 my mom and dad took the family to WDW and we stayed at Caribbean beach. My mom passed away shortly after this trip .. I have wonderful memories of my mom at Disney ..she never stopped smiling!

Fast forward 7 years to 1997 ... I had been working excessive amounts of overtime ... life was exhausting and stressful .. my DH surprised me with a trip to WDW at Dixie Landings .. during this trip we took a tour of DVC we purchased our first points at OKW before heading home ..

We've averaged 1 to 3 trips back to WDW since joining DVC .. added additional points 4 times and now call OKW and BWV our home resorts .. we've shared DVC lodging with family and friends and we've enjoyed every minute .. I'd say joining DVC was the beginning of our passion for Disney ... we still find it a magical place!

 

[alanapapa]

Like the PP, I grew up in Southern California, but I lived there until I was in my 30's. We went to DL a few times each year, and my Mom had relatives about a mile from the park.

I truly fell in love with Disney when I was a Cast Member there and met the person who would be my DW (Caropooh). I was a CM for only 3 years, but Caropooh was one for 15, until we moved to Seattle. We made multiple trips to WDW while she was a CM and have made 3 trips to WDW and 5 DCL cruises since 2005. We are making Disney lovers out of our DD's.

 

[Ms. WDW]

I'd have to say it was probably back in 1973 or around that time. WDW had 3 hotels then; the Poly, The Contemporary and what is now called Shades of Green. And, you had to make your reservations a year in advance! I stayed at the Poly that first time and immediately fell in love with the resort. For the next 25 years that was the only resort I wanted to stay at. I even got engaged there back in 1978; right on the dock faceing Cinderella's Castle at the MK.

Now, 37 years later my husband and I are DVC Members and I still love WDW as much as I did back then. We've been "owners" now for 12 years and make as many trips yearly as possible.

Like my "tag" says...."I refuse to grow up" and the WDW Magic keeps this "ole gal" going through out the year!!!

 

[dopeygirl76]

WOW!!! This is a great thread. I have always loved Disney movies....I had collected memorabilla from various movies but Dopey has always been my favorite. Toy Story and the Lion King are my two favorite movies...DH wanted to go to WDW on our honeymoon but I was too afraid to fly and don't do well in the car that was April 2001 - fastforward to July 2006...friends we going with a group to WDW in Dec 2006 I had flown a few times since then and had learned to LOVE flying - we were amazed at how inexpensive a trip to WDW in a Value was and joined in....shortly after putting our deposit down we found out I was pregnant!!! SOOOO 6 months pregnant with older DD then 2 1/2 we went to WDW for the first time....every inch of the way from the Disney store in the airport to the magical express DD and I were in awe....then we walked into the Pop Century WOW!!!!

THE MOMENT was DD seeing Cinderella's castle!!! It only took one more trip before we bought DVC and now we go two times a year - none of us can get enough!!!!

WDW is the one place where I can escape all reality in EVERY sense of the word!!!

 

[Marine Mom]

Wow great stories! My first trip was in 1978 when I was 13 and we stayed at the Fort Wilderness Campground. All I can remember about that trip was goofy had taken my 17 year old sister's hat and she was soooooo mad. Our family thought it was hysterical! Since then I have taken my kids to WDW almost every year since they were little. Luckily my DH loves Disney as much as me. His family (5 kids) went to Disney twice a year when they were growing up.

Just signed our first DVC contract! So excited!!!!

 

[Donald Duck 57]

1976 I was 18 took my brother who was 12 and cousin who was 13.Flew there on Eastern airlines and still have some of the ABCDE ticket books.It was a tour package.Boy are you bringing back memories.

 

[javamom]

When my parents took us to Disneyland for a Lockheed Employee Night. I was about 5. My Dad said, "Look at the TInkerbells in the trees, if you look real careful, can you spot her?"

I STARED down those trees!! LOL


I get warm fuzzies whenever I pass a twinkling Disney tree now.

 

[allshookup]

First time I went was in 1979. I have 8 siblings & my DD had always wanted to take us kids, but by the time he could afford it, the only ones not working & able to go were the 2 youngest me 15 & my younger DB 14. It ended up being that my DD couldn't take us to WDW because his back was killing him so he stayed at my aunt & uncle's house about an hour away while they & my DM took us to MK for the day. Other than lunch at CP they pretty much sat on a bench while my DB & I took off & rode some of the rides. I gave my brother most of my "E tickets", I wasn't & still not a thrill seeker. Turns out my DD had cancer & died the following year so I never did get to enjoy it with him. All in all I thought MK was nice, but nothing awe inspiring.

I went a couple more times once with a high school friend and later with my now DH & we stayed a cheap roach motel nearby. About 6 or 7 years later we took our DD in 1997 when she was 3, but stayed at my DM's again about an hour away at the Villages. My DM & DSis watched my DS who was only 7 months at the time. At this point I started to get that warm fuzzy feeling watching my DD in awe of the characters, IASW, etc.

Didn't "fall in love" with WDW till we stayed at Coronado Springs late 1999 for the Millennium celebration. It was such a fantastic time, Illuminations at Epcot was beyond anything we had ever seen, the convenience of being on site, disney transportation, CMs were wonderful to my kids, pools were open for late night swims etc. We just knew then that we would continue to return again & again & we would always stay on site. Finally gave in & bought DVC in 2005, but really should've done it a lot sooner!

 

[rentayenta]

I cannot even remember the first time I went to Disneyland. My father took me weekly from the time I was a baby until I got too cool or him when I hit my teens We lived minutes away. I have the fondest memories of ticket books, riding IASW, POTC, and The Matterhorn with him. He would always buy me a Mickey head balloon and that was looong beore they had those clear plastic outer balloons.

When I was 5, my babysitter worked at the silohuette shop on Main St and I have vague memories of going *backstage* with her. I need to dig up those old pictures.

 

[patmcg]

After being convinced by our close friends, my DW and I vacationed for a week at the Poly back in August of 1974 when we were both 24 years old. The room rate was $43.68 per night. We flew Eastern Airlines out of JFK, NY and arrived at a much smaller Orlando airport and took a bus to the Poly.

Upon arrival we were greeted by a colorful lush garden with waterfalls and a beautiful atrium. There was a unique smell that to this day reminds us every time we visit that we’ve returned home. The cast members were very attentive, neat and well groomed. (My wife still has a jade ring that I bought her during our visit at the Polynesian jewelry counter).

We were taken to Tonga’s original location via a modified golf cart. The room was large and beautiful. (Tonga has since been changed to Hawaii and Tonga has been reassigned to a different location).

If my memory serves me correctly, there may have been some sections that were still under construction.

That was it, we were hooked back then. There was no turning back.

Sure there was only the Magic Kingdom, but that was plenty and provided us with days of fun. The ticket books were the way to go back then.

While not at the MK we spent plenty of time at the Poly using the pool and its slide, both day and evening. We would also watch the Electrical Water Pageant and fireworks from the beach. We even dressed up to attend the Polynesian Luau. Imaging dressing up today?

While not at the Poly or the MK we spent time exploring the Contemporary’s different levels and fabulous game room. We had caricatures done of each of us riding bicycles which was our favorite past time at home. Even saw Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ movie in an adjacent room to the game room. We enjoyed cocktails at an adult lounge called Monorail Club Car overlooking Bay Lake with some very good entertainment located on the Grand Canyon Concourse. It was situated in the corner of the Contemporary. Didn’t visit the Top of the World Lounge, couldn’t afford it back then. It would be nice though if they brought it back.

We also visited Discovery Island and the original Market Place and enjoyed the monorail ride around Bay Lake.

We are now proud owners of DVC. We bought OKW back in 1993 and have added BWV and SSR since then.

We are true fans of WDW. There is no place like it on earth. In spite of numerous attempts from friends and family, I can honestly say that we have never stepped one foot into Universal Studios. Why go there when you have near perfection in WDW.

 

[Poohs Pal]

In 1981 when DH and I took the kids. Then again when DD and I took a mother/daughter(as adults) trip together and stayed at The Grand Floridian. In 2003 I became a vacation club member and I still can't get enough Disney.

 

[disneybass]

We took our 2 kids to WDW a couple of times when they were growing up in the late 80's and early 90's. Had fun, but not really love. My daughter finished college in 2001 and wanted to go to WDW to celebrate. I cant tell you exactly why or when but I fell in love with WDW on that trip. My wife and I started going every year and in 2006 we bought DVC at OKW and will be making our 7th trip there in Oct. We are in our late 50's and really enjoy the parks, the resort, dining, and just the magic that surrounds the place.

 

[mom2t]

I went in March of 1972 with my parents and brother. I return in Jan, 2011 with my parents, husband, and son.

 

[mom of princessx2]

I never went as a child and though DH didn't go to WDW he went to DL a few times. He tried to get me to go for our Honeymoon in 1994 and I said "No Way I am going to a beach"

Flash forward to 2006, we had our 2nd DD and decided to plan our first trip. I was in love the minute I walked through thru gates and saw the castle. I did my research before our trip but it was still so much more than I could have imagined.

DH still likes to kid me about passing up on the HM trip as well as "before children" trips. Part of what makes it so fabulous for me is experiencing it with my children. But I do look forward to future trips with just DH and I.

 

[eporter66]

I think I have about 3 or 4 incredible moments when I think about Disney

1. We went to WDW in the spring of 1981 and I was 14 years old. I was totally in awe of the place. My parents tooks us during Easter break, and I honestly dont remember crazy lines or complaining (I am sure there were, and that we did), I think my sister and I just were overwhelmed. We drove down from Albany NY - so I am sure my parents have bad memories of the trip, but I never forgot how much I loved the place.

2. It was 1997 - and my future wife and I took a vacation to WDW. We stayed at the Caribbean Beach resort, and again - awestruck. We had a blast and have been trying to get back every year since. We used to go and golf and do the parks before our daughter. It had grown so much (only MK was there when I went).

3. Fall 2003/Spring 2004 - We bought into DVC after our Nov 2003 trip (stayed at Wilderness Lodge), bought into SSR and never looked back. Our last trip as a childless couple!!!

4. Fall 2006 and beyond - The first trip with our daughter, a seasoned Vet now who loves going, behaves like gold when we are there, and has the disney bug like her parents.

I hope it always holds the same magic that it always has had. We have been back many times over, and it still amazes me that a place like this exists!!!

 

[zalansky]

I love reading everyone's stories!

The first time I went was in 1981 when I was in 7th grade with my parents, my sister and her new husband. Flew out from JFK like many of you did. Back then it was only Magic Kingdom and they were in the process of building Epcot. I will never forget the first time we walked down main street. I loved everything about the place. I came home thinking that some day, I would work for Disney.

We went back again 2 years later with my parents and our friends. Loved it even more. I have the best memories of the Carousel of Progress, Wedway people mover, Space Mountain - the list goes on and on.

My parents moved to Fl in 1992 so I started going when I could, though we lived 2 hours away. Never got to work for them (YET!) but we are very proud DVC members as well and I must say, I never grow tired of going. I am sure people think I am nuts for going as much as we do - too bad! I am sure one of the reasons I love it so much is it reminds me of my parents, they are both gone now which is such a shame. Mom would have loved DVC. We go in 2 weeks for our first Treehouse Villa stay, and I can't wait!