I’ve been hearing that question for the last 30 years or so. There are many places to which people travel over and over again, but none seem to bring out the “You’re going there again?!?!?” crowd quite like Walt Disney World. So let’s set the record straight, shall we?
You bet I’m going again. 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, 23 resort hotels, hundreds of dining options, and the magic that only Disney supplies, are the reasons I keep going back. No matter what you are looking for in a vacation, theme park thrills, fine dining, a relaxing resort, golf, spas, shopping, entertainment, nightlife, or the chance to make incredible memories with your family, Walt Disney World offers it all.
So how did this all start? 1975- Christmas week. My parents took us all to Florida to visit my Grandparents who had just moved there permanently. We stayed a few days with them, and then made the grand car trip north to Orlando. We stayed in this horrible motel on International Drive. I was 14 years old so I didn’t realize it was horrible at the time. I was just excited to be going to this place we had all been hearing about for the last 4 years. DISNEYWORLD…. We had seen TV specials, and watched promos for it before Disney movies; had seen Walt announce its creation and talk about it endlessly on Sunday nights during “The Wonderful World of Disney”. There was no other place like it on Earth, and we were going!!!!
We parked in the huge lot, in the Dopey Section Row 108. Running joke the rest of the day…where did we park? 108 Dopey! Actually if you ask my brother where we parked to this day he will say 108 DOPEY!!
We boarded the monorail (OMG the Monorail!) and traveled around the Seven Seas Lagoon. There were topiaries along the way, each in the shape of a Disney character. Mickey, Donald, Goofy. My 14 year old brain was already in overload. We passed through the Contemporary Resort. Wait, did we just go through a hotel? COOL.
As we emerged from the hotel and suddenly there it was, THE MAGIC KINGDOM. You could see the spires of Space Mountain, the majesty of Cinderella’s castle. Just enough to get your heart rate up and mine raced as we got off the monorail, then went down the ramp to the front gates. We passed through the turnstiles, and I remember saying to my Mom, “I can feel the magic,” and boy I could.
Walking down Main Street USA that first time, with the castle in the distance, was a dream come true for me. I took it all in. The horse drawn street car, the balloons in the shape of Mickey heads, the music that was playing, the smells of sugary treats from the bakery, the Castle looming large over all of it, and yes, I was hooked. The magic was real, and there was no going back.
We had a grand time that day, taking in attractions that are still in place today. Space Mountain, Peter Pan, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Jungle Cruise, It’s A Small World, The Country Bear Jamboree, The Hall Of the Presidents, The Carousel of Progress, Dumbo. All classics. A lot of what we did that day doesn’t exist anymore, replaced by new things along the way. I’ll always remember what attractions used to be in the buildings or spaces that are now filled with other attractions. And I’ll never forget that first trip.
With my brother moving to Florida for college, and staying there after he graduated, there was always an excuse to go to Disney. When my daughter was born, I took her every year. 17 trips in 18 years. She is as big a fan as I am and the memories we have made there are amazing.
Now, Walt Disney World is 40 square miles of resort property. I’ve been 25 times since that first trip, and I still haven’t done everything there is to do. Innovation and expansion are always happening, with new areas, hotels, and attractions opening every year. There is always something new to experience.
Along the way in the last thirty years, I’ve planned a lot of trips for my friends and family. Everyone knows if you need Disney help, I’m your guy. There are few things more exciting for me than taking a newbie under my wing and giving them to the tools to have an amazing vacation in my favorite place. Suddenly it’s possible to start a business doing that? No brainer. An incredible opportunity has come my way, and I’m all in. The years of planning, studying, learning the ins and outs and tips and tricks: all are going to be put to use in helping to make memories for everyone!
As I embark on this journey, I’ll keep you posted here, share stories, give advice, helpful hints, and let you in on my personal favorites. Thanks for coming along. It’s going to be a great ride.
