I have a horrible memory. The exception to this rule are the memories I’ve made with my family in Walt Disney World. The ability to look back and remember my first trip to Walt Disney World when I was only five years old is sort of a miracle for someone with as bad of a memory as I have, but I think it is for this reason that I love the Disney parks so much. Being able to evoke memories with my brothers and parents from such a young age has created a strong bond to the parks for myself.
Considering I cannot remember what I ate for dinner two nights ago, but that I can remember being with my mom as my older brothers did rider switch outside of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad with my dad is a marvel to me in many ways. Like my memory from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad what I have found interesting is that a majority of my early Disney memories come from the Magic Kingdom. To this day the Magic Kingdom is my favorite park for this reason. It might be funny but waiting in many of the lines in the Magic Kingdom are what I remember best. For instance, I remember standing in the hot Florida sun waiting for Dumbo the Flying Elephant before the attraction moved to Storybook Circus, but I don’t remember actually riding the ride until I was much older.
My second visit to Walt Disney World was when I was six years old, which happened to coincide with the 25th Anniversary. Who could forget the birthday cake castle? As outrageous and ugly as the castle was for the 25th Anniversary I am so happy they made it so outlandish because it is the first memory I have of the castle and the absurdity of the castle looking like a birthday cake is what has ingrained it into my mind.
Sometimes the Disney parks memories are even one that I didn’t enjoy at the time. Waiting for an elevator in the basement of the Tower of Terror still ranks possibly the second most scared that I’ve ever been. I remember standing as close to my dad as I could waiting in line. If I am remembering correctly the basement of the Tower of Terror scared me more than the ride did. I remember being petrified of Snow White’s Scary Adventure. The first time the Evil Witch turns around ranks as the most I’ve ever been scared in my life. It seems silly now, but I’m glad looking back that these rides made such an impact even if it was because they scared me to death.
So what memories of the Disney parks do you have from when you were young? I’d love to read the memories that sparked your Disney fandom!
