Best Disney Memory?

[Bossy22]

I am fairly new to the boards and am sure this has been done before but well worth a recap What is your favorite disneyland memory? Now I don't mean favorite ride or food, but best actual memory. I will start.

I never made it to disney as a child. I went for the 1st time when I was 19 and had the good old Mexican bug. We just went for one day and I was hooked but never got the full experience. Fastforward to 4 years later and as a newly wed I wanted to take my wife. We booked for 10 nights and bought a 5 day park hopper (CA had just opened) as well as Sea World and Universal. I was soooo nervous. This was my wife and I's first trip since our honeymoon and I wanted it to be magical but we were 23 and 24 and didn't know if Disney had enough magic to make it as special as I wanted. Well we arrived around 5pm and checked in to our hoter (Super 8, no complaints there) and walked down to check out the outside of the park and downtown disney. As we entered the entrance area my wifes eyes are like saucers as she points out each tiny detail like the custumized light posts and the stones on the walk, etc. I then knew we had success. The next morning we were there for rope drop and her eyes never shrunk past saucer size, it is truly a magical place. The first time she saw the castle, our first ride (Indiana Jones) and the overall view of the park. It was magical.

So there is mine, what's yours?

 

[Amy&Dan]

Mine is somewhat similar to yours!

I had always dreamed of going to Disney as a child, I remember watching the Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights and seeing Tinkerbelle light up the castle fireworks. When I was 12 we took a trip to CA and we did spend about two thirds of a day there. I was heartbroken because it was a grad night and there were no fireworks, the thing I was most looking forward to!

It took me 26 years to go back, this time as a married woman of 38 with two kids. We checked into the Disneyland Hotel and it was just amazing. My kids had that wide eyed saucer look just like your wife (and I am sure I did too).

We walked into the park and just as we entered Main Street, there was Minnie Mouse. She sort of appeared out of nowhere and gave my kids big hugs. I snapped a picture and the look on their faces as they met her was just priceless. It was like she had been waiting for us to get there so she could welcome us!

We've logged over 30 trips since then between DL and WDW and the magic never ends, but that first moment inside the park with my kids meeting Minnie will always be my favorite memory!

 

[lizabu]

I dreamed my whole life of taking my kids to WDW. I went once when I was 7. In Jan my dream finally came true. As we walked up main st and saw the castle come into view I couldn't stop the tears of happiness coming down my face. I have tears in my eyes whenever I think about it. We're hooked and now we're starting to plan our 1st trip to DL.

 

[DisneyMom2Teens]

I have had many great Disneyland memories over the years. Our favorite was when my daughter was almost 2 years old. It was her first trip. She loved it all, but the best part was when we were in line for Roger Rabbit's Toon Spin ride. My husband was holding her and she suddenly grabbed me and with her arms around both my husband and I she squeezed us so we were all cheek to cheek and shouted, "I Wuv You! I Wuv You!." It was the first time she told us she loved us and being the sentimental fools we are, my husband and I held her, tears streaming down both our faces. I had a Disney girl. Now she is a college freshman (jeez when did THAT happen!) and is still my Disney loving girl. She'd like to do the Disney College program and we are happily planning a visit in October to see the park at Halloween time.
Disneyland is our happy place

 

[everwondering]

I have LOTS of wonderful Disneyland memories... many from when I was a kid and many with my own kids. One that's really super silly but has always stuck with me over the years is from back when I was maybe 12. It was me, my parents, and my older sister.

We were having a great time walking around Disneyland, when my mom suddenly announced that she wanted to see Chip & Dale. Well, actually, she had a Freudian slip and said she wanted to see Chippendales.

We all laughed and teased her as she turned beet red and tried to explain. "No! I didn't mean... I mean, I want to see the ones with the nuts!"

Yeah. That didn't exactly get us to stop laughing. We still tease her about it from time to time.

 

[CamoMama]

My first Disney memory is from when I was 3 years old, sitting on my dad's shoulders as Pete's Dragon rolled down Main Street USA in the electrical parade. To be honest, that's nearly all I remember of that trip, besides a bit of PoTC and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. My last Disney memory is with my two daughters sitting together outside the Liberty Tree Tavern at Magic Kingdom in WDW watching the same parade and watching them fall in love with it as I had. Best thing ever.

 

[mommamonster]

The last time I was at Disneyland was about 20 years ago, and it is the only time I remember from childhood going. I went with my Dad and a bunch of his extended family when I was about 10, during the week of Thanksgiving. I remember my Dad and I got corndogs for our Thanksgiving dinner, just the two of us, and it was really cool. My other favorite memory was really a silly and bizarre moment when we were checking out a cow named "Mickey Moo" who had this PERFECT Mickey head pattern near it's rear. Right as I leaned in (Mickey Moo was right up against the fence I was standing by) to take a picture of it, Mickey Moo proceeded to projectile pee like I've never seen before - and I felt like I had to jump back out of the splash zone. It went on for a ridiculously long time, too, haha. My dad was laughing hysterically at the situation and was urging me to take a photo - which I did not (ew). I have no idea why this memory stands out above a lot of the other memories I think that I just really enjoyed being there with my dad, when weird things would happen.

I'm taking my kids for their first DL trip in 75 days, so I imagine I will be adding some pretty amazing and magical memories seeing a first visit through their eyes Also, my goofball dad is joining us for half of our trip - I have a feeling my boys are going to LOVE going with their grandpa on rides, just like I did.

ETA: Would I have seen this cow in Frontierland somewhere? I want to say maybe there was a whole bunch of livestock there.

 

[narsel]

Many, many Disney memories over the years, but just this past Christmas, went with my 3 daughters. Standing in the hub, the snow started to fall... everywhere I looked, there were smiles, I had tears as I looked at my girls as they looked to the sky, arms outstretched - magic!

 

[jennabennabofenna]

Growing up i went to Disneyland every year. I have so many memories from when i was a kid.

But my most recent memories are my best.

On March 5th of this year we took our first family trip to Disneyland.

Pretty much every moment was magical

But the one that stands out the most was when my 3 year old saw the castle for the first time. She had stars in her eyes and shouted with pure excitement "thats sleeping beauty's castle mommy!"

 

[Babybears]

Mine would have to be when we were there during the "Year of a Million Dreams" promotion and on our first day to the parks (mind you both me and my DH had not been since we were kids and it was our three kids very first visit there). We were there for MM and then once the other rides opened, we went over to BTMR for our first big ride. When we got off the ride and were exiting the tunnel, Year of a Million Dreams cast members were there giving the next 100 people to get off the ride "Dream Fast Passes", which was a lanyard for every member of our family with a Fast Pass for every ride at both parks for that day.

Needless to say, this really got our trip off to a magical start!!! Very special indeed!

 

[CamoMama]

ETA: Would I have seen this cow in Frontierland somewhere? I want to say maybe there was a whole bunch of livestock there.

I had never heard of live animals at Disneyland and I was curious, so I googled it. Mickey Moo was part of Big Thunder Ranch from 1988 to 1996 when the ranch joined other Disney attractions in Yesterland, but it reopened in 1999 and is still there. Mickey Moo is gone, but you can take your kids to Big Thunder Ranch BBQ and enjoy the petting zoo with them.

 

[Peanut Giggleface]

My best Disney memory happened last summer at WDW. Last summer was our 20th wedding anniversary and we decided to get away for a few days while the kids spent their annual week at the grandparents' house. Without me knowing he booked us into the Grand Floridian. It was his intention to give me a honeymoon we didn't have money for when we were just married. Well when we get to the hotel to check in, he goes off to park the car and I check us in. We were upgraded to concierge level with a perfect view of the castle, fireworks, and the bay. I thought this was part of the surprise, but my husband didn't plan that and was just as surprised as I was.

We had been to WDW before and were used to the crowds, so we expected the parks to be pretty crowded with it being the middle of summer. But to our delight and surprise, we never encountered any park to be super crowded. One afternoon we had an entire monorail car to ourselves, and the boat ride back to the hotel in the evening was the same way. It was as if Disney somehow knew it was our anniversary and doused us with a little extra pixie dust.

 

[Mugglemama]

We've been to DLR many, many times during the last decade...I feel like my kids have been half-raised there, lol. So, we have a lot of really wonderful memories.

But I think if I really had to choose just one...as I approach the 3rd anniversary of losing my Dad, I have to say looking back that my most cherished Disney memory now is from the only time my Dad ever went to DLR with us...he was 69 and dealing with cancer. I know he knew it was his last time there...and his only time there experiencing it all with his grandchildren. I have this very precious memory of standing in that spot where everyone watches and waits for CA Screamin' to take off...and here comes my Dad, pulling up in the coaster with my kids, and while they wait to speed away, he looks up at me and smiles the most beautiful, excited smile.

Yep, that one's my favorite.

 

[kailuagirl]

I'm sorry I can't choose just one...

My first one is when my mom, sister and I went to Disneyland when I was in my late 20's, it was our first time and I even then was a Disney freak. We drove from Arizona for one day at DL and when we were driving in our shuttle up to the parks I lost it and tears were flowing, I was so excited. Then my mom started crying cuz I was crying. We rode Big Thunder and my mom said this is for baby's and said she wanted to ride the Matterhorn. So we get on the Matterhorn and she sits behind me and screamed bloody murder the whole time, I was scared for her. Now my mommy is in heaven and every time I am on Matterhorn I can hear her screaming and feel her holding tight onto me, and I usually start crying again, haha

Now that I'm a mommy myself my favorite memory is watching my daughter in sheer delight over the falling snow after the fireworks at Christmas. As soon as the whole Believe in Magic comes on I lose it everytime.

And sorry one more, this last Dec. we wanted to stay at the GCH one more night, we were already there 5 mights and the 6th night was gonna cost us $438 more, and DD4 really wanted to stay another night and she said "mama, you can have all my money and you don't need to buy me anything, please let's stay". It was so priceless and she was so innocent and sweet my DH didn't even blink and eye and we stayed that extra night.

I love my family oxoxox

 

[pixiewings71]

I have had many great Disneyland memories over the years. Our favorite was when my daughter was almost 2 years old. It was her first trip. She loved it all, but the best part was when we were in line for Roger Rabbit's Toon Spin ride. My husband was holding her and she suddenly grabbed me and with her arms around both my husband and I she squeezed us so we were all cheek to cheek and shouted, "I Wuv You! I Wuv You!." It was the first time she told us she loved us and being the sentimental fools we are, my husband and I held her, tears streaming down both our faces. I had a Disney girl. Now she is a college freshman (jeez when did THAT happen!) and is still my Disney loving girl. She'd like to do the Disney College program and we are happily planning a visit in October to see the park at Halloween time.
Disneyland is our happy place

I have LOTS of wonderful Disneyland memories... many from when I was a kid and many with my own kids. One that's really super silly but has always stuck with me over the years is from back when I was maybe 12. It was me, my parents, and my older sister.

We were having a great time walking around Disneyland, when my mom suddenly announced that she wanted to see Chip & Dale. Well, actually, she had a Freudian slip and said she wanted to see Chippendales.

We all laughed and teased her as she turned beet red and tried to explain. "No! I didn't mean... I mean, I want to see the ones with the nuts!"

Yeah. That didn't exactly get us to stop laughing. We still tease her about it from time to time.

Many, many Disney memories over the years, but just this past Christmas, went with my 3 daughters. Standing in the hub, the snow started to fall... everywhere I looked, there were smiles, I had tears as I looked at my girls as they looked to the sky, arms outstretched - magic!

I feel this way too, the snow is simply amazing!!!! Last December DD12 and I walked out onto MS after the fireworks when the snow was falling and just looked up smiling, the lady we walked out next to said "isn't it just magical?" and we just smiled and said "YES!" DBF just rolls his eyes at us but secretly he loves it too.

We've been to DLR many, many times during the last decade...I feel like my kids have been half-raised there, lol. So, we have a lot of really wonderful memories.

But I think if I really had to choose just one...as I approach the 3rd anniversary of losing my Dad, I have to say looking back that my most cherished Disney memory now is from the only time my Dad ever went to DLR with us...he was 69 and dealing with cancer. I know he knew it was his last time there...and his only time there experiencing it all with his grandchildren. I have this very precious memory of standing in that spot where everyone watches and waits for CA Screamin' to take off...and here comes my Dad, pulling up in the coaster with my kids, and while they wait to speed away, he looks up at me and smiles the most beautiful, excited smile.

Yep, that one's my favorite.

You just brought tears to my eyes.

One of my favorite memories is DD12's 8th birthday, we took her to DL. She wanted to try the new breakfast at AG so we did, I had found the neatest card that had Cinderella on the front and when you opened it it said "may all your dreams come true" and it played "A Dream is a Wish", Cinderella is her favorite Princess so when we checked in I asked the CM with Ariel if it was at all possible to have Cinderella give DD the card, she said it wasn't something they normally did because characters aren't allowed to give gifts but she'd ask, she said at the very least she'd bring the card to our table after Cinderella had signed it. I told her that would be absolutely fine with us. She took the card and left with it, I fully expected her to bring the card to the table herself but she didn't, Cinderella brought it to our table and said "I heard today was a special birthday for a special girl" she looked at DD and said "Jade, is today your birthday?" DD's eyes got huge and she just nodded her head, Cinderella said "I heard that my story is your favorite and I wanted to give this" and she handed her the card, DD opened the card, it played music and Cinderella had wished her a Happy Birthday. She was thrilled, I have the BEST birthday picture of her with Cinderella, it was just the best!! What made it better was we got a character call for her from Cinderella as well, the call came in after we ate and left so she really thought Cinderella had called her to wish her another Happy Birthday, it was really great.

I have others, like the snow but that's the one that really stands out for me.

 

[lalasmama]

I don't think I can narrow to a specific memory, oddly enough. Let me see if I can actually explain it sensibly.

My mom was raised in a VERY poor family--like all 5 sisters sharing 1 bed growing up, 7 people in a 2 bedroom home. Somehow, I WISH I had known how/why (I should ask an auntie), my mom became a Disney fan.

When she had my brother and I, she waited until she thought us old enough to remember, and took us to Disneyland. Shortly there-after, she and my dad divorced, and suddenly, we were "poor". A trip to the local coast was a huge splurge, so there was no way we would be able to go to DL!

10 years later, as a high school junior, my mom planned a second trip to Disneyland, this time with her new in-laws (she'd just remarried) and her and I. I still remember that trip. It was only a day, and not even a full day at that, and my new step-dad was in a wheelchair, so we didn't do many rides (I remember Space Mountain, Small World, Haunted Mansion, and Roger Rabbit, but not much else).

Mom always wore Disney things. Seriously, nearly every picture of my mom, she was in a Mickey/Minnie shirt, or something Pooh.

Mom passed away, still loving Minnie and Mickey, 5 years ago, when my daughter was a toddler and yet to be adopted by me (but well-known to our family already). She had dreamed of knowing her grandchildren, of taking them to Disneyland one day.

So, what was my favorite memory?

Walking in to Disneyland with my daughter, at the same age as I was when my mom first took me.

And knowing that my mommy was there with us in spirit.

And "seeing"/feeling my mommy there with us... every day for 6 days. DD noticed little things that Mom would have loved... and shopping with DD--oooohhh, it was like Mom was right there! "Oh, I LOVE this shirt!" "Oh, I'm cold, I think I need this sweatshirt!"

So, while not a specific memory, it was more a feeling that was experienced.... and something I will never forget.

A close second was going on the Jungle Cruise with my DD, and seeing wrinkly Bertha, who's been in the bathing pool too long... I remember bathing Bertha when I was there on my first trip!

 

[krispin41]

I went with two of my friends in 2005...they decided to head back to the hotel early, and I stayed to watch the fireworks. I was wandering around, just taking everything in, and Tinkerbell did her thing...a little girl right next to me, grabbed her Mom's hand and was pulling it, and said: "Mom! Mom!! Tinkerbell really is real!!!!"

 

[MeganAnne]

I grew up going to Walt Disney World with my family, so those magical memories are great in number. But I just got back from my first trip to Disneyland, and my partner's first trip to any Disney property. I was so worried that he wouldn't get it, but watching him smile REAL smiles of happiness and excitement the whole trip was breathtaking. Before the trip, I told him we'd have to go back to Disneyland to ride the Matterhorn since it was closed during our trip and he said we'll see. During the trip, he was already planning for the next trip. Watching him experience Disney magic for the first time was amazing.

And of course, proposing to him while we were in line for Space Mountain is a very special memory for us both.

 

[annadette]

Wow - reading about all these special memories is really getting me emotional! This is such a nice thread! We've had many special moments at Disneyland, but one that sticks out for my DH and I happened about 4 years ago. We only had the one little girl then, and we had celebrated her 4th birthday there. She was a very high-energy little girl - a real handful and very outgoing - challenging because my DH and are are usually shy, quiet-types. Anyway, my DH was hoping to meet Captain Jack there during that trip, and we found him on Pirate's Lair one afternoon. Unfortunately, just after we found him, he was pulled away for a break, and we were told he'd be about a half-hour or so. We decided to try to wait, knowing thas it would be hard to convince our daughter to stand in line for so long out on that island. I had dressed her all pretty in Ariels (white) wedding dress and a sweet princess hair extension, and she looked so sweet. But she bided her time while we waited by digging in the dirt. She had somehow found a little gold-coloured spring from a broken pen on the ground and she amused herself by digging a big hole with her hands and buring it in the dirt. By the time Jack returned, her dress was sort of dirt-grey and her hands were filthy, but at least she was excited to meet a real pirate. We were second in line after a family of boys, and I think they were all shocked when Jack did his pirate thing and stole all their ball caps. When it was our turn, my DD ran right up to Jack, took all the boys hats off his gold pile and gave them all back, and told Jack that it wasn't nice to steal. Then, after lots of banter between the two of them, my DD jumped up and down and told Jack that she had found pirates gold for him and that she had hidden it in the dirt. He made the entire crowd of people move out of the way and followed her over to where she buried the "gold" and then stood over her and watched her dig through it with her hands. Everyone was laughing their heads off, and I was a little embarrassed, but sure enough, she found that pen spring. He held it up to his eye and said "I was hoping this would be larger-ish" but he told her he'd keep it safe and tucked it away in his little pouch on his belt. She was so proud of herself. Then he took her back over to the gold pile and put his arm around her, and chatted with her, and told her a secret that he made her promise not to tell me (she forgot it anyway, but it was so sweet). My husband was absolutely beaming as he watched this all happen. Jack spent so much time with my child - and created such a show out of it that even the Photopass guy thanked me profusely for bringing her today. It was one of many amazing moments, but certainlly one that made our entire trip so special. Where else in the world can you experience something so random and so personalized during a family vacation? OMG...I can't wait to get back there!!!