What is your best Disney memory?

[Christypl]

I know we all love Disney, but there has to be a reason that you love it the most? I grew up in Central Florida so going to Disney World was common place. In college I worked there...so I saw the other side of it. Every time I went I felt the magic. But...the day the most pixie dust hit me was the first time I took my 2 and a half year old. His dad was deployed to Iraq and we needed some magic so off to Disney World we went. The look on his face as he saw Main Street and the castle will forever be in my heart.

 

[ElleBelle]

I posted this in a similar forum about a year back. The following is a description of the exact moment that I fell head over heels for that "warm-fuzzy" feeling you get at the most magical place on earth...

My most magical Disney World memory:

My first trip to WDW came in 1997- only 3 weeks after my dad underwent a radical neck dissection for newly diagnosed metastatic thyroid cancer. The surgery left him battered and his voice hoarse (they gave him a 20% chance of ever talking again post-op). This was a trip that was the result of three years of planning- and at the time we thought it may have been our first (and last) trip as a family. My dad (who was initially less-than-thrilled with the idea of going to Disney World) insisted we ALL go as a family. The one moment that stands out in my mind about that trip was watching Spectromagic for the first time and looking over at my dad sitting in his wheelchair. I remember listening to the music (quietly crying) and saying a small prayer that everything would be alright.

Fast forward to the very next year- 1998- and we once again were standing in the same spot watching Spectromagic- AS A FAMILY. My dad had undergone two more surgeries and was doing well and in remission. Spectromagic was nearing the end (...~"On this magic niii-iiight"~...) and I turned around to look up at my dad only to realize he had tears streaming down his face. He looked at me and mouthed- "I told you we'd make it back"- All I could do was rest my head on his chest and cry. We really had made it back.

My dad continues to do great- I'm now married- and my parents are returning to the world with us in March. I'll always look forward to watching Spectromagic with my "daddy". And that, is my most magical Disney memory!
__________________

And we had a great time in March, btw!!!

 

[sabrinadv1]

For me it was also when we took our oldest son for the first time. He was about 3 yrs. old. We stood in line to see Mickey and when we left he took his dad's hand and looked up at him and said "That's a BIG mouse".

My honeymoon durring Christmas was very special too, but that innocent little face with that amazed look on it was priceless.

 

[cinderkelli]

Mine was one of the only things I remember from being a young child on my first trip. When I was younger I was scared of balloons because I had one pop right in my ear before. So I never wanted one. So while we were there I kept looking at these mickey mouse ear balloons and my parents kept asking me if I wanted one, but I refused. So the very last night at CLOSING I decide I want one. I am sure my parents must have been exhausted, but my dad went all the way back in the park and tracked someone down who sold them and got me one. =)

 

[cjnix29]

ElleBelle, your story gave me goose bumps! I hope your dad is doing well.

My story...has to be having lunch at Cinderella's with my then 2 1/2 year old son. Cinderella came up to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek, then Snow White came. My normally talkative toddler was awestruck, and I will have the look on his face ever ingrained in my memory. The whole day all he wanted to was marry Snow White.

Getting married at the pavilion was special as well, and something I will never forget. But the pixie dust definitely came out at Cinderella's!

 

[juligrl]

I have a Disney moment every trip I take there. My most recent -- watching my DD (then 2) "discover" the "Cinder-drella" castle and then march determinedly down Main Street to see "Cinder-drella".

 

[BonnieA]

My Pop was my best disney buddy and I miss him so much. We had the best times on our trips. What I remember most about our trips was leaving the parks at night. We would walk hand in hand into the parking lot and to the car. So now whenever I leave the parks in the evening, in my mind I am still holding my fathers hand.

 

[KinderTchr]

I have so many. Here are two of my favorites.

When oldest dd was 3 she was wearing a shirt that said Kiss Me I'm Irish. When we got to the front of the monorail line the CM swooped her up, kissed her on the cheek, and said - I'm Irish Too! DD swears that is why all of her boyfriends had and now here new hubby has redish blonde hair.

When I took my youngest dd who was 6 (and who is technically my step daughter) It was her very first trip. We had just finished listening to Belle tell stories. (I had taken her to see the Broadway tour of Beauty and the Beast earlier that year) Anyway as we were leaving Belle, DD squeezed my hand, looked up at me and said "I'm having the time of my life." My heart melted.

About taking DD3 to the Beauty and Beast Broadway Tour. For months before my two older daughters and I had talked to her about "theatre manners" She enjoyed getting dressed up - new dress, new tights, new shoes and going to her first Broadway Show. Wouldn't you know it - the people behind us talked through the entire first act. DD never said a word, sat perfectly thrilled, enthralled in the show. At intermission however, she turned to me and said. "Those ladies behind us must not know about "Theatre Manner"

Kaye

 

[Donaldfan81]

For me it was just last july. It was my second trip to the world and first trip ever without my family. On the second to last day of the trip i called back home and found out my great grandfather had just died. Well i wasnt in a good mood after that but we went to the magic kingdom that night and ate at the crystal palace, which i enjoyed being the big kid i am eating while tigger and pooh and eyeore where walking around. However the moment i will always remember the most though was walking out of the palace just as wishes was starting. That just took me away from the sadness i was feeling and made the rest of the trip enjoyable. And on top of that being from a big city that i am after wishes was over, getting to sit on main street waiting for and watching spectromagic that night. To me there is no feeling better than sitting in that small town atmosphere enjoying the disney magic. I dont think anything else could have helped make the rest of the trip be okay for me. And because of that wishes is my favorite thing in all the world..

 

[smep013]

I always wanted to go to WDW - but did not make it there until 2002 - at the age of 24!

My boyfriend and I decided to go (now husband) and the minute I saw Mickey Mouse I was filled with tears of joy!

My husband was like - you better stop crying before it's our turn to get our picture with Mickey! So I got it together - but the moment we walked away after that picture - I started crying my eyes out! I was just so happy to be there - it was a dream come true!

 

[KinderTchr]

I have been to WDW more than 20 times. I always cry - not sad just overwhelmed with joy.

Kaye

 

[gtuck]

Ours was in 1997 on our only trip to WDW. But we're going back in 22 days

Our DD was 5 at the time, we were watching Spectromagic and the Big Bad Wolf came by and stomped his foot at her and stuck his nose in her face. She didn't take it too well. She started to cry because it scared her. About that time Mary Poppins walked by and made a special effort to come back to our DD and talk to her comfort her and stopped the tears. Maybe it's not such a big deal, but I thought it was kinda cool.

Our family doesn't get to come to WDW that often so this is a special trip for me. Our DD is 14 now. I think there is still some magic left in her.

Hope so anyway

 

[smep013]

Where are all the cryers when I'm there!? I always feel like a big idiot when I start crying! My husband loves it and just says, "Here we go again!"

 

[tchrrx]

My favorite memory is only a couple weeks old! I had been telling my DD6 for months about our upcoming trip & telling her things I read on this board to help get her excited. Our first day there we went to the MK & I had her close her eyes until we were at the end of Main St. My DH caught a wonderful picture of her expression upon seeing the castle. The next morning, however, was the best! I had told my DD that if the phone rang in the morning, I needed her to answer it. Well....the phone rang about 5 times & she didn't wake up! So, I finally just held it up to her ear. She bolted straight up & shouted, "It's Mickey Mouse & Stitch! They're calling for me!" Even with the surprise breakfast at CRT & other fun things we did, that first morning's excitement will always be with me!

Of course, I also love that we were at AK when the tropical storm hit a couple weeks ago. I tried carrying her & running to the bus stop, but that didn't work out so well. I finally put her down & stopped and sang "Singing in the Rain" while dancing & spinning & having a grand time! We were already wet, so we decided that we might as well enjoy it!

 

[lovealldisney]

My DD was in love with Peter Pan and for the longest time I had my DD conviced I knew Peter Pan ( you see my name is Wendy ) and I told her when we went to Disney that Peter would be waiting for us. Well the first day of our vacation and first time visiting MK for my daughter we walk into the park where all the characters are waiting and who do we see Peter Pan and I said look I told you he'd be waiting! She was the first one to him for his autograph and was so flustered she couldn't even say anything to him! LOL! She was on cloud nine the rest of the day!

 

[NJDad18]

My best memory was a few years ago when DD was 6 and in first grade. She was telling me that she new that the characters were not real and that they were just a person in a costume. So DW and I were feeling a little sad b/c our baby was starting to get older. Anyway we were by the castle when the fireworks were beginning. She saw Tinkerbell fly out from the castle and DD started screaming, "Hi Tink, hi Tink, Tinkerbell, I love you."

That made us realize that she felt the magic and our little girl is still our little girl.

We're going back in August and DD will be 10 in September and she's getting to bring a friend. DS (5) is excited b/c he's going to ride Space Mountain for the first time.

 

[LaughinPlace289]

It would be impossible to pick just one.

One of my favorites would have to be the time that my entire family (grandparents, aunt, uncle, everyone) went. It was possibly the best Disney trip I've ever had.

 

[honey11dog]

Ours just happened last week at Blizzard Beach. After a few hours at the park heavy rain came in. All the slides had to be closed. We were stuck under one of the many tables around the park. Four lifeguards took shelter with us. They saw that our children were upset by the rain. Before we knew it they were laying in the sand letting our children bury them. The kids had the best time and we took tons of pictures. Thanks to the Disney Lifeguards are trip to Blizzard Beach was the best!!

 

[Magalex]

Our whole entire trip in April 2005. It was our first Disney trip w/ our then 4 1/2 yr old DS. It was perfect. Hoping for 2007 trip again!

 

[Little Monsters]

Where are all the cryers when I'm there!? I always feel like a big idiot when I start crying! My husband loves it and just says, "Here we go again!"

I agree the first time I made it to WDW was last yr with all my in law's and the first time I walked down main street and saw the castle I had tears streaming down my face much to my FIL amusement! He now checks everytime we walk down main street and yes there are tears there everytime sorry I just can't help it!

I too have qquite a few special memories, one being when my DS (3at the time now 4) who is a big Peter Pan & Captain Hook fan waited in line to meet Captain Hook & Mr Smee. Before we had even left to go to Florida he was told by friends and family "don't forget to call Captain Hook a Codfish like Peter Pan does!" When it was eventually our turn he marches straight up to him and sings "you're a codfish!" to which as we all know he starts to chase DS......around me! DS starts running and crying at the same time, Captain Hook is told off by the CM & Mr Smee who calmed DS down by pointing at his treasure map t-shirt and putting his thumb up and shaking his hand. Captain Hook & DS made up too but DS has never forgotten and tells us that when he sees Captain Hook again he can now run faster that he won't catch him this time and for those who want to know yes mum had tears again!