One of the ways that Disney really accommodated us was by giving us the latest flight out of Orlando. On our departure day, our flight didn't leave until evening-so that we could have as much time as possible at Disney
I really wanted to spend the last little bit of time at the Magic Kingdom. It's always hard for me to leave and I knew that this time was going to be rough!
My goal was to find something unique and special that would always remind me of this experience. Up until this point, I hadn't had much luck...
When we get to the MK, Joey has a couple of places that he thinks we should go and look for a keepsake. We go into the first shop and I look around and I just don't find anything that makes me think..."That's it!!!"
We try another shop and nothing there either...Now mind you, there are many things that were beautiful and nice to look at, but nothing that just screamed, "I'm it!!!"
Finally, we get to the crystal shop...it's called Arribas...
I look in all the glass cabinets and while I find a lot there that I love...I was looking for something unique that was just for me. The kids and DH were occupied by the guy making glass creations, so I had plenty of time to look and think.
Finally, Joey comes over and says, "What about a picture frame?" I say, "Show me." We walk over and there are these really pretty glass frames that have Mickey and the castle etched into them with the words "Magic Kingdom"....HMMM
I'm thinking...
Joey suggests that we have something personal etched onto it that would make it a unique keepsake...
DH, who is listening at this point, starts giving suggestions...
OK...I'm liking it...
So we begin tossing around some phrases...
We come up with a personal message with our name and the date...
The guy that etches isn't there at the moment, so we go to lunch and come back...
As we return, he is just finishing up...
We are chitchatting with him, and Joey asks if he was there on Wednesday. He replies, "Yes, I etched your glass slipper"
Oh, Wow!!!
That made it perfect!!!
The really cool thing was as the lady was getting ready to ring it up, she begins to count words to price the etching. The guy steps over and asks, "We aren't charging her for the etching are we?" She replies, "Well, yeah"...He states, "No, we aren't..." He looks at me and says, "We want to do our part to make your trip special!"
AMAZING!!! These vendors are not Disney employees...so this isn't a
Disney store and he didn't have to do that! It was so kind and thoughtful. It really touched me!
It really was the perfect keepsake and it is something that I will treasure forever!
Unfortunately, time has run out! It's time to go and pick up the luggage, say our goodbyes, and head to the airport.
As I look down Main St. that one last time, I try to capture it all...until next time, I think to myself as that tear runs down my cheek. DS puts an arm around me and says, "It's OK, mom..." I know...but it's so hard to leave. My husband takes my hand and we walk out trying to process everything that's happened...
We get back to the resort, retrieve our luggage, say goodbye to Joey and Christi (Disney contact), and climb into the limo...I know it's silly, but I wave as we leave and start to cry.
We spend our time in the airport looking at the press and clips from the past week. As we touch down, just before midnight, in Cleveland...DS looks at me and says, "Well, it's official. We're pumpkins again!"
As we walked toward the safari, I made everyone stop! It was like empty! I remembered how crowded it always was 
and we were like the only ones there! 
...
That is probably my favorite show...you can see it every time you are there and it's just as good! 
