Great Days in a Disney Vacation

[MrPeetrie]

We all know the entire Disney vacation is a series of great days. But some are just a bit "greater" than others. And some are before you even arrive. Here are a few of mine:

• Booking your Vacation! It's official! You have a confirmation number and everything. Now it's time to plan. That's a great day.
• Getting that dinner reservation you really want. You've waited by the phone and at 7:00 a.m, you called and got the Cinderella Royal Breakfast! Wow!
• The day before you leave. That's such an exciting day. I usually schedule a half day at work so I can finish all the preparations. Then, the whole family goes shopping for "things we'll need on vacation." This is my wife and DD8's favorite shopping day because "Dad-o is too excited to say 'No.'"
• Arrival Day! You're here! Yeah!!!
• The first FULL DAY ON PROPERTY. Now, the vacation can fully begin. The whole trip lies ahead.
• The first time you see each park's "weenie" on the trip. It's like seeing a long-lost relative when you see Cinderella's Castle, the Epcot Ball, Sorcerer Mickey's Hat, or The Tree of Life the first time each trip.
• The Big Event. Maybe it was MVMCP. Or Dinner reservations at Le Cellier. Whatever it is. You've been looking forward to it since you booked your trip and now it's here. I hope you brought film.
• Your "wing it" Day. You didn't have any reservations. You didn't have any preconceived ideas about what you were doing on this day. Your plan was to wake up on Disney property and go wherever you wanted. Wing it.

[dizne4me]

You are so right! I love everything on the list.
And seeing the park for the first time each trip --it's so special.

[PrettyMinnie]

I love the list! Especially the Disney shopping except it's just me that can't say "no" to myself! I would also the magical moments that only really happen at Disney like when your luggage magically arrives in your room from ME or the first time meeting characters. There are so many magical moments and memories I have that can only be found at Disney! Nothing like it!

[cer]

Great list!

I am going to also add first ride on the monorail or ferry. Love it!

[eam]

And,

The first time you hear:
"Have a Magical Day!"
"Welcome Home"

Great thread.

[darthmacho]

Great thread! Of course, as you say, all WDW days are Great Days, but there are certainly some days that stand out, and here are mine, and why:

WDW Days:

• Arrival Day: Don't love the travel, but by gosh, you're finally back in WDW! I love to explore the home resort on this day, and the whole trip is still ahead, so this truly is a special day indeed.
• First Park Day: It's got to be MK, and the new tradition is to eat at Crystal Palace for breakfast and get into the park early, so that you can get on all of your favorite rides before the crowds get big.
• Parade Day: Not even really a fan of parades in general, but WDW parades are different. So far, each of my trips has had a big parade to highlight the entire WDW experience, whether MSEP, Spectro, or the Millenium Parade. This past trip was MSEP, which my kids saw for the first time ever, and loved!

Home Days:

• Booking Day - The day you've confirmed that, yes, this is going to happen!
• ADR Day - You've got those dining reservations you've been planning for weeks, maybe even months, and now you're all set!
• Photo Day - You've got you're pictures. I like them best once they're already in the albums...I want to look at mine right now!

[wdwluv]

I agree! great list! and the monorail trip would be on my list as well!

I don't remember ever doing the Ferry! I should make that must do on my next trip!

[cuteduck223]

On arrival day, passing through the property gates with the big Walt Disney world. Its like suddenly even the air changes.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

I pretty much agree with all you said..

1. Booking trip-It makes it real
2. Making ADRs-Its great when you get all you want.
3. Arrival Day-I get chill bumps when we see that Disneyworld sign and then pull up at our resort.
4. The first day at MK-I love all the parks, but there is just something special about walking in and seeing that castle.

[twinboyz]

Great Post! Just reading thru it put a smile on my face and made all those feelings come to mind.

For me there there is no topping walking down Main Street in the morning. We are usually running to our first destination, but this year i want to walk slow hand-in-hand with my loved one and take it all in.

[MarkC]

I'm not saying its half the fun but its exciting....

Booking the airfare
Making resort reservations
Making ADR's

Driving under the welcome sign
Checking into your resort
Seeing Spaceship Earth
Walking down Main Street
Seeing the smile on my own face (yes, I'm that happy)

[PETE FROM NYC]

Boy! How I hate posts like this. We are not returning to The World for another 16 months. But I am always planning our next trip, no matter how far off it is. Stuff like who is coming with us, what events we want to see, where we want to try to get ADRs for.
If anticipation was fatal, I would have died years ago.

[crltkcagle]

How's about making that final payment on your trip? LOL Thats a great feeling for us.

[Dopey's Girl]

Great list!

I'm currently enjoying the day before I leave day. I took the whole day off though :0)

[teamblackwell]

For me, its when the airplane door shuts, and you feel the plane jerk backwards so it can taxi down the runway. Then you KNOW your trip is happening and nothing can stop it.

[LVT]

Lovely list. I will include scanning this site for tips from like-minded individuals. A treasure trove.

[MrPeetrie]

For me, its when the airplane door shuts, and you feel the plane jerk backwards so it can taxi down the runway. Then you KNOW your trip is happening and nothing can stop it.

I LOVE this time of the trip.

[Disney-4-Me]

At some point on every trip I look at the castle and I tear up. It just seems so magical!

[jaredkari]

This is a great topic. Of course right after we book our trip we pull out all of our WDW videos (ones we have made and tour videos).

I love the first time you get on the Disney Transport to the park and the first time you hear the announcements.

Also we usually come in off of I-4 by downtown disney and turning left onto property and seeing the sign. Usually have "When you Wish Upon a Star" blaring on the car stereo!!! I LOVE IT!!!!

[ransam]

I love this thread.

so many days before the vacation are fun.
I love the day buying the BIrmham book.
Booking reservations.
I have a countdown calender, and when it's 200, 150, 100 days it's always exciting. then i count down every 25 days, 75, 50, 25.....then down from 10. each day of the countdown mark, i listen to disney music in my office.

the last day i work before i leave, is so exciting, but nothing gets done.

getting on the Magical Express and the movie starts.

I remember one night we din't get in until really late...got to the POP, and then just went to bed. i remember thinking how excited i was that when i work up, it would be the start of my disney vacation.

the first site of the castle, planet earth always brings chills.