That one moment **TISSUE ALERT**

[brandydan]

It's taken me two days to read through all of these posts, since it's kind of hard to hide the fact that you're crying while sitting at work, doing...notwork.

I'm 47 and I grew up, along with my 3 sisters and little brother, listening to records (remember those?) of Disney movies and songs, spending our Sunday evenings watching the Wonderful World of Disney, and all of us wishing upon a star. DH, at 39, did not. I grew up - and STILL believe - in miracles, magic, and definitely Santa. Now DH is one of those crazy Christmas people on the roof in October setting up lights, a regular customer at the Disney store at the mall for anything that a grown up can use at the store, and the two of us just know that we will not be at all self-conscious in the fact that we plan to bring out our inner children the second we get there. DH, despite being built like a linebacker, is an unabashed Sobbing Sally, and we know he will be blubbering his way through the park, and I will be too busy emulating Tigger by bouncing everywhere to see everything, and plan to bring along my Magic Wand my sister gave me for my 40th birthday (7 years ago!) Just Because.

We are still in the planning/getting EXCITED!!! stage of our trip that will take place this late September. My DH and I decided, pretty much at a whim, to go to WDW for our first vacation in 11 years (the last one was our first year anniversary). He is a US Merchant Marine (the 'hidden' military, the ones that used to sail the Liberty ships, and now crew the pre-position ships for the rest of the US military all around the world), and will be in south FL for training, and I will meet him there his last week and together we will fly to WDW. The past few days have kept me busy with admittedly grown-up things like plane tickets, ADRs and arranging for our pets to be kenneled, but I am SO glad I found this thread to remind me of what REALLY MATTERS in Disney; that it is a magical place.

I can't wait to post my own magical moments...

 

[dizprincess717]

This has got to be one of my favorite threads ever on the boards!

I was actually directly involved with my moment. When I did my internship I went through a 6 hour class and the one CM told us all a story. The Family of the Day at MK was picked and lo and behold their daughter was deaf. She communicated using sign language. The CM wanted to do a little something special for the family and asked the little girl's favorite princess to which she responed Snow White. Backstage while the family was playing the CM called the various "friends of Snow White" and one in particular absolutely said she wanted to meet the family. It was that evening that the family was treated to a special dinner and Snow White appeared. She took the little girl in her arms, sat her on her lap and immediately began signing to her. The CM didn't know that this character knew sign language. The parents were crying, the little daughter was amazed and it was then that I knew I was a Disney lifer!! It was the perfect story to tell new CMs and whenever I was feeling a bit down, too hot at work, or just stressed I would think of the little girl and it would put a big smile on my face!!

 

[dopeysgirl01]

When my dd was 2 we drove up to MK for the day. It was a perfect November day, the weather was beautiful. We'd been having a great time. We were taking a slow walk over the bridge from the main circle into the Liberty Square area. In a little grove area off to the left was Dopey. He was all alone with his cm. Dopey is my dd's favorite character. She went crazy. We went right over to see him and she climbed out of the stroller and ran to give him a big hug! We explained that he was her favorite. There was no one else waiting to see Dopey so she got to spend alot of time with him. Watching them it was like they were the only two in the park. It was wonderful.

 

[my2boysrtwicethefun]

Almost sounds like me when I ride Splash Mountain for the last time before I come home. It really hits when my log comes back to the unloading area & I have to get out.

We began our May vacation waiting 1 hour & 15 minutes in line to ride Splash Mountain. It was our 1st ride this past vacation and our last. We can't wait to go back.

Funny.....My 2 sons are playing pool as I'm typing and out of the blue they both began singing the Splash Mountain theme song. We are definately hooked.

 

[PopArtGal]

All of mine come from a trip I took the week before Thanksgiving last year with my Dad and S-Mom. I am an APH and only live an hour away, as they do. I fretted and fussed, thinking perhaps they wouldn't enjoy it all. That I had made a horrible mistake, but they happily booked their Safari view room at the AKL. So our first day I had made ressies at Chef Mickey's for that evening. I went into it thinking I had made a TERRIBLE mistake, the atmosphere would be all wrong, they would wind up getting annoyed. On top of it I had talked them into shelling out the extra money for MVMCP that night.


So we got to Chef Mickey's. My parents are divorced and my Dad has overcome alot in his life, a bout with alcoholism, cancer and so on. We have had lots of lapses but I just wanted those little girl moments I didn't get much of. My Step-Mom was a great sport, she kept the ressies secret and I consider her my "Other Mom". I was so worried about everything.


Well we get thereand I am STILL a basket case. We settle down, and whaddya know? Here comes Donald. My Dad's favorite.

These pics are priceless.

I love the look he's giving Donald here.

Uh-Oh! He's almost cracking a smile!

Now you have to understand my Dad is a tough guy. A work-a-holic, doesn't have alot of fun time, and rarely lets loose. When I looked up and saw this I both laughed and cried.

Then I look up to see THIS! I exploded into fits of giggles.

Then another moment. As Minnie is singing my book, and playing with my scarf and taking pics Goofy comes an un-ties her apron. My Dad chastises him, and jumps up and does the gentlemanly thing. I couldn't believe it.

Cue me trying to figure out what he's doing.

And his reward!


Seriously this picture makes me grin like a idiot everytime I see it.

We joked with my Dad about his "New Girlfriend" the entire trip.

This is adorable. Pluto just launched himself at my Dad, who was suddenly very into it.

Then off to the Magic Kingdom for MVMCP

Here's the tear-jerker. My Dad is not a physically affectionate guy. While were watching the fireworks I cautiously place my hand on his shoulder. He then wrapped his arm around me, called me his "little girl" and held me throughout the fireworks.

Then he said he wanted a "Cinderella Castle picture with his two favorite girls"

I cried alot that trip as you can see.

That last picture is beautiful!

 

[cmurray234]

I'm not one to get choked up, but last September, we were headed to the MNNSHP with my daughter dressed as Jasmine. On our way into MK, one of the security guards asked for her autograph. She was so delighted, it was all she could talk about for the rest of the trip.

Castmembers truly make the magic at the World.

 

[DIS-OH]

Was it this lady?

Yes, I believe it was!

 

[PopArtGal]

One of mine is silly.

But an older CM (very gentlemanly), opened the door for me at "World of Disney" and called me princess.

And I'm in my 20s. It meant a lot. I still think about it.

 

[TinkOhio]

I posted this story years ago, but I think that it's worth repeating.

Fifteen years ago, our DS was diagnosed with autism. The "experts" said that he would never be able to remember or accomplish much. He was very quiet and pretty disengaged with anyone that he didn't know well, and he had very limited social intrests or skills. My DSIL and I took him to WDW for the first time when he was 5. At that point, he was obsessed with every type of vehicle that he saw. Well, the first time that he saw a monorail, he was in heaven! We were standing halfway up the ramp, waiting our turn to board among hundreds of other guests. He couldn't help but flap his little hands, like he did every time that he saw something that really excited him. He was very tiny, as the top of his head didn't even come close to reaching my waist. Somehow, though, the monorail pilot spotted him through the crowd. She left the cabin, waded through the crowd and asked my little guy if he would like to drive the monorail. (Okay...I'm crying now. I'll NEVER forget this act of kindness.) My DS nodded yes and she led him by the hand through the crowd to the front. She let him sit up front, press some buttons, gave him a certificate when the ride was over, and posed for a picture with him.

This single act of kindness triggered something magical within him. It was as though his bubble of isolation popped. He became instantly more aware of his surroundings. He became much more aware of others and started talking to other people. He literally came home a changed boy. Our family and friends were shocked!

Fast forward to today -- DS is an 18 year old honor student who will begin studing engineering on scholarship. I believe with all of my heart that God sent that lady to DS, and now I am paying it forward. This May, I will finally graduate as an intervention specialist and work with other children with autism.

 

[BBG-BLT]

Ours was a few years ago. Our #1 DD was 4 years old and we went to see crush. We went 4 times in a row (leaving and getting right back in line) because she wanted him to talk to her and she just couldn't get "picked." After the fourth time we went up to the castmember there and told him that we had been there 4 times and is there anyway Crush could talk to her next time.

he said he could do better. He waited for everyone to leave and then asked him to come out and speak to Calla alone. It was wonderful - she still remembers him calling her Calla-bungo-dudette. I will never forget that moment - and she still remembers.

This year we go for her and her brothers 8th birthday ... and she'll tell us all about that story again....

 

[DeblovesPoohbear]

I posted this story years ago, but I think that it's worth repeating.

Fifteen years ago, our DS was diagnosed with autism. The "experts" said that he would never be able to remember or accomplish much. He was very quiet and pretty disengaged with anyone that he didn't know well, and he had very limited social intrests or skills. My DSIL and I took him to WDW for the first time when he was 5. At that point, he was obsessed with every type of vehicle that he saw. Well, the first time that he saw a monorail, he was in heaven! We were standing halfway up the ramp, waiting our turn to board among hundreds of other guests. He couldn't help but flap his little hands, like he did every time that he saw something that really excited him. He was very tiny, as the top of his head didn't even come close to reaching my waist. Somehow, though, the monorail pilot spotted him through the crowd. She left the cabin, waded through the crowd and asked my little guy if he would like to drive the monorail. (Okay...I'm crying now. I'll NEVER forget this act of kindness.) My DS nodded yes and she led him by the hand through the crowd to the front. She let him sit up front, press some buttons, gave him a certificate when the ride was over, and posed for a picture with him.

This single act of kindness triggered something magical within him. It was as though his bubble of isolation popped. He became instantly more aware of his surroundings. He became much more aware of others and started talking to other people. He literally came home a changed boy. Our family and friends were shocked!

Fast forward to today -- DS is an 18 year old honor student who will begin studing engineering on scholarship. I believe with all of my heart that God sent that lady to DS, and now I am paying it forward. This May, I will finally graduate as an intervention specialist and work with other children with autism.

Great story. My DS6 dosen't have autism but was having some difficulties
speaking when he was really young. We had him tested and they just said he didn't have much to say. Our town has an Early Intervention Program and he was enrolled, for preschool and they have wonderful speach programs.
He was doing well in school, but was very shy and wasn;t working with all of the teachers the way they wanted him to. He was still in "his shell"
Well, that Nov we took a family trip to WDW, and when we returned
I had a meeting with his teachers to discuss his progress. His Main teacher
told me "Kevin came back from Disney World a different little boy"
He was more open to everything, and he just blossomed.
Disney Magic

 

[Momto8]

Ours was last September at the MK. We had 3 fast passes for Peter Pan that we decided we weren't going to use for some reason I can't even remember. I do remember that it was late at night with about an hour's wait for PP, and I was looking for 3 people to give them to. I spotted this mother and father bent down talking to their young DD who was about 3 or 4. I asked them if they wanted 3 fast passes and they were so surprised and happy, I think they started to cry right then!!! Unknown to us, it seems it was their last night there and they were trying to explain to their DD that the wait was too long and they weren't going to be able to ride PP, which they had not had a chance to ride yet. You could see how upset and disappointed their little girl was, so it was so heartwarming to be able to bring a little "magic" to this family. I truly believe that I was somehow led to them. To see the happiness on those parent's faces was priceless. I still get all teary eyed when I think of it!

However, my own personal experience with the magic started back in 1964 when my dear departed parents took me to DL when I was 11. I remember standing at the train station and thinking what a wonderful place DL was. I just fell in love with the Disney magic back then and have been hopelessly addicted ever since!

 

[gingerfeathers]

I've stayed up way too late reading all these.

I've laughed out loud
I've teared up
I've flat out cried
I've discovered that some of you have raised some incredible kids
I've discovered that there are some amazing CMs out there

 

[weHEARTmickey]

DD was 4 & DS was 2 and it was their very first trip to WDW. We were standing in the middle of Main St. watching Wishes & DD looked up at us & said "Momma, is this a dream?" I told her "No, it's all real!" She grinned as big as you can imagine, gave me a big bear hug & said, "This is the best day of my life!" Wishes has been our 1st night tradition every since...and I bawl like a baby EVERYtime!

 

[palavra]

Love these magic moments! We've only taken my daughter to MK once in 2007. She was4 and all into the princesses, especially Cinderella. I really wasn't sure if she was old enough to appreciate the Disney magic yet, but she more than proved that she was. On the ferry over to MK early in the morning before rope drop, she was entranced with the castle. Finally, she looked at me and said "Mommy, Cinderella really does live here!" Oh yeah, she's my Disney girl!

 

[Amanda_the_awesome]

Bump

 

[garywitt29]

I've spent the last two nights after work reading through this thread and have been truly moved... here are my moments:

1) Last night of our first trip ever to DW in June of 2007, 5 nights, culminating in our day at MK. After 4 straight theme park days in 90+ degree heat we were tired and had decided not to stay in the park through Spectromagic and closing time. We had headed out through Main Street and were commenting on how crowded the streets were and how we were glad we hadn't waited for 2 hours to get a prime time spot... we had just walked through the exit gates and towards the buses back to AKL when our son, 5 at the time, said "I need to go pee, now!" We quickly doubled back, into the park and into the bathroom near the entrance. As we were leaving the bathroom all of a sudden CMs descended around us lowering ropes and closing things off for the parade - low and behold we were stuck with no where to go, with an absolutely beautiful front-row seat for Spectromagic right at the beginning of the parade! Because of the way we had been trapped in with the ropes closing, we were the only family in our area and every character coming by acknowledged our children and waved - they were floored and so was I, tearing up the entire time....

2) During our day at Epcot both my children got Mickey crocs which they treasured and wore each day of our trip. The last evening my youngest (13 months at time), dropped one of his crocs off the balcony at AKL! By the time we realized what had happened it had been picked up and we thought for sure it was gone... we headed back home after the trip and low and behold, 2 weeks later... a package in the mail arrives, complete with missing croc and signed picture from the mouse himself! Unbelievable!

We are now planning our second trip and just can't wait!

 

[Atchley]

I haven't had a good cry in a while. Thanks everybody.
Hopefully I'll have a magic story to write in a few weeks.

 

[flipflopmom]

I am just bawling, and I will be posting mine, I am sure, in about 2 weeks! Last night we went to fireworks locally, and my 2 year old little one, that has lived, breathed, ate, and slept DIsney World since we told them at 90 days out, reached up as the fireworks were falling and said "I caught some pixie dust" An hour later, sound asleep, when I put her in bed, she still had her fist clenched around the pixie dust. If rural VA fireworks in preparation for Disney do this, can't wait to have, make, and find the magic that awaits us there!

 

[Microcell]

Wow! All the Magical moments!

I say we stop trying to convince non believers and continue to enjoy that which we open our hearts to!

My very favorite memories are the little things the funny moments, like when DS "talked" to Crush and did not want to in any way.. and Crush commented on it and wound up talking to DH instead!

We make up songs all the time at home, our favorite being about our Jack Russell, Daisy.. sung to the Chicken Dance "Daisy doesn't have a butt, Daisy doesn't have a butt". At Disney the song we made up that we still sing at home makes me happy to the theme of "Good night Lady" and it was the way our then two year old said that he wanted water, basically repeating in two year old "do you want water?".. and that was "Doh wa wa was, doh wa wa was, doh wa wa was, wa wa wa wa was" What made that magical was we were singing something else and our boy chimed in, making up that song! He really became a member of our goofy clan that night!

But as for most touching moment, I think it was our first trip, we got autographs of assorted characters, and I felt like my kids were having fun and that was what Disney was about, fun for the kids...

Then I saw Kermit! I had an unhappy childhood and Sesame Street was my favorite show, something I could count on. Kermit was my favorite, and I overcome with the magic, told him just that! There I was, 31 years old and divulging to Kermit that he got me through my rough childhood and that "I have loved you for so long"! Kermit gave me a big hug!

I might get made fun of for going on so many trips to Disney, but that is why, that is the magic!