Magical, memorable, and incredible are the only words that
can describe our experience opening Magic
Kingdom at Walt Disney
World.
You would think that after opening the park that we would
move on with our day at the Magic
Kingdom with an inflated
feeling of “what could be better than this?”
But we were wrong.
Upon exiting the Train Station, we were greeted by Barbara
and a double deck bus!
More photos ensued.
Barbara had us sit in the front of the bus on the top
level. We were driven down Main Street, U.S.A. with the horn honking.
Barbara was announcing, “The Williams Family from Iowa ” over the
speaker. Guests and Cast Members were
waving from below.
We were driven to the Hub in front of Cinderella’s Castle,
More photos were taken by John, our Photopass photographer,
to commemorate the event.
By 9:20 am, we had had the time of our lives. We said good-bye to Barbara and John and
thanked them so much for the incredible experience. Can you imagine having their job? Bringing such joy to people every day!
When it was time for us to part, the husband turned to me
and said,” Well, we might as well go back to the resort, because the day isn’t
going to get any better than this.” We
had definitely hit a “high.” But that
didn’t mean that the magic and spirit of Disney couldn’t continue throughout
the rest of our day. And, indeed it did.
We didn’t return to the resort. We stayed at the Magic Kingdom
for the majority of the day and then took the monorail to EPCOT for dinner. We used our special Fastpasses given to us
earlier that morning for an extra spin on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in
the middle of the afternoon. We were
recognized throughout the day by people pointing. The husband was the one who noticed it the
most. He would say, “We just got
recognized” as if we had celebrity status of some sort. I guess we did.
These immersive and special experiences that Disney
magically dispenses on guests are truly incredible. Part of that is their elusive nature. These experiences cannot be bought or planned
for. They just happen . . .
magically. Our goal is to be open to the
magic—no stress, no fretting over park maps and Times Guides, no frustrating
decisions about parking or dining, no disagreements about where to go first
during park touring, just fun. Family
fun!
that was beautiful and made me cry. I wondered how they picked a family when we watched the opening this past Februay : )
ReplyDeleteDisney magic can bring on goosebumps and tears. Thank you for reading our story!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one crying while reading this! Simply awesome!!
ReplyDeleteTears of joy, Meredith, tears of joy!
DeleteI am in tears too! Thanks for sharing your magical moment! @>-->--
ReplyDeleteMaythem,
DeleteThank you for reading about our magical moment!
Goosebumps!!!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth,
DeleteUs too! Thank you!
Wow! How awesome! Teary reading this! We haven't been to WDW for 5 years, but we're going this October over Halloween for 2 weeks and can't wait! Our ds, will have just turned 8 and is so excited!
ReplyDeleteGray family,
DeleteCongratulations on your upcoming trip! Enjoy the anticipation. . . it is a wonderful feeling. Have a magical trip!
that's one of my dreams is to open magic kingdom truly awesome blog
ReplyDeleteMay all your dreams come true. . . especially Disney dreams! Thanks for reading!
DeleteHoly moly--I am a pretty tough cookie normally, but this made me tear up as well! I've just had my very first Disney trip (last October for my eldest son's 5th birthday), and we're on our way again in just TWO DAYS! This time, we're taking my mama along for her first Disney experience, and I couldn't be more excited. Honestly, having never gone as a child, I truly didn't get the hype, but I can't believe how excited I am to return. Thanks for sharing your amazing stories--I love the idea of the "zone." We will aspire to remain in it the whole time we're there, and maybe we'll get lucky too! (Although just being there feels like getting lucky, doesn't it?) :)
ReplyDeleteMaria G,
DeleteReading your comments made me tear up! Have a magical trip! And you are right, just being there feels lucky. Enjoy!
Reading this made me smile from ear to ear. I read this post before our last trip in December. As luck would have it my family was picked to open the park. Barbara was our tour guide and her energy is amazing! Rereading this has definitely brought back the joy and magic of our special day.
ReplyDeleteMoira Williams,
DeleteFrom one Williams to another--good for you! So glad your family got to experience the magic that is Disney! Thanks for sharing. . . and your comment made me smile from ear to ear!
I am in tears! This was beyond magical! My husband, 2 year old son, and I are getting ready for our first trip to Disney World next week. I can not wait!! Thanks for sharing your story and all of the pictures with us! :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely wonderful! That is most certainly the experience of a lifetime. I am planning our first trip to Disney for Aug 2016 with our family of 6. Our first day at Magic Kingdom is going to be our 10th wedding anniversary. I can only hope that something this magical happens to us! Thank you so much for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading! What a great reason to take a magical trip!
DeleteWhat a magical story! I have been to Disney many times, however, our family is going in April and this will be the first trip for my daughter-in-law and my 2 year old granddaughter. My son hasn't been in 14 years. This is a dream of mine! Keeping my fingers crossed that we will get so lucky!
ReplyDeleteDarla Owens,
DeleteThank you for reading! What you may not know is that we were picked again during our trip just last week! My fingers are crossed for you and your family, too. Wishing you and your family a magical trip to Walt Disney World!
I wonder if it would be possible to be picked if you have a stroller? I have a 5 and 2 year old so a double stroller is a must!
ReplyDeleteMorgan,
DeleteYou never know!
Keep trying!