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.

An Emotional Encounter with Winnie the Pooh

Mariann, 39, Oklahoma City, OK

I have always loved Disney and its characters. I remember the Bicentenial Parade when I was five years old and riding on the carousel. It's no surprise that my friends and I would watch Disney movies and sing along with Winnie the Pooh as a "little black rain cloud" during slumber parties in junior high. My two best friends since fourth grade felt the same as I did about anything Disney.

Many years later, one of these friends was taken from us in the Oklahoma City bombing. In 2008, I returned to Walt Disney World with my family – it was as amazing as I remembered. We ate at the Crystal Palace and I had my picture taken with Pooh. After he moved on to the next table, I found that I was I crying. That hug was from the three of us, but more importantly it was FOR the three of us from Pooh and the happiest place on earth.