What is one really extra special Disneyland experience you have had?

[rentayenta]

Aren't Disney CM's just the BEST!!!

The most amazing one ever was Eileen during the YOAMD in WDW. We met her, starting chatting, and then she set up a Dream Day for two days later with us. She had to get approval which she did and we spent the most amazing time with her. We ended the night with watching the fireworks from the deck of the Astro Orbiter. It was unreal. Along with that we got front of the line for characters meets, Joshua being sworn in as a Lost Boy, getting to command in the boats on IASW (my personal favorite), free yummy treats, and so much more. We ended up trading emails- she is the best!

 

[nunzia]

Like others I have so many special memories starting with when I was a kid, took my kids and now my grandkids. But one true highlight was visiting Walt's apartment..it's part of the ABD Backstage Magic trip and that and the Imagineering visit are 2 highlights.

 

[WonkaKid]

My children (ages 4.5 and 2.5) ...

Hey, DisSarahK: I see that you're hoping to go to DL in Sept (me too -- or late August). There are some excellent deals on the Disneyland Web site (when you go to Disneyland.com a pop-up offers 30 - 40% off DL hotels or buy three nights, get two free -- park and hotel. The deals are not combinable/stackable). The offer is valid until Sept. 29. Good luck!

Rob

 

[Susie63]

We had our first trip to Disneyland in February. We stayed at the DLH for 8 nights. We had such a wonderful time. Our first weekend, the fireworks were cancelled both nights and because it
was low season they weren't shown monday thru thursday. So on Friday night we arrived early and got a good spot. They were almost cancelled again because of wind and I thought for sure we would not get to see them before we had to leave. After a 15 minute delay....Remember..... it was spectacular. I was so happy. When it was over I looked at my little girl who is 8, and she was crying. I thought she was scared and so I asked her what was wrong and if she was OK. She looked at me and said" I'm okay mom. I am crying because my heart is so full of joy". Well, then Dad and I were all teary eyed too!
Although her daddy was not real happy about going to Disneyland before we left,he is a complete convert now. I realized how much fun he had when one night while he and I were watching TV, and a WDW commercial came on for hotel deals and he said" Oh! it's not for DL"
We are currently saving for another 10 day trip in 2013 after DCA is finished.
I can't wait for the fireworks

 

[Melpuff]

Like others I have so many special memories starting with when I was a kid, took my kids and now my grandkids. But one true highlight was visiting Walt's apartment..it's part of the ABD Backstage Magic trip and that and the Imagineering visit are 2 highlights.

Wow!!! I've always wanted to see Walt's apartment! I have so many special feelings toward that man.

A few other people mentioned seeing characters when they didn't think it would happen. My last trip to Disneyland (with my mom- it was her first trip) we did everything and had a great time....but we didn't see Mickey. Just as we were walking by City Hall, Mickey runs up for a picture! Really magical.

Also, the look on my mom's face (and later my brother's at WDW) during Fantasmic. My brother's eyes were like saucers. It was the first bit of Disney he really got to see.

 

[DisSarahK]

Hey, DisSarahK: I see that you're hoping to go to DL in Sept (me too -- or late August). There are some excellent deals on the Disneyland Web site (when you go to Disneyland.com a pop-up offers 30 - 40% off DL hotels or buy three nights, get two free -- park and hotel. The deals are not combinable/stackable). The offer is valid until Sept. 29. Good luck!

Rob

Thanks, Rob!

 

[toddbushman]

Some of my favorite moments have been:

Being picked to "open Disneyland" during a Family Reunion with everyone.

Finding Mulan and Mushu in DCA by Monsters, Inc. We had seen all of the princesses but Mulan on a couple of trips, and asked for her two consecutive days at the Main St. Info station (first day she wasn't making an appearance, second day she was in DCA at 1 p.m.). We walked up and down looking for her and asked a few CM's who checked and said she should be coming out but was late. When she finally came out Mushu was with her and the various CMs must have tipped her off that a family with a little boy and girl had been searching for her for a while, because we were the first to see them, and we started heading over to them, and she took my little girl by the hand, and Mushu took my son's hand and walked them over to the spot they wanted, and spent a solid 4 minutes talking to them, signing autographs and playing games with them, while a good sized line started forming behind us. I was actually a bit embarassed at the attention they were giving them, because of the ever lengthening line behind us, but Mulan and Mushu basically ignored me, and kept talking and playing with my kids for the longest time. It was the best! (They really did make it special for my kids, and even though I said at least 3 times thank you and tried to get my kids to let other people in line go, Mulan and Mushu weren't having it and kept asking my kids questions and danced with them, etc...). Mulan also gave my daughter a kiss on the cheek that she wouldn't let us wash off...

Getting to ride Toy Story Mania pre opening date just by chance (walking by about a week before it was to open on our last day of our trip and a CM asking if we wanted to ride it!

Winning Dream Fast Passes!

Finally meeting Jiminy Cricket at the D23 Anniversary Party (along with the 3 little Pigs, Clarabelle, Clara Cluck, the Country Bears, Maleficent, Snow White Witch, Suzy and Perla with Cinderella and her coach).

Listening to a mini-concert performed by Richard Sherman!

 

[Docter419]

For me its being the place where I proposed to my wife, and had our honeymoon at. Those memories I'll cherish for the rest of my life. And I got to eat at club 33

 

[Dobie]

Finding $200 in DH's suitcase.

 

[Melpuff]

Finding $200 in DH's suitcase.

 

[Kiwianna]

received a bg hug from Miss Seven, an otherwise confident child who had such a terror of anyone in costume, she would not go to a shopping centre if she knew Father Christmas was in residence.
For the first three days of our Disneyland visit, characters on the move were given a very wide berth and we would watch from many metres away while her sister lined up for photographs.
Then for no apparent reason she said she had a feeling inside that she just had to give Tigger a hug. And she did, even though she left the line several times before she finally approached him. And a fear was conquered.
Well, there could have been some magic involved, who am I to say otherwise?

 

[fronkfam]

received a bg hug from Miss Seven, an otherwise confident child who had such a terror of anyone in costume, she would not go to a shopping centre if she knew Father Christmas was in residence.
For the first three days of our Disneyland visit, characters on the move were given a very wide berth and we would watch from many metres away while her sister lined up for photographs.
Then for no apparent reason she said she had a feeling inside that she just had to give Tigger a hug. And she did, even though she left the line several times before she finally approached him. And a fear was conquered.
Well, there could have been some magic involved, who am I to say otherwise?

I LOVE that!!!

 

[WonkaKid]

For me it was the first time I ever went to DL. We were at the parking entrance and I asked the guy about the Magic Kingdom. Then it hit me: DL had the Haunted Mansion. In about 1974, my brother got a HM record. Ever since then, I'd wanted to see it. I asked the guy at the booth about it and he told me that they did indeed have the HM and it was open. It was probably my best trip to DL ever ... although they've all been good .

 

[emacat]

Our whole DL vacation was wonderful, but the last day was my daughter's favorite. She got picked for the Star Wars Jedi training, fighting Darth Maul, and then in the afternoon an amazing cast member named Robbie (and she still remembers his name) approached us and asked if she would like to pilot the Mississippi Belle. What a beautiful view of the park, and she loved that he told her about working at POTC and the Belle, then had her sign a log and presented her with a special certificate.

The amazing thing about Disney is that no matter your age, they will make sure you feel the magic!

 

[elliefusmom]

I have quite a few... but the most important are...

My son meeting Mickey for the first time when he was 5. We had been avoiding Toon Town due to the crowds but ended up there late at night... he met Mickey close to midnight and then was done... we had to carry him back to the hotel.

Snow falling in December after the fireworks... I had no idea that this was going to happen!

One trip we had a contest on keeping your hands up the entire ride...BTMR or Space, etc. The last person who dropped their arms won... One time when we came off of BTMR, Peter Pan joined in and walked through the park with his arms raised with us.

Meeting Oscar last fall at Carnation Cafe'. I talked my daughter into asking for his autograph and getting her picture taken with him. He sat down at our table and visited for a bit.. My mom and I were awe-struck!

 

[CrAzY4DL]

When DD6 was almost 4 I took her just us for her birthday. Her fave character (and never seen before) was Peter Pan and we got to play Musical Chairs with him, Alice and the White Rabbit and then when she got "out", her took aside and had a special conversation with her.

During this same trip I became SUPER grumpy at the end of the day and DD wanted to watch Parade of Dreams (our FAVORITE!!) and while I was holding her and feeling all grumpy, she whispered in my ear-"Mommy, that Magic-ed my heart". Umm hello Disney magic, why yes, I HAD missed you during my lame grumpfest!!!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Meeting Oscar last fall at Carnation Cafe'. I talked my daughter into asking for his autograph and getting her picture taken with him. He sat down at our table and visited for a bit.. My mom and I were awe-struck!

How could I forget to add that to my list?!! Oscar is such a sweetheart.

 

[CarrieJacks]

Our first family trip to Disneyland was when we were still in school and dirt poor. We were doing everything as cheap as possible, and I was seriously considering not getting souvenirs, since our kids were still little (4 and 2). Our son lost his shoe in Tomorrowland, and we searched everywhere for it, but couldn't find it anywhere, so we stopped at the Lost and Found to report it missing before heading to the hotel that night. The ladies at the Lost and Found had a great time talking with our kids, and they just started giving them brand new stuffed animals. They gave my daughter and Ariel doll and a Sebastien stuffie, and my son Mickey Mouse. Not only did I not have to spend money on our souvenirs, but the story that goes along with those stuffies is just so precious to us. And to top it all off, a couple of weeks after returning home, we got a package from Disneyland containing our missing shoe!

 

[mom2rtk]

Our first family trip to Disneyland was when we were still in school and dirt poor. We were doing everything as cheap as possible, and I was seriously considering not getting souvenirs, since our kids were still little (4 and 2). Our son lost his shoe in Tomorrowland, and we searched everywhere for it, but couldn't find it anywhere, so we stopped at the Lost and Found to report it missing before heading to the hotel that night. The ladies at the Lost and Found had a great time talking with our kids, and they just started giving them brand new stuffed animals. They gave my daughter and Ariel doll and a Sebastien stuffie, and my son Mickey Mouse. Not only did I not have to spend money on our souvenirs, but the story that goes along with those stuffies is just so precious to us. And to top it all off, a couple of weeks after returning home, we got a package from Disneyland containing our missing shoe!

What an awesome story!!!

 

[kailuagirl]

about 8 years ago my sister and I took her DS3 to Disneyland for the first time. He searched and searched for his beloved Jesse and never found him. He was so sad. We finally found him and my nephew was overjoyed, problem was he was heading back behind the scene's so we had no experience. We asked the castmember when they'd be back and she saw how disappointed my nephew was, she said stay right here. Not sure how long we waited, it felt like forever, but later she brought out Woody and Jesse for my nephew and he had his own private time with them for quite awhile, they sat down together, then walked abit. It was so magical! They made my nephew's dreams come true!