That one moment **TISSUE ALERT**

[DaParkers]

Ok, here we go. First, a little background. I grew up in New Orleans, La. Not the fun place that most know of, but the place that had and still sometimes have the highest murder rate in America. I grew up in a public housing project where I witnessed robberies and even murder. My uncle was murdered when I was 4 and I've known at least 50 people that were murdered since then(All under age 30).And if that wasn't enough to deal with, my father decided that his drug addiction was more worthy of his time than his family, so he left. Needless to say, my life was rough. Meanwhile, my wife was growing up in another part of the city in even worse conditions. But, by the grace of God, he blessed me with the desire to not indulge in the negativity around me and the courage to live elsewhere. I met my wife when I was 18 and she was 17. We had one major thing in common. We didn't want to live like we did growing up. At the ages of 21 and 20, we left New Orleans for good when she was pregnant, because I refused to raise a child in that environment. Fast Forward 8 years, we had a 7 year old son and my DW decides she wants to go to WDW. I didn't want to go. I ignored her when she tried to talk about it and even tried to talk her out of it. I eventually gave in and we went for the first time in Aug, 2006. I thought we'd go, I'd have a bad time, we'd come home, and it'll be behind us. Obviously, it didn't work out that way. As soon as I hit Main Street, it hit me. I was utterly amazed. The castle that I'd seen on TV was in front of me. But my "MOMENT" was when I looked at my son and realized that his childhood is completely different from mine. It made me realize how far GOD had taken us. I wasn't supposed to be there. I was supposed to be dead or incarcerated, but I wasn't. I was in WDW with my DW and DS and the feeling overwhelms me to this day. At that moment, I came to the realization that my DS doesn't know anyone that has been murdered. He doesn't live in a bad neighborhood and he will never feel the pain his mother and I felt growing up. WDW is more than rides, shows, and resorts. It symbolizes a different way of life for me. But, It's normal for my DS and that is the magical part for me. So please, don't take anything for granted, because what's normal for you may be a fantasy for someone else.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

Absolutely wonderful...everything. I'm crying and up too late, but thanks for sharing!!!!!!!

 

[surfergirl602]

Absolutely wonderful...everything. I'm crying and up too late, but thanks for sharing!!!!!!!

I'm blubbering like a baby over here, and that's nott good because I have the worst head cold right now and all this crying is making it even more difficult to breathe!!! i need to stop reading these until I get better!

 

[Mousekateer In WI]

As a family we had gone to WDW every year since 1974 for Easter or Spring Break. Fast forward to 2003, I am married, my husband is in flight school in Florida and I get a job at my favorite place in the Universe - WDW. My mom was living near Tampa, and I was so excited to share all my Disney benefits with her. I took her shopping, out to Disney restaurants, to the parks, everything Disney. We grew so close during this time.

In December 2003 we learned that she was terminally ill due to complications from COPD. The doctor said she could have up to 2 years, but could only live 2 months. My husband was building flight hours to qualify for an airline job. In January of 2004, I sat with my mom while she quietly passed away. I was heartbroken. The night before she passed, she told my husband that she would be watching over him as flew, and she knew that he would be successful at getting a job with the airlines.

That spring he applied for 2 airline positions, and we had gotten sick of waiting for calls after all his interviews and tests were over. We decided to go to Epcot. We were in the butterfly tent and I was thinking of my mom and how she never got to the Flower and Garden Festival, and how much she would have loved this butterfly tent. My husband and I were talking about her, and of course I was tearing up. Suddenly his cell phone rang, and out of my mouth comes "It's my mom!" Well, it wasn't really, but it was the airline my husband wanted to work for the most, calling him to offer him a position.

We believe that my mom helped him with that. Disney is always a special place for us, and even though we live in Wisconsin now, we still try to make it there several times a year. It's the place we feel closest to my mom.

 

[prfctlyximprfct]

These stories have me cryin' like a baby. Disney is honestly the most magical place on Earth. Everything about the atmosphere is just so surreal, it really is as if you are living in a fairy tale. This thread brought tears to my eyes, just knowing that there are amazing people in this world. Disney brings out the best in all of us, I'm sure Walt would be proud.

 

[Puccaw]

Ok, here we go. First, a little background. I grew up in New Orleans, La. Not the fun place that most know of, but the place that had and still sometimes have the highest murder rate in America. I grew up in a public housing project where I witnessed robberies and even murder. My uncle was murdered when I was 4 and I've known at least 50 people that were murdered since then(All under age 30).And if that wasn't enough to deal with, my father decided that his drug addiction was more worthy of his time than his family, so he left. Needless to say, my life was rough. Meanwhile, my wife was growing up in another part of the city in even worse conditions. But, by the grace of God, he blessed me with the desire to not indulge in the negativity around me and the courage to live elsewhere. I met my wife when I was 18 and she was 17. We had one major thing in common. We didn't want to live like we did growing up. At the ages of 21 and 20, we left New Orleans for good when she was pregnant, because I refused to raise a child in that environment. Fast Forward 8 years, we had a 7 year old son and my DW decides she wants to go to WDW. I didn't want to go. I ignored her when she tried to talk about it and even tried to talk her out of it. I eventually gave in and we went for the first time in Aug, 2006. I thought we'd go, I'd have a bad time, we'd come home, and it'll be behind us. Obviously, it didn't work out that way. As soon as I hit Main Street, it hit me. I was utterly amazed. The castle that I'd seen on TV was in front of me. But my "MOMENT" was when I looked at my son and realized that his childhood is completely different from mine. It made me realize how far GOD had taken us. I wasn't supposed to be there. I was supposed to be dead or incarcerated, but I wasn't. I was in WDW with my DW and DS and the feeling overwhelms me to this day. At that moment, I came to the realization that my DS doesn't know anyone that has been murdered. He doesn't live in a bad neighborhood and he will never feel the pain his mother and I felt growing up. WDW is more than rides, shows, and resorts. It symbolizes a different way of life for me. But, It's normal for my DS and that is the magical part for me. So please, don't take anything for granted, because what's normal for you may be a fantasy for someone else.

Another day of feel good tears!! You must be so proud of what you and your wife have rose above.

 

[scrappinmom]

My moment is going to happen next week...

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.

How wonderful, what a memory for your kids. I hope you have a truly magical trip.

. WDW is more than rides, shows, and resorts. It symbolizes a different way of life for me. But, It's normal for my DS and that is the magical part for me. So please, don't take anything for granted, because what's normal for you may be a fantasy for someone else.

How true...& how beautiful that you & your DW rose above all that crud and created such a beautiful family.

As a Suddenly his cell phone rang, and out of my mouth comes "It's my mom!" Well, it wasn't really, but it was the airline my husband wanted to work for the most, calling him to offer him a position.

I'm a HUGE believer in angels working their special magic here on earth. I'm positice it was your mom calling in a way! I can't even tell you the number of times since my son died that something like that has happened to me, and it's not that it happened before but I didn't notice..it's stuff that never happened...but does now. So absolutely your mom is watching over your dh each & every time he flies a plane.

 

[live4christp1]

Ok, here we go. First, a little background. I grew up in New Orleans, La. Not the fun place that most know of, but the place that had and still sometimes have the highest murder rate in America. I grew up in a public housing project where I witnessed robberies and even murder. My uncle was murdered when I was 4 and I've known at least 50 people that were murdered since then(All under age 30).And if that wasn't enough to deal with, my father decided that his drug addiction was more worthy of his time than his family, so he left. Needless to say, my life was rough. Meanwhile, my wife was growing up in another part of the city in even worse conditions. But, by the grace of God, he blessed me with the desire to not indulge in the negativity around me and the courage to live elsewhere. I met my wife when I was 18 and she was 17. We had one major thing in common. We didn't want to live like we did growing up. At the ages of 21 and 20, we left New Orleans for good when she was pregnant, because I refused to raise a child in that environment. Fast Forward 8 years, we had a 7 year old son and my DW decides she wants to go to WDW. I didn't want to go. I ignored her when she tried to talk about it and even tried to talk her out of it. I eventually gave in and we went for the first time in Aug, 2006. I thought we'd go, I'd have a bad time, we'd come home, and it'll be behind us. Obviously, it didn't work out that way. As soon as I hit Main Street, it hit me. I was utterly amazed. The castle that I'd seen on TV was in front of me. But my "MOMENT" was when I looked at my son and realized that his childhood is completely different from mine. It made me realize how far GOD had taken us. I wasn't supposed to be there. I was supposed to be dead or incarcerated, but I wasn't. I was in WDW with my DW and DS and the feeling overwhelms me to this day. At that moment, I came to the realization that my DS doesn't know anyone that has been murdered. He doesn't live in a bad neighborhood and he will never feel the pain his mother and I felt growing up. WDW is more than rides, shows, and resorts. It symbolizes a different way of life for me. But, It's normal for my DS and that is the magical part for me. So please, don't take anything for granted, because what's normal for you may be a fantasy for someone else.

What a great post (and testimony)! Thanks for sharing!!!!!!

 

[Vickis3js]

Well just the fact that we were there was a HUGE thing for us. We struggled finacially for years due to DH being out of work because of major back surgery and me not being able to work because I needed to care for him and our 3 kids, our youngest is autistic and finding someone who watch her was impossible. DH thankfully did really really well after 2 surgeries and was able to return to work and he worked his butt off to start his own company and build it up enough to be able to not only afford to go but to also afford to close for a week to take us. So being there in general was a huge tissue moment for me.

BUT the big momen that had me in tears then and even now I am getting all misty was the night before we were to leave. We decided to hit the MK after diner at 1900 PF mainly because when we got off the monorail the lines leaving were a mess. We we entered and realized CRAP the fireworks are starting. Now like I said my DD is autistic and fire works are her are a HUGE no no. So I talked to her about Tinkerbell flying, she loves herself some Tink, and she said she wanted to see it. I knew I would probably have to run her out of there though but she wanted to try and I was not telling her no. Well my Baby girl for the first time saw fireworks. She looked up at me and said Mommy they are so beautiful. I cried like a baby standing in the middle of Main Street. 3 years ago she was almost completely non verbal and she was a typical Autistic kid. But thanks to major therapy and an amazing school she was able to be there and watch Tink fly.

 

[woodkins]

Ok, here we go. First, a little background. I grew up in New Orleans, La. Not the fun place that most know of, but the place that had and still sometimes have the highest murder rate in America. I grew up in a public housing project where I witnessed robberies and even murder. My uncle was murdered when I was 4 and I've known at least 50 people that were murdered since then(All under age 30).And if that wasn't enough to deal with, my father decided that his drug addiction was more worthy of his time than his family, so he left. Needless to say, my life was rough. Meanwhile, my wife was growing up in another part of the city in even worse conditions. But, by the grace of God, he blessed me with the desire to not indulge in the negativity around me and the courage to live elsewhere. I met my wife when I was 18 and she was 17. We had one major thing in common. We didn't want to live like we did growing up. At the ages of 21 and 20, we left New Orleans for good when she was pregnant, because I refused to raise a child in that environment. Fast Forward 8 years, we had a 7 year old son and my DW decides she wants to go to WDW. I didn't want to go. I ignored her when she tried to talk about it and even tried to talk her out of it. I eventually gave in and we went for the first time in Aug, 2006. I thought we'd go, I'd have a bad time, we'd come home, and it'll be behind us. Obviously, it didn't work out that way. As soon as I hit Main Street, it hit me. I was utterly amazed. The castle that I'd seen on TV was in front of me. But my "MOMENT" was when I looked at my son and realized that his childhood is completely different from mine. It made me realize how far GOD had taken us. I wasn't supposed to be there. I was supposed to be dead or incarcerated, but I wasn't. I was in WDW with my DW and DS and the feeling overwhelms me to this day. At that moment, I came to the realization that my DS doesn't know anyone that has been murdered. He doesn't live in a bad neighborhood and he will never feel the pain his mother and I felt growing up. WDW is more than rides, shows, and resorts. It symbolizes a different way of life for me. But, It's normal for my DS and that is the magical part for me. So please, don't take anything for granted, because what's normal for you may be a fantasy for someone else.

What amazing people & parents you are. Be proud of your accomplishments & Congratulations to you for your determination & success!!!

 

[drnlhome]

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.

Ok, now I am sobbing. I love stories like this.

My contribution to this is from last Spring Break. I admit that I shed a tear when I first see the castle and when I walk to the exit for the last time. My dd (8 at the time) inherited the "waterfall" tears from my sister and aunt. She was quite upset that we were leaving and the tears were flowing. A photopass person saw her and took some great pics of her to help her feel better. We have some great pics of her with the Tinkerbell in her hand. As we were walking down Main Street, my ds (9 at the time) put his arm around her. It was priceless. When we went into the store where the main photopass stuff is, a CM gave her a special pin as well. The sobbing continued but that's her. To see her big brother console her was the best. They were arguing within an hour but that moment was worth it.

 

[kidsrfun]

Like everyone, there are lots of 'disney moments'. But the one that will stick with me forever is when my son was 17. We were leaving MK via the ferry after the parade and fireworks. We always do this on the last night, stand at the back, watching MK for as many moments as we can. I looked over at him and he was crying. I asked him what the problem was and he said "this is the last time that I'll ever be here as a kid". I just hugged him and started tearing up too. Matt knew that we wouldn't be going again for a few years because we would be focused on paying for 2 kids in college. I did tell him that no matter what, whenever he comes to disney, he'd always be a kid! The best part is that Matt got married last Oct. and their honeymoon was to wdw!! His wife hadn't been there since she was young, and having 'non-disney' parents, she really missed a lot! My son planned everything for them!! He kept saying "Mom... I'm just like you!!" He started planning over a year before they went! He had note cards and the whole bit! During the honeymoon both my ds and ddil called me every day and texted me with lots of pics! The best one was a pic of wishes! He wrote "you were right. I'm a kid again!" So cute!

 

[Colleen27]

There are two that come to mind for me every time I think about Disney's magic.

The first was on our 2005 trip. DH's aunt passed away that year and left us a small sum of money. She was a Disney nut in the way that only DISers really understand and DH's only trip to WDW as a child was when she took the entire extended family - her siblings, kids, grandkids, neices, nephews, etc - to Disney World the year EPCOT opened. So when we found out she had left us a few thousand dollars, he decided there was no better way to use it than to pay for the Disney trip we'd been talking about but could never quite afford.

We planned the trip, probably 8 months in advance, for Sept - free dining, the perfect ADRs, the princess tea for DD, the works. That spring, we decided to start trying for a third child, an effort that turned out to be disasterous. After several miscarriages, I decided I just couldn't keep trying. DH didn't want to accept that, and by the time the trip rolled around I was in no mood to go anywhere and it felt like our marriage was teetering on the brink of falling apart completely because we just couldn't resolve that one huge issue. But of course we'd told the kids all about the trip, so we both forced a smile and headed off to Florida.

The magic came on the second night of our trip, at the end of our first park day which we of course spent in the Magic Kingdom. As we stood there watching the kids watch Wishes with that look of pure awe on their faces, DH took my hand and said that he couldn't ask for anything more. And that was the end of all the stress and arguing and grief. It just evaporated, and even when we came back to reality it never did resurface. (A happy footnote to that story - two years later we were blessed with a completely unexpected and completely uneventful pregnancy and a healthy baby girl who will be making her first trip to the World with us in May )


The second was a purely happy moment and a story I tell often to people who don't get why Disney is so magic to us. In 2007, we were lucky enough to get our very first PIN code, which we used to book a short trip for my older DD's birthday in August. The night before her birthday was the Pirate & Princess party, so of course I had to get tickets.

The whole day, DD was telling anyone who would listen that she was going to turn 6 the next day, and she loved all the "Happy Birthday Princess" that she got from cast members. At the very end of the party, probably 10 minutes before midnight, she was the only one waiting for Dumbo and was chatting with the CM about her birthday being the next day and how Dumbo was her favorite ride. The CM replied by asking her if she knew that the new day started at midnight, then proceeded to make sure that she got to start her birthday on Dumbo by letting her ride twice without getting off. So DD got to start her special day under the sparkling lights of a virtually empty Magic Kingdom, riding her favorite ride.

 

[mamaprincess]

It was our first trip June 2005. DH and the twins ran off to ride Space Mountain. My youngest daughter, 10 mos old at the time and I were relaxing in the Child Care Center when Wishes started. I ran outside with her and stood in the walk way next to Crystal Palace and we watched together. I can't explain the magic of that warm night and viewing Wishes with my cute little fat baby in my arms. I was in complete awe and she was so calm and happy. To this day when ever I hear Wishes, my love for WDW is made brand new.

 

[mamaprincess]

Ok, here we go. First, a little background. I grew up in New Orleans, La. Not the fun place that most know of, but the place that had and still sometimes have the highest murder rate in America. I grew up in a public housing project where I witnessed robberies and even murder. My uncle was murdered when I was 4 and I've known at least 50 people that were murdered since then(All under age 30).And if that wasn't enough to deal with, my father decided that his drug addiction was more worthy of his time than his family, so he left. Needless to say, my life was rough. Meanwhile, my wife was growing up in another part of the city in even worse conditions. But, by the grace of God, he blessed me with the desire to not indulge in the negativity around me and the courage to live elsewhere. I met my wife when I was 18 and she was 17. We had one major thing in common. We didn't want to live like we did growing up. At the ages of 21 and 20, we left New Orleans for good when she was pregnant, because I refused to raise a child in that environment. Fast Forward 8 years, we had a 7 year old son and my DW decides she wants to go to WDW. I didn't want to go. I ignored her when she tried to talk about it and even tried to talk her out of it. I eventually gave in and we went for the first time in Aug, 2006. I thought we'd go, I'd have a bad time, we'd come home, and it'll be behind us. Obviously, it didn't work out that way. As soon as I hit Main Street, it hit me. I was utterly amazed. The castle that I'd seen on TV was in front of me. But my "MOMENT" was when I looked at my son and realized that his childhood is completely different from mine. It made me realize how far GOD had taken us. I wasn't supposed to be there. I was supposed to be dead or incarcerated, but I wasn't. I was in WDW with my DW and DS and the feeling overwhelms me to this day. At that moment, I came to the realization that my DS doesn't know anyone that has been murdered. He doesn't live in a bad neighborhood and he will never feel the pain his mother and I felt growing up. WDW is more than rides, shows, and resorts. It symbolizes a different way of life for me. But, It's normal for my DS and that is the magical part for me. So please, don't take anything for granted, because what's normal for you may be a fantasy for someone else.

OMG you did me in with this story. God bless you and your family. I am so proud of you guys and I don't even know you! May you have many more magical trips to come where you can celebrate the beautiful new direction your lives have taken.

 

[Colleen27]

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.

How beautiful, to remember your mother that way. I hope your trip is more magical than you could even imagine!

 

[disneyworldluvr349]

The moment when I realize how powerful Disney magic truly happens every time I watch Wishes. I tear up every single time, and though I try to hide it, it happens anyways.
Another is whenever I ride "It's a Small World," and just take a look at the passengers on the same boat as us. It makes me so emotional at how one theme park (granted the best theme park in the entire world) can manage to bring so many different people together in one part of central Florida.

The moment when I realize that I will never not be able to go to Disney World, is when I see Cinderella's Castle illuminating in so many beautiful colors, Mickey's Wizard Hat sparkling in the dark, the Epcot Ball seemingly glowing after sundown, or looking over my should at the most amazing tree in the entire world, and I realize that is our last day at this park, or we only have three days left, or it is time to go home.

I had to put some characters in here to make me feel better

 

[Scoobmuzic]

My moment came last year on my 40th birthday. My DH & my parents planned a surprise. My family lives in RI and I live in Kissimmee, FL so they decided since their oldest child was turning 40, they wanted to be here to celebrate with me. DH kept the secret even though he said he was busting to tell me.

He told me his friends were flying in and we had to go get them at the airport. I was so shocked to see Mom & Dad walking towards me. It was a great surprise. The best was to come at dinner. We planned my birthday dinner at The California Grill (my fav) and thanks to our friend and CM Ashley, it was magical. She made sure our table was decorated and bought our first round at the bar and she also brought out a special birthday desert.

Dinner was amazing!! Fantastic food, fantastic wine and then…..WISHES, but not just any Wishes, Pirate & Princess Wishes.

We went outside to view it from the top of the Contemporary. They pipe in the soundtrack and all I heard from both my parents was WOW over and over. Dad said “only you could make sure you had fireworks like that when you turned 40”. It was the best birthday ever and it could only happen like that at Disney. I think my parents finally understand.

 

[Trixie15]

What an awesome thread. Thank you so much for starting it and for contributing to it!

Our moment was during Wishes. The trip was wonderful for all of us, but our moment came watching our then 6 year old dd watching wishes. My dh had her on his shoulders and I was holding one of the other ones. Watching Wishes is emotional enough, but right at a part where the music builds up and then there is a little break where it's quiet - just a tiny quiet moment (omg I'm crying just remembering it) my 6 year old dd calls out into the night, "I wish I was a REAL princess!" and then the finale of Wishes starts to play. It literally caught my breath in my throat and I cried, and I know dh cried as well. He told me later that he would pay another $4000 on the spot just to relive that one moment. I will never forget it.

 

[ToddyLu]

For those of that went for the first time as adults and upon seeing that castle for the first time..... jumping up and down and pulling someone else's shoulder or arm out of socket....pointing in excitement at the castle.....almost screaming.....it is real....it really is real!!!!

Been there, done that and get a new t-shirt there every year.