Padders,

This morning October 09, 2008 I awoke to the thought that 39 years ago this very day at 10:00 AM (give or take a few minutes) a 10 year old boy walked through the gates of something called the Magic Kingdom.

This event sparked a lifelong adoration of all things Walt Disney World. I had grown up watching the Wonderful World of Color, Disney ect. (yes I have the themes on my iPod) and reruns of the Original Mickey Mouse Club. I only wish that in 1971 I had a camcorder, digital camera or anything other than the old Kodak 126 box camera we owned. The memories are strong this morning as many things have come and gone since that day, four of the seven people with us that day have passed as well as many of the attractions from that day. I have never regretted my feeling towards WDW and today they are as strong as ever. I have well in excess of 250 visits over the years and hope to squeeze in another 250 in the near future.

So to all the Padders there now, the ones on their way, or simply there in their heads this morning........

Are we all neat and pretty?????

Kungaloosh!
Don
choearfan1@gmail.com

:D

I love that you know the first day you walked through those gates -- had kind of a crummy start to the day and this just has me smiling - thanks!

Here's to all us "nuts" :D

(I think I'll put some park music on!)

I feel all warm and fuzzy now - thanks for brightening up my day.;)

I thought WDW opened in 1971?

I love what you wrote. Thanks for sharing it with us. :)

I walked thru the gates April 25, 1994 for the first time. ;)

I thought WDW opened in 1971?



Um good brain Mrs. Grumpy;) yeah, I'm only 37 and I was born in 71.;)
And where I've never been to WDW, I do remember my first trip to DL at 3 1/2 and I have loved it ever since.:D

I humbly apologise...I stink at math and I am a worse typist...your right gang. I got the day and year right just blew the rest of it. Please don't think I am a horrible person, just a horrible mathmatician. you should see me try to work an ATM!
Don

No worries ;)

I probably would not have caught it, except I am 39 years old, and know that I am older than WDW. :geek:

So it was 37 years ago today, and the rest of your post still stands, right? :)

No worries ;)

I probably would not have caught it, except I am 39 years old, and know that I am older than WDW. :geek:

So it was 37 years ago today, and the rest of your post still stands, right? :)

Yes rest of post is correct...however I am not a "felll on the day" guy, I go by date.

You guys crack me up. My DH says I can't add or subtract either!

I'm 39 (well, will be soon), and went to WDW in 1975. I have a picture of my mom, dad, and me outside Adventureland. Fast forward to 2005, and there's a picture of me and my two sons outside the same Adventureland sign (well, I THINK it's the same sign.....). It's one of my greatest WDW memories!!

My first trip was in 71 as well. I lived in Orlando growing up, and one weekend day, out of the blue, my uncle Greg pulled up to our house and announced that he was taking us to Walt Disney World. My most vivid memory at age 7 was how frightened I was of the Haunted Mansion! It's funny though, those two moments, Greg pulling up and the Haunted Mansion, are my only two memories of that day. Go figure.

Funny same problem with the HM...scared the daylights out of me. I didn't have an Uncle but I remember my folks getting me out of school early to drive up to Orlando. They told me it was to visit the Rents. And I vividly remember dad STILL not driving with the A/C on. It amazes me after all those years of having my hearing battered in the car I am not deaf. Since age 16 I still refuse to drive with the windows down!