Porkchop's Disney History

I wouldn't really say that I'm in love with all things Disney, but I do love Walt Disney World. It's hard to explain to someone who has never been. Those who ignore all the "magic" and gut-wrenching sentiment and view the Disney Company only as a evil money grinding empire, usually don't understand.

Looking back on my childhood, I'd say I was pretty fortunate in that I got to go to Disney World at least a half dozen times. My family didn't celebrate most holidays, so all the money that would've otherwise gone toward Christmas and birthday presents often went toward family vacations. It helped that my grandparents wintered around Naples, Florida. The long drive down to visit them would usually be broken up by a day or two at "The World".

We never stayed in one of the Disney Resorts. Back then, they didn't have any "value resorts", and even if they had, I doubt my parents could have afforded them. With three kids and a tight budget, we were happy enough to end up at a budget motel somewhere along the gaudy strip outside Disney. My dad would usually get our park tickets at one of those overadvertised discount vendors along the highway. I still don't know how my parents did it. I didn't fully appreciate it at the time.

I have a notoriously poor memory and only remember bits and pieces from those early trips. The most exciting part for me was driving from the hotel to the parks on the first day. As soon as we crossed under the signs welcoming us to Walt Disney World, everything seemed different somehow. The air smelled different. Everything was cleaner. I think the sun might have even shone a little brighter. I remember hurdling through Space Mountain, and plunging down Splash Mountain for the first time. I remember the dazzling Captain EO and visiting a boring MGM right after it first opened.

My last family trip to WDW was my freshman year of college. I was 18, grumbly, irritated with my little brother, and too cool for Disney. I wouldn't return to Walt Disney World for another seven years.

My older brother started his own tradition of Disney trips as soon as his daughter was old enough to realize what was going on. In the spring of 2005, I was invited to accompany his family on their annual Disney vacation. Never mind the fact that I was in my last semester of graduate school, broke and frantically trying to finish work for my MFA exhibition. It would be my longest Disney trip ever and my first opportunity to stay at a REAL Disney Resort. There's no way I was missing that!

Needless to say, the trip was incredible and I was thrilled with my stay at the fantastic POP Century hotel. As soon as I returned, I began a full fledged campaign for my return to Disney. It took a lot of whining and moaning and groaning and sighing and pining and convincing and saving and planning and waiting... but I am now just two weeks removed from my 2007 Disney Vacation.