That one moment **TISSUE ALERT**

[dmaz]

Thank you everyone for the wonderful stories! They are the type of experiences that keep so many of us coming back year after year.
The story about the woman who lost her mother has convinced me that we need to plan a grand gathering with our family. Life is too short and WDW is one of the few places that we can experience the pure joys of being a family. From the look on everyone's faces as you stroll down main street and see the castle, to spotting their favorite characters. There are not too many places that can bring that many smiles to everyones' face.

 

[wdw&sonny]

Thanks to all for sharing such wonderful stories. What a great thread. I am another of those closet WDW dads welling with tears as I read...but would never let anyone see (I got something in my eye).

My moment are not as spectacular as many, but still are "my" moment. Mine is the usual story...working my butt off all year, struggling to be average, trying to find the time, money and health to escape to the magic. I have been blessed with 2 trips in the past 4 years.

My moment was during Spectromagic. My boys were anxiously awaiting use of our Space Mountain fast passes. As we sat and watched, I saw there faces change from impatience to exhilaration. It hit me at that moment. I was there, watching Spectromagic at WDW. It was no longer the dream of my every day...but for these moments was real...sharing it with those that I loved most.

 

[InLoveWithDOTS]

Fast Forward this past December I unexpectacally lost my father to a heart attack. The afternoon after he passed I was sitting in my living room all alone when one of my snowglobes went off. Yup you guessed it...it was my haunted mansion snowglobe. I honestly feel it was my daddy telling me he was ok and for me to be happy.

I have cried through all 8 pages of this thread but THIS one really got me. I, too, lost my father to a heart attack (Jan 08). I totally agree with you..... I love messages from the beyond.

 

[Victoriasmom98]

I also lost my Dad to a heart attack, but it was 7 years ago this November. My DD 11 was his best friend and the one regret I have is that she never got to go to Disney with her "Pepere".....

Thank you to everyone who has shared their stories.

 

[wdw&sonny]

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.

Congratulations to you! What you did was far more magical than anything Disney could provide. Thank God. But look yourself in the mirror and smile. You did it.

 

[brandylouwho]

Oh, there are so many moments, thats why we go back time & time again!

With our eldest, it was the first time she met Lightning McQueen. There was along line behind us and I wasa trying to hurry her up to get a decent pic...but my wise hubby shushed me...and I am glad he did, my daughter may not have been looking at my camera, but she was looking into Lightning's eyes and she was oh so mesmerized. I love that pic and she still loves Lightning McQueen.

With our youngest, it was her 2nd trip (she was 19 mos old). We did the Disney Visa meet & greet and when she saw Mickey...she did this little "touch down" type motion with her arms and had the broadest smile her little face could possibly make. The photopass photog caught it and I put the "Where dreams come true logo across the bottom"--I love that pic too.

My third best Disney moment was in Morocco this past December. One of the CMs in the gift shop put a little beaded headress on each of my girls and tied jingly scarves around their waists. The girls danced and danced and danced with such joy. I got a tad teary eyed and their dad actually wanted to buy the items they were wearing (some $200 worth)!

We are going with friends this year and I can't wait to watch these 4 little girls (ages 2-5) experience Disney together.

 

[Disneydancer315]

I have cried through all 8 pages of this thread but THIS one really got me. I, too, lost my father to a heart attack (Jan 08). I totally agree with you..... I love messages from the beyond.

I know there are people out there that don't believe and that is fine. It was a calming moment for me. Though I miss him everyday I keep my "Disney" memories close to my heart. I am sorry you lost your father and hope you get through each day as I do....with happy Disney memories.

 

[Blessedx3]

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.

I am not a person that tears up easily. But this made me cry tonight. This is an amazing story. Disney always makes me cry.

 

[cerilene]

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.

This one got me. How wonderful and amazing God is!

The one moment that I will always remember is my nephews then 14 months running past Eeyore to get to Tigger. (I felt bad for Eeyore because he just hung his head down in disappointment, so I gave him a hug and told him we love him.) But Tigger got attacked by two little twin boys who couldn't have been happier. He then got down on the floor, sprawled out on his stomach and let the boys climb and crawl all over him. It was the sweetest thing.

 

[Dee77]

I have been to Disney once so far (Nov '08) and thoroughly enjoyed all of the magic. As soon as we came home, we began planning a trip for this Dec that again would be with my in-laws and this time would include my parents (their first trip.) I was so excited to think of being in the happiest place on Earth with my DH, DD and all of her grandparents. My DD has always had a very unique and special relationship with my Dad and we were all looking forward to the trip.

In March my Dad died suddenly of a heart attack. We have all been devastated. For a while Mom was saying that she didn't want to go on the trip anymore. I know Dad would be very upset by this so..... I asked one of my brothers', his wife and their DD if they would go even if it's only for a few days and sure enough they said yes. This will be their first trip as well. Now all I need is for my other brothers' work schedule to allow and he will go too.

So while I have experienced some great moments already in Disney... I am really looking forward to the moments to come.. When my Mom and both of her DGD's walk hand in hand down Main St... When Mom gets a great big hug from her favorite character Mickey and we all have a few (much needed) laughs and mostly thinking of Dad watching over us all...

Thank you all for sharing your wonderful experiences! For me, it's proof that there is no place like Disney, and I am hoping it will help my family get past some of our sadness.

 

[princesskelz]

oh my goodness. some of these stories just rip my heart out. when some are just so adorable.

 

[virginiamama]

Must.... get.... back..... to.....work..... only made it to page 6. People wondering why I keep wiping my eyes.....

I love the DIS - you guys really "get" the magic. It is WAY more than just a vacation, or a theme park.

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

Thx for the bump!

We took our DD, 4, to WDW last October - her first trip. It was also my first trip (I was 35!) so I was emotional to begin with. We were staying at Fort Wilderness. After we set up camp, we rode the boat over to MK just for the ride, we had to intention of going to the park that evening. A CM asked if we wanted to go for a ride so we said "of course!". DH was sitting with DD, I was sitting behind them. As we get through the first group of trees DH and I both spot the castle spires above the trees in the distance. I started crying immediately. DD didn't see it, and DH and I motioned to each other to NOT point it out, to let her see it by herself. Well, we got around the Contemporary and there it was! She stopped talking.....her face went motionless....and tears just started flowing down her cheeks. She never said a word, never changed her expression - it was that innocence, that wonderment that you can only get from a child. DH and I both had tears too. When one of us could finally muster a word, I asked her why she was crying and all she could say was "because I am so happy".
I am one of those people you never see without their camera....but I did not have it with me on this trip as we didn't know when we went to the marina that we could ride the boat over without tix to the parks. As much as I would love to have had that moment in a picture, I think that I would have spent too much time and energy trying to CAPTURE the moment as opposed to LIVING the moment. It was something I'll never, ever forget. Can't wait to do it again in 92 days!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I hope you all don't mind two moments from the other side of the coin:

I was a helping Mickey at the Oasis in DAK when a little boy with a Give Kids the World button came up. He had a walker and it was obvious he was struggling. But he left his walker with his mom and walked up to Mickey Mouse. At that point the mom started crying. I was rather confused. When I got backstage I asked the attendant what was going on. Apparently, the little boy had Muscular Dystrophy. He was told when he got back from his trip that he would start having to use a wheelchair full time- probably for the rest of his life. His wish was to walk up to Mickey Mouse. Those were most likely the last unaided steps he ever took. Being able to be a part of that, to make a little boy's wish come true was an amazing feeling.

The other one happened with Stitch at the Time Keeper in Tomorrowland. A woman came up with an autograph book for the son she was adopting the following month. On a whim, Stitch wrote: "Aloha Andre, from Stitch. P.S. I'm adopted too." When the mom saw that she became teary-eyed. It was obvious that it meant a lot to her. (Who said Stitch is always bad?)

I miss working there so much. I can't wait for the day when I can go back as a Cast Member!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Sorry, I hope you all don't mind if I add two more that are a little more personal:

I did my second College Program in 2005 and worked entertainment. I was chosen to be trained in several parade roles. One of which was beyond a dream come true. I never even thought it would be possible to be trained for the first float in Share a Dream Come True Parade. It meant so much to me to be chosen. I can still remember my last day, walking down the Utilidor with my costume in hand, tears running down my face. I didn't know when or if I would ever see WDW again as a cast member and was so grateful that I got to do my favorite role on my last day.

I was blessed to be able to do a third program the following year. We switched from SADCT to Disney Dreams Come True Parade. They were not going to train any interns in the new parade initially. The manager found out I was not on the list and personally added me to my old roles plus two others after the training lists had been posted. I was very nervous about this because nothing causes more drama in entertainment than interns being trained. I was excited, but afraid to say anything.

Everybody ended up being very supportive. The people who worked with me knew me knew that I worked very hard (many forgot I was an intern.) We closed out SADCT on a Thursday and opened DDCT on a Friday. I ended up being scheduled first float both days. The last day of SADCT they showed us the opening day video. The person who did my role the first day was there doing a different role, and she came up to me and said, "Opening ___________ to closing _____________, have a good parade." It meant the world to me because I was so nervous of houw the full timers would react. Then on opening day we took a cast picture back stage. I still have it in a frame in my living room. Off duty entertainment cast members lined the route with signs and cheered us on. It was amazing. We debuted the new parade in August and it was a much greater intensity than what we were used to, so we were worried about our ability to perform. Every time I felt my energy flagging, I would pass a pocket of cast members and their cheering would reenergize me.

Perhaps the most touching in that entire experience was something that I learned later. Like I said, word had gotten out about how a CP was that particular role the first day. A friend of mine told me she was backstage when some people started on the typical CP Rant and brought that up. Another full timer told them to shut up. Apparently he said, "Do you even know her? I do. She works harder than anybody else and we are all happy that she got it." It made me feel really good that the full timers I worked with did respect me and were sticking up for me. I have never forgotten that experience.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Sorry, last one, I swear.

Beauty and the Beast is my all time favorite movie. Except for the whole beautiful part, I am exactly like Belle. (Quirky, imaginitive, misunderstood, love books.) We were talking before parade one day about the various princes and I mentioned that Belle's Prince is my all time favorite Prince. I think he is more handsome than any of the others by far. I expressed my sadness that he only greets as the Beast. It has long been my dream to get a picture with his as the Prince. At this time we had Cinderellabration, and he was in that show as the Prince. People asked me why I didn't just ask him to take a picture with me. I told them I didn't want to inconvenience a fellow performer. Well, he heard the conversation. My last day of my second CP, I was able to get a picture with Belle and her Prince in front of the mural in the Castle Breezeway. The pic is in my signature. It is my favorite picture and hangs up in my bedroom. I love how the colors of the background compliment the colors of their clothes. Now that I think about, other than the hair my boyfriend is very similar to Belle's Prince, even the height is similar (he is 6'4")!

 

[pampam]

Sorry, last one, I swear.
Beauty and the Beast is my all time favorite movie. Except for the whole beautiful part, I am exactly like Belle. (Quirky, imaginitive, misunderstood, love books.) We were talking before parade one day about the various princes and I mentioned that Belle's Prince is my all time favorite Prince. I think he is more handsome than any of the others by far. I expressed my sadness that he only greets as the Beast. It has long been my dream to get a picture with his as the Prince. At this time we had Cinderellabration, and he was in that show as the Prince. People asked me why I didn't just ask him to take a picture with me. I told them I didn't want to inconvenience a fellow performer. Well, he heard the conversation. My last day of my second CP, I was able to get a picture with Belle and her Prince in front of the mural in the Castle Breezeway. The pic is in my signature. It is my favorite picture and hangs up in my bedroom. I love how the colors of the background compliment the colors of their clothes. Now that I think about, other than the hair my boyfriend is very similar to Belle's Prince, even the height is similar (he is 6'4")!

Eyore's Butterfly,
Is the picture on the bottom of Belle and the Prince the one you are refering to? What a nice picture.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Yes it is. I wish I had a bigger copy to paste here, but at the moment I don't.

 

[Amanda_the_awesome]

I hope you all don't mind two moments from the other side of the coin:

I was a helping Mickey at the Oasis in DAK when a little boy with a Give Kids the World button came up. He had a walker and it was obvious he was struggling. But he left his walker with his mom and walked up to Mickey Mouse. At that point the mom started crying. I was rather confused. When I got backstage I asked the attendant what was going on. Apparently, the little boy had Muscular Dystrophy. He was told when he got back from his trip that he would start having to use a wheelchair full time- probably for the rest of his life. His wish was to walk up to Mickey Mouse. Those were most likely the last unaided steps he ever took. Being able to be a part of that, to make a little boy's wish come true was an amazing feeling.

The other one happened with Stitch at the Time Keeper in Tomorrowland. A woman came up with an autograph book for the son she was adopting the following month. On a whim, Stitch wrote: "Aloha Andre, from Stitch. P.S. I'm adopted too." When the mom saw that she became teary-eyed. It was obvious that it meant a lot to her. (Who said Stitch is always bad?)

I miss working there so much. I can't wait for the day when I can go back as a Cast Member!

Awe I read all your stories and they are so touching. I am assuming by your signature and from this post that you were "friends" with Stitch. I would love to be "friends" with that character. I am a little too tall though. Well actually I would just love to be chosen for entertainment period for the cp. Do you have any tips or advice for someone that is interested?

 

[nicoleakr]

This is a beauitful thread. Thanks for reminding us what it is all about!!! This is what walt would have wanted.