Favorite Disney Moments

[james1865]

There is something about Disney that I can't quite put my finger on which makes it different than anywhere else. Our 4th trip is coming up in a week and Inwas thinking back to some of my favorite moments.

In 2008, first morning at MK, watching my daughters, then 6 and 3,interact with Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters at the castle. This was our first experience with Disney characters. It was so impressive how funny and in character they were.

Seeing Wishes and Spectromagic for the first time.

Second trip with my mom and stepdad, first trip staying on property. First night headed to MK and things weren't going so well. Long wait for dinner etc. But we had FastPasses for Big Thunder Mountain. It was my youngest daughters first time on a coaster and my first time on BTMRR at night. What a great experience riding with my oldest between me and my wife and my youngest in front of me with her grandparents. To this day I still insist on riding it at night.

My youngest wanting to meet Aladdin and Jasmine at Adventureland while my older one, who is ADHD, griped and complained the entire time in the line that she thought was too long. Once we reached the characters she was still acting stubborn although we could tell she really wanted to meet them. Aladdin and Jasmine noticed this as well and really went out of their way to go talk to her and pull her out of her shell. Very nice! Where else does this happen?

Meeting Captain Hook and having Peter Pan pop out of nowhere for an impromptu sword fight.

The Mexican exhibit ride at Epcot where my oldest again was being stubborn because she thought there would be snakes. The cast member at the ride was patient and not only explained to her that there weren't any snakes but actually got on the ride and ride with her to reassure her the entire time.

Watching my mom see Cinderella Castle for the first time.

Leaving Magic Kingdom at night and seeing the lit floats parade across Seven Seas Lagoon. I had no idea about that.

Riding Rock and Roller Coaster with my oldest daughter. After it was over having her tell me it was her favorite ride.

There are many more. And I can't wait to create some new ones!

 

[jenninaustin]

The one that comes to mind for me - our last visit (5 years ago) was spring break, my son's kindergarten year. They'd studied China that year and he was DYING to get to the China pavilion in EPCOT. It was night, we walked in and there was a lone CM. He walked right up to her and said hello in Chinese. (Sort of uncharacteristic of him, actually) She opened up and loved visiting with him. She was so quiet and kind. She'd been working on an origami crane and she gave it to him. I have a picture of him very seriously holding this crane as he sat on a bench in the china pavilion, looking as if he was holding his most precious possession. It's still in his room, in a jar I found to protect it and he's in 5th grade this year.

I bet a lot of amazing WDW stories have to do with the CMs!

 

[jacks1023]

My favorite moment was during my first trip with my daughter. I'd been many times before kids, but it's a new experience with kids, getting to see it through their eyes. That in itself is magical! But when we first walked through the entrance at Magic Kingdom with her and the castle came into view, her absolute favorite song of all time ( all 2 years) that she sang nonstop was playing - 'Let's Go Fly a Kite'. It brought tears to my eyes! It couldn't have been more perfect.

 

[jenninaustin]

I just had to go find those pics from Disney where my son met the nice CM from China...

 

[jacks1023]

I just had to go find those pics from Disney where my son met the nice CM from China...

Wow you can just see how much that meant to him! DD just finished a unit on Japan in her 1st grade class and she's excited to see Japan at Epcot this summer. It would be awesome for her to have a memorable experience like that!

 

[Harlon]

I shared this moment back in December when we got back, but in 4 trips it's my favorite Disney moment so I'll tell it again - since you asked!

We were in line to ride Haunted Mansion. My 9 y.o. daughter was wearing her birthday pin (which also had her name on it) and she was all dressed up from Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique that morning. As we got to the first door into HM the CM cut off the line. He was, of course in typical HM character and told everyone in that dry, evil voice "no more body's" and glanced down at her birthday pin as he was closing the door. Then he said in a serious, stern voice "And I will not return to open this door until every one of you have sang happy birthday to Princess Chloe. And I'm dead serious". Then as he closed the door the whole crown sang happy birthday to her. Great CM. Chloe still talks about that bit of pixie dust.

 

[coley444]

I was at HS during a parade and stopped to watch for a bit. This one little boy was so excited to see the Power Rangers. His mom said, "Look here they come!" And the Red Ranger happened to come right over and give him a high five. The little boy was so excited that I started tearing up. It was very sweet. That's why I love Disney so much these little moments that stay with you-even when you catch a moment not directly involving you or your own family.

 

[Travelgrrl]

I love threads like these! JenniAusten, that photo of your son holding the crane is adorable!

For the child who has studied Japan, Miyuki the candy maker is amazing and worth watching. She used to give the candies she made to children (and my daughter got a splendid unicorn by watching quietly and not being a grabber) but there must have been too much jostling in the past so now the creations are saved for ill children in the Orlando area. Still a very cool thing to see, an ancient art.

Once in EPCOT, I was with my daughter on our first trip. She saw a vendor selling monofilament roses and wanted one dearly. I asked how much they were and I just didn't have enough cash on hand. She was disappointed but didn't fuss -but when we started to walk away the CM very ceremoniously GAVE her one. (PRobably not Disney protocol but she was THRILLED.) Definitely made her feel special!

 

[dachsie]

I took my niece and nephew in 2006 and there were some really fun moments i remember:

My niece LOVES Winnie the Pooh so we were having breakfast at Crystal Palace. When Pooh came over she was awestruck and got really shy. She was wearing a shirt with Pooh on it and he pointed to it and she finally started to open up. It was so funny watching her go all shy on him tho.

We ate at Liberty Tree Tavern and it was my nephew's 13th b-day week so he was wearing a button. When Minnie came over we encouraged her to give him a kiss so she did and he turned beet red. It was so funny!

When we ate at CRT he wanted to get a pic with Aurora - he was crushing on her big time. LOL

We rode the teacups 4 times in a row and the CM asked us if we just wanted to stay there the last time and we said we were moving on finally.

At the Japan pavillion they really got into the pearl in an oyster thing, My niece kept wanting to do it over and over.

The CM at 50s Prime time somehow convinced my nephew that the greens on his plate were the best he ever had.

I am sure there are many more but it was a special vacation.

 

[bella2117]

Last year was our first trip with the kids and my youngest is a big fan of Rapunzel and couldn't wait to meet her. He would ask all the other princesses "wheres rapunzel?" It was so cute. So finally we get to Princess Hall and he is just beside himself with excitement and we finally get into the room and he walks up to her and is speechless lol. The look on his is face was pure awestruck!! Made me tear up. This picture pretty much sums up his feelings really well lol

 

[jenninaustin]

CMs are so amazing! I'm hitting the dollar store today so I can pack a bunch of glow sticks and other little treats like stickers or something so hopefully I can help spread pixie dust myself when I'm there. I. Can't. WAIT!!!!!

 

[jenninaustin]

Last year was our first trip with the kids and my youngest is a big fan of Rapunzel and couldn't wait to meet her. He would ask all the other princesses "wheres rapunzel?" It was so cute. So finally we get to Princess Hall and he is just beside himself with excitement and we finally get into the room and he walks up to her and is speechless lol. The look on his is face was pure awestruck!! Made me tear up. This picture pretty much sums up his feelings really well lol

precious!

 

[Wendybird55]

Our son's first trip - he was not quite 2 - Sorcerer's Mickey got on the floor with DS and played with him (I have pictures).

Another trip...we we're playing with coloring computers in Art of Animation and again, Sorcerer's Mickey on his way to meet and greet came up behind my son and surprised him.

My son meeting PUSH for the first time..he didn't know what to make of it..kept looking inside the trash can for someone.

Riding on the Carousel when park opened with Lady Tremaine and Step Sisters.

Son being thrilled at meeting Evil Queen and getting autograph during a characterpalooza

This one happened many years ago, before I was married or had my son. My sister and I were waiting to Spectro Magic to begin - a very tired mom and her very energetic son (I would say around 3 or 4) were seated next to us and her son was having his own parade while waiting. We struck up a conversation with her while waiting. Then the lights went down, the music started and the expression on this boy's face when he saw the first lighted float was priceless. He was in total awe and speechless - at one point he was looking at one float and I was looking at another and he was so excited about what he saw but also speechless he just took his hands put them on my cheeks and turned my head towards the on coming float like saying "Wow I can't believe what I'm seeing!" I had such a great time watching that little boy watch Spectro and when I had my son couldn't wait to take him on his first trip to Disney World. And I still get excited and thrilled at enjoying Disney through his eyes - my son is 7 and this August will be his 9th trip to Disney..and I can hardly wait.

 

[pampam]

Hold on to those memories.

Miyuki and Push are no longer at WDW.

So sad.

 

[Travelgrrl]

I didn't realize Miyuki was gone. We saw her on several trips when my kids were little, and then last year I happened to go on a last minute WDW trip and I couldn't believe it! She was still there! The only difference was that she no longer gave away the candies afterwards.

Since it was a leisurely trip (ie no little ones with me this time!), I stayed and watched her twice, and after I got home I read up on the art of that kind of hot candy making and it is incredibly more difficult and hard to learn than it appears. Her fingers just flew! All the while providing commentary on it.

I guess I'm sad she won't be there in October - but pretty happy I had the chance to see her several times over a decade or so.

 

[pixiemama91]

One of my favorite moments was my DD reaction when she met Ariel for the first time

 

[DisneyMommy9]

I have many but two stand out. It was when Tinkerbell the movie had just came out. My son was 2 and we waited in line to meet the fairies, we were last in line and once everyone had left all 3 Fairies ( tink, Rosetta, silverMist) stayed and sat on the floor with my son and taught him to fly! It was priceless!

Our last trip in 2013 we did the Family Magic Tour and we met Peter Pan, my son is not shy and answered any question Peter asked. Peter ended up letting my son wear Hooks hand and then told him he was naming him Drew Pan because Pan was a feeling of curiosity, childhood and excitement! I was tearing up, extra special for me.

 

[set1208]

I absolutely loved sending my DH off with our DD3 for their first trip to dinner in Cinderella's castle. I had been there before with my oldest DD when she was 4 so I knew how magical it was going to be. Our boys and our now teenage DD had no interest in CRT that trip so I took them someplace else in the park.

It was so sweet seeing my DH take my DD on a little girly date. We own our own business and my DH is literally never home. It was such a special time for her I have her daddy all to herself ad to have such a fun time visiting with all of her favorite princesses.

I'm taking my DS for his 8th birthday in September and I can't wait to make some more magical memories with him. It's always special when I can take off with just one of my kids and they can so whatever they want without having to factor in what the rest of the group wants to so.

I love WDW!!

 

[set1208]

Okay...so many more just popped into my head!

My DS was 2 on his first trip and Pooh was the first character that he met. We were in HS and he waited patiently for his turn. When he got up, Pooh bent down to give him a hug. My little guy nestled his face right into pooh and gave him the longest hug. It lasted almost a full minute but pooh just let him hug until he was ready to let go. It was so adorable and touching. Of course I was crying ad laughing!

Another trip, when my DD and I went for her 4th birthday, we were waiting outside of Crystal Palace for dinner. The CM by the door was a young man, no more than 20, and he had a pocket full of the silvery Mickey head confetti. When she wasn't looking, he would toss a bunch into the air. My DD was picking it up, wondering how it was getting there. The CM would say, "Did you see that!!! Tinkerbell just flew by!" My DD was so exited and completely believed that her beloved Tink was flying around. It was a magical memory that she still remembers, and she's almost 14.

On the same trip, after our first night ever in MK, my DD was sobbing when it was time to leave. She was tired but she was crying because she had had such a great day that she didn't want it to end. A sweet CM came up, sat on the curb next to us, and asked why she was crying. He just sat with us for a little while and helped to cheer her up. Again, it was a young man, which I find so wonderful. I love seeing young guys who aren't afraid to be playful and sweet to kids.

 

[Cinderella909]

I love reading everyone's favorite moments! Here's a few of mine:

Tinkerbell walking my 4 year old DGD around pixie holler and when she didn't want to go to Terrance, Tink told her she didn't blame her as he stinks! And, Terrance slying walking up behind them to get in the photo!

Having a CM ask my DGD for her autograph when she was dressed as a princess.

Riding Snow White five times... again, again, again with no waiting on our first night in MK.

DGD crawling under the table when finally meeting Prince Charming at 1900 Park Fare. It took three years for her to finally get a picture with him!

Having Alice say to DGD who was too shy to speak... "You were much more talkative yesterday at the Wonderland Tea Party!" I couldn't believe she remembered her!

When DGD was dressed as Merida, we were standing behind the parade crowd on main street and could only see the tops of the floats. When the last float went by with the Mad Hatter on top, when he saw DGD, he pointed and waved and then struck the Merida with bow and arrow posed.

Meeting a nice CM photopass at the Castle Boutique after DGD BBB experience and then the next day we ran into him again walking on Tom Sawyer Island, so he stopped and took some more great photos.

Seeing all the smiles on DGD face as she meets all the characters...

Everyday in Disney is memorable!

Thanks Karen