My daughter was kidnapped by pirates!
by Alisha
(Paso Robles, CA)
My daughter decided that Disneyland was the place she wanted to spend her 21st birthday. So the entire family (Grandma, Grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) packed up to spend a wonderful week at the Happiest Place on Earth.
Well we wanted everyone to know it was her birthday so she was decked out in a “21st” tiara and Miss Birthday girl ribbon. She looked great.
When we got on the rafts to go to Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyers Island she made the acquaintance of a friendly pirate also riding the raft. At the dock we said our good-byes and went our merry way. Suddenly this same pirate snatched her away from me with nary a word and dragged her up a hill and out of sight. We ran after him as he spirited her away and when we finally caught up with them, there she was, in the arms of Captain Jack Sparrow himself taking the cutest pictures. It made her birthday just that much more fun and we got some awesome pictures and a great story.
Goofy Likes Cotton Candy
by Eric Green
(Mesquite Texas US)
While walking through Adventure Land eating my cotton candy, Goofy pops up out of nowhere and starts stalking me. Every time i would turn around he would hide or freeze, like i couldn’t see his big nose sticking out from behind a tree.
As the game went on for about 5 min, i think he got a taste for cotton candy. He pulled a fast one on me with the tap on the shoulder and when i looked for who did it and he took my cotton candy and pretended to run away. I chased him down, got my cotton candy and took a few pics with the guy.
A+ on disney employee
by Jeanine
(Camas, WA)
In 2006 my family went to Disneyland. It was our children’s first visit, ages 3 and 6.
The night we watched the fireworks we sat right on the edge of the street in front of the castle. An employee happened to sit right next to us. As the show started everyone stood up. He offered to help us out and hold up one of my children so that I could continue to snap pictures. I was a little nervous to hand over my child but it was very crowded and I was sure she would be fine, and she was.
After the show the same employee offered to walk us over to Fantasmic and get us an excellent spot. He once again watched the show with us. He asked us if we were staying at a Disney resort hotel, and we told him yes, we were staying at the Disneyland Hotel. He got us a front spot on the Monorail back and then told us to meet him the next day at Mickey’s house at 1pm.
The next day we met him, and it turned out he was one of Mickey’s guards. He got us right in with no wait and gave us 10 minutes of alone time with Mickey.
Wow! It was like a dream come true for the whole family. This employee went overboard to make sure we had all our dreams came true that trip.
THE HAT….
by Kristin
(AZ)
Me,12 years old
Okay, I was about 9 years old. I saw this really adorable hat with Mickey ears in a shop on Main Street. I asked my dad if I could have them and as usual, he said no. At the same moment, I saw Jack Sparrow walking by.
That same evening, we were waiting for our reservations at the Blue Bayou. Then, here comes Jack Sparrow with a bunch of girls chasing after him with the exact same hat that I wanted. Next thing I know, that hat is on my head and Jack Sparrow is signing the back of the bandanna. I was so happy and so thrilled. Then he says to me, “Chin up, mate!” and brushes the bottom of my chin. Ever since then, I have worn that hat every time we go to Disneyland. It never gets old.
Disneyland Magic Continues Outside Disneyland Park
by Erica
(San Francisco Bay Area)
When I was 9, my mother, brother and I went to Disneyland to celebrate his 5th birthday, along with my mom’s single friend and her two children. My parents were recently divorced and money was tight so we all had to share one room — but at least my mom was still able to give us this great Disneyland experience.
One night while getting ready for bed, we were drawn to the window by Disneyland’s fireworks. My family was closest to the open window admiring the fireworks from our hotel room when a Disneyland cast member saw us. He looked up to us and started singing “When You Wish Upon a Star”.
I cannot express enough how special and wonderful it felt at that time in my life. Just another example of the wonderful people that work for Disneyland.
Donald Duck Meets Mickey!!
by Patrick Tuason
(Santa Maria, California, USA)
I was recently at the California Adventure Park with my friend when she needed to stop by the ladies room before we jumped on the Soarin Over California ride. So while waiting for her I saw a Disney vendor selling cotton candy nearby and decided to buy one. To my amazement and joy, I noticed that the elderly gentleman was speaking in Donald’s voice to all his customers!! Me being the kid that I always am delightfully asked the vendor how much for the cotton candy. The gentleman of course responded in Donald’s voice ” It’ll be 3.50 “….Smiling ear to ear, I reached for a 5 dollar bill in my pocket and handed it over to the man. As he gave me my change and my cotton candy he looked at me and smiled and said again in that funny recognizeable voice “Thank you, have a nice day. ” At which point I responded back in Mickey’s voice ” Ha ha, awe..thanks…Ha ha “…To the amazement of the vendor, he smiled and laughed as I walked away. As I had done so, a child who had witnessed the entire exchange screamed to his mother nearby…MOM!! I just saw Donald meet Mickey! Lol…one of the best experiences ever. : )
Piloting the Mark Twain
On a visit a couple of years ago, my 20-ish daughter and husband wanted to see where all the stuff from Fantasmic was hidden and so we rode on the Mark Twain. They immediately went up to the top deck to get the best view down onto the river, and myself and my two young daughters brought up the rear.
When we got to the top, a cast member asked if the two younger girls wanted to go into the wheelhouse, but she said they’d have to ride there until the boat stopped. They were anxious to do it, so I let them. Little did I know that they got to “steer” the boat, ring the bell, blow the steam whistle. They were thrilled.
When the boat docked after the ride, they were presented with honorary captain/pilot certificates. Talk about a surprise bit of Disney magic! Who knew?
Boy, does Disney know how to treat its guests
by Aaron
(Denver, CO)
My daughter has a few special needs. One of the things we learned while at Disneyland was that sudden lights and loud sounds will cause her to panic and then cry for about 30 minutes. As we searched frantically over the next several days for methods of minimizing these episodes, we learned that even the cashiers and janitors in the hotels are willing to help out if you ask them.
One day we had arranged lunch at Ariel’s Grotto, and my wife thought to ask the cashier at the front if there was any way we could get a seat away from any speakers so as to minimize the loud sounds. Next thing we know, the manager shows up to lead us to our table which was right next to the herald who announces all the princesses.
The herald dropped to his knees right next to my daughter, showed off his microphone to her, and pointed out where all the speakers were. THEN he assured her that before any loud announcements or sounds, he would look over at her and give her a thumbs up and wait for her to put her hands over her ears before he said anything.
Well needless to say, it was simply magical how they all worked together so my little girl could have the experience we wanted her to have – and all we had to do was ask.
Bryanna’s 4th Birthday at Disneyland!!
by Cindi
(Cloudcroft NM)
We took our little girl to Disneyland for her fourth birthday. I made her a dress just like the one Minnie wears for her to wear at the Birthday Party and she had her little Minnie Mouse ears on as well. We had the Birthday Party at the Plaza. She had the best time decorating her Mickey Mouse Cake.
But best of all was when Mickey, Minnie and Goofy were starting the Conga Line. When Minnie Mouse came by our table she grabbed my little one’s hand and she got to lead the line holding Minnie Mouse’s hand the whole time. Still to this day when she talks about that day she says “Minnie Mouse picked me out of all those kids!”
I’m sure it is a day she will treasure always.
