Your first stay at a WDW resort was ....

[Alicnwondrln]

1st 5 trips were all at the Contemporary

 

[DisneyMomx7]

First trip on-site was September, l988. We stayed at the Polynesian. It was just the four kids then who were 2, 4, 5 and 10. Had a wonderful time and I loved the Poly. THe first time I went to Disney was in l982, just one child and we weren't able to get a reservation for Poly or CR so we stayed in the "Disney Village" (now downtown Disney). The hotel is now called Grosvenor (spelling?) but I'm not sure what it was called then. I just remember the windmill pool.

 

[sleepydog25]

Our first stay at a WDW resort was just a couple of years ago. We (DW, DD4 at the time, and I) arrived in FL a few days earlier to visit an older daughter of mine in Melbourne. We stayed at a Holiday Inn right on the beach in Melbourne, and had a 1BR suite. It was fairly standard: no kitchen but did have a small fridge and microwave; bedroom was smallish w/one queen bed; the pull out couch was uncomfortable as most of them are. The entire suite had that "beach" feel to it, meaning it seemed overly damp, was sandy at the entrances, and was spartan in its furnishings. It wasn't dirty exactly but was a bit dingy and unappealing. For a short three day/two night stay, it was fine.

After our visit, we then drove to WDW and checked into our 1BR suite at VWL. Oh my god. We thought we had struck the mother lode. The rooms were very clean, very bright, and very inviting. We had the huge jacuzzi tub, the full kitchen, and a comfortable pullout couch. The a/c worked very well unlike the one at the Holiday Inn, and given it was late August, that was key to our enjoyment. We had the pools, the hot tubs, the trails. We had the magnificent lobby, Artist Point, and friendly CMs. And, we had easy access to all the parks. We couldn't believe the difference between VWL and Holiday Inn. Granted, we were paying half again as much for the suite at VWL, but there simply was no comparison.

It was this visit that prompted us into looking at DVC. We'll always remember that first trip fondly as it opened our eyes to the existence of the Disney magic. Sure, WDW has issues just like any other big corporation, but overall, they still do the fantasy vacation thing as well or better than anyone else. aw:

 

[wandap1016]

Our first stay at WDW property was during our Honeymoon 11 years ago! We stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort and got married in a beautiful gazebo at the Dixie Landings Resort. That was also my DH first visit to the World at 25! He's been hooked ever since

 

[Missus Toad]

1976-- the Contemporary. I was 5 and had a blast with the little things like the tetherball court and watching the monorail and staring at the Mary Blair mosaic in the Grand Canyon Concourse. Next stay was in 78 at the Poly, which I loved even more, but I'll always have a soft spot for the Contemporary. We always went back there for the Food and Fun Center and the little movie theater, which I especially loved as a kid!!!

 

[Luthien]

The first time I visited Disney World (1976) as a child we stayed off-site - I believe at a Comfort Inn in Kissimee. The only park at the time was the Magic Kingdom - which still remains my favorite. I remember our last day there, riding on the boat going back to the parking areas looking at the castle and crying because I didn't want the magic to end, and I didn't know when or if I would be coming back.

Flash forward to 1992 - finally back to Disney for our Honeymoon! We stayed at the GF (Boca Chica lagoon view) and it was truly a special trip. It was DH's first time to WDW and he was in awe of how well everything was done and how beautiful everything is. Now, everytime we see the GF we just look at each other and kinda sigh... We haven't stayed there since (came very close this time but the kids wanted to go back to the YC!). I told the kids that for our next visit, which will be in 2007 (DH and I will be celebrating our 15th anniversary) we will be staying at the GF!

There really is no place like Disney is there?...

Cheers-
~Luthien

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

My first was Wilderness Lodge in 1996. WL will always be special to me.

 

[Chrissi242]

It will be March 2006, at the VWL. Cant wait!!

 

[airplane]

SOG
CR
CSR
ASSp
GF
GF
BC
CSR
CR
YC

Wow that was really hard to remember. My most magical stay was my first time at SOG b/c we always stayed off site. I used to think Wilson World was the most amzing place on Earth (I wonder if that still exists). I worked for an airline so I could get 50% off rack rates. Once I stayed onsite, I could not turn back!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

My first time onsite was at Dixie Landings with my roommate at the time. It had just opened and was just gorgeous. That trip was fantastic because when it is just me & him we don't exactly try to behave like adults...which is key to enjoying the parks to their fullest. I think that was 1992 and I was 34. Prior to that I had visited the parks exactly twice, one day each. And since then I've been a number of times either with my family, or with my good friend and his family, or with other friends....50/50 on and offsite.

 

[liamsaunt]

My first Disney resort stay was at the Polynesian, December 26-January 3 1986-87. The trip was a surprise. We came downstairs on Christmas to find almost nothing under the tree (except for a sled for my brother). We were sad at first, until my parents said, run upstairs and pack your bags, we are going to Disney tomorrow morning! My Dsis and I both worked at the same movie theater, and had to call the manager and tell him we would not be coming to work. Boy was he mad!! We stayed in a lagoon view room, we could see the castle from the balcony. The parks were so crowded because of the holidays (my Dsis and I actually waited in line for 2 1/2 hours...in the rain...to ride Imagination!), but we had so much fun. Someday I would like to take my parents back to the Polynesian to thank them for that trip (and others). Hmm...guess I better start playing the lottery!

 

[donac]

Our first onsite stay was the Poly for our 10th anniversary in 1988. We had visited DW a couple of times and stayed outside the park. For our anniversary we wanted to stay onsite (Even then it was only the Cont., the Poly, FW and the GF had just opened.


When we told people of our plans everyone wanted to go at the same time. My parents stayed at the Poly, my sister and her family stayed at the GF and my sister and a friend stayed at the Disney Inn(now SOG). We went to the HDDR as a large group and my husband got to be in the show and my family got to see him. One night my parents took my son and my sister's daughter so that the two couples could have a free night. My sister and her husband went to V&A and my husband and I took off and visited the parks by ourselves. It was the first time I had been at the HM at midnight. It is quite different late at night.

 

[MNSusan]

We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for our first trip in 2002. We brought the grandkids, ages 4 & 8 then, and had the most wonderful vacation. In three weeks we're going back for the 6th time, this time bringing the grandkids (there's 3 now) and their parents.

 

[The Sweetness]

Only time for me onsite was the All-Star Movies, Dalmation wing. Me, mom and DD(now 14) were the first guests in the room. Felt like a special treat. For hopefull trip in 07 (once dd7 months is 2) will be on site as well at a value resort. Im not impressed with pools, other than wow, look how pretty. The only perk that would really impress me would be staying on the monorail line, and unless I win the lottery, Im just not going to go there. I have in the past, parked at the Polly or GF (so beautiful) for the day, had breakfast in the resort, then took the monorail. That was nice

 

[Stitch1404]

My first on property stay was when I was two-years-old with my parents, grandma, and sisters at the Grand Floridian. About all I remember from that trip is from home videos, but my favorite is the video my dad took as we were leaving the resort to go home. He got a close-up of me and I looked really sad and then all of a sudden I took off. My mom becomes frantic and the camera turns off. Apparently I decided I didn't want to leave, ran back into the hotel, and attached myself to a post, refusing to leave until I was promised I could go back. I'm, not sure if it was because of that, but we have been back twice a year ever since!

 

[Kimmielee]

Growing up, my parents were much older (I think I was a surprise addition to the family)... so I never went with family.

I went in 10th grade with an old neighbor that lived in Kissimmee and we just went to Magic Kingdom... enough to be hooked! (Once you see the castle, you are drawn in forever, eh?)

Spring break in college was next, didn't stay on site then either.... then 5 yr. anniversary with now ex hubby... didn't stay on site then....

so... I finally took my DS (4 then) to All Star Sports and we did it RIGHT!! I had Tiffany towncars pick us up... they met us at MCO with a sign with HIS name on it... he thought he was a "KING"!!! His face when he first saw the castle... priceless... then Mickey... oh my... then CINDERELLA... WOW!!

The green soldiers from Toy Story and being drafted in the middle of MGM to "work out" with them... amazing.

It was so magical... he couldn't swim yet, so the lack of a slide at All Star Sports was no big deal. He made the trip magical and now we go back and back... Put off our October 2005 trip to do a special 11 night trip including the 7 night cruise in April! Can't WAIT!!!

As you can tell, it's all from his prospective... and it keeps this 44 year old single Mom incredibly young!

P.S. I am so glad I previewed this... I had no idea that the initials for All Star Sports was a bad word... what was I thinking!!

 

[CharlesTD]

1978 non hotel stay half day visit to WDW wityh my dad and sister and step brother and step mom. I remember the day becasue we were told we could ride teh monorail one direction only. We chose to ride it to MK and on teh way back it was cold and raining and we were on the ferry. I remember riding Space Mountain and if memory serves back in 78 there was only one track and that was it. Other than that I really don't remember much of the trip we were staying in West Palm beach with my grandparents at their winter place. My first hotel stay was a 6 day trip in 96 to All Star Sports and man was that ever a great trip. That consisted of my then DGF now DW and her family they treated me to a holiday in Dec at WDW and we had only been going out a short while at that point I mean less than a year. We flew out of Detroit via Northwest and had such a great time I fell in love with WDW after that trip and also with the All Star resorts.

 

[leight]

my first official stay on WDW was Sept 2004 at POFQ when we visited for a quick birthday trip for DD-had just moved to FL from NY. Very disappointing as mousekeeping was a disappointment. It was only one nite- got there early and ran to the parks for the day. Came back to hang out at the pool in the afternoon. I went back to the room early to shower while dh stayed w/ the kids at the pool. I found soap scum stuck to the shower stall with razor stubble stuck to the wall! It was just beneath the towel rack that hangs in the shower itself- so I wonder if that had been changed recently. I was disgusted- but we had ADRs in less than 3 hours at Chef Mickey and there was no way to shower, change rooms and get to the restaurant at a diff resort. We were only staying the one nite so I just dealt with it. But I didn't tip!

Very disappointing since I changed the ressies from WL! I had gotten married at the Swan earlier in 2004 so I was also spoiled by a junior suite there! I've stayed at POP and CSR (which we love) and am going to POR in Dec- so I am open to all the resorts. Can't wait til I win Lotto so I can stay concierge deluxe every time!

 

[Princess Mindy]

My first stay was at the Contemporary when I was 5. I was there for a pageant. Unfortunately I do not remember the hotel much besides how cool the monorail was!What I remember most about that trip is running all over MK trying to find Prince John from Robin Hood because I was convinced (after seeing someone else on TV get one) that he was giving out free crowns. Nobody thought to tell me the thing was staged!

The first resort I remember being in was All Star Music with my children's choir. It was fine as a kid but I can distinctly recall that I hated the food and the decor but loved the pool. I guess I was a deluxe girl from the beginning. And now that I'm almost 25 I can finally afford (some of) my cavaiar dreams! Poly here we come 2006!

 

[jennymouse]

Dad took my brother and I when we were kids back in the 70's and we stayed at the Contemporary. I think it was just CR & Poly there at the time. I remember they had a booth giving free orange juice in little plastic oranges. (or maybe it wasn't free, I don't know) I found one of those plastic oranges with Mickey on it at a yardsale this summer and bought it for a dime just because it brought back memories. I wonder if they're worth anything on ebay....