So much has changed (and is changing all the time) at Walt Disney World since my first visit nearly 25 years ago.  I though I’d share some random thoughts and memories from that very first trip so long ago – and how I feel about Walt Disney World today.  In case I haven’t told you lately – Thanks for stopping here and reading this blog.  Your visit(s) mean a lot to me…more than you know.

Back BACK back…..a long (really long) time ago…

Growing up, we traveled a LOT.  I was the baby of the family; the youngest of four.  My dad worked for an airline, so we flew free and often.  Of all the places we went, I clearly remember visiting Sea World in Orlando in the early ’70’s – why we didn’t visit Walt Disney World, I’ll never know.  I’d always heard about it and vowed to get there someday!  I can vividly recall a neighborhood friend who was lucky enough to visit Orlando right after Walt Disney World opened – she described Haunted Mansion in such elaborate detail!  I was amazed that something like that could possibly exist.  When I eventually rode it for the first time, I could not believe how my memories of her stories matched the actual ride precisely.  Later, when my big brother got old enough to travel with his friends, he went to Walt Disney World and entertained me with explanations of how the tickets worked and that E-ticket rides were the best!

Flash forward to the late ’80’s….

Among the many things I fell in love with about Raymond when we met was that he had visited Walt Disney World several times, loved it, and couldn’t wait to go back.  This was clearly a relationship meant to be!  We met, dated for a few weeks, got engaged and were married less than 10 months after we met.  As a newlywed, happily in love, I wondered, “Now could I finally go to Disney World?”  Sort of.  We both had work committments that made taking time off for a real honeymoon impossible after our September wedding, so we planned a delayed trip for February.  We’d visit Walt Disney World and also take a cruise on The Big Red Boat (precurser to Disney having their own cruiseline).  Little did we know that by delaying the honeymoon, baby #1 would be on the way already by the time we went.

Raymond was so excited to show me everything he loved most about the Disney parks and hotels.  We stayed at the Grand Floridian, which we thought was heavenly.  I remember what a huge splurge it was and how luxurious those fluffy white robes were.  I felt so grown up!  I remember it rained while we were there and how happy we were in our ponchos running around Magic Kingdom.  Every single minute was magical.

Life got really busy after that.  Six years went by before we found the means to make it back to Walt Disney World again – and by that time, the two of us had become four.  The memories of the first visit that seemed almost too good to be true were suddenly surpassed by new memories that were even better!  This Disney couple had become a Disney family!  Our children loved Walt Disney World every bit as much as we did and the die was cast – this was how we wanted to vacation!  And how we would, every chance we got.

Time flies when you’re having fun!  I can’t believe we just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary a couple of weeks ago.  Our children are somehow, incredibly, 19 and 24!  There was no way we could let this occasion pass without just the right celebration.  In 8 short days, Raymond and I will embark on what I’ve been referring to as our “Walt Disney World, Bay Lake Tower, 25th Anniversary, Alone-at-Last Extravaganza”!  We know we are going to have a magical, wonderful time…we always do.

What do you remember most about your first Walt Disney World visit?

If you’ve ever wondered what happens to your Disney vacations when the kids grow up, click here.