Favorite Memory

[Insanity Clause]

I was just wondering what everyone's favorite memory of WDW was. It can either be a childhood one or a memory of being there as an adult or with your own family.

My favorite actual takes place at DL in the 70's. I was about 4 and went with my family and I just remember the sheet joy of being there and seeing Mickey! I didn't think anything could ever be better than that!

[EeyoresBestFriend]

Mine was in 2006 when DH and I were there for a convention.
We were in AK at night and were dancing to a romantic steel drum duo in an intimate little alcove off the main path. We were alone ~ with the guys playing just for us. It is the most magical moment I've ever had there (so far)! :cloud9:

[Giggy]

One that I remember well was when we went in 1998 (I was 8) and went for the character breakfast at the Donald's Restraunasaurus in Animal Kingdom. Mickey and Donald were there at the time, Goofy and Pluto elsewhere in the restraunt.

Somehow I had upset Mickey, it may have been down to those Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes they used to do - when eating one I may have pulled the ear off. We weren't in the main room by the buffet but a side room with a fire exit at the far end. Mickey went and tried to push me out of the fire exit, causing Donald to run over. I ducked under Mickey's arm and Donald pushed Mickey out of the fire exit, then stood around laughing about it for a while.

It was just memorable getting such a reaction from the characters over a pancake. It's a story that still comes up every now and then and we all laugh about it.

Donald earned a lot of respect off me that day for saving me, Mickey seemed to have forgiven me by the next time we met that vacation, acting as if it had never happened. :mickey:

[Dulcee]

About 12ish years ago when I was about 9 we went to Mickey's Toontown Fair :mickey: (I believe thats what that part of MK was called). We were in the tent to see the characters and went to see the villians :thedolls:. Well Jafar decided to "capture" my dad and had him backed into a corner. I was told the only way to get my Dad back was to bend down and kiss Jafar's feet. :help:Evidently the castmembers didn't count on me as I promptly said "you can have him" and:bolt: walked out. My dad still hasn't forgiven me for not "rescuing" him...:blush:

[Septbride2002]

My favorite was in 2007 when we took Chloe - she was only 16 months old and we met up with Mickey Mouse at the new character stop in Epcot. There she was just sitting in my arms waiting in line and when we got up front - she realized who was standing there and her whole body started to wiggle and she kept pointing and yelling "MICKEY! MICKEY!" and she had the biggest grin on her face which thankfully my husband snapped a picture of. When we went up to meet Mickey - she had no fear - she grabbed him by the nose and looked deep in his eyes and was just babbling the whole time - the Photopass guy got some great shots which we spent a small forturne one - but when ever I think about that moment it makes me smile.

~Amanda

[Leighler]

My birthday at MK in 2003 was the most magical birthday ever. :party: I believe this was the year of Mickey's 75th bday and his bday is on the 18th of November just a few days before mine. I had breakfast with him at Chef Mickey's and I told him it was my birthday too but I wasn't as old as he is and he didn't like that too much! ;) After breakfast I was walking down Main Street in MK and the Dapper Dans Quartet serenaded me...I was embarrased :blush: but it was neat. Then I watched Wishes that night at CG where they made me a magical dessert. It was a birthday I will never forget.

I have to say I will also never forget Mr. Toad's Wild Ride...I was always a fan of that!

[Friend of Figment]

I first visited in 1985 as a teenager with my mom. I was about to go to FInland for a year as an exchange student. I loved Figment, but as a "cool teen" I wouldn't get my picture taken with him. I always regretted that.

As an adult I'd made several trips, Figment had never been out. Then one day, as I left Figment's ride, A CM said Figment is over ther. He was all set up in a room. No one was ther and I got to take all the pictures I wanted. It made me ridiculously happy!

[TheVBs]

We took our oldest for the first time when she was 2. Lilo and Stitch had come out not too long before that, and that was the first movie we took her to see. She instantly fell in love with Stitch! While the other little girls were pushing around baby dolls in toy strollers, mine was pushing around alien Experiment 626.:funny:

When we got to AK, Stitch was out. I will never forget the look on her face when she saw him. When I asked her who that was, she said "Stitch!" in the most hushed, awed voice I've ever heard her use. We got lots of great pics of course! :mickey:

[gauvin4]

The memory that gets to my heart everytime is our first trip and my DS was 5 at the time. We were watching the parade on Main Street and when he saw the Lion King Float with Simba he started waving like crazy and yelling to him to try to get his attention. He tried with all his might to get Simba to wave to him. It was priceless. :simba:

[Soul_Power]

2007 was my first visit to WDW (I grew up going to Disneyland). When I walked down Main Street for the first time and saw the castle, I gasped. It reminded me why I love Disney so much and how Disney has the magic to make you feel five years old again. :mickey:

[dumbo ears]

Mine is when i first took my dad who was prolly the complete opposite of what a disney fan is. He didn't want to go that bad but we got him to go finally. We were staying at saratoga springs and got there in the evening and decided to go to magik kingdom for Evening EMh. We took the bus and got to the MK and my dad was just awestruck. He was walking faster than us and wanted us to get there as fast as possible. He loved it and he has become a HM fan just like me.

[Goes4FastPass]

Rickki age 5.

After a predawn drive to the airport, a flight to Orlando and hotel check-in we still did a marathon day at the MK. (not smart)

We stayed longer than we planned to and waited for SpectroMagic.

When our section of the park went dark and the music swelled Rikki started crying.

"Rikki! Why are you crying?" we asked.

Rikki replied, "Even my toes are excited!"

PS: After the parade Rikki went to sleep and I carried her back to the hotel. She was sleeping so soundly I probably could have dragged her by the hair.

PPS: Rikki is honeymooning next month at WDW.

[beksy]

There are so many but the most memorable was probably our last trip when we stayed on property and went on vacation by ourselves for the first time. Beka (my sis) has dreamed of going back to WDW for several years and I finally saved enough to take her to celebrate her high school graduation. I'll never forget when I handed her her room key and she was just in awe and grabbed me in a hug and said "Thank you Tiff." Then there was her first ride on BTMRR that trip, her first thrill ride. We got off and she had a huge smile on her face and wanted to ride again! I was so glad to be there to experience these "firsts" with her. I don't think the huge grin left her face the entire trip (especially at Chef Mickey's and AC--her first "bar" even though she was only 19).

[ASweetLov]

My first time going to WDW was in 2006 when I was 22. Just walking down Main Street for the first time looking at the castle with my boyfriend was an unforgettable moment.

[AdventurerKim]

My favorite memory is from my first WDW visit when I was six years old. On our last night, we got on the ferry to TTC, and the fireworks started just as the boat was pulling away from the dock. My grandfather was holding me as we sailed away. It was amazing!

[PrettyMinnie]

I actually have two. It is impossible to jam so much Disney magic into one memory!

The first would be when I went at three years old with just my dad. We only went to MK and I can remember being in complete awe of the castle and the teacups. I still look at the pictures. :mickey:

The second would be the first time going with friends. There always seems so much more to do when you have people other than your family there.

[Boojum]

As a child, my best memory is sitting outside Cindy's Castle watching The Main Street Electrical Parade. I now have that theme music on my ipod, and it reminds me of being 11 years old.

As an adult, my best memory is of my two DDs taking part in acting out "Beauty and the Beast" storytime on the little patio adjacent to Cindy's Castle. They were six and four years old, and played the parts of Mrs. Potts and Chip. Afterward, they were allowed to stay, talk to Belle, get her autograph, and pose for pictures. It was especially nice because only those who were actually in the play got to meet Belle--there was no long line like there usually is when you meet characters.

[amd780]

Hmmm...this is a tough one! :mickey:

I think my favorite memory is of our trip when I was 7. We stayed at CR in an MK view room, and could watch the fireworks every night from our balcony. It was a wonderful end to a magical day!

[Dopey's Girl]

Until October last year I would have said it was the ferry boat ride from MK parking lot to MK. It was our first park, first trip. Pretty cool.

In October I treated my best friend and her 7 year old, H, to a trip to WDW. It was their first visit, and the 7 year old's first time on an airplane. Neither one of them really had any clue what they were in for, but by the end of the trip, they both really got why I love it so much. The best part of the trip was on our last day in the parks. We were eating breakfast at CP, and H just couldn't contain herself. She was just giddy meeting all the characters. I have one picture from that morning, that still just makes me cry. The look on her face was priceless, and won't be one I forget for a long, long time.

[andreallybadeggs]

Rickki age 5.

"Rikki! Why are you crying?" we asked.
Rikki replied, "Even my toes are excited!"

PPS: Rikki is honeymooning next month at WDW. Congratulations!
:mickey: my DD will love that one and here's ours...
age 4. Lunch in the castle and the FG tells her to go upstairs to eat and that she might meet Cinderella soon. As our little darlin' in her Cinderella t-shirt dress is watching her own feet going UP the winding staircase she suddenly perceives a lovely gown and slippers coming DOWN. She stands absolutely frozen in her tracks and then ever so slowly looks up at that smiling face. She was mesmerized as were we and that was our Disney hook.
12 years later we surprised her with a Sweet 16 to WDW (we live over 1,000 miles away so she WAS impressed)
fast forward another 2 years; DD is now a freshman at UCF and surprises US with a phone call that she has just auditioned and will be working part time for the mouse.
Disney dream come true:cloud9:

[cmsizzlin]

Mine would have to be August 07 when we went thru the gates to Main Street and saw the castle and the look on my two neices faces knowing they were going to meet Cinderella for breakfast. It was priceless

[Turtle Dude]

We were at Donald's Safari Breakfast about a month ago. Donald autographed my 6 yr old's book and put #1 below the autograph since my son had told him he was his favorite. Mickey came by the table next and kept writing, and writing and writing... When he had finished we looked and he had put 5 zeroes beside Donald's #1 making him #100,000. Maybe you had to be there, but that was the best laugh we had all had in a long while. Great memory.

[kemps@wdw]

Fave memory...

Taylor...age 5. Her standing @ the gate waiting to get in, hiding behind a pole (not wide enough to hide her) and firmly stating in her little girl voice that she DID NOT want to be on video. And watching all that "attitude" instantly melt away as soon her beautiful, big brown eyes fell on the castle. And as we held hands and danced down Main St, I knew that all was right in the World!:cloud9:
(ps...Taylor gets her driver's permit on Thursday and has decided she wants to do the Disney College Program :mickey:)

[c&d]

It had to be when DS was almost 4, he had just gotten off riding Dumbo with DH and he runs up to the video camera and says "This is the best day of my life now on to the next ride!"

It was as they say priceless.

[TiggerD]

I have two favorite memories. One is the first time we took our kids to WDW when they were 10 and 4 respectively and we took them many times after that. Now they are grown up, married, and with children of their own so the 2nd favorite memory is the first time our grandson went to WDW with us when he was 2 and he has been back twice more and the last time was with his then 5 month old brother. To see the wonder in your childrens eyes and grandchildrens eyes brings so much joy. 155 days and counting till our next trip:mickey:

[HollyLagrange]

My parents tell this story and I just love it.

When they went on their honeymoon in 1970 they stayed at the polynesian. They had a room with a balcony. The first night they were there they noticed that out on the beach below them there were tables and tiki torches set up. When dark fell a guy came onto the beach and started banging a drum. Wayyyyy in the distance you could hear a drum answer him. They went back and fourth and then you saw the long boats full of people in costume. They came onto the beach and gave a REAL performance. They sat on their balcony and watched the whole thing. That was 38 years ago and they talk about it like it was yesterday.
Those are the type of memories I hope to have when I go in a few weeks. :mickey:

[PlutoPlanet]

We were plucked off of Main Street in 2004 one morning and asked if we wanted to be Grand Marshalls of the 3:00 parade that day. Of course we said yes. That was a once in a lifetime experience.

[thejens]

I have so many great memories from our recent trips. Here is one that is a little different. As the planner, organizer, park commando, I can sometimes forget to be in the moment. When the park opened at AK I raced to get fast passes in for EE or Kali while the gang headed to the safaris. I heard the strangest sound and it was a group of monkeys or baboons or something all calling to each other and swinging around up high! I stopped amazed and mesmerized and completely forgot my mission and my waiting family. Eventually I completed my task, but was more relaxed and in the moment for the rest of the day.

[WDW_Obsessed]

I love this thread...reading all of these great memories just made my day :mickey:

My favorite was in 2006 at Le Celiar when my DH (boyfriend at the time) announced (a little too excitedly I thought to myself) to the server that we wanted dessert. The server then returned with a silver platter with a glass slipper filled with chocolate mouse and strawberries...and a diamond ring nestled in one of the strawberries. My DH got down on one knee and asked me to marry him and the whole place cheered :cloud9: I said yes (of course!) and we were escorted out to our own private place to watch Illuminations with strawberries and champagne. It was so amazing! The staff at Le Celiar was incredible too and did a great job helping him plan it all out. The whole staff signed a card for us and was just outstanding :thumbsup:

And I CAN'T WAIT to make more incredible disney memories with the baby we are expecting in a few weeks :joy:

[disneyworld55925592]

mine was probably about 10 years ago. Mickey and minnie walked out of a door that my family and i were standing near in frontier land. the immediatly grabbed mine and my sisters hand and we walked all the way through frontier land and liberty square holding their hand!

[Tinksmom]

One of the sweetest themes I see running through this thread is that Disney is constant and special, even over long periods of time. It's knowing that Disney World was a special place for me as a child and now there for my little girl. It's knowing the memories I have of my childhood, she can now share, too.

My favorite memory was during DD's 2nd trip. We were celebrating her 4th birthday and she had just been all princessed up at the BBB and wearing her Belle dress. While walking through Frontierland, Briar Fox sees her Birthday Princess sash and wisks her away to dance with him by the Banjo Brothers and Bob. They played her Happy Birthday and Be Our Guest (since she was dressed as Belle). She had so much joy on her face. It was such a fun spontaneous moment.:cloud9:

[rain]

A few years back we took my 5-year-old daughter for the first time. Being an intercotee I knew the ends and outs and got to experience a lot of things that people don't know about. But even Intercot can't tell you how to get chosen to help carry the banner down Main Steet in the parade. Just to look bad and watch everyone following the last banner at the end of the parade. That was so cool for my daughter and our family.

[tys_mommy]

In 2004, it was Thanksgiving time but some how we managed a private sailing on the Jungle Cruise and at one point our guide screamed really loud “Everyone hit the deck” Without even thinking out then 6 y/o DS dropped to the bottom of the boat, cracked us up. Forward to our follow up trip last April – DS was then 9 - again we ride the Jungle Cruise - this time we had a full boat but scored seats at the front – here comes something familiar – the guide yells “hit the deck” and goes down herself – DS had learned his lesson and remained seated. When the guide went down she messed up her name tag and it took her a while to get it fixed, in the mean time she says “hey kid you come take over for me” so DS got to captain our boat for over 2 minutes of the ride

[g8rgirl29]

What a great thread!! I have enjoyed reading all these favorite memories. I have 3 favorite memories all involving my children. The first 2 are from our visit in 1992. It was a very quiet day and we were just hanging out in Toontown Fair waiting for characters to appear. Mary Poppins entered from the train and sat down on a bench outside the train. My oldest daughter then 6 approached her and asked it she could sit with her. She sat with Mary like a "young lady" with her legs crossed and hand on knee and had about a 10 min conversation with her. It was the cutest thing and she still remembers her visit with Mary fondly. The 2nd is from the same trip with my son then 3. His favorite movie at that time was the Jungle book and we hadn't caught up with any characters from the movie and he was still hoping. We were wandering around Frontierland holding hands when he pulled his hand away and took off at a dead run. I ran after him and caught up with him just as he wrapped himself around Baloo's leg. Poor Baloo was being escorted out of the park after his appearance and the CM told my son that Baloo had to go. My son let go, smiling cuz he got to see Baloo, and started to walk away when Baloo bent down and and gave him a big hug and let us snap a photo or two. The kid was on cloud nine the rest of the day!! The 3rd was the first trip to disney for my daughter then 3 in 2007. She was all dressed up as Snow White (including on the airplane ride to WDW). We went to MK first and she was a bit in awe of everything, we walked through the castle and she saw the carousel and really wanted to go on. So our first ride was the carousel. My DH stood beside her as she rode her horse when all of the sudden Mary Poppins hopped onto the horse next to her. She could hardly answer any of Mary's questions as she sat there with her mouth open. Then Mary asked her if she would like to take a walk, she nodded yes and off they went. DH and I looked at each other and thought Holy Cow hope that is really Mary we let her take off with!! We took off after them as Mary led her all around the carousel to a spot where she could take photo's with her fans, DD being the first. We got some awesome shots of them walking together as we were following them around the carousel!! This year we are planning a trip with all 3 of the above children now 23, 20 and 5 and can't wait to see what Happy memory will be created!!

[SandmanGStefani24]

i think we all are softies and can't have just one...
1. 1995, I had just met the girl who would be my GF for the next few years, and we were spending our sort of first date together and we rode the cars at the Indy GP and watched the fireworks together as we drove along. That's when I officially became hooked on WDW.

2. 2005, I sat with the Mrs outside the shootin arcade in frontierland and watched the fireworks. (the part where he talks about wishes comming true) It had been so long since I had been to WDW I didn't think I would ever be back, and I just couldnt believe I had done it. It was the first vacation I paid for with my own money, and first as an "adult".

3. 2008, I had been planning my "last trip" to WDW thinking I was getting too old for it (WHAT WAS I THINKING?!) and got sick the day before the trip. I traveled there and made it through all day at MK no prob. After riding SM I realized my screaming had wiped out my sore throat and I was good as new. WDW has healing powers and I found that out right then and there.

4. 2009, walking out of Tokyo Dining, having one of the best meals I've had, seeing the sun bouncing off the lake and seeing the rest of Epcot in the distance. It's a moment that I cherish. Great food, great people, and my favorite place all around me. It doesn't get any better.

[iluvdumbo]

:mickey: My favorite memory at WDW was seeing everything decorated for Christmas at MK and Epcot. I also had one more favorite memory which is seeing 'Wishes' everytime I go to MK. It's just so beautiful and gorgeous!!! :mickey:

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

We went in 2005, my sis, BIL, and 2.5 year old nephew and I. We spent our first day at Epcot. My nephew was going, going, going all day, even after traveling that morning. We were walking out the back exit to go to the Dolphin and he just laid down on the sidewalk, he was so tired. He laid there for about 2 minutes, hopped up and kept going. His stroller was right next to him, but he did not want to ride in it. He was just so excited to be there.

Then my other sis, BIL & 2 nephews came down the following day and we went on the cruise. The day we got back to WDW we were going to MVMCP and had reservations at LTT before the party. Well, before you know it, my sis & Goofy were having a food fight right in the dining room. I don't think we've ever laughed so hard. Try explaining to the kids that you really shouldn't be throwing food while you are laughing!

[dancin Disney style]

I have two favs. One is at a park and they other is more about planning a trip.

My in park.....I went to WDW once as a child. It was in '75. We drove from Ontario in a station wagon and camped at Ft.W. I remember the trip vividly and I was only 5yo. Well, the first time I returned after that was in '93. When I got off the ferry at MK It was the most amazing feeling. EVERYTHING was exactly as I remembered it. I spent that entire day on a high. I can't even explain it.


My planning .....in '07 I needed a little winter break and my Dh couldn't take any time off work. So I planned a secret last minute trip for my youngest DD. I planned this trip in 10 days and somehow kept it all quite. The day we were leaving I told her that I needed to pick her up at noon from school because I had an appointment to go to and wouldn't be able to get her after school. When I got her we started driving to the airport and I told her where we were going. She started bawling, she was overwhelmed. I had to stop the car. It took her about an hour to calm down and get excited. I felt really bad that she had cried. Anyway, we had the most incredible trip. It will be a special memory for us both.

I think we're going to do it again next winter...:thedolls:

[marlaine]

My favorite memory of all happened Sept. 08. We were 3 days into our vacation at The Poly. After a great day at AK, my DH stayed in the room and my DS (4 at the time) and I went down to the beach to watch the Electric Parade. We found a hammock and just laid in it and watched the parade. Just me and him. While we were waiting, he confided in me about what a great time he was having and all of the little special things that meant so much to him. Little kids see things so differently than adults! I'll never forget the feeling I had. Just me and my little boy-laying in a hammock and watching the parade:cloud9:

[johnO]

There are too many to list here. I don't know that I can even distinguish what my 'favorite' memoery is, as WDW has become a medley of unforgettable memories. Nut here a a few....

* My first visit to WDW, it was amazing. Everything about it.

* My second trip, my sister, my B-IL, and my best friend, rented a boat and made our way around the interconnected waterways of WDW.

* Our return trip in Feb 2006 after a 7 year hiatus. We stayed at ASMov and each one of us had the time of our lives. So much anticipation as we had not been on a vacation in SO MANY years!

*Sept. 07, getting coaught in a torrential rain storm while at Epcot. Undeterred, we broke out our Mickey Ponchos and carried on! The park, with minimal crowds due to the time of year, was virtually empty as everyone ran indoors to escape the rain.

* Our first time eating at Ohana. What an atmosphere! Watching the fireworks as we ate!

* Our first cruise, last year, aboard the Wonder, was amazing.

There are so many more general and individual memories I could list with regards to WD. We can't wait to make new ones this coming Sept.!!!

[BluewaterBrad]

It was in 75 or 76 i was in the 4th grade , my sister in the 6th......MK was ready to close in 1 hr. It was Melanis idea we both get balloons and let them fly together tillthey fly out of sight to where "Disney Magic" lives. No lie guys. Anyway we did it!! i guess you had to be there, but thats when I really believed in the 'Magic". I have ever since:mickey:

By the way, no issue at all about letting kids our age roam the park by themselves.as long as we stayed together, and checked in with mom and dad at the deignated times!!:mickey::mickey: