Moments that make your heart melt...

[ransam]

Last christmas my sister, friend, and i were at wdw, and were attending MIckey Mouse Christmas party. we had gotten our place to watch the parade and fireworks. some guy was walking around w/ his daughter, and there wasn't room for them, so we all just kind of made ourselves smaller so the girl and her father could squeze in with us. as we sat there he kept talking about how much he loved Disney, and what an amazing time they were having. as he talked he kind of told us his story. He lived about an hour away from WDW with his wife and little girl. they use to come up to disney all the time. about 2 years ago his wife came down w/ cancer, and had passed away about a year earlier. he just couldnt' bring himself to return, it brought back too much bad memories, and he didn't have much money due to all the doctor bills. he said how much he had changed. that he use to be al about work, and getting ahead, but in the last year he had dedicated himself to his daughter, but it was so hard to get through to her. a couple weeks ago he had won free tickets, so he decided to take his daughter back to disney. unfortuanetly he got to the park at 3pm, and realized it closed early due to teh party. They were just gonna go out to dinner, and return home, and do disney another time. but he decided he would just buy tickets to the Party. he kept telling us over and over how much fun he and his daughter were having, and how much happiness it had brought them. said it was the first time they had laughed in a long time. he kept repeating over and over how much in wonder he was, and how nice we were for letting him squeeze in and this whole day had been so awesome, and on and on... it was so obvious how much he adored his daughter as he was dotting on her.....as the parade started we were all laughing and taking pictures, and his daughter was in his lap and i heard her say "i bet mom is very happy we came"....i'm a 47 year old man, and i'm not ashamed to say i was almost in tears. It just reinforced to me how magical disney can be.

[TheVBs]

Oh man, you guys are killing me. I'm all choked up again. This is what makes Disney so special, these moments.

[IloveDisney71]

Some of my most special memories are of just spending time with my two DD's when they were teenagers at WDW. You know how teenagers are just "too cool" to act a certain way with their parents when they are home but there is just something about that Disney magic that lets them drop their guard and experience that magic when they are at WDW. Just simple things like goofing off in line together, searching for hidden Mickey's, hunting for everyone's favorite Disney snacks, seeing who can beat who on Buzz Lightyear's ride, etc. Those are some of my best memories.

[BAMABOY]

Mine in kinda sappy for several reasons. When I met my wife, she and I were both divorced and she had 2 sons, the oldest was 6 and the younger was 5. We had decided to take the boys on their first trip to WDW before we got married since they were not going on our honeymoon. We had all ridden ToT and loved it but Tyler(my 5 year old) scared to go on it again. later in the day we decided to try and talk him into it and he said "NO!" we casually strolled into the line and I explained to him this was the Haunted Mansion, not the Tower of Terror. We made it through the preshow and got into the elevator and he looked at me and said "this isn't the haunted mansion, it's that terrible tower!!" I tried not to laugh when he said it and after the initial shock he actually was laughing but was still wrapped around my arm. After the ride, he was so mad at me and said "you lied to me and buddies don't lie!" His favorite character is Thumper, so we walked straight to the nearest gift shop and there it was, a Thumper. As bad as I felt it did not matter what the cost was, he got his Thumper and still has it 4 years later. Best of all, we are still best buddies! (and ToT is his favorite ride now!)

[Ksmith75]

One of my favorite disney memories - my DH and mine first trip to WDW 5 years ago - we pulled in the parking lot of the POR, my hubby gets out of the car and had the biggest smile on his face and said "this place is nice!" It was so cute and heart melting. Also, when we enter the parks at opening, he hi-fives any of the cast members he can, all with a big smile. I love that! He always does everything he can to make the trip magical for me. We have been there 5 times in 5 years...and are going next month - that is twice already this year!!!

[Mysttree]

OK you guys are killing me! I'm crying & laughing as I read your stories. To me that sappiness is really part of WDW.
My favorite 'memory' of WDW is actually a picture that was taken with my father. I'm approximately 8 y/o & my father & 2 younger sisters are on a park bench in MK. Remember when they had those rolling carts full of flowers at the front of MK?
My father died when I was 13- that picture of us together at my happy place in WDW is something I treasure!
The funny thing is I don't remember exactly when the picture was taken. But when we went for a family reunion a few years ago- one of my sisters gave each of us a copy of it.
I cried when I saw it b/c I instantly ID'd it as WDW.
Now I love walking down Main St. USA with my hubby!!!

[lettripp]

I'm welling up reading all of your stories! One of my favorite sappy Disney memories was when my fiance and I went to HS with our "Just Engaged" buttons. We wanted a picture in front of the ears and walked up to an older photographer and asked him to take our pictures. He noticed our buttons and started talking about how he has been married to his wife for nearly 50 years and that so long as we support and love each other, we are going to have a long and happy marriage. We stood there laughing with him about his happy memories as he offered us advice about how to be as happy as he and his wife are still today... Looking back on that moment, I can't help but smile!!

[blondeinbrandon]

14 years ago I was lucky enough to get married at the Wedding Pavillion and we had the reception at the Grand Floridian. My brand new husband and I walked up the steps to the hotel and little girl ask her mom "Is she a princess?" Well that is all any bride needs to hear on her wedding day!

[jokat]

Wow, let's see if I can type this through the tears...these posts before mine are priceless!

We took our DD for her first trip when she had her third bday. The morning we went to DS, we had an early breakfast ressie so when we got done it was just before opening. My DD and I were hanging out around the big Sorcerer Mickey hat while DH ran to the restrooms nearby. There was hardly any one around but a few CMs. Suddenly, I see Goofy making his way under the hat and towards us. Not wanting to get in the way, I got DDs attention, pulled her close, and pointed toward Goofy so she could check him out. He walked right up, took DD by her little hand, and skipped with her all the way across to the other side of the area where Pluto was waiting. She got to be their first "customer", and both Goofy and Pluto played with her before posing for pictures. So simple, but so very special. I will never, ever forget that.

Best memory is a photo of our DD in her full Cinderella dress, shoes and crown walking past the Carousel in Fantasyland holding her daddy's hand. We had just left her birthday luncheon with the princesses at the castle. It had rained while we were inside, so the ground was fresh and glimmering. The picture is from their backside as they strolled away. A beautiful, frozen moment in time. I never had a daddy around, so this (and many other daddy moments) are too special for words.

Thanks for posting this thread. These memories, and the memories others have shared, are the epitome of the magic for me.

[Victor Kelly]

Seeing my wife's face when she saw the castle for the first time.

And seeing how kids react to the characters. We don't have children yet, but it is almost always the cutest thing you can watch.

[ransam]

Seeing my wife's face when she saw the castle for the first time.

And seeing how kids react to the characters. We don't have children yet, but it is almost always the cutest thing you can watch.

i would have to say that even as a 47 year old man, the first time i am walking down Mainstreet and see the castle i have a tear or two of happiness.... mainly knowing that i have the next few days to spend at WDW and it's just starting!

[tigmickey]

Thank you Intercot for letting us Disney Geeks share such wonderful stories.

Mine is simple. My DS5 leaning out of his stroller to share his Mickey Ice Cream Bar with his little sister, my DD3.

[TiggerDeb]

Love all these posts... I think one of our fav memories is when we went to Disneyworld with our grandson for the first time. The look of awe and wonder on his face, to see the parks through his eyes was something I shall never forget. We have now been there with his younger brother and it is even more magical.
The last time we went, we did not tell them we were going, we left a day early and the next day my Son, his wife and the 2 grandsons flew in, my oldest grandson had asked before they got on the plane if his Mimi and Papa were going to be at Disneyworld and they said no. He was disappointed. But when they arrived at the resort we were waiting for them and the look on our grandsons faces were priceless, we surprised them and we had a magical trip.
136 days till we do it again.

[steamboat willy]

Mine would be the year I surprised my DN Maria at WDW. Her parents took her down for her birthday and I flew down a couple of days before them. I was sitting under a tree at MK when they walked in. My niece screamed and ran into my arms. She was so speechless she just kept saying "your really here", "your really here" then she started to cry which got me started the everyone in the group started crying and finally I said enough of that we have memories to make, lets go!

Cool.........you put tears in this old mans eyes!

[waymickey]

One of my favorite memories was years back at EPCOT. We were walking tohrough oneof the buildings and found EEyore sitting down leaning up against a window all alone. He looked sad he is eeyore after all, and my then 4 year old DD sat down next him gave a hug and leaned her head on his belly. Eeyore put his arm around her and she closed her eyes like she was ready to take a nap. I got a picture of her looking like she was asleep with a giant eeyore,.. so sweet after so many naps with her little stuffed eeyore back home.

[tink'72]

My favorite moment at the parks that truly makes my heart melt each time of think it is the very very first time my dad was at the Magic Kingdom. He was 62 years old and as he rounded the corner of Main Street to see the castle in front him he was just speechless. To see the look on his face was amazing. Afterwards I asked him about it and he said for years growing up he would see a picture of the castle on TV at the beginning of movies and shows but see it right in front you is breathless.

It is a moment I will remember and cherish forever.

[mickkey]

I cry all the time at Wishes. The first time we seen the fireworks at MK our DS was 5. He was terrified of the witch and the loud noises and my DH has to hold him the whole time in his arms. Now when we go, my DS was is now 15 holds his mothers hand and stands very close to his dad (makes sure that we are all touching) and lets his mother cry everytime we watch wishes.

[Disney-4-Me]

Oh my gosh! After Jeff's mom and the 2 sons with autism, my eyes started leaking. Now 4 Kleenex later, it's my turn...

We have lots of precious memories of our boys at Disney World because we went almost every year. The one that makes my heart melt the most, though, happened when my older son Sam was in high school. He and I took a trip in October by ourselves. We decided to stay at the Contemporary for the first time in the tower. Our room was overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom. I'm so glad I walked into the room before him because it gave me a perfect view of the look on his face. I saw PURE JOY on his face when he saw the view. And those of you who are parents know that that doesn't happen with teenagers ver often!

It was magical and I've never forgotten it!

[minnie-mouse]

Stepping into MK for the first time as a parent with my own children. Had been there many times as a child myself and seeing it all thru the eyes of my girls was the most amazing feeling. I felt like I was a 6 year old girl again watching it all along side of them. Their faces, their smiles and laughter when they saw the parade coming down Main Street for the 1st time bought tears to my eyes. A moment I hope to never forget!

[Ramblingman]

Thank you all for sharing these memories, they are precious.

One of mine would be our honeymoon trip. Both my wife and I were on active duty and things happened, so we had to rearrange our wedding date and all our plans were changed. We wound up getting married in February (on Valentine's Day no less) in California instead of in June at her home in Alabama with all her family present. Then we were separated for 4 months.

So, here we were at WDW on our honeymoon, 4 months after we got married. I had to drive to New Orleans to pick her up at the airport, then we drove to Alabama, followed by driving to Tampa, Orlando and finally Jacksonville to meet my ship returning to port. I did everything possible to make it magical for her because this was our honeymoon, and this would be the place we would be bringing our children and grandchildren for years to come. I think we both recognized that and we made the effort to squeeze every moment of enjoyment out of the trip. We even discussed what would be our children's favorite rides and shows. Here we are 24 years later taking our grown children again.

Another great memory (please forgive the length, there is a reason I am known as ramblingman...LOL) came a few years later. This was the first time we brought both our children. We spent the night with my mother in Tampa and got up very early the next morning. We scooped our kids up and put them in the back seat. They never woke up.

When we parked in the lot at WDW, we turned around and began gently rubbing their arms, saying, "it's time to wake up." As they slowly opened their eyes and rubbed them, my son asked weakly, "where are we?" My wife replied, "we're at Disney World." You should have seen their eyes fly open wide, as they were immediately wide awake and full of wonder as they looked out the car window and squealed with delight. It was worth the looks we got as we stood next to the car, changing them from pajamas into their clothes. It was such a nice surprise we repeated it the next 3 trips, and it was equally wonderous each time.