Mini Trip Report Thurs 11/4

[VandVsmama]

I was at DL yesterday for a 1-day visit to remember and honor a dear friend who recently passed away. Wed was her funeral. My friend was an AP holder and would go a couple of times a week to DL. So this visit was therapy. Usually I go with my DH and kids. They stayed home this time.

I just have to say...the day was incredible. I was handing out small thank you notes I'd written on 3x5" cards. I gave them to CMs. I was waiting for the Soundsational Parade to start at 4:30 and a very nice CM on the clean up crew came by asking if anyone had any trash that you'd like to throw away before the parade started. I said, "No but I have a thank you note for you!" She says thanks and then continued on about her job. She returned 5 min later and gave me a huge bear hug, said that she's read the note and how touching it was and how she wanted to make some Disney magic for me and did I have any special plans for after the parade?

So she and I made arrangements to meet over by Matterhorn. The parade finished and I started walking over to the Matterhorn and I spotted her a moment later only she had several of her coworkers in tow with her. A small army of white-clad custodial crew. We hugged again and she said how she had showed my thank you note to EVERYBODY and they all cried,at which point I then started to cry again. Then basically the entire custodial crew in Fantasyland gave me bear hugs. It's very emotional just to talk about it actually. Total strangers. It was so wonderful. Then one of the CMs asked me what ride would I like to go on...I said Matterhorn and Peter Pan, but I'd like Peter Pan more because the lines for it are always super long.

So THEN the CM walked me over to Peter Pan and I got on without having to wait! WOW!

The entire day was just so great. Went on all of my friend's favorite rides, with the exception of IASW since that wasn't online yet for the holidays. At the beginning of the day, I got on the omnibus and the horse drawn trolley came up with the Dapper Dans singing. Wow.

Then later in the day, I watched the pirate band perform in New Orleans Square and they played an Irish drinking song (my friend was of Irish descent). I love the pirate band.

Saw the Disneyland band a couple of times too. Their performances are always great. Saw Mickey and the Magical Map for the first time. Went on Hyperspace Mtn 2x w/FP. That ride is incredible. It's like being inside a Star Wars video game or movie. Totally awesome. Went to the Darth Vader meet and greets and made a total fool of myself. Lol. Told Chewbacca that my kids and I speak wookie to each other in the car on the way home from school and he thought that was great. Called Darth Vader "Lord Vader" and told him that I have two young apprentices at home who he'd be interested in and he ordered me to bring them next time because he will be expecting him. And OMG Darth Vader's voice is just like the real voice in the movie. And he was SO TALL.

I ran into the Evil Queen in Fantasyland and bowed to her and said, "My lady" and she responded with "Now THAT is a proper free greeting!" I have to thank Fresh Baked Disney for that idea...saw one of their crew do that in a video once and it was hilarious and fun. Disneyland really is a playground for children of all ages.

A few other quick highlights:
Eating lunch at the French Market with Nightmare Before Christmas music playing.
Hearing little kids get to blow the train horn at New Orleans Square station
Oogling over the artwork at the Disneyana store

Attractions I went on:
Hyperspace Mtn
Pirates
HM
Splash Mtn
BTMRR
Star Tours
Buzz Lightyear
Saw the Star Wars exhibit
Watched the brief Star Wars path of the Jedi movie
Great Moments with Mr Lincoln
Matterhorn
Snow White
Pinocchio
Mr Toad's Wild Ride
Peter Pan
Sleeping Beauty Castle walk through

Had dinner at Coke Corner while the piano player was playing. He played "When you wish upon a star" and it totally made me cry. He was great and a really nice guy.

It was such a wonderful day. I can't wait to go back.

 

[Frozen2014]

What a wonderful memory in honor of your friend. Am so very sorry for your loss. Glad the day was all it could be and all the CMs knew how appreciated they were to her.

 

[princess_jamie]

Thanks so much for sharing! What a wonderful day you had! I think that is such a nice way for you to honour your friend and spend some time for yourself. I can't wait to meet Darth Vader in a few weeks!

 

[rentayenta]

Thank you for sharing your day with us.

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

Sounds fun! So nice of them to get you on Peter Pan. Fun memories

 

[mom2rtk]

Glad you had a fun and meaningful day.

 

[oktracy]

Many Blessings to you. What a wonderful way to honor your friend. So glad you had a wonderful day.

 

[5forMickey]

What an honor to your dear friend. I had my family read your post and told them that's how I wanted to be remembered. Such a beautiful tribute.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

What a lovely way to remember your friend. It really looks like you had a special experience.

 

[VandVsmama]

There was so much love in that moment in Fantasyland with the custodial crew. It really was amazing. Everybody was misty eyed and choked up. I get a little emotional every time I tell somebody about it. It was just so incredible and it meant so much. They were all so kind and compassionate. I'm seriously going to treasure that moment for the rest of my life. It was like walking on cloud 9 the rest of the day.

 

[Laundress]

I am sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your inspiring day.

 

[karen1987]

What a lovely day you had! Thank you for sharing

 

[4Mickeys]

How wonderful - I remember reading your post when you trying to decide whether to go and what to do when there to commemorate your friend's memory. I am sorry for your loss of a dear friend.

My family also got walked onto Peter Pan also thanks to a wonderful cast member with whom we struck up a random conversation that ended in Pixie Dust for each of my kids that was a huge surprise from a lovely lady - so I know how much fun that can be

 

[DizMe]

What a touching tribute to your friend. How great that you were able to turn a sad thing into something magical--a happy way to remember your friendship

 

[Donalyn]

Thanks for sharing your story. I bet that the custodial crew doesn't get many magical moments (people really appreciating them). I bet that you really made their day, while they helped make your day special too.