Which Disney Memory makes you smile?

[picktails]

Let's see -

DD6months in Pooh's arms in Epcot (England)
DS4 placing stuffed Mickey next to him in the window seat on the monorail
DD9 trying on headresses in Morocco (Epcot) & being approached by Jasmine
DS14 INSISTING on riding IASM at MK

Never outgrow the magic!

 

[BillZ]

Great thread. I went to disney a few times as a child, teenager, and young adult but my favorite memories are from our most recent trip last month when we took my DD5 and DD3. Here are my special memories from each of them:

1) For her 5th bday (as WW) my daughter got to go to Bibbidi Boppiti Boutique and get made up. She did not say much the whole time her fairy godmother in training was doing her hair and makeup but she had that look of joy the whole time, just mesmerized by the process.

2) My DD who is almost 3 every night asked us "Are we going to sleep in Disney?" because she didn't want to leave.

The best part about it is we relive a little almost every night watching some of the videos and looking at the pictures which spurs my older daughter to ask when are we going back to disney and my younger daughter follows up with "are we going to sleep in Disney"

 

[Libbyt]

I have a niece who is a real character; she is now 22, but my favorite Disney memory happened when she was about 5, on her first trip to WDW. I had left our group to use the restroom and noticed that it was an automatic flush toilet. I had seen a few of them, but not too many - they were pretty new at the time. Later, when Anna needed to go, I volunteered to take her and we went back to the same restroom. I didn't say anything when she went in. After she finished, the door flew open; she marched out with her eyes as big as saucers, and announced "NOW I KNOW why they call it the MAGIC Kingdom!!!!!!"

 

[WDWFreakOfOklahoma.]

When I was in the third grade my family and I took a trip to disneyland and my dad,brother, and sister were in line getting my sister a pair of ears. My mom and I were sitting on the sidewalk and I had minnie ears on. Then Mickey came over by us to sign autographs for other kids. He eventually almost fell over me. Then a CM walked by and goes "Look Mickey,You found your perfect match" Then he "laughed" and acted like he was blushing. He then kept signing autiographs and backed up again and turned around and like hit himself on the head for being stupid. I will never forget that.

 

[ChloroFiend]

About 2 years ago, I took my then-girlfriend to dinner at CRT....without telling her where we were eating.

As floored as she was by that, I think i topped it when about halfway through dinner, i dropped to a knee, pulled out a ring, and asked her to marry me.

The big day is 9 days from now. Our honeymoon...you got it, WDW.

 

[momto2greatkids]

We went on our first Disney trip last year. Our first night there, we went to 1900 Park Fare to eat. When the Prince got finished dancing with Cinderella, he came and got my DD. The look and smile on her face when the Prince was twirling her was priceless!!

 

[figmentgirl]

My father was an Air Force brat and grew up loving planes. He had his own when he was in college and took my mom up in it for their first date. He always wanted to be an astronaut. It was his dream. He raised me on anything that had to do with Space and (you guessed it) Disney! Now 63, he hadn't been to Disney in a long time, but me and my parents had the pleasure of going on a short trip a couple years ago. My dad was at the YC for work so he couldn't get to the parks much, but I KNEW he would love Mission Space. Finally, a chance for him to ride a simulated experience like blasting off in a rocket.
I got my chance and we ran like two little kids to Epcot and got on the ride. He was SO excited! He got assigned the role of Pilot which he took very seriously, and after the countdown when the ride starts spinning and those G Forces slam you against your seat we were both screaming and laughing our heads off. After we had to speedwalk back to meet my mom for dinner at the Yaughtsmen, but he said to me "Thanks Elizabeth. That was something I thought I'd never experience. It was better simulated with you by my side that for real all alone"

 

[WeatherbySwann]

In 2003, on our first morning we headed to the Magic Kingdom and had no idea about the opening ceremony, so not only was it a wonderful way to start the trip, but extra great because it was a nice little surprise.

 

[hmkenn0]

Two as a guest-
My 4 month old's eyes lighting up on It's a Small World.
And... walking down main street at Disneyland, I NEVER thought I would get to go there (grew up in Orlando).
And two cast member ones-
Finding out I got a full time spot in Magic Kingdom Guest Relations!!!!!!!!!!!!
And the guest from London who was ripped off by a phoney travel agent and getting to comp his entire- hotel, food, annuals- vacation, after two days of researching it back and contacting police in London- he and his son were two of the nicest, most genuine, wonderful guests I have ever met!!!!

 

[LovesTimone]

I have tons of them but these are the ones that stick out right now.

My daughter was in Color guard in High School ( the girls that twirl the flags with the marching band) 3 years in a row they marched in the parade with the keep the music alive program. Her senior year they marched in the night parade which is a very big honor for the band that is chosen and she was captain of her team. There she was right behind the flag with her schools name leading the parade down main street. It was surreal at the time people were viedo taping it, and a family leaned over and said what a beautiful girl leading the parade. I smiled and said that's my daughter and thank you.

The other one is when I remarried we had a mickeymoon, We had dinner a crystal palace walked out and the fire works started for some reason there was a bench right out side that no-one was siting at and we sat down holding hands watching it was like we where the only people in the park.Every year when we go back we eat dinner and sit on that bench.
This was a great topic.

 

[LovesTimone]

This thread is so great! With all of the negativity in the world, it is refreshing to come here and put a smile on my face from reading these positive posts.
Being the WDW/DL junkie that I am, there are so many great memories, but here are a few that stand out....

1. Last year on Mother's Day a month before I was deploying, I took my Mother and sons to DL for the day. She had finished up all of her cancer treatments and was feeling up to a celebration. We were held up a little bit on POTC and thought that it was a bit strange....but as we walked out of the ride, the Dream Squad was there with Dream Fastpasses for us. It was our first ride of the day and was the best Mother's Day present ever. We were all so excited and it was one of our best trips ever.

2. In 2005, returned from a deployment and stayed at WL. When we arrived and were in our room, someone knocked at the door. When I opened it, there was a gift for me with a card from Snow White and 4 WL chocolate totem pole lollipops for us to say "Thank you" for coming home safely. The kids and I loved those so much.

3. On the same trip, we ate at Sci-Fi like we always do and our server was very friendly. We started talking about how much we love Disney and how I just returned from deloyment and didn't really think anything about it. At the end of our meal, she brought the manager over and he thanked me for my service and gave us all free desserts.

There are so many wonderful memories created at Disney. We tend to go before and after I return from deployments and well...anytime that we can! It truly is a magical place for my family and I hope that my children will carry on the tradition with their families.
Please know that I don't expect any special treatment when I go to WDW or DL, but in my experience, Disney has always gone above and beyond to treat me with such kindness and respect for what I do. That is just an added bonus to the Disney magic spread everyday. We are counting down the days until our July trip for our first DVC visit......I can't wait to hear those words "Welcome Home ".....

I live in Pensacola, Go Navy and I just wanted to say Thank you, to you and your family , God Bless and may he watch over you and yours.

 

[brandi~momof3]

we went Eater week 2007 - it was my daughter's first real trip to WDW (we went for one day in July 2006 when she was 16 mos. old and we only went to MK and did a few rides and played in Pooh's playful spot).
On our 1st park day we went to MK. She was in awe of everything, she loved every ride. She had just turned 2 on Feb. 22 so she was just over 2. We ate dinner at LTT and she just loved all the characters. She really loved Minnie. For the rest of the trip whenever she saw Minnie she would say "my Minnie" and hug her. When she met Mickey I was in tears - it was so great. She just loved all the character so much!
Here are a few priceless pics-
Chip and Dale "fought" over her

Pluto loved her

my favorite pic

she called Minnie Mouse "my minnie" for about 9 mos. after the trip, she doesn't call her that anymore though.
I can't wait to go in Oct. of this year. She is really into princesses now - so this trip we will be out to meet princesses.

 

[cmskok]

My favorite memory is of my DD when she was almost 3. We waited in line at the toontown fair to see Minnie Mouse because she was Minnie obsessed. That was the year that we went to every character breakfast where Minnie could be found, so she saw her a lot that time. Anyway, we got into the Judge's Tent, and Minnie kissed my DD on the cheek. She was so excited and said to me in that perfect baby/toddler voice, "Mommy, she kissed ME!!!"
I cried tears of joy that day!

 

[mikamah]

These are great.

My son's first day of our first trip we were walking into MK and chip and dale were out front, and he was mesmerized by them. The look of pure joy on his face as they were teasing him, and playing with his hair was priceless.

On our last trip, he had made a chip and dale tshirt and he wore several days so that he could show them, and on the other days, I had it in my backpack so he could put it on when we saw them. Our last morning we headed to epcot character connection, and they were'n't there, but they were in front of the main gate, so we went back up there, and they made such a big deal out of his shirt, and he was so proud. I was crying.

 

[jpmom97]

I have 2. The first is when my DD took her first steps while we were staying at POR. The other is walking around POR w/ my mom and the kids after we would get back from the parks everynight. We would refill our mugs and sit in the food court watching that wheel turn or we would sit outside. I miss my mom so much.

 

[poohfriend77]

I've posted about this before, but it's my favorite: DD5's favorite princess was Sleeping Beauty. We were in EPCOT, and we saw Belle. She told us that her friend Princess Aurora would be in the rose garden in a few minutes. We wandered over that way, but we weren't exactly sure where we should line up. I was standing off to the side with DD2, digging through our backpack for a snack, when I heard DH call my name. I looked up to see Sleeping Beauty talking to DD5, taking her by the hand, and leading her to the photo spot. I had my hands full and tears in my eyes, so I didn't even get a good photo! DH had the video camera in his hands and ON but he was so busy watching, he had the camera pointed at his shoes the whole time! Luckily my brother was with us and managed to get a shot of them from behind, walking hand in hand.

DH was having a good time, but still complaining about the cost up to that point. After we got all our photos and autographs, he asked how much we had spent on that vacation. I gave him the total, and he said "That moment was worth every penny!"

 

[PebblesMK]

In 1995 I got to march in Epcot with my school's band. While we were marching, for whatever reason, one of my friends who is a drummer walked right into a pole and his hat almost fell off. Playing "Louie Louie" is pretty difficult when you're laughing hysterically!!!

In 2005, the entire family (about 16 of us) flew down to Orlando to celebrate my daughters 5th birthday...which fell near Thanksgiving so we met up with my family from down there. We returned to our room one night to find a card from Cinderella and a bunch of balloons. She was sooooo tired at that point and didn't say anything, but later as we were in bed and I thought she was asleep, she rolled over and threw her arm around me and said "You're pretty lucky mom. Not many mom's have daughters who Cinderella likes enough to leave them a birthday gift". She fell asleep right after that.

The second one from that trip, which by the way was my kiddo's first trip was in Animal Kingdom. She and her little cousin had went and had their faces painted like animals. We went to the Lion King show and were sitting in the very front row. The girls were in complete awe over the music and dancing and the MONKEYS!!!!. Midway through it, the snake lady and the hottest antelope I have ever seen came and grabbed the girls hands and asked if they would help them dance. The girls danced around with the entire cast and absolutely loved helping get the crowds excited. When they sat back down, they both told me that it was a pretty good trick they pulled. The cast thought they were animals and that's why they were picked!!!!

And now, My daughter is going to back down for her 9th birthday. I think some of the child-like innocence will be gone however there will be a new sense of wonderment. I'm rather excited.

 

[segpm08060]

I have been going to WDW since 1972, a year after it opened.
That year I rode "Its a Small World". Every time since 1972 that I visit Disney it is the first thing I do. My kids and grandkids think it is corny but it makes me happy and sets the tone for my vacation.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Obviously, we have many, but I think this one is my favorite because it's kind of where it all began for my DH and I

We went for our first trip together in 2004. He had only gone once as a young child and wasn't a Disney nut like me, but went because he knew how much I loved it. For the first couple days he said he was enjoying seeing my joy more than anything else. On the 3rd day we went to DHS. Later that night, he was in the shower, and I was watching TV. I thought I heard something so I muted the TV, and through the bathroom door I heard "Be Our Guest, Be Our Guest, Put Our Magic to the Test..." He had it stuck in his head from when we saw the show earlier in the day and was singing it in the shower He'd been bitten by the bug!!

Since then, we went on to take 5 more trips together; we got married in WDW, honeymooned in WDW, went back for our 1 year anniversary, and are going back this summer for our 2 year anniversary

 

[chigirl]

When I was 7 and WDW was just 2 years old, my grandparents moved to Florida and broke my heart, I missed them so much! My grandpa was famous for being a lovable codger, think Walter Matthaw, the actor....well, we went to visit them and my grandpa said he'd take us to "Walt Disney's place", but we'd drive over from their house in St. Petersburg and just stay until 5pm. So we drive there and my brother, who was 12 at the time, and I were so excited (our sisters were 14 & 16 and could care less), and my mom and dad were, too, but Grandpa was grumpy...until we parked and found out we were going on a MONORAIL. He said, "This is not half-bad". Then we got to Magic Kingdom and he saw the castle and said, "That's pretty good". Then a VERY PRETTY Snow White came up and said hi and posed for a picture....grandpa was VERY HAPPY! This was when there were still paper tickets, and Grandpa started saying, "How do we get more tickets?" and went with me and my brother on Peter Pan, the cars, Jungle Cruise....so 5pm comes and Grandpa says, "We're not leaving!". He actually tried to get a hotel room even though we didn't have a change of clothes, but we went home...very late and to a very upset Grandma who wondered where we were! Well, that was my first trip to Magic Kingdom and seeing my Grandpa have so much fun while I was having fun, it was priceless! Sadly, he died the next year, but I still have memories of him with Snow White, and a fading kodak instamatic picture, too. Now, I have had 300 more memories since then, but the happiness I felt that day discovering Disney with my grumpy Grandpa is something I'll carry with me forever!