Top 10 Memories In Every Walt Disney World Fan’s Life

Walt Disney World is such a special place and so many special memories are built there. There are some however that are extra special to those of us who love Walt Disney World. Some moments will stay with us forever. They are the ones we get excited about sharing with others when they experience them for the first time too. Maybe yours was getting your first set of Mickey Ears with your name on it, or scoring a FastPass+ to your most wanted attraction, or finding out you really can draw a pretty good Disney character at Animation Academy, and some I believe may be in the list below.

10. Slides at the Water Parks

This is something you can do even if you are young or old. There are tiny slides and there are what the world’s tallest slides were when they opened. They will challenge you to greater heights, if you know what I mean. You will definitely remember the ones that gave you wedgies. Keep your legs crossed the next time!

9. Eating a Dole Whip, or Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar

…Or whatever that Disney treat is that you think about for days, months, years, is embedded in your memories from the first time you tried it. You find yourself comparing all other treats to that one that you crave when you are away and plan on getting the next time you return to Walt Disney World. It turns into one of those things that you must do on any return trips. What is yours?

8. Watching Tinkerbell “Fly”

Watching Tinkerbell fly from Cinderella Castle is amazing. My family had actually visited Walt Disney World a few times before we ever saw Tinkerbell fly. When we did, it was very magical! It made the evening for us for sure and we still talk about it.

7. Experiencing any Disney World attraction for the first time

Whether it be Tower of Terror, Rise of the Resistance, Space Mountain, Avatar Flight of Passage, or Soarin’, that first time you experience a Disney attraction is exciting. You don’t know what is going to happen next, but you are excited that it was happening. You never forget your first experience on a Disney attraction. I look at people’s faces now who are obviously enjoying their first time at an attraction. I don’t mean like a creeper stare, just try to catch their expressions during parts of the experience. It is just fun to see their excitement, or fear!

6. Meeting a Disney Character, especially a Favorite Disney Character

The Disney characters are so great at interacting with guests, even the ones who cannot speak still communicate in their own way and can make you laugh. Getting their autograph, maybe doing a dance together, whatever is fitting for that character, is very special and moments you don’t soon forget. No one is too old or too young to get their photo taken with the characters.

5. Eating at a Table Service restaurant

This is when you are introduced to a higher level of Disney service and theming. Dining at a Table Service restaurant could mean a character meal, a lavish buffet, or an exquisite signature dining experience. When the food is delicious, the service is great, and the atmosphere so, well, so Disney, it makes for a very memorable experience. Warning: it will make you want to experience all of them.

4. Riding the Monorail or Skyliner

The excitement of riding the Monorail or Skyliner for the first time is real. These transportation options are something every visitor to Walt Disney World should experience at least once. My favorite ride on the Monorail is riding it from the Transportation & Ticket Center, into EPCOT. Moving along that loop that extends into the park, getting that first view of Spaceship Earth and World Showcase as well as Future World still is vivid in my memories. The Skyliner soars above much of the Walt Disney World property. We love the views at it soars into EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

3. Staying in a Disney World resort

My family’s first time to Walt Disney World was at a very busy time and we did not have a resort reservation because the reservation center said there were no rooms available before we left home. I would not recommend doing this today, but we went to Guest Relations at the park to see if any rooms had opened up, for a family of 6. We were very lucky and got rooms at the Polynesian Village resort. Driving up to the entrance and walking through the doors into the lobby was breathtaking. I felt like I was at a South Seas Island resort. The theming is incredible. As much work as goes into the Parks theming, also goes into the resorts. The entire resort tells the story so well. You can choose from a wide variety of “places” to stay and you will find the one that is your perfect vacation “home”.

2. The first time you are old enough to ride an attraction by yourself

…such as driving the car for the first time at Tomorrowland Speedway has been a rite of passage in our family and a photo always had to be taken to commemorate the event. My kids love looking at the photos of themselves just peeking up above the steering wheel on that special ride.

1. First time seeing Cinderella Castle

First time you see the Cinderella Castle this is such an obvious one, but still great. I love riding the Ferry Boat over from the Transportation and Ticket Center to Magic Kingdom and hear the excitement when guests see the Castle for the first time ever. Their faces light up at the sight of it. Where were you when you saw the Cinderella Castle the first time?

I am sure there are special memories you and your family share. Please share them with the rest of us in your comments below!