Yesterday was simply an amazing day all around, a piece of magic that neither my son nor the rest of our family will ever forget.
The first notable thing that happened was when we got to the Magic Kingdom® Park, a Cast Member at the Ticket and Transportation Center gave my son an Honorary Citizen button after hearing about what was going to happen. He wore that button proudly all day. David met us on Main Street, U.S.A., just to meet my son and to make sure all of the plans were in order for the day. David was exceptionally nice, said he would see us at 3:30 in front of City Hall, and told us that he had something spectacular planned for the 2,000th ride later that afternoon.
From there my son made a beeline to Snow White's Scary Adventures for his first three rides of the day, bringing his total to 1993. Next was a walk over to The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh for a quick ride, and then time for a snack at the Village Fry Shoppe . . . it was time for another set of rides on Snow White, bringing his total to 1996. Next up was a visit to Pirates of the Caribbean, which has lately become popular with him . . . then, three more trips on Snow White, and he was up to 1,999.
The timing was perfect. We left Fantasyland® Area and got ahead of the three o'clock parade. We made it to City Hall just before the parade reached that point and for the first time in his life, my son actually sat and watched the entire parade. His mom met us there, as well as his grandparents, and we had a great time watching the parade go by. Once it was over, we went into City Hall and let them know we were there. I expected David to come out to greet us, but instead we were greeted by an entire phalanx of Dream Squad Cast Members. My son seemed flattered by all the attention, and we stood around and socialized for a few minutes. Finally, yet another Dream Squad Cast Member came out to tell us they were ready. We were all escorted behind the counter and into the VIP room.
I had been told in advance that we were getting a private meet and greet with Snow White. What I didn't expect was Snow White, her Prince, all Seven Dwarfs, the Queen, plus a professional Photographer and numerous other Cast Members. My son was completely overwhelmed. He waded into the crowd of Characters and was bewildered at all of them. There was a perfect moment when Snow White herself leaned down and kissed him on the cheek, leaving big red lipstick marks. My son got a little bashful, and then he took a step forward and had a huge grin on his face. He touched several of the Dwarfs and just generally soaked it all in.
When the meet and greet was over, it was time to walk over for the 2,000th ride. I expected David to walk us over, which he did; but he was also joined by an army of other Cast Members. He called ahead to let the folks at the ride know that we were coming. The Cast Members cut a path for us, and we were escorted directly onto the ride. My son sat in the front row with his mom, I sat behind them, and his grandparents sat in the back row. A Photographer was there taking pictures as we got into the mine cart and as we started the ride.
The ride itself was pretty much like it had been for the last 1,999 times. Seriously, there just aren't any surprises left in there for me, but my son seems to love it just as much every single time he goes on it. Of course, the Photographer was there to get pictures of us as the mine cart was coming out of the ride at the very end. I thought the whole thing was pretty cool, and I was pleased with what Disney had done for us. I had no idea what was about to happen.
As soon as we got off the ride, we saw that a huge crowd had formed. At the center was a giant sign commemorating the 2,000th ride, signed by Snow White and all Seven Dwarfs. There was also a Cast Member holding a display with a beautiful custom framed picture of Snow White and the Dwarfs, also autographed by all of them, plus some collector's pins, a Snow White cup, another picture frame, and a pile of jewels. The Photographer continued to take pictures as David announced to the entire crowd what my son had just achieved, and the whole crowd cheered. My son came forward, and they put on his head a pair of Mouse Ears with his name embroidered on them. He wore that hat for the rest of the day, not taking it off until he crawled into bed. For a kid that never, ever wears hats that was pretty exceptional. We were all completely overwhelmed by the whole thing.
Of course, once all the hoopla was over, my son turned around and went back to the ride. It was just him and me on that 2,001st ride, and the whole time through he had a big smile. Now that he was in his quiet space, with just me and his favorite ride, he relaxed enough to show just how much he had enjoyed the whole thing.
All total yesterday he went on Snow White's Scary Adventures 14 times. He wore those Mouse Ears and kept that lipstick mark on his cheek all day long. When we finally made it home, he had some dinner and then collapsed into bed by 8:30 p.m. He slept like a rock, and even now he still has the lipstick on his face. He has looked at the pictures from yesterday and is very happy. All in all it was a completely amazing and magical experience.
One other thing worth notingnot long after the big ride I got a phone call from the Photographer. He wanted to get my address so that they could mail out a photo CD with all of the pictures they took that day. Between the value of all of those pictures, all of the gifts, and all of the time and labor that Disney put in to making the event happen, Disney put in hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars into making one autistic boy feel special for a day. That is not something that I will soon forget.
Every time I walk into that park with my son, not just yesterday but on every single visit, I am struck by just how much Disney has done for my son. His first recognizable words were when he started to sing along with me to "The Bear Necessities" when he was six years old. For years he carried a plush Sorcerer Mickey doll with him everywhere he went. The thing that most helps keep him calm when the world gets overwhelming is his iPod filled with Disney music. People like Carl, Scott, and David have had a direct and lasting positive impact on his life. Virtually every Cast Member that works in Fantasyland® Area has at one time or another stopped and done a little something for my son to make his day a little more magical. Walt Disney himself, who passed away decades before my son was born, has seemed to reach across time all the way from 1937 in order to bring him a never ending source of happiness.
I don't know what is in store for my son in the future. I worry about what will happen when he is an adult, what will happen when I am no longer here to take care of him, but for this weekend at least I am content with my son's well-being. I owe an important part of that to Disney and all that they have collectively done, and for that I am eternally grateful.
Thank God for the kindness of people who didn't even know him.
...what great parents he has.
