When did you fall in love with Disney???

[Boardwalk33]

I was lucky to go with my family in 1978 as a small child and one time after that. I fell in love as a small child with Disney but really didn't appreciate it until I went back with my husband and shared so many memories. We went after our first year of marriage and then went back another time when our first child was 2. On our next trip our son was 1 yrs old and we purchase the vacation club and then we fell head over heels.

 

[newcomer52]

As a young child, I loved watching Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. I liked the cartoon features better that the nature ones but loved most all movies, especially 'Old Yeller'.

In 1964. when I was 12, we took a trip to California and visited Disneyland. I was hooked. I remember being so impressed with the park vs. amusement parks we had visited in Denver. I loved Story Book Canal!

When WDW was build, I hoped that I would be able to see it. My husband had a convention in Orlando in 1981 and I got to go. We stayed off-site, but visited MK two days and I was in heaven. When Epcot opened, I thought, please just one more trip. In 1990. another convention but this time at the Contemporary! Wow, we took our three kids, 6, 8, and 10 and it was wonderful but we were very careful with money so we debated every purchase. We also visited my mom in California in 1990, so were at both Disney resorts in the same year.

When my mom died in 1996 and left me some money, I decided we were going again to WDW and I would spend what I wanted without stewing over it. We split that stay in 1997 between BC and WL and loved both. That trip really hooked the kids too, by then 14 and 16. (the oldest didn't get to go because he was at the Coast Guard Academy by that time)

When my husband divorced me in 2000, I decided I could go to WDW whenever I wanted and could afford it. I've since been back 13 times and once to DLR. Trips have included the kids and their families, my sister, and many solo trips. I bought DVC several years ago and plan to have many more trips. Like many here, I can't get enough of the magic.

Jeralyn

 

[spiceycat]

As a young child, I loved watching Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. I liked the cartoon features better that the nature ones but loved most all movies, especially 'Old Yeller'.

Jeralyn

definitely loved Walt Disney - was so disappointed that DL was so far away - so when WDW was announced though great finally something close enough.

grandmother took us in 1972 - 1976 - stayed at the Polyn (and yea it was cheap in those days) - when she died did not go back until the 80's. by then the prices were awhole lot higher.

really miss his shows on sunday night.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I grew up on the Mickey Mouse Club of the '50s and went to Disneyland and enjoyed seeing the Tiki room and other wonders that were there in 1963. We took our DS's every 3 years from 1977 through the 80s. We had fun but I don't think it was love.

I fell in love with it all on a trip in the early 90s when I saw my DDad let his hair down and fool around with our DSs in MK. He was in his 70s, they were in their teens. Dad was a rock, a quiet, steady man whom we all loved, but his was a more behind the scenes role in the extended family. He and the boys interacted in ways I never dreamed of, and we all went away from that family vacation with memories of pranks and back and forth humor. He was gone within 2 years of that trip, but it was on that trip, that I really saw the magic that can happen when family "works."

Bobbi

 

[castle1]

My first trip was to Disneyland when I was 4....then not again until 1992 with DH, DS, DMIL and other family. We stayed in the old treehouses, which, if I remember correctly, were close to the golf courses. I can't remember what resort this was at the time. I loved it then and couldn't wait to go back

 

[tjhsr]

My grandparents move from Pa to Haines City south of WDW in the late 60's. So our family of 6 went down for Christmas in 71. Our 1st visit was the day after Christmas. We still talk about following grandpap. He was tall large man who could get thru a crowd better than most. That was it for me

 

[Cee]

I drove down with some girlfriends when I was in high school. It must have been either '71 or '72. There was only MK and the Contemporary resort at the time(maybe the Poly, can't remember!). I knew I was going to be a "lifer" after that trip.

 

[aDVCguy]

On Aug. 9 1973!
My Dad took all of us to Disneyland that day
and while walking down Main Street U.S.A.
I was taken in by all that's "Walt!"
Of course, watching the "Wonderful World
of Disney" every Sunday @ 7p sure was one
great prelude to said trip!

You can't escape the power of the Mouse!

 

[mecllap]

1957 (altho my sister likes to think that we went the first year, or at least the second -- we may have gone in 1956, but I have no proof. I have the booklet from 1957). Loved Mickey Mouse Club (esp. Tim Considine in Spin and Marty) and WWoD, and the movies. Fantasia is my all time favorite film.

The Disney brothers (I don't think Roy gets as much credit as he deserves) have brought a great deal of fun and pleasure to my life -- their imagination, creativity, and business sense were genius, and I'm glad there are people who continue their legacy today.

Even tho things keep happening that would "make Walt spin over in his grave" -- the expression my sister used after just returning from what she says is her last trip to DLR; she was upset with "rude" employees, artificial flowers, and weeds. I went to DLR last Dec/Jan and had a great time -- absolutely loved it all over again, and I'm off to WDW this Thursday.

 

[mamaprincess]

I fell in love with Disney site unseen when I was pregnant with my youngest DD. This was in 2003. My sis who lives in Orlando told me it was time for the twins to visit WDW (they were about 5) and she sent me a vacation video. That was the start of an obsession that has never abated. I watched that video from my headquarters on the family room futon. I was so sick but that video just made me so happy because I knew one day our family would go to that amazing place and stay at one of those amazing resorts and I knew it would be life changing. I planned imaginary trips, called travel agents, found out about DVC all from that futon. We bought SSR site unseen and took our first trip about a year later. We all fell completely in love and have been having our family vacations at WDW ever since.

 

[hoffmann2828]

My mom was pregnant with me when she took my bro & sis in June of 1976. I was born in September and swear that is why I love WDW.

Besides hearing mommy & daddy's voice in the womb, I also heard "it's a small world". Who wouldn't get hooked?

Jenny

 

[Simba's Mom]

My love for Disney was a gradual thing. Our first visit was in 1987, after friends came back and said how much they loved it. I remember sitting in the Orlando airport thinking "OK, now we've been there, done that." But then when we were telling other people about our trip, I started thinking "Boy, that WAS fun!" and returned-and every time we went back, I enjoyed it more and more.

 

[CocosMeme]

My first trip was in 1973 when my husband was on his 1st tour in Veitnam. I took my 2 young sons (2 and 4) with my sister and Mom and stayed in the Contemporary. I have been about 16 times since then, but am going back to stay in AK Kidani Grand Villa with those same sons and their wives and 6 kids next May. Can't wait!!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Very early 1970 my Parents drove through Orlando and stopped at the soon to be Disney World. While under full construction , there was only a gift shop open to the public. It had a huge model of Disney World, which I think now resides in the Walt Disney Attraction. The Character topiaries were just metal with barely any growth. I was 8, my Father bought me a charm bracelet, it has Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs. (I found it the other day in my jewelry box) We immigrated to the US (Florida) in 1973 from Canada (Newfoundland) and every year we had family visit so we always went to Disney World. So much of my Childhood memories are tied to Disney, I guess it's why I still love it so, probably even more than my son does! I love remembering the old rides like the Submarine 20,00 Leagues Under the Sea, the Sky thing (Skyway ?)that lifted you up and over the park! Happy times!

Wow, thanks, what a great thread!

 

[spiceycat]

I love remembering the old rides like the Submarine 20,00 Leagues Under the Sea, the Sky thing (Skyway ?)that lifted you up and over the park! Happy times!

Wow, thanks, what a great thread!

yes - also miss Horizons - one my favorite rides.

Spaceship earth with Walter crondile - loved it!
the original land ride - boat ride where the guides were the experts and did the talking. it was more personal.

oh about to start crying too many memories.

 

[Pakey]

I grew up 3 hours from Disneyland but my parents never had any desire to go (they are in their late 70s and have still never been).

I was in the 4th grade when my aunt and uncle invited me to go for a week since my cousin is an only child and they wanted her to have company. I remember riding that monorail and feeling like I was in another world. And then the Matterhorn Bobsled hooked me for life.

 

[The 4 "Quay"balleros]

We started in January '04 to try have a baby. By the the summer we were getting depressed that nothing was happening. Went to the World in October and had a week full of Pixie Dust. Matthew came the following July and we have been in love with Disney ever since

 

[bluedoggy]

I was born in 1954 and my Grandparents lived about 10 miles from Disneyland. We took the train from Wisconsin to California w hen I was 3 yrs old. I still have the photo of me in front of the castle with my Mom and Grandma and another picture on Dumbo with my Mom and My Grandma watching. It is priceless When our DD was born in 1978 I decided to recreate that experience for her. When she was 3 we went to WDW. When her DD was born in 2002- she said they had to repeat the process- so my DGrD made her first visit to WDW when she was 3. Now she is 8 and has been there 4 times, including her visit with just Grandpa and Me last Halloween- it was a dream come true! Praying for many more wonderful memories

 

[ToddyLu]

My Mom and Dad took us by car to visit family in California in 1978. I remember being able to spend one day in DL with them. I remember getting on Space Mountain (I was 10) and my Uncle telling me we would be on a rollercoaster in the DARK!!. Loved it. My brother and I always wanted to go to WDW as kids but it was never in the budget. I married DH in 1994. He was born in Los Angeles and his parents would go to DL for date nights and to take family. MIL remembers wearing dresses and gloves to the park in the 50's. She had her E ticket book until Katrina.

When we married DH was in the Fire Academy and we did not have Honeymoon. He promised he would get me there one day. SO for our 8th anniversary he took me to WDW. (He had been one other time in 1976 for his 12th BDay). It was seeing that welcome sign for the first time. I swear I was jumping up and down in the seat. Then to see that castle, bless his heart...I was screaming" Its the castle, its the castle..the real castle". All he could do was grin. We were instantly addicted and have made it our yearly pilgrimage. Just a couple of years ago I had the pleasure of watching another 30 something..have the same castle reaction. It is truly a special place.

My other favorite memory was in Dec 2005--we lost or home in Katrina, MIL lost her home and DSIL lost their contents. That of course was 8/29/05, then we lost my FIL 10/04/05 to cancer. Well DH and I decided to take our WDW trip that Dec. I have to tell you when we were standing in the back lot at DHS and they turned on those Osbourne Lights....I instantly....HEALED!!

That is what keeps me going back.

 

[mdsd8700]

What a great thread, I have so enjoyed reading all the stories.

I was born in 1967, so I was 4 when WDW opened. Growing up as a kid watching Disney on television, hearing about it from other people, reading about it, I wanted to visit so badly, but my family could have never afforded such a trip. I knew sight unseen that I would fall in love. Fastforward to age 19, my best friend from HS (who had also never been) and I saved our money for a year after graduating in order to take our "first trip" together. We did just that! We stayed in a Village Hotel (now the Downtown hotels) called the Dutch Inn. Epcot had been open a few years and it was fun, but my memories are all of the Magic Kingdom. I still remember walking under the train station onto Main Street and looking down at the castle. Joy overwhelmed me and tears came to my eyes. Still happens everytime I step onto Main Street, even today. I was instantly hooked!

Had already began dating DH when I made my first trip. He had already been to WDW 10 times when I met him, so he had been raised on Disney and also loved it.

We married in 1989 and took our 1st anniversary trip there in 1990. We didn't return for 7 years when our oldest was 4 and youngest almost a year. However we have been taking at least one/two trips every year since then (inlcluding DLR and DCL). Loving it more each and every time. We have so many fantastic memories of our kids and DH loves to compare some of those same memories to his own at our kid's age.

We finally purchased DVC this past June. BLT really won out for DH who stayed at the Contemporary so many times as a kid. I can't wait for the next 50 years of trips....LOL will be 93 at the end of the contract.

Disney is without a doubt one of our best family traditions. It binds us in a way that cannot readily be seen, but is definately at the heart of our family.