Disney Mystic
Disney Fanatic and Father of Four Lil' Fanatics
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2008
- Messages
- 37
Introduction: Been reading these forums a while. My wife & I have 4 kiddos (13, 11, 7 and 2) and recently moved back to Las Vegas from Texas. I promised them this time we'd enjoy more of the west coast, namely Disneyland and Legoland. In early Feb, we got our Disney season passes and every weekend we get a chance, we cruise down for a weekend of Legos and Mickeys.
It was late on our third evening of our extended weekend, despite my having all the energy in the world, two of the four were ready to retire to the hotel. Of course I'm the type that feels they must be in the park every second its open, so me and two of my boys stayed. With our feet hurting, we decided to just ride the Disney Railroad around the park. Its beautiful at night, you can sit there with your kids and just enjoy the atmosphere with the sense of being completely disconnected from everything else.
As we sat there, we noticed a gentleman riding by himself, probably 55-60ish, Disney Jacket, was speaking on and off to one of the train attendants. I struck up a conversation with him and learned this gentleman once worked at Disneyland, and just comes out occasionally in the evening to ride the train near the end of the night. He had many interesting stories both of experiences at Disneyland, including details about many of the myths that these very boards often discuss, and experiences as an entertainer who had performed for seven U.S. Presidents. My kids stayed quiet while we spoke as I kept the door open for as much as he was willing to share with us.
I couldn't tell you how many times we lapped the park, but finally the kids were getting restless and we had arrived at New Orleans Square (which means POTC over & over again) and I shook the guys hand and told him that of all that I could experience at Disneyland on that trip, meeting him and hearing his stories would be the one thing I would take with me. I stated I hoped to see him again someday so he could meet my wife and my other two children.
We'll always be on the lookout for him ever time we're there late in the evening on the train. He seemed to just want to talk to someone who cared to listen and appreciate his stories. What was probably one of the more un-eventful attractions at Disneyland became a rich experience that I'll remember. No behind-the-scenes books or DVDs could compare to it.
Morale of the story is: There's magic everywhere in this place, even at the end of the night when you're tired, hungry and cold. You might even see him on your next trip!
It was late on our third evening of our extended weekend, despite my having all the energy in the world, two of the four were ready to retire to the hotel. Of course I'm the type that feels they must be in the park every second its open, so me and two of my boys stayed. With our feet hurting, we decided to just ride the Disney Railroad around the park. Its beautiful at night, you can sit there with your kids and just enjoy the atmosphere with the sense of being completely disconnected from everything else.
As we sat there, we noticed a gentleman riding by himself, probably 55-60ish, Disney Jacket, was speaking on and off to one of the train attendants. I struck up a conversation with him and learned this gentleman once worked at Disneyland, and just comes out occasionally in the evening to ride the train near the end of the night. He had many interesting stories both of experiences at Disneyland, including details about many of the myths that these very boards often discuss, and experiences as an entertainer who had performed for seven U.S. Presidents. My kids stayed quiet while we spoke as I kept the door open for as much as he was willing to share with us.
I couldn't tell you how many times we lapped the park, but finally the kids were getting restless and we had arrived at New Orleans Square (which means POTC over & over again) and I shook the guys hand and told him that of all that I could experience at Disneyland on that trip, meeting him and hearing his stories would be the one thing I would take with me. I stated I hoped to see him again someday so he could meet my wife and my other two children.
We'll always be on the lookout for him ever time we're there late in the evening on the train. He seemed to just want to talk to someone who cared to listen and appreciate his stories. What was probably one of the more un-eventful attractions at Disneyland became a rich experience that I'll remember. No behind-the-scenes books or DVDs could compare to it.
Morale of the story is: There's magic everywhere in this place, even at the end of the night when you're tired, hungry and cold. You might even see him on your next trip!
