3. There’s more to Walt Disney World than 4 theme parks
For most people, a lifelong love of Walt Disney World often starts with a single attraction. Whether it’s a ride, parade, fireworks show or something completely different, most kids who grew up going to Walt Disney World can trace their lifelong love of Disney parks back to a single attraction or even just a moment that changed their life forever.
However, though it may have been Space Mountain or Pirates of the Caribbean that first sparked a child's imagination and love of Disney, most kids who grew up at Walt Disney World quickly expand their horizons well beyond the resort's 4 gates, often exploring the various restaurants, resorts and even shopping areas that Walt Disney World offers. Kids who grew up here know which hotels have the best gift shops, where to go for speedy quick service dining after a long day at the park, and can even spend an afternoon playing mini-golf near the Swan and Dolphin hotels.
4. Height restrictions are milestones
Parents celebrate plenty of milestones for their children. First steps, first words and of course birthdays are all cause for celebration for most families. However, can you imagine throwing a party when your child hit the height requirement for Test Track? Kids who grew up at Disney parks (and their parents) always see the next height restriction as a new challenge to be conquered, and parents often celebrate each newly met hight restriction as an important milestone, often commemorating the event with a trip to a Disney park (naturally!).
Of course, Disney knows how important these milestone moments are too, and if you've ever been to Star Tours with a child who doesn't quite meet the height restriction yet, make sure you talk to a nearby Cast Member. They'll make sure that you're equipped so that when the time comes, your little ones' first flight will be the most amazing thing ever.
5. The magic lasts a lifetime
Pretty much every guest at Walt Disney World has been touched by Disney magic in one way or another. However, kids that have been fortunate enough to grow up at Walt Disney World have a unique connection to that Disney magic. These kids have grown up calling Mickey and Minnie Mouse their friends, can recite Fantasmic! verbatim, and can articulate with detail what the Laughing Place is, and why it is pretty amazing.
Though Disney Magic isn't exactly quantifiable, it's obvious that these kids feel this phenomenon more keenly than most, and it influences every part of their lives as they grow into teenagers and eventually adults, helping them face all the challenges that life throws at them with faith, trust and of course a little sprinkling of pixie dust.
Did you grow up a Disney kid? How did experiencing the parks at such a young age and then again at different stages of your life affect you? Share your stories below, and don't forget to tell us if you are raising a Disney kid yourself!
Comments
My daughter grew up going to WDW ( DVC members)- went at least 2x a year pretty much. She did the Disney College Program and is not full time employed by Disney at Team Disney.
While I didn't make my first WDW trip until I was 34 yoa, I can live vicariously through my, NOW 17 YOA, daughter, who has grown up "Disney" right in front of my eyes!!! Growing up at WDW has impacted both our lives. Her's (a very talented artist), in that she hopes to one day be a Disney Imagineer / Animator. Mine, in that I'll "retire" and become a Cast Member.
My highschool crush became the man of my dreams. the dream lasted 18 years until we found each other again. we are now on our 15th year together. It was Disney that brought us together and made the dreams of love last. I have raised an artist that can draw anything Disney , & I also have a son who has been a cast member for 3 years. My baby is now looking to be a cast member soon. My house is a Disney showcase. I have a VHS collection of almost every Disney movie which I am now collecting the blu-ray versions to go along with it. I try to visit the parks at least once a year.
Well when I first came to Disney I was a mere 6 years old. At that time I fell in love with the Bus Transportation from the resorts to the parks. I have been told that I was the one that could find my way from park to resort and back again using Disney Transportation. I have seen the evolution of the Bus department thru the many times I have visited the resort. I visited about every 4-5 years. I have since become a Cast Member at Disney and guess what I started and stayed in the Bus department. It was a great honor to drive the buses that I rode on as a kid growing up. Now I see and work with the buses as we continue to get new equipment and move toward the future of the Bus Transportation around the Walt Disney Resort and beyond.