what is the most exclusive / coolest Disney place you have been?

[OKW Lover]

6) Riding Big Thunder with glasses of water in our hands - with the mandate that we had to see who could keep as much water in the cups! Ride Physics 101 (Disneyana 1997, I think)!

8) The special Disneyana After-Hours in the parks parties. The scavenger hunt in the Studios was my favorite - I still have the packet with the complete activites that we had to do!

We did both of these too. Great fun. I think we liked the after hours party in AK the best, but certainly the one in the "New Tomorrowland" at the MK was great fun too.

 

[k5jm]

Riding in the back cab of the monorail. I know that did not happen often. The AC had not been run back there in a while and it was rather musty. But still very cool! Probably the coolest is leaving the Contemporary and watching it heading toward the TTC at night. Very cool!!! Made my son's birthday that much cooler!! He is a monorail nut.

 

[alebisi]

when I was 7 years old and was the first time I went to WDW we rode the liberty square riverboat and the captain made me drive the boat it was awesome they gave me the captain's hat and a diploma... this was a beautiful and once in a lifetime experience

 

[BriarRosie]

I got to see fantasmic from the balcony on my birthday during disneylands 50th birthday celebration!! It was wonderful and it will never be that good again..lol.
My favorite memory was staying up all night in DCA on July 16th to be in the first 500 people to enter Disneyland on July 17,2005. We were led across the esplanade by CM's and then when we entered, main street was lined by CM's waving and saying "welcome home."
It was certainly hard to see with all the tears running down my face. In fact that is one of the best things about my first DVC trip, as hearing "welcome home" brought back all of those wonderful memories!

So you were one of the crazies that stayed overnight in DCA! I wasn't having any of that, when I had a nice cozy bed to sleep in within walking distance. I was there, but I was standing somewhere between the monorail beam and the turnstiles, so I saw the Parade of DCA Overnighters get into the park. Some people in line were reading the 6th Harry Potter book in line, since it was released on the 16th.

That night my friend and I lucked out by accident when it came time to seat for the second showing of Fantasmic. We chanced into the best, closest seats I've ever seen the show, sitting on the ground right behind the fence. I felt very special that I got a front and center seat on the 50th birthday.

 

[SunnieRN]

So you were one of the crazies that stayed overnight in DCA! I wasn't having any of that, when I had a nice cozy bed to sleep in within walking distance. I was there, but I was standing somewhere between the monorail beam and the turnstiles, so I saw the Parade of DCA Overnighters get into the park. Some people in line were reading the 6th Harry Potter book in line, since it was released on the 16th.

That night my friend and I lucked out by accident when it came time to seat for the second showing of Fantasmic. We chanced into the best, closest seats I've ever seen the show, sitting on the ground right behind the fence. I felt very special that I got a front and center seat on the 50th birthday.

LOL yes I was one of the crazies! It was so worth doing, just for the experience on main street.
I think I may have met you at a couple of meets or the dinner at the Disneyland hotel July 16th? You looked very familiar to me when I read your fantastic trip reports from the F&W fest!
My daughter was standing somewhere near you that morning. She was 8 mos. pregnant and reading Harry Potter. lol

 

[MerMom60_94]

Me too Mindy. Also, I was able to lower the flag in MK with an honor guard and march up main street to retire the flag for that day. Cocowum set it up for me. It was pretty cool.

Paul, do you know how Cocowum went about setting this up? My husband would be absolutely thrilled to do this!! he is incredibly patriotic and this might make up for HoP being closed for refurb while we are down there.

 

[BilltM]

Absolutely ...

1998 Disneyana Convention meeting Diane Disney-Miller and watching her reaction to the standing ovation she was given by the conventionears at the Speakers of the Mouse gathering.

Meeting Marc Davis (one of Walt's "nine Old Men"), Wayne Allwine (sp) and Russi Taylor (voice of Mickey & Minnie).

The after hours party at the Animal Kingdom and seeing Legend of the Lion King at night.

Disneyana Discoveries - Walking in Walt's Footsteps - being in the Magic Kingdom at 7 a.m. Working as a cast member on Body Wars learning about watching for the 3 P's - Panic, Passout, Puke. Then going to a conference room above Norway and getting diploma's from Mickey himself.

2000 Disneyana meeting Haley Mills & Richard Sherman

The after hours party in Fantasyland with all the attractions open.

Disneyana Discoveries - Mickey in Motion - going backstage at TZTOT and learning about the ride cars and how you are actually are pulled down the elevators shaft because free fall wouldn't give the same excitement. Backstage at Rockin' Rollercoster & then riding Big Thunder Mt with a cup of water and trying not to spill anything.

Scavenger hunt through World Showcase in EPCOT. Singing It's a Small World (Convention theme) in front of the American Adventure and annoying the Voices of Liberty.

I'm sure there more!

Bill

 

[mooneyda]

I know it is not real special. It was a rainy and warm day at Ak my mom and I rode Kali River 4 times in a row with out having to get off because not to many people were in line.

 

[MrandMissVacation]

3) Hanging out in the Train Roundhouse at WDW at 5:30/6am in the morning, visiting a family friend who runs the place. I always rented a car, so I could do this every trip. We have photos of us hanging out in the cab of the smaller engine they never used (and later sold).

My son would LOVE this. His dream is to be a train engineer when he 'grows' up

 

[DISNEYNV]

Hands down... TOy Story Mania Meet in December. Just awesome!

 

[black562]

I don't post much in this particular forum, but I'll chime in with a few:

1. Meeting Harry Holt, a Disney Animator, at the WDW Disneyana and recieving a sketch from him. He only did twelve that day and I stumbled into the Disneyana just as they were putting up the sign, so I stood and waited. It was a "right place/right time" kinda moments.

2. Me and my college girlfriend selected as the stunt-people for the backstage tour at MGM Studios. She got to dump thousands of gallons of water over my steamboat, while I got to hit her with several torpedos...mmm, payback. It was funny because I poked her in the side and said "wouldn't it be funny if your parents showed up with their camera and got a picture?" and guess who was standing there...yup, her parents.

3. Being on the first bus on the first day of soft opening at Animal Kingdom. It was funny because the scripts weren't finished yet, so the CMs were telling us what we would be told once the park opens to the public...it was very much a dress rehursal and I was so happy to luck into that one as well.

4. Every trip I got to go with my Father. Since he passed away nearly ten years ago, I continue to go...and will always remember the many trips we took to WDW. It was a yearly trek for us for many many years.

 

[DSNY4ever]

WOW! I have to say I am so impressed (and a little bit jealous) of all the amazing special things that everyone on here has done- that is so awesome and I loved hearing about them.

I have never had the opportunity to do anything out of the ordinary in the parks (after all our trips I have never even been on a ride when it broke down and they turned the lights on!), but every trip has still been special. After my parents took me to Disneyworld for the first time (and only time) when I was eight years old, I came home and planned my honeymoon there. Everyone laughed and said that I would grow out of that and would want to go somewhere else when I grew up. But nope, I got married in 2005 and my husband took me on the whole trip I planned as a little kid, and it was even better than I imagined .

 

[BarbieGal457]

It wasn't anything like what some have posted, but this past trip on January 9th we were the last seating at the Coral Reef. We sat in two booths right in front of the aquarium, and it was just the best way to end a wonderful trip with all of my friends. We were the only people in there for about 97% of the night, and it really was amazing! So sad to be home!

 

[BriarRosie]

LOL yes I was one of the crazies! It was so worth doing, just for the experience on main street.
I think I may have met you at a couple of meets or the dinner at the Disneyland hotel July 16th? You looked very familiar to me when I read your fantastic trip reports from the F&W fest!
My daughter was standing somewhere near you that morning. She was 8 mos. pregnant and reading Harry Potter. lol

No, I don't think I was at a dinner on the 16th. But if your daughter was in line before Security near Jamba Juice, she was standing near me. Quite a few people had that book in line, and I kept thinking how heavy it would be to lug around DL all day!

 

[OKW Lover]

1998 Disneyana Convention meeting Diane Disney-Miller and watching her reaction to the standing ovation she was given by the conventionears at the Speakers of the Mouse gathering.

That was special. I remember getting chills when this happened.

Meeting Marc Davis (one of Walt's "nine Old Men"), Wayne Allwyne (sp) and Russi Taylor (voice of Mickey & Minnie).

I met Marc and Alice in the Crown Room at the airport after that one. Didn't want to intrude but I did tell them how much joy they brought to us.

Isn't it amazing that Wayne and Russi are married in real life!

Disneyana Discoveries - Mickey in Motion - going backstage at TZTOT and learning about the ride cars and how you are actually are pulled down the elevators shaft because free fall wouldn't give the same excitement. Backstage at Rockin' Rollercoster & then riding Big Thunder Mt with a cup of water and trying not to spill anything.

Meeting TJ at TOT was great. We look for him all the time and often see him in various WDW video's/advertisements.

We totally flunked the BTMRR cup of water thing. I think I had about 2 oz of water left.

 

[BilltM]

That was special. I remember getting chills when this happened.



I met Marc and Alice in the Crown Room at the airport after that one. Didn't want to intrude but I did tell them how much joy they brought to us.

Isn't it amazing that Wayne and Russi are married in real life!



Meeting TJ at TOT was great. We look for him all the time and often see him in various WDW video's/advertisements.

We totally flunked the BTMRR cup of water thing. I think I had about 2 oz of water left.

I'm suprised I didn't run into you, there were only a couple thousand Conventionears (you too Nancy -- YMP!)

Wayne and Russi were so down to earth. At the last signing at the Outer Rim on the 4th Floor of the Contemporary there were about 20+ people who did not make it through the line to get pictures/autographs. When Wayne and Russi were leaving they asked why people were still waiting. People explained that the line was closed early.

They stayed and signed everything for people and took pictures!!

Yes TJ was the guide on TZTOT. Interesting how the furniture in the lobby was purchased at a estate sale. It cost Disney more to make matching furniture and make it look original.

As far as BTMRR -- I learned quick. If you are going UP hold the cup down. IF you are going LEFT hold the cup to the right and vice versa.

 

[Whipperwhirl]

I am one of the lucky few who has ever seen a live podccast. Thats my only claim to fame. Whip

 

[funkehouse]

Im glad i posted this thread ! so many neat stories to read on here. Every one of them is special too, from meeting a Disney Family member, to getting picked for a Parade, they all mean stuff to us, however big or small they may be. I also got to Meet Paul Pressler in 1995 when he was President of Disney Land i beleive., that was cool too. Keep up the cool stories all ! these are fun to read

 

[cj9200]

Before the current Disney Dinning Experience (or whatever they are calling it now) there was a similar thing but it was smaller and member focused. It offered the discount plus exclusive food and wine events. The best one I attended was a black tie, winemakers’ dinner at Cinderella Castle. It was billed as the first time Disney sponsored an event at the Magic Kingdom where alcohol was served.

The event started after the park closed and we were all escorted to our private ferry at the T&T Center. On the extended ride over to the MK, the three winemakers talked about their wines as we sipped and munched on hors d'oeuvres. From there we were led down Main Street to a long table that was in the walkway through Cinderella Castle.

There was probably no more than 75-100 people or so and it felt very exclusive. They had the Carousel running which added to the background. Our seats were right in front of the mosaic where the Prince puts on the slipper (I look at that scene every time I pass through the walkway). By luck, I was seated across from the VP of the MK, the MK GM and their wives. Needless to say the conversation was great.

I don’t remember what was on the menu or what wines they poured but what an evening. Afterward they let everyone walk around part of Fantasyland and ride the carousel. We took our time and later walked down an empty Main Street (we were literally the only 2 people on it) to a bus that would take us back to the T&T Center.

 

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

My dad and I got to visit the Seimens VIP Lounge in Spaceship Earth called Base 21.