When did you get "it"

[cathie1327]

For me, I think I always had it, I just didn't know lol.

I always loved cartoons, especially Disney movies. Then, in 2006, my boyfriend took me to Disneyland for the first time ever. I was 20 years old, and the magic that was there totally overtook me. I loved it. We went back in 2007, and just hearing the music walking into the parks brought me to tears.

In 2008, I started planning a trip to WDW. My boyfriend had never been there, and obviously, neither had I. THEN.....I found the DIS

The amount of information out there overtook me. I just couldn't research enough, couldn't plan enough, couldn't get enough tips. I became almost obsessed with our Disney trip. It was all I talked about, did, and even sometimes dreamed about. We returned last year.

Since my first trip, it just evolved more and more, and once I started finding all the historical backstories when researching for our 2008 trip, I fell in love. Now, I can't get enough of everything Disney. The movies, characters, the parks, Walt Disney himself, the company, and the history of it all.

The sealing of the deal for me was when I read Walt Disney's biography by Bob Thomas. Reading a story of this man who set out for Ca with nothing but a few bucks in his pocket and a briefcase with some clothes was so inspiring, and his spirit of never giving up really made me feel like his story was proof of the American dream made come true with nothing but raw talent and perserverance.

To this day, it inspires me. And that's why I love the parks, they're a reminder to me of just how far that magic spirit and perserverance can go.

 

[astrodrummergirl]

I was definately introduced to "it" at a young age. My first trip to a disney park was at the age of 4, to Disneyland Paris in 1994, and did visit many times as a kid. I also remember only watching Disney films, no memories of many others. I think I lost it a bit in my tween years, but since a trip in 2004, it came back, and I don't think it will ever go again!

 

[mama23babies]

I grew up with Disney movies, my mom always took me to see them when she could, but I didn't really get "it" until I was all grown up.

We could never afford a trip to Disneyworld or Disneyland, there were 5 of us, we never went further than Michigan or Wisconsin or Indiana (we live in Chicago). When I was 25 I went to a conference in Anaheim which was, well, you know, right near Disneyland. We had a few hours to kill and my co-worker talked me into going over there. He took me on Pirates of the Caribbean. That's all it took. I was hooked. I went back later that week when the park was open late, and rode all of the big rides, Space Mountain, Splash, Matterhorn, and Pirates again. And then I saw what I believe was Fantasmic, or a version of it, (this was 15 years ago) and I can't even tell you how amazed I was. My jaw about hit the floor.

I was engaged at the time, and it was then I decided that my honeymoon would be in Walt Disney World. I needed to see more.

My husband wasn't thrilled at the idea. But since I worked my tail off at the wedding planning stuff, he agreed. I didn't know the ins and outs of planning at the time, so we basically just showed up. I spent one day at MK and one at DHS. Then we went to Universal, eh. And then the rest of the week was in St. Augustine (I had to compromise) I knew I had to get back there.

So, fast forward, three children later, the youngest about to turn two, and the husband finally agreed that we were ready. I did my homework this time. Our first trip was 10 days long. He swore it would be a few years before we'd go back. We went back the following year, and the one after that. And this is our fourth year in a row.

It took him a while, but I think he's finally got "it" too. And I'm hoping to pass "it" right along to my children.

Great question! Sorry for the ramble.


Debbie

 

[SteamboatStevie]

This is totally unrelated, but I love your avatar.

Hahahaha I noticed that, me too!

 

[DrMomof3]

We went to Disney a few times when I was a young child but the last time I had been was mid to late 1970's - before Epcot was built. I have fond memories of those trips, including the infamous runaway monorail story where my siblings and I got into the front car of the monorail WITHOUT our parents and they had to chase down the train to find us at the TTC (picture two 6 years old and a 7 year old blissfully unaware that the grown-ups weren't in the car behind us). Space Mountain was my intro to roller coasters. But we never stayed on property and I didn't make it back for 30 years.

We returned to Disney in January, 2008 and had a nice trip. I didn't know enough to plan as much as I would now (we were shocked to learn that you need ADRs in advance, for example). But we enjoyed all the little Disney touches and the convenience of the Polynesian. We had several little magical things happen. That year turned into one of the most difficult years of my life. As a consolation I started planning an extended family trip for May, 2009. I think it was the May trip where it all "clicked" for me.

In May, 2009 we stayed at SSR in a 2 bedroom villa with my parents. My step-sister and her family joined us for part of the trip. The weather was hotter than hot, I had to carry my non-walking 25 lb 1 year old throughout Disney in 95+ degree heat, my mom was difficult at times, we sometimes had extra long waits for buses, etc. And yet I felt like I had entered paradise. All the trouble back home was gone for a week. The trip wasn't perfect but it was a little slice of heaven. It was like entering a magical bubble and leaving the real world behind. I needed that escape in ways that I can never explain. Just walking down Main Street is enough to make me cry now because I know I'm in a happy place!

I think I will always think of Disney as my special little escape when the weight of the world seems to hit me hardest. We have now made 5 trips in 3 years (with another planned in January, 2011) and I imagine we'll continue to go when we need to leave reality behind.

Amanda

 

[tlcoke]

I too, grew up faithfully watching the Wonderful World of Disney every Sunday Night. The movies we went to see in the theaters as a family was usually a Disney Movie. The first movie I saw without my parents was Pete's Dragon.

My only childhood visit to WDW was in 1977, we spent a day in the Magic Kingdom. My regret from the trip was that I didn't ride Space Mountain (I chickened out at the last minute after standing in line) - so I had to go back. I finally got my chance in 1991 when a friend of mine, had to move back home to Tampa, as his brother was in Kidney Failure and would eventually need a transplant. He invited me to come down and stay at his Grandmother's house for a week and we would go to Disney. I got to ride Space Mountain, my first ride in the front of the Monorail, and to experience Epcot & MGM Studios on that trip. After another 15 years, I got to go back in 2006 this time to experience Animal Kingdom which had opened since my last trip. I only had four days to spend in the parks, which left me wanting more. My travel at this time of my life, my trips were based around conferences I was attending.

After this trip, I knew I was going to come back, next time I would spend even more time in the parks. My conference rotated back to Orlando in 2008, so this trip was going to be planned to give me maximum Disney time around my conference dates. This trip was when I found the Disboards in doing my research for the trip. The savings I garnered from finding these boards and the podcast made me truly become a Disney diehard. Without a trip planned, I kept listening to the podcast, which made me yearn to come back. My 2009 conference was in Texas, so there was no way I was going to fit Disney into my plans or so I thought. Disney just happened to randomly send me a Pin Code in May of 2009 as I was planning my Texas trip, just out of a whim, I researched how much an added leg to Orlando would cost on my trip, it was only $50 more than a RT from home to Texas and back. So I called on the PIN code and got an excellent rate with dining at POFQ. So, I went to Texas and Florida in October 2009.

Hearing about the first Podcast Cruise made me want to go on the 2nd Podcast Cruise, so I jumped at the chance to book it immediately. I wanted to meet Diser's, so I jumped into posting on the boards more, met some Diser's for Dinner in Texas, Went to the 2009 Indy meet, which then made me want to go to DAP in December, but could I really justify a trip so soon after my October trip. I to a leap of faith & booked it had a wonderful time and have made some wonderful friends as a result of Disney. I have since purchased an Annual Pass, had two more trips to WDW in 2010, bought into DVC and will be going for an extended stay in December pre & post PCC 2.0.

As much as I like Disney, for me the "IT" is the friendships that I have made in the last year & half, with people that I would have never met had it not been for these boards and a Mouse named Mickey.

 

[sceavis]

When I was younger I loved Disney from the movies to the world of Disney on Sunday nights.I got to go to Disneyland allot when visiting my brother in San Diego.A couple of years ago I went to WDW for the first time during Christmas.On new years eve me and my family were on main street looking up at the decorations the lights and the castle. I was as happy as can be with a big grin on my face proudly wearing my Ears.We were waiting for holiday wishes to start I remember saying to myself while looking around I love this place.Two seconds later the lights go down the show starts.While looking up at the fireworks is when IT happened. I started to cry a little I leaned over to my dad and said this is where I belong.That night my love of Disney became a passion I have been obsessed ever since.

 

[nickyb720]

I think I've always had the "it" since I was little. But it got bigger after my wife (then fiance, ShannyMcB) went together for the first time 3 years ago. It had been 6 years since I had went and about 10 years since she had went. We had so much fun and realized how much we missed being down there. We went again August of this year and had a great time again. We just love doing the research for the trip whenever we go and being here on the Dis just made it more exciting.


My interest is in how WDW was developed and the ideas that Walt came up with. I'm reading the book written by Neal Gabler and finding it fascinating. When I'm done with that, I have plenty of other Disney books that I will read. I will also stay on the Dis to see what is going on. I think my "it" has gotten bigger since I have gotten older because Disney is my escape from the real world!

 

[Minnie J]

I went to Disney when I was 13 and I didnt too much get it then but when I first went with my friends I knew right then and there I got "it". Now I need my husband to get it!!

 

[WorldWacky]

Now I need my husband to get it!!

Me too!

 

[eeyorelvr09]

I was born with "it". Lived 20 minutes from DL until about 3. 21 years later I had my first WDW trip and have gone to a Disney theme park since then. DBF has "it" too. We cannot wait until the time when our kids will have "it"

 

[DisGirl23]

My father grew up in a Disney house. He was the oldest of 8 children so, going to Disney World often wasn't really an option but, they went to all the movies and watched MMC and Wonderful World of Disney.
So, as a child, that's what I did. He'd play his Disney records for me, we'd watch the old MMC, all the movies, animated and live action (especially Swiss Family Robinson) all the time. I loved it.
On my first visit to WDW, all the pieces fell into place and I fell in love! I was hooked.
DBF just had his first visit last year. He jumped on the bounceback offer. I don't think he has "it" yet but, he's aware that it's there... just waiting for his "ah-hah!" moment! Maybe this will be the year!

 

[rhonimouse]

I guess I always had "it"...I grew up watching the wonderful world of Disney and visited Disney World for the first time at the age of 4 (in a wonderful pink Leisure suit as the pictures remind me...what was my mom thinking!!) I have been 9 times and counting as my husband and I finally purchased Disney vacation club last year. I know my husband likes Disney, but does not fully understand my LOVE of Disney- However, I know I has passed this love on to both of my kids and they would live there if possible! I knew my 13 year old son got "it" when I asked him his favorite part of WDW...I did not get the response I expected...he said "when you enter main street in the MK and start walking and the castle comes in to view"....that's when I knew he understood the true love of Disney is more than the rides, more than the parks...it is all in the magic

 

[SoScary'09]

We used to have grandparents that lived in Orlando when we were little, so we were always in the parks during the summers and holidays. However, I think we were still a little too young to get "it" at the time. Disney World was great, but it wasn't the be all end all.

It wasn't until we went back last year and I was an adult that I actually got "it". I wasn't rushing to get in lines or meet and greet a character. I was able to stand back and just take it in and admire the details. Halloween night at MK was what really did it though. Almost a sensory overload!

 

[tinkbutt]

I grew up with it. my dad would take the family there for christmas every year and now that my mom and Dad are divorced, Disney is really the only memories I have (that stand out) where I can remember being a happy family. it is where I remember seeing how much my Dad loved it and I believe he passed his passion on to me!

 

[AnnetteF]

I truly was born with "it". I loved anything even remotely associated with Disney from the start and today, I can never get enough of it and it's where I always want to be!

 

[alaskanmommy]

I have only had "it" for about 5 years now. Like many of you, I grew up a huge Disney fan of their shows and movies including the Wonderful World of Disney, every Sunday.

I did visit WDW as a thirteen year old but it wasn't very magical for me. My mom and grandma didn't plan it well, we stayed off-site and we only had 2 days in the parks, one of which my sister got lost and we spent the whole time in France looking for her and waiting for Disney security to find her.

I didn't really get "it" until we took our then 4 year old daughter to Disneyland for the first time four year ago. I remember leaving the park on our last day and crying, not wanting to leave. I have been planning various ways of getting back to either DL or WDW or DCL ever since.

p.s. I just wish my DH would get "it" now!

 

[Pluto the Pup]

I think "it" started in 1979 when I was 6 yrs old and went to Disneyland for the first time. It was the most wonderful place! I have been back to Disneyland and WDW several times since then, and even once to Disneyland Paris. The parks still have the same magic I first experienced at age 6.

However, I think I got even more into it about six years ago when I was going through a very stressful time at work. Disney became a hobby to help get my mind off of work and onto more pleasant things. I began collecting Disney movies, doing lots of reading about Walt Disney, and learning so much about the Disney parks. Disney continues to be my "happy place".

 

[columnwest]

We lived about 3 hours from DL growing up, and went about twice a year. Over time, I went from having a generally great time to noticing specific things, wondering how things work, and how things came to be. In highschool, I got the school to give me a few days off to attend the 35th Anniversary ceremony and to go to the Walt Disney Archives for the first time for research. That's when I got absorbed in the history of the park and the people behind it all. Around the same time, I took my first trip to WDW and saw the just-opened Disney MGM Studios and the pre-1994 E.P.C.O.T. (which I still miss, and collect things from). So, for me, highschool (around 1990) was when my interest turned from "casual enjoyment" to something more focused.

 

[kafitty]

"It" actually happened for me fairly recently...had been to Disney a few times as a kid, liked the movies well enough, etc...

then i wanted to put together a vacation for my best friend and, as so many other stories go, i ended up on the DIS. Somehow, that just kick-started things, and it's snowballed since!

we never did end up going on that vacation and probably won't for awhile (she just had a baby), but being a Disney addict has definitely become a part of my personality.