Have you ever "lost the magic"?

[DizMe]

When I was about 10, we went on one of our frequent trips to Disneyland. I suddenly noticed things I'd never noticed before, things that I didn't want to see. I saw cracks in the walls, holes in the ceiling in IASW, things that badly needed refurbishing, exits in the rides, a cup floating along in the pirate ride, etc., and the magic was gone. I was devastated because I recognized that I'd reached a place from which you don't fully return. I guess you could call it my Disneyland loss of innocence. Everything had always been totally magical to me and I never "saw" the things that would mess with the illusion. But that year I discovered the truth about many of my cherished magical ideas and it was quite painful. It really hit home in the Alice in Wonderland ride, which had always been my favorite. Suddenly, I didn't even like it anymore. It seemed cheap and silly that year.

The next year, I was so anxious when it came time to go to Disneyland. I had always loved it as the most fabulous place ever and I was so afraid that I would never recapture the magic. But guess what? It was there!! The minute I spotted the Matterhorn in the distance, I knew everything would be fine. The magic was back, but in a new way...I guess you might call it a more mature way.

 

[fairykin]

This is a wonderful post of awareness. It's a good thing to have that recognition of a true moment.

I am happy that you still find joy in going.

Too many times people don't still and realize the small yet impactual moments of their lives.

*hug*

 

[Corpsebride]

I love this post! I live in Los Angeles. In the heart of it all. 2 mi. from Hollywood, about 1 mi. from Sony Studios. 3 mi. from the Hollywood Hills.
In a land of make believe, people here are so bitter and NOT full of Hollywood Magic. Every gal is about 5 lbs above organ failure. It is a wonder that any restaurant stays open. Every guy is so full of ego its like they are all running for prom queen. We go to DL to experience magic and make believe. I know that that girl on top of the float isnt really Tinkerbell, but when I see her, she is real! I suppose I am lucky in that I never lost the magic. I grew up in So. Cal and have been to DL countless times. I remember as a teen though getting to that snarky place where Mickey wasnt cool but I still believed in him , how funny is that? "go bug some other kid Goofy, your embarrassing me!"
OP, I am so glad you found the magic again. We havent renewed our AP's yet because we have been busy working but we both are jonesing to go back to DL asap!!This is a great post, thank you for making me think. I am so grateful to live so close to DL.
Very Lucky. Lets all raise our glasses( mine is a jack skellington mug) and 3 cheers to Walt!
I love that there is an actual "happy place".

 

[Corpsebride]

those sock monkeys in the ball gowns, freekin" cute!!!

 

[CrazyDuck]

A few years ago I was there durring the Candlelight Processional and the park was at capacity. When DL closed everyone was trying to make their way out of the park but because it was such a log jam on Main St. they were funnleing people down the back behind the Main St. stores. We were one of the first ones through so we got a glimpse of stuff pretty unmagical. We say Pluto without his head and Cinderella taking her dinner break. I can say though that after they saw us see them they quickly scurried back through another gate and out of sight from the thousands of people behind us. The non-character cast members stayed to finish their dinner and just waved as we passed. That was my "unmagical" moment.

 

[pixiewings71]

Oh man....I can honestly say that no, I have never lost the magic. I do notice all the things in the OP but it's still magic to me. I'm not looking forward to losing it myself but I think I'll be devastated if/when my kids lose it....that will be sad for me.

 

[Disney_Villain]

Yes, every time we've dealt with grumpy, stupid, or belligerent cast in any of the North American parks (or on DCL) . . . usually counter-service, retail and hotel staff . . . but we try to ride it out and let the moments pass. They aren't common.

I refuse to let moments like this put a damper on our magical vacations - or even give them much of a second thought after the encounter is over.

 

[Rivergallery]

My trip to Disneyworld was boring, I thought Disneyland rides better for one. And I couldn't get past the comparison, I was about 12 or so. I did love Epcot though.

 

[Albort]

Just working there, does destroy the magic for you but you know what, its still a fun place to work. It isnt about ME, its about the GUEST and their magic. I always try to make the best of it in the park creating excitement even if it means to just stand there, even though im not getting paid and just talk to guest on the way home.

Most CMs try to make the most out of it, trying to make guest happy is our #1 goal.

 

[disney-super-mom]

I've now twice experienced non-magical trips.

Both times were due to one thing.......crowds! It's not that the Disney magic was lost. The magic was still there. It's just that there were too many people "blocking" the magic from reaching me and my family.

The first time was early March, 2004. Whoops, I had no idea at the time, but it was the start of spring break season.

The second time was this last April (the last week) during our DisBoards Ladies Only Trip. I'm not sure why the parks were so busy. Spring breaks were supposedly over, but boy was it packed. Also, it didn't help that it was 100-104 degrees everyday we were there. The only magic I experienced on that trip was meeting a bunch of really cool ladies.

But I don't let those experiences get me down because I know that the magic is still there for us to enjoy on a future trip.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I lose and regain it all the time.

Then, I go to WDW and it is all fresh again.

But sometimes I just have to STOP going to DL. I went the last three weekends in a row and yes, I'm done for now. Except, I have to go again on Sept. 15th for birthdays.

I worked at DL for a year. I did GC for the MSEP. Yes, in laymans terms that means I had to see it twice a night for a YEAR watching over the crowds to make sure no one got hurt or disrupted others. I had to wait years to see it again.

 

[pinktink83]

I've only been to DL 5 times in my life. First time I was too little to remember much. 2nd time was a special trip, just me and my dad when I turned 8. Then again as a pre-teen with the family. Next time was as a young adult with my best friend (who loves DL as much as I do!). The last time was as an adult, taking my kids for the first time.

I have never lost the magic. Maybe its b/c each time was at a totally different stage of my life, and I got to experience it in a whole new, fun way. And there was enough time in between each trip for the magic to rebuild!

I'm glad we don't go a lot. I like keeping that excitement new and fresh.

 

[Jenn1116]

February was DD4's 2nd trip to DL. We were walking up to Minnie's Breakfast, about to go in and pay when DD saw Minnie and pointed her out. Then she said "but Minnie's not real. That's a costume." I choked!!!!! I've never had such a hard time pressing back tears. I'm still wondering who told her that!!!

 

[DesertBell]

I was a teenager (16) the first time I laid eyes on DIsneyland, so it has never lost it's magic for me; I am dreading when that happens for my kids, though.

I do remember the year I lost my Christmas Spirit. I looked around, and all I saw was crass commercialism and greed. Unfortunately, it was several years before I got that back.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i have to say the first time my real dad took me there i was 8 maybe 9 and i rember it was so big, i loved how the charcters treated me and others and it seemed more magical.

the other times i went as a child didnt seem to magical to me soemthing didnt seem right.(well ok one was my sisters bday right after christmes. that was the first time she and my steap dad had ever been to dl, her bday is jan 1st the fireworks were grate and we all did have grate time there that time.)


then i went with my son when he was 1year and half or something i have the date just not on hand. I saw it though his eyes and how aroura treated him he just had a blast with her i sware she spent a good 20mins with us it was so cute.

since then the magic has been back. wdw wasnt to grate for me when we finely got there becosue of my mom and other things happened right before we left..it sucked. but it was fun and just tells us some time to go but not with my mom and sister cant do it just cant well not driving and shareing room again.

this last time at dl wow i just felt giddy my son was older enjoyed it more then his first time to dl and idk maybe it was also the add of christmas lights up last year. It was the first time i had a grate time with not one regreat and this oct will be the secound time no regreats no worrys and DL just seems to be getting more and more magical to me as my years go by.

dose that make since.

 

[avalon451]

Our very first trip ever was in March. When the oldest DD got sick en route, most of the magic was gone for me. The whole experience was just too worrying and stressful to really enjoy.

Don't get me wrong, we made the best of it, considering. But the constant worrying about her (and increasingly, the other two, as they began to look worn out and sick-ish, too, as the week went on), the shuffling of plans and schedules, canceling PS's, trying to figure out how we could get everybody onto the rides they wanted when only one parent was with them... I'll never forget the Tuesday night when I was over in ROA getting ready to check in for Fantasmic reserved seating. It had been a surprise for my family, but DD12 was over in the hotel sleeping and feverish; DH was walking around with DDs 10 and 5. I was hoping against hope that DD12 would feel ok enough to attend this special experience, while I checked in. Right when I got done I got a text from DH saying that they were sitting on a bench by the entrance to Frontierland resting, because DD10 said she had a stomachache and felt sick. Right then I turned to one of the pillars by the walkway by ROA, put my head down in my arms, and tried not to cry. TWO kids sick at DL? What next?! But then I got a grip on myself, walked over to the benches, and DD10 went to the bathroom and came skipping back saying she felt fine. DH went to get DD12, and she had had a long nap and felt much better, too. So we all enjoyed F! reserved seating and watched the amazing show! It all worked out.

Granted, by the end of the week DD12 was so dehydrated with some weird flu bug that they almost hospitalized her when we got home. However, that's why she and I are going back in October, to do it over right! This time, we are going to OWN the MAGIC!

 

[2hapas]

Never did yet, knock on wood!!!

 

[CAbryan]

Aweome thread, and puts things into perspective..

last year we did WDW and we were kinda let down by DL this year - vs - when we went during the 50th. It was still a great time but that magic wasn't there like before. However, when you put everything in perspective, dig deep down the magic is always there. It's just how you see it.

 

[Disneyanajc]

The Magic of Disney has never left me…My very first trip was in 1969…my second anniversary I was turning 20…My Prince Charming took me there and we only had a day for Disneyland…but what a day…I fell in love with Disney that day…Our son’s first ever trip was to DL when he was 9 months old the year 1971…that year as we left DL, I looked at the DLH and said to my DH, I would love to stay there some day…the next year we stayed at the DLH and from then on it has always been the DLH… I have so many wonderful Disney memories (and a few not so great...such is life)…Trips down with my Mom and Dad and my In-laws (they are gone now) …Trips with FAMILY and Friends… Trips with the DH when our son no longer wanted to go … When I get to DL all the magical memories from all the trips come flooding back and I just smile … Then it’s through the gate under the bridge, ready to make some new memories… Now with a grandson in tow …JC

 

[Mugglemama]

we'd been to DLR more than a hundred times without ever losing the magic. in fact, it just seemed to inflate with each visit.

and then we went last august.

for the first time EVER, we encountered rude cast members. the first was in the ticket line. the next was a cast member who screeched at my kids about the parade rope barrier (some kids nearby were messing with it, we were just walking by to get to a ride...i guess she thought my kids were going to do the same as the others because my son held out his hand to run it along the top of the rope), she yelled at them, "Don't touch the rope!" and we found that the entire 5 days we were there, the operators of the FL rides were totally militant about seating arrangements. these were all things that we had never experienced before, and by the time the CM barked at my kids about the stupid rope, i actually considered just going home.

we haven't been back since, but are going at the end of september. if a CM gripes at any of my kids for doing nothing wrong (i don't let them jump around in line or climb on things at DL!), i'm going to gripe back!

as you all must know, families spend thousands of dollars for a week long disney vacation. between transportation, hotel costs, food costs, and tix, it's really pricey. as a family of 6 this is a really big expense for us. and as much as i love DLR, if i get made to feel like i did last year i'm going to think of somewhere else to start going. the harry potter park opens up in 2010, so i may just start taking the kids to universal.

i hope it doesn't go that way. some of the best memories of being a mommy and watching my children grow have been made at DL. but i won't keep spending my money there if the CM's get any worse.