When was "THE" moment you fell in love with WDW?

[ktnlxismom]

For me it was the second we walked into the lobby of the Wilderness Lodge. That GORGEOUS lobby, the wall of glass in front of us, and at least 2 CM's greeting us with "Welcome Home" and escorting us to the check in desk. There was a little bit of a line at the desk (well, 3 or 4 people in front of us), so the CM entertained our DD's (9 & 3) with stories and games and gave them stickers and not once did I hear a complaint from my girls about having to wait! For us the Disney Magic started the second we arrived on Disney Property. We are going back twice this year, once for DD's birthday in May and again for me and DH's Anniversary in October.

 

[java]

Oh this is easy. We went to Walt Disney World in 1971. Stayed at the Contemporary(it was shortly after it opened probably around December...) We were walking around and came around a corner and I saw a bench and sat down(I was 6) Then from around each side- Mickey came on one side and Minnie the other and sat down with me. I was in heaven and I have the photo to prove it(now if I could only scan it into my computer) I am working on that. But at that moment I was hooked!

 

[mikymouse]

We were at CM for dinner, when my son was soooo excited to see Donald Duck a few tables down that he tipped over his chair and fell to the floor with the chair on top of him. Donald came right over and gave him a kiss on the top of the head.M : My son was so happy and hugged the stuffings out of the duck. It was then I realized that Disney is full of folks and Ducks paying attention to my kids and going out of their way to make them happy. I have been offically hooked ever since.

 

[bpmorley]

Oh this is easy. We went to Walt Disney World in 1971. Stayed at the Contemporary(it was shortly after it opened probably around December...) We were walking around and came around a corner and I saw a bench and sat down(I was 6) Then from around each side- Mickey came on one side and Minnie the other and sat down with me. I was in heaven and I have the photo to prove it(now if I could only scan it into my computer) I am working on that. But at that moment I was hooked!

You beat me there. We were there late Jan or early feb of 72. I was 4 at the time. I don't remember that much from that trip. Went back summer of 75, that's the one that I remembered everything from. Stayed at the Poly. If they hadn't refurbed the pool area and 1st floor of the main building, I could have found our old room when i finally went back in 2000.

 

[WIDisneyFan]

For me it happened in two steps - the magic cleary started when my wife and I arrived at the Polynesian for our first "real" vacation since our Honeymoon 6 years prior in Jamaica. It was my first time staying on site and the first time either of us had been to WDW in over 15 years. We had booked the trip having heard good things about the resort and at the time with a big discount so we decided to go all out and stay concierge (only mistake with that is now we are hooked!) On arrival we were greeted warmly and wisked off to a wonderful room by a great cast member who started things off as only Disney can.

Shortly after our arrival we made our way to the concierge desk to check in and get our tickets. Since it was only early afternoon we decided to head over to the Magic Kingdom. As we walked into the Magic Kingdom we were both very excited, almost like little kids. Making our way through the crowds up towards Main Street - thats when it happened - we came around the corner hand in hand and there it was, the Castle in all its splendor. At that moment I was hooked. We have now been back every year since and are counting down the days until our trip in July.

Such a simple moment but one that I will never forget, and I do have to say that this really is not the king of thing that gets to me - If you ask my family they will all tell you that heat crowds and lots of people are not where I am at my best yet for whatever reason at Disney its just fine with me.

 

[HappyLawyer]

The very first time i visited their website and began reading the dis boards

 

[snowbirdguy]

I can remember as a kid watching the wonderfull world of disney and thinking some day it sure would be nice to actualy go there, and of course never thinking I would ever get there. Well last year I was there and again this year, lol. and planning to go next year as well, lol. Well on last years trip got there the hotel it was almost midnight. The first day in the park was at magic kingdom. Was there for the rope drop, I could not believe that I was actualy there, a dream come true for sure. And when mickey, pluto wave to welcome you the park well I got tears in my eyes. I was hooked for sure then. Now try and explain to someone who has never been the feeling that you get, you can't do it, they just look at you funny like you were crazy, lol.

 

[bpmorley]

When I was little we had dinner and Grandmom's house every Sunday night. The Wonderful World of Disney was on every week. It must have started there.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

All of these posts are giving me chills!!!!

I first fell in love with WDW on my VERY first trip ever! It was in 1997...I was 24 years old. DBF (now DH!) and I went on a trip and stayed at Doubletree Suites Main Gate. We decided to go on a timeshare presentation to get FREE WDW tickets! Well, we went to Vistana Resort and decided we loved Orlando and Disney so much, we bought timeshare! And have been back EVERY SINGLE YEAR since...as many as 3 times in a year!!!!!!

The first time I ever saw the castle was during the 25th birthday celebration. When we first caught sight of the castle it was decorated like a birthday cake!!!! I thought it looked ADORABLE!!! Lots of people make fun of the way it was decorated but not me...that was the way I saw the castle for the first time and that was the moment I fell in love with WDW.

Now that we have kids, it is AMAZING to experience WDW with them! We will go every single year. I hope to start a nice tradition with them, and I hope they grow up loving our trips as much as I do.

Can't wait to go back in December!!!!

 

[laura001]

The moment that I stepped into Magic Kingdom and looked down mainstreet......aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!

 

[jblb1020]

I LOVE DISNEY! I only went once as a child with my parents and in 1993 on a school trip. In 1997 my finance (now husband) and I planned a trip and stayed at the All Star Music. In 1998 we spent our honeymoon at the Beach Club and also did the Disney Cruise Line. Now we have two children and get to experience Disney with them. Disney is a magical place where we make a lifetime of memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

 

[hawkeyesparks]

Two moments stick out in my mind. The first was in 1998 when I set foot on Main street USA, I felt like every stressful thing in my life was gone. To date, WDW is the only place I have ever been where I can completly forget about my work, and just enjoy myself and my family.

The Second Moment came in 2004 when my wife and I took my son to WDW for the first time. We walked in to the lobby of the WL and my 18 month old ran right up to the spring inside, and I knew again why I love this place and why its the best place on earth for families.

 

[bpmorley]

Two moments stick out in my mind. The first was in 1998 when I set foot on Main street USA, I felt like every stressful thing in my life was gone. To date, WDW is the only place I have ever been where I can completly forget about my work, and just enjoy myself and my family.

The Second Moment came in 2004 when my wife and I took my son to WDW for the first time. We walked in to the lobby of the WL and my 18 month old ran right up to the spring inside, and I knew again why I love this place and why its the best place on earth for families.

I've done the first, but I can't wait to do the second. Working on the first one now.

 

[mannatee]

Hmmm -
First time to go was in 1976 - 8 years old - Magic Kingdom.
I can remember the fun of thinking we actually knew a shortcut to the newly opened Space Mountain! (as we ran with the 200+ others when that rope dropped!)

My mom took me (we left my dad and brothers) down for a girls' vacation in 1984. The love was beginning at that point.

Visits in 85, 89, 92, 95, 00, 01 were all wonderful. For some reason, I wasn't fully aware of my devotion until...
bringing my own 3yo son for his first time in June 05. Then and only then did the light come on. I knew I liked WDW, but I didn't really realize I LOVED WDW.

Now, he's getting ready for his third trip in May 06, and is so hoping and praying that he'll make the 44 inch height requirement for Expedition Everest.
He's an avid VMK fan, and definitely has his favorite spots at the parks. I just can't believe how much he enjoys the Carousel of Progress!

Thanks for reading and sharing your stories!

 

[kcork1026]

Last June 14th, as the music started for Wishes, and the tears just started rolling down my cheeks as I watched the expressions on my dd's (13 and 8) faces. THat's it, it's over, I am a DISNEY ADDICT

 

[DisFlan]

April 2, 1977. On the ferry to the MK. There was ONLY the MK back then, and I knew I was in love. My DH and I had waited through his years of medical training to take our first trip. WDW was the first place we wanted to go, and we've been going back ever since.

We're now DVC owners. We've watched WDW expand and change over almost three decades, and we contiue to enjoy it as much as the first time. Our son will soon be starting a Management Internship at WDW - he met our wonderful daughter-in-law when they were both in the WDW College Program. So it looks like we'll remain a WDW family for a long time to come.

DisFlan

 

[klineyqueen]

I fell in love with Disney on my first trip when I was 14 years old. My parents saved for a long time for our "trip of a lifetime." It truely was the best trip of my life (to that point.) When I came home I worked extra hard in school because I wanted to go to college and get a good job so I could return often! It worked.

Now I am a teacher and when I go on trips the kids all say they wish they could go and I just tell them to work hard in school and get a good job so that they can afford to go too!

Ahhh...Disney Love

 

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

Keep them coming guys!! I love knowing how it happened for everyone else. When Disney becomes a part of your life it becomes a part of some of our souls! ... It truely is more than a place, it is most definately a state of mind...

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

i went once when i was 16, but i only got to do MK(don't worry i've gone many times since! lol). don't get me wrong, it's still my favorite park, but there was so much i missed! anyway, my mother, her friend, her son, and i were in the park. we were going on Pirates of the Carribean and i was so excited because i heard a lot of good things about this ride. we got on and there was a bunch of guys, around my age behind us on the same boat. we just had such a great time. we got stuck on the ride for a little bit and they guys all started singing "yo ho yo ho a pirates life for me! ARRRRRRRR!" lol it was so funny, i had the best time. i think that's when i fell inlove with Disney for the first time.

 

[Boncho]

The moment I fell in love with Disney. Well, let me say, I grew up watching 'The Wonderful World of Disney' every Sunday night.(I know, yes it was way back when Ed Sullivan was still on TV but we won't go there today).
It's funny, I always knew WDW was there but I never thought of taking my son (now 10) until his father started asking him (repeatedly) when he was going to ask me to take him there. Finally, I told dear old Dad that if he wanted me to take our son there (Dad isn't into that kind of vacation), he better cough up part of the money. Well, from there it's history. He coughed up the money for the plane fare for the three of us (my sister comes with us -both her kids are grown up), and we were off. As soon as we arrived at the resort it was love at first site. The magic just engulfs you. The magic starts to build as you leave the airport and you start seeing the WDW signs and then you get to the resort and you're hooked. Now, there's nowhere on earth we would rather go on vacation!!!