Just a curious thought, though I believe there is a right response. I am sure some of you will say enjoying a dole whip means you know you've arrived. Others may say it's a favorite ride or attraction. Perhaps it is posing with Mickey. Many feel it's simply walking up Main Street and seeing the castle again. However, I feel I have the correct answer. It is not officially Disney until...
you hear a kid crying.
What is it for you that says you have arrived?
The Magic Express ride! The video always makes me tear up!
January 2020 Trip Report - Riviera Resort
June 2019 Trip Report - Caribbean Beach & Saratoga Springs
October 2018 Trip Report - Contemporary Resort
July 2018 - All Star Movies
April 2018 Trip Report - Art of Animation
Jan 2018 Trip Report - Port Orleans Riverside and Animal Kingdom Lodge
Nov 2017 Trip Report - Boardwalk Villas
Feb 2017 Trip Report - Port Orleans French Quarter
Apr 2016 Trip Report - Pop Century
Dec 2015 Trip Report - All Star Sports & Saratoga Springs
Sept 2014 Trip Report - Coronado Springs
Oct 2012 Trip Report - Caribbean Beach Resort
The moment I'm standing next to the MCO monorail looking out the window at the Palm Trees 
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The Magic Express ride!
ditto
When I see the castle and cry.
Fun fact: this also occurs when the castle comes up before a Disney movie.
Fellow Americans, I hear your tambourines inside my head and that's no lie!
Yep, when I see the Castle. Usually from the ferry upon approach....a huge moment. Doesn't matter how many times I have been before. 
When we drive under the arches!
when we show our ID at the resort gatehouse....Yay we are finally there!!! 
Going under the arches and then walking down Mainstreet and seeing the Castle.
Going under the arches on the Magical Express. Gets me every time! Drinking a Dole Whip Float is when I let it all sink in. 
Driving under the arches or checking in at the resort...something about standing in the lobby makes me feel home!
Even late at night, at 60+ mph, and through a dirty windshield, this is what tells me I have arrived.
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When I get on line for magical express and it's 30 minute wait, I know I'm at Disney.
See my Disney Photography at...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rt_images/
DVC owner since 2002 BCV/BWV/BLT/VGC
Group picture at the entrance of MK!
oh, those arches....a SWEET sight. I wanna go now.
When I see the "Welcome to Walt Disney World" sign!
"There's a great big beautiful tomorrow just a dream away"
[url='http://www.mickeypath.com/']
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[url='http://www.mickeypath.com/']
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http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/karli-and-marks-honeymoon-pre-trip-report
http://www.facebook.com/KarliInWonderland - My Disney Facebook page with live updates while i'm in the parks!
I'm with the "arch" team. As soon as I pass under that arch, I've arrived!
Ahhhh, I love these!!
For me, it is definitely the Magical Express video. Makes me tear up like a baby every time, without fail. But it is also the getting on the ME bus part, as well as the entrance arch, getting onto the first bus to the first park, seeing the top of Spaceship Earth over the trees, and seeing the castle at the end of Main Street. I've got goosebumps right now! Come on 12 days, move it!
The moment I'm standing next to the MCO monorail looking out the window at the Palm Trees
Agreed
In the past I would've said it isn't officially Disney until I pass under the arches, but last trip we used Magical Express, and for me it was Disney as soon as I saw the ME counter and nice people in Disney uniforms directed me to my bus.
When I'm close enough to start seeing the signs telling me how to get to the resorts, and parks,.. then I'm good
Since our circumstances are a little different, our whole frame of mind and mood change as we pull out of the driveway, even though we are an hour away. Mike's whole body and mind relaxes as we start our drive. Once we pass the Haines City exit on I-4 we start the traditional debate of which park we are going to. Depending on who is with us, the decision can be difficult and now that all the teens have passes again, sometimes we split up if we can't agree. DS 18 got an AP for Christmas, and has been there w/o us a few times already!
Julie
Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust
I'm with the "arch" team. As soon as I pass under that arch, I've arrived!
DITTO!!! And I take that picture every trip! It never gets old. 
Driving under the arches
Becks and I have a tradition of calling or texting each other as we go under the arches. 1... 2... 3... Disney!
I'm with team arches. We live in Atlanta, so we always drive. Driving under the WDW arches makes me feel like I finally made it home...
First post here, perfect place to start
We are from Canada so it's the magic express, however the monorail counts as our first ride
Glad to have you! Stop over at the Introduce Yourself thread and tell us a little more about yourself.
Oh those arches.
I grew up in South Florida, and 97% of my WDW trips have been car trips.
I'm not always obsessive, but when I am, it's a Disney vacation.
When I see the Disney World Sign on the Magic Express. It makes my peepers damp.
Pi}{ie
Member of the ANRF Running Team. As a warrior of arthritis I encourage you to help us end this disease: http://www.active.com/donate/Racing4ACure/Run4Arthritis
The first time I hear, "...welcome home..." coming back to my resort from a park or Downtown Disney.
