Moments can't be duplicated.

shmmrname

Active Member
Quick Backstory:
Our group tried the kitchen sink, and it ended up being a funny, wild time that was one of the highlights of our trip. Then, on a following trip, we planned on doing it again. The group was slightly different, but we expected it to be another highlight moment. Whether it was because of the forced recreation, the altered group dynamic or simply just life changing - it ended up being one of our most forgetful dinners at WDW.​

It was eye-opening to me, as nearly every time we go on BTMRR or watch Illuminations, or do any of our other favorites, we usually end up with at least very similar experiences to the ones that first created the magic in our memories.

So, my question to everyone is:
Have you found other moments at WDW that are seemingly easy to recreate, but were unable to approach the magic of your original memory?
 

Mr.Skunkape

Well-Known Member
The moments that stay with you always change with time. Having been to WDW as a child,a married couple and now as a family with children of our own it really changes how you see things in the parks. During each of the periods in life you always think that the this has to be the best time.As a child I thought it could never be more fun than this.....untill I saw how my children acted the fist time the rode a ride or saw a show. Hopefully one day I will get a new thrill when I get to take grandkids to WDW. Every trip offers somthing new
 
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shmmrname

Active Member
Original Poster
I think it's always hard to recreate life's "magic" moments, although it's probably easier in Disney World than anywhere else.

I have several magic Disney moments I love to relive in my mind, but know I could never get back. One afternoon when Disney World was beset by monsoon-like rains, and my parents let my sister and me (ages 10 and 12) go to the Magic Kingdom all by ourselves. It was the first time we'd been allowed that kind of freedom and trust, in a day long before cell phones or pagers, and we were overjoyed with our newfound wings. We spent half a day in the deserted park, drenched and laughing, with every indoor attraction seemingly reserved entirely for us, feeling like the most fortunate girls in the universe.

Some fifteen years later, we all came back to Disney World with our parents for the first time since that rain-soaked visit -- my sister and me now with husbands in tow. We stayed nearly a week, and our visit seemed charmed in every way, from the on-time flights to the restaurant tables that always seemed to "just open up" when we arrived, regardless of whether we had a reservation.

We all spent our last evening together in the Magic Kingdom, and were flying out early the next morning. We started watching "Wishes" (or whatever the fireworks show would have been called at that time) from a well-situated seating area near Tomorrowland, which was strangely deserted even though it was Easter break. My mother was, and remains, in failing health, and although no one had the courage to say it, we all knew that this would be the last time she'd have the mobility and energy to see Disney World, her favorite place on earth, and what an effort it was costing her to be there with us. Halfway through the fireworks, with the music swelling around us, Mom and Dad stood up and just started quietly slow-dancing to it. My parents are wonderful dancers, and there they were, holding onto each other and twirling slowly as the fireworks exploded above their heads and sparkled in their eyes. My husband and I looked at each other for a second, thinking to join them, but instead we just held hands and watched my parents dance with the castle shining behind them, not wanting to intrude on all the magical memories they were quietly celebrating -- and saying goodbye to -- in that moment.

I can never recreate the exhilaration or the beauty of those memories, nor would I ever try, but I can go back to the place where they were made, pay homage to them, and remember them anew. I know that when I pass through those turnstiles and see Cinderella's castle at the end of Main Street, those reflections and many others will descend upon me like old friends and leave me paralyzed for a moment, with tears I lack the words to explain -- it's happened every time I went to Disney World since my second visit at the age of 8 -- but I'll be so grateful to be back in the place that so many of my happiest memories call home.
I'm glad I made this thread, just to read stories like this.
 
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shmmrname

Active Member
Original Poster
The moments that stay with you always change with time. Having been to WDW as a child,a married couple and now as a family with children of our own it really changes how you see things in the parks. During each of the periods in life you always think that the this has to be the best time.As a child I thought it could never be more fun than this.....untill I saw how my children acted the fist time the rode a ride or saw a show. Hopefully one day I will get a new thrill when I get to take grandkids to WDW. Every trip offers somthing new
I think that's what's great about the shared experience of WDW. Each trip can change, a lot or a little, to the point where it will never be truly the same. But, I'll always feel something special in certain moments. It might not be for the same reason or the same connection, but there's always something emotional about that time or place.
Never is it more obvious to me than during Illuminations. I tend to use that time to think of just how much has changed between visits, and just look back in my mind at the various moments and people I've shared WDW with. Each time, I feel a little overwhelmed - but, in a good way.
 
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jlsHouston

Well-Known Member
I love this thread. My first trip last year was a spur of the moment decision with daughter and 2 of my grandkids. Now my oldest and I have one of those well..intensely emotional relationships mainly stemming from me and my hypercritical observations I make too often and offhandedly. That week we spent together traveling to and from the world was a week of laughter and love and enjoyment. It started as we were eastbound on I 10 and the first laugh was in Beaumont when daughter mentioned she really needed to stop at Old Navy for another pair of jeans...and this is the old navy we have had to hit several times on our trips to my dads' in Mississippi for that pair of jeans she forgot! The entire trip was magic for us and awesome. At easter we discovered the tomorrowland fireworks dessert party. I had booked just for myself not knowing what DD1 and grandkids had planned that evening. DD2 arrived that day and decided to join me and how surprised were we to find the table they had me reserved at was the one totally at the front! It was the most amazing show I have ever watched and the first time I ever caught the part when Tink comes out of the castle! Took our breath away!
 
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bubbles1812

Well-Known Member
I know the feeling,my son is 14 and I dread the day he wants to go to Spain with his mates.I'll never sleep.:(
Haha. What you are dreading is what my poor parents are going through now. My youngest brother just turned 20 this year and has spent the last 7 weeks "studying abroad" (I put this in quotes because he does a little studying and a lot of traveling/having adventures) in Spain. He's had a blast but he sure has some interesting stories. My parents had a few sleepless nights the first week he was there but they eventually relaxed. It gets easier past those first few days :)

Back on topic... every trip is different but I usually have gotten at least one if not several "magic memories" that stick with me. :) My greatest is from when I was 10 and spent my birthday at WDW. My dad took out to the the MK, just me and him, that night and he let me pick what I wanted to ride, eat, everything. That is the only time I've ever gotten to do something individually with him. Disney is not his thing and he hasn't been back there since I was 13 and I doubt he'll ever have a desire to go again (except maybe with grandkids) so I really cherish that memory. It's most likely "un-recreatable" but I kind of like it that way. It makes it so special to me because of that. :)
 
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Doombuggy13

Active Member
I think there is a difference in these moments or memories that you're talking about......at least for me.
There is "awesome -- good time--- memories" and "magic -- once in a lifetime--- memories"
Of course those memories can intersect, especially at Disney world, but the "awesome" memories are
easier to create. Mostly by just being at Disney world :) , or riding a ride or place at a certain time..BTMR during Wishes,.etc. Walking down an almost empty lit up Main Street during EMH...
But "magic" moments that are made by the friends we're with or the age that our kids are at that time will never be recreated -- except in our minds.
Totally agree. There are the "the cast member just gave me some free fastpasses, which are magical but then there was when we were the "Fish Family of the Day" at Epcot and got the VIP Seas With Nemo Status... once in a lifetime MAGICAL!
 
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Britt

Well-Known Member
I think it's always hard to recreate life's "magic" moments, although it's probably easier in Disney World than anywhere else.

I have several magic Disney moments I love to relive in my mind, but know I could never get back. One afternoon when Disney World was beset by monsoon-like rains, and my parents let my sister and me (ages 10 and 12) go to the Magic Kingdom all by ourselves. It was the first time we'd been allowed that kind of freedom and trust, in a day long before cell phones or pagers, and we were overjoyed with our newfound wings. We spent half a day in the deserted park, drenched and laughing, with every indoor attraction seemingly reserved entirely for us, feeling like the most fortunate girls in the universe.

Some fifteen years later, we all came back to Disney World with our parents for the first time since that rain-soaked visit -- my sister and me now with husbands in tow. We stayed nearly a week, and our visit seemed charmed in every way, from the on-time flights to the restaurant tables that always seemed to "just open up" when we arrived, regardless of whether we had a reservation.

We all spent our last evening together in the Magic Kingdom, and were flying out early the next morning. We started watching "Wishes" (or whatever the fireworks show would have been called at that time) from a well-situated seating area near Tomorrowland, which was strangely deserted even though it was Easter break. My mother was, and remains, in failing health, and although no one had the courage to say it, we all knew that this would be the last time she'd have the mobility and energy to see Disney World, her favorite place on earth, and what an effort it was costing her to be there with us. Halfway through the fireworks, with the music swelling around us, Mom and Dad stood up and just started quietly slow-dancing to it. My parents are wonderful dancers, and there they were, holding onto each other and twirling slowly as the fireworks exploded above their heads and sparkled in their eyes. My husband and I looked at each other for a second, thinking to join them, but instead we just held hands and watched my parents dance with the castle shining behind them, not wanting to intrude on all the magical memories they were quietly celebrating -- and saying goodbye to -- in that moment.

I can never recreate the exhilaration or the beauty of those memories, nor would I ever try, but I can go back to the place where they were made, pay homage to them, and remember them anew. I know that when I pass through those turnstiles and see Cinderella's castle at the end of Main Street, those reflections and many others will descend upon me like old friends and leave me paralyzed for a moment, with tears I lack the words to explain -- it's happened every time I went to Disney World since my second visit at the age of 8 -- but I'll be so grateful to be back in the place that so many of my happiest memories call home.
Holy tears :' (

How is your mother now?
 
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Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
Holy tears :' (

How is your mother now?

EDITED AND UPDATED August 6, 2012: My mother was called home by the Lord on July 29, 2012 after a courageous nearly-50-year battle with juvenile diabetes. Our hearts are broken, but we are grateful for the assurance that we will be with her again one day. In the meantime, I'll be thinking of some way to honor her memory on my family's upcoming trip to Disney World in October. It was her favorite place on earth.
 
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disneygirl76

Carey Poppins - Nanny and Disney Enthusiest
Quick Backstory:
Our group tried the kitchen sink, and it ended up being a funny, wild time that was one of the highlights of our trip. Then, on a following trip, we planned on doing it again. The group was slightly different, but we expected it to be another highlight moment. Whether it was because of the forced recreation, the altered group dynamic or simply just life changing - it ended up being one of our most forgetful dinners at WDW.​

It was eye-opening to me, as nearly every time we go on BTMRR or watch Illuminations, or do any of our other favorites, we usually end up with at least very similar experiences to the ones that first created the magic in our memories.

So, my question to everyone is:
Have you found other moments at WDW that are seemingly easy to recreate, but were unable to approach the magic of your original memory?

Its so funny that you brought this up. We were away this weekend with friends and they talked about how they don't understand how we keep going to WDW - their point - make new memories. My DH and I love WDW and go back each year. But we make a point to have one new place to dine and at least one new experience each trip. The reason, so we don't just "redo" the previous trips. We trip to make each trip new and magical. We never try to duplicate a moment. We know that those magical moments at WDW can't be duplicated. But you can always make new ones! :)
 
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Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
Its so funny that you brought this up. We were away this weekend with friends and they talked about how they don't understand how we keep going to WDW - their point - make new memories. My DH and I love WDW and go back each year. But we make a point to have one new place to dine and at least one new experience each trip. The reason, so we don't just "redo" the previous trips. We trip to make each trip new and magical. We never try to duplicate a moment. We know that those magical moments at WDW can't be duplicated. But you can always make new ones! :)

You're so right! I think there's just something about the innocence and joy of Disney World that helps us all to "let our guard down" emotionally. When you do that, you're bound to make unique and magical memories. :D
 
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