Charlie Froebe doesn’t need convincing that Disney Parks are the most magical — and happiest — places on earth.
Bonnie and Charlie with Piglet in 2009
The 84-year-old Carman resident has taken 22 Disney trips in his lifetime, stepping foot in parks across California, Florida, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Paris. Soon, he’ll embark on his 23rd adventure, this time returning to Walt Disney World.
“Some people think Disney is just for kids,” Froebe said. “Me? I’m just a big kid who never grew up.”
From his first visit to Disneyland in California in 1971 to his most recent adventures at Walt Disney World in Florida, no trip has ever felt too big — or too small — for Froebe. He even remembers sitting in his grandmother’s house when Walt Disney officially announced the construction of Walt Disney World. Almost instantly, chaos followed as property values around Disney’s pre-purchased land skyrocketed.
When asked what keeps drawing him back time and time again, Froebe’s answer was simple: pure enjoyment.
“I just love it there,” he said. “The rides, the people, the atmosphere — there’s so much to enjoy when you truly immerse yourself in the magic of Disney.”
Funded by his earnings as a retired farmer and founder of the Canola Cash Advance, Froebe’s trips bring home far more than souvenirs. They’re filled with decades of shared memories with his family. He frequently visited the parks with his children, grandchildren and his late wife, Bonnie, cherishing every moment spent together.
While no single memory stands out as his favourite, Froebe especially values the chance to meet and talk with Cast Members — Disney’s term for employees — and fellow parkgoers from around the world.
“I’d start by asking where they’re from and go from there,” he said. “You learn so much about people and their cultures just by waiting in line. The rides are lovely, but that’s not why I go. I go for the whole Disney experience.”
Froebe has visited every Disney park in the world except Shanghai, which opened in 2016. While he’d love to see it one day, the long travel time has led him to focus his trips closer to home.
Of the five destinations he’s explored, his favourite was an easy decision.
“Disney World takes the cake,” he said.
He loves the feeling of entering a fully immersive world. At Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom stands out most because it was the original park and always brings back cherished memories. Animal Kingdom, however, holds a special place in his heart as a park unlike any other.
Froebe always stays on Disney property to take advantage of early park entry and complimentary transportation.
Before Bonnie passed away, the couple checked off a major bucket-list item: staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge with a savanna-view room. Each morning, they’d wake to giraffes outside their balcony and watch animals roam the savanna at sunset. That hotel remains Froebe’s favourite, carrying deep sentimental meaning.
Their Disney must-dos included riding Pirates of the Caribbean, getting completely soaked on Kali River Rapids and meeting Mickey Mouse. One attraction Froebe will always skip, however, is Space Mountain.
“I rode it once, and that was enough for me,” he said. “It was absolutely terrifying. Being in the dark and not knowing what was coming next, I knew I didn’t need to try that again.”
Over the years, Froebe has seen many changes to the Disney Parks. The biggest — and most disappointing, he says — has been the shift in Cast Member dedication.
“It used to be an honour to work for the parks,” he said. “Now it feels like just another everyday job. The magic isn’t quite the same as it was in the early days.”
One thing that hasn’t changed is his pre-trip planning routine. Before packing his suitcase and heading out, Froebe always orders the latest edition of Steve Birnbaum’s Disney guides.
“Steve’s been doing this a long time,” Froebe said. “He always has the tips and tricks down.”
Beyond reading Birnbaum’s book and planning flights and accommodations, Froebe prefers not to follow a rigid itinerary. Instead, he enjoys wandering the parks, striking up conversations and letting experiences unfold naturally.
With no plans to slow down anytime soon, Froebe encourages hesitant travellers to take the leap.
“If you have an adventurous soul — just do it,” he said. “There’s nothing else like it on this earth. You can’t describe Disney magic — you have to experience it. It’s the place to go when you need to forget your worries. It truly is the happiest place on earth.”
