The best memory you have?

[Tony G]

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]

[ncmurray]

What a lovely story[msnsmile]

Nuala

[redsandy]

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.

[MarkJan]

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!

[bjpointon]

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

[kateydoodles]

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

[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]

[randyj]

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.

[7165red]

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.

[Lyn]

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.