I'm one who has kind of sworn off Disney for a few years, due to getting less for more money, and have really grown fond of Universal. But you can bet as soon as I have grandchildren who are old enough, I'll be back.
I spent my entire childhood wanting to go to Disney: first my parents took my older sisters to a cross country trip to
Disneyland in the late 60's, but not us younger ones. A few years later, we had a big family trip to Florida mere months before Disneyworld opened. High school trip to Florida? No one else wanted to go. Married trips to Florida when I was college aged? Ditto. I finally got to Disneyland in my mid 30's! It was magical! The very first day we saw a parade with Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon as Grand Marshalls!!! Started taking my children to WDW (one at a time, because as a single Mom it was easier that way) when they were small. Also magical!
I remember MANY lovely experiences. I agree with others that just being there is terrific and that it's great to just stop and smell the roses. (Which, if I was being negative, I would point out that when Disney got so complicated with FP+ and deciding things 3 months out, that the bloom started being off the rose for me. But I won't, because I'm being positive.
) One memory that I'll share had to do with my daughter when she was 6. There was one of those random water jets fountains laid into the pavement (I believe) in Epcot's Futureworld, though not the ones in the entrance. Whatever park it was, it was far inside the park. It had been a cool morning so I had her in a little dress and a wee white cardigan, but I took off the sweater as the day warmed. When we saw the fountain, she was enchanted! She was dying to run right in! So I took off her little shoes and sockies, and let her go. She had the BEST time! Just darting in and out of the jets, getting soaked but loving it!
Other people came by and either laughed to see her joy, or scowled because now their kids were clamoring to join her, and they didn't want them to get wet. I just let her play to her heart's content although I'm sure I had rides in mind for us to do instead. When she was done, and a little chilled, I just squeezed the water out of her dress, put her warm socks and shoes back on, and wrapped her in the snuggly cardigan. Within a half hour, her dress and undies were dry, too.
Such a simple thing. Such a seemingly insignificant hour - but I'll never forget her joy, and how Disney made this possible for us. Don't let some touring guide or electronic program dictate your trip. Look away from your phone. Take time to be child directed, if you have a child with you. If you don't, listen for YOUR inner child, and eat that cookie. Splash in that fountain. Ride a baby ride if you want. When you pass through the Darling's window with Peter Pan, go ahead and get a little misty. There's still Disney magic, and you can make your own magic if you open your heart to it.