special moments you've witnessed?

[Tink2002]

People watching has got to be one of the most entertaining things to do in the parks at WDW, whether you're strolling along, stopping to take a break, or waiting to meet up with members of your party.

So... what kind of "special moments" have you witnessed? Ever seen a proposal? Kodak moments with little children and Mickey? What else? :mickey:

[tinkergal]

After seeing Cinderella's Wishing Well on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, I realized I'd never seen (or noticed) the Well in my many trips. So, on Feb. 10th, I went in search of it. There's a fantastic view of the castle from there but this couple was obstructing my pristine view. I surrendered my bad mojo when he dropped to one knee & proposed!! :blush: What a perfect spot for an engagement & I was tickled to witness it!

[Mikey Piano 23]

My girlfriend and I we rounding one of the little quiet paths near Space Mountain and a young couple a lot like ourselves asked us to take a picture of them. The girl just accepted her boyfriends marriage proposal. It was really awesome! We took the picture and chatted for a little while with them.

[DisneyTeen]

No really what I witnessed but.... When I proposed to my then girlfriend on main street in front of the castle I had everything set up with the photopass guy to make sure they got a ton of pictures. After we got home and looked at all of the pictures online, it was funny to see the people in the back ground. Seeing there expressions to what they were witnessing. Some of the ladies walking by looked more shocked than my girlfriend.

[Zippy_D_DooDah]

My good friend proposed to his wife at the Studios on New Years Eve 2000. Well I guess it would have Jan 1, 2001 because he pulled out the ring and dropped to a knee at the stroke of midnight.

It was so cold that night and I came back from that trip with a horrible cold... sorry to bring down the magical moment... :D

[JPL]

On my most recent trip I decided to catch Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade and I was awaiting across from a roped off area and saw 2 CMs signing the music for a deaf child during the parade every character made sure to make a special stop to give the child a hug. It actually brought a tear to my eye and made me realize what makes WDW so special :mickey:

[Gooftroop5]

Never saw a proposal. Know somebody that did propose during the fireworks at MK when they went.

Our special moment was when dd was 3 we went to the at that time MGM studios and we saw a lot of characters in front of the hat. Got everyones autographs including Jasmine and Aladin. That was the year dh and I saw Beauty and the Beast traveling broadway show and had bought dd a shirt from it. All the characters were asking her about it we purposely put it on her that day since were at the studios to see Beauty & the Beast she thought she was seeing the same thing mommy & daddy saw. (she has since seen the broadway production) We staked out our spots for the parade a few hours later. Jasmine saw dd in the crowd, remembered dd's name yelled it out poked Aladin and they both made a big deal out of waving to dd. She doesn't remember it but dh and I do. I cried it was so touching that they remembered seeing her from all the people they must have seen that day. 6 years later I still tear up thinking about it. :blush:

[1goofyfamily]

We saw a proposal off to the right of the castle at the kodak picture spot while we were waiting to take our picture. A couple had asked somebody behind them to take a picture & video and he got down and proposed and pulled the ring box out of his sock. Turns out the person they asked was somebody he worked with and had it all planned out. So I called my brother-in-law and warned him that his mom would be calling shortly to tell him all about the proposal we just saw. Sure enough on our walk over to Tomorrowland he got the call and she couldn't figure out why he was laughing before she even started talking.

[BelleLovesTheBeast]

On our last trip there was a couple at the American Adventure that was celebrating there 50th Anniversary that day. They were so cute!

[Sunshine1010]

Hands down --- the best moment:

Being on Soarin' ....looking over to a very elderly man who was in the front row. He was about 80-90 years old. He was on this amazing ride with this smile...the kind of smile that you know is literally pure joy....legs dangling back and forth.

I shared this moment with him.....from far away in another row. I didn't tell my husband about it because it was just 'too special'.

I know....I'm a dork.

[tink'72]

My most special moment ~ seeing my dad walk down Main Street for the first time at age 62. The look on his face is one I will absolutely never forget. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. :cloud9:

[goofysbabe]

While resting at the wishing well by the castle a lady with a wee tiny baby came up. She asked me if I could take their picture by the fountain, it was a surpise for her husban. I said sure and we got to chatting and she told me that a year ago her and her husband where there at this very spot and made a wish for a baby and well here she was a year later with her little wish come true in her arms. Of course I had tears in my eyes as she walked away. I was so choked up I forgot to ask they baby's name :(. I wish them all the luck in the world and what a happy ending.

[dumbo_buddy]

Hands down --- the best moment:

Being on Soarin' ....looking over to a very elderly man who was in the front row. He was about 80-90 years old. He was on this amazing ride with this smile...the kind of smile that you know is literally pure joy....legs dangling back and forth.

I shared this moment with him.....from far away in another row. I didn't tell my husband about it because it was just 'too special'.

I know....I'm a dork.

you are not a dork!
i would have cried the whole day if i saw that. something about old people ;)

[AHOTE]

A few years back I got to set up a "special moment" for a wonderful little boy. I hadn't planned on it but it just sort of evolved. A young couple with a very excited son in tow asked me if I would take their picture in front of Cinderella's Castle. We got to talking afterward and I found out that they were from Anaheim. I joked that there was a Disney park a lot closer to their house than WDW. They explained that they had to visit WDW because that's where Tinkerbell:tink: lives. Their four year old son had but one wish and that was to meet Tinkerbell. At that point I got a lesson on Tinkerbell from the four year old that was enchanting. One thing led to another and we made arrangements to meet them again on the train station platform overlooking Main Street just prior to the start of the 3 o'clock parade. I knew from that spot they would have a great vantage point from which to view the parade. We watched as the parade started from the gates beside the Firehouse. Finally Tinkerbell :tink:appeared with one of the floats and the boy was, to say the least, excited to see her. She saw his excitement and responded in kind. I left them at that point and went down to street level and spoke with one of the lead escorts for that float. The parade ended and the boy was still excite to have seen Tinkerbell. He told me he would get to see her again when she would fly out of the castle at night before the fireworks. At that point I looked at the firehouse. I bent down and whispered in his ear. I told him he couldn't tell anyone about it that it was our secret:secret:. He smiled, took his parents by the hand and away they went. We watched as the boy took his parents past the Firehouse to the gate and child knocked on it. The lead from the parade answered his knock and like magic Tinkerbell:tink: arrived. Even from our vantage point on the train platform we could see the delight in that child's eyes. Tink was awesome, she made quite a fuss over him and she even gave him his own magic wand. It really felt good to see the magic at work. We never did get the family's name and I can't remember to boy's name, nor did we see them again that week, but I'm sure that somewhere in Anaheim there is a young adult who still cherishes a very magical moment with his :tink:

[snerd475]

Ok, guys, my husband is going to come in here any moment and wonder why I'm sitting here crying while on Intercot!

Thanks for sharing your stories, and I look forward to reading all the new ones.

Nothing like that Disney magic! :magic:

[AHOTE]

Ok, guys, my husband is going to come in here any moment and wonder why I'm sitting here crying while on Intercot!

Thanks for sharing your stories, and I look forward to reading all the new ones.

Nothing like that Disney magic! :magic:

Be assured, you're not alone. :grouphug:

________________________________________
1971, Vintage Disney and getting better with age.

[Tinkerfreak]

A couple of years ago while on the bus on the way to the MK I sat next to a family from England. Their DD had Downs Syndrome (not sure of spelling) and she was really excited. She was litterally bouncing in her seat next to me. Her parents kept apologizing to me and telling her to calm down. When we got closer to MK and she got that first glimps of the castle she was so happy. Her little face lit up and she was clapping her hands and saying "Mum look there is Cinderella"s house". Her parents were tearing up and I was totally crying. I told her parents how happy I was to experience her first look at the caslte with them and wished them a good vacation.

[LauraF]

About 7 years ago I was watching the Tapestry of Nations parade at Epcot in front of the China pavillion. There was a little Chinese girl (maybe 4 yo?) and her family across the road from me. She was wearing one of those foam hats made from strands of the stuff. (It looked a lot like the characters in the parade!)

The parade stalled for a moment and one of the dancers/puppeteers noticed her hat and reached down with this 12' puppet to pat her on the head. Her face lit up with the biggest smile I've even seen.

Then every time the parade slowed that time, more of the characters patted her in the head. Her parents were smiling, and she was just ever so pleased.

[MushuGrl]

Dumbo_buddy, my best friend, who lives in Vegas, "kidnapped" his father and took him to Disneyland last weekend. All through the trips he sent me various phone shots, and one of them was Soarin'. After work he called and I asked how his father liked it - at that time they were in line for their SECOND ride because "he just grinned from ear to ear the whole ride!" I got to talk to him a second and he was just having the time of his life. Your post reminded me of that!

[Kerry823]

I have two that stick out in my mind. The first was during the afternoon parade, one of the street dancers pulled a young man with downs syndrome out into the parade. She danced with him and pointed out Cinderella in the globe right behind them. He was so excited and he blew Cinderella a kiss. He then hugged the street dancer. After she escorted him back to his parents she returned to the parade and you could see the tears streaming down her face because she knew she had just made that man's day. It made me cry.

The second one was watching a very elderly man at the flag retirement at the MK. He had his American Legion hat on and it reminded me of my Dad. He was so proud to be participating. It also made me cry.

[trennedy]

Wow! What great stories. Disney is such a magical place. :magic: I don't have anything as magical, I get teary watching commercials, so it doesn't take much.
For me, watching the looks on my DD and DS's faces the first time they saw MK is priceless.
I have known 2 children who have gone to Disney for Make a Wish :angel:...It is just such an amazing place.

[LauraleeH]

As far as magical moments go, I don't tend to notice anyone else in the park but my own family. There were 12 of us for MNSSHP last year and I smile every time I watch the video I made.
I went with my aunt, uncle, 2 pre-teen cousins, parents, grandparents, 18 year old brother (He was in a wheelchair at the time), great-grandma (Also in a wheelchair at the time), and great-uncle (Down Syndrome). To see everyone on Pirates of the Caribbean laughing after the drop is something I will remember forever.

[tink'72]

Wow...What a great post this is!

[scootch713]

your post just reminded me of a memory that will never fade from my mind.

I took my two daughters(age 4 and 6) and my 21 year old niece, Lindsey, who was dying of cancer. (she passed 4 months after our trip). It was a most magical trip for many reasons... but one moment will always be imbedded in my head. Lindsey kept smelling the funnel cakes and we never seemed to find time to get one when we were hungry.... so one morning at rope drop.... we went straight to the funnel cakes, for BREAKFAST! As Lindsey was savoring every bite, she said, "this is my idea of a 5 star meal". Truly a priceless moment.

So next time you smell the funnel cakes, hug your kids and thank God for their health.

[poeticeclipse]

Note to self: Don't read this thread at work.

[wedway fan]

years ago, on a solo one-day trip to the MK, i was hanging around main street people watching, and snow white and dopey came out for a meet and greet together.

they were signing and taking pics independently, but at one point a deaf child came up to have his picture taken with snow white. don't remember if his mom said something to snow white or if she just noticed the family signing, but after they got a pic with snow white, she brought dopey over directly to this boy, and dopey started signing to the boy!

was the coolest thing ever to see a character signing, but even cooler because as a mute himself, it was perfect that it was dopey.

[McGoofy]

Note to self: Don't read this thread at work.

Yeah, I have to agree with that. I am working the night shift right now and that funnel cake story made my eyes water up!

[#1disneyfan]

These are all truly wonderful stories. I am teary just reading about all your different stories.

I have a personal special moment for my DD. Her first trip to WDW was when she was only 4 and the only character she wanted to see was Jasmine. Well she was the most difficult character to find. We searched high and low for 4 days. On the fifth day I was able to obtain a ressie for breakfast in the castle. My DH stayed behind and it was a wonderful experience, just my DD and I. We had a wonderful breakfast and low and behold, there was Jasmine! My DD was so excited she couldn't even speak to her. She had saved the very front page of her autograph book for her. We took lots of pics and video and Jasmine was very gracious, really took the time with my DD. Then if it couldn't get any better, on our way out of the park after breakfast, we decided to catch a ride on the trolley. We were the only ones to ride out, since everyone was just arriving, and they let my DD steer the trolley. We have very magical pictures of that morning. Still holds a very special place in my heart.

sorry this was so long!

[pwdebbie]

My husband and I made our first trip to Disney World October 2007 for our 30th anniversary and my 52nd birthday. I was the one who always wanted to go to there, he was the one who always said it was a waste of money. It took 30 years of marriage for him to finally say "Yes."

For our first full day, I didn't plan to go to any of the parks. We were just going to ride the monorail, see the various resorts, and visit DTD. We began our visit at the Contemporary to board the monorail there.

While standing in the line, there was a couple in front of us with a little girl about 4 years old (the same age as our oldest granddaughter) dressed as Cinderella. She looked so cute. Suddenly, her sweet voice rang out, "Daddy, Daddy, I see the castle, I see the castle!"

Wow, both of us were reduced to tears instantly. It was such a touching moment -- something you might expect to see in a commercial, but this was real-life unrehearsed. Just the sweetness of a little girl seeing the castle for the very first time in her life. What a great start to our vacation!

Deb
POFQ, Oct. 2007
Praying / hoping / wishing / dreaming for April 2009 or 2010

[Hayden's Dad]

they were signing and taking pics independently, but at one point a deaf child came up to have his picture taken with snow white. don't remember if his mom said something to snow white or if she just noticed the family signing, but after they got a pic with snow white, she brought dopey over directly to this boy, and dopey started signing to the boy!

That is so cool!!! It just brings tears to my eyes. As a father of a special needs child the best memories that we have from our trips involve characters, and that story just proves how wonderful they really are!!!

On our last trip to the world I got to watch my DW create a special moment for a little girl. We were in line waiting for the Polynesian Luau and Hayden's KidKart was covered in buttons (we had been collecting them for several days) and this little girl there with her mother and father was standing at the foot of his cart and kind of mumbling "he has buttons, where are my buttons, I want some buttons" She was so cute no more than three or four and so well behaved. Earlier that day we had gotten the Pixie Dust Tinkerbell Pins from Epcot and my wonderful DW turned to me and asked if I minded if she gave the extra one to her. I smiled and told her of course. She quickly asked the little girls parents and they just smiled. My wonderful DW bent down to this little girl and asked if she would like to have the pin. Her face lit up the whole area and her parents were overjoyed and thanked my DW profusely. So make sure you pass the magic on as often as possible you never know you may be the one who makes someones trip extra special and unforgettable.

[thejens]

:sob::sob::sob::party2::party2::party2: This thread is killing me. I finally stop sniffling and smile and then I start to sniffle again. I will always treasure the many moments of joy I have shared with my mother at Walt Disney World.

[AHOTE]

Hey Gang, I do know one thing this post will do for the 800 plus people who have read it so far, other than make them misty eyed :crying:. Everyone will be "looking" for that "Special Moment" on their next trip to a WD resort or park. I think it's great that they'll see just how many "Special Moments' happen every day.:thumbsup:

[joanna71985]

What great stories!

[adoptionislove]

The tears are welling up here as well!!!

Especially the one about the couple that wished for a baby on that spot!!!

[mickey&missy]

I have 3;

We saw a couple get engaged on Main St right after Wishes last trip. It was so sweet! He was on one knee and she was crying!

Also last trip we waited online to see Mickey in the judges tent. When it was our turn we went down the hall and into the room and a family with a teenage girl with Downs Syndrome was in the room. The girl was posing with Mickey, kissing him, hugging him, and Mickey was playing right along. It was so wonderful! She was having such a good time and she was so excited! Mickey made her day!

The 3rd was my DD on our first trip. It was shortly before her 4th birthday (she'll be 7 a week from today.) She was sooo excited about going to WDW for the first time. We took the bus from AKL to MK after we checked in. I got my first glimpse of the castle as the bus drove along. I leaned over to and told her to look out the window. Her eye lite up and she started screaming "Cinderella's Castle! Cinderella's Castle!" She was completely overjoyed! I'll never forget it as long as I live!

[snerd475]

A few months ago, my dd and I were riding Soarin' for the umpteenth time, and a middle-aged lady and her friend were seated to my left.
They were laughing like two schoolgirls, taking in the wonder of that ride. I was enchanted by them, thinking of my first time on that ride.

As we were exiting, she was walking beside me and I had to ask her "Was this your first time?" and she said "Oh, no, we have been on this over and over!". They were still so caught up in the magic, even after repeated rides. That is so cool to me!

[Tink2002]

sooooo happy i posted this thread, I'm LOVING all of the stories, keep 'em coming!!!:thumbsup::)

[Yano]

wow, I love this thread, ill be in WDW on the 18th and Im sure I will be people watching, maybe ill catch a special moment and be able to share it with you ...
when I was young we lived in California and visited DL frequently, but I dont remember anythng expect for the picturs.
My wish is to able to visit WDW not only with my DH and kids( which is great), but also with my mom and dad, all the family together, thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.:secret:
:flower:

[JerseyDad]

....seems to me that if you keep your eyes and ears open...you'll find others experiencing Special Moments all over WDW...all the time.

What comes top mind to me occurred when we were staying at POP 2 Novembers ago. While at the pool, a family showed up with a teenage girl (maybe 16 or 17 years old) who was in a wheelchair and was severely crippled, for lack of a better term. It appeared, to me, as if she was possibly afflicted with Muscular Dystrophy(?). Anyhow, the family, (mom, dad, and two slightly younger brothers), all take to preparing her to go for a swim.

While this is going on, others at the pool are taking more notice of her than they really should have been....and it was apparently getting a "bit" quieter on our side of the pool. As the father lifted her out of the wheelchair and carried her down the steps into the pool...this girl's face completely lit up with a smile of joy that is difficult to describe without pictures. It got even bigger and brighter as the pool noise increased back to full volume, and she was being ferried around the pool on her dad's back. She was part of the magic, she wasn't someone of something to be looked at...she was the same as everyone, having the same experience...having the same fun...but experiencing more than 10 times the joy. Her mom was visibly holding back tears....and I noticed several other parents, both male and female....having to get hold of their emotions.

I'm sure that I'll experience other special moments at future visits to WDW....but THAT one instance is what all other "special moments" will be judged by......

[fuzzy23]

First off whoever started this topic, Thank You!

Me and my wife celebrated our first anniversary last year at Disney World. For the actual night of our anniversary we had dinner at Cinderella's Castle. While we were waiting to be seated I asked the gentleman if there was any way we could have a table by the window, he said he would see what he could do. A few minutes later he came and got us and told us that he was giving us the best table in the house. We thanked him profusely and took our picture with him (corny I know). We went upstairs and saw that we had the table looking out over the carousel. We were enjoying our dinner when I looked behind my wife and saw that a man was proposing to his girlfriend. She was totally surprised and the people in the restaurant loved it. About 30 min later right beside us another man was proposing to his lady. This was unbelievable. There was a lot of love in that room than night. My wife and i proceeded to watch the fireworks from our table and just think about how happy and magical the evening was.

[Yano]

guys you will not believe this,
a dream come true, if you are there when I am you will witness a dream come true, or half a dream.
anyway, my mom calls me today( btw: she lives overseas) and asks me "so what are you doing on the 17th" I hadn't told her yet that we are going to WDW. and she announces that dad is coming to the US for a business trip, and she will come she wants to spend that week with us.:cloud9: we will take her with us to WDW
If you read my earlier reply It has been my wish to go to WDW with my parents as well as DH and kids, so now at least mom will come with. huge surprise...with 11 days to go
I cant wait:D

:flower::flower: