A Child's Belief is Magical

Sandy, 69, Tampa, FL

My son Chris made up his mind before leaving home for Disney World that his very favorite character, Peter Pan, would shake his hand. That didn't seem impossible, but his dad and I didn't want him to be disappointed and warned him that maybe we wouldn't run into Peter while we were there. We should have saved our breath, as that was all he talked about the whole day. Around every corner, he was sure Peter Pan would be waiting to shake his hand.

The whole day passed with no handshake, and now it was time for the nightly parade. Both kids were tired but insisted on sitting on the curb and watching – and of course Peter Pan was still going to shake Chris's hand. As the parade passed, here came Peter Pan dancing down the street, smiling. He headed straight to my son, bent down, shook his hand, and danced on. My husband and I stood in amazement and Chris looked at us like "That's what we came for."

A dream really is a wish your heart makes. I've been to Disney many, many times since then and always remember that wonderful moment 41 years ago when a child believed.

Princess Pinkie Promise

Princess Pinkie Promise

Mary Ellen, 41, Easton, PA

We made our first trip to Disney World in 2007. On our last day there, we happened to come across Wendy signing autographs.

Our daughter Katie, age 3 1/2 and a huge "Peter Pan" fan, was thrilled to have a Wendy chat with her as so far, all of the Disney Characters we had met were quiet. Wendy asked if we had seen any of the Princesses, and we had not. She was kind enough to tell us where we could find five Princesses all in one place. We were so excited! Wendy then also asked Katie to do her a special favor. She whispered in Katie's ear, and then asked her to "Pinky Promise" to take her message to Cinderella. Katie had never heard of this very special promise, but shook pinkies with Wendy, and off we went on our mission.

When we found the Princesses in Toontown, we waited first to see Cinderella, where Katie delivered her important pinky promise message ... "You're it! No tag backs!" Oh the giggles! Katie then was the messenger between Princesses to pass on the "It" status.

It was so memorable to her (and us!) to have that Princess status for the day, and years later, the Pinky Promise is still the one promise that can never never be broken.

Lots of Memories of the Disney Parks

Rebecca, 18, Brooklyn, NY

Even living in New York, I frequently visited Disney World as a child, starting as a baby in diapers. I was surely the child mascot for Disney, as I was a full believer in all the magic. When I was a young child, I would constantly run up to various Characters and say "Hi, it's Rebecca, I am back." I used to chase my shadow like Peter Pan and believe that I could pick it up.

A favorite story of my mother's is that when I was still a little baby I used to think the Swan Hotel was my grandmother's house. Various Characters at the Parks were extremely kind and made every moment memorable.

As I have gotten older the magic still hasn't left me. I collect all the pins I can get my hands on and the thought of traveling down south to the warmth during the cold season makes me scream and yell with delight. I enjoy Disney World so much!