What has been your most magical Disney experience?

[monorailrabbit]

I love reading these!!

A few to share: a few years ago on our arrival date we were waiting for the monorail at Epcot. It was mid day and we didn't have park tickets, we like to spend our first day doing a monorail crawl to all the resorts and through Epcot. The monorail has been my favorite since I was a little kid and my dad and I got chosen to be a pilot! I know they don't allow this anymore, but it's still my favorite. Well, one of the CM's noticed it was our 5th trip or so up to ride and started chatting with us about how he had never seen anyone so happy just to ride the monorail. I had my "please stand clear" monorail t shirt on and everything and explained why it was so special to me. He said well, he couldn't let me pilot, but he would open the cockpit, and "look away" so I could jump in and get a quick picture! I was beside myself with happiness! I was actually crying in the picture I was so happy!

Also, last trip I had my Rescue Rangers t shirt on at Garden Grill and of course Chip & Dale were super excited about it. One of the CM's came up and asked me why those silly chipmunks kept coming over to our table. He saw my shirt and said, "I didn't realize their biggest fan was here! What an honor!" Soon after, Chip and Dale came up together and brought us a special dessert! We got some great pictures and it was the best experience of our trip!!

 

[Naomi Rohrbaugh]

There were a lot of great moments. And a couple bad moments. But these are my favorite memories.
*My boys first visit, When Mickey stepped off the train at the welcome show. They were so happy I cried.
*Their first Disney hug meeting Mickey at Town Square Theater. Worked very hard on not crying. Lol.
*Eating popcorn with my husband while my kids danced at a children's DJ dance party at Downtown Disney.
*Our whole morning at Animal Kingdom far surpassed our expectations. The safari, FOTLK & lunch at Pizzafari.
*Nighttime EMH at Epcot during Flower & Garden. The park was unbelievably gorgeous and we had every ride to ourselves. My youngest had a very sweet chat with Crush at Turtle Talk.
*When a Friendship launch captain pulled the boat over to show my kids a rare bird and catch a frog for them to look at.
* Dinner in the West Wing at BOG. We had great food & an amazing server. Walked out into New Fantasyland during an enchantingly beautiful sunset.
*Riding the teacups over and over again with my pre-teen son.
* When my kids whispered their wish for swirly Mickey Mouse lollipops during Wishes.
* Meeting the Mad Hatter during our goodbye breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. He was an absolute riot.

 

[mort1331]

We have been fortunate to have a few over the years, but the two that stand out are. Last March we were leaving HS and a CM approached my DW and asked where we were going. We said AKL and I know the bus is at station so and so. He then turned and said to my DW and DDs that their chariot has been changed and to head with him. |They asked if that included me, he played it up and said if you want your servant to ride as well that is ok with him. He then proceeded to take us to our own bus and said it goes where ever we want it to go. Stuart the bus driver will always be in our thoughts.
The other is when I went last Sept with my youngest DD and Daddy trip. We were leaving from dinner at 1900PF and taking the boat for a change back to MK. We ended up in one of the little boats and no one else on board. The skipper produced two pirate hats and claimed his boat has been overrun and played up the whole theme. My DD loved it. He even let us keep the hats that we wore the rest of the trip.
This is what make Disney different then just another theme park. The staff and how they are trained. Please dont forget to thanks at least one on each day of your trip. And that includes the CM that clean and take payments it takes all of them to make it Magical.

 

[pampam]

One of my fondest memories happened 2 years ago. We boarded the bus and the driver strapped the wheelchair down. He was very pleasant, and then went to the front of the bus. Everyone started loading, and he squeezed by them to give me a sticker for DD and a card that said simply "You Matter". I was so touched by his thoughfullness. Of course I told guest services about him as soon as we got off the bus. I still tear up thinking of it.

 

[Sailormoon2]

1. Getting upgraded to Club Level at YC for our anniversary and DH's first trip. 2) Same trip, DH stopping in his tracks and audibly gasping the first time he saw the castle!!

 

[librarymom2007]

When my daughter was chosen to be Junior Mayor for the day at The Plaza.

 

[johnsgrl]

DH and I had gone to celebrate our 10th anniversary and on our Epcot day had stopped at a photo-pass photographer for a picture near the Canada Pavilion, he noticed our Anniversary buttons and told us to follow him. We ended up having a 30 minute private photo shoot in locations throughout the Pavilion! I love those pictures! We were shocked but so appreciated all of the extra romantic photos he arraigned. Then at Le Cellier for dinner that night we were brought glasses of champagne and a dessert and given an extra fast pass for Soarin. It made our special celebration so much more special and memorable.

 

[2013Frozen]

I was at the MK last week with my DD (8) and my parents. I was standing in line for Merida (about 8:15 for a 9:00 start, but we had missed her previously), and my parents and daughter were sitting on the cement bench near where Merida exits to your right and talking to a PP photographer (Greg). DD was showing him her pressed pennies. Given the time to wait for Merida, DD and I decided to wait for Alice by the tea cups (8:30 start). I can't do spinning rides, and neither can my parents, but I said I would go with her (DH couldn't make the trip ). While trying to figure out where to wait for Alice, the PP photographer came up and told us where to stand, and walked away. A few minutes later, Alice walked right up to my DD and asked her name and if she would like to ride the tea cups with her. DD was in awe and so excited. I was in tears watching her and Alice talk and spin the tea cup (that DD choose). After the photos and autographs with Alice and the Mad Hatter, I walked up in tears to the PP photographer. I told him he had given me a memory that I would never forget, and neither would my daughter. He replied your'e welcome, and that our reaction had made his day as well. My only regret was that it happened so fast that my parents (who don't move around fast) had no idea what was going on until we came back. They thanked him as well.

 

[Kimberly9701]

Mine was last August. Disney sure knows how to make me feel like a prince. I got to Grand Floridan, which I paid for garden view standard. I got there and someone was waiting and they dropped us off to sugarloaf club level. I said, "ummm?" "They said nope, you've been upgraded. Club level" I cried. Then we had the last ADR that night for BOG and the waiter said the bottle of wine was on him for my birthday. He made sure we weren't driving, I said no we take the monorail back.

The next morning at Kona a family secretly bought me breakfast. They left and said "happy birthday" and I said "thanks." The waiter took my card, 5 mins later came back and said the family across from you took care of your bill. I cried on the monorail on the way to Magic Kingdom rope drop. Other things happened that day: free ice cream, free drinks and cupcakes galore at every single ADR. That night we went to Cali Grill after Cirque and got a window seat for Wishes!

I never forget this trip. Every trip gets magical and magical!

That's amazing!!

 

[gatormom2tots]

2nd trip...my oldest daughter was 4 at the time. We had just got on the carousel when all the princesses came out of CRT from the late dinner and rode the carousel. Aurora sat right next to her and talked with her the entire ride!

 

[mecllapfigment]

We've had some terrific character interactions. (I do recommend interacting with them). One year when DGS was maybe 6 or so, his Mom flirted with Goofy, and he grabbed her hand and took off with her back down the path -- DGS freaked out "I didn't like it when Goofy took my Mom and I thought he was going to marry her." Years later, entering the recalcitrant teen years, DGS reluctantly joined the group for a photo with Goofy, and we asked for a quick one just with Goofy and DGS. We had already heard that Goofy was taking his break after our group, but when he got DGS alone, he started posing him and playing with him, and got DGS really engaged -- we got some absolutely priceless pictures. Thanks for the memories, Goofy!

 

[akl2004]

Last year we were there the 1st week of December. It was our first full day and my wife and younger son(8) were tired so we went back to the resort around 5:00 and ate dinner. My oldest son(15) was groaning that he was on vacation and it was too early to be stuck in the room for the night, so he and I went to Epcot to ride Test Track. After the ride we wandered over to the lagoon to see Illuminations. I was not real excited because I have seen it several times and it had gotten a bit old to me, but he wanted to see the show so I thought at least I could get a beer. We watched the fireworks and thought they were over, when the announcer announced the special holiday finale. That finale was the most incredible thing I have ever seen. I will admit I got a tear in my eye, it was so awesome. But what really hit me was when I looked at him, he had teared up too. We just looked at each other and said "Yeah!"

Later in the week we all saw the Candlelight Processional. Afterward we walked around the WS, waiting for Illuminations, which we had a FP viewing for. The oldest kept telling his mom and brother they were going to be blown away by the finale. When we got to the FP viewing area, it was disappointing because we were in the middle and everyone in front of us was standing, so we couldn't see the globe. As it was the younger one's first time, his older brother thought it was imperative that he be able to see the globe. So he grabs his brother by the arm and off they go, trying to find a better view. Needless to say, his persistence paid off and they found themselves at the very front of the crowd. Somehow or other, maybe it was divine intervention, there was a pocket of space just big enough for the two of them. My wife and I couldn't get as far up as they were without pushing through people, and that's not something we do, so we stayed a little ways back and watched the two of them. When the finale came up, they were standing there with an arm around each other and high fiving, and their sappy dad had another tear in his eye. Now anytime either of them gets down or overwhelmed with things, they almost always watch a you tube video of Illuminations. They say that is their feel good place. Well it is mine too, now.

 

[Nornster]

Last year, we were leaving MK for an afternoon break just as people were lining up in the Hub for Festival of Fantasy parade. It was newish then and we hadn't really planned to attend, but a nice family made room for my 4-year-old next to their kids sitting along the rope - I sat on the ground behind her, and the rest of our family was standing around three or four rows back, with no way of seeing over the crowd, and no place for my dad in his wheelchair to sit. That was fine, everyone just wanted the kid to get a chance to see the parade.

But a nice older CM was talking to my dad, and he called for my daughter and me to leave our place by the rope and led our whole family over to a VIP viewing area on the bridge to Liberty Square - there was only one other family there, and plenty of seating on benches and bleachers. The view of the floats was so great, but the most fun was all of the characters - everyone from Mickey to Tinker Bell - spotting my dad's "Army" cap and "saluting" him from the floats - he was near tears!

That trip we had FastPasses to MSEP and Wishes (when it was brand new and you could still sit on the astroturf) - it worked out great for my dad to be able to see from his wheelchair, and my daughter was just old enough to stay up for the first time - she was jumping up and down and clapping during the fireworks and literally yelling "Yippee." I don't think we'll go to a parade in the parks for a long time - they'd have a hard time living up to our experiences that trip!

 

[Benihana]

These are all so wonderful to read. With all the scheduling issues I am having with my upcoming trip it's nice to take a minute to remember the magic and why it's so worth it.

Three stand out for me:

Our first trip when oldest child was almost two and loved Mickey. The first day if the trip we walked down Main Street and her eyes lit up as she kept pointing to the big castle in awe. By the time we had gotten to the castle, Dream Along with Mickey was just about to start. The look on my daughters face as Mickey came out was amazing. She was star struck and so happy. I cried for the rest of the show. Each time a new character came out and she saw them for the first time she would react the same way. I felt so lucky and overhwhelmed with joy to be able to bring her there and give her that experience.

The second was the last day of our trip when kids were 3 and 5. We had spent the day at animal kingdom waiting on a lot of lines in the heat. Everyone was bummed the trip was almost over. We had time for one more show before we had to head back to the resort in time for our Magical Express to the Airport. We got on line to see the lion king. It was very long and we were not sure we would get a seat, certainly not a very good one. It looked like we were about to be shut out when a friendly CM pulled us aside and said he has saved seats for us. He walked us in and sat us in the front row. The show was amazing from that view and both of my kids were chosen by the performers to participate in the show marching with instruments. What a magical way to end a Disney vacation.

Third was at BOG. That morning my DD (5) had woken up to Belle dress and a note from the Beast asking her to get made up into a princess and meet him for dinner in the castle. After he BBB we had a FP+ for Enchanted tales with belle. My daughter was chosen to be Mrs. pots and Belle whispered to my daughter that she was her long lost twin. At dinner afterwards our service was magical. DD was treated like royalty dressed as Belle in BOG. After dinner we stood in line to meet the beast. When my daughter approached him he bowed to her, then guestured a CM to start playing music (tale as old as time). The beast danced with my daughter just like the movie. It was so magical how they both knew exactly what to do as if they had rehearsed it. A moment I will never forget.

 

[AshleeH]

Mine was 6 years ago - we were at MNSSHP and got "stuck" in Frontierland when the fireworks started. Anyone who's been in Frontierland at this time knows that you can barely see anything for the trees, so my husband took my younger son to get a better location to watch. My older son wanted to ride Big Thunder Mountain instead of watching the fireworks, so I took him there. Well, we walked right on - there was only one group of college guys on the entire train car with us. We sat in the very back of the train and had a PERFECT view of the fireworks! As we reached that last big incline, the grand finale went off (amazing to watch - it felt like we were ascending slowly toward the lights) and just as we crested the top of the hill, the circle of single white fireworks went off, signifying the end of the show - and then our train hit the decline and we kept going. It was the absolute best seat in the house and still my favorite Disney memory, even after all of our trips.

 

[Tomh]

getting back door access to FOTLK because DS struck up a conversation with a CM. Having him then chosen to participate in the parade at the end of the show. Playing Checkers with DS in Town Square, just a wonderful feeling there! Eating dinner at Tony's Town Square . . .. the location is just magnificent, and I always feel very close with my family when we eat there. Starting our trip at the Crystal Palace before the park opens. No better way to start the first day at Magic Kingdom. Jasmine giving DS4 a big kiss on the cheek, and having the picture to prove it. Seeing the Main Street Electrical Parade for the first time since I was a little kid!

 

[stephie1012]

We've had so many magical experiences. In 2012 we were chose as family of the day in magic kingdom. Opening the park was a day my kids will never forget.



This past Christmas Ds said the only thing he wanted was to see the lights at dhs. I surprised him with a mother son trip. He thought we were just going to dhs, but we did a full mk day as well. We had a bog adr at 8am. We had so much fun being in the park together with not many other people.

 

[SillySallySews]

I have two. The first was two summers ago, when my youngest son was about 16 months old. Despite trying for MONTHS we could not get that kid to put food in his mouth and eat it. We took him to doctors, nothing was medically wrong, he just did not want to eat food. We went to Disney and he ate like a pig and hasn't stopped since!

The second was last summer at BWI. We checked in and found out we were upgraded to the Sonora Suite. I had read somewhere that Neil Patrick Harris had once stayed in that suite and I ran around screaming, "I'm sleeping in the same bed as Doogie Howser!" Lol...And I could not stop hugging all the staff and crying and thanking them. Some of them cried right along with me, and it was magical.

 

[PSUGuy]

No single thing but several. The World Showcase Players chose me to be King Arthur on two different trips and once as Romeo. In our March 2014 trip they picked me for a bit part in the Cyranose show. One other incident stands out, one night in PI we hit the Adventurer's Club early, the Comedy Warehouse dropped the early show. As we were exiting the AC to go to the CW Graves, the butler said ,'Have a pleasant evening'. When I replied, 'We'll be back right after the show', he said, 'You give us reason to go on, sir!'. I crack up every time I recall that. Kungaloosh!

Bill From PA

 

[Seeker615]

Way back when my kids were younger we did a Disney trip and we had so many wonderful moments. I think the best was seeing their faces as we approached the castle from Main Street. They were just in awe of the whole thing. Over the course of our trip my kids got to participate in the parade, my youngest was chosen to be in the Lion King Show and we had so many wonderful interactions with the characters. Back then they roamed around a lot more freely then now. My favorite was when King Louie to my teenage nephew and sat him on the ground and proceeded to groom him! It was a riot.

We also had a great time at Universal. My son was chosen for the Animal Actors show and he got to interact with several animals. He was in his glory. We also had great character interactions there as well. Our favorite was with Scooby Doo. He needed a pen and as I was getting one out of my bag he "helped" me look for one. It was pretty funny seeing his big paws ans muzzle going through my bag!