What is your "I have arrived" moment?

supernova · 03-31-2010, 11:52 AM

I'm sure this has probably been covered before, but I was wondering what everyone's "I'm here!" moment is for them? That exact moment when you realize, "Wow, I'm at Disney!"

For me, the airport monorail from the plane to my bag (plus the heat) helps me to get psyched. But it's walking into the Wilderness Lodge lobby to check in, and hearing the background music with the horn call (wish I knew exactly what song it was) that lets me know, "Yes, I have arrived".

So, what's yours?

lilo88 · 03-31-2010, 01:00 PM

When we drive under the WDW sign off of I-4 is kinda my i have arrived moment but I'd have to say I get so excited when we walk through the train station and around the bend to see the castle is my moment!

1 small world · 03-31-2010, 01:31 PM

Por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas

does it every time!

TTAfanatic · 03-31-2010, 01:36 PM

The last trip it really hit me was when we were on a boat going from Riverside to DTD after we checked in.

tlud67 · 03-31-2010, 01:45 PM

I think mine would be when someone tells me to "Have a magical day!"

Dizisit · 03-31-2010, 02:43 PM

The very second the main gear hits the runway at MCO, mostly...!

But I can also highly relate, in that respect, to the Castle reveal and the boat trip to DTD from POR, too!

mickeyspal! · 03-31-2010, 02:47 PM

For me it's when I see the magical express bus to take me to our resort. I think for my husband it's when we walk into MK for the first time and he hears the train whistle. The train is always our first ride of our vacation. He suddenly turns into a five year old! Love it!

supernova · 03-31-2010, 04:59 PM

Love reading your examples, everyone. Thanks for filling in the thread and sharing your stories. Keep 'em coming!

Born 2B Grumpy · 03-31-2010, 05:10 PM

When we check into the resort and the cast member says that our room is ready.

supernova · 03-31-2010, 05:15 PM

Just hope you're not DVC... that whole "your room will be ready at 4pm" thing kills me!

emabee · 03-31-2010, 06:33 PM

For me, it's when we pull up to the guard at the gate to Pop and he checks our reservation information and lets us through. Man, oh man. It's real then!

WDWtraveler46 · 03-31-2010, 06:46 PM

For me, it's when I get on the plane to come out and start listening to Lou's podcasts or the Audio Guides.

supernova · 03-31-2010, 07:00 PM

Who's Lou?

Disney's Folly · 03-31-2010, 07:37 PM

Oh there are so many layers of this one. As an adult, it probably is moreso about shedding all the stress of arrival and finally getting to embrace the reality of vacation. As short a flight as it is from Newark to Orlando, sometimes the experience of driving to Newark, inevitable delay, then flight, then shuttling towards WDW, and then checking in can take its toll. It's been five years since my last visit though so when I return this October, i think i'll appreciate it like the kid in me used to...

....and that was that first site of something iconic. In the '80s, there were only a few iconic structures to be seen from the highways. Now there are more. So for me, it's that first view of Spaceship Earth, Tower of Terror, or one of the hotels looming over the trees. Or even seeing the castle in the far distance while pulling up to one of the monorail loop hotels. So much of Disney to me is that iconic, architectural lure...so I truly don't feel like "I have arrived" until I've laid eyes on a wienie

Shameless plug: I tried to cover this on my blog because i feel like it's such a huge moment:

Disney's Folly: Mickey Mouse Watchtower: Gateways and Kingdoms

Disney05 · 03-31-2010, 07:56 PM

I can't decide if it's the monorail trip at MCO or walking into the lobby to check in at a Disney resort.

03-31-2010, 11:52 AM	#1
supernova Premium Annual Passholder Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Staten Island, NYC Posts: 5,224	What is your "I have arrived" moment? I'm sure this has probably been covered before, but I was wondering what everyone's "I'm here!" moment is for them? That exact moment when you realize, "Wow, I'm at Disney!" For me, the airport monorail from the plane to my bag (plus the heat) helps me to get psyched. But it's walking into the Wilderness Lodge lobby to check in, and hearing the background music with the horn call (wish I knew exactly what song it was) that lets me know, "Yes, I have arrived". So, what's yours? __________________ RIP Dad 3/31/43 - 4/7/10

03-31-2010, 01:00 PM	#2
lilo88 DisneyWorldTrivia.com Lifetime Pass Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Eureka, MO Posts: 13,939	Re: What is your "I have arrived" moment? When we drive under the WDW sign off of I-4 is kinda my i have arrived moment but I'd have to say I get so excited when we walk through the train station and around the bend to see the castle is my moment! __________________ Tiffany~ºoº ~ D23 member Sufferer of Disney Vacation Depression 97'~French Quarter, 99'~CBR, 01'~Movies, 03'~Music/PORriverside/DCL, 05'~POP, 06'~Movies, 08'~Movies, 09'~Disneyland/ Embassy Suites Irvine/ 10'~Music

03-31-2010, 01:31 PM	#3
1 small world C-Ticket Holder Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 116	Re: What is your "I have arrived" moment? Por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas does it every time!

03-31-2010, 01:36 PM	#4
TTAfanatic E-Ticket Holder Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: 892 Miles from Pop Century Posts: 322	Re: What is your "I have arrived" moment? The last trip it really hit me was when we were on a boat going from Riverside to DTD after we checked in. __________________ 2001 - Caribbean Beach 2008 - Pop Century 2010 - Port Orleans Riverside www.twitter.com/nickphillips97 I proudly support The FairTax! www.FairTax.org

03-31-2010, 01:45 PM	#5
tlud67 A-Ticket holder Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: about 1207 miles away from WDW Posts: 28	Re: What is your "I have arrived" moment? I think mine would be when someone tells me to "Have a magical day!" __________________ I am a Deek! A disney Geek!

03-31-2010, 02:43 PM	#6
Dizisit Magic-creating Disney Store CM, and Imagineer at heart...!!! Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Austin, Texas Autopia Posts: 15,374	Re: What is your "I have arrived" moment? The very second the main gear hits the runway at MCO, mostly...! But I can also highly relate, in that respect, to the Castle reveal and the boat trip to DTD from POR, too!

03-31-2010, 02:47 PM	#7
mickeyspal! A-Ticket holder Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: JERSEY SHORE Posts: 30	Re: What is your "I have arrived" moment? For me it's when I see the magical express bus to take me to our resort. I think for my husband it's when we walk into MK for the first time and he hears the train whistle. The train is always our first ride of our vacation. He suddenly turns into a five year old! Love it! __________________

03-31-2010, 04:59 PM	#8
supernova Premium Annual Passholder Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Staten Island, NYC Posts: 5,224	Re: What is your "I have arrived" moment? Love reading your examples, everyone. Thanks for filling in the thread and sharing your stories. Keep 'em coming! __________________ RIP Dad 3/31/43 - 4/7/10

03-31-2010, 05:10 PM	#9
Born 2B Grumpy C-Ticket Holder Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 135	Re: What is your "I have arrived" moment? When we check into the resort and the cast member says that our room is ready. __________________ ~ MickeyBabe's Better Half Running Goofy again in 2013!!

03-31-2010, 05:15 PM	#10
supernova Premium Annual Passholder Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Staten Island, NYC Posts: 5,224	Re: What is your "I have arrived" moment? Just hope you're not DVC... that whole "your room will be ready at 4pm" thing kills me! __________________ RIP Dad 3/31/43 - 4/7/10

03-31-2010, 06:33 PM	#11
emabee Not too much longer til I'm in the World again!!! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mississippi Posts: 7,447	Re: What is your "I have arrived" moment? For me, it's when we pull up to the guard at the gate to Pop and he checks our reservation information and lets us through. Man, oh man. It's real then! __________________ http://pinefrog.com/DWT/vana.htm Disney things I love: The Capt'n: Pirates: Magic Kingdom: All things Alice:

03-31-2010, 06:46 PM	#12
WDWtraveler46 C-Ticket Holder Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 183	Re: What is your "I have arrived" moment? For me, it's when I get on the plane to come out and start listening to Lou's podcasts or the Audio Guides. __________________ Disneyland Trips - 1976-2005 - Too many (or not enough) to count! Disneyland Annual Passholder - 1998-1999 2005 - WDW Offsite 2007 - Port Orleans FQ 2008 - Coronado Springs Feb. 2009 - Disneyland(We celebrated Jacque's b-day.) Sept. 2009 - DCL and Coronado Springs (Just can't get enough of the magic!) Mar. 2010 - Disney's California Adventure and Disneyland Oct. 2010 - Disney's California Adventure and Disneyland (Including Mickey's Halloween Party) Feb. 2011 - POFQ and the WDW Radio Cruise "The way to get started is to quit talking and start doing." - Walt Disney Read about my 2008 WDW Trip Plans and now my Post Trip Report: http://www.wdwradio.com/forums/trip-...ip-report.html Read about Eric & Jacque's 2011 vacation to Walt Disney World and on Lou's Cruise (Deck 7 Cool Kids!) at The Disney Hub Visit my Disney site: The Disney Hub Follow me and The Disney Hub on Twitter: @disneyhub Like The Disney Hub on facebook: The Disney Hub Facebook Page Friend me up on facebook: Eric Steinmetz on Facebook Join the Deck 7 neighbors facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gi...6457502&ref=nf Deposit on the WDW Cruise:$400.00 Going on a trip to WDW and cruise with my wife: Priceless!!! Going on a trip to WDW and a Cruise with my wife and our Disney Friends (And Box People):Absolutely Priceless!!! Going on a trip to WDW and a Cruise with my wife, our Disney Friends (And Box People), and with my family:Extremely Priceless!!!!

03-31-2010, 07:00 PM	#13
supernova Premium Annual Passholder Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Staten Island, NYC Posts: 5,224	Re: What is your "I have arrived" moment? Who's Lou? __________________ RIP Dad 3/31/43 - 4/7/10

03-31-2010, 07:37 PM	#14
Disney's Folly C-Ticket Holder Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 124	Re: What is your "I have arrived" moment? Oh there are so many layers of this one. As an adult, it probably is moreso about shedding all the stress of arrival and finally getting to embrace the reality of vacation. As short a flight as it is from Newark to Orlando, sometimes the experience of driving to Newark, inevitable delay, then flight, then shuttling towards WDW, and then checking in can take its toll. It's been five years since my last visit though so when I return this October, i think i'll appreciate it like the kid in me used to... ....and that was that first site of something iconic. In the '80s, there were only a few iconic structures to be seen from the highways. Now there are more. So for me, it's that first view of Spaceship Earth, Tower of Terror, or one of the hotels looming over the trees. Or even seeing the castle in the far distance while pulling up to one of the monorail loop hotels. So much of Disney to me is that iconic, architectural lure...so I truly don't feel like "I have arrived" until I've laid eyes on a wienie Shameless plug: I tried to cover this on my blog because i feel like it's such a huge moment: Disney's Folly: Mickey Mouse Watchtower: Gateways and Kingdoms __________________ www.DisneysFolly.com

03-31-2010, 07:56 PM	#15
Disney05 Off to Neverland! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,447	Re: What is your "I have arrived" moment? I can't decide if it's the monorail trip at MCO or walking into the lobby to check in at a Disney resort. __________________ When you wish upon a star..... LAUGHTER IS TIMELESS, IMAGINATION HAS NO AGE AND DREAMS ARE FOREVER. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway. WD ...That's the real trouble with the world. Too many people grow up. WD "For those who get it, no explanation is necessary. For those who don't, no explanation will do." http://wdwhomesick.wordpress.com/

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