My son got to "Start the Fireworks" at Epcot!

[Threehearts]

For all of those who feel that they would be disappointed if they didn't get patio seating at the Rose and Crown- indoor seating worked beautifully for us!! I took my 8 y/o, very shy son for a mother/son 2 day trip this past weekend. We had 8pm reservations at the Rose and Crown and as usual, the line with people checking in for PS was huge. We waited patiently for our beeper and then walked around but figured that the patio wasn't going to happen for us. We ended up at a rather lonely table inside but my son and I were just happy to be together enjoying Disney. Hannah, the greeter at Rose and Crown struck up a conversation with my son and he was so excited that she came over after seating us with some stickers. Our server Jo was just excellent and over the next 45 minutes we chatted with both CMs and ordered dinner. Hannah and Jo told us that at about 8:50, they would take the indoor people down to the VIP area for Illuminations viewing. That was great with us. About 20 min. before the show, Hannah returned and asked my son if he wanted to "start the Epcot fireworks." We left the table and went out to the edge of the main patio. My son stood up on a chair and in front of all of these people got to wave the light saber and "wish as hard as you can" that the fireworks would begin. At the end of a countdown he pointed the saber to the water and BOOM!, the show began. He was thrilled beyond words and got a certificate signed by the CMs at Rose and Crown with personal messages from Jo and Hannah. The certificate reads "For Starting the Fireworks." At the end of our meal, Jo took my son across the street with 2 English pennies and a wishing card. He made a secret wish and threw one penny in the wishing well and kept the other to remember this evening. I really believe that this magical moment happened because we were happy to be there and didn't make one issue about not being seated outside. There were a lot of people complaining that night who were before us in the check-in line. To top off this incredible weekend, my little guy got picked to participate in the Lion King show in AK even though we were seated in the middle of the crowd and the manager of a store in AK gave him a free binoculars/35mm camera set because the one we had purchased at Expedition Everest didn't work. I am so thankful for all of the pixie dust. Threehearts

 

[DisOrBust]

How Great!! Kudos to the CMs!!!

 

[got2travel]

Ok, see, that is why I love Disney. You don't get momments like that at Six Flags or Universal. You can't even explain this to a non-Disney person. Every time I get the rolled eyes and the "Disney again" comments, I just remember all the pixie dust my family and other families have gotten.

And thanks for sharing, I had never heard of 'starting the fireworks' before.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

That's absolutely incredible! I'm glad you had such a good time. This sounds like a trip your son will never forget.

One quick question - just how close are you to the fireworks from that vantage point? My DD has just developed a fear of them.

 

[nliedel]

How special for your little son!

 

[Threehearts]

The fireworks seemed closer than they actually were but I must say that the view was fantastic! If your child is afraid of loud noises, I would be more concerned. When my son "started" the fireworks, there was a very loud boom right near the restaurant which may or may not concern a little one. Have fun, we sure did! Threehearts

 

[purpliequeen]

Wow! That story brought tears to my eyes. I love Disney!!!! I went when I was 4, 9, and this past Dec at 16. of course all the times were magical, but I fondly remember when I was 9- around the age of your son. Glad you had such a great time.

Raina