Twins' Eighth Birthday

Tammy, 47, Biddeford, ME

 

It all started with a flight credit we had to use by November 2010. I was trying to think of a trip that would not be too expensive, just because it was last minute and not preplanned. We decided we would bring our twin boys to Disney World for their eighth birthday ... and it was the best birthday and vacation we have ever had! The boys had their Happy Birthday pins and the staff was wishing them Happy Birthday. At every restaurant we went to they brought them cake, cupcakes, or ice-cream sundaes.

We stayed at the Walt Disney World Dolphin and they put balloons and chocolate cake in our room, so it was there when we got back that night. When we went to the Crystal, Pooh and friends gave each of them a birthday card. When we ate at the Swan, Goofy and Pluto did a conga line with them leading all around the restaurant!

This was truly the most magical vacation and birthday I could have ever given them. Thanks, Disney World.

Born to Be a Disney Fan

Elaine, 54, Danbury, CT

 

I was born December 5, 1955. I have always been a huge Mickey Mouse fan from the day I was born. How do I know this? Just look at my birth date. There is quite a bit of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse trivia there. I believe in fate, and that things happen for a reason.

I can't tell you the number of times I have been to Disney World, but every time I go, I feel that same rush. I am this big kid who feels the "Magic" every time I step off the boat or the monorail. I am turning 55 and I am hoping I can make it to Disney World for my birthday. Now THAT would be the best birthday ever!

A Friend in Need

Ryanne Sackville-West, 16, Avondale, AZ

 

When I was nine years old, I went to Disneyland in California. I absolutely adored it there! We celebrated my older sister's birthday at Ariel's Grotto. The food and atmosphere was amazing!

Then, suddenly, a person in a Max costume (from "A Goofy Movie") came out with "floaties" on his arms. He pretended he was about to jump in the water, and we all cheered him on. He then chickened out. Everyone booed him and he went into a corner and pretended to sob. I got up and walked over to him, tapped him on the shoulder, and said, so only he could hear: "Don't worry about them, Max. I still believe you are very brave." The man in his costume turned around and gave me a big hug!

I went home that summer telling everyone in the fifth grade i was hugged by THE Max! Now that I am older, I've learned from this incident that what I say can inspire others, and proceed to make everyone I can smile around me.

Disney Birthday Surprise!

 

I will always remember the time my mom woke me up early on a school morning (which was also her birthday) to watch her open her presents. I didn't want to watch her open her presents because I had to get ready for school, and I was angry she woke me up so early. As I sat down at the table, I saw a small package. My mom told me to open it and I saw a card inside. The card said that as a special birthday treat to my mom, my sisters, and me, we were leaving for Disney World at noon that day and we only had an hour to pack! I was so excited to go to Disney World – that was the best Disney surprise ever!

by: Summer, 15, Long Valley, NJ

Guess Where We're Going, Kids?

Jill, 36, Philadelphia, PA

 

Our family is fortunate enough to have visited Disney several times, mostly right before Christmas. This year we weren't sure that any trip was in the cards. However, in early September we started looking into things and found great airfare and accommodation prices during Halloween. We booked the trip and were going to leave on my son's ninth birthday.

We didn't tell the kids, letting family know and working with their teachers to get their assignments done in advance. We told my son we had to have his birthday party a few days early because I had a business trip to go on. We had our family over and got a cake that simply said "You're Going to Disney." When we sang to him and showed him his cake, he read it several times and didn't quite get it Then all of sudden it dawned on him and my daughter – they went crazy! They got to leave bright and early Wednesday morning and had the best time on Halloween, trick or treating at Mickey's party.

Surprising the Kids

David, 45, Hamilton, NJ

We take our kids to Disney World on a yearly basis and came upon a special vacation package. Since the dates coincided with our daughter's 10^th birthday we decided to surprise her and my son. We told them we were just going to do some day trips and did not have anything planned. We packed the car the night before so that they would not suspect anything.

When the time came to leave we went to an afternoon movie first. Afterward we just started to drive until we decided to stop for dinner. At dinner we asked the kids how far we should go, and suggested that we would work our way back from there. Because my wife's sister lives in Florida they suggested visiting her. We drove through the night and when we got closer the kids saw a Downtown Disney bus. The kids asked if we could stop there. We said we would see. When we arrived at the main arch saying "Welcome to Walt Disney World," the kids asked if we could go to the Magic Kingdom for one day and we replied again that we would see.

When we pulled into the POP Century Resort, my son said "Hey, we've stayed here before." After we parked the kids asked what we are doing and my wife said that she had to use the bathroom.

It wasn't until we checked in and the Cast Member said, "We have you here for six days and five nights" that the kids realized that we would be staying. The expression on their faces was magical and will be one to remember.

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!

Birthday Saved

Heather, 34, Viola, IL

Since my husband was attending a conference in Orlando, we made plans to spend some time together at Walt Disney World. It just so happened that the conference was scheduled during my son's 8th birthday. Of course, we let him choose how he spent his birthday while at Disney. Out of all the attractions, he wanted to play golf at one of Disney's courses so we made reservations at Oak Trails. Unfortunately, our trip took place during Tropical Storm Fae – it pretty much rained the entire time we were there. Needless to say, the golf courses couldn't be used.

Although golfing was out, we didn't let the rain spoil all our fun. We went to Disney's Hollywood Studios and were on our way to see the "Star Wars" show, when a Cast Member wished our son a happy birthday (he had a birthday button on). He asked if we were going to Star Tours and we said we were going to watch the show first. He led us to a great spot to watch the show and, wouldn't you know it, my son was chosen to attend the Jedi Training Academy. He may not have been able to play golf, but another of his wishes came true – he got to battle with Darth Vader, something we couldn't plan if we tried. It was truly a wonderful birthday for my son!

A Very Special 21st Birthday!

Michelle, 23, Santa Rosa, CA

In April of 2008, I celebrated my 21st birthday. I had been to Disneyland many times, and since I'm a huge Disney fan, my parents wanted to make my 21st birthday special and we planned a trip to Walt Disney World!

Just being there was amazing enough. We stayed in a beautiful Contemporary Resort Hotel room, complete with a balcony and a perfect view of the Magic Kingdom, where we watched the fireworks display many times. We visited all of the Parks, took in all the shows, and ate at so many amazing restaurants. On my birthday we ate at Cinderella's Royal Table – the restaurant in the castle itself!

I felt like a princess and was having the best time of my life. Thinking that the trip itself was the most special birthday gift EVER, I wasn't expecting anything else. Little did I know, my parents had a huge surprise in store for me.

After we finished eating dinner, someone from the restaurant came over to our table and started talking with my family and asking if we were having a good time. While we were talking with the man, our waitress came out singing Happy Birthday with a special dessert that my parents had secretly ordered. It was a chocolate mold of Cinderella's glass slipper filled with chocolate mousse, which sat on a slice of angel-food cake with strawberries and blueberries all over! Even the plate had "Happy Birthday Michelle" written around the edge in chocolate.

After the shock wore off, I noticed a ring box on the table. When I opened it, I was overwhelmed to see a stunning diamond ring. I started to cry because I was so happy. I couldn't believe they pulled off such a huge surprise. Thank you so much Cinderella's Royal Table, everyone at Disney, and Mom, Dad, and Joseph for making my birthday so special. It's one I will never forget!

Turning 50

Laurie, 53, Biloxi, MS

 

It was one of those dreaded birthday milestones and I admit that the closer it got the more I dreaded it. When you couple that with the fact that our son had just been deployed to Afghanistan with the Army, this was proving to be one of the worst birthdays I have ever known. Then my husband decided that I should have a special gift and made all the arrangements to take us and our other son and his wife to Disney World.

At first I was reluctant to go as I felt as if I were too old to go (the over-the-hill feeling was nicely settling in!) He refused to take no for an answer though, and a day before my birthday found the four of us on a plane headed to Florida. As we checked into the Grand Floridian, I could begin to feel that "too old to have fun" feeling begin to thaw a little. We checked in and then all of us went over to Disney World. It was just like all the commercials I had ever seen, where everyone you met and everyone who worked there smiled at you. I could not help but smile back and at each step, I could feel the 50-year-old become a 5-year-old little girl come to the surface. I was filled with the awe and enchantment of a child and the appreciation of an adult.

I woke up on my 50th birthday to a gift from my husband of a silver slipper charm with my birthstone inside. I truly did feel like Cinderella and the rest of the day and evening was filled with fun, happiness, love, and the most fun I have ever had. I realized, thanks to Disney, that turning 50 meant nothing at all, as any age is the perfect age when you can still feel the awe of a child and the walking endurance of an adult. Thank you, Disney, for bringing out the little girl in me that I thought was lost forever.