As you can see from the photos, the tag line that is currently displayed at the entrance to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is “Let the Memories Begin.”  But for Benjamin and me, it is more like “Let the Memories Continue.”

During the first weekend in December 1986, I took my then 8 year old son to Walt Disney World for the first time.  A Florida business colleague had told me that the best time to visit WDW was between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  And at that time he was right.  The place was nearly empty.  We had the run of the place including re-riding some attractions without having to exit because of the lack of patrons waiting in line.

And then there was the technology at Epcot which, in 1986, was able to be ahead of what was available to the general consumer and easily wowed both him and me.  We spent much time exploring the Epcot exhibitions.

That trip had an enormous impact on Benjamin.  We have returned many times but have made a particular point to go there on each five year anniversary of that first experience, sometimes even repeating photo opportunities that were first recorded in 1986.

So earlier in December, Konnie and I headed to Orlando to celebrate with Benjamin and Fernanda the 25th anniversary of that first visit.  Benjamin went to work at Disney (as a presenter in a technology exhibition at Epcot) in 1999.  He moved on to other entertainment areas at WDW until returning to Denver to finish college.  After receiving his degree, he and Fernanda moved to Orlando to pursue their dreams.  They both went to work for Disney.  Benjamin in areas such public relations, website development, social media and the like and Fernanda in Travel Marketing.  Benjamin started his own strategic development firm last year with Disney now one of his clients and Fernanda is now the Latin America Marketing Director for Disney Destinations.

I hope you enjoy some of the photos of our life connected to Disney over the past 25 years.