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The Magic of Disney
By Pam Forrester
Disney has always been a magical place for me. I really don't try to "make" magical events happen; I am just open to the possibilities.
Our trip in January of 2001 was really special trip for us. Steve and I were celebrating our tenth anniversary. It was a big trip for a big event. We were going for nearly two weeks, and were staying at the concierge level of the Polynesian (my favorite) and the Contemporary. These seemed to be the perfect places to celebrate our wonderful marriage, and the love we have for each other and our DD.
We had also talked my parents into joining us. They were staying at the Yacht Club. I initially sold them on the idea that this was the perfect age to see DD (five at the time) enjoying Disney World. Five really is a good age, but the truth is I really wanted those memories of my parents at my favorite place in the world.
So the trip was planned, and we were doing it all. I have so many wonderful memories from this trip. My husband is a romantic at heart. We had romantic dinners alone, spent quality time in "our" hammock at the Polynesian Beach. We played with DD in the pools, laughed with my parents, and had too many special moments to count. It was a magical trip indeed.
One evening, after a delicious meal in France, we walked out of the restaurant just in time to hear the announcement that the Tapestry of Nations parade was going to start. I knew that DD would want to see this, but it was really cold that evening, and my parents were already talking about heading back to their hotel. I was still in the process of convincing them to watch the parade when the music started. Thankfully the music for Tapestry of Nations is incredibly infectious and they agreed to stay.
We were one of a few groups of people standing in this area and DD, was just about the only child. Tapestry of Nations is beautiful, and it is certainly her favorite parade. When the music starts, she is always at the tape line, dancing, singing, and interacting with the performers. Her enthusiasm is so infectious, and before we could really see the parade she had us all dancing and singing. As soon as we could see the performers with the huge puppets you could see their enthusiasm as well. There were only performing for a small crowd but their excitement and dedication were just amazing, and I witnessed that same enthusiasm every time we saw that parade. The performers are wonderful. Since DD was the only child in the area, and since she was so obviously excited some of the performers pulled her out into the parade so she could sing and dance with them.
Soon almost every performer had her out in the parade with them. Words can't describe how happy she was-but you can just picture the excitement a five-year-old feels. She was experiencing a moment she would always remember, and we would always remember. It felt so good to be a part of that. Children have a gift for expressing their untainted emotions-no holding back, no pretending. They have the incredible ability just to experience the moment, and express whatever emotion might be in their heart. As I watched her, the whole scene brought tears to my eyes, as usual. It is such a remarkable experience to see your child so undeniably and totally happy.
But, even more incredible was the reaction of my parents as they danced, and sang, and watched their granddaughter and the parade. I guess I don’t typically see them this way, but sometimes grandchildren bring out aspects of your parents that you may never have seen before. They were completely enjoying the moment and I saw a side of them of them I had never seen before-that I had never imagined before. It was amazing just watching my parents and my daughter experiencing this overwhelming joy. It was incredible, and one look at my husband assured me that he was noticing all the same things. We just held hands and watched this moment unfold before our eyes. I know this sounds cliché, but it was one of those moments I will always remember. I looked around and truly appreciated this moment in time, and I realized that everything that is important to you is at arms length. I looked at my family and felt such love for them, I couldn't imagine a more perfect moment.
This was just one of a hundred times I have had those very same feelings on a Disney vacation. There is a presence of Magic, an undeniable presence when you are at a Disney destination. It's sometimes hard to put a finger on, hard to define, but it is there. As I think back on the moment, I realize the Magic of Disney at that moment could be summed up as this incredible opportunity to see someone I know and love, in a new, and different way. I could have seen those people in a different way without traveling to Disney world, but for some reason I never had. Being in Disney World makes some things easier to see. It allowed me to experience the people I love without all the day-to-day things getting in the way. At Disney, things are more clear, more real, and I am forced to stop and enjoy the moment in ways that just aren’t possible at home. It is truly Disney magic.
The wonderful thing is that this Disney magic is always evolving and changing and it can be different for each person, each trip, each day, each moment. It is completely in your hands because the magic is in you, and the magic is what you make it.
I was reminded of the end of the Wizard of Oz. The good witch Glinda tells Dorothy that she has always had the magic needed to return home-she only needed to use it. We all have that Disney Magic in us, it is just up to each of us to find the magic and use it. Dorothy had to learn it for herself what the magic was. And like that, we have to learn what the magic of Disney is for each of us.
The magic of Disney isn't in a restaurant, a resort or a ride. It can't be taken away by a bad interaction with a cast member or park guest or if your favorite ride is closed. The Magic of Disney is in me, it is in you, and it is in everyone who visits. That Magic can be different for each person. If you feel like you have lost a bit of Magic you can find it at Disney. And, as Dorothy said, if the Magic isn’t there, then you never really lost it to begin with. If you can’t see the magic when you are at Disney, then you never really lost the magic for begin with…you just never had that magic.
So leave yourself open to the possibility of Magic. I think you can find your own version of Disney Magic-it is everywhere.
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