SadieDawn90
Real-life Disney Princess (In my head)
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2011
So this trip has had ups and downs, but I wanted to share our Disney magic moments, because I promise those are going to be the ones that stick with me :]
So on Tuesday, we got stroller robbed at Hollywood Studios. I left some valuables while I ran my 3 year old to the potty. I buried them, but alas. My purse, camera, and a bunch of merchandise got taken. Obviously, this wasn't magical, but it's ok. I think we all know the risks taken with leaving valuables behind in a busy theme park. I chose to take the risk. What WAS magical, though, was A) I got a thoughtful theif. When I came out, my whole stroller was gone which was a massive panic moment. My daughter's blankie and lovey were in there and, at age 3, those aren't at all replaceable. But he was kind enough to ditch the stroller in a highly visable area down the path so that I would find it. He also dug through my purse and found my car keys to leave in the stroller, so I wasn't stranded. Thanks, thief who spent $84 of my money at Walmart and $25 at 7-11 and will probably be caught! I appreciate you! I'm not even being sarcastic. But B) Disney handled it in a lovely manner. This was NOT their responsibility. I left an unattended stroller with everything left for the taking. I know better. But Kate from guest services in Hollywood Studios was so sympathetic, calming me down as I bawled in the baby center making calls trying to cancel my credit cards. Despite the fact that my receipts were in the bags that had been stolen, and we pay cash for souvenirs so as to track our spending, she replaced some of my merchandise. There were only a few things that had mattered much, but I made it clear that I didn't expect it to be replaced. But she came back with the things I had mentioned in the report I filed with security, plus a large Minnie Mouse plush for my 3-year-old (who was dressed as Minnie that day) for being so patient while we got everything sorted out. On top of that, she provided us with 2 anytime fastpasses per person per day (WHAT. Side note, this perk has made our trip. My daughter is RIGHT at the 40 inches mark so we took her on her first "big girl" ride - Soarin' - which she is now obsessed with. OBSESSED. Because of these fastpasses I was able to take her on it 4 times yesterday and her giggle everytime we ascended was enough Disney Magic to make my week. But there's more!) and also some snack/meal credits put on our magic band to ease some financial distress from having a bit of our money taken. Again, none of this was necessary. I made a mistake, and life taught me a lesson. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't super grateful that they did something special for us in a moment when I really did just want to pack up and go home. Mostly I appreciate her compassion, because I was a hot mess ;]
Some other magic moments - My daughter dressed up as Provincial Belle on our Epcot day and my mother-in-law made her a SPOT ON costume. When we met Belle in France, she asked us to come back in 20 minutes. As they were closing out her set, Belle took my daughter's hand and paraded her all through the France pavilion, showing her her favorite bookshop and spots around the pavilion. She spent a good 5-10 minutes just with my daughter, making her (and even me) feel so beyond special. Several cast members came up to her and asked for an autograph throughout the day...I just love when CMs see an opportunity to create magic for a littlie and they seize it. My daughter turned to me at one point in the afternoon and said "momma...these people really think I'm a princess. I'm just Amber Nora." And a CM overheard and said "princess Amber Nora! I heard you were here today! I'm so glad I got to meet you, too!" And that meant a lot to her. Like, "ok, I'M special. Even if they don't think I'm Belle"
Another cool moment was at Hollywood Studios, we waited in line for Jake...we were next in line and he was just about to get switched out, but we had 4 minutes before the next Disney Jr. Live show started and we had to leave for a dinner reservation after that, so it was our last chance to see it. The character handler said that they were on a very strict schedule, which we understand so we got out of line to go catch the show. At the last minute she said "wait!" And Jake came up and escorted my daughter over to the show's entrance, hand in hand. The photo pass photographer snapped photos along the way and when we got to the show he quickly signed her autograph book and snapped a picture. Another kind act that was not at all expected but beyond appreciated.
So many people have been kind and friendly, that's Disney Magic to me! Crappy people are everywhere, but Disney has a much higher concentration of kindness and that's one of my favorite things about it.
Oh, and some tips. Crowds are kinda heavy but tolerable, just don't stress about it. It is what it is! Keep an eye on MDE for lulls in wait times and if you "must ride" something - just wait the line. It'll probably still be worth it :] and go to Osbourne lights at the end of the night!! We went at 7:45 (park close at 8) and stayed for an hour. Once the park was technically closed the crowds thinned out considerably and we were able to just perch on a sidewalk and enjoy.
So on Tuesday, we got stroller robbed at Hollywood Studios. I left some valuables while I ran my 3 year old to the potty. I buried them, but alas. My purse, camera, and a bunch of merchandise got taken. Obviously, this wasn't magical, but it's ok. I think we all know the risks taken with leaving valuables behind in a busy theme park. I chose to take the risk. What WAS magical, though, was A) I got a thoughtful theif. When I came out, my whole stroller was gone which was a massive panic moment. My daughter's blankie and lovey were in there and, at age 3, those aren't at all replaceable. But he was kind enough to ditch the stroller in a highly visable area down the path so that I would find it. He also dug through my purse and found my car keys to leave in the stroller, so I wasn't stranded. Thanks, thief who spent $84 of my money at Walmart and $25 at 7-11 and will probably be caught! I appreciate you! I'm not even being sarcastic. But B) Disney handled it in a lovely manner. This was NOT their responsibility. I left an unattended stroller with everything left for the taking. I know better. But Kate from guest services in Hollywood Studios was so sympathetic, calming me down as I bawled in the baby center making calls trying to cancel my credit cards. Despite the fact that my receipts were in the bags that had been stolen, and we pay cash for souvenirs so as to track our spending, she replaced some of my merchandise. There were only a few things that had mattered much, but I made it clear that I didn't expect it to be replaced. But she came back with the things I had mentioned in the report I filed with security, plus a large Minnie Mouse plush for my 3-year-old (who was dressed as Minnie that day) for being so patient while we got everything sorted out. On top of that, she provided us with 2 anytime fastpasses per person per day (WHAT. Side note, this perk has made our trip. My daughter is RIGHT at the 40 inches mark so we took her on her first "big girl" ride - Soarin' - which she is now obsessed with. OBSESSED. Because of these fastpasses I was able to take her on it 4 times yesterday and her giggle everytime we ascended was enough Disney Magic to make my week. But there's more!) and also some snack/meal credits put on our magic band to ease some financial distress from having a bit of our money taken. Again, none of this was necessary. I made a mistake, and life taught me a lesson. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't super grateful that they did something special for us in a moment when I really did just want to pack up and go home. Mostly I appreciate her compassion, because I was a hot mess ;]
Some other magic moments - My daughter dressed up as Provincial Belle on our Epcot day and my mother-in-law made her a SPOT ON costume. When we met Belle in France, she asked us to come back in 20 minutes. As they were closing out her set, Belle took my daughter's hand and paraded her all through the France pavilion, showing her her favorite bookshop and spots around the pavilion. She spent a good 5-10 minutes just with my daughter, making her (and even me) feel so beyond special. Several cast members came up to her and asked for an autograph throughout the day...I just love when CMs see an opportunity to create magic for a littlie and they seize it. My daughter turned to me at one point in the afternoon and said "momma...these people really think I'm a princess. I'm just Amber Nora." And a CM overheard and said "princess Amber Nora! I heard you were here today! I'm so glad I got to meet you, too!" And that meant a lot to her. Like, "ok, I'M special. Even if they don't think I'm Belle"
Another cool moment was at Hollywood Studios, we waited in line for Jake...we were next in line and he was just about to get switched out, but we had 4 minutes before the next Disney Jr. Live show started and we had to leave for a dinner reservation after that, so it was our last chance to see it. The character handler said that they were on a very strict schedule, which we understand so we got out of line to go catch the show. At the last minute she said "wait!" And Jake came up and escorted my daughter over to the show's entrance, hand in hand. The photo pass photographer snapped photos along the way and when we got to the show he quickly signed her autograph book and snapped a picture. Another kind act that was not at all expected but beyond appreciated.
So many people have been kind and friendly, that's Disney Magic to me! Crappy people are everywhere, but Disney has a much higher concentration of kindness and that's one of my favorite things about it.
Oh, and some tips. Crowds are kinda heavy but tolerable, just don't stress about it. It is what it is! Keep an eye on MDE for lulls in wait times and if you "must ride" something - just wait the line. It'll probably still be worth it :] and go to Osbourne lights at the end of the night!! We went at 7:45 (park close at 8) and stayed for an hour. Once the park was technically closed the crowds thinned out considerably and we were able to just perch on a sidewalk and enjoy.
