How many parks when you started?

[Simba's Mom]

How many parks were there the first time you ever went to WDW? Watching the history of building the parks got me wondering. And this is my first attempt at a poll.

[carolina_yankee]

Fun question.

My first visit to WDW was in 1977 as a celebration for my mother earning her PhD. She got a great deal as a state employee on a 6 night/ 7 day package staying at the Contemporary. I'm pretty certain it included passes that let us on all the attractions even though the A-E tickets were still in use, because I don't remember messing with the little tickets.

I have no idea how we took a full week to tour one park without getting bored, but it was a packed week. We also visited River Country at Fort Wilderness - now late and lamented (but blown away by the new water parks).

Dirk

[TW1]

Just the three for me, though DW was at MK its opening year

Oops, I better make sure you all know I'm talking about opening year in FL not California, or I'll be sleeping on the couch tonight (again).

[nono]

One. I think it was what would become known as the Magic Kingdom. Back then, it was just Disneyworld. :p

Dirk, my first visit was in '77 too. We did River Country, Discovery (or was it Treasure) Island, and I remember a cruise one afternoon that was really fun around Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. Oh, and the Luau one night and Hoop Dee Do another. Sunday brunch at Top of the World. We were exhausted by the end of the trip!

[Stimpy]

1 here. My first visit was 1972, about 6 months after it opened. I was 2. We've been going atleast once a year since. :jumpingbe

[KNWVIKING]

Did Navy bootcamp in Orlando. Just before graduation, we were granted cinderella liberty with a couple options, WDW being the most popular. In '77, MK was only park.

The Navy had done away with the traditional "Cracker Jack" uniforms so we wore our Summer Whites which was basically white pants,white,button down,pressed collar shirt & our dress cap. People kept asking me where things were to which I kept replying "I don't know". This one woman sorta flipped out on me, wanting to know why I didn't know where some ride was. I asked her how on earth would I know. She replied "well, you work here, you should know". She seemed shocked when I told her I was in the Navy. Later in the day I realized why.... the sweep up guys in the park wore nearly an identical uniform. Ther belt was black-our white and their hat really looked nothing like our, but I guess people only see what they wanna see.

So after that, when people asked me where something was, I just made up an answer.

[pollymn]

It was also '77' for my first trip to WDW. I was traveling with my Dh on a work related trip, so only had one day but I fell head over heels in love with the place.
It's the only place we go on vacation:)
Polly

[athenna]

Just the MK. It was '79 and I was 8.

[Simba's Mom]

I was really surprised at the number of people here who've been going to WDW since there was only one park. No wonder everyone's so knowledgeable-lots of years/trips to gather knowledge. I'll bet everyone's seen so many changes! The biggest one I remember is when the characters used to wander around the parks, unaccompanied. And was "only" about 18 years ago. My first trip was as a parent in 1987, when there were 2 parks. After that, I tried to convince the rest of the family we had to go back "for the kids", but that excuse didn't last long!

[AFMom]

Did Navy bootcamp in Orlando. Just before graduation, we were granted cinderella liberty with a couple options, WDW being the most popular. In '77, MK was only park.

The Navy had done away with the traditional "Cracker Jack" uniforms so we wore our Summer Whites which was basically white pants,white,button down,pressed collar shirt & our dress cap. People kept asking me where things were to which I kept replying "I don't know". This one woman sorta flipped out on me, wanting to know why I didn't know where some ride was. I asked her how on earth would I know. She replied "well, you work here, you should know". She seemed shocked when I told her I was in the Navy. Later in the day I realized why.... the sweep up guys in the park wore nearly an identical uniform. Ther belt was black-our white and their hat really looked nothing like our, but I guess people only see what they wanna see.

So after that, when people asked me where something was, I just made up an answer.

:hahahaha: :hahahaha: :hahahaha:

[Colorado Belle]

I googed on the voting: shoulda been 1, but I said two. First visit to the World was May, 1978. It was so magical that I got engaged! I considered River Country 'a park' in addition to MK. Only spent a few days that first trip, but we sure weren't bored. I think having only one park gave you more time to enjoy the resorts, the restaurants and the luau and hoop de doo.


I remember when Epcot first opened and it was SOOOOOO HOT because all the trees were just little things offering no shade.

[DSNY FN]

I visited from West Palm Beach in 1978 during our trip to my grandparents trailer for March break we drove up for half a day it was cold and raining and miseable and my dad made it the worst time I have ever had so we only stayed for half the day and never returned till 1996 when Lisa and her parents took me down for a week. All there was in 78 was MK and the monorail and I vividly remember 20000 leagues under the sea I loved that thing.

[KNWVIKING]

...... and I vividly remember 20000 leagues under the sea ........

Yeah, me too. 18 yr old, 1000 miles away from Mayberry, sitting in my seat and what walks in front of me: A cross dressing drag queen. Went to church twice on Sunday & once on Wednesday night, and the first thing that pops in my head is : WTF.

[TW1]

Yeah, me too. 18 yr old, 1000 miles away from Mayberry, sitting in my seat and what walks in front of me: A cross dressing drag queen. Went to church twice on Sunday & once on Wednesday night, and the first thing that pops in my head is : WTF.
Did she ask the sailor boy to sit on her knee?

[idratherbeinwdw]

For me it was 1973. I drove to FL from NY with 3 friends in a VW pop-up camper and spent 2 days at WDW. Those were the days of ticket booklets, and the attractions having designations with letters, the best of course being the "E" ticket attractions.

Unfortunately the "special" brownies we ate before entering the park prevents me from have clear memories of my first trip. I DO remember thinking the singing trees in the Tiki Room were hysterical. When I went back again years later not having eaten any brownies, it was not nearly so funny..........:headscrat

[ghost1000]

My first trip was my honeymoon in September 1973.

We stayed at the Contemporary tower (MK view). As soon as we got to our room, my new husband ran over to the bed---and called his mother.

And that's one reason he's an EX-husband.

[Rozzie]

1975 the year of my birth. One park, and like everyone else, we stayed busy from sun up to sundown. We lived in Orlando during my early years, and would go quite often. My dad somehow always would get comped tickets as he climbed the corporate ladder. (does Disney even do such a thing now?) So we went often to say the least. Usually 5x a summer, and would stay at FW for weeks while Dad traveled.

Ahh. I tried to recreate that memory on this past trip. Uhhh. Nevermind, guess I'll add that to the monorail reports. ;)

[cobbler]

I want to say one but I voted 2. I have some pics of me watching a parade at Epcot and I am not exactly sure how old I was.

I was 5 when Epcot opened ('82 right?). And I do remember going when I was younger to both Epcot and MK.

But there was probably a trip before I can remember when it was just MK.

[KNWVIKING]

My first trip was my honeymoon .......... As soon as we got to our room, my new husband ran over to the bed---and called his mother.


Hope he wasn't calling for ..... instructions ?

[bzzelady]

I was in fifth grade when we went to visit my aunt and uncle in Winter Park...and my uncle gave us complimentary tickets to go to the World for the day.
I, like one of the previous posters, vividly remember 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.
Didn't make another journey until 1993 with my mom-boy, did things ever look different by then! Now you are hard pressed to be able to do the whole world in a week (but we certainly are going to give it a good effort this December!).

[Baltosam]

First trip was with my father, mother and brother not sure what year it was but MK was Disney World. EPCOT was under construction and you coud see the geo sphere partially constructed off in the distance. We stayed at the Poly and it was awsome. It was many years until I was able to return.

Next year thanks to my DVC membership, I am going to get a grand villa and my parents, my family and my brother's family are going to be there all together for the first time in around 30 years.

[carolina_yankee]

First trip was with my father, mother and brother not sure what year it was but MK was Disney World. EPCOT was under construction and you coud see the geo sphere partially constructed off in the distance.
I can only imagine how exciting it must have been to see that rise up on the horizon - something truly unique. Now, I almost take it for granted (even though it is my wallpaper).

Dirk

[kathleena]

My first visit was in the 80's, before MGM opened.

[Disneyracingfan]

My First trip was '76 I was 6 years old I still have a scrap book from the first couple of trips one has a ticket book from rides I wasn't old enough/ big enough to go on.......

[Jeneen]

My first trip to DisneyWorld was in 1981. My parents took me right before I started kindergarten. Only the MK was there but Epcot was being built.