What is Your Best Disneyland Story?

[DisneyLover4Ever!]

Oh yea! I get to tell it again. I never get tired of telling this one. . .

It was my youngest dd's(2 at the time) first visit to Disneyland. She didn't know what to expect, except for she knew that Sleeping Beauty's Castle was there. All the way to Disneyland in the van she kept telling us over and over that when she got to Disneyland she was going to sleep with Sleeping Beauty in her castle.

I told her that Sleeping Beauty's Castle walk-through was closed years ago, so she wouldn't be able to visit her there, but she would surely see her other places. But she kept insisiting over and over that she would sleep with Sleeping Beauty. We laughed it off and said "Sure, honey. You can just ask her when you see her."

One day when we were in the Animation Studios we saw Belle in the Princess area (used to be where Turtle Talk now sits). So we waited in line for Belle. My dd walks up and asks Belle where Aurora is and matter of factly tells her that Sleeping Beauty is her favorite and she wants to sleep with her. Belle was very gracious and told her that Aurora would be coming out next and they would arrange to have her first in line to see her. Then she kissed my dd on the LIPS! It was precious!

The handler CM put my dd first in line to see Aurora who came out right after. Dd walked right up to her gave her a huge hug and said "Can I sleep with you??" Aurora was taken back and asked "What?" Dd repeated that she wanted to sleep with her. Aurora said "Of course!" and laid out her dress and laid down. Dd laid on top of it, closed her eyes and the picture taking commenced. They both pretended to sleep for about 30 seconds. Aurora asked dd if they could wake up. Dd said "Nope! Still sleeping!" Aurora gave her another 30 seconds or so before they woke up.

My mom and I were seriously bawling. What a magical moment for my dd and my entire family. We even heard Aurora ask the CM photographer for a copy of the picture.

The next year when we went back, we saw the same Aurora during storytelling at the Princess Shoppe. She recognized my dd and called her by name. Then she introduced her to Prince Phillip who went on and on about how Aurora had told him all about their nap time together. How they pulled that off, I have NO idea! But once again, another Disney Magical moment for dd.

Just an aside: After having the above experiences with the princesses at DLR, it is no wonder why I am not a fan of PFFT! Oh how I miss the magic when the princesses were free. Now they are prisoners of the PFF.

Anyways, thanks for letting me share that again! Like I said, I LOVE LOVE sharing the magic!
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I love hearing these stories, some are just the SWEETEST stories I've ever heard!

 

[fairycat]

What great stories!!

One of my stories is probably to weird and teenagey, but the other is simple.

My high school was invited to do "Magical Music Days" (the chance for HS and JHS students to play in Disney), we hadn't raised enough money to get uniforms yet at our new school so we didn't get to march in the park but we got to go back stage (that first was so cool!!!).

There we had Disney musicans give us Disney music, shirts and other goodies and we got to play Disney songs with them. I got to play tubular bells for the first time it was such a cool experience. I would have loved to march in the parks but even getting to spend time with these people was so thrilling and such a great experience.

I also have to add that as a small child going to the Disney Studios and even getting back there to the Costume Department as an adult was a girl like me's dream come true!!!

 

[Handbag Lady]

I worked in Disneyland when I was a young lady. I was a Main Street Merchandise hostess.

One of our duties was to train and fill-in as Guest Control for the MSEP. I LOVED doing this and would volunteer regularly.

One night, my spot was the busy corner right outside of the Premiere shop (the shop across the Street from the Emporium.

This was in the 80's when people had more crowd manners. All I had to do was keep my section tight, together, and to keep guests from sitting on the trash cans. I also made myself available for guest questions. We had three bathrooms within walking distance, so I tried to point out the one with the shorter lines.

One night this group of really cute male Australians showed up and started asking me questions, kinda of flirty. They asked if I would narrate to their video. Sure, why not! So, they interviewed me/I gave a visual tour of Main Street/Town Square and explained things that most people overlook. I have no idea how it came out or even if they had film. This was in the day of the suitcase video camera, so of course now I look now and again for myself on youtube.

 

[noryglory]

Dangermouse! That is seriously amazing. Now I "get" your little picture and how special it is. The best part of the story is the following year and how she was recognized and the magic continued.

A tear. Sniff. Sniff. Too cool!!

 

[turtlegurl]

Thank you all for sharing, loved all the stories. I'm sure I will have a few to share when we get back near the end of the month!

 

[mystic_path]

My dad is the biggest kid at heart, and I took him to Disneyland for the first time last June and he had the time of his life. Silly man now has a count down counter on his facebook telling him how many more days its left for our next trip.... but anyways

Ive been to Disneyland before without my dad and I always knew the minute he got off Indiana Jones that he would go straight across to the Indy shop and buy an Indiana Jones hat.

Then came the time for me to book the next trip and of course I included dad. I figured the first thing we should do when we get to Disneyland is to take in a bugs life "Its tough to be a bug". Its a fantastic 3D show and a wicked intro to Disney magic, so we are down there and hes giggling like a little girl the whole time while I took picture of him in his bug glasses while he hides behind big piles of dirt in the queue, and thats his favorite show, but then I said lets head over to Indiana Jones.

We get onto the ride and I am thinking "he is gonna buy a hat, he is gonna buy a hat". We get off the ride and the first thing he said was WOAH LETS DO THAT AGAIN! I mentioned getting a fast pass, so while I was getting one he said hey there is an Indiana Jones store, I will meet you in there. As I head over the man is trying on Jones hats. He bought one and wore it for the whole trip. Now we are like 2 months away from leaving and thats all dad can talk about is "I NEED A NEW JONES HAT"

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Dangermouse, I LOVE the Sleeping Beauty story! Wow. That is really Disneyland Magic. What incredible pictures. It's amazing what the characters can do!

 

[Ride Junkie]

When my nieces were 5 and 6, we took them to DL for the first time. They had a blast, and at the end of the day, those little legs were tired out! So when the park was closing, they were laying on a bench near the front of Main Street, and they fell right to sleep. As they were laying there sleeping, along came Mickey Mouse. He tiptoed up to each of them and gave them kisses, as the “When You Wish Upon a Star” music was playing in the background. I stood there mesmerized as I watched this truly magical moment.

A few seconds later, DH snapped me back to reality with this proclamation: “You should have video taped that.” Why didn’t I grab the camcorder? Why??! So unfortunately, this memory was not captured in any photos or video, but I know I’ll never forget it. Once we woke them up, the girls were excited to hear that Mickey visited them!

 

[harpetj]

My favorite memory is from DL trip July 16, 2005....which happens to be my birthday. My boyfriend surprised me at the last minute with a trip to DL (we lived in Seattle). We arrived on my birthday and I spent the day getting happy birthday greetings due to my bday sticker. That night during the fireworks show he proposed to me! What a wonderful and romantic surprise. The next day happened to also be the REAL 50th anniversary day and we stood in line for many hours to be some of the first ones into the park. We entered the park in our gold ears with all of the CM's saying "Welcome Home" as they lined Main Street! I felt like I was living in a fairy tale for the entire trip.

 

[rentayenta]

We have so many but one of my favorites was when we surprised the kids for Christmas and took them to Disneyland.


We left Utah on the 18th and told the kids we were going to Vegas for a few days. We had packed all their presents in boxes and sealed them so they wouldn't smell even a hint.


We drove from Utah to Vegas, checked into the Monte Carlo, had dinner, did the strip, etc......Before we had left I typed a letter to the kids from Santa. It was on holiday paper and everything. The letter basically said that for Christmas he was giving us a trip to Disneyland. I laid it on the couch so they would see it when they woke up in the morning. My oldest daughter found it, read it aloud, and they flipped.

The tickets were attached and I had been in contact with VP (we were staying at the DLH) so I had other things planned. I had set up balloons, autographed pictures, and $50 Disney Dollars each to be waiting in the room when we arrived. I had also ordered the Christmas Tree, I think it was $170 back then, to be delivered when we were out at the park one day. We also had their stockings and nightly Tinkerbell trinkets. We arrived the 19th and stayed until the 26th and then drove back home.

John Walsh, rest his sweet soul, was the CM who help me put this whole thing together. He passed away a few years ago and was such an asset to Disneyland!

It was seriously the most magical Disneyland trip ever!

Upon arriving, Bell Services took the box of gifts and those also were delivered on the sly. I never thought we'd top that trip but after 10 amazing days in WDW last September, we . We were Dreamed like crazy! If you want to read about that trip, it's in my trip report below- the Captain Jack one.

 

[MicknMinnJen]

I dont think I can choose a single moment as my 'favorite', but in May 2005 I was SO very priveledged to be able to go to Disneyland with my 3 kids AND my sister and her 3 kids. Part of what made this such a special trip was that this was my sister's first trip EVER to Disneyland as well as her kids. The sad part was that she had lost her husband in a car accident the prior year. They had such an amazing marriage...truly magical. It had been a REALLY hard year for all of us.

My Dh was going to be in Vegas and I decided I wanted a special trip too. So...I spent MONTHS planning my trip. My sister said she didnt want to go. I was SO sad and felt so very guilty for planning a trip without her at that time. Well, wouldnt you know it....4 days before we were leaving SHE CHANGED HER MIND!!!!!!!!!! We were all SO very excited!

I couldnt believe our luck...she got seats with us on the plane and had a room next to us at the hotel.

It was SO amazing to be able to be there to witness the looks in their eyes at everything Disneyland has to offer My youngest niece was 4 at the time and I still feel so emotional just thinking about watching her experience everything... ...especially the when the Princesses came to our table at Goofys Kitchen!!!!!

I will never forget the heart break I felt though as we watched the fireworks for the first time and looking at my sister when Julia Childs (that is her name right? ....sorry, brain fart) says...Where Dreams Come True. My sister was fighting tears like crazy. We looked at each other and both cried a bit, but then realized that her husband would be so happy that she was there with the kids.

We truly had the trip of our lives! It was simply amazing! I am so very lucky and blessed to have been able to share it with them!

 

[minnieandmickey]

Not sure what year it was, but the place was toontown, on the street outside of Goofy's bounce house.
I was coming back from the restroom and Goofy was there interacting with a child in a wheelchair. Having a developmentally disabled child myself, I knew how special this moment was, so I stepped back and waited for them. During this time my husband had asked where I was on my radio, I told him I would be there in a minute. Goofy finished his moment with the child, and came up to me and asked me for my radio. I called my husband and told him someone wanted to talk to him, and gave Goofy the radio. In true form he went "Ayuck", my husband gladly responded with the same. Then I see my husband step out from behind the house, and waves happily at Goofy. Hubby was on for the rest of the day. And I got a hug from Goofy.

 

[IASWAM]

One of my many memories from DL was when we took our kids 2 years ago for the first time. As we walked into the park for the first time, we meandered down main street. Well, my youngest DD started to get upset, because she thought that was all there was to DL. "THIS IS IT?!" she said with a whimper to her voice. "WHERE ARE ALL THE RIDES?!" Once we made it down to the end of Main Street, her face lit up and the fun began. Priceless.

 

[LisaDisney]

When my dd was 3.5, she was seriously attached to her paci, we knew it had to stop. She agreed to give it up to Snow White. When it was our turn to meet SW, my dd took the paci out of her little mouth and handed it to her. Ms. White did not miss a beat, she knew exactly what was going on. She took that slobbering thing, and told my dd just what a big girl she was and then what dress were we going to buy her, LOL. That was the most precious story of our family.

When I was a teenager, Eeyore said something dirty to me, but you don't want to hear about that.

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

Just an aside: After having the above experiences with the princesses at DLR, it is no wonder why I am not a fan of PFFT! Oh how I miss the magic when the princesses were free. Now they are prisoners of the PFF.

Anyways, thanks for letting me share that again! Like I said, I LOVE LOVE sharing the magic!
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I have always loved the picture in your signature. What a truly wonderful story! I too am no Fan of the PFF! It all seems so constrained. I loved being able to meet the princess in front of the castle.

When my dd was 3.5, she was seriously attached to her paci, we knew it had to stop. She agreed to give it up to Snow White. When it was our turn to meet SW, my dd took the paci out of her little mouth and handed it to her. Ms. White did not miss a beat, she knew exactly what was going on. She took that slobbering thing, and told my dd just what a big girl she was and then what dress were we going to buy her, LOL. That was the most precious story of our family.

What a wonderful story!


We have so many great stories of DL that it is hard to pick one. I think the favorite thing that has happened to my dd was the first summer we lived here. Two years ago. DD was five. We hardly knew anyone. We got APs to DL and would go at least three times a week. DD never got bored with DL. The princesses always recognized her and called her by name. They would always comment on her choice of costume for the day.

DD told them that at the end of the summer she was going to see them in WDW. Well when we get to WDW the first she wants to do is see her friends the princess. So we go to meet them- DD runs up to Snow White and gives her a hug and asks her how her flilght from DL was. Snow white (WDW) does not miss a beat. They talk as if they had always been friends. Snow white then reminds the other princesses about thier friend from DL so when they came to see dd they all told her how happy they were to see her at WDW.