Doug's upcoming trip got me remembering a middle school tripwe went on, and having no friends to group and hang with, other magical things were able to happen.

On this trip, I remember becoming friends with a Haunted Mansion CM.. I can't remember his name, but for many trips after, he always remembered my name. I felt so cool to be on a name basis with a CM of my ultimate favorite ride! I think we either talked about Nintendo (NES), or stickers (I was down with googly-eye stickers and cereal stickers!), I just remember realizing what magic was, and that was making someone's day! We were MASTERS in that aspect.. VMK-wise.. ;)

I will also never forget the sky ride. I have a pic that I will keep forever of the Tomorrowland Skyway Launch Pad.. wasnt it because of a CM falling off the pad that officially did in the ride? God rest his soul!

And then when I finally found disneyworltrivia.com (the bass towards..), I learned about hidden mickeys, appreciation for park photography, and meeting peeps in the park from online!

How about you? :popcorn:

A few memories I have are...

~Getting a new outfit to wear on my class trip to Disneyland, the very long bus ride and eating sour candy with a very cute boy on the ride home after most everyone was asleep.

~The Backstreet Boys Grad Night Senoir year at Disneyland.

~Going to Epcot shortly after it had first opened and wondering why all the contries were not finished. Plus watching the afternoon stroms coming in under the an awning in Tomorrow land.

~Disney's California Adventure on my Honeymoon and actually have my hubby on a coaster ride with me. He hates coasters but was in love with me.

~All of us having lunch with my brother and his family at Biergardten and my son throwing up on his Uncle Mike. No, It wasnt from the beer it was from the heat. That same trip during extra Magic Hours walking right up to The Haunted Mansion and right on to the ride (no wait at all) Repeating that three time in a row and the CM creepy and funny intercation with us.


I had so many but these are the first ones that came to mind. It's funny with time how details fade but I still remember the same feeelings of excitement everytime I went no matter how old I got.

~My first trip to Epcot summer before 2nd grade and how Figment kept taking my Grandfather's hat off his head and how much that made all of us laugh including him (by the time I came around he was "a grumpy old man" in a wheelchair due to a stroke and a heart attack).

~Going back in middle school (with the high school band I was already marching with) and performing in the parades.

~Magic Kingdom and Illuminations have me missing my father the most. I can remember how he would treat us to citrus swirls after a nice tiki bird show.. THE ORIGINAL SHOW lol.. Or how the entire family wanted to toss him out of the boat for making us all ride It's A Small World lol.. Or how the entire trip from Lauderdale to the happy place, I'd make fun of his thinning hair with things like, "This is great, the bald eagle taking his nest to Disney World, splendid!" "Get ready to land eagle, I see the parking toll.. and get us some worms!" lol..

I say Illuminations because it was one of our last Disney experiences before his passing. It's amazing how the physical can be such a reminder, that yes, it all happened.

I don't have many Disney memories from my childhood - I was there only a handful of times as a kid.

Most of my treasured memories that stand out in my mind all happened rather recently.

The one that stands out the most for me was from my trip in Sept. 2001.

It happened on the 16th - just 5 very short days after the 9/11 attacks. We had a friends/family trip planned, and after much debate and the fact that the airports re-opened in time, we decided to carry on with our plans.

LadyDooley was with me on that trip. I flew down on the 15th and she flew into Orlando the following afternoon (16th) - they stopped for a late lunch and we met up with them and headed into the Kingdom.

As we entered the extremely empty park - we decided to go to City Hall to get nametags for the kids (Harrison and Kate were 2 at the time) to attach to their belts in case they got lost. We exited City Hall and were all standing on the steps when at that very moment - the flag retreat ceremony had started. I don't know if you have ever watched this ceremony while there - but you must - it is very moving, and is one of my favorite hidden treasures in the MK.

Needless to say, there was not a dry eye in the place as the Main Street Philharmonic played the Star Spangled Banner and they lowered the flag. The overwhelming emotion I felt that day I don't think can ever be felt again.

Words can't describe the feelings I was feeling - the only way I can think to describe it is that I just knew everything would be OK.

There are so many other little snippets of time that are held close to my heart, from a random smile while watching someone see the castle for the very first time (thanks Diane!) to watching my son play on the floor with Chip and Dale... They are all treasures - and I feel pity for anyone who does not understand what "Disney Magic" is...


[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm7hKbcoNQ0&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]