Hey guys. Yes, I feel I qualify for this thread, although it did take 4 trips before I was officially addicted. How, you may ask? Heres a little history
Trips #1 and #2 I was 9 when I first visited. We went to Cocoa Beach with extended family (think 9 people ages 5-52 in a station wagon from KY to FL) in 1972 and again in 1975. Both times we took a one day trip over to the Magic Kingdom. Of course, thats all there was then. I remember the ticket books, 20,000 Leagues and thinking how cool the Contemporary looked, but never got to go inside. Looking back at dads slides from those trips I can only say Nice shorts!
Fast forward to trip #3. In 1994 my wife and then 3 year old son accompanied me on a convention held at the Swan. One of my colleagues and his wife and 2 sons went as well. Three rambunctious boys took their toll on two young mothers, so we didnt get a lot done in the evenings after the convention days. Didnt get to spend a lot of time in the parks that trip. We did hit EPCOT as a last minute decision before heading back for a couple hours and I remember thinking this place is interesting.
Ahhhhh, trip #4. Our first real family trip a year later in 1995. We stayed at All Star Sports and immersed ourselves in all things Disney. Hit all the parks and rode all the attractions a 4 year old could ride. Watched the shows, met the characters (they would just show up out of the blue!), watched the parades. Favorite pic is standing in back of a crowd with my son on my shoulders with Goofy ears ball cap and oversized sunglasses (him , not me) watching the afternoon parade at MK. Spending downtime at the pool (and the pool bar
). Great memories and thinking back now, I was hooked then.
Trip #5 1999. Why 4 years later? Son # 2 was then 2½ yrs. old. We stayed at All Star Music that year with the same itinerary and the same results. Having pictures of him awestruck at every turn
priceless. I think it was then, we determined, We should do this every year.
Trip #6 2000 Sealed the deal. Our first deluxe resort stay at AKL. I think I was the one awestruck as we pulled up, and then once we entered, I was amazed at the detail. Having coffee on the balcony the next morning with the animals roaming around, nuff said. The food, the sights, the smells
its still my most favorite trip.
Since then, we had annual passes a few years and probably visited 7 times in a three year period. The following years another 4 visits. Have stayed in many different resorts. Lucky for me, my oldest became quite the golfer so we would always hit two of the courses during a trip.
But kids get older and travel sports teams take up vacation time so trips to the World became fewer and farther between. My youngest is now a senior in high school so I promised for his last fall break we would go down. We did the same when my oldest was a senior and have only been there for a quick 3 day trip since. So, I get to feed my addiction once again next month!
That's my story, thanks for reading my confession.