Five days after the park’s Oct. 25 dedication ceremony in the Magic Kingdom, Flagler College students traveled two hours south for a taste of the magic. As seen in an Oct. 22, 1971, print of The Gargoyle, the College’s first-ever “Disneyworld trip” was one of several coordinated student activities during that fall semester.
1970s | The first decade of Disney
1971 | Main Street U.S.A (Florida Memory archives)
Although the first Flagler Disney Trip was later in the semester, it quickly became a beginning-of-the-year tradition for the College.
“The trip was started to take advantage of being so close to Disney for students from out of state and to get as many new students [as possible] off campus while the returning students checked into the residence halls,” Former Chief Student Affairs Officer Dan Stewart (‘78) explained. “Classes typically started the next day!”
During his time as a student and through his more than 40 years as an employee with the College, Stewart had a front-row seat for the formation of many Flagler traditions like this one. He recalls Flagler’s early Student Government Association (SGA) stepping in after the first few years of the trip to coordinate class shirts for all students to wear at Disney.
Flagler College Trustee, Mitch Walk, was an early SGA member before graduating in 1979 (see left- in 3rd row of students). Walk went on the Disney Trip as a student in 1974, and fondly recalls being one of “the first” classes of freshman to visit the theme park.
1974 | Cinderella's Castle (Florida Memory archives)
Dan Stewart said a survey given to students who participated in one of the first trips to Disney asked if they’d been able to meet more Flagler students on the excursion.
“The reply soundly suggested the students did not [meet more peers] because there was no way to tell if people in line with you were part of the Flagler group,” he said. “The next year everyone was provided a T-shirt with a question or statement on the front and Flagler College branding on the back. It worked like a charm, suddenly more students answered the survey question positively about meeting other students.”
1976 | The Flagler College Gazette (FC Digital Archives)
In 1976, a front-page article of The Flagler College Gazette titled, “Students see ‘World” reported an outside “Young Life organization” sponsored the trip that year and sold tickets to Flagler students at $7 a piece. That year, 83 Flagler students “descended on the park expecting a good time, and they got it.” Space Mountain proved to be one of the students’ favorite rides, according to the article.
“A number of Flagler students had the chance to revert to their childhood because of the recent trip to Disney World; the greatest fantasy land in the country,” the article read. “There were some people who enjoyed the less terrifying rides, like Eileen Ferrell who said, ‘I didn't mind paying the $7.00 for the trip just to ride on Pirates of the Caribbean as many times as I wanted.’ Others had the same feelings as Wayne Graffius who said, ‘I had a great time. I enjoyed Disney World more because it wasn't so crowded.’”
1976 | Arial view of The Magic Kingdom
By the late 1970s, the Disney Trip had become a tradition tailored specifically to freshman.
“Orientation got under way Sept. 4 with the arrival of freshman and transfer students and continued throughout the week with guided tours, dorm meetings, consultation with faculty advisors, and social events,” a Sept. 30, 1977, Gargoyle article reported. “Included in the first week of activities was a trip to Walt Disney World for new students, not only giving them a chance to see more of Florida, but also the opportunity to meet other students.”
1979 | Alumna Diane Hornback Fisher
Following the 1979 Disney Trip, the Gargoyle published an article titled, “Students See Disney World.”
“New students enjoyed a day at Disney World as a part of their orientation to Flagler College,” the Sept. 14 article reported. “Travelling on chartered buses, 185 freshmen and transfer students left early Sept. 5. For many students it was their first introduction to the magical, mythical world of Walt Disney.”
Students like Diane Hornback Fisher on the 1979 trip still gravitated to attractions like Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean, but found other favorites like The Haunted House, The Hall of Presidents, and Country Bear Jamboree.
"If the example of cooperation, friendliness and appreciation shared among the students on the trip continues it should be a great year for participation in student activities," Former Director of Student Activities, Walter Shinn, told the Gargoyle.
1980s | A magical tradition flourishes
1981 | Disney World celebrates its 10th anniversary (Florida Memory archives)
The 1983 Disney Trip was featured in a packed line-up of an orientation schedule published by The Gargoyle on Sept. 3, 1983.
Excerpt:
Wednesday, September 7th (1983)
7:30- 8:30 a.m. | Breakfast
8:15 a.m. | Disney World Trip (board buses at Memorial Presbyterian Church)
1984 | Students pose with 'Pluto' on Disney Trip
Alumnus Austin Tosi ('88) is shown above (farthest to right) with his friends hoisting Pluto up for a group photo.
1989 | Alumna Lisa Wallenda Picard
"Such a great trip!!" Alumna Lisa Wallenda-Picard ('92) said. "Here's a pic from the trip in [1989]"
Although it can be harder for earlier alumni to uncover photos from their Disney Trips, one of Wallenda-Picard's Flagler peers, Tara Copeland, said this photo her college friend managed to hold onto over the years sparked fond memories.
1990s | Milestones and memories
Another alumna, Darlene Combs ('99), affirmed the kind of lifelong relationships that are forged on the trip with an anecdote of her and her husband's love story.
"[It's] going to be hard to find a photo of it, but my hubby and I met on the trip!" Combs said. "We were in line for Space Mountain! I have the cancelled check in a frame from paying for the trip! We met in 1995."
1995 Trip | Pictured in 1996 yearbook feature
“The annual freshman trip to Walt Disney World was a sell-out,” a 1996 yearbook feature read.
A construction crane can be faintly seen in the background of this yearbook photo, showing early stages of the Magic Kingdom's 25th anniversary transformation.
“... The Magic Kingdom was being transformed into a birthday wonderland with Cinderella’s castle undergoing a makeover into a gigantic pink and yellow birthday cake...”
1997 | Students with "birthday cake" castle behind
“Disney is celebrating its 25th anniversary,” The Gargoyle reported in coverage of 'SGA Events of the '97-'98 School Year'. “Cinderella’s castle is just a memory now, with its cake-like appearance. It returned to its normal look when the celebration ended Jan. 31, 1998.”
1997
“It was a hot and humid day Sept. 2, 1997, when the Class of 2001 went to Disney World,” the brief article read. “...It sure was a ‘small world after all’ with 27 states and several countries represented on this trip..."
Some freshmen wore t-shirts provided by SGA that said, "Class of 2001" on the front and "An Education Odyssey at Flagler College" on the back.
2000s | A tradition flourishes with the turn of the century
2003 | Students pose with Toy Story cast
Disney's Pixar Animation Studios were founded in 1986. In the following years, Disney saw a growth of characters and park attractions based on the popular animated films. Toy Story (1995) was the first Pixar film to be released. A Bug's Life (1998) followed, and Monster's Inc (2001) came shortly after.
2003 Disney Trip
Members of the Flagler College Dance team pose for group photo.
2010 - Present |
Scenes from the modern Disney Trip
The Flagler College Disney Trip has grown up alongside the iconic theme park. What started as an informal activity for students has blossomed into a beloved element of the Welcome Week for new students.
2010 Disney Trip
Alumna Kristi Nelson ('14) submitted this photo of her friend group riding on a carousel at Disney.
2014 | Students wear #BuildingMyLegacy trip t-shirts
2014 Disney Trip
Alumna Liz Browning ('18) discovered her friend group during the Disney Trip. She shared a memorable photo taken by one of her new friends that day (see right).
“I remember my friend taking this photo of me and that’s when they truly realized I was the extravert in the friend group,” Browning said.
2016 Disney Trip
Sloane Stephens ('20) and her friends pose in front of Cinderella's Castle (see left).
2019 | #BuildingMyLegacy shirts make another Disney debut
2019 | Orientation Leaders join the magic
2022 | Students boarding bus to Disney
2022 | Trip t-shirts feature "RoarUp!," orientation name
2023 | Students pose at Pirates of the Caribbean attraction
2023 | Students in front of Cinderella's Castle
