My wife and our two kids (Daughter, 3.5; son, 11mo) were at DLR for 7 days (5 full park days) in September, but we were back for 1 day as part of a different trip (to see family) this weekend. A gracious sibling of our good friend is a cast member and comped us in (Thank you!!) and we had a marvelous day, but there was something that happened on this trip I will always cherish, and wanted to share.
Our daughter's happy to stay up late and it doesn't seem to hurt her sleep, and DL was open until midnight, so we were sticking around doing her favorites several times after the rest of the group departed. We got off the monorail and headed for IASW (one of her two very favorites, along with "The Shell Ride" in DCA), getting there just ahead of the second running of Paint The Night. We got into the deserted IASW queue, but before we turned to go down the ramp (right by the facade and the gate the parade runs through) my wife asked my daughter if she wanted to watch the parade (and see Ariel) one more time, and ride the boats (her phrase for IASW) after. She agreed, and we just stopped against the queue chain, letting others pass us (not many came). We wouldn't have planned to do this in the queue, but it just worked out that way.
Boy, am I glad it did. Since we were in a deserted queue, with a wall on the other side, we were literally the only people within 100 yards. When we stopped I wondered if this might happen, but I had no idea how neat it would be: characters, dancers, everyone, one after another, would acknowledge our daughter in some way. Fairies waved wands over her. Nemo and Marlin nuzzled noses with her. Minnie drew her a giant heart in the air. Ariel said she looked beautiful. Anna asked her if she wanted to build a snowman. Sully turned to look at her and pointed and danced. Just about every dancer made eye contact and waved.
It was like having our own personal parade. My daughter was absolutely rapt, waving back, smiling quietly, just absorbing it. I'll remember her expression forever.
I made eye contact and clapped quietly to all who would look my way, just to say thank you. It'd be easy to ignore the little group right at the end and just head into the exit, but instead dozens of performers went above and beyond to create something we'll never forget. I'm grateful to each of them, and wanted to share our generous portion of pixie dust with all of you.
Wishing magic to all,
Nathan
Our daughter's happy to stay up late and it doesn't seem to hurt her sleep, and DL was open until midnight, so we were sticking around doing her favorites several times after the rest of the group departed. We got off the monorail and headed for IASW (one of her two very favorites, along with "The Shell Ride" in DCA), getting there just ahead of the second running of Paint The Night. We got into the deserted IASW queue, but before we turned to go down the ramp (right by the facade and the gate the parade runs through) my wife asked my daughter if she wanted to watch the parade (and see Ariel) one more time, and ride the boats (her phrase for IASW) after. She agreed, and we just stopped against the queue chain, letting others pass us (not many came). We wouldn't have planned to do this in the queue, but it just worked out that way.
Boy, am I glad it did. Since we were in a deserted queue, with a wall on the other side, we were literally the only people within 100 yards. When we stopped I wondered if this might happen, but I had no idea how neat it would be: characters, dancers, everyone, one after another, would acknowledge our daughter in some way. Fairies waved wands over her. Nemo and Marlin nuzzled noses with her. Minnie drew her a giant heart in the air. Ariel said she looked beautiful. Anna asked her if she wanted to build a snowman. Sully turned to look at her and pointed and danced. Just about every dancer made eye contact and waved.
It was like having our own personal parade. My daughter was absolutely rapt, waving back, smiling quietly, just absorbing it. I'll remember her expression forever.
I made eye contact and clapped quietly to all who would look my way, just to say thank you. It'd be easy to ignore the little group right at the end and just head into the exit, but instead dozens of performers went above and beyond to create something we'll never forget. I'm grateful to each of them, and wanted to share our generous portion of pixie dust with all of you.
Wishing magic to all,
Nathan
Thoughts?
