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Hi all,
What is your 1 abiding memory of your trips to Florida? my family and I are visiting for our 4th time this year. my memories are vivid and varied, but there are a few things that stick in my mind. how huge the cars are, how brutal the rain can get in the summer. and how helpless the hulk made me feel. [msncool] the 1 overiding memory has to be the 1st time I felt the Florida sun on my face! savage! but a feeling I will never forget [msncool]
The first time I stepped out of the airport when I first arrived 13 years ago. It was like walking into an oven!!!
Have to agree the first time you step out the plane and smell the humid air and heat that hits you is a memory we often talk about. Now 15 years later we still feel the same.
The first time you drive under the arches to Disney, and walking up main street seeing the castle.
We often laugh at the times we have been caught in the heavy rain got absolutley soaked, then the sun to shine minutes later and you walk round and dry in no time.
There are so many good things it is hard to have one.
Mary
My first and abiding memory was walking into the Magic Kingdom in 1992 with my wife and 7 year old daughter and seeing Cinderella's Castle and becoming a child again.
Still doing in all those years on, still acting like a child and my daughter still coming with us albeit with her boyfriend now.
Our first visit to Florida was in 2000 and we have visited many times since. Even now entering Magic Kingdom and walking up Main Street towards the castle still gives me goosebumps.
For me it's sseeing a killer whale for the 1st time at Sea World, it's the one thing I have to do on every visit.
We first visited in January 1992 for a holiday of a lifetime, our youngest Chris was 5 and our daughter 15, we were hooked from day 1, we go in less than 2 weeks for what must be around our 30th trip, Chris still comes along as dad pays!! Rachel is now 34 and is joining us with her husband and two children who are 6 and 4.
When we arive at our villa the magic is still there as strong as ever.
Eric
The memories that stick with me are the first time we met Mickey Mouse in 1997 and my now 15 year old daughter, she was 2 at the time, climbed up me screaming to get away from him (she will never live that down) apparently it was something to do with his ears ! and when my now 10 year old daughter met him for the first time, she was 2 also, and she was so excited she ran to him and nearly knocked him over, we have both memories caught on camera and they still make me smile even now.
King Louie's Pad, bourbon chicken, banana pudding, swimming with the dolphins, seeing DH's colour when he got off of The Hulk so many lovely memories that keep us going until the next time.......[msnsmile]
There's so many lovely memories it's hard to pick just one but scariest at the time and now really funny was being caught in one of those really violent rainstorms while driving a convertible with the top down and not being able to pull over for about a mile - how I didn't crash the car I'll never know, I have NEVER been so scared! My friend and I got out of the car looking like we'd just got out of the swimming pool fully clothed[msnwink]
But the best memories are our kids faces the first time we took them to the villa after we bought it, they were even more excited than we were!
Wendy, I'm so pleased that King Louie's Pad is among your favourite memories, we absolutely love it and to know that our guests love it too is fantastic and gives us a real buzz, so thank you[msnsmile2]
Crikey where to start??? as many above.... the stepping off the airplane.... the heat/smells....
visiting Seaworld.... seeing Magic Kingdom.... WOW!!! made me goosebumps.... my family not into disney just had to take Lauren... then aged 7.. but it was me that saw the magic!
oh best one i think has to be is the huge Walmart!!!! as a sister shop to our Asda i was expecting it to be like that... took me over 3 hours to get round there!!!![clap][clap][clap][clap][clap]
Our first trip to Disney for part of our honeymoon in 1981, it was magical and will always be a lasting memeory.
The other lasting memory will always be the first time we walked into our house in 2004 having collected the keys from the builder.
It was an amazing feeling and another one which will always stay with me.
There are others, the powdery sand of the beaches, the calm of the gulf and the brilliant depth of blue of the skies but none quite match the above two.
Lynne
So many many memories, walking into our new villa for the first time and thinking all this is ours, but then that was tinged with a little sadness as our villa came about on the death of my parents and selling their home as they always wanted us to spend the money on a holiday home that our family and friends could enjoy, I am sure they thought of Tenerife or mainland Spain never dreaming we would buy in the States, but then I know they would be so pleased as our family and friends have enjoyed it and loved it from day one.
Another vivid memory was our first trip to Florida which I must say I did not want to travel all that way and never wanted to visit Disneyland, there we were with a car and could see our Hotel but for some reason could not find the entrance into it, tired with tempers rising we drove into the Radison on International drive to ask directing, I sat in the car crying and saying that I never wanted to come to this b........ awful place in the first place, anyway to cut a story short eventually found the hotel very tired and hungry went out had a meal and next day went to Seaworld.......then I was hooked and that was the start of our own villa and many many happy holidays in the sunshine state.
Val
Many many memories for us also. I hadn't even thought about visiting USA until we were organising our wedding back in 1988 my husband had been to Miami a couple of times back in the early eighties flying out with Freddie Laker. He loved the way of life etc and persuaded me that it would be a good place for our honeymoon. We spent 3 weeks out there between Miami and Orlando and I Was hooked. The best moment though was when we finally bought our house out there in 2004 my husband wanted it much more than me but the day I walked into our wonderful piece of paradise was fantastic. Each time I walk into our beautiful villa I feel so lucky and would be devasted if we ever have to sell. Having said all that the first time we visited Clearwater Beach has to be my best memory I loved it back then and to this day when we drive over the causeway I feel like I am coming home.
Many of the above but also would like to add all those little lizard things running about everywhere and K92FM in the car. It's great to be able to listen to a 'country' music station. I sometimes listen to K92FM on the internet here and it always reminds me of being there.
oh the Lizards! I completely forgot about them. the 1st trip we had was in May. there were these flys around called 'love bugs' they sort of joined together at the rear and flew around in huge swarms. anybody experience them?
Yes, I remember the 'love bugs'. We were at Wet 'n' Wild the first time we experienced them, they were everywhere. We were forever swatting them away.
Yes, the first time we went was late April 93 and a lot of the cars had these covers over the front we were told they were car bras to stop the love bugs from damaging the paintwork:)
We also love the lizards, here is one my son saved from drowning in the pool.
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Jeepers, there's so many, it's hard to choose just one! Like everyone said, one of the really vivid memories was getting off the plane into the hot, humid air..I'll never forget that!
Also, the rainstorms. Ohhh, the rainstorms! There was this one time that we got caught in one coming back from the pool (which was like 1 5-10 minute walk from our apartment), and i slipped and slided the whole way up to the apartment in my non-gripped flip flops!! I ended up just taking them off and legging it!
The rides were unbelievable, and that feeling of wind in your hair when you're on The Hulk, or The Kraken is immense!
But honestly, what's stayed with me the most is the feeling of magic that the parks had for me. I was 17 when we last went, and I truly felt like a little child again. It was the most incredible feeling ever.
Goodness me this is really difficult! We have only visited in Nov/Dec so far so haven't experienced the heat, but Christmas in Orlando is amazing! Especially WDW, massive xmas trees all decorated to the theme of each park, xmas songs playing everywhere you go and snow in Celebration!!! I'm not the bravest when it comes to rides but I love the build up in the lines everything is so carefully thought through, memories of my son being 'chased' by a dinosaur at Epcot! The look on his face when he stood next to the shuttles at Kennedy, my daughter when she first saw Minnie mouse priceless!! it really is a place where dreams come to life! But I think like a lot of you the first time at Magic Kingdom walking down Main Street has got to be one of my most memorable moments! I can't wait to do it again this year in October!
Sharon
I have one very special memory which is marrying my hubbie on our second visit there. We knew after we'd been the first time that if we decided to marry it'd be there and two years later we returned and said our I do's. It was so, so lovely.
My fave feeling is like many of you have said, stepping off the plane and feeling the warm air, driving out of the airport to wherever we're staying and just feeling so comfortable - like we're home. Cant beat that feeling. Its the best!!
Mine is kinda strange, but it makes sense with a little back story.
My dad was a keen traveller and had a habit of collecting leaflets and pamphlets from places around the world. As a child, my favourite was always a Kennedy Space Center (sic) map. I used to stare at it for hours dreaming of visiting and, predictably for a child, spilled something over it, ruining all but the title.
Years later, my dad took me for a tour of USA, which included a stop in Orlando. Being as conscientious as I was, I looked at the ticket and saw that New York airport was called John F Kennedy airport. With pre-teen logic and without the use of the internet, I concluded that Kennedy Space Center must be in New York. I told my dad how excited I was to visit 'Kennedy' and he looked back at me with a bemused expression, thinking I was referring to the airport!
When we got to Orlando, I had a wonderful time visiting Epcot. It came time to leave and our hotel had a shuttle going to the airport. While in the back, I caught sight of a huge bilboard advertising KSC. The penny dropped and I realised that it was actually in Florida. I begged my dad to turn back, but with the tickets already booked and us checked out of the hotel, there was no chance.
I next visited Florida on my own, shortly after completing my degree, to unwind. It was my first time travelling alone and as be began our descent, I became a little nervous about being on my own miles away from anyone I knew. As the plane got lower and lower, my anxiety increased. The plane broke through the clouds and I noticed a huge white building out of the window, near the coast line. It was the Vehicle Assembly Building at KSC. Immediately, I found myself wearing a broad grin (much like the other passengers!) and I was calm.
I can't quite explain it, but it felt like I was home, even though it was only my second visit. I've been returning ever since. That's why descending towards Orlando is my favourite memory.
...Sorry for the long post! [msnembarrased]
What a lovely story[msnsmile]
Nuala
My first and lasting memory is of our first trip in 1996. Our son, who was 2, had been having operations and was only just walking. We took him to magic kingdom and to mickeys toon fair to see all things mickey mouse. After seeing everything we went to look round the shop where tom (our son) picked up the biggest mickey mouse soft toy and ran (in a fashion) out the shop. The memory I have is my wife and i chasing him thru a crowded mickeys toon fair trying to grab him and take the toy back. It was quite amazing in many ways,
1) that it was the first time we had seen him run,
2) how quickly he was moving between all the adults,
3) noone from the shop joined the chase.
4) the toy was nearly as big as tom
Needless to say we bought the toy and it is now savely tucked up in the loft as he no longer wants it now he's 16. My wife and i still laugh about it.
One of my best memories has to be seeing our 39yr old sister-in-law in tears at the opening of the Magic Kingdom as the train comes in to the station.
Also, despite all the attractions the Orlando area has to offer, our 5yr old niece was crying one evening. When asked what was wrong, she answered that she was sad not to be able to swim in the pool when we got back to the villa as it was dark. When we told her we have outside lights, she cheered up very quickly!
1972 Disneyland, Anaheim, California, my Son aged 4, Tigger was standing quite still until two girls poked at him to see if he was real and then he moved, scared the life off Sean who did a runner, followed by me trying to catch him amongst the crowds, it was 4th July. Electrical Parade in the evening followed by the fireworks, absolutely fabulous
It's so lovely reading all these posts! They're bringing back so much Disney nostalgia, and it's so great to hear all the brilliant memories that everyone has :)
My abiding memory will be walking in to MK for first time in 1991...... I blubbed[msncry][msncry]
It was just so magical[msnsmile]
my best memories of florida was the first trip down in 1998 was the heat when the plane doors opened and the thoughts of no work for 2 weeks. Our next favorite is going to our villas every trip and seeing the pool in the back yard. We just finished our fifth trip down (4th in a row) knowing that we will be coming back every year till retirement. Our Family home will be paid off next year and now trying to decide if i should buy a villa in florida in the next couple of years.
My first xmas at WDW, when I walked down main st. I was blown away. Everything was so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes. I am glad to hear other people have had the same experience. I was trying so hard to hide my tears. Epcot & Hollywood Studio really got to me too.
That Disney feeling is something that you really do need to experience, whatever you may think it will feel like it doesn't match up to the actual feeling. it is just indescribable.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by E. Cosgrove
My abiding memory will be walking in to MK for first time in 1991...... I blubbed[msncry][msncry]
It was just so magical[msnsmile]
[/quote]
I'm glad I'm not the only one who's had this experience! [:I] :D
Back in 1983 as a young bride my new husband organised a surprise honeymoon which turned out to be to Orlando, all the guests at the wedding were as curious as me as to where we were going but he would not tell. He handed both sets of parents a note at the hotel the following day just before we headed off for the airport and sat me down in the departure hall and handed me a letter welcoming me as his new bride and saying the magical journey of our life together starts today and that we were going to Florida to see Mickey, I was crying so much at this time that I could not read that we were also going to Fort Lauderdale for the second week of our holiday. We have been married for 27 years and have visited Florida many times since but it still makes me cry when I remember his letter - which I still have of course.
There is never anything more memorable than that first trip. As others have said, feeling the heat getting off that plane, but my best memory was driving that awsome car that first year... the Cadillac Escalade.
As others say, so many wonderful memories and at times it gets difficult to remember which memory is from which trip. For me, though, celebrating New Year in MK has got to be up there, the other really special event which is always nice, but never as powerful as the first time, is the Candlelit Processional.
THe heat and smell at the airport, as loads of you have said. The first time in Disney for me was 1985[when I walked around the Magic kingdom from 8 am to12 midnight with blisters off my Jelly bean shoes lol]. We came via Bangor, Maine and I remember being really tired and saying to my husband- I don't care how good it is, I ain't going through this again! So 25 years on, I never dreamt we would have our own home over there!
One of my lasting memories was when we took both sets of parents with us, when my son was 6 months old. My Mum[ passed away in August, bless her], as we descended through fluffy white clouds, said " Now I believe there is a heaven". On walking up Main Street,Magic Kingdom, she said " Every child should have the chance to come here" I agree with her and know exactly what she meant. I always tell people who chat to me about Florida and say they are going to go when their children are a bit older- DON'T WAIT! do it now, because every child from 1 month to 100 years old can enjoy it.
Another was my Mum again. We went to Boardwalk one evening, and were watching the entertainers. They called my Mum out of the crowd to join in, and she had to throw a ping pong ball up for him to catch and balance on the end of his nose -he had her crying with laughter before she could do this, and she wiped tears from her eyes with a tissue, and decided to mop his brow for a bit of fun also- unfortunately for him, this showed a clean line down his nose, of invisible tape! The crowd went wild with laughter -she had ruined his show- he ad libbed his way through it well! That evening, everywhere we went, we got " great show Margaret"!
My Son learned to swim in our pool there, he also broke his arm in Florida once :( I learned to Waterski there- the list goes on. Lots of happy and wonderful memories- the feeling of the warm breeze in your hair in the evening driving along in a convertible,the inky black evening skies, and gorgeous blue skies in the day- the clarity of the air. The odd grass! The snow in Celebration at Xmas, the smell of gingerbread in the Xmas parade at Mickeys Xmas party, the fireworks.
I don't have any of these memories from anywhere else in the world I have travelled - the place is just magical!!!
We are getting ready to plan our 5th trip down this winter 5th in a row and my favorite memory everyyear is after getting off the plane and driving into Davenport with our windows down and smelling the orange blossoms going down higway 27
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by E. Cosgrove
My abiding memory will be walking in to MK for first time in 1991...... I blubbed[msncry][msncry]
It was just so magical[msnsmile]
[/quote]
i totally get that Liz, my eyes welled the first time we saw that castle....
now its changed for me... this year we renewed our wedding vows and took 5 of our 6 kids and 6 of our 8 grandkids to florida to share our special day with us.... but just having them with us for 2 weeks was wonderful its the best memory of our lives i think (or one of them) trying to arrange for us to all go again in 2 years.....:D[high5]
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Hey Chris
We were just like you and it was 10 years ago when we arrived and walked out of the airport WOW the heat and this was our first visit where we went model home browsing and fell in love with our model home in Clear C reek and went off and picked our site on a corner which cost $1500 usd extra.
That was the best and I will never ever forget that and the year later when we arrvied over and it was built.
Great memories and now the nightmarestrying to keep hold of it.
Well thats life and I am sure we are all in the same or similar boat..
My husband also did a surprise honeymoon trip but everyone knew about it apart from me. We had a week in Orlando and a week in Miami in 1990. The rain in Miami! We were on a bus and stepped of up to our ankles in water it had rained soooo much.
Walking into MK up main street still does it and lunch in the castle, something we have done every time since the very first trip (and it wasn't a character meal then). Now the children have the 'traditions' that we have to do every time we go
We remember our first trip back in 1989 as we had bought a time share in Tenerife we exchanged it to Florida in Star Island them a week in Daytona .
5 years ago we bought our villa and it is 3 traffic lights away from there down the 192 we still cannot believe it and talk about it as we arrive and go past Star Island to this day ,there are so many memories that we have about Florida and all seem to be good.
Cannot wait to go back and enjoy the sunny weather away from the cold.
MAUREEN
www.onlinefloridavillas.com/villas/1683.aspx