My First Trip to Walt Disney World (His)

In the Fall of 1986 my uncle Zayne succumbed to skin Cancer and passed away. He was an amazing man; love able and kind to all that crossed his path. I was only 7 or 8 when he died, but I remember it was the first time I saw my father cry. We had a family get together with Zayne shortly before he passed away and my father was sick and couldn't attend. He loved Zayne and he didn't get a chance to say goodbye.  My maternal Grandmother, to help the family heal our wounds, organized a family wife trip (all 14 of us) to Disney World.  In the Spring of 1987 we boarded a plane at the Bradley International Airport outside of Hartford, Connecticut and flew to Orlando. For my sister and I this was our first plane ride, and really our first trip outside of New England. We were excited to say the least.
I remember seeing the Palm Tress along the runway in Orlando and thinking I had landed in paradise.

In 1987 there was limited accommodations on Disney property so we stayed in Kissimmee at a hotel called, 'Wilson World'. As an 8 year old I remember thinking this was the coolest Hotel I had ever seen (quite frankly it may have been my first hotel ever). To the adults they were excited because there was a free shuttle to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT (the only two theme parks open at that time). I vaguely remember being shuttled from place to place to board the shuttle and prepare to enter the Magic Kingdom. As an eight year old I don't think I truly understood the significance of the Opening Ceremony and the welcome music as it greeted us. There were 14 of us there and I remembered we all tried to do everything together. You can imagine there was a lot of standing around and waiting for so and so to get out of the gift shop; or for so and so to use the restroom. It allowed me to really take it in and appreciate what I saw. I saw writing on the windows of Main Street and careful and decorative bricks laid on the sidewalk. My 8 year old self saw finite detail and care into everything that was there.

At the time I didn't understand what I was seeing; or even the impact it would have on me. As a 37 year old I don't remember the experiences of that trip. I remember how it felt to see these sights for the first time. I remember seeing the Epcot ball (Spaceship Earth) for the first time and being absolutely amazed. I vividly recall my father's reaction as well; one of wonder and fantasy. He taught me in those moments to appreciate the wonderful and magical things we see. Disney was that for me.

The trip was born out of a sad time for my family. It was meant to heal us; to help us move on in any way we could. Perhaps that is why I have found a profound love of Disney World to this day? Perhaps Disney World provided a welcome magical distraction during a rough moment? Or perhaps Disney is just a special place for me. I recall my Father on the car ride home from the airport talking about how we would return as just our immediate family. He was in love too. And return we did---5 more times before I graduated college. Each time a more special time for our family.

Since 1987 I have been back to Disney dozens and dozens of times. I have enjoyed sharing them with my family. I had the great experience of introducing Disney to my wife; who immediately fell in love with Walt's vision. I was also blessed to be able to bring my little girl (just one year old) to Walt Disney World. She met Winnie the Pooh and screeched  in laughter and delight. In that moment, holding her in my arms, I thought of my uncle Zayne and of my father.