Wow, what great stories. It's no wonder we all keep going back...Disney truly brings magic into our lives.
I have to warn you, mine is kinda sad, but really sealed the deal for me.
We had been to WDW once with oldest dd, and once with both the girls...then in 2005 the first of the free dining offers came out...it happened to be over fall break...dh didn't want to go, he doesn't really "get it" probably never will. So I decided I would take my then 9 yr old and 4 yr old dd's to disney by myself. Money was tight & this was a budget trip. We stayed at POP, had free dining, and my girls earned their spending money by doing little extra chores around the house and saving their bday money. We were shopping at the emporium on the first day of our trip, they're looking at everything with big giant eyes...they pick out a few things...a pirate hat & sword among them...I didnt know why they wanted that...but figured youngest dd must have. We pay & walk out...they ask if they could have the hat & sword...& just walked up to the very first boy they saw that looked about 5 and said "hi - we want you to have this".....I was shocked..so were the boys parents! I didn't understand, the parents tried to refuse, so I asked the girls why...Well, my son, their brother would have been turning 5 that week, he died a couple of days after he was born. They said they wanted to buy something for him on birthday and share it with another 5 yr old. Well at this point the boys parents, and I were crying....they accepted the gift, we hugged and went our seperate ways. That was my moment, I knew right then I would figure out a way to celebrate my son's life each and every time I went to disney. So even now 5 years later...when my teenager and IWANNAbeateenager are screaming at each other...I remember what great kids they are...
I know there have been several threads on here about the Disney Magic. What I wanted to know is, what was that one moment at Disney that really impacted you?
Mine is the time we were at Epcot. Im not sure exactly how this all happened, but we witnessed a little girl interacting with Mickey. The little girls was deaf, and Mickey was signing to her. The mother of the girl was welling up watching her little girls excitement. We almost could not hold back the tears. This was the moment I truely understood the Magic of Disney.
So, what was your moment?
We had been to WDW once with oldest dd, and once with both the girls...then in 2005 the first of the free dining offers came out...it happened to be over fall break...dh didn't want to go, he doesn't really "get it" probably never will. So I decided I would take my then 9 yr old and 4 yr old dd's to disney by myself. Money was tight & this was a budget trip. We stayed at POP, had free dining, and my girls earned their spending money by doing little extra chores around the house and saving their bday money. We were shopping at the emporium on the first day of our trip, they're looking at everything with big giant eyes...they pick out a few things...a pirate hat & sword among them...I didnt know why they wanted that...but figured youngest dd must have. We pay & walk out...they ask if they could have the hat & sword...& just walked up to the very first boy they saw that looked about 5 and said "hi - we want you to have this".....I was shocked..so were the boys parents! I didn't understand, the parents tried to refuse, so I asked the girls why...Well, my son, their brother would have been turning 5 that week, he died a couple of days after he was born. They said they wanted to buy something for him on birthday and share it with another 5 yr old. Well at this point the boys parents, and I were crying....they accepted the gift, we hugged and went our seperate ways. That was my moment, I knew right then I would figure out a way to celebrate my son's life each and every time I went to disney. So even now 5 years later...when my teenager and IWANNAbeateenager are screaming at each other...I remember what great kids they are...
My "moment" was the Sunday after 9/11. I was ticked that the UT/UF football game had been cancelled and was just sick of the endless loops of the two planes smashing into the towers being the only things every single television station was airing, so at like 10 pm Saturday night I just snapped and told my wife we were going to EPCOT the next day (she was ecstatic, she had never been). So, early the next morning, we jumped in the car and made the drive down from Gainesville. There couldn't have been more than a couple thousand people in the park that day. It felt as if we had the whole park to ourselves. My moment came at the American Adventure. We were standing in the rotunda, listening to the Voices of Liberty perform before the show started. As they started the Star Spangled Banner, an old man sitting in a wheelchair next to me attempted to stand. He was having a difficult time getting up and his wife was doing her best to keep him seating. He kept beating her protests away and finally I had enough and just grabbed him under his arm and lifted him. We stood there, two complete strangers, listening to our National Anthem at the end of one of the worst weeks in our history and we wept like little babes. At the end of the song, he looked at me and just said, "Thank you." I nodded and he was back in his chair and off into the theater. It was a moment I'll never forget.
This took place at Sea World, but when they do the Heroes Salute before the Shamu show brings me to tears every time. Seeing all those soldiers stand up with their families, and seeing my husband humbled with the people clapping for him just doing his job - it makes me weep like a baby.
My "moment" was the Sunday after 9/11. I was ticked that the UT/UF football game had been cancelled and was just sick of the endless loops of the two planes smashing into the towers being the only things every single television station was airing, so at like 10 pm Saturday night I just snapped and told my wife we were going to EPCOT the next day (she was ecstatic, she had never been). So, early the next morning, we jumped in the car and made the drive down from Gainesville. There couldn't have been more than a couple thousand people in the park that day. It felt as if we had the whole park to ourselves. My moment came at the American Adventure. We were standing in the rotunda, listening to the Voices of Liberty perform before the show started. As they started the Star Spangled Banner, an old man sitting in a wheelchair next to me attempted to stand. He was having a difficult time getting up and his wife was doing her best to keep him seating. He kept beating her protests away and finally I had enough and just grabbed him under his arm and lifted him. We stood there, two complete strangers, listening to our National Anthem at the end of one of the worst weeks in our history and we wept like little babes. At the end of the song, he looked at me and just said, "Thank you." I nodded and he was back in his chair and off into the theater. It was a moment I'll never forget.
Wow, what great stories. It's no wonder we all keep going back...Disney truly brings magic into our lives.
I have to warn you, mine is kinda sad, but really sealed the deal for me.
We had been to WDW once with oldest dd, and once with both the girls...then in 2005 the first of the free dining offers came out...it happened to be over fall break...dh didn't want to go, he doesn't really "get it" probably never will. So I decided I would take my then 9 yr old and 4 yr old dd's to disney by myself. Money was tight & this was a budget trip. We stayed at POP, had free dining, and my girls earned their spending money by doing little extra chores around the house and saving their bday money. We were shopping at the emporium on the first day of our trip, they're looking at everything with big giant eyes...they pick out a few things...a pirate hat & sword among them...I didnt know why they wanted that...but figured youngest dd must have. We pay & walk out...they ask if they could have the hat & sword...& just walked up to the very first boy they saw that looked about 5 and said "hi - we want you to have this".....I was shocked..so were the boys parents! I didn't understand, the parents tried to refuse, so I asked the girls why...Well, my son, their brother would have been turning 5 that week, he died a couple of days after he was born. They said they wanted to buy something for him on birthday and share it with another 5 yr old. Well at this point the boys parents, and I were crying....they accepted the gift, we hugged and went our seperate ways. That was my moment, I knew right then I would figure out a way to celebrate my son's life each and every time I went to disney. So even now 5 years later...when my teenager and IWANNAbeateenager are screaming at each other...I remember what great kids they are...
Our one moment not directly involving our family was a little girl we say 2 different times who was obviously a cancer patient. She and her parents had the table next ot ours at the princess lunch in Norway, and watching the wonderon her face seeing the princesses was magic We had early BBB ressies the next day and the same family was there agian. I wasn't sure what was going on when i saw them ourside. The little girl was completely bald and I was concerned about how she would feel seing the others get their hair done ect. Wsell, to my suprise the FGIT pulls out the most beautiful Cindy wig and styled it to perfection. Seeing that little girl's face when she saw herself in the mirror made me tear up, and that's just not something I do!
My moment is going to happen next week...
Back in 2005 my mom decided to take a spur of the moment trip to Disney with my son for his 5th birthday, she wanted him to experience the magic when he was young and the plan was to go back in 5 years when his sisters were older. My mom, my DS Ryan, me and my sister took off to Disney for a 4 day weekend and had a great time together watching the magic being created through my son's eyes. I have such fond memories of sharing Disney again with my mom as an adult and with my little boy.
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Well here we are 5 years later, Ryan is 10, his sisters are 7 and 4, it is the time my mom was waiting for to go on a Grand Gathering with her, my dad, me and the kids, my sister and her husband. My mom told us of the idea to go in March 2009 last September and that we were going to keep it a surprise from the kids until they got to the airport.
We booked the trip and had just started secretly planning when my mom died suddenly of a heart attack on October 31.
The past few months have been horrendous .. but never once did we veer from our plans to do this trip, as a surprise, for her grandchildren, in her honor. She so wanted to be here to see their faces and I know she will be with us in such a special way on this trip.
So, the children think they are going to fly to the beach next week, they have no idea we are taking them to Disney ..we will get to the airport and find Grandpa and their aunt and uncle waiting for them .. then they will find this letter addressed to them from their Grandma.
Dear Ryan, Emily and Caitlin,
I know it has been hard for you all since I have been gone. I miss being with you and sharing all of the special times together. I didn't know I would have to leave you so soon, there were still so many things I wanted to do with you. I was planning a special surprise for the whole family before I went to Heaven, and I hope you will all still go and have the time of your lives. I hope you are as surprised as I wanted you to be!
I miss you every day, but I'm still with you always watching over you.
So have lots of fun and make lots of memories together, as a family.
Love Forever,
Your Special Angel
Grandma
P.S. Say "Hi" to Mickey for Me.
and that's when they will realize we are going to Disney and that it's a gift from Grandma.
My moment is going to happen next week...
Back in 2005 my mom decided to take a spur of the moment trip to Disney with my son for his 5th birthday, she wanted him to experience the magic when he was young and the plan was to go back in 5 years when his sisters were older. My mom, my DS Ryan, me and my sister took off to Disney for a 4 day weekend and had a great time together watching the magic being created through my son's eyes. I have such fond memories of sharing Disney again with my mom as an adult and with my little boy.
![]()
Well here we are 5 years later, Ryan is 10, his sisters are 7 and 4, it is the time my mom was waiting for to go on a Grand Gathering with her, my dad, me and the kids, my sister and her husband. My mom told us of the idea to go in March 2009 last September and that we were going to keep it a surprise from the kids until they got to the airport.
We booked the trip and had just started secretly planning when my mom died suddenly of a heart attack on October 31.
The past few months have been horrendous .. but never once did we veer from our plans to do this trip, as a surprise, for her grandchildren, in her honor. She so wanted to be here to see their faces and I know she will be with us in such a special way on this trip.
So, the children think they are going to fly to the beach next week, they have no idea we are taking them to Disney ..we will get to the airport and find Grandpa and their aunt and uncle waiting for them .. then they will find this letter addressed to them from their Grandma.
Dear Ryan, Emily and Caitlin,
I know it has been hard for you all since I have been gone. I miss being with you and sharing all of the special times together. I didn't know I would have to leave you so soon, there were still so many things I wanted to do with you. I was planning a special surprise for the whole family before I went to Heaven, and I hope you will all still go and have the time of your lives. I hope you are as surprised as I wanted you to be!
I miss you every day, but I'm still with you always watching over you.
So have lots of fun and make lots of memories together, as a family.
Love Forever,
Your Special Angel
Grandma
P.S. Say "Hi" to Mickey for Me.
and that's when they will realize we are going to Disney and that it's a gift from Grandma.
My moment is going to happen next week...
Back in 2005 my mom decided to take a spur of the moment trip to Disney with my son for his 5th birthday, she wanted him to experience the magic when he was young and the plan was to go back in 5 years when his sisters were older. My mom, my DS Ryan, me and my sister took off to Disney for a 4 day weekend and had a great time together watching the magic being created through my son's eyes. I have such fond memories of sharing Disney again with my mom as an adult and with my little boy.
![]()
Well here we are 5 years later, Ryan is 10, his sisters are 7 and 4, it is the time my mom was waiting for to go on a Grand Gathering with her, my dad, me and the kids, my sister and her husband. My mom told us of the idea to go in March 2009 last September and that we were going to keep it a surprise from the kids until they got to the airport.
We booked the trip and had just started secretly planning when my mom died suddenly of a heart attack on October 31.
The past few months have been horrendous .. but never once did we veer from our plans to do this trip, as a surprise, for her grandchildren, in her honor. She so wanted to be here to see their faces and I know she will be with us in such a special way on this trip.
So, the children think they are going to fly to the beach next week, they have no idea we are taking them to Disney ..we will get to the airport and find Grandpa and their aunt and uncle waiting for them .. then they will find this letter addressed to them from their Grandma.
Dear Ryan, Emily and Caitlin,
I know it has been hard for you all since I have been gone. I miss being with you and sharing all of the special times together. I didn't know I would have to leave you so soon, there were still so many things I wanted to do with you. I was planning a special surprise for the whole family before I went to Heaven, and I hope you will all still go and have the time of your lives. I hope you are as surprised as I wanted you to be!
I miss you every day, but I'm still with you always watching over you.
So have lots of fun and make lots of memories together, as a family.
Love Forever,
Your Special Angel
Grandma
P.S. Say "Hi" to Mickey for Me.
and that's when they will realize we are going to Disney and that it's a gift from Grandma.
My moment is going to happen next week...
Back in 2005 my mom decided to take a spur of the moment trip to Disney with my son for his 5th birthday, she wanted him to experience the magic when he was young and the plan was to go back in 5 years when his sisters were older. My mom, my DS Ryan, me and my sister took off to Disney for a 4 day weekend and had a great time together watching the magic being created through my son's eyes. I have such fond memories of sharing Disney again with my mom as an adult and with my little boy.
![]()
Well here we are 5 years later, Ryan is 10, his sisters are 7 and 4, it is the time my mom was waiting for to go on a Grand Gathering with her, my dad, me and the kids, my sister and her husband. My mom told us of the idea to go in March 2009 last September and that we were going to keep it a surprise from the kids until they got to the airport.
We booked the trip and had just started secretly planning when my mom died suddenly of a heart attack on October 31.
The past few months have been horrendous .. but never once did we veer from our plans to do this trip, as a surprise, for her grandchildren, in her honor. She so wanted to be here to see their faces and I know she will be with us in such a special way on this trip.
So, the children think they are going to fly to the beach next week, they have no idea we are taking them to Disney ..we will get to the airport and find Grandpa and their aunt and uncle waiting for them .. then they will find this letter addressed to them from their Grandma.
Dear Ryan, Emily and Caitlin,
I know it has been hard for you all since I have been gone. I miss being with you and sharing all of the special times together. I didn't know I would have to leave you so soon, there were still so many things I wanted to do with you. I was planning a special surprise for the whole family before I went to Heaven, and I hope you will all still go and have the time of your lives. I hope you are as surprised as I wanted you to be!
I miss you every day, but I'm still with you always watching over you.
So have lots of fun and make lots of memories together, as a family.
Love Forever,
Your Special Angel
Grandma
P.S. Say "Hi" to Mickey for Me.
and that's when they will realize we are going to Disney and that it's a gift from Grandma.