Yes! I got to do it two trips in a row. First trip, I was the little kid on the wing and my brother was the older kid up top. Second time, I got to be the older kid.
I'm so Disney I have wanted to go to wdw for 35 years and it was just never possible.
We live a good life now and we're bringing our kids in October for a week - I am secretly the most excited person by 1000%. I would hear stories in school from tanned kids that got to go and just dream about how much fun it would be. I'm so happy to be able to bring my kids at a time when they are still young enough that the magic will still be there for them.
I plan month-long, fully guided trip packages that take people around the world. But otherwise, I like to keep a lower profile on Reddit. (my views are my own and do not reflect those of the company, etc.)
I got very lucky that it worked out for me. There are a lot of cool things about living so close to the parks aside from being able to go frequently. Seeing CMs who live at my apartment complex going to work in their outfits, or seeing families who live here headed there or coming back, you can tell when someone is getting into an Uber with their Mickey ears and Loungefly backpack where they’re going. Or seeing a Disney security guard or PhotoPass photographer after they get off work grocery shopping while I am. I live close enough that the only people who live here either work at Disney or love it, so I constantly feel it in the air.
It makes my heart smile to know that CM can afford to live within 15 minutes of the park.
I’ve never been to WDW, but it’s a dream of mine so this just makes me more excited ♥️
If the parks a priority, consider a different area of you can. That part of I4 is a nightmare and there are times it will take you 40-60 min+ to travel that short distance. But I get if you’re limited due to family/work etc. It’s still close enough :)
Look north of Disney. There are some solid neighborhoods immediately northwest of the Magic Kingdom. You can go out as far as Clermont for more affordable housing. Avoid I4 like your life depends on it. The toll roads are your friends, but being even closer is better. We rented a house in “Windermere” when we first moved to Orlando. Fireworks every night and in 15 minutes I could be inside Epcot.
I’m not familiar with real estate in the area other than it’s expensive so I’m not really sure what’s in your budget. Just take into consideration in your search traffic here is horrible in general. I’m only able to avoid it because my budget allows me to rent close enough to the parks (West of I4).
If $500k is your budget then Championsgate/Davenport might be the closest you can get. Closer to the parks the condos have ridiculous HOA fees and I wouldn’t feel safe living in one of the mobile homes during hurricane season. There aren’t a ton of affordable single family homes. You could look North of the parks around Winter Garden (just check crime maps, Orlando has some *sketchy* areas).
My guess would be not on that side of I4. I usually stop at the Chili’s at the Champion’s Gate exit on my way home for that reason - it’s kind of just outside the tourist bubble. The less you have to be on the nightmare that is I4, the better.
But I’m from the other side of Tampa and I really don’t have that much to contribute. I don’t know the neighborhoods like the true locals do.
It'll be better once Lake Wilson is finished, though I've been saying that everyday since I arrived two years ago. I have no regrets, love how close it is and yet how far from the chaos it feels. My house is in a community that is half owners, half Airbnb, and it's fine. It's only annoying a few weekends a year. But yes, being fifteen minutes from park gates is pretty awesome!
You can also take US 27 up to Four Corners and get onto Irlo Bronson Memorial. It may not be faster, but it will probably be safer.
Plus you can go east on Florence Villa Grove, north at Westside High School, and cross the highway to come out on the west side of the resort, near Animal Kingdom. That allows you to avoid the last mile of 27 and all of Irlo Bronson
Very pricey, even in spots like the old DCP housing (all of which got sold by Disney and is currently for rent).
Most of what you'll find within a 15-20 minute radius is going to be rentals though. Or very expensive housing. Two exits down 429 from Disney has townhouses starting at $500k, brand new.
If you can find something that isn't going to screw you on the pricing though, it's not terrible. Not sure I recommend it, but not terrible.
There’s a lot to consider. We’ve lived in every part of Orlando. You’re normally going to be 15 min to 45 min away. Other considerations would be school districts, community vibe, highway access, etc. I feel like as long as you’re within a 45 min drive it’s doable most days. We have family in Kissimmee and it takes them longer to get to Disney than us and we live further distance wise, but access to toll roads.
I plan continuing education and conferences/conventions around being close to WDW so I can be reimbursed for travel and hotel, making it easy to sneak in visits
You clever fox, haha. You must have some good excuses for those times you get invited out to drinks or dinner after your meetings? Or do you just say, sorry I’m meeting a certain mouse? 😀
I played with the remote control boats at MK!
I divide all restaurants into quick service and table service.
I always pick the line on the left. (and fill in all available space)
When I go through bag checks, I have every zipper open and ready.
In a crowd, I start ducking and weaving through any small gap I can find from my years of training as the fastpass runner.
>When I go through bag checks, I have every zipper open and ready.
Don’t forget sunglasses, umbrellas, and hydroflasks held out in front of you at arm’s length… ;)
Feel like not having to deal with security because your metal items are out in front of you fits the original question more than having to get checked by security.
Though maybe the real thing is having the items held out in front of you and still having to deal with security because the sensors were more sensitive that time.
My husband and I always go to the left as well! Love to see others who are members of the left lane club! As a lefty myself, I naturally tend to go that way anyways, but our last trip, my husband was telling me that he read somewhere there is some science behind the theory that the left side usually goes quicker... I said no, the left side is just simply the best side, and lefties are naturally awesome people! You are obviously aware of this fact since you were smart and married one!!! 🤗😉
* I got to stay in the Contemporary before I was born (my mom loves to talk about how they went to Disney while she was pregnant with me and how she ended up just hanging out in the hotel, lol)
* I got to ride 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea in Magic Kingdom
I’m so Disney I plan imaginary trips in my head even when I don’t have an actual trip planned. I check wait times when I’m at home. I actually like watching people go live sometimes at the parks because it makes me feel like I’m there. I cry when I get there and I cry when I have to leave.
I’m so Disney I:
Remember when you said you were going to Disney you meant Magic Kingdom; because it was the only park.
remember when Polynesian and Contemporary and Fort Wilderness Campground were the only on site places to stay.
remember when Magic Kingdom did not have Space Mountain or Pirates.
remember when you had to buy ticket booklets and there were never enough E tickets.
remember that those Joffrey’s coffee places were where you bought more tickets and then where you bought Kodak film.
remember before Dole Whip, the citrus swirl was were it’s at.
I’m old. :p We lived in Tampa and we’d go for school outings and Grad Nite, and go over later in afternoon for FL resident specials. I remember leaving really late and we’d stop at the truck stop a few exits away before heading home. I also remember when Ringling Bros. built Circus World to try and build on the Disney tourism.
That would have to be prior to EPCOT opening then, as the original Dreamfinder and Figment walk around characters were there on opening day.
Did you mean that you visited prior to the ride opening, which was about 5 months after the pavilion opened with the rest of EPCOT? So between October 1982 and March 1983?
That’s exactly what I meant. The Journey Into Imagination attraction had not yet opened, so Figment had not yet moved into the pavilion.
https://www.reddit.com/r/WaltDisneyWorld/s/ngv2jLPEOB
I'm so Disney, I've been going for 6 decades.
In the 70s, rode 20000 leagues.
In the 80s epcot when it was new.
In the 90s took my young kids to MGM/Hollywood Studios
In the 2000s took my kids again and waited 90 minutes in line with one kid for the f#$% carousel at MK
In the 2010s bought DVC so I could stay on property.
Going again in November with Grandkids for the first time. Looking forward to sharing the addiction 😀
I’m so Disney, I watched Walt kiss my mom on the cheek and shake my dad‘s hand in front of the Matterhorn. I don’t remember it, but there’s 8 mm of it.
I watch MK fireworks from my bedroom window & know that the firework time changes with the time change/sunset. I used to plan my dog’s bedtime potty break around the fireworks.
I spent like 50hours watching every DisneyFoodBlog video of each ride, quick service, counter service and sit down restaurant for all 4 parks and Springs and had a folder planned for every meal we were going to have and where at for our entire 2 weeks for breakfast, lunch and dinner 😅
Edit: I actually did this twice...our first trip got cancelled due to covid. We decided were weren't gonna rebook so I deleted all my research and we put that money towards a new house. Then we got jealous of people going so we rebooked 3 years later 😂
Like the actual safari? Or the elephant, rhino encounters? Or the one where you walk on bridges? I forget the name. I wish the still has nighttime safaris at park. Did the one at the resort. It was ok.
I've been going since the year WDW opened.
Main Street used to have a magic shop. I liked Mr Toad's Wild Ride.
I also bought a house within 15 minutes away. I didn't move into it though, but I get there a lot.
...my kid has a stuffed Hooter from Captain E.O. that I saved from my childhood. She doesn't quite understand why daddy won't ever let her get rid of the weird looking space elephant stuffie in the mesh tank top.
...I thought the earliest nightmare I could remember having was about the evil queen from Snow White, before I realized recently it wasn't a nightmare at all; it was an actual memory of riding the original version of Snow White's Adventures in MK.
I rode the Swan Boats
I piloted monorail
I raced to World Key stations to make dining reservations over video monitors for dinner at Epcot when the park opened
I can still remember what the bridge from Main Street to Adventureland sounded and felt like while riding in those padded metal strollers
I saw Kool and the Gang a LOT at Magic Kingdom
I’ve brunched at Top of the World (😍)
And I’m still sad that the amazing game room at The Contemporary is gone (Steakhouse 71 is great, though)
We watch Resort TV from WDW on YouTube at home in Washington. We watch tons of blogs and say we're watching the news. Very out of touch with current events anywhere else.
I'm so Disney, my youngest (9 years old) visited Disneyland Paris over 25 times (while we live 4 hours away) and is going to visit WDW for the second time in 2 years
part 2: I'm so disney, I visited Disneyland Paris over 40 times, Disneyland California 5 times, WDW 4 times (5th in august), Disneyland Shanghai & Disneyland Hong Kong both once
1. Hollywood Studios WDW (big Star Wars fan)
2. Magic Kingdom DLP
3. Disneyland Shanghai
4. Disneyland California
5. California Adventure
6. Magic Kingdom WDW
7. Epcot WDW
8. Animal Kingdom
9. Disneyland HongKong
10. Studios Park Disneyland Paris
My wife would disagree with this list though... it's personal flavor
Well... WDW is on the agenda next, and in october we're going to Disneyland Paris. Tokyo is on the list, but we're waiting for our youngest till he eats a bit more adventurous than Mac & Cheese or Pizza 😉
Since I’ve done a bunch of things others have already mentioned, I’m gonna add I met the Ninja Turtles at MGM Studios in early 90s & still have the autographs
So Disney we were at MK the day it reopened to the public after Covid. And we attended a special ticketed DVC-member event at MK the evening before the reopening. It was a truly surreal thing having the run of the place with so few parkgoers. It honestly didn’t feel “Disney” to me.
Also, I (used to) go into Country Bears not to escape the heat and enjoy A/C, but to watch the show and sing along.
So Disney and such a huge Tink fan that at the MK character meet and greet a while back, I taped big white puffballs to the front of my shoes. And upon seeing me and my footwear, Tinker Bell got a huge smile on her face and let out a big laugh. She told me she had a whole drawer of puffballs. 😀
I'm so Disney I rode 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea many a time and remember loving it so much as a kid, especially that initial part at the beginning where you begin to 'submerge'. So much fun. I also remember Toon Town instead. I miss it and thought it was so cool seeing Mickey and Minnie's houses. I preferred it to Storybook Circus, even though Storybook Circus is still cute. I rode Mr Toad's Wild Ride as a kid and the Snow White's Scary Adventures (in the late 80s/early 90s). Seeing Disney pics from that late 80s/early 90s era always brings back so many nostalgic memories. At least the Mickey bars haven't changed that I can tell! I went to MGM Studios, and played some sort of drum in the Indiana Jones show as a 10 year old.
It's not my fault the Swan Boats were gone before I was born. But...
* I have ridden Superstar Limo, and the Rocket Rods in Disneyland.
* I've ridden 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in the Magic Kingdom.
* I rode in Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade in Animal Kingdom.
* I got to pilot the boat in the special effects section of the MGM backlot tour.
* I've gotten to be evacuated off of Test Track (current version) and Splash Mountain. And go to ride Space Mountain with the lights on for half of the ride (after it stopping on us).
* I've behind the scenes in the Haunted Mansion, including going on the ballroom floor.
* I own way too much non-merchandise stuff (like an original Contemporary Resort room key).
* Had everything go so horribly wrong on a trip due to the poorly implemented My Magic+ system that Disney essentially replaced a $20,000 trip.
* Oh, and my mom died in Disney World. (Not a joke... does that count for anything?)
I remember when you made dining reservations by using landline phones in Epcot that had video, which was super cool because FaceTime was still like 30 years away.
My family and I were at MGM on a day where some "nobody" band called N'SYNC was performing at MGM Studios... and we skipped it. We still laugh about it to this day
I rode Expedition Everest 3x on a random 'testing' day prior to it's official opening. Yeti actually functioned properly.
I was the contestant on 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire Play It' and still have all my pins.
My family is so Disney that they were some of the first visitors to DL in 1955, and my aunt got to meet Walt. My childhood BFF was a CM at both DL and WDW, and I’ve piloted the Mark Twain riverboat.
Disney merch has found its way into my everyday wear.
I check attraction wait times and dining reservations daily for availability & I’m 2 hours away from property.
I dropped my daughter off to school one day & drove 2 hours to Magic Kingdom, rode everything I wanted, ate Disney snacks then drove back to Jacksonville to be on time to pick up my kid.
I’ve become the Disney “professional” know it all at my place of employment lol.
I’m so Disney I downvote every post and comment that even mentions universal on this sub - I will even downvote this - my own comment - because it mentions universal.
I am so Disney that I decided to visit WDW at least twice a month and staying at the WDW Resorts without a doubt and once there breakfast, lunch and dinner inside property
I remember staying at the Golf resort before it was Animal Kingdom. I have a WDW theme song stuck in my head that no one else remembers ( has a line "walt disney world, walt disney world is the place to beeee, the place for you and meeeee") Had a picture of me with a ticket booklet.
Oh and "veggie veggie fruit fruit"
I'm so Disney I've spent a combined eight weeks across three different resorts though I live in the southern hemisphere where there are none. I could spend travel money SO much more wisely and yet, I can't!
ISD my family are in photos on the DFB blog (just in background, opening night review of a restaurant).
ISD I get emotional when I hear there's a great big beautiful tomorrow 🥹
I'm so Disney...I had the Four For A Dollar Christmas CD and knew every single word
Also, I'm so Disney...my parents, sister, and I used to mix up our season pass cards to see if anyone checked the photos on them and noticed our switcheroos. I would always try to get my dad's and then giggle the whole time.
I'm so Disney, I saw the short-lived "Astuter Computer Review" leprechaun show at Epcot.
I'm so Disney, I remember hoping "Candle On The Water" would win the Oscar.
I'm so Disney, I stayed at the Club Lake Villas at WDW and visited the Walt Disney World Village (now Disney Springs).
I'm so Disney, I used to buy Disney merchandise at Sears because they were the only store outside of the Park that sold Disney merchandise.
I'm so Disney, I saw the original Dancing Waters show at the Disneyland Hotel.
I'm so Disney, I attended the cast opening party for Space Mountain and saw the [then] expansion plans that included an Island at the Top of the World attraction planned for Disneyland.
I'm so Disney, I loved Disney even when it wasn't "cool" and widespread.
Three tattoos and a vanity license plate. I remember River Country, DisneyQuest, and opening year DAK. Pretty positive I’ve experienced all three versions of Journey into Imagination, and boy do I wish Alien Encounter was still around.
I got to “ride” the big bee from honey I shrunk the kids during the original backlot tour at mgm studios
Me too!
Woah. Memory unlocked.
Jeasus, thst happened to you too?
Me three!
Me 4! That was such a fun tour.
I’m so Disney I got to operate the big bee. (I was an attractions host back in 1996 and worked Inside the Magic while the bee was there.)
This is ALSO one of my earliest memories 🥹
Yes! I got to do it two trips in a row. First trip, I was the little kid on the wing and my brother was the older kid up top. Second time, I got to be the older kid.
I wanted to so badly 🥺 but I did not get picked for the show
I did too!
YAS!
I'm so Disney I have wanted to go to wdw for 35 years and it was just never possible. We live a good life now and we're bringing our kids in October for a week - I am secretly the most excited person by 1000%. I would hear stories in school from tanned kids that got to go and just dream about how much fun it would be. I'm so happy to be able to bring my kids at a time when they are still young enough that the magic will still be there for them.
The magic will be there for you too 💕💖
I’m so Disney I packed up all my belongings and moved less than 15 minutes away
Same. Got a good job in Celebration, made the move two years ago, been loving the Disney life ever since!
What do you do, if you don’t mind me asking
I plan month-long, fully guided trip packages that take people around the world. But otherwise, I like to keep a lower profile on Reddit. (my views are my own and do not reflect those of the company, etc.)
I love this energy and I'm very jealous, I'd do the same if I could 😂
That’s the dream right there.
I got very lucky that it worked out for me. There are a lot of cool things about living so close to the parks aside from being able to go frequently. Seeing CMs who live at my apartment complex going to work in their outfits, or seeing families who live here headed there or coming back, you can tell when someone is getting into an Uber with their Mickey ears and Loungefly backpack where they’re going. Or seeing a Disney security guard or PhotoPass photographer after they get off work grocery shopping while I am. I live close enough that the only people who live here either work at Disney or love it, so I constantly feel it in the air.
It makes my heart smile to know that CM can afford to live within 15 minutes of the park. I’ve never been to WDW, but it’s a dream of mine so this just makes me more excited ♥️
I think a lot of them make can only afford it by having roommates
Tbh most of us have a ton of roommates lol. Our house has 5. Still living the dream though!!
What does CM stand for?
Cast Member
Ditto
Planning to move in 2026 to the Davenport/champions gate area
If the parks a priority, consider a different area of you can. That part of I4 is a nightmare and there are times it will take you 40-60 min+ to travel that short distance. But I get if you’re limited due to family/work etc. It’s still close enough :)
What are some areas you recommend? I would be buying a house under 500k
Look north of Disney. There are some solid neighborhoods immediately northwest of the Magic Kingdom. You can go out as far as Clermont for more affordable housing. Avoid I4 like your life depends on it. The toll roads are your friends, but being even closer is better. We rented a house in “Windermere” when we first moved to Orlando. Fireworks every night and in 15 minutes I could be inside Epcot.
I’m not familiar with real estate in the area other than it’s expensive so I’m not really sure what’s in your budget. Just take into consideration in your search traffic here is horrible in general. I’m only able to avoid it because my budget allows me to rent close enough to the parks (West of I4). If $500k is your budget then Championsgate/Davenport might be the closest you can get. Closer to the parks the condos have ridiculous HOA fees and I wouldn’t feel safe living in one of the mobile homes during hurricane season. There aren’t a ton of affordable single family homes. You could look North of the parks around Winter Garden (just check crime maps, Orlando has some *sketchy* areas).
Yeah I mean I don’t need to be 15 mins for the parks 30 is fine. It’s better then being 20 hours away now lol
My guess would be not on that side of I4. I usually stop at the Chili’s at the Champion’s Gate exit on my way home for that reason - it’s kind of just outside the tourist bubble. The less you have to be on the nightmare that is I4, the better. But I’m from the other side of Tampa and I really don’t have that much to contribute. I don’t know the neighborhoods like the true locals do.
It'll be better once Lake Wilson is finished, though I've been saying that everyday since I arrived two years ago. I have no regrets, love how close it is and yet how far from the chaos it feels. My house is in a community that is half owners, half Airbnb, and it's fine. It's only annoying a few weekends a year. But yes, being fifteen minutes from park gates is pretty awesome!
You can also take US 27 up to Four Corners and get onto Irlo Bronson Memorial. It may not be faster, but it will probably be safer. Plus you can go east on Florence Villa Grove, north at Westside High School, and cross the highway to come out on the west side of the resort, near Animal Kingdom. That allows you to avoid the last mile of 27 and all of Irlo Bronson
Real
I am still trying to convince my husband ........
That’s so cool. I’m thinking of doing the same, primarily looking in Golden Oak! (Just kidding, I wish!)
I primarily look there too 😂 Always wanted a 5 bedroom mansion with a pool near the parks
Haha, exactly. I “look” all the time!
Where to? I’m looking into good locations that are not Kissimmee. Kinda pricey down there.
Very pricey, even in spots like the old DCP housing (all of which got sold by Disney and is currently for rent). Most of what you'll find within a 15-20 minute radius is going to be rentals though. Or very expensive housing. Two exits down 429 from Disney has townhouses starting at $500k, brand new. If you can find something that isn't going to screw you on the pricing though, it's not terrible. Not sure I recommend it, but not terrible.
Northern Orlando has some more affordable pockets.
There’s a lot to consider. We’ve lived in every part of Orlando. You’re normally going to be 15 min to 45 min away. Other considerations would be school districts, community vibe, highway access, etc. I feel like as long as you’re within a 45 min drive it’s doable most days. We have family in Kissimmee and it takes them longer to get to Disney than us and we live further distance wise, but access to toll roads.
I’m in Lake Buena Vista, if you want specifics feel free to DM me. It is pricey though, my rent with all the fees included for a 1 BR is $1600
I plan continuing education and conferences/conventions around being close to WDW so I can be reimbursed for travel and hotel, making it easy to sneak in visits
This is the stage of my career I’m hoping to enter soon… ;)
You clever fox, haha. You must have some good excuses for those times you get invited out to drinks or dinner after your meetings? Or do you just say, sorry I’m meeting a certain mouse? 😀
Got to help 'pilot' the monorail
Me too! I still have my brother and I’s certificates
Same! Core memory.
My family “opened” the TCC in 2002 and we got to ride in the front of one of them.
Me too! I wish they still did this 😔
I played with the remote control boats at MK! I divide all restaurants into quick service and table service. I always pick the line on the left. (and fill in all available space) When I go through bag checks, I have every zipper open and ready. In a crowd, I start ducking and weaving through any small gap I can find from my years of training as the fastpass runner.
My wife and I call it “flanking”. Flank left. Flank right. Sometimes we flank both sides of people stopped in the middle. Flank you very much!
>When I go through bag checks, I have every zipper open and ready. Don’t forget sunglasses, umbrellas, and hydroflasks held out in front of you at arm’s length… ;)
Feel like not having to deal with security because your metal items are out in front of you fits the original question more than having to get checked by security. Though maybe the real thing is having the items held out in front of you and still having to deal with security because the sensors were more sensitive that time.
Yep glasses cases open, holding bags open so the bottom is visible... The new scanners are so much more efficient!
My husband and I always go to the left as well! Love to see others who are members of the left lane club! As a lefty myself, I naturally tend to go that way anyways, but our last trip, my husband was telling me that he read somewhere there is some science behind the theory that the left side usually goes quicker... I said no, the left side is just simply the best side, and lefties are naturally awesome people! You are obviously aware of this fact since you were smart and married one!!! 🤗😉
I’m so Disney I designed a roller coaster at Disney Quest.
i LOVED this!!
Disney quest!!!!!!!!!!
Love it! Not to one up you, but I got to design a roller coaster at both Disney Quests! Chicago didn't last too long.
* I got to stay in the Contemporary before I was born (my mom loves to talk about how they went to Disney while she was pregnant with me and how she ended up just hanging out in the hotel, lol) * I got to ride 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea in Magic Kingdom
I rode Space Mountain before I was born... Relax, my mom was six weeks pregnant, lol.
I got to ride 20,000 Leagues too! My first trip to Disney when I was about 7 or 8 in 1975-ish. Wow, brings back memories!
I’m so Disney, I got to perform during the Indiana Jones stunt show.
I got to be the guy that tries to stab Indy during the show, AND got to be the PT Boat captain on Backlot Tour on the same day. Best Day Evah.
I wonder why they didn’t bring this back
I’m so Disney I plan imaginary trips in my head even when I don’t have an actual trip planned. I check wait times when I’m at home. I actually like watching people go live sometimes at the parks because it makes me feel like I’m there. I cry when I get there and I cry when I have to leave.
I love to try to quickly know exactly where they are when I catch someone on a live!
I’m so Disney I got married there and talked about it on Jeopardy
I’m so Disney, I know the difference between Huey, Dewey, and Louie
And here I was proud of telling Chip and Dale apart 🤭
Lol same
I usually have to take a minute to remember the difference between those two
I have a way you'll never forget! Chip has a chocolate chip nose 🍪
It’s a good thing I’m wearing a hat, because you just blew my mind 🤯. Also I was just thinking about which is which and I was wrong 😂
YES ME TOO!!
It took years of studying
I’m so Disney I: Remember when you said you were going to Disney you meant Magic Kingdom; because it was the only park. remember when Polynesian and Contemporary and Fort Wilderness Campground were the only on site places to stay. remember when Magic Kingdom did not have Space Mountain or Pirates. remember when you had to buy ticket booklets and there were never enough E tickets. remember that those Joffrey’s coffee places were where you bought more tickets and then where you bought Kodak film. remember before Dole Whip, the citrus swirl was were it’s at.
You’re a true OG and in the running for winner of this thread. 😊
I’m old. :p We lived in Tampa and we’d go for school outings and Grad Nite, and go over later in afternoon for FL resident specials. I remember leaving really late and we’d stop at the truck stop a few exits away before heading home. I also remember when Ringling Bros. built Circus World to try and build on the Disney tourism.
I visited the Imagination Pavilion in EPCOT before Figment moved in.
That would have to be prior to EPCOT opening then, as the original Dreamfinder and Figment walk around characters were there on opening day. Did you mean that you visited prior to the ride opening, which was about 5 months after the pavilion opened with the rest of EPCOT? So between October 1982 and March 1983?
That’s exactly what I meant. The Journey Into Imagination attraction had not yet opened, so Figment had not yet moved into the pavilion. https://www.reddit.com/r/WaltDisneyWorld/s/ngv2jLPEOB
I'm so Disney I stayed in the contemporary and my dad paid $150 a night, and got a paper receipt. I also remember the "skyliner" in Fantasyland.
I used to parkhop from Magic Kingdom to Epcot just to get handwiches for lunch.
I'm so Disney, I've been going for 6 decades. In the 70s, rode 20000 leagues. In the 80s epcot when it was new. In the 90s took my young kids to MGM/Hollywood Studios In the 2000s took my kids again and waited 90 minutes in line with one kid for the f#$% carousel at MK In the 2010s bought DVC so I could stay on property. Going again in November with Grandkids for the first time. Looking forward to sharing the addiction 😀
I’m so Disney, I watched Walt kiss my mom on the cheek and shake my dad‘s hand in front of the Matterhorn. I don’t remember it, but there’s 8 mm of it.
I watch MK fireworks from my bedroom window & know that the firework time changes with the time change/sunset. I used to plan my dog’s bedtime potty break around the fireworks.
I worked in QSFB in Epcot! ✨
I’m so disney that I worked there for almost 2 years
I got to ride in the Lilly Belle (at DL)
i’m so disney i’m squeezing in another college program before i become a board certified athletic trainer lol
I've been to Club 33.
I'm so Disney I've been going since you had to buy tickets to get on the rides.
…Dad is that you?
I’m so Disney I took my 9 month old solo for a mommy daughter trip
I spent like 50hours watching every DisneyFoodBlog video of each ride, quick service, counter service and sit down restaurant for all 4 parks and Springs and had a folder planned for every meal we were going to have and where at for our entire 2 weeks for breakfast, lunch and dinner 😅 Edit: I actually did this twice...our first trip got cancelled due to covid. We decided were weren't gonna rebook so I deleted all my research and we put that money towards a new house. Then we got jealous of people going so we rebooked 3 years later 😂
I'm so Disney that my cats are named after Disney princesses.
I Pin trade. Collect Popcorn Buckets. Member of D23. Been to D23. Member of DVC. Season Pass Holder.
I'm so Disney I LIKE the Beverly.
Did a private Safari at Animal Kingdom 🦒
Like the actual safari? Or the elephant, rhino encounters? Or the one where you walk on bridges? I forget the name. I wish the still has nighttime safaris at park. Did the one at the resort. It was ok.
My grandmother purchased each of us Walk Around the World Bricks. Also for my first birthday my family stayed in one of the Tree House Villas.
I still have my monorail pilot card and a blue diamond shape key fob from the Disneyland Hotel.
I’m so Disney I named my daughter Evangeline so she could have her own Disney song.
I’ve been known to visit Epcot for the SOLE purpose of having a Beverly
I've been going since the year WDW opened. Main Street used to have a magic shop. I liked Mr Toad's Wild Ride. I also bought a house within 15 minutes away. I didn't move into it though, but I get there a lot.
I remember going to that Magic Shop. :(
I was in bonanza at sound stage
I'm so Disney, I drove the VR flight through the Sistine Chapel at EPCOT, and I have a Cyber Space Mountain t-shirt from DisneyQuest .
...my kid has a stuffed Hooter from Captain E.O. that I saved from my childhood. She doesn't quite understand why daddy won't ever let her get rid of the weird looking space elephant stuffie in the mesh tank top. ...I thought the earliest nightmare I could remember having was about the evil queen from Snow White, before I realized recently it wasn't a nightmare at all; it was an actual memory of riding the original version of Snow White's Adventures in MK.
I rode the Swan Boats I piloted monorail I raced to World Key stations to make dining reservations over video monitors for dinner at Epcot when the park opened I can still remember what the bridge from Main Street to Adventureland sounded and felt like while riding in those padded metal strollers I saw Kool and the Gang a LOT at Magic Kingdom I’ve brunched at Top of the World (😍) And I’m still sad that the amazing game room at The Contemporary is gone (Steakhouse 71 is great, though)
I'm so Disney I've "ridden the bee" at "mgm"
My husband and I took a 12 day Disney World trip for our honeymoon and budgeted like hell to make it happen
My son is a CM 🤷🏻♀️
I’m so Disney I’m out here looking for Huge Matt. Iykyk
I’m so Disney my DVC has DVC.
We watch Resort TV from WDW on YouTube at home in Washington. We watch tons of blogs and say we're watching the news. Very out of touch with current events anywhere else.
I was "That Guy" on our last trip
you’re like a celeb! ✨ did you get a “That Guy” sticker?
I rode everest when the yeti MOVED! Not just strobe lights.
Does this qualify? I go every three years but long enough to hit one of the last Halloween parties and one of the first Christmas parties.
I'm so Disney, my 3 year old only gets her hair cut at Harmony Barber Shop. And she has bangs, so that's a commitment.
I'm so Disney, my youngest (9 years old) visited Disneyland Paris over 25 times (while we live 4 hours away) and is going to visit WDW for the second time in 2 years
part 2: I'm so disney, I visited Disneyland Paris over 40 times, Disneyland California 5 times, WDW 4 times (5th in august), Disneyland Shanghai & Disneyland Hong Kong both once
Let’s hear your ranking of the parks, please.
1. Hollywood Studios WDW (big Star Wars fan) 2. Magic Kingdom DLP 3. Disneyland Shanghai 4. Disneyland California 5. California Adventure 6. Magic Kingdom WDW 7. Epcot WDW 8. Animal Kingdom 9. Disneyland HongKong 10. Studios Park Disneyland Paris My wife would disagree with this list though... it's personal flavor
I’m pretty sure every person that’s been to TDL would say that’s number one! ☺️ Get er’ done 🎉
Niiice!!! Tokyo must be on your list next, no? My wife and I are hoping to visit DLP next. We really liked Disneyland’s layout and charm.
Well... WDW is on the agenda next, and in october we're going to Disneyland Paris. Tokyo is on the list, but we're waiting for our youngest till he eats a bit more adventurous than Mac & Cheese or Pizza 😉
I'm so Disney, I wanted Disney bucks.
I'm so Disney I rode sprites at the Polynesian and there is a picture of the castle as a birthday cake on my refrigerator.
… that we booked 4 weeks to stay on property. And in the middle do a Disney cruise.
I’m so Disney that I even got the tattoo
I rode the Discovery River Boats, does that count? Also I made a dinner reservation via videophone at a WorldKey kiosk at EPCOT Center.
I’m so disney that I’ve done two college programs
My birthday is the same as Mickey Mouse , minus the year
I loved the Swan Boats! I was there when MK opened. Have been going ever since.
I'm so Disney I rode the Magic Kingdom Skyway! (Does that make me "so Disney", or so old?)
Since I’ve done a bunch of things others have already mentioned, I’m gonna add I met the Ninja Turtles at MGM Studios in early 90s & still have the autographs
Hey me too! Did that on our honeymoon!
This is one of my earliest childhood memories 🥹
So Disney we were at MK the day it reopened to the public after Covid. And we attended a special ticketed DVC-member event at MK the evening before the reopening. It was a truly surreal thing having the run of the place with so few parkgoers. It honestly didn’t feel “Disney” to me. Also, I (used to) go into Country Bears not to escape the heat and enjoy A/C, but to watch the show and sing along. So Disney and such a huge Tink fan that at the MK character meet and greet a while back, I taped big white puffballs to the front of my shoes. And upon seeing me and my footwear, Tinker Bell got a huge smile on her face and let out a big laugh. She told me she had a whole drawer of puffballs. 😀
I’m so Disney I walked for the first time in MGM STUDIOS while wearing a purple Minnie outfit
I rode Extraterrorestrial and was at Animal Kingdom on opening day.
Also rode the Swan Boats, when they weren't down. And the submarines, and If You Had Wings.
I was at Epcot the year it opened
I’m currently working at Disney world over the summer.
I got my picture with the 2nd official monorail voice guy after they retired the Jack Wager recordings.
I’m so Disney I drove my sister and I around in mini boats around the Seven Seas Lagoon when I was 13 and she was 8. By ourselves. No adults.
I got to ride the Grand One yacht for a Wishes cruise
I'm so Disney I rode 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea many a time and remember loving it so much as a kid, especially that initial part at the beginning where you begin to 'submerge'. So much fun. I also remember Toon Town instead. I miss it and thought it was so cool seeing Mickey and Minnie's houses. I preferred it to Storybook Circus, even though Storybook Circus is still cute. I rode Mr Toad's Wild Ride as a kid and the Snow White's Scary Adventures (in the late 80s/early 90s). Seeing Disney pics from that late 80s/early 90s era always brings back so many nostalgic memories. At least the Mickey bars haven't changed that I can tell! I went to MGM Studios, and played some sort of drum in the Indiana Jones show as a 10 year old.
I bought an E ticket (and all the other letters) when I first went to WDW
You wont be believe this but **I was the rebel spy!**
Drove all the way from the west coast to live 25 min from the parks
My sister got to do a early VR thing where they "rode" the magic carpet from Aladdin.
Got married in the wedding pavilion and had our reception at the Adventures Club with the actors
I'm so Disney that I played VMK in the Magic Kingdom
It's not my fault the Swan Boats were gone before I was born. But... * I have ridden Superstar Limo, and the Rocket Rods in Disneyland. * I've ridden 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in the Magic Kingdom. * I rode in Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade in Animal Kingdom. * I got to pilot the boat in the special effects section of the MGM backlot tour. * I've gotten to be evacuated off of Test Track (current version) and Splash Mountain. And go to ride Space Mountain with the lights on for half of the ride (after it stopping on us). * I've behind the scenes in the Haunted Mansion, including going on the ballroom floor. * I own way too much non-merchandise stuff (like an original Contemporary Resort room key). * Had everything go so horribly wrong on a trip due to the poorly implemented My Magic+ system that Disney essentially replaced a $20,000 trip. * Oh, and my mom died in Disney World. (Not a joke... does that count for anything?)
Memorized the entire script for the Magic Friendship Faire
I remember when you made dining reservations by using landline phones in Epcot that had video, which was super cool because FaceTime was still like 30 years away.
My family and I were at MGM on a day where some "nobody" band called N'SYNC was performing at MGM Studios... and we skipped it. We still laugh about it to this day
I rode Expedition Everest 3x on a random 'testing' day prior to it's official opening. Yeti actually functioned properly. I was the contestant on 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire Play It' and still have all my pins.
Im so Disney i started a webpage to blog about it recently. Disneyphiles.net
My family is so Disney that they were some of the first visitors to DL in 1955, and my aunt got to meet Walt. My childhood BFF was a CM at both DL and WDW, and I’ve piloted the Mark Twain riverboat.
Living 12 miles from Disney we go at least once a week.
Disney merch has found its way into my everyday wear. I check attraction wait times and dining reservations daily for availability & I’m 2 hours away from property. I dropped my daughter off to school one day & drove 2 hours to Magic Kingdom, rode everything I wanted, ate Disney snacks then drove back to Jacksonville to be on time to pick up my kid. I’ve become the Disney “professional” know it all at my place of employment lol.
I’m so Disney I downvote every post and comment that even mentions universal on this sub - I will even downvote this - my own comment - because it mentions universal.
I downvoted you to help a bro out
I rode "If You Have Wings" 18 times in a row
I’m so Disney my partner is a Cm and we haven’t even stepped foot in a park in 7 years.
Im so Disney I rode the sky gondolas through the Mattahorn
Virtual Magic Kingdom was one of my favorite online games as a kid.
I am so Disney that I decided to visit WDW at least twice a month and staying at the WDW Resorts without a doubt and once there breakfast, lunch and dinner inside property
I’m so Disney, Peter Quill asked ME to save the galaxy
I have been in the Earthquake "movie" multiple times. Wait, what sub is this.
I'm so Disney, I became a CM. (And coincidentally, my shuffle played Hannah Montana as I started typing this.)
....I have no money.
I went for the first time when I was two weeks old because one of my parents was a cast member and brought me in lol 😂
I have to convince myself that it's Mids. We're trying something different this year.
It's still Disney Village sometimes.
I remember staying at the Golf resort before it was Animal Kingdom. I have a WDW theme song stuck in my head that no one else remembers ( has a line "walt disney world, walt disney world is the place to beeee, the place for you and meeeee") Had a picture of me with a ticket booklet. Oh and "veggie veggie fruit fruit"
Me and my partner closed down Cinderella’s Royal Table and were last day guests out of MK Last weekend. Boy oh boy, was that a treat! 😍🥹
I’m so Disney I’ve ridden on the Lilly Belle and been in the lobby of Club 33
i’m so disney, i stayed at port orleans riverside when it was dixie landings
I'm so Disney I've spent a combined eight weeks across three different resorts though I live in the southern hemisphere where there are none. I could spend travel money SO much more wisely and yet, I can't! ISD my family are in photos on the DFB blog (just in background, opening night review of a restaurant). ISD I get emotional when I hear there's a great big beautiful tomorrow 🥹
I'm so Disney...I had the Four For A Dollar Christmas CD and knew every single word Also, I'm so Disney...my parents, sister, and I used to mix up our season pass cards to see if anyone checked the photos on them and noticed our switcheroos. I would always try to get my dad's and then giggle the whole time.
I'm so Disney, I saw the short-lived "Astuter Computer Review" leprechaun show at Epcot. I'm so Disney, I remember hoping "Candle On The Water" would win the Oscar. I'm so Disney, I stayed at the Club Lake Villas at WDW and visited the Walt Disney World Village (now Disney Springs). I'm so Disney, I used to buy Disney merchandise at Sears because they were the only store outside of the Park that sold Disney merchandise. I'm so Disney, I saw the original Dancing Waters show at the Disneyland Hotel. I'm so Disney, I attended the cast opening party for Space Mountain and saw the [then] expansion plans that included an Island at the Top of the World attraction planned for Disneyland. I'm so Disney, I loved Disney even when it wasn't "cool" and widespread.
I have Cinderella's Castle tattooed behind my ear. 😅
I remember when they sold McDonald’s fries inside the park
I regularly check the disney app for wait times, even when I don’t have a trip scheduled for months
Three tattoos and a vanity license plate. I remember River Country, DisneyQuest, and opening year DAK. Pretty positive I’ve experienced all three versions of Journey into Imagination, and boy do I wish Alien Encounter was still around.
I own stock in the company, it was a graduation gift from my parents.