At what point did you really know that Disney is Magical

[DonnaLeah]

I realized it in the early sixties when my parents, brother and sister went to DL with my Aunt and cousins. Actually sitting down on the grass and watching the fireworks. The minute I saw Tinkerbelle fly across the night sky , I knew THAT was MAGIC!!!

 

[orvilleair]

Growing up 45 minutes from another amusement park, Kings Island, MK never crossed my mind. DW and family insisted on going last year, and I experienced the magic in the following ways:

* Look in DD4's eyes when she gave a CM a handwritten card for Tinkerbell. The castmember said that he'll personally deliver it to her.

* DD4 meeting Ariel in Ariel's Grotto (Big photo of the two is still on the wall.

* The nice family whom let my kids sit on the curb during Spectromagic.

Enjoyed it so much last year, that we are staying for four days this year.

 

[hellokitty]

Are you sure your girlfriend isnt the same as the one I went to school with??

she says I am nuts going to disney every summer since
1999 and sometimes 3 x's a year!!

I fell in love with it as did the kids and hubby. We save up
our money and time and look at each time as going as magical!!

some people just dont understand. .

she literally told me I was stupid for it and she didnt want to talk about it anymore, so I tell my other friends when I get excited and want to share it with someone

 

[disneyfanforever]

I grew up going to Disneyland almost yearly since my cousins lived in California. My parents also took me and my sister to Disney World a few times. I have always been nuts about Disney, but the magic truly hit me when we took my DS for the first time. He was a little over a year old, and we were in Animal Kingdom in line for Pooh and Tigger. When it was his turn, he just ran into Pooh's arms and hugged him with all of the love he had. I could feel the tears come to my eyes. The innocence and true belief in magic is priceless. Also, that trip watching his face as we rode Dumbo and he held his head back and raised his hands in the air like he was flying was just perfect.

Oh, I have one more moment with my other DS. At the MGM motorcade parade, my DS who had been scared of all of the characters the whole trip (he was about 18 months old) was watching the parade with guarded interest. As Snow White passed by, she blew him a kiss that he proceeded to catch and blow back to her. Snow White looked at me and touched her heart. And from that moment on, my little boy went up to every character and forgot his fear. It was incredible, especially out of all the characters to have the impact on him it was Snow White who has been my favorite character my whole life. These are just magical moments of my life that could not possibly be duplicated anywhere else on Earth.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

This thread is a wonderful tearjerker!

It was early December 1993, our very first visit to WDW. I turned 40 that year, DH turned 64. Neither one of us has any children. I got so much pleasure seeing other people's children as they greeted the characters. I researched WDW very well before the trip, and we had a blast! We are both the type to do as many rides and shows as possible.

I started to cry as we left the MK for the day. I remember saying to my DH " This place truly is magical"
as my eyes welled up with tears.

 

[SalandJeff]

When we were kids, our family couldn't afford vacations. We always took "day trips". So when I graduated from high school, my parents sent me to CA to my aunt's (from CT). Well I thought Disneyland was the greatest thing I'd ever seen. Fast forward 14 years. My dh and I went to WDW on our honeymoon. As soon as we got out of the rental car at CBR, I was hooked. We've gone every year since 1989 (except one) and are now owners at BWV. If my family wasn't all here in CT, I'd quit my job and go live in FL just so I could work in the MK!

I am a just a Disney nut and you either get it or you don't. I was so happy when I found the DIS...full of other people who get it!

 

[Mel6197]

For me it was simple..

We went to Disney for the first time 2 yrs ago and then again Last year.
I have an Autistic Daughter who has No friends, Doesnt play with Games or toys, Doesnt care to play with other kids, Doesnt pretend she is anything or anywhere..
Well after our first trip, I think I pushed her too hard. I learned alot of tricks for us, So when we went back this Past Oct. We took our time, I really followed her cues to when was it too much etc..
Well now all my daughter talks about is going back to Disney, she writes letters to Cinderella, Dresses her Lion King Dolls up as Prince and Princesses, Watches Movies, Comericals and when she sees something filimar I have to hear about how it was at Disney world. Seeing Animals on Tv, she proudly tells me that they are at the Animal Kingdom.
How she has to wiggle her 2 front teeth out so that the tooth fairy can come and bring her money so she can go back to Disney world..
Disney is a magical place to me, because it let a little light into my daughters world, that I dont know I would have seen without it..

 

[Ms. WDW]

SalandJeff - your post made me chuckle. I can clearly remember standing on Mainstreet with DH (he was just my boyfriend at the time) right on the corner before you hit the Crystal Palace. And I was watching some CM's walk by and thought......"hummmm, I could easily work in one of the shops or load people up on an ride. I could learn to tolerate the heat".

But alas, some 25 years later, I'm still "dreaming" about my most favorite place and thinking that maybe some day, when DS is grown and on his own, then maybe we'll make the move.

Until then, we'll take our yearly trips and hang out here dreaming along with everyone else!!

 

[Buzz2001]

It wasn't until I was 37yrs old and DW and I took our DD (5 at the time) to WDW for her birthday. We were WDW first timers. Never really even saw any of the movies. The Disney experience was like nothing any of us had ever experienced before. Everything and everywhere we went was just a magical experience.

It was also my DD's birthday. Once she saw the attention she received when she told someone it was her birthday, she walked around the whole place telling everyone she could. The CM's were great and made a point of doing what they do best, from singing to her on the street in Toontown to having the whole train sing on our trip around MK. not to mention all the cake and cupcakes she could get or dancing with Mickey and the gang at Chef Mickey's. That is still her favorite place to go.

On our last day, we had till noon to get to the airport so we spent the morning eating breakfast on Main Street USA and decided to see some characters one last time before we left. We went to the meet and greet near 20,000 leagues and were waiting our turn in line when Daisy went in for her break. She was the only one we needed to complete the Fab 5 set of photos. We ask the CM if she would be back and she told us not until late in the day. We explained our situation and within minutes, Daisy reappeared to spend 5 minutes alone with my DD. That's all it took for me. To see the happiness on my DD face was what Disney is all about. From that day on, I have been a Disney loyalist. We have been there at least once or twice a year since.

 

[LBS]

My first trip was in 1995. My first ride was with my then 2 year old daughter and we were on the first go round of Dumbo. We sat down and she looked at me and said "Daddy, this is so wonderful!"

Our last trip was in October of 2002. It was my youngest child's , then a 4 year old girl, first trip. Watching her round the corner of Main Street and begin jumping with joy as she saw the castle is one of my favorite memories of all time.

A Dad taking his daughters to WDW, now that is magical!

 

[iluvtink]

I've often wondered, "What is it about that castle?"
There is something about seeing it every time we hit Main Street that just stops my heart for a minute.

I wonder if it's because from my earliest memories, "family time" was spent on Sunday nights watching Tinkerbell and the Castle on the Wonderful World of Disney, so that the Magic is just a fundamental part of my being? (I also wonder how one woman could take so many pictures of the same thing??? I must have 100 photos of that one building, and I'm not a particularly creative photographer, so most of them look about the same!)

There have been too many magical moments to pick just one that made me realize Disney = Magic, and yes, a good portion of them revolve around my 3 children's reactions to different characters or events.

But still... there's that castle...

Kim

 

[djm99]

I need a whole box of tissue to read these messages!!!!!!

 

[exwdwcm]

I had always been a disney nut and always dreamed of working there......although I had only visited 3 times on vacations as a kid. But I knew it was truly special when i finally achieved my dream of being a CM....being accepted on the college program and getting to work for the mouse. It was more than I ever dreamed!!! I had the opportunity to make and be part of so many magical moments that I will never forget.....

My roommate came home one night and told me that a little boy came up to "Pluto" and the dad asked "Pluto" if he could touch the face....."Pluto" of course said yes, and the little boy laughed with glee and then started crying and hugging "Pluto". The dad said it was his son's favorite character and that the little boy was blind and that is why he wanted to feel "Pluto's" face.

I got the chance to ask little kids for THEIR autograph each day as they came into HOllywood and Vine where I worked. Just seeing the smile on their faces and sheer surprise that someone was interested in having their autograph....well it made my day, everyday.

People ask me if seeing the 'behind the scenes' magic ever 'ruined' it for me. The answer is always NO. Although i did see Cinderella smoking a cig on her break......it still didn't ruin it. THe magic is what you make of it and seeing it all behind the scenes was all the more special.

 

[KaityBsMom]

I first realized that Disney was Magical when I, as a sullen 15-year-old, went to WDW for the first time. I had a blast in spite of myself (and in spite of my 9-year-old sister, who I love to death but who was, let's just say, a challenging child ).

However, I really got bitten by the Disney bug and started to want to go back again and again after taking my DD4 for the first time last fall.

tink 2 wrote:

Words cannot describe how it feels as a parent to take your children to Disney World. Our children are 4 and 2 and we've been 3 times as parents already- and are going again! It is increible- an escape from the harsh realities of our world. A safe place where fairytales do come true and magic does live. Even with all the problems Disney has had lately, it still is the most magial place on Earth!!!

I could not have said it better!! That trip was the most fun we have ever had and the memories will last a lifetime and then some. I only wish I could convince DH we should go back in June for DD's 5th birthday. How Magical would that be?? Oh well...

 

[harleyquinn]

A big thanks to the OP and everyone who has shared their personal magic!

This is my story: I am 23 and I'd never been to WDW before. I had grown up with the promise that "we'll go when your 10" then "we'll go when you 14." But something always happened to ruin my parents' sincere (if not poorly given) promises.

My DF took me to his favorite place on earth because of the FTP last August. I was really worried about the heat (I hate heat and humidity). It was also my first time flying. Living in Cleveland I had grown up going to Geauga Lake (Six Flags now) and Cedar Point. I grew to really hate these amusement parks b/c of the lines and the crowds. DF assured me that WDW would be different. I was a nervous planning wreck, but with the help of some great books and all of you I went prepared and excited.

When we got to POR I really flipped. I couldn't believe how wonderful it was (I'd never really had a vacation before, only school trips). We went to MK first and I knew as soon as I saw the castle that I was going to bring my kids here no matter what. I also can say that anyone who complains about lines at disney really needs to visit Cedar Point.

All of this being said my best magical moment will be when I bring my little brother(20, not so little and my parents to WDW next year. I've made everyone open disney-only savings accounts

I guess I'll probably also have my share of magical moments in June when I go back to WDW for my honeymoon!

 

[Micca]

Mickey76 said it so well. It's when you go as an adult and it has such an impact on you. That must be the magic

 

[MickeyisanNDfan]

The first time we went...1/82...the tencenial! Rex Trailer Crimson Travel (any one from Boston MUST remember those comercials) My parents took us, it was a surprise Christmas gift to me. The pictures of us all on Main St are priceless, a complete look of awe. Now I love thinking back on how it was and how people who go now have no idea.....ps's made only that day at a computer screen at EPCOT, I remember leaving my Dad at the screen as we went to see the countries, the food all over Disney was not that great and tasted the same, the lines in EPCOT were atrocious!! All the way outside for the Land (listen to the land one of the best songs ever) I must say I laugh at some of the complaints on this board, while they wax nostalgic about the old days some of the things about the old days were much worse although I do miss the huge game room at the Contemporary and getting turn down service with out asking.

 

[flyinglizard]

Having grown up with Uncle Walt and the Wednesday night Disney show, I always thought the new Disneyland Park was magical.

During our first trip to WDW in '73 (before kids), I was between jobs. I had given my notice to my employer, taking our vacation as a break between jobs, but I needed to call the VP of the new company to get my start date. I was laying on the bed at the Contemp Tower, overlooking the MK when I called him.

To my horror, I couldn't reach the VP, then finally found out he was no longer with the company, and that any agreements he had made, were now void. We had just bought a new house and here I was, laying on the bed overlooking the MK without a job!Although that kind of put a damper on our first trip, we still had a wonderful time. As we walked down Main Street on our last day, I remember thinking "I don't even have a job to go back to, what am I going to do now?"

As we passed under the railroad tracks, on our way out of the park to catch our flight home, I suddenly became very focused on a single burning thought: "I'm coming back!" Whatever it takes, I'm coming back to the magic"! When we walked out the gate we got our hand stamped because "We WERE COMING BACK!"

But the drive I felt from that need to get back to the Magic led me to a new career choice, that turned out to be successful.

Fifteen months later, as we walked from the dark of the train station tunnel, into the light of Main Street, I said to myself with a feeling of great accomplishment, "I am back. Nothing can keep me from the Magic!"

Since then, there have been many magical Disney moments for me and my family, both in WDW and Disneyland. But that was the first one...

There is a tradition with our family, even though we are AP holders: When we leave the park on our last day to catch our flight home, we always get our hand stamped. That is our promise to ourselves that "We are coming back!"

The Magic of Disney can be powerful, all you have to do is believe...

 

[MouseClubMom]

A good bit of my fondest childhood memories are of being at Walt Disney World with my parents. From the time I was old enough to talk about what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said I wanted to work for Disney. That dream was realized when I moved to Orlando for college and got my job with the mouse. During those wonderful Cast Member years I had several times when the magic was just incredible.

As a Mom I would take my kids to Disney but it wasn't until a few years ago that I had the absolute most magical Disney experience ever.

Right after Toy Story 2 came out we took my oldest daughter to WDW on a birthday trip. Since her name is "Jessie" she wanted to have her picture taken with "Jessie" the cowgirl. We found out on our last day in the parks that Jessie was a character at the Studio and we headed to MGM to right away. We got to the character greeting area and saw Buzz and Woody out. I asked the CM lead (back when they HAD leads) about Jessie. He said that Jessie wasn't coming out that day because they were having troubles with the costume. My Jessie heard us and started crying. She was so sad that she couldnt see Jessie. I explained to her that Jessie was not feeling well and that we would try to come back later in the year and see her. My daughter just cried harder and said "but I wore my Jessie shoes TODAY!". She had on tennis shoes with Jessie the Cowgirl on them.

The character lead came back over to us and told me to wait there that he would go get Jessie's autograph for my daughter. We gave him our autograph book and waited and waited and waited. Several minutes later I see the lead coming back from backstage and GUESS WHO WAS BEHIND HIM!!! Jessie the Cowgirl!!! I started BAWLING like a baby. My daughter squealed with delight and ran and GRABBED her. They spent a long time interacting just the 2 of them while the character lead quietly kept the other guests back. My daughter showed Jessie her shoes! We GOT our picture with Jessie. It is one of my fave pix of my daughter to this day.

Disney is magical. Pixie dust is in your blood. Once you love Disney you will always love Disney.

MCMom

 

[iluvtink]

MouseClubMom...


Waaaah... you made me cry. It is my fondest dream to someday be a "special friend" CM ... just so I can give children and their parents magical moments like that one. If there's an age limit, nobody tell me. I want to go on believing I can follow that dream when my DH retires!

Kim