Compiled by Erica Colmenares
Every trip to a Disney theme park is special, but some vacation memories jump out at us more than others. A number of TheMouseForLess.com members shared their happiest memories from Disney visits in 2008. Read on to live their magic vicariously, and get inspired to plan your next trip!
- A Power Ranger Magical Moment
We visited Walt Disney World in September for my daughter’s sixth birthday. We were at Hollywood Studios waiting for the Power Rangers to come out for autographs. Madeleine, my daughter, had her Jungle Fury Yellow Cheetah Ranger costume on so that she could have her picture made with the Jungle Fury Blue Jaguar Ranger. A Cast Member approached me and told me that Madeleine had won a “Year of a Million Dreams Magical Moment” and to be around the Power Ranger car at the end of the autograph session. She was able to meet all of the Rangers except for the Red Ranger, for he was at the Space Academy training — she took his place in the car! A PhotoPass photographer was on hand to catch the once-in-a-lifetime moment. Madeleine is so proud of her photograph and looks at it daily. This is a “Magical Moment” that she will have forever.
—Regina T.
First Trip
We went for our first trip with our children in February 2008. On our first night, as my five-year-old daughter was sitting on my husband’s shoulders watching “Wishes,” she exclaimed, “Oh, it’s just what I dreamed it would be!” Talk about bringing tears to your eyes! It was the best moment of our entire trip!
—Carrie in GA
Birthday Wish
My 2008 memory took place on my solo birthday trip in December. I was there for my birthday week and was wearing my birthday button the night I went to see “Fantasmic!” I was sitting in a good spot in the center section when the Cast Member in that area spotted my button. He asked me if I was alone and, on discovering I was, he asked me to come with him. He let me into the VIP roped-off section. So there I am, top of the stadium, perfect view, without being crowded in. That alone would have been nice enough, but after the show was over and I was walking out, he came up to me with a Sorcerer Mickey, two Fantasmic pins which he said you couldn’t buy anywhere, and a certificate making me “Princess for a Day.” I was celebrating my 55th birthday, [and] it made for a perfect moment on a wonderful trip.
—Laura in CT
Alone Time for Birthday
My favorite moment of 2008 at Walt Disney World would be getting to spend time alone in the park while my husband offered to take the kids back to the hotel to swim. This was my birthday present from him. But the entire trip was the best. This was my first birthday trip ever to Disney. My husband also surprised me with lunch at CRT [Cinderella’s Royal Table] before our departure home.
—Mary A.
Eeyore Rules
My favorite Disney memory of 2008 was seeing the huge smile on my then eight-month-old son’s face when Eeyore came up to him at Animal Kingdom and started playing peek-a-boo. It warmed my heart to see such pure joy in him.
—Lindsey T.
Conquering Dumbo
My favorite Disney memory of 2008 happened on my December trip to Disneyland. My three-year-old daughter and I were on Dumbo. When I first showed her how to make Dumbo go up, she got upset and wanted it to stay down. I shared with her how, when I was a wee lass in 1976, I rode Dumbo with my sister and I hated it when Dumbo went up — I wanted him to stay down the whole time, much to the consternation of my braver sister. This made my daughter smile. She didn’t mind going up on Dumbo at all from that point on.
—Kristina V.
Calling Florida Home
My favorite Disney memory of this past year was buying our first-ever Florida resident annual pass! It is a dream come true for us!
—Deb N., now in Florida 😉
Grandkids, Pt. I
My favorite memory of this past year was from our August trip. I was there with my husband, my two daughters, my son-in-law and, for the very first time, my 18-month-old granddaughter, Bailey. I got to carry Bailey up to the castle. When I showed her the castle, she had a big smile, and said, “It’s Bramma’s Castle.” I had been showing Bailey photos of the castle for months, so of course she thought it was mine. It was a wonderful moment I’ll never forget.
—Debbie
Grandkids, Pt. II
My special Disney memory was taking my seven-month-old granddaughter, Amelia, to Walt Disney World for her very first trip. She was a real trooper. From the three-plus hour layover in Atlanta to having to switch rooms twice at the Boardwalk, she never once complained — not that we could have understood her if she did. She loved meeting the characters (I believe she thought they were giant stuffed animals) and even melted the heart of one of the Wicked Stepsisters. Even though she won’t remember this particular trip, I know the rest of us who were on that trip with her certainly will.
—Mary W. in KC
Grandparents
My most magical memory was seeing Grandma and Grandpa experience Disney World with Emma for the first time! Watching my Mom and my little girl “ooh” and “aah” over the Halloween parade made me cry.
—Tina F.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Memory
My favorite memory was my daughter at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. She had the Hannah Montana makeover and when they turned her chair around to have her look in the mirror, she just beamed! Then she turned her around to the rest of the salon and said “I want to introduce you to Hannah Montana.” She couldn’t stop smiling while everyone was clapping for her!
—Shannon P.
Celebrating 30 Years at Disney
My favorite memory from 2008 would be the great time my husband and I had celebrating our 30th anniversary at Walt Disney World. We had divers at the Coral Reef hold up a sign wishing us a happy 30th anniversary. We also had a magical dinner at the California Grill. We were seated right by the window to watches the “Wishes” fireworks and we went out onto the rooftop deck and took pictures of the Magic Kingdom. It was a very special celebration.
—Jane
Finally Meeting TMFL Cyber-Friends
The best moment of 2008 for me was finally meeting Binnie and several other members of TheMouseForLess. I attended MouseFest 2008, and Binnie was at the second meet I went to. I got to put names to faces of people I have known since 2002 here online.
—Dania
Victoria and Albert’s
I think it would have to be my dinner at Victoria and Albert’s! It was my first time there and it was wonderful! Actually, it was beyond words! 🙂
—Angie L.
Good Things Come in Threes
Our best memories were surprising our three kids with a three-night stay at Disney, letting them know we joined Disney Vacation Club, and taking them to MNSSHP [Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party]. They had no idea about any of it. It was great.
—Tracy in TN
First Trip, Then and Now
My most magical memory was taking my younger two children to Disney for the first time! The looks on their faces were priceless! An earlier memory I have is when I was seven and we went to visit the Magic Kingdom for the first time!! All the characters gave me great big hugs!! It was great!
—Diana R.
All Kids Are Special
As some backstory, I have a five-year-old son with spina bifida. He’s a really cute kid and gets lots and lots of attention from strangers because of his big brown eyes and long eyelashes. Plus he pushes a walker in front of him and that just brings more attention to him. My eight-year-old daughter is ignored by people a lot. We try hard to make her feel special, but she’s told me before that when we go out in public, she often feels like a plate of grits (as a side note, we live in Western PA; she’s never even had grits, so I’m not sure where this expression comes from).
When we went to Disney in September she was made to feel special in so many ways…from the man that let her turn on the lights for “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” to the man who played ball with her while we were waiting on DHS [Disney’s Hollywood Studios] to open and then presented her with a Tinker Bell pin. In Walt Disney World, I watched my usually reserved daughter bloom.
—Mary H.
A First Trip and a Birthday
I have two favorite memories from Disney in 2008. One was going to Disney in January with my in-laws and nieces and nephews. It was their first time! Two was celebrating my 30th birthday in the Magic Kingdom! I think I gained ten pounds from the Mickey ice cream bars!
—Mrs. Beezwaxx
We know that you hold more special Disney vacation memories in your hearts and minds. May you carry them into 2009, and beyond. And make some more, while you’re at it!