Where do you really feel the magic?

[DisneyBride'03]

ktink
Nice to see you around here again!
Great question....
I would have to stay, anywhere on the beach/grounds of the poly, and the Grand Floridian.
We were married at the Poly and stayed at GF afterwards...I have great memories there with my family. We saw the castle every morning...
However, I feel the Magic getting on the MAGICal Express bus too!!

 

[ktink]

Keep those replies coming, I'm loving reading all of these.


Disneybride so good to see you too!

 

[Arvandor_Ilfirin]

Everyone experiences things differently, I think.

My first trip when I was 4, we stayed in this huge (well...I was 4...maybe it just felt huge!! lol) room in the Grand Floridian. So even now, my most magical resort is the GF.

My Mom, loves both the Poly and Saratoga Springs...I think she leans a bit towards the Poly, but she'll jump at the chance to stay in either.

My Dad is a Yacht Club fan. That's all there is to it, you can't ague with him!

I tried staying at All Star Movies this past trip, and while I enjoyed the change of scenery and trying something new, it just didn't feel the same. In my mind I really think that if the environment plays a strong part in your vacation experience (like mine does) the extra $$$ spent is more than worth it!

 

[Josh125]

Just got back (this afternoon) from out first stay at the GF. Wow, simply amazing. However, having said that. The magic for me is the first time I catch a glimpse of a monorail coming out of the contemp. I rocket back to my youth and suddenly I'm a kid again. That IS the magic for me.

 

[Mamalisa58]

I feel the magic when we drive through the WDW arch and start seeing the purple interior WDW signs. It builds as we check in, I get a special feeling as I am checking in and I see the poor sad folks with their bags checking out!
Then of course when we hit Main Street USA it is complete!

 

[KatMark]

I feel the magic the minute we enter the Disney property. My resort doesn't have to have that "Disney magic feel" as I am not there but to sleep and swim(in fact, with the exception of some of the value resorts, I don't think many of the resorts are that "Disney like"). Just as long as I am on the property and then walking down Main Street and seeing the castle, the magic is there for me.

 

[MickeyMouseLvr]

The very first resort we stayed in was CR - and it is always magical every time we return, even if it is just a meal at Chef Mickey's. Although, I have to say, all the resorts we have stayed in are magical in their own way. I agree with others - everything at the World is magical. I've stayed at WL and that was just as magical as the others - you're family will love it there too.

 

[DLBDS]

The magic?....WDW entrance, 1st siting of the monorail, pulling up to the WL when we arrive, rubbing Humphrey Bear's nose upon arrival (For added pixie dust during our visit. A must-do for guests staying at the WL. ), boarding the resort boat/bus/monorail for the first time, walking down Main St. at the MK, seeing Cinderella's Castle, Wishes, the Electrical Water Pageant....the list is l-o-n-g. I these things! It's all magical to me. I guess I'm easy to please.

 

[disneymd33]

The very first Disney Resort we stayed at when we got hooked was POR Riverside. Now, we really enjoy staying at the Boardwalk. But we really feel the magic the moment we wake up the morning we leave. Even if we're getting up at 3:00am to catch the early morning plane, everyone is so excited about going! Or maybe it's booking the trip....?

 

[hematite153]

The previous poster who said that you can have a magical experience at any level of resort is absolutely correct. However, you will find the theming at some resorts to be more magical than at others, especially for children who will miss some of the more subtle themes (i.e. Yacht Club, Saratoga, etc.).

WL and AKL were designed by architect Peter Dominick who has a gift for overstated lobbies. Your jaw will drop the moment you walk into either of these lobbies. The fireplace at WL, for example, is 7-stories tall and is an accurate replica of the Grand Canyon stratigraphy and that is only one of many beautiful details.

Allears has overlooked attractions pages that can direct you to magical details.

 

[Rylee]

So where do you really feel the MAGIC?

In my heart.

I understand what you are asking and that is a serious answer.

For those who love Disney, the magic is everywhere. A park bench on main street, at the Beach Club looking across at the Boardwalk... all lit up at night, poolside at ASMovies, the lights at Downtown Disney, twinkling on the water, the glow from the fireworks reflecting on my children's faces, etc.

My parents started taking us to Disney in 1973. My Dad and I have always felt the magic. However, my mother liked Disney and making happy memories with her family, appreciates it's cleanliness, the thought put into the details, how efficiently it runs, etc., but she never captured that magical feeling.

So...
that is why I say, if it's in your heart, you'll find magical moments, anywhere and everywhere, at Disney.

(P.S. My husband feels the magic, too!)

I saw this post earlier today, and asked our 9 year old son as I was putting him to bed. I know your question pertained, somewhat, to the resorts, but I asked him, "Do you get a magical feeling when you are at Disney?" He said, "Yes." So I asked where or what gave him that feeling and he said, "In Magic Kingdom, every time I look at the castle, even a glance, catches my breath."

I want to ask my other children and see what they say.

 

[disneydance]

I felt Magic everywhere at AKL from the moment we arrived everyone was so friendly and they did there best to make the trip very magical for us

 

[kelscross]

The magic begins for us as soon as we step off the plane in Orlando and my kids insist on stopping at the Disney Store at the airport to get their pictures taken with the statues outside the Disney Store. I have a great collage of them at different ages in the same pose!

The most magical moment I've ever had on all of our trips is when my youngest actually stayed awake for the MK fireworks and she saw Tink (her favorite) come out of the castle. She was four at the time and she was in total awe. Once Tink finished her flight, she whispered in my ear "She really, is real Mommy, Tinkerbell is really real". I tell you I had to choke back the tears and it made every ounce of planning and every dime spent well worth it for that one moment.

To answer about magical resorts, the Poly does it for us. The atmosphere, the proximity to the MK, the little boat ride, the monorail ride, the pool, the beach, even that cheesy luau that we pay for each and every year...we love every minute of it and try to figure out how we can stay longer and longer each year!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

For me the magic begins at the airport - the ride on the tram is so cool and then getting on ME to be taken away to Disney. Magic for me is the monorail, the buses, seeing the castle, sitting on a park bench watching all the happy travelers go by, warm choc. chip cookies from Main St Bakery and the monorail. Did I say monorail? Disney is such a wonderful special place. I don't know as if I feel any "magic" at the resorts - I dunno. The whole vacation is magical so maybe the resort is in there somewhere but I really don't feel anything magical. The food courts sure aren't . Our last trip to the Poly was special so I guess I felt the magic there - anywhere I go w/my family is magical.

Edited to add watching Hallowishes while swimming at the Poly pool was the most magical thing for me at the Poly. I tried to savor that moment - it was beautiful. Hopefully I'll be able to live that moment again.