Magical Moments

[Edward M]

I have a few so hang in there

• I remember from when I was around 7 or so I was deathly afraid of roller coasters, but I loved Disney. One I always wanted to ride but never had the courage to was the Barnstormer. I finally built up my courage one night at MNSSHP. I absolutely adored it, and I rode it over 10 times that night. On one ride, the fireworks were going on overhead, and it was truly magical.
• On my visit last November, I saw Cinderella Castle for the first time in 4 years after having lost interest in Disney. My mom and I were of about 50 people entering the park at 8 am and were leading the pack. We had a view of Cinderella Castle that morning with no people anywhere in front us. It was decorated for Christmas, and they had bell chime sounds all around.
• I rode Splash Mountain 4 times in a row on a night at MK. I was alone on most of them.
• On one ride, I was alone in the front row with the banjo music outside above Frontierland. Fireworks were overhead while I was in what felt like an abandoned MK.
• My mom and I ate Dole Whips in an empty Adventureland. We were by Swiss Family Treehouse listening to the water running on Jungle Cruise.
• The Peoplemover at night when I just didn't expect much of anything from it.
• In general, those empty late nights in November where we stayed until 2 am.
• And that November trip where I fell in love with Disney all over again.
• On my June visit, my rides on Space Mountain in the front row were just so much better than I expected.
• Oddly, first seeing Tree of Life after having had horrible memories of AK was just magical.
• After a late night at Epcot at midnight, we walked to the World Showcase exit and just saw a completely empty lit up World Showcase. We were probably one of the only guests in the parks.
• Beaches and Cream <3
• Seeing an owl in Disney World in both November and June in two different areas.
• Just eating in Cosmic Ray's at midnight listening to Sonny Eclipse.
• That last night in June riding the bus at 2 am back remembering the great trip.

I have to include my DL moments as well

• First riding Indiana Jones and having it actually not just live up to but beat expectations.
• Riding Pirates and Haunted Mansion followed by beignets and exploring New Orleans Square.
• Getting a universal FP at Splash Mountain after the ride broke down in line and being able to use it for RSR.
• The night where it rained, and everything was closing so I went to DCA. I was able to walk on to RSR when it had just opened and was one of the only people at WoC that night. It was great.
• Being handed a FP to Splash Mt only to hand someone our Soarin FP we couldn't use. It just felt nice to pass on the kindness.
• Storybook Land Canal Boats in the morning light
• It's a Small World at night
• First riding RSR
• Eating at Paradise Garden Grill listening to and watching CA Screamin overhead.
• Plaza Inn Fried Chicken <3
• The Matterhorn in the rain at night. I mostly couldn't see what was happening, but the views I saw were amazing.
• Eating a Matterhorn Macaroon and just staring at the lit up Sleeping Beauty Castle.
• Every night walking back to the hotel room remembering the day.
• The most magical memory was sitting in a bench at the end of Main Street with my dad talking and just enjoying the view of Main Street at night.

 

[danyoung56]

My most magical moment at WDW was on my 40th birthday, about a hundred years ago. I was a single park stormer by choice, and had planned to do my first official dive in the Living Seas. I had taken some accelerated classes during the previous 4 weeks, and by my WDW trip I was officially PADI certified. I really enjoyed the unique experience of the dive, as well as my dinner at the Coral Reef. But the magic moment happened at the end of the night, after IllumiNations. On the way out I stopped off at Mouse Gears (I believe it was the Centorium at the time) to just kinda look around a bit. At one point Pluto was holding court, playing with some kids by stealing their hats and running, etc. I started chatting with his handler, and told her that I was having a great 40th birthday. Next thing I knew Pluto was pulling me by the hand and making me stand up on a bench, while the handler told the small crowd that it was my birthday, and Pluto wanted everyone to sing for me. So there I was, standing on a bench while 30 people I didn't know were singing Happy Birthday while Pluto directed. It was just one of the coolest moments ever!

 

[FigmentPigments]

This is a little off from most posts you will find here but I think about this a lot. My son is 15 now. He had never been one to approach people and ask questions. When we went in 2009 something happened inside if him and he found courage to approach people and ask questions. He felt comfortable at Disney. This carried over to home and to this day. I'm thankful he was able to break out of that shell.

I teared up reading this. Good for him.