Why do you love Disney and Walt Disney World as much as you do? If you’re reading this you are probably a Disney fanatic like me. So, where did that come from? Why are you such a fan? Why do you keep coming back to Walt Disney World year after year and spending your hard earned money there?
Well, if you’re like me, there is probably more than one reason.
Growing up in the 50’s I was exposed to Disney cartoons and animated features, but I really didn’t associated them at the time. It wasn’t until I saw Walt on TV that the lightening bolt struck. I remember sitting in front of the TV set with my mouth wide open listening to him talk about Disneyland, Disney animated and live action movies, Disney TV programs and eventually the Florida Project. To me Walt was like everyone’s uncle or grandfather. He had a way about him that was truly special. And to me he was one of the greatest storytellers to ever live. As a child, listening to him filled me with hope, wonder and dreams. Just thinking about Walt and all the magic that he talked about was enough to more than brighten my day.
As I got older, went to college, entered the business world and got married, Disney crept back into my life in a different way. The Walt Disney Company had an outstanding reputation as a leader in customer service. I started reading books about the company’s business practices and philosophy. The more I read about the company that Walt founded the more that brought me back to my love and interest in Walt the person. So, I started reading (and collecting) books about Walt (that’s in addition to the ones I was collecting about the Disney Company). I couldn’t get enough! Walt was so inspiring and such a visionary.
Reading the Disney related books was like throwing gasoline on a fire; it only deepened my love of all things Disney. Before I knew what hit me I had a fairly good size collection of Disney books. Wanting to add to that collection led me to attend Disneyana shows and conventions. Back then, living in Massachusetts, one of the more popular ones was Mouse Club East. Well, in my new role of collector I started adding Christmas ornaments and eventually Walt Disney Collectors Society figurines.
It wasn’t until 1986 that my family and I got to visit Walt Disney World. I’ll never forget the first time I walked into the Magic Kingdom and saw Cinderella Castle. WOW!!! It’s something that I’ll never forget. Walt Disney World was celebrating it’s 15th Anniversary. I still remember the song they sang during the parade “15th years and we’re having a party”. We went Christmas week, which was pretty special in itself, and stayed at the Contemporary. After that, we made many, many trips down to Walt Disney World both with our children and without.
It wasn’t until 2003 that I got to opportunity to visit Disneyland. It was amazing! What was so special for me was the fact that I was walking the streets, visiting the shops and riding the attractions just as Walt himself had done. To me, that’s the magic of Disneyland. It was a childhood dream fulfilled. When you’re in Disneyland, you can feel Walt’s presence.
One of my biggest joys today is watching the families that visit Walt Disney World. I see, in the faces of the children, me as a little boy sitting and watching Walt on TV. I see in the parents, me as a young father so happy to be able to bring such happiness and magic to his children.
Finally, to me loving Disney means family, happiness and lots of special moments and memories. Besides religion, I can’t think of any other person or institution that has done more for families and to bring families together than Walt and Disney. Walt, what a legacy you left! Thank you!
OK, now that I’ve told you why I love Disney, please tell me why you do. You do not have to be as lengthly as I was. Be as brief or long as you want. But don’t sit back, share your thought and feelings about your Disney obsession. I would love to hear them!
You could win an AllEars® baseball cap. I will take all the names of those who post a comment (see below) with your list, within the next couple weeks and I will put them in a hat and randomly draw the name of the lucky winner. The only rules are that you must reside in the US, be 18 years old or older and you must provide your email address so I can contact you should you win.
In addition, your response may be selected to be part of a future AllEars® feature article.
All comments must be posted no later than Sunday, August 15, 2010 in order to be eligible to win the baseball cap. The winner of the AllEars® baseball cap will be announced shortly thereafter.
Before we leave, I do want to comment on last weeks blog: There was a wide range of responses with shopping at Downtown Disney one of the most popular things to do. Touring the various Disney hotels, playing a round of mini golf and trips on the monorail and water taxis were on a lot of folks list. The bottom line is that there are lots of really fun things to do besides the theme and water parks.
In the coming weeks I will blog on more “favorite” things to do in Walt Disney World. Also, let me know if you have any suggestions as to other things you would like to see “top lists” of. I’m open to any and all suggestions. So far readers have suggested I blog on Magical Moments and Favorite Character Meals. Great ideas! What do you think? Based on the number of comments, I think you all agree that these are fun to do.
And the winner is: the winner of the AllEars® baseball cap for commenting on my Favorite Walt Disney World Water Park blog is: Jacqui Ruxton from Florida. Congratulations to Jacqui and “thank you” to everyone who took the time to share their Favorite Walt Disney World Water Park with me and all the loyal AllEars® readers!
Did you know AllEars® has a huge area called Rate and Review where you can share your dining reviews with fellow readers? Check it out!
Finally, be one of the first people to hear when my newest blogs go live on AllEars.net by joining “DisneyMike’s World” Facebook group.
Well, that’s all for now. As my good friend says, “see ya real soon”…DizneyMike
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Good morning!
I just wanted to pass on the biggest thank you to mike for his latest blog about what we love about Disney and Walt Disney World. Wow! I’ve read many blogs on this site (and love them all!!) but this one has touched my heart the most. I just spent well over an hour reading it and all of the fantastic comments that people posted and its truly food for the soul. I have more memories than could fit on any page of the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’ and reading this brought so many of them back for me! Anyone who knows me, knows of my Disney obsession (and I’m proud of it!). We are hoping to return to the World next November or
December…this fall is dedicated to my husband recovering from hip replacement surgery. The deciding factor in whether he would wait another year to have it done…me asking him if he could manage 2 wks at Disney this fall…and he said no. I said ‘Well you better get it done…I’m not waiting another year!’ Our
last visit was in December 2007 and I’ve been in such withdrawal ever since! This blog (and the entire website!) help me through…haha!! Thank you again!
Michelle Schaefer
It’s a long piece, but I first wrote this form my husband’s blog. Still applies today, so I felt I had to post it here. 🙂
First off, if you’re not “into Disney,” you may not understand. I can’t tell you exactly how, or when, I became such a huge Disney fan. All I know is that I love it there. No matter how close together my trips are, I still get “that feeling” when I walk through the gates of a Disney World Park. I sniff the air, hear the music, take in the insane amounts of architecture that creates each parks’ atmosphere, and I’m overwhelmed with a sense of belonging. I am here. This is the most Magical place on Earth. Dreams can come true here. I don’t know why I feel that way, but I do. So, we head off. Walk what seems like 5 million miles. Eat what seems like 5 million calories (because no one gains weight at Disney). Hear what seems like 5 million babies crying (well, maybe not 5 million. . .). There’s never any doubt you are where you are. If you allow it, the outside world does not exist here. I do my best to enact the rule that we not watch “real TV” while we are here. It’s just us and The World. Who needs a tropical island?
One of my all time favorite things to do here is “attend” the Wishes fireworks display at the Magic Kingdom. Around 9 o’clock Disney time, the lights dim around the Kingdom and it’s just you and the castle. The Blue Fairy comes over the airwaves, “When stars are born, they possess a gift or two. One of those is they have the power to make a wish come true.” Then a little girl starts to sing, “Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish, I wish tonight. We’ll make a wish, and do as dreamers do, and all of our wishes (all our wishes), will come true. I won’t type out the whole script here, and yes, I do have it, but you get the point. You hear various Disney Princesses and characters all wishing for something. Fireworks are timed to their lines. Disney music plays in the background. “Go the Distance” rings in our ears at one point. The boom of the fireworks bounces off the buildings all around us, making us jump in delight. Near the end, Jiminy Cricket, our “host” for the evening, gives us this one last piece of advice, “You see it’s just like I told ya. Wishes can come true, if you believe in them with all your heart. And the best part is you’ll never run out of wishes. They’re shining deep down inside of you. ‘Cause that my friends is where the magic lives.” Then, as the fireworks explode all around, lighting up the sky as if a million lights just snapped on, the boom nearly bursting out your ear drums, you hear the music again, “Make a wish, and do as dreamers do. . .and all of our wishes will come true!”
I can’t explain it. I sit there, looking at the fireworks through my camera lens and sing along and every time, I get tears in my eyes. As I sit here writing this today, my eyes are a little blurry. There’s just ‘something’ about that show that will always touch a place inside me. Making me want to be A Dreamer.
Hi Mike-
I grew up watching the Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights and remember getting so excited seeing Tinker Bell at the start of the show or was it the end it was so long ago its hard to remember now.
My first visit to Disney World I couldn’t have been more than 5. I’m now 41. I have only vague memories of that trip but even at that tender age I must have sensed that it was a special and magical place for I longed to go back for years. I finally made it back in 2000 just prior to my 30th birthday. It’s hard to put into words why I love Disney so much. It’s just a feeling that comes over me when I pass through the gates, hear the music, smell the aroma of the sweets emanating from the bakeshop and see the Castle. It’s the one place that my husband and I can truly let our hair down, put our troubles behind us and truly escape into the magic. It brings us closer as a couple and we feel refreshed and renewed.
Where else on earth can you have dinner with a Mouse after racing down Mount Everest or Soarin’ over California then finish off the day with a magnificent fireworks display.
Those a just a few of the many reasons why I love Disney as much as I do.
May, 1973, first visit with husband, myself, two sons (4 and 7), elderly aunt and mother-in-law. We stayed in the Contemp. wing. The first night, my 4 yr old saw the elec. water parade testing their lights and yelled “Look out the window-something is there.” Each time we looked, the lights were off. This happened three times before we saw them. Our first day at MK, we stopped at the dedication plaque to thank WD for being a grown man with “crazy” ideas for family entertainment. We still do that. Not too long ago, my grandson asked “Who is that man holding Mickey’s hand?”, my son said “It’s time you knew who he really is.” and took him to see “A man and his dreams”. Back to 1973 – the boys were selected as guests of the day and were in the parade in Liberty Square. Very exciting. Prior to checking out, my mother-in-law took ill. The ambulance took us to the “Mickey Mouse” hospital where Mom was treated like royalty; including WDW comping our room for the extra day we had to stay. On one particularly hot afternoon, my aunt sat under a tree while we roamed around MK. She was invited to dinner by no less than 3 families. Where else does this happen? We took 302 slides (yes, slides) of which 102 were of the castle. The slides were lost when our home flooded but the memories are always fresh. We’ve been to WDW many times since then. It’s in our pores. WDW was a ray of sunshine for my family through thick and thin. I have a million more stories, but have already gone on too long. Thanks for the memories.
It has been really nice to read this article and all the lovely comments that follow!
I compare my passion for Disney to my fiance’s love for his football (soccer) club; but, unlike a sports team, Disney never lets you down! 😉
Throughout my childhood in the 80s/90s we always watched Disney movies and played with Disney toys – even then I could tell there was something special about Disney compared to other cartoons/toys. We always took family trips to see the latest animated movie at the cinema (a tradition that continued right up to ‘Atlantis’!)
I remember when my Dad told me there was a ‘Disney World’ in America – I couldn’t wait to visit! We took our first family trip to Orlando in 1993. At the time, my Mum said it was a ‘once in a lifetime trip’ and we wouldn’t be going again.. (now my parents are DVC members!!)
17 years and 10 trips to WDW later, I’m 25 years old and my love of the Mouse continues to grow. As an adult I appreciate the attention to detail in everything Disney does, from the theme parks & resorts to the movies & merchandise.
I love that I am able to watch the Disney channel and movies, look at blogs & message boards, read books & D23 magazines, play songs on the piano or listen to park music & podcasts. It keeps the magic alive between trips to the World! (and of course all the months spent planning & anticipating an upcoming trip!)
I wrote my final year paper at university on Walt Disney and his leadership style.. the more I read about the man that started it all, the greater my love of Disney became. It’s a truly unique company and brings so much happiness to adults & children alike.
Some friends & colleagues roll their eyes & laugh when I say I’m going to WDW and on a Disney cruise for my honeymoon next year — I guess they think it’s for small children; but for my fiance & I, we have wonderful memories of previous vacations at WDW — and I personally can’t think of anywhere better or more romantic to spend time with my new husband!
Thanks for the article Mike… and to Walt Disney for having a dream & making it come true for all of us to enjoy 🙂
I have actually never been to Disney World, but will be going for the first time in January. I did, however, grow up about 30 miles south of Disneyland. In fact in the sixties, my grandmother ran a children’s clothing store in Orange County. One day, Walt himself walking into the store and like what my grandmother was doing. So he hired her to be a buyer at the Disneyland Hotel. I grew up with my grandmother working for Disney and taking us to Disneyland for Christmas every year. I loved that time. She retired when I was 15, but my love for Disney has been with me my whole life. I don’t live in California anymore, but my husband and I take the kids whenever we can. There is just something magical about being there! I especially love to see my kid’s faces light up when they see something special! I love Disney!
I love Walt Disney World because of the feeling I have when I think of it, when I’m there and when I’m planning to go. Disney brings out the kid in all of us. When you grow up life gets so much harder and more complicated. When I’m at Disney World I feel like I’m 5 years old again without a care in the world. It is the most magical place on earth, and the reason Walt created the park in the first place is so touching to me. He wanted to create a place where families could have fun together. I can’t quite describe the feeling that Disney gives me. I don’t think that you can quite understand it you have been there.
I’ve based my life around Disney World. I have so many memories of Walt Disney World with my family and now my boyfriend, and someday I’ll be taking my kids there. I majored in Hospitality and Tourism because I wanted to be able to help make someone else’s vacation as magical as Disney World has always made mine.
I can’t imagine a happier place to visit.
I love Disney because it has provided perfect enjoyment for my whole family particularly my 15 year old special needs son. I always say, “We’re not going hiking or camping or skiing for that matter. So what are our options? Disney caters to families like mine. They treat us like royalty. But it is not just Disnay and the CM’s. The guests fall over themselves to open doors for us and make a clear path. There’s a point in our 1 week vacations, usually about the third morning, where my son who doesn’t speak will wake up and look around at the resort room. That’s when I see the expression on his face like he’s saying, “Oh yeah, I remember this place. We’re still here. This is where we do all kinds of fun stuff and my parents stay with me and love on me and we ride rides and laugh and play all day. Oh, yeah!” Where else, I ask you can we get that? Nowhere I’ve found.
I love Disney just because it feels good to be there! I don’t know of any other place that is so charming. Even though we have been there many times in the last 30 years, there is always something new to see. And who can forget the Candlelight Processional? the very moving American Adventure, the Voices of Liberty and the Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps, the fireworks and laser show, the parades, climbing around Tom Sawyer’s Island, the stomach churning drop in the Tower of Terror, and now that my kids are grown, watching the excitement of the children in the park?
With each stage of life comes a different reason for loving WDW. There are thrills, there is beauty (the flowers…everywhere!), there is amazing technology (mostly in disguise), there is humor and drollery, there is a surprise around almost every corner, there is attention to detail found nowhere else, there is unsurpassed imagination and creativity, but mostly, there is the feeling that all of this was created just for you…so that you could, even if only for a day, live in the happiest place on earth! Priceless!
My favorite time at Disney is the first or second week in December (Christmas at Disney is truly magical), and last year we decided not to go; after all, we had been there and done that so many times. Wow, did I ever miss it. When I start to feel the familiar pulling towards WDW, I won’t make that mistake again!
I keep trying to write about why I love Disney World and keep failing. I think it is because I love Disney so much and have for so long that I no longer remember why I started loving it in the first place. I do know why I continue to love it, though.
Walt Disney World feels like home. It is kind of corny to say, but whenever I am at Disney World, I feel like I am home. My parents first took me to Disney World when I was approximately 20 months old and formed a tradition to go every year. many of my childhood memories revolve around Disney. I probably can’t tell you what I did on my 10th birthday, but I can tell you in detail about my first ride on Tower of Terror.
There were 7 of us that went to Disney World together…mom, dad, aunt, uncle, grandma, sister, and me. And some of the happiest I’ve seen all of them is at Disney. There is something magical about just being on the Disney property. Nothing is better than being immersed inside a whole world based on the idea of magic and happily ever after. Disney is the Happiest Place on Earth and it is my Happy Place. And at 23 years old, I still always feel like a kid when I walk down main street and see Cinderella Castle.
Well, I should probably just get this out there first — I love vacation — anywhere, anytime! I can and do go on vacation to many places besides Walt Disney World. I love them all!
But in answer to your question, let me give you the answer I give to friends and acquaintances who are not Disney fanatics. I went on very short visits to the Magic Kingdom once and Disneyland twice in my youth, but did not return (or really think about it much) until I was a parent. My husband and I took our son to Walt Disney World when he was four years old. There were a couple of things I really appreciated: the marvel of watching the “magic” through his eyes — I could really get a vicarious thrill when he met his heroes, Buzz and Woody! I also appreciated the attention to detail, how the imagineers thought of everything. Really, there is no place like Disney where everything is put together with such care. I enjoy both the child-in-me magical experience as well as the adult-in-me “how did they do that?” or “how did they think of that?” analysis.
We have been back twice since, and our next trip is planned for next year, when my son will be 10. Don’t know what I am going to do when he is all grown up — may have to adopt a grandchild to keep having an excuse to get to Walt Disney World every few years!
Wow there are so many reasons why I love Disney so much, but I think the main one is my dad. He would take us to Disney every year. I do believe I have gone 14 times with him (and the rest of the family) and now I am about to take my 3rd with my family. When going with my dad we got to see the other side of him, the fun loving kid he could be. Now as the years have gone by my dad and I have grown apart but yet when I go back to Disney I can feel like a kid a again and feel close to my dad again and carry on all the traditions.
We all so often get wrapped up in adult life and loose our imagination our belief. But once you take that first step on Disney grounds the weight is off the shoulders and you truly turn into the parent your kids have been dying to see.
Going to Disney for us is truly about living in the moment with our kids. Being irresponsible, having ice cream for dinner, staying up past our bedtime. Being together and in the moment with no interuptions no distractions no schedules and letting it take us where ever it may be. Believing in magic, and that all things are possible.
Disney? Well…Simply because….for one magic moment in time, your troubles disappear, beloved memories return, your heart swells and your load lightens. Mean cancer doesn’t hurt you there and happiness fills the space where worry usually hangs out. A stranger smiles and turns the stranger into ‘friend’ and smiling isn’t so strange anymore. It’s when you feel safe to be silly and it’s safe to say that silly is the feeling of the day. It’s where your hopes are higher than they were a mere few days before and the place your mind re-directs to what is really most important. The little things. Little people…big people…conservative people…not-so-conservative people…people are just people and no one is looking and keeping track. No one cares about debating…unless you’re debating getting back on the ride one more time. And really at the end of the day, isn’t that the biggest thing? Getting back on the ride at the end of the day – in every way? And it’s how we come to love going to Disney. Life’s a ride folks…don’t always choose the fast pass.
C.
My husband & I went to Disney for our honeymoon. Being back there brings us back to our wedding day. We are always so happy and relaxed when we are at the “House of the Mouse”!!!
My father nurtured my love of Disney at an early age by taking me to see Jungle Book and Pete’s Dragon in the movie theater. He also bought me my 1st Pooh Bear (you would pull his string and he would say “I Like Honey” and “Your My Best Friend”. I loved watching the Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights; it was the highlight of my week. My father passed away before he could take us to Disney World but I always knew one day I would go and take my children. Well it took 40 yrs. but we finally made it! It honestly took my breath away as soon as I waked through the gates and seeing my daughters’ faces was priceless. Being there really made me feel like a kid again and literally “forget all my worries and cares”. There is NO other place in the world (and we have been to many other places around the world and US) that I had rather be with my family! It is truely MAGICAL!!!! Now if I could just win the lottery so I could take my ENTIRE family with us! Oh by the way…my Dad made it to Disney (finally) through me and my children. I know he was with me; I could just feel him there everywhere I looked.
It’s just a place where I get to go and it brings out the nice in me. It’s the friendly cast members, the little details, the spending time with new and old friends, and mostly just the chance for the simpler life of being a kid again. Work is just the thing to fill in the time between Disney trips.
I have been going to Disney since it opened practically. My parents took me when I was about 10 or so. Then I met my wonderful boyfriend (who later became my husband) and his first dates with me were at Disneyland. Since then, we have taken our children, both to the Land and the World. Each time we go, darling hubby, who used to work for MAPO way back when, always wants to see if they use the same technology and things he put in when he first worked there. And yep, he finds them. Also, he holds the memory of not only driving his personal vehicle down Main Street USA in the Land, but he was also probably the ONLY employee who worked for Disney that had both a beard and a mustache (due to an error on his hiring paperwork). What is not to love about Disney???? This is where our family first started, so it hold extra special memories for us.
I have been taking my daughter to WDW since she was just four years old. Being a single dad, in the early years is was a bit more adventurous. A few years ago I asked my daughter if she would like to skip our trip to WDW for a year or two. I was surprised by her response. She said, “WDW is part of our tradition”, just as Christmas and going to the beach. So, here we are, 16 years later, still visiting our favorite 47 square miles known as WDW. Walt was known to say, “It all began with a mouse”. The reason we continue to return to WDW, was simply put by my little girl, “It’s our Tradition”.
With high pressure jobs and the continual effort at self-improvement to keep these jobs, DisneyWorld is an oasis to get away from it all. My family has traveled to many places (Paris, Rome, Madrid) but no where can we relax as we do at DisneyWorld. The total immersion in fantasy is a proven way to let stress leave and pleasure begin. Just arriving at the Disney property, we inhale the atmosphere. While the Disney environment is quite contrived, it serves a real purpose. While many say “there is no place like home”, we say “there is no place like DisneyWorld”.
My love for Disney has taken so many twists and turns over my life – having been a lifelong Florida resident. Being multi-generational Florida residents, a part of our family history is rooted in Walt Disney World, as my grandfather was part every phase of the development and construction of the World up until its opening in 1971. I have to admit that having photographs of my grandfather in front of the early phases of Cinderella’s Castle or photos of the “digging” of the Seven Seas Lagoon now holds a special place in my heart as he has long gone.
Having grown up in Orlando, our family frequented Disney, and I never realized what a special place it was – it was just always there. Of course, as every Florida child becomes a “cool” teenager – you scoff at Disney – bringing in all those tourists and ugh – spreading happiness and sunshine! 🙂 Then, as I became an adult, I rediscovered the magic of The World. I never ever take for granted the privilege I have of being able to watch a parade or fireworks any evening to lift my spirits after a rough day. Or for my partner and I to grab a bite at ‘Ohana or Brown Derby – just because we are hungry and deserve a treat. And it is a little wild to be able to now take my parents to the same place they took me as a child.
The magic never goes away – ever. Walt knew that the magic wasn’t in a theme park or on a ride in Fantasyland – it’s deep down inside all of us. He just envisioned a place where we could all set it free.
I love WDW because some of the best times of my life have been experienced there. Each year that I visit I can relive and newly experience dreams coming true for myself, my family, and for others around me.
One can hardly describe in words or writing what Disney does for a fanatic like myself. It’s probably like an addiction.
I know that it’s my “happy place” when I need it most.
I am always certain to have a great time. Things are consistant at WDW. When the rest of the world is in a wash of inconsistancy.
I am fortunate to visit twice this year. I will be visiting with my mom, sister, and neice in early November.
Why I love Disney, all the special moments as a family alone, just seeing the joy on my kids faces as we pass the Walt Disney Sign on the Magical Express and the driver has you count down to officially say your at the World. Everything else at this point doesn’t matter..Your at Disney, The Magic Kingdom walking down Main Street, stopping at the Bakery getting a bite to eat, then off to the attractions. It doesn’t matter which ride we go on from there, just seeing my 20yrDD and my 9yrDD get along so well and no arguing is magical alone. Going to Epcot and trying all the different foods from the countries. There is so much more I can write, but like I said enjoying the time with the family, no other place can you feel like this. You have to experience it..the Magic just keeps bringing you back, so as of today we have 6 more days until we drive through the Gates again,…can;t wait
My first trip to WDW was part of our honeymoon back in 1981. My husband had been to Disneyland a few times as a child as he had an aunt who lived in Hollywood (I have since been to Disneyland once). In 1981, at WDW, it was only Magic Kingdom, and I remember tickets were something like $19 a day! We stayed one night at Contemporary and the rest at Polynesian, because, even a year in advance, we could not get all nights at the Polynesian. Our next trip was after Epcot opened, next was after MGM opened. We came back several times before Animal Kingdom opened and several since then. We’ve celebrated anniversaries and birthdays there, and have visited during Christmas (albiet early December) twice as well.
That said, why do we love it? We are kids at heart. It’s one of the few places you can still experience the wonder that a child does at 50+. And you can act goofy and no one thinks twice about it. We always have tons of fun. We’ve always stayed on site except our second trip, and we’ll never do that again. Too many perks on-site and too long a drive back/forth off-site. We’ve traveled elsewhere extensively as well. I can’t say that Disney hotels are the best, based on our travel experiences. But it is great to be on-site. Theming is wonderful–no one does it better. Our favorite (and we’ve sampled quite a few over the years) is the Wilderness Lodge (stayed there 6 times). It is serene and calming in the midst of the hustle/bustle that is sometimes Disney–even the kids seem to be a little bit better behaved.
Disney is also an easy vacation. Since we’ve been there so often, it’s easy to plan the trip. We know where we’re going and what we are doing. Even so, I still read the latest Disney tour books from various authors in case I missed anything (and, of course, All Ears keeps me well informed!). Since you need to make meal reservations well in advance, it takes that decision-making out of the equation once you’re there. There’s so much to do, you don’t have to worry that you’ll get bored. If you want to relax, there’s plenty of opportunity for that as well. One of my favorite moments is when I wasn’t feeling all that well and my husband and I took a leisurely stroll through the grounds at the Polynesian, something we hadn’t done since we were there for our honeymoon. It brought back tons of lovely memories and was a nice walk among some beautiful grounds (of course, this was in February and not in the middle of summer so a stroll was enjoyable). One visit, we rented a surrey bike from Wilderness Lodge (actually they comped it since it was my birthday) and rode over to Fort Wilderness (once again, not in middle of summer!). What a lovely ride. We saw quite a few animals in the woods between the 2 resorts and got lots of attention especially from children as we rode around (everyone wanted to wave at us and have us ring the bells). It’s sometimes these little things that you remember more than anything else.
As a kid, I remember watching The Wonderful World of Disney when the Haunted Mansion opened at Disneyland (the Osmond Brothers were the featured guests) and thinking, “I can’t wait until I go there.” The Osmonds, in full barbershop duds, sang on Main Street in front the castle, and it looked so magical and pretty with flowers in full bloom. It took me a while to get to WDW (and once there was about 9 years in between visits due to my work), but I kind of get that same feeling every time we plan a trip. When we saw the Osborne Family Lights for the first time or rode Tower of Terror or Expedition Everest, we both experienced that same sense of awe that I did back when I was just a kid watching the opening of the Haunted Mansion.
We’ve had some issues with non-response when we experienced problems at Disney (remember, they are a corporation–not your famiy) that we’ve never experienced at other resorts. Because of this, we stayed away for a while (about 3 years). But the lure of a good time brought us back. Some of our friends think we are nuts for visiting as often as we do. But I just think people who don’t enjoy the parks and the whole Disney experience just plain don’t like to have fun. How could you not enjoy it!
to me, loving Disney isn’t just a hobby…it is a lifestyle! Whether its whistling Disney tunes while working or putting on your fave mickey shirt for a day out shopping and not give it a second thought. Its not just about the mouse, the castle, or the parks. I went to WDW for the first time when I was 3. I have since gone approximately 17 times (I’m 26 now) Looking back, I see that the majority of my childhood memories are of Disney. My entire family used to take a week long trip to Disney in the summer and camp at fort wilderness. I don’t really know why it became such a love of mine, it just did. I wanted to be an artist as a child, so on career day at school I dressed as a Disney animator. I have memorized so many Disney songs its not even funny. I quote lines from attractions. I find hidden mickeys in everything. And I have turned my fiance into a disney nut! I tend to ‘rub-off’ on people and I quickly became the go-to person for all things Disney.
Everything about Disney amazes me. To read the books about how the Disney brothers got their start and see what a huge corporation it is now….wow. I truly wish I could have had the chance to meet Walt, what a vision.
Disney has infiltrated everything in my life! my ringtone says “please stand clear of the doors, por favor mantengase alejado de las puertas” nobody knows what it is from but they assume its something Disney. when I tell them I usually get an “oh…okay…” I just can’t get enough Disney.
Its the burst of coolness as you enter POTC, the smell of goodies on main street, the funky smelling water, the smell of the exhaust as a bus pulls away from the stop, the corny jungle cruise jokes, beautiful tomorrows, new horizons, electronbeams and crystalprisms gyroscopes and magnetism, new horizons, listening to the land, Invaders!! laughing places, electro-synthomagnetic musical sounds, standing clear of the doors, hinges creaking in doorless chambers, hoop-de-doos, dole whips, giant turkey legs, the Indian chief who guards the curb on mainstreet patiently awaiting my arrival, marching with my high school band, sore feet, lost sunglasses….and all of the many other things that make Disney so magically special!
Some people will never understand why I get tears in my eyes when I walk through the front gates at Magic Kingdom. Sometimes I even scold myself for getting so emotional. One of the last times I went with my fam, my mother got sick our first day, it was 2 days later until she was actually able to go to the parks. my sis was so upset that she was ready to call the trip off and go home. I convinced her that it would get better and we had to tough it out and the trip would still be special(Disney never wimped out on us and we weren’t gonna wimp out on Disney!!) When we finally got to go to MK as we were watching the opening show I saw a smile come across her face. When I turned to her we both had tears in ours eyes. all I had to say was “I knew you would find your magic”
Your question is one that is asked of me a lot, usually following a moment when someone mentions Disney casually and my eyes light up and I’m off, talking a mile a minute about Disney Parks and all things related. Whoever the unsuspecting party may be, they soon wonder why their tiny comment triggered such a lengthy response and hence the question, “Why do you love it so much and how can you love it so much?”
I’m relatively young to be such a Disney nut, 26 years old and no kids (yet) but married to a converted Disney fan (it was a condition of marriage). I remember always wanting to visit “The World” as a child but having to wait until I would be able to remember it, as it was a one-time affair. My parents saved and finally my Mom planned (and planned really well I might add) “The Trip”. I was 11 and my sister was 8 and my dad was, well, uninterested to say the least. Being the wonderful Dad that he is, he agreed to go this one time and be happy, but that was it. We better remember it. We drove, all the way from Texas, and when we arrived and Dad parked the car, we could tell already we were in a special place, one that we could have never imagined in our wildest dreams. That trip was one that we still talk about today, how we ate like we’d never eaten before, played as we never knew we could and were a family in a way that we hadn’t been before. As we left that trip, Dad with tears in his eyes we just knew this was not a one time thing after all. When I was 14, we planned our next trip. After this one, the deal was sealed and we’ve been back every year since then with a trip to the Land thrown in, we are new DVC members and for the first time this year we were all AP holders and will be making our 4th trip this year in October for my Dad’s 50th birthday. Shhh… it’s still a surprise so don’t tell.
The way I describe my love for Disney is that it’s become my passion. People are passionate about different things, but most people can relate in the sense that whatever their passion, it fills them with something. My Disney passion makes fills me with happiness. I spend my time reading blogs, listening to podcasts, looking at photos, and every second that I do that, I’m falling deeper in love with Disney. It’s a place that for me represents family, hope and just a sense of magic. I tear up when I arrive and I tear up when I leave. It amazes me that one man had the vision for something so unique and that it holds up even in today’s world. When I go to the parks and look around, I see all types of people, in all stages and levels in life and somehow, Walt finds a way to speak to them through his parks. That is what I love and what amazes me about Disney, it’s a universally magic place that speaks to and affects every single person in a very different way, yet we are all somehow touched. That, to me, is Disney magic and that, my fellow Disney friends, is my passion.
Thanks Mike for the amazing blog and all your previous amazing blogs!
Why i love Disney is so complex and hard to describe but I know that everyone on here understands what I mean. When I was a child, my grandparents used to save what little money they had every year so they could take me and my younger brother to Disney World every year! We would pack in their van and drive for 2 days to get there and we would stay for more than a week and then spend 2 days driving all the way home. We would stay in the Contemporary every trip in one of the garden wings. We enjoyed every minute being there! When i was a young child i remember doing a report on Walt Disney in school. We had to do a report on our hero and Walt Disney was mine. My dream was to always grow up and work for Disney and be an imagineer and bring happiness to everyone’s life just like Walt did. In 2005 at the age of 20 i took my first trip to Disney World with my boyfriend and our daughter and unfortunately it was also my last trip to Disney World with my grandparents. My grandfather would then pass away in November of that year and i wouldn’t have the opportunity to go back with them. Since then i have made 6 trips to WDW with my boyfriend and our daughter all since November of 2007 and we are going back again in September. The feeling i have when i am there is the most magical and amazing feeling anyone can ever experience! The feeling you get when you arrive at your resort and hear “welcome home” to the feeling of anticipation on the monorail to the feeling walking through the gates. Just knowing that you have left the stress of life at home and are in your magical home away from home is a remarkable feeling. People ask me all the time why i keep going back and no one i know understands. The childhood i was given by my grandparents was the best i could have ever asked for and i want my daughter to have the same experiences that i have. I know my grandfather is looking down on us and very proud that i am following in his Disney footsteps. i know he would fully understand my love for Disney without me even needing to explain it to him.
I didn’t mean to write a book! LOL. I love Disney and Walt Disney World because of everything it represents! Being a child over and over again is the greatest and most magical feeling in the world! I hope that when my daughter gets older she has the same passion for Disney that i have and she will continue to visit and relive the amazing childhood i gave her there like i am doing!
I am the youngest of 3 girls…and by youngest I mean I was a “woops”…the middle sister is 12.5 years older than me. Growing up, there weren’t many things we all had in common. I liked barbies, and they liked boys. Disney World was the one place where we could all go together and all share the same experience. Some of my favorite pictures from my childhood are of the three of us in the different parks. Now that we are all grown, the oldest sister has two kids, and we have returned 3 times as a “bigger” family of 8. It is still so much fun to be with my sisters, but it is even more amazing to sit back and watch my nephews experience everything!
Mike,
I first fell in love with WDW because of my kids. Even though my parents had taken us to WDW in 1975 and 1979, and my fiancee and I visited in 1989, I really had not “fallen” for the place although I very much enjoyed those trips.
No, my first love started in 1996 while sitting off the coast of Croatia and flying missions into Bosnia from the USS Saipan. On the boat, we watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. One of the commercials during the parade was for Walt Disney World. I decided then and there to take my family to WDW the following summer for our first real family vacation.
In July 1997, that dream finally came true as my wife and I took our 2 year-old and 7 month-old daughters. We had the oldest daughter in a stroller and the youngest in a backpack carrier. It was hot, crowded, and the absolute most magical experience we ever had. Seeing the world and meeting characters through my children’s eyes was much better than my previous trips and we were hooked. We returned in 1998 then had to take a break for a few years as deployments and Marine life got in the way.
After coming home from Afghanistan in 2002, we were able to return again. Now we had three children and my 1 year-old son began his magic trips. Since then, we have been fortunate to make an annual trip to either WDW or DLR. While Disney is certainly fun for a kid, I don’t think it compares to the magic you experience as a parent watching your children live that magic.
I grew up in the northeast in the late 60’s early 70’s and would get so excited when the Walt Disney show would come on! You knew it would be good whatever it was. The image of the parks were nothing I could imagine.
My wife and I honeymooned at Disney World, and out first big family vacation was there as well where my daughter turned five. We celebrated her birthday with a character breakfast Minnie and Chip & Dale made magical. We brought our nephew that trip and all had a great time with many great memories made.
We moved to Tampa Bay in 1999 and started coming more and more often. Before we knew it we were passholders, and regulars on Disney Cruises. As passholders, my wife and I have been immersed in Disney through tours, books, and other extras. I don’t know exactly when we became fanatics, but our friends all know where to find us if we aren’t home on the weekends!!
Hi Mike, what a wonderful blog. It´s hard for me to say why I love Disney so much. I´m from Argentina, and you know we are so far away from US, Disneyland and Disney World. I grow up with the movies, and I took my nephews to see Aladdin, Beauty and the beast and Toy Story. The first time I traveled out of my country at the age of 26, I chosen to go to Disney World and my love was sealed forever. I couldn´t believe the details, and I loved the people who made that place. I came back with my little daughter (19 months) and we couldn´t go back because of the economy until 2008 with my daughter and my son (10 and 7)
We had the most wonderful time there and everything was such a dream. Later that year the things get very hard with my and my husband´s jobs (we worked in private funds and the goverment closed the whole industry) and my shelter was your page. I read all your blogs and I became a disney expert. All my friends (and their friends) come to me at the time to plan a disney trip and I love it. Thank God, things get better and we went again last summer (winter for you) and was really another time we´ll never forget. Every day I read Allears and other pages to know what is new and think that Walt was a real genius. (I try to read about Walt story too) I´m looking forward to go again, I hope soon. Thank you for listening!!
I love Disney World (Disneyland too) because when I am there I forget the world outside. The sound of the boat horn outside my window at the Contemporary, the familiar voice on the monorail, the warm feeling I get when walking down Main Street. It is all magical. My escape. I also have had many wonderful vacations with family there. My first time staying onsite at the Contemporary in a Gardenview room which I paid for myself with my first job.
Then going with parents and staying in the tower finally. I also did somethings alone then met up with mom and we went to Grand Floridian together (dad was tired).
Visiting Disney World for the first time during the holiday season and the jaw dropping feeling I had when I pulled up to the Grand Floridian that first day and then entering the parks for first time while decorated.
Going for my 40th birthday in late September 2001 and my then 3yr old niece running to me in MGM Studios.
Again sharing the magic with my niece and nephew in 2007 during holiday season.
And early December 2009 visiting solo and finally meeting my favorite Tinkerbell after waiting online for 1hr during Mickey’s Christmas Party.
I just love Disney World for the aaaahhh factor when I pull up to my hotel and enter Magic Kingdom for first time that trip and the monorail ride into EPCOT. Magical
dittos to all above . lets just say i have been around the world once or twice . what disney does for me is as a old broke down war hourse is let me be a kid again . to forget about the bad things . my wife says that when i am at disney it seems like a anvil has been lifted off of my shoulders. when you walk through those turnstiles everyone is the same.no matter how rich or poor sick or healthy disney strives to treat everyone the same .castmembers who i have grown to know are some of the finest people i have met who strive EVERY DAY to make each persons vacation magical. disney WHERE ALL YOUR “WISHES ” CAN COME TRUE IF YOU ONLY LET THEM. mike keep up the good work
dusty
People are always asking me why I always go to Disney World but they just don’t understand that I grew up during the 50’s and feel like I knew Walt Disney.My parents bought me Disney books,dolls, and took me to see every Disney movie out there. When the Mickey Mouse Club started on tv I was right there watching everyday. What kids back then didn’t like Davy Crockett and the Adventures of Spin and Marty!
I watched the Opening Day of DL back in 1955 and told my dad I was going to go there someday. I remember him telling me it would cost a lot to visit out there.
I never did get to Disney World until 1988 after my dad passed away. Then I had a family and decided to use some of the money my dad left me for a first family trip to DW. My youngest son was 11 and wanted to stay at the Contempory.
The first time I saw the castle I had tears rolling down my chheks. I was so happy to be there and I thought of my dad maybe looking down at me.
In 2007 I finally made it to DL and every step I took I thought Walt walked here. I hope to go back there someday.
Since 1988 my husband and I have been back at DW many times and most of the times we have stayed at the deluxe resorts. In Dec. we will be going back to enjoy another Christmas at DW.
Since my children were older when we first visited DW I missed seeing them see Disney as small kids but I hope I get to see my grandchildren enjoying Mickey and the whole gang
in the near future.
Wow, I actually had to stop reading all these comments because I’m at work and they’re making me teary-eyed! Anyway, it’s really hard to put into words why I love Disney. Every time people ask where I’m going on vacation and I say “Disney World,” you get the typical, “Again?!” or, “Oh, you have children?” Well, yes, we are going again and no, I don’t have children, unless you count my 25 year old boyfriend haha People who don’t get it, just don’t understand the way Disney makes us fanatics feel. I grew up in the late 80’s and early 90’s when many of the classics like The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Aladdin etc. were coming out. I remember I used to beg to go to my grandma’s house to watch the Disney channel on TV because on our cable package at my house, we didn’t get it. I had hours and hours of videos that my grandma made for me of “Mickey’s Mousercise,” Mickey’s for of Jazzercise. Honestly though, it wasn’t until I was about 18 when I fell in love. I had been to Disney World as a kid 3 times. However, my parents aren’t “Disney people.” We stayed at their timeshare in ORlando, never on Disney property and we would spend a few daytime hours in the parks and leave. I never knew about all Disney had to offer until 2008. In February of that year, I asked my boyfriend where he wanted to vacation; a cruise or Disney World. I hadn’t been to WDW since 2005 as a graduation trip with an old friend but even then, didn’t really get bit by the Disney bug. (I suspect I thought I was “too cool” for Disney at 18 yrs old.) My boyfriend, surprisingly chose to go to WDW. That’s when my obsession began, before we’d even stepped foot in FL together. We were supposed to go at the end of August 2008 until that July when my boyfriend got a new job which had training through the 2nd week in September that he wasn’t allowed to miss. I was CRUSHED because I had found sites such as this one and other planning sites which introduced me to everything Disney, not just 4 parks that were hot with long lines like my parents had me thinking! We ended up going to WDW for the first time together in April of 2009 and it was AMAZING. We have now been there 3 times together (including this past December when we met you, Mike) and already know we’ll be back next summer, earlier if our wallets would allow! We’re even considering relocating to FL not only to escape the COLD weather of the northeast, but to be closer to our favorite place. My boyfriend has also been bitten by the Disney bug. When we’re there together we just tune out the rest of the world and experience the joy and magic together. We have the best memories from Disney World that we talk about all year long, yearning for our next trip. We both cannot wait to take our own children there one day to watch them experience the magic. The warm fuzzy feeling Disney World brings cannot be matched by any other vacation destination. That’s because WDW is much more than a vacation destination, it’s a home away from home, the only place we can go to really feel like kids again. There’s honestly nowhere else in the world we can go and sing the theme song to “Hannah Montana” together or scream like babies while completing at “Triple Mountain Whammy.”
Hi, Mike. I think I was born with my love of all things Disney, but was not able to first experience WDW until I went with a friend at 21 in September 1991. It was nothing, and I mean, nothing, that I ever thought possible. A special and remarkable place that I believed could only exist in my wildest thoughts and dreams was actually a very real, tangible place. The sights, sounds, smells were just all-encompassing. The second I walked under the railroad bridge and got my first glimpse of Cinderella’s Castle rising so magestically in front of me took my breath away. I literally had to stop, close my eyes and breathe deep and hoped that when I opened them again what I was seeing in front of me was actually real – and it was! The charm and the magic just fills you with such joy and happiness. Thus, my first experience created a first-rate Disney addict! I have been privileged to be able to go back every year since, sometimes twice, and have gleefully added my husband to my annual “fix”. September 2010 will be my 25th visit, and will continue to go to every year for as long as I am able! Mr. Disney’s genius was truly a gift, and I am thrilled and honored that he realized his dream-come-true and so selflessly shared it with all of us. Mike, your blogs rock and thanks for the opportunity to post! Thanks also for your wonderful ideas and thoughts – happily keeps me knee-deep in Disney just about every day! :o)
Mike, The simplest answer to why I love Disney is that it is truly Magical. This is the hardest thing to describe to other people especially those that dont get it. But there really is something magical about Disney and everytime we go which is about 30x per year I still get goosebumps. We live pretty close but still pay for resorts alot of the time so we can be wrapped in Disney 24 hrs a day. My wife and I love Disney more than our children maybe because it lets us be child like again.
My love for Disney began when I was just a toddler. My parents would record Disney movies on to VHS tapes for me when they were shown on telly so I could watch them over again during my school holidays. I was competely enamoured with Mary Poppins, Robin Hood and particularly The Rescuers. I actually wore the tapes out from viewing the movies so much and I knew most of them word for word. The first I knew about the parks was when my cousin (who lived just around the corner from my house) was invited to visit her pen friend in Fort Lauderdale. When she returned, she came back with stories and photographs from her several visits to the Magic Kingdom and bought me a large goodie bag of Disney treats which I was over the moon with. Then, a year later, my grandparents also visited and came back with several plushies for me. However, I was bought up in a very humble home and there was no way my parents would ever be able to afford to take me to America to see the parks for myself, so I had to be content to looking through photos from my cousin and grandparents and dreaming that one day I would be able to get there myself. That day finally came 18 years later when in 2004 I married my husband and we flew to Orlando for our honeymoon – we spent two weeks at Pop Century Resort and I can honestly say I thought I had died and gone to heaven. My Disney obsession has grown and grown since my first visit and I’ve now been lucky enough to visit the parks several times, including Disneyland Resort Paris and I’m going to Anaheim for the very first time in just a few weeks to take part in the Destination D event. The Disney Parks feel like my second home and I only feel truly relaxed and happy when I’ve passed through their gates – there’s something so magical about Disney and I can’t imagine it not being a part of my life.
Cara
Portsmouth, England
I first visited Disney when I was 8 and again at 14 and of course multiple visits as an adult.
I grew up watching Disney cartoons, The Wonderful World of Disney every week. I think my parents still have VHS copies of the movies we record off the TV.
At Disney, it’s like you become a kid again, no matter what the age. Disney represents magic to me.
Mike,
It is hard to have enough space to say why I love Disney World so much. When I was growing up we never had the opportunity to go to Disney World. I found out when I was older that my mom had been saving the money for us to go but my dad decided to take us to the World’s Fair in New Orleans instead. I would have given anything to go to Disney World as a child. When my husband and I got married we celebrated our honeymoon at Disney World. We stayed at the Shades of Green resort since he was in the military at that time. I immediately fell in love with Disney World and the atmosphere. I knew that when I had children of my own I would take them there. I wanted to wait until they were older so they could remember the trip and have fun. In 2008 we went for our first family trip to Disney for Christmas. It was absolutely magical. We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge which was the best. It was the best family vacation we have ever had. We are going back again for Christmas this year and I can’t wait. We are staying at the Wilderness Lodge again.
I love Disney World because it just seems like all of the hustle and bustle of the outside world is gone. You can feel like and act like a kid no matter how old you are. There is truly magic at Disney World.
I love Disney World
Mike,
What a great blog! Thank you. I got tears in my eyes reading your story and all those in the comments. I fell in love with Disney when I first visited Disneyland as a child and I’ve loved it everytime I’ve visited since then, but nothing compared to the feeling I got when my husband and I take our children there. There is no other place where they can be princes & a princess, jedis in training, pirates and anything else they can imagine all in one day! Seeing everything through their eyes is a magical feeling that I’ve never had anywhere else. My husband is deploying to Iraq soon, and we decided to plan a family vacation just before he leaves. We agreed that Disney World would be the perfect place. Our entire family is looking forward to traveling to the happiest place on earth where peace prevails, our imaginations soar, and all our cares seem to disappear. All of our Disney memories are filled with magic, and we can’t wait to make many more!
I started to write a book and then deleted it. but to sum it all up-Happy Family Memories have been made at WDW and Disney Land. From my first time at 2 years old in 1974 my parents and I went to WDW every other year. Most of the time my grand mother came as well. We all rode the rides and just had so much fun. Now at 38 with two kids my husband and I are making new memories. My parents have been with us twice since we had kids and how much fun for them to have their grand parents ride rides with them. Not to mention last year being at the Halloween Party and my mom dressing as Snow White and my dad Jack Sparrow? Disney is about happiess and dreaming and believing. When I hear people say they arent disney people or they arent going to go until their kids are old enough to enjoy it I cringe. We took our son for the first time at 9 months old and we have such fun memories of him in Chef Mickey biting Plutos nose and standing looking through the windows of the aquarium in the living sea’s. Now is is 5 and this past March danced up on stage with Mo Rockin and got a princess kiss from Ariel at Norway. Our daughter went the first time at 13 months and went up to every character and hugged them. She just turned 3 but in March was proud to wear all her princess dresses at the Castle, 1900 Park Fare and Norway. Looks like I wrote a book anyway….one last thing we are such a disney family we just became DVC members buying at BLT..cant wait till 4/11 tu hear WELCOME HOME!!
I love Disney because of all the special moments that happen there. I was lucky enough to be proposed to during Wishes at the Magic Kingdom and have the most amazing “Magical Moment” I could have ever dreamed up. I remember how the people around us were ALMOST as excited as I was. I remember people taking pictures and crying. The day after that we went to EPCOT and we happened to run into some cast members who had been there when Greg proposed. I was shocked when they remembered us. They wanted to take a picture with us. I guess it is just knowing that EVERY DAY someone in those parks experiences an immense feeling of overwhelming joy and every time it happens it is just as special to those lucky enough to be around to witness it.
I started going to Walt Disney World in 1986 as part of our first family vacation. Up until this point my family hadn’t been on a real “vacation” together where we left the state. Of course as a kid I had Mickey Mouse books & toys, watched the cartoons and specials on TV, but had no idea what we would be getting into until we got to WDW. So our family packed up and we flew on Eastern airlines (The official airline of WDW at the time!) and this flight was my first flight ever at age 11. At that time it was only Magic Kingdom and Epcot with the Disney Village Marketplace. We all piled into our rental car (a Chevette!) and off we went. We didn’t stay in Disney as we weren’t aware of the benefits yet and stayed at some motel/hotel on U.S. 192. We ended up at the Disney Village Marketplace (the future Downtown Disney) and my Dad thought we somehow bucked the system and got into a park for free!!! How little did we know! On that trip we got the Disney bug and have been going back ever since. I am a self professed “Mouse Junkie” and so is my family. We LOVE Disney. We went on many more family vacations to Disney, including 2 trips to Disneyland and some years we got to go twice. We continue to go back every year even if we aren’t all together. We have a quest to stay at all the Disney World properties and so far we have done most of them. Its the magic, the service, the cast members, but most of all its Walt’s idea for a place that adults and kids can play and interact all at the same time. Its truly a magical place. I collect everything Disney, especially the Disney pins as I love trading with cast members when we go and I have built quite a collection. My parents got me a membership for Christmas last year into D23 which I just love and my home office is the official “Disney” room where all my ride photos, etc adorn the walls and all my Disney movies and books adorn the shelves. Everyone asks me “Why do you still go there every year, aren’t you bored with it?” The answer is always NO, I Love it! Even if there isn’t a new ride or attraction to see, I enjoy going on everything and seeing something I didn’t see the last time, or seeing an overlooked attraction or some piece of the magic that makes Disney so special. From the moment I land at MCO, I am in the middle of the magic. The sights, the sounds, and the smells of Disney…Yes there is a smell to Disney and you know it, especially getting off the plane and getting onto the tram in the airport with the “Disney” voice. I am and forever will be a true Walt Disney World, and Walt Disney fan.
I have been going to the Disney parks (in the US) since I was a child, starting with my 3-year-old birthday. I went with my parents and siblings and also my dad’s family (my grandmother, aunts, and cousins)multiple times, as well as with friends. Soon after I got married, I introduced my husband to my Disney addiction. At first he thought I was crazy. Once after going to WDW several times in a row, he said to me, “Could we just take a vacation to some other place sometime?” (And we have, just a few times.)
Now with children of my own they are equally Disney addicted. The year my oldest was four he went to WDW twice and Disneyland once. We have also just made the obligatory last free admission trip for my youngest right before he turned three in July. They ask almost daily when we are going back. (We live right in the middle of the country, so neither California or Florida is close to us.) Whenever we watch a Disney movie or show, the kids see the Disney logo and shout, “The castle! When are we going back?”
I work in a profession where I come into contact with many people. Those that make my schedule tell my that with certain clients who are also Disney fans that they will have to allow extra time as we invariably always talk about our most recent or next trips.
Last year my brother married a lady from LA. After the wedding festivities were done, we got together with the extended family (four generations present) and the three younger generations spent several days together at Disneyland and California Adventure, including the above-mentioned relatives that I spent time with doing Disney as a child. Our next family reunion will be next year, and we have already said that Californi or Florida have to be involved so that all who want may have their Disney fix.
Oh, and I have converted my husband to my fanatacism! He is just as eager as I am to be planning the next Disney trip. (When the kids are older, we would also like to travel to Europe and Asia to visit those Disney parks as well.) My husband and I have even talked about retiring in Florida just to go as often as possible! (That would be at least a few decades from now.)
Just this afternoon I was shopping and saw a new DVD set of the Disney parks and had to buy it. (We have an older set that is dated–VCR tapes!) The kids and I are going to start watching it tomorrow after work.
I do appreciate your blogs, Mike, as well as those of your fellow bloggers. I can’t wait to read them because they give me that Disney fix until I can get there in person! I guess if a person has to have an addiction this one is the most healthy! Thanks for reading this long epistle!
Hey Mike,
After reading your blog I put a lot of thought into why I love Disney World so much. I even discussed it with my mom who is a bigger kid than I am once we walk throught the front gates of the Magic Kingdom and see Cinderella’s Castle. I think I have always been a Disney fan whether it be movies, TV programs or the park itself. I was 8 when we had our first big vacation trip to Florida. It was 4 years after my dad died and it was the hope of my mother to take me and my 2 sisters to visit the Magic Kingdom. My grandparents went with us, so it was 6 people in a station wagon driving all the way from Southern Illinois to Florida. It was magic and fun from the moment we left. Then we got to the Magic Kingdom and got to stay at the Polynesisan Resort. I think it is the Magic of being able to act like a child and have that same wonderful feeling of our first vacation to Florida that keeps me coming back. It was many, many years that between my first visit to the World until the next but I have always felt the magic. Now, I take my children along with my mom to visit the world and it is the best feeling in the world to see the magic reflected in their eyes. It is sad that everyone can’t let go and feel the true magic of the Disney Experience. 27 days until we feel the magic again!
My friend went to Disney World about four years ago and was so excited about the trip she made me want to go. I planned for a trip in 2010. My three kids would be old enough for me to take alone and old enough to ride most of the rides. So, I began reading the touring books and the internet sites, searching discussion boards– anything Disney I was reading. It was so much fun! I continued to buy more tour books and read them before bedtime. If I was on the internet, I was looking at the Disney sites for pictures or searching the discussion boards for the “inside information”.
Finally, the day arrived and we were at Disney! Disney did not disappoint because Disney does everything right. From check -in at the hotel to counter service restaurants to ride operators- I never met anyone who was grumpy, rude, or abrasive. The cast members are so kind and treat you like you are the most important guest.
The rides are so innovative and so intricately themed. The attention to detail is so impressive.
We had such a fantastic time. We smiled the whole time we were at Disney World.
When we were leaving on our last day, I said to the greeter at MK, “See you next year.” He said, “We will miss you.” Wasn’t that a fantastic response?
For pure enjoyment I still read my tour books (still my bedtime reading), search internet sites for the latest news, post on discussion boards. Sometimes I even price vacation packages for various hotels. There is always the next vacation to look forward to and it helps curb the desire to run to the airport and book the next flight!
I am so glad there are people just like me that I can keep in touch. They understand me– they get it. I get them too. Disney is the happiest place on Earth, because it makes all that enter the happiest person on Earth!
I grew up in a family where we didn’t have the capability to go on vacations anywhere, but we still were big fans of all the Disney movies… My mother used to collect Mickey Mouse memorabilia…. when I was 14, we got to go to Disney the first time, and I fell in love… There was just something about a place that magical. It felt like it didn’t matter where I was from or who I was, I was a princess there and it was magic. Since then I have been 8 times, and I had the joy of taking my 4 year old daughter for her first trip this March. I look forward to making this a place I can bring her and hope she enjoys it every bit as much as I do.
Mike:
Thanks for the great blog! I grew up in New Orleans with a father who loved all things Disney. We would go to WDW twice a year. We had Disney cells all over our house, every Disney movie you could think of, and enough stuffed animals to open our own store. My father used to play “monorail silver” with me on the way to school. He would go through the safety talk and everything.
When I met my husband ten years ago, he had never been to WDW. After seven years of talking, we decided to go. We checked in to Old Key West and went to Epcot. My husband, fiance at the time, fell in love before we ever got off of the parking tram. At my husband’s urging, we were married at the Boardwalk 16 months later. This was so special to me because as a little girl, I always wanted to get married at WDW. We now go back every time we can, usually once a year. We hope to share this wonderful place with our children one day!
Mike,
The magic began for me when I was 2 years old when my Mom took me to Disneyland for the very first time. Me, and my 2 siblings got to choose between a day at Disneyland or a birthday party each year when we grew up in Ca.. On a hot day in July (probably the 9th as that is my big day each yr), we went to Disneyland just for my special day. My mom was big on the super 8 mm silent movie reels as we were growing up. Mom has that special day on film and had shown it to me many times growing up. There is extra special about that movie specific reel. I was in the arms of Walt Disney who was standing next to Dick Van Dyke in front of the matterhorn wearing a big smile and doing that silent movie wave. I was raised on Disneyland my whole life. My family ( 2 more siblings by that time) went to Disney World in Orlando the year it opened in 1971. I have since raised my 2 children (now 24 and 26) by taking them to WDW too many times too count over the years. I now do this with my grandson Joey (8)as well. In 22 days all of us will go on our 21st trip to the WDW resort in Florida. For my Grandson Joe this will be his 7th trip. See Mike, I know like Walt knew and that is that long after I am gone many future generations of my family, many whom I will not live long enough to meet will someday walk the streets of our glorious WDW making happy memories and I take full responsibility for that, and am very proud of that and I will someday watch from above with a huge smile on my face knowing that I started and built the disney dream in my own family. I love WDW to the very bottom of my heart and so does everyone I love. Were keepers of the magic.
Thanks Mike
Proud Disney Nana
Traci Blackwell
In college, I had a dear friend who was a Disney fanatic. I did not understand it at all! Grew up in the Los Angeles area and remember going to Disneyland back in the day of E ticket rides. I had a single mom and was not able to get many of those precious E tickets! Went to Disney, loved it, did things like Grad Night at Disneyland, etc – didn’t feel a passion for anything Disney, though. In fact, I had a hard time with the whole “happily ever after” idea with the princess movies.
After college and marriage and kids, I really grew fond of Disney films and taking my first born to Disneyland. A whole new world opened up – it really was MAGIC! Still not a fanatic – but I was getting there.
My husband and I moved to Michigan where we had another child. Before my second child’s 2nd birthday, I was diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation that called for immediate surgeries. My life had changed in many ways. During one of my surgery stays, my youngest got extremely ill. Later, she was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. The family got tested and my other daughter (in first grade at the time) had it, too. Now all are better and I am monitored extremely well for my condition. After we were all diagnosed and heading toward recovery, my husband took the Chrysler buy-out and we had no employment for 6 months. I told him that as soon as we (we was actually “him”) got a job, we were heading to Disney World (we had never been). He got another job exactly when our health insurance was about to end (praise God!) and I bought tickets to Disney before we got the paycheck!
It was the best time of my life – we were away from money woes, my children felt “normal” and were eating in restaurant with the Celiac and multiple food allergies all accounted for, I was not thinking about what part of me may have cancer or not, etc. It was like being in make believe but better! To my girls, eating in the restaurants was as memorable as going on the rides. They made autograph books for the chefs!
I was told that I had tongue cancer earlier this year (I do not – never smoked, don’t drink, etc. – – just part of my condition, doctors do not usually know why my body does what it does and say “cancer”). I usually laugh when I get new diagnosis (because they happen all the time) but this one made me cry. The thought of not singing to the girls or talking killed me! I told my husband that I could get through it if I vacationed often, so he bought DVC. Now I spend day after day planning and dreaming and being carried away off to the Magic Kingdom where none of these things matter! Just the planning keeps me happy! I love details, I love working out ADRs and touring schedules and thinking of the girls dressed up and living life to the fullest! How can it get better than that? The Disney cast members are so wonderful, I love having an opportunity to call one and ask questions – how sick is that?!? For me, I absolutely love the parks and the people but the planning, well, it keeps the pixie dust in my house!!! All the other things drift away for a little while…..
I am searching for the words to describe why I love Disney. I will just start with the basic. Growing up in a working class family, it was hard to imagine going on any vacations, let alone Disney World. I would watch the Disney ads on tv and always dream of visiting someday. It wasnt until I became pregnant with my daughter that dream come back to my mind. From the day I found out that I was expecting, I always pondered of ways I could convey my love and devotion to her. Obviously, Walt Disney World was on my list. It wasnt until 2005 when she was 5 years old that I realized my dream. We took a short 4 day trip to Orlando and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I never imagined that we would be able to do it again, but I was able to book a trip in 2008, also.
Since I had made this dream come true for my daughter, I felt I had to share this with my parents who had done so much for us in our lives. I finally convinced my reluctant father to come on a family trip with us in 2009. Every since, we have planned to come back. We were unable to go this year because my daughter had the opportunity to go to Wake Forest University for an academic program this summer and I could not afford both. But there has not a day gone by that I have not thought of ways to plan another trip for 2011. My dad is even asking about our next trip.
Saying all of that, I love Disney because of all of the magic and the extra things they do to keep people young at heart. I feel so special and priviledged while I am there. They have a certain enchantment about them that keeps me and my family intrigued. When I think “happy thoughts” of memorable times with my family, many are related to our trips to Disney World. I love the way they continue to focus on families and how they can make each and every year better than the last. I especially loved the “Give a Day, Get a Day” program as volunteerism is very near and dear to the hearts of my family.
That, in short why I love Disney.
Back in 72 or 73 was my first trip to disney. Our family vacations were either the Jersey shore or the Mountains. My parents chose disney one year and the magic began. Over the years I have been back numerous times. So many trips taking nieces and nephews and finally my daughter. Twenty one years have gone by and I still remember the look on my daughter’s face the first time she saw the castle. She was 3 years old. She is also a disney fan. Where else can you be and see so many smiles on faces young and old. See grown men and women riding a dumbo ride. Young or old acting like a young child again and nobody pointing or laughing at you. Some people don’t understand the magic that happens before and during your visit. It comes down to a family vacation, a short get away with friends. Who comes home and say I spent too much money? I ate too much?
Nobody I know who went to disney. Where else when walking in the resorts the guest walk around saying good morning with a smile and a coffee in hand. A smile goes a long way and it is past on all day. I became a DVC member so that I can have a great vacation or just a short get away at anytime. Memories of disney past trips the smiles of everyone young and old. Who could want more.
Why do I love Disney so much? Well first of all its seeing your favorite Characters and Princess’s come to life, It’s the best feeling to know you can actually meet Characters you see on TV. Second of all Disney world is such a magical place it truly makes you feel like you belong and live there. If u want to be a Princess you feel and become a princess if you want to be a Pirate you become and feel like a pirate. Ect. ect. You can be anything you want to be at Disney. Your a child at heart. The atmosphere is undescribable especially making magic memories that will embrace your heart for a lifetime. You can’t stop smiling when your there. WALT DISNEY WORLD/LAND will forever be a place that held many smiles for me and I will forever be greatful to Walt Disney for building a dream that your heart makes, because I will never stop believing in the MAGIC!!!!!
Why do I love disney so much? I love the fact that they really make you believe fairy tales do come true. My first expierence with disney was the sun/sat moives on tv.Then my grandparents took me to disney the yr after epcot opened. I remember my grandpa putting me on a trash can in front of the epcot “ball”. This is one of my fave memories of him. Then him taking me to mk castle and dancing with me. Also takine me on dumbo Those memories are what made disney special to me. Disney still makes me believe that we all can have our happy endings even in these times. I recently had the chance to take my sons, one who has severe food allergies to disney. They made so much magic for my famaily and kids.Even my son who is scared of everything it was magical.He knocked over the table in garden grill because chip left us. The lady rushed over to tell us not to worry it happens all the time , when the lil ones get scared. When we told her that he was upset that chip left. The hostess laughed and said that was a first. She replaced all the items and made sure that chip stayed a couple extra mins. The chefs made our lives so much easier. I wish I could express the relief we had not worring about his food. We cant even eat out in our state. Disney really does make you feel like royality and that your dreams do come true.
The reason I love Disney and Walt Disney world, there is so many things for me but I think the top of my list is that once I cross under the arch of the property, I have entered a world of allowing my self to be child like @43yrs of age. It is a place that I believe all of us wish we like Peter Pan and “never grow up” As I sit here and think of all the past yrs we have went, as soon as we return to the “real world” I am already thinking of how soon will I go back to disney. Disney has this magical draw to it that there are times there are no words deep enough that can capture all of the magical things that disney can do and with that thought that is why I love disney because each time the experiance is amazing, magical and most of all memorable.
Hi Mike! I really can’t say WHEN I became a fanatic, I just have always been! lol My parents started taking us on annual trips at a young age, not too long after WDW opened, which ironically was exactly 1 month before I was born! (10/71 vs 11/71). I continued to visit all thru my teens & even after HS. In my college years, I was lucky enough to be a part of the WDW College program. That is an experience I wouldn’t trade for ANYTHING in the world! Got engaged at Disney – wanted a Disney wedding, but didn’t quite have the budget for one 😉 and now have been taking my own kids annually, also. Its just something I can’t explain in words. Disney is in my blood and a part of who I am. I don’t think that will ever change!
So you ask, why do I love Disney World and all things Disney so much? For me, Disney has always meant being close to my family. As a child we would sit down on a friday night and watch Disney classics such as the Lion King and Aladdin together. I was in heaven just because I was with my family. That feeling transitions over to the WDW trips we have taken as a family. Every moment of the trips are magical to me–even the 14 hour car rides. Just being with my family, sharing the time with those who mean the most to me, is truly satisfying to a point beyond anything I could ever write here. Just the idea of escaping our lives into a world of fantasy, make believe, and magic puts a smile on my face. My father, who works nonstop to bless me with the life I have had, has always been someone I have looked up to and still do. I felt that through Disney, we were able to get away from the world and connect with each other.
The final reason Disney and WDW mean so much to me is the innocence involved with it all. It is hard for me to even imagine how many tears have been shed just on the steps of the Magic Kingdom alone. Not sad tears of course, but tears of emotion, of joy, of happiness, of pure and innocent love. Kids who are living their fairytales. Parents who are watching their kids live the best moments of their childhood. Or even adults who are living their own fairytales–perhaps being proposed to or just reliving their childhood. When I visit WDW I always enjoy looking around and seeing the crowds. Most people complain about the crowds (and they can be absurd at some points, I know) but instead of seeing the crowds in a negative light, I see them as positive. Seeing so many people enjoying their lives, making memories that will last a lifetime.
That is why Disney means so much to me–it is truly happiness in it’s purest form.
Mike:
I also grew up in the 50’s and was mesmorized by Disneyland. I first visited WDW in 1975 and I was swept off my feet. I still remember the first time I saw Cinderella’s Castle from the monorail…I cried. I was 22 years old but felt like a 6 year old. I also remember walking into the park the first time with my eyes wide and mouth opened and my boyfriend was yanking my arm to keep walking but I was so in awe, I couldn’t talk or walk, I just gawked. I felt like I had entered another world, which, in fact I did! Everything about that trip was magical and I vowed to go back. Which I did, many, many times. My first honeymoon was spent in WDW. I wanted my kids to enjoy WDW as I did and we go back almost every year, now that we are DVC members.
Altough Disneyland was the place I always wanted to go, it was not until 2005 that I was able to get there. I had that same feeling with Disneyland that I did the first time I was in WDW.
Going to WDW is always a new experience for me. My kids and I are going there next weekend and I am more excited than they are! Oh, they are 23 and 25 and enjoy WDW almost as much as I do. And the best time to take your kids to WDW is when they are in their 20’s so they can appreciate all that Walt did for all of us.
Thank you, Walt!
I used to make fun of my wife’s family for their Disney enthusiasm. Now they make fun of me as I’ve surpassed them with a bit of fanaticism. Anyway, mainly I like being able to feel and act like a kid again. And the high high quality of everything there.
It is really hard to put into words why I love Disney, I think it is more of a feeling. I never went as a child, my family didn’t take vacations like that nor did many other families that I knew. I would see commercials and I always thought that that was something I would never be able to afford to do. Then I was offered the chance to go with my sister and brother in law and their 18 month old son. That was when the commercial with the little boy who meets Mickey and tells him I’ve been waiting my whole life to meet you was on TV all the time. Well when I met Mickey for the first time on that trip, I felt the same way that little boy portrayed in the commercial. I felt so privileged and grateful to be there even if I was in my mid twenties. Then when I met my husband he was willing to to take a trip with me. A travel agent that I knew through work at the time was making our reservations for us and she told me about a website called WDWIG.com that she said was a great resource. Well I think that was when I really began to fall for Disney and it has just grown ever since. With each trip and reading Allears I have discovered so many wonderful things Disney has to offer. My husband and I had taken another trip before we had our boys and I began to start a special savings for when we had children because I couldn’t wait for the day to take our kids. Well they are now 6 and 4 and have been there three times with us. The joy that Disney has brought us brings tears to my eyes. It truly is a place that a family can enjoy together no matter what age each member is. We love vacations when we can all be together and Disney is the perfect place. Life can be so crazy sometimes with everyone going in different directions all of the time but when we get the chance to go to Disney World, it is time that we treasure. You really feel like you have escaped whether you are at one of the parks or visiting the resorts. So as for a reason why I love Disney, I really think it just the way it makes you feel from watching Tinkerbell fly out of the castle for the first time or seeing the smile on your childs face when they meet their favorite character or eating beignets to watching a movie under the stars at the campfire sing a long it is truly a magical place.
So many people have asked me why are you so crazy about going to the Disney World. I’ve thought about it. So many things in this world are so yucky and so grown up for children. Here is a place where it has not grown up and the parent and child can play together. I believe that was Walt Disney’s purpose. I love going to a place where I can be a kid again but yet stay somewhere fabulous with excellent food! 🙂
Please Disney don’t change and let’s not grow up! 🙂
Hi!
Where does any disney full life start? At home. My family didn’t have much money growing up and my mother was a dreamer. Renting silly symphonies from the library, and shoving our plastic bags, at yard sales, full of second hand disney books made me hungry to find out everything about this magic we could afford. So, I wrote disney for information about their parks. (and santa for some leverage to go on a visit)
Spring of ’95 my family took their first trip to Disneyland. We drove from Sacramento crammed into our honda civic and stopping for roadside picnics because money was tight. I cannot remember what hotel we stayed in, nor do I really wish to, but what I do remember so fiercely is the moment I held my tinkerbell ticket. (I have it framed mind you.) The push through the main gates on that monday morning with my flannel patterned shirt and matching scrunchie, gripping my ticket so tight, made all the waiting worth it.
Fast forward to 11 years later. Our situation changed, and my family moved to Murrieta & an hr & 1/2 drive from disneyland. I had the disney bug. I would leave right after school to drive to downtown disney even if I couldn’t afford a ticket ‘in’. & then hurry back home before my parents noticed me gone for too long.
I saw my husband, for the first time, in the line for peter pan on one of those trips; and a few years later, we would celebrate our first night as man and wife inside Uncle Walt’s world.
Now, to the rub. Why do I love Disney? To say that his ideas and dreams influenced my childhood is not enough. He engrained hope in my life; he, by proxy, brought me my husband. His dreams rock my daughter to sleep & still move my mother to tears. He gives me a reason to dream, and for that I can never get enough.
***WDW 1st family Trip 114 days****
I love today’s blog!! I’m such an emotional person that I read all the comments and cried 😛
Well, as you know, I live in Chile. My love for Disney started with my grandparents and my mom!! They boought magazines & books to my mom and aunts…many years after the show premier in USA here in Chile presented the Walt Disney shows, even the one where he explained his new creation…EPCOT. My mom always had that in mind.
Well my mom got married with my dad and I was born and she always told to my brother and me about a place in Orlando. That someday we will be able to go. My grandparents went many times, bringing us souvenirs and making us dream with our first visit.
When I was 16, my dad came with the news…we are going to Walt Disney World. As you, when I entered throw the Magic Kingdom gates, walk under the railroad station and saw Main Street and Cinderella Castle, I started to cry!! All was so magical and so real…nobody was going to tell us who it was, I was living my dream!!
After that experience, I decided to studied Hotel Administration. I really wanted to be like the Cast Members and maybe with some pixie dust, be one of them (until today I have that dream).
Now as a grown up person, I still want to visit this magical place. My body start to get tired with all that walk, but is the only place where my mind is full with other things…I don’t have problems at all, my only issue is find characters or the next show…
By the way…with my mom collect all Disney movies, all Disney soundtracks, and all Disney items that we can afford and find (in Chile and in every visit). Besides with your help, and the help of internet I start my own research and learning more and more about my special place.
I have a few dreams more: be a Cast Member (I can apply from Chile in the web). Visit Disneyland, because as you said, was auncle Walt who made it possible! and visit WDW with my friends…
Hey,
I got more into Disney and Disney World in 2005 when I returned for a High School graduation gift with my mom. We have been going every year since (once even two times in one year). lol.
I grew up having Disney Animation Cells hanging on my room wall. THey looked great but made the room seem smaller and when we painted my room a different color we decided to leave them off to make it look bigger.
I go every year with my mom (my dad doesn’t like the long lines or the florida weather). Since he doesn’t go it gives me quality time with my mom. We always have fun and we always try to go to new restaurants and attractions that we didn’t go to the year before. :).
So much fun.
* 97 more Days till Disney World!!
Mike,
I love your personal Disney story. I love going to Disney World and hearing all the stories of cast members and guests alike tell of their first time at the world.
My obsession for Disney started when i was young. I grew up during the magical 80’s and early 90’s where Disney (IMO) made the best animation. Classics like the Lion King, the Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast constantly played in my house. The Disney channel constantly aired in my house, where DISNEY 365 would come on and show me all the new attractions and events in Disney World and Disneyland. Due to family funds and my fathers preference for having a family vacation on our boat for a week, I never experienced Disney.
It wasn’t until my senior year of college in 2008 that my SO and I seriously tossed around ideas for vacation. We needed something that was cheap, warm (it was during my winter break), and could give us a real vacation. My SO never having the ability to travel to Disney World, was easily convinced on the idea of going during Jan. We booked our flight, booked a 6 day 5 night trip and never looked back.
We have went down every Jan since and plan on doing so for a long time.
Thanks for the wonderful blog Mike, it’s one of the first ones I check out. So why do I love Disney…. there’s not enough space to cover it all. But to sum it up in a nut shell- Disney keeps me feeling young and excited about life. When I hear the steam train as we are walking up to the entrance of the Magic Kingdom, I’m home. When I see Cinderella’s Castle, I’m a little girl. When I hug Mickey Mouse, I’m transported back in time to when I watched Walt Disney on TV as a child. I’ve shared my love with my chldren and extended family on several trips. My new husband has never been, can you believe that. So we are planning a trip to celebrate our 1st anniversary. One day I will be bringing my grandkids to see the land where magic still lives. No where else on earth can you find that. As long as Walt’s ideals live, there will always be a little pixie dust for all of us to share with our loved ones. What more could a wife, mom, and grandmom want? Well another trip to WDW would be sweet.
I am such a fan now of Disney World because when I was growing up my grandfather would take me and my sister to Disney World every summer. I would look forward to going with him every year, it was the highlight of the year for me. We would go and he would get me just about anything I asked for which my mother hated. After he died we didn’t go to Disney World for awhile. But one day as I was moving I found a video tape marked family vacation to Disney World. I popped it in the VCR and there was my grandfather and me and the rest of our family except my dad who was doing the video taping. I cried like a little baby during the whole video wondering why we never went back even though we always had lots of fun. So on that day I started to put together my own vacation for my two boys so that I could show them the fun, excitment and memories from my childhood. The first time I went back, it was like reliving my childhood. We went on some of the rides I went on with my grandfather. I remember getting on Space Mountain for the first time with my grandfather and then getting on it for the first time with my kids. By the time we were done riding I was in tears again, getting off the CM stopped and asked me if I was ok, was I hurt or anything. I hugged the CM (who was a little surprised) and said thanks for bringing back a very special childhood memorie and making another one for my kids. So I love Disney World because it reminds me of my grandfather. Now hopefully my kids will love Disney world because it will remind them of the fun we had there. I go to Disney at least once a year, sometimes with the kids and many times without.
Mike.
First, thank you for your great blog. It is one of the things I check every day. It keeps Disney alive for me.
You ask why we love DisneyWorld. Well. for my husband Phil and I its that no matter how old you are at the Magic Kingdom – here I include all four parks – everyone can be a kid.
I’ll never forget when we went to the World for the first time – September 18, 2001 – we walked into the Magic Kingdom and our spirits lifted. By the third day, my husband put a “Goofy” hat on his head and skipped to Cinderella’s Carousel.
We go again in September to celebrate our 25th Anniversary at our favorite place on earth. We can’t wait.
What a great idea for your blog! Can’t wait to read more of the others but for now here is why I LOVE WDW!
Growing up I had alot of disney books but never really realized who made them even though I truly read those books like a thousand times. Every sunday I would look forward to 6pm so I could watch the Walt Disney hour show. I loved dreaming and imagining things and that is what Disney did for me. In my 20ies I went to WDW for 4 days and loved it and found it way to short of a visit. After that trip I always said that I would go back…and it happened 2 years ago, 16 years after my first visit AND the Disney magic REALLY hit me!! I had always loved Disney but with that trip 2 years ago I FELL IN LOVE with DISNEY!! It was a great trip with 2 of my nephews. It’s just the feeling you get when you’re there, you feel joy and happiness and you’re ageless! I’m like a kid again being there but happy to be a grown up to appreciate it all. I went back last year with my husband and we stayed at the Polynesian and it was heaven! We’re going back this december to see all the Christmas decor and one of my nephew, who came 2 years ago, is coming with us along with his girlfriend. Someone asked me yesterday why I was going back? Hadn’t I seen everything there was to see? And I replied NO! It’s the dream, the imagination, the good feeling and more! Every year seems like there’s something new to see and like I say to everyone it’s the only place I know where I can have lunch in Mexico, supper in Japan and move on to Morrocco the next day while living in Hawaii(the Polynesian resort)! I can’t get enough of Diseny. Every day I look at this site to read your blogs and to get my fix, ’cause I really need it. If I could go to Disney 20 times a year I would, that’s how much I love it!
Hi Mike
I can’t be entered into the draw as I live in England, but I’d love to share my story.
For as long as I can remember Disney was always a huge part of my family. We’d watch all the animated stuff, Top Cat, Flintsones, The Archies etc and my Dad would always say the animation was shoddy compared to any Disney animation. My Dad was a fantastic artist and would draw Disney characters for us.
We didn’t get any of the Disney shows in the UK only an hour long special presented by some UK celebrity on public holidays. Those shows were our Disney fix. We’d all gather around the TV to watch ‘Disney Time’. They would show short clips from the Disney classics Snow White, Dumbo, Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan etc. Then they would show a clip from one of the new movies due to be released. Those shows never lasted long enough Anything that was Disney related magazines, plush, books, whatever were bought and cherished. Trips to the cinema to see a Disney movie were huge events and I can remember being almost lulled to sleep during the short movies that were narrated by Walt Disney, shown before the main attraction.
I will never forget sitting on my Dad’s lap watching Roy Disney officially opening WDW. I was six years old at the time and asked my Dad if he would take me there. He didn’t say yes and he didn’t say no. But looking back now it would have cost a small fortune to fly 2 adults and 5 kids to the USA. By the time it became possible for us to go my Dad was too ill to fly, so I promised him I’d take as many pics and video footage as I could for him.
I cried happy tears every day (sometimes all day)of my 14 day stay. I didn’t set foot outside of Disney property, I just couldn’t get enough of the place.
My Dad’s health began to improve and we were discussing the possibility of him making the journey to WDW. I told him I’d look into how we could make it possible. Three days later my Dad died.
Every time I’m in WDW especially Magic Kingdom and MGM (I know the name’s changed) I feel my Dad is with me due to the atmosphere in MK and the music on Hollywood Boulevard in MGM.
He and my Mum always filled the house with fun, laughter, music and magic and I loved being part of it. We were by no means perfect we had our arguments and stuff just like other families do with growing kids.
WDW is special in its own right but it does make me feel closer to my Dad and he was pretty special too…
When I was five years old the movie Cinderella made was rereleased and shown in my hometown at the movies and at the drive in. I saw it maybe 15 times that summer, when I asked who made the movie I was told that it was the same person who made Mickey and Donald and Chip and Dale. I knew I had fallen in love, even at 5. Then 3 years later when I finally got to go to Disney World, I knew that we were someplace special.
Disney World is the one vacation spot where my grandmother, my parents and my brother and I could all be kids. My 75 year old grandmother jumped, yes jumped, into the pool at the Contemporary. That would never happen anywhere else. All through our 20’s my brother and I would take 2 weeks to take a vacation together – the destination? Always Disney World. My brother and I took my parents for a surprise party for my dad one year (just 2 years ago) and it was Disney that drew in family to join in for the surprise, it is Disney that honors all veterans and on my dad’s 60th birthday he was able to join in the flag ceremony. I took my daughter when she was 5 and it was like the commercials – she was dressed as Snow White and we met the real Snow White who ran over to her twin to have a picture.
I love Disney because everybody is special and everybody gets to feel special there. The Cast Members who work there really make it magical. There are very few places where one can still have magical, young and old, jaded and innocent- it is simply magic.