Keys to the Kingdom/The trip of a lifetime!

[minnierocks]

Fantastic report. Any comments about how you were all treated the next day at work or school?

Nothing prepared us for the flurry of excitement that would surround us and this trip!

Our story was in all the local papers and news shows! Our family made sure there were plenty of copies for us when we arrived home.
We were interviewed by our local paper as well for a story to run at a later date...It was just in this past week's paper.
Many teachers at the kids' school had our picture posted on their boards and everyone wanted to hear about the trip!
So many people just thought that we were getting a trip to Disney, they didn't realize what a BIG deal it was!!! To be honest with you, we didn't realize how big it would be!
I think the craziest (good crazy) one was a message left on our machine from a guy in New Zealand! He had seen the clip and wanted to interview us for his radio show in New Zealand!!! DH said that New Zealand was a little far to call for an interview
It was so much fun to search the internet looking for articles on us! How many people can Google their names and get tons of hits?!
We found that our surprise on Main St. was shown internationally and that was really something else!
It has been so much fun to tell people about all the wonderful things that Disney did for us. I have appreciated so much all the other DIS members who have posted such kind comments and good wishes! The kids have loved seeing where everyone was from and to see posts from other countries! What an experience for them!

You know, people have asked, "How can you ever go back? Wouldn't it just be so blah after this trip?" Our answer..."NO WAY!!!" See, we've always had fun at Disney...it has been the most fun that we have ever had on vacation! Of course, I have to admit that this is the MOST fun we've ever had at Disney!
But, we'll go back and we'll have fun just like we've always had. Think of the memories...I will never be able to look at the carousel and not see it full of characters...
We can walk down Main St. and stop at "the spot" where 1500 CM's showed up to greet us!!!
We'll always remember the magic that we felt that day and it will live forever in our hearts!
Our children have quite a story to share with their own children someday when they take them to Disney!
We were blessed and so grateful to be a part of Disney history...to be the family that stood on Main St. alone with the castle in the background!
Eventually, the excitement will die down and that's OK...there are perks to being "pumpkins"
But, for our family, it was a magical time when we were treated like royalty and one journey that will never, ever be forgotten!!!
Thanks to all for EVERYTHING!!!

 

[outlander]

Thanks again for sharing your magic with us minnierocks.
here's to many more magical momements!

 

[tinker1bell]

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!"

No one is ever a pumpkin!!!

I have loved reading your trip report. I have also enjoyed reading all of the responses.
Disney really does now how to make our dreams come true. Mine came true just reading about your magic.
I think even years from now if I was to watch the video of you standing in front of the castle waving and then you are mobbed by everyone I will cry each and every time.

 

[OhioTony]

Thanks painting the picture of your trip of a lifetime for us, with your wonderful reports
Nothing "silly" about cryin' down Mainstreet...My wife insinsts on walking backwards down Mainstreet on our last day at the MK. I have to be her "forward" eyes to keep her from tripping, or running into someone...
now THAT'S just SILLY!!!

 

[Tosie]

Thank you for sharing your report! Sounds like this prize couldn't have gone to a nicer family!

 

[sherreis]

Tammy,

Thank you so much for sharing your whole experience with us. I really felt like I was right along with your family. You're all going to be talking about this for a long time.

Just goes to show....dreams really do come true!

 

[Vickie46]

thanks for sharing your entire trip report with us.. ofcourse.. I cried and cried over your goodbye part.. wow.. all I can say is that was a trip of a lifetime.. I am so excited I was able to read your report!!! Congrats!!!!!!

 

[jworthy]

Great trip report! Just think, every time you go to WDW from now on, you will probably be treated as celebrities. I know we would ask for your autograph. Thanks again for sharing your wonderful trip.

 

[WDWBoundAgain]

I have been reading your trip report all along. Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I must say I found myself in tears of joy for you and your family. Your story really did show all the joy. As I was reading it each time I had a mental picture of it. What a dream come true!!!

 

[Cyrano]

Great report, thanks

 

[ferris198]

Holy Crap , you did it again, I just went through another box of kleenex reading these last couple of posts.
You see too, I must confess I am a cryer at Disney. It starts when the planes lands in Orlando, and although it does stop for periods, it picks up again on the way home.
2 years ago, I took my son who was 4 at the time to Disney. I had just lost my job, and my husband couldn't come with us, so very last minute I decided to use some of my severance package to pay for a trip.
The expression on my son's face when he saw his first "live character" was priceless, bringing tears to my eyes. I had been there as a child of his age, and have vivid memories of it, but to see it through his eyes was magical.
Your story has been a fantastic read, thank you for sharing it.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[OhMari]

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 touch down, just before midnight, in Cleveland...DS looks at me and says, "Well, it's official. We're pumpkins again!"

Your not pumpkins, but kids do say the darnest things. After a couple of weeks, I'll switch this over to the completed trip reports, so it will never get lost.

OhMari Trip Reports Moderator

 

[DIS4MYGIRLS]

WOW......Thanks for sharing

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

SWEET!

 

[Steamboat Marti]

Fantasmic report! I'm glad you have such wonderful memories to last your lifetime, but I'm also glad that your children were old enough to have some special memories of this great trip. Thanks for bringing us along on your ride.

 

[cinderellanne]

Dear MinnieRocks/Tammy,

Thank you so much for sharing your story! I cried big happy tears through every single post. Can't wait to share it with my DH and DD. Your surprises have inspired me to plan some really wild surpises for them on our next trip.

Now, I have to blow my nose and try to get to sleep and dream wonderful WDW dreams.

Happy day,
Anne

 

[KatiebugsMom]

Thank you, Tammy!!!

This has been a real treat to read and so glad you were willing to share it!

You have got me sooooo excited about my upcoming "dream" trip in January and I hope to stop in the middle of Main Street and think about you...... Bless you all!

 

[Hypermommy]

just before midnight, in Cleveland...DS looks at me and says, "Well, it's official. We're pumpkins again!"

Never, ever, pumpkins. Just like Cinderella, it's the magic that was already inside you that made the trip so wonderful. Your marvelous Prince Charming DH, your Louie-loving DS and Belle, your DD and you -- magnificent, wonderful you -- truly a princess. Thank you so very much for sharing the magic with us. As you know, we all watched your videos on GMA with a touch of wonder and envy. But you have been kind and gracious enough to take us along on the magical moments and for that I, for one, will be eternally grateful. Thank you so much for allowing us to vicariously live this trip of a lifetime with you!!!!! May pixie-dust and Mickey Magic follow you all the days of your lives.

 

[minnierocks]

Never, ever, pumpkins. Just like Cinderella, it's the magic that was already inside you that made the trip so wonderful. Your marvelous Prince Charming DH, your Louie-loving DS and Belle, your DD and you -- magnificent, wonderful you -- truly a princess. Thank you so very much for sharing the magic with us. As you know, we all watched your videos on GMA with a touch of wonder and envy. But you have been kind and gracious enough to take us along on the magical moments and for that I, for one, will be eternally grateful. Thank you so much for allowing us to vicariously live this trip of a lifetime with you!!!!! May pixie-dust and Mickey Magic follow you all the days of your lives.

What a beautiful compliment...thank you so much!
You know, this has been so amazing for me. I have so enjoyed reading everyone's posts and really-they have touched my heart! I have increased my circle in a way that I never thought possible and it has been truly wonderful!
Thank you all for being such a source of encouragement for us. It was pure joy for me to share it with all of you!!!