Family Dreams

Liz, 38, Petersburg, IL

 

When my husband and I celebrated our honeymoon at Disney World, I don't think we had any idea how much happiness Disney would bring us through the years. We have watched the kids grow up in our many trips to Disney. From the first Dumbo ride until our youngest was tall enough for Rockin Roller Coaster, each moment has been special!

This summer, we had a dream trip. On our first day at Epcot, my son wished for a Dream Fastpass. An hour later, each of us was presented with a Dream Fastpass -- it was our lucky day! On our last day, we wanted to open the Magic Kingdom and make a full day of it. We got our wish by being chosen the first family and throwing out the confetti to open the Magic Kingdom with Mickey and the gang. I will never forget my children's faces as the train we were riding with all of the Characters rounded the bend to the thousands of people waiting to enter the Magic Kingdom.

Disney has made many of our dreams come true in the last 15 years ... I can't wait to see what else can happen in our future visits! The kids are counting the days until we come back!

Walt

Dennis, 58, Hemetc, CA

I grew up down the street from Disneyland and visited two weeks after it opened. To this day, I have many memories and still get a warm feeling when walking under the tunnel toward Main Street. I crossed swords with Zorro and fought off Sergeant Garcia so Zorro could escape. I've seen many wonderful changes, brought my children up with Disney movies, and still go to the Park -- I'm going on my birthday for free! The magic NEVER stops and will forever be instilled in my heart. Walt's dreams did so much for me as well as generations to come! 

How Has Walt Changed Your World?

Kelsey, 14, League City, TX

Disney has given us the most fantastic music, movies, and concerts I've ever known. Luckily, I've met awesome Disney stars like Corbin Bleu, Keke Palmer, and Drew Seeley. I also sang with Drew Seeley on my 14th birthday, which was the most incredible experience in the world. I will forever be a Disney girl & thanks for the magic!

Special Epcot Moment in the Rain

Monica, 29, Topeka, KS

 

My husband and I celebrated our honeymoon in Walt Disney World. It was his first big vacation ever as well as his first Disney trip. We both fell in love with IllumiNations at Epcot, our favorite park by far.

On our last night, we decided to catch IllumiNations one more time. It threatened to rain all day and that night it poured. Luckily I packed windbreakers and ponchos. We huddled under a tree and waited for the show to start in the pouring rain. Sitting there in the rain and enjoying our last evening together was very romantic ... and the most spectacular vacation moment ever!

Remembering Fess Parker

Wayne, 60, Georgetown, TX

 

I met Fess Parker at Disneyland when I was five years old, in 1955. It was sad to hear that he had passed on. My mom and dad took me to Disneyland and I had to go in my full Davy Crockett outfit. Yes, I had the coonskin cap and "buckskins"! I think it was the official outfit. I don't know if he was just there, if my parents arranged it, or someone told him about the cute kid in the Davy Crockett outfit but he came up to me, shook my hand, and introduced himself. I don't remember much except that I met him and he was a really nice and friendly guy. I don't remember much of anything else from the visit – at five years old, meeting your hero wipes memories of anything else out. It was a great day, and I will always remember it.

A Winning Birthday

Marilyn, 75, Germantown, TN

 

Just before Christmas of 2007, I was notified that I had won the Disney Vacation Club Once Upon a Time Sweepstakes. What a surprise – especially since I had been going to Disney since 1956, when I had the pleasure of meeting Walt Disney himself.

This was an all-expenses-paid trip for six with a stay in Cinderella's Castle, and we planned the trip so that the Castle stay fell on the night of my 75th birthday. I had all of my family with me – and the Disney Vacation Club and Mickey made it the best birthday I have ever had, with birthday cake, flowers, a glass slipper and crown, and even a card from Mickey.

I made reservations to celebrate my 76th birthday at Walt Disney World. I have been doing this for 20 years, and hope I have a few more to celebrate!