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angcould
05-31-2009, 09:01 PM
Mine has to be the first time I passed under the tunnel and emerged out onto
main street when I was a child.... I experience that whole "overwhelming "goosebump" feeling even now as an adult... like stepping thru into another world.

10-97
06-01-2009, 07:26 AM
My favorite memory is my first glimpse of the Matterhorn, as we were driving south on I-5, about to exit to our hotel on Harbor Blvd. I looked up, and after all those childhood years of hoping, I was finally there.

kiki
06-01-2009, 10:27 AM
I have alot of great memories of Disneyland, but I have to say that absoloute favorite has to be about eight years ago when my cousin Paige who was 2 at the time first saw Minnie Mouse in ToonTown. It was love at first sight for both of them. Minnie ended up following us around ToonTown holding Paige's hand nearly the entire time. We were lucky that it was early in the morning and TT had just opened for the day so we were practically the only ones there.

leota's necklace
06-01-2009, 10:39 AM
I have a ton, but one that I hold particularly dear is the memory of my husband and I being the last riders on the Manse one foggy evening in February, I believe. We were the only people in the elevator and, when we started walking down the corridor, a butler crept up behind me to frighten me. I held my arms out to him in response and he swept me down the hallway in an impromptu and wordless waltz, handing me off with a gentlemanly flourish to my husband before we boarded our DoomBuggy.

Classy.

Sleeping Beauty's mom
06-01-2009, 10:45 AM
One of my favorite memories of Disneyland happened not that long ago,
Dh and I got our picture taken with Mickey and Minnie. In all of these years, I have never gotten my pic taken with the mouse. I went up to Mickey and told him I was so glad to be at "his house".

dznyphreak
06-01-2009, 10:57 AM
7/17/2005 closely followed by 5/5/2005.

The day I got hired (March 31, 2007 IIRC) was pretty great too. The phrase "walking on air" comes to mind. :)

fairestoneofall
06-01-2009, 01:01 PM
Last summer. It was the first time that my boys experienced the Electrical Parade. It was always my favorite as a child and to see their faces light up as the blue fairy floated towards them. PRICELESS. This Momma was in tears, it was honestly my favorite ever "Magical" moment.

I hope the Disney Magic lives in my boys' hearts forever.

torquedork
06-01-2009, 04:37 PM
Two of mine memorable moments -
The very first photo that I had gotten autographed by Snow White where I just went blank just before stepping up to her and wasn't able to talk to Snow White which I somewhat had stood there like a total "DORK" not knowing what to say to Snow White.

Probably about 8 months ago one of the girls who does Belle right after I had stepped up to her and Belle went "Aren't You Going to Propose To Me" my jaw just hit the floor and was going "I can't believe she just asked me that"

darph nader
06-01-2009, 04:57 PM
Holy Cow. Where do I start.
First time going. (man,that was 40yrs ago):eek:
Taking my wife there for our honeymoon. (my youngest son thinks that was lame)
First time taking my daughter. (that was almost 30yrs ago)
And the first time taking my G-daughter. (that was only 4yrs ago)

Hannahbelle
06-02-2009, 02:05 PM
WOW, soooo many. Heres a few in a "nut shell"
My honeymoon -- May 95
Taking my son for the first time and daughter for the first time.
Later when my daughter was 3 she asked Ariel why she wasn't wearing a shirt! Hilarious!
My 10 year Anniversary trip where my husband spoiled me rotten with a gift basket in the room every day! (At DL hotel)
Than recently when we got the dream passes (last year) AND a special pass that allowed us to stay in the park after it closed with only 3000 other people. Believe me, it felt like we had the place to ourselves! We went on 6 rides in 60 minutes. The last one was the Haunted Mansion and the cast member was in the elevator with just me, DH, and DD. We laid on the floor! It was so cool. I didn't even think about how many germs I was laying on! I did it anyway because it was once in a lifetime!
Thanks for reading. :-)

MammaSilva
06-02-2009, 05:43 PM
Really have so many it is hard to narrow it down but one comes to mind...

last summer we were celebrating a birthday and had gone on HM late in the evening thinking it would be our last ride, I asked the CM in charge of loading us if we could possibly go twice as a treat for the birthday person and they said sure, well when we got back for the 2nd time they asked if we wanted to go once again and be the LAST folks ...in fact the only guests on the attraction for the evening...when we got back to the loading zone we were all alone except for the CM's. We went up the stretching room and as we were being escorted to the gates (which were closed and locked) I heard the whinny of the ghost horses...as many times as I've enjoyed that attraction I had NEVER heard the horses. The CM said there's too much ambient noise to hear them during the day but the effect is on all the time the attraction is open.

jcruise86
06-02-2009, 05:57 PM
Besides about 50 moments with my family,
I think my best memory was when I was a Jungle Cruise guide
and I had a boatload of tourists--including a fun group of Australians--laughing really hard
when all the boats were stopped ("breakdown") and I entertained them in a lagoon for about ten minutes.

In his autobiography, Steve Martin wrote that it's an absolute certainty that every comedian will, from time to time, "kill" (make an audience laugh real hard), but that the real challenge is to be consistently good. Maybe, but "killing" that little audience of tourists for those ten minutes felt great!

jcruise86
06-02-2009, 06:09 PM
I have a ton, but one that I hold particularly dear is the memory of my husband and I being the last riders on the Manse one foggy evening in February, I believe. We were the only people in the elevator and, when we started walking down the corridor, a butler crept up behind me to frighten me. I held my arms out to him in response and he swept me down the hallway in an impromptu and wordless waltz, handing me off with a gentlemanly flourish to my husband before we boarded our DoomBuggy.

Classy.
I want to work on the Haunted Mansion!

This isn't related to an attraction, but college friend of mine had a great moment as Pluto. I guess the day wasn't too crowded. A severely disabled young kid in a wheelchair absolutely lit up when he saw Pluto, so he--Pluto--got permission to hold the child, and he held him for his entire (20 or 30 minute?) shift. The little boy was absolutely euphoric and his parents were crying.

punkyv
06-02-2009, 08:00 PM
My favorite memories are 1. My daughter's face when Cinderella's mice took her hand and danced her down Main Street and 2. My son's astonishment and delight when he pulled the sword out of the stone (and surprise when Merlin took back his crown!)

KDCartoons
06-02-2009, 08:12 PM
I've sorta told this story before here in these forums, but my fav Disney memories are from a trip in 06, for the 50th Anniversary.
Took my wife and step-sons,and the boys were first timers.

They been to numerous "amusement parks" before but nothing like a Disney theme park. I was feeling both smug and excited, because I knew they were in for a completely new experience.
That first morning, as we walked in the gate, under the underpass and onto Main Street, I knew that the Disney magic was going to touch them that day.
First thing they wanted to do was hit Star Tours.
So we did.
The level of "interaction" in the ride was more than they expected--they LOVED seeing R2 and C3PO in the loading area.
That set them up.
We got on the ride and it started.

It was my first time for Star Tours too, and I thought it was great fun, a perfect intro for the boys.
Upon disembarking, my eldest tried to find the words, but could only say; " that was the best ride ever".

Then I took them to Space Mountain ( which they also loved)

I knew then that this would be a trip and a place where I could truly share something that meant a great deal to me with my family, and they enjoyed every minute of it.

That trip brought many cherished memories for me:

-Corn dogs.
-Fantasmic--watching my wife come up to me after the first show, totally jazzed and excited--literally vibrating. We stayed for the second show and the boys LOVED the fireworks from inside the park. Real Disney Magic there.

-Parade of Dreams--my "moment". The trip came together for me there, the music, the dancing, pageantry, the spectacle. Really, really great show.
-Grizzly River Rapids--I was so leery of some electronics I use getting wet, that i was reluctant to go on the ride. That ride had me hooting and hollering, and when it was over I RAN out of the gate and turned around and got right back in line!

-Cruella--one of our days there, were were walking out towards DCA, starting to pass the Fire hall on Main Street and Cruella struts out to do her bit.
She wanted to "model her latest fashions" and grabbed my eldest stepson from the crowd. Well, the kids is a natural ham and he mugged it up with Cruella big time, gathered a good sized crowd and got a LOT of laughs.
And we got some great pics. Realyl funny, cherished memories from that.

Mickey--one of the morning's Mickey came out for the crowd on Main Street and we lined up for photos. The youngest got his pic taken with Mickey, and I teared up, because for me.....that is the be-all and end-all character in the park. The youngest also got pics and autographs from several other characters that day, include Pluto who was mobbed in Toon Town.
The crowd was giving him so much grief that the handlers started to get him out of it towards the back area.
But as he left, my wife caught his eye, and with our youngest in front of her, got Pluto to accept one last pic.

Lastly......something that was the very FIRST cherished memory for us that trip. The night before our first day in the parks, we did a recce to DTD. Upon entering the Esplanade , we decided to stop by the info tent. A gentleman CM was attending and our youngest had a question on his mind for him. Well, this CM treated my youngest with the utmost respect and fully answered his question. Brought a big smile and a thank you from all of us. Really, it was that small moment of true class that I remember most of all, and its something that made the trip very special.

june1st1997
06-02-2009, 08:25 PM
June 1st 1997.

First date with my husband. It was not supposed to be a date, in fact we hated each other (he was a client of mine). We were going with a big group of people. No one else showed up. Hands down the best day of my life and he has said the same.

I could list 100 moments from that day. The last 12 years of my life are built on them.

mkraemer
06-02-2009, 08:40 PM
I heard the whinny of the ghost horses...as many times as I've enjoyed that attraction I had NEVER heard the horses.

Now I *have* to hear this...I have a goal!

danyoung
06-03-2009, 08:01 AM
I've mentioned this before, and it's really nothing all that special about this moment. But whenever the question comes up, this is what my mind always goes back to.

It was a beautiful early summer day in the mid-80's. I was living in Idaho, but was on vacation in Southern Cal. Around early evening my best friend & I went in to see Captain EO. During our showing, the sun went down, and when we exited the theater (to the thrilling beat of Another Part of Me - hoo hoo!), it was now dark. There was just something about the vibe of Tomorrowland at night, with the People Mover busy moving people, the Starjets up on top of the central column where they belong, the subs cruising, the Skyway still flying, and all of the bright futuristic neon that made up Tomorrowland. It was just the coolest vibe, and I was totally happy and in the exact place and time that I wanted to be in.

See, nothing special - just a very cool moment!

fairykin
06-03-2009, 10:49 AM
Wow..these kind of threads always tug at your heart, don't they!:)

I have several...

The first time I took my Mother to Disneyland and our oldest granddaughter... i confess i had tears at their happiness.

Watching the twinikins as Minnie greeted them before we even went through the tunnel.. they had heard about disneyland and yet nothing prepared them for coming face to face with minnie..they were in Awe!

MadasaHatter
06-04-2009, 10:59 AM
Here is one of many!

I took my friend Laurie for the first time and we were running around FANTASYLAND like little kids as you are wont to do. We popped into Mr. Toad and she commented on the fact that she had never read or knew anything about Mr. Toad. When we got to HELL she was mortified that we were in the Happiest Place on Earth and in Hell and commented on how hot it was. So to joke around I started taking off my shirt (I am a dude by the by) and i got it all inside out and kind of stuck and couldn't get it back on so I panicked and took it off and started turning it right side and BAM we come out of the ride and whip around the corner while a beautiful family of four are staring at us as Laurie is laughing. Needless to say anytime my pal hears that I am going to Dland she reminds to keep my clothes on in Mr. Toad. of course I am mad....

codewoman
06-04-2009, 11:15 AM
Going for the first time at 4 years old. Riding Snow White and hating it (that awful witch was everywhere!). Talking my family into taking me on the Matterhorn and loving it (to their surprise). I was a roller coaster fanatic at the age of four.

Taking my 7 year old on a surprise trip and arriving at park opening. We got on Pirates as our first ride. Just after the boat pushed away from the dock, he turned to me and said "Mom, this is the best day of my life!"

Taking my 12 year old and his friend on a birthday trip. It poured rain but we had on rain gear and were very comfortable. So the boys and I just trotted all over the park to walk on every open ride, including Nemo, until closing. We all felt like 5 year olds that day!

Arriving at the park at rope drop for early entry, I walked very quickly to Space. I was the first person on the ride that day in the front of the first car.

Finally, arriving at the park at rope drop for early entry. I was there without the family and missing them terribly. Waiting for rope drop, I talked to a woman and her two sons who were going to ride Nemo. I got to ride with them in the first sub of the day and it was nice to *share* the ride with her two boys. It was almost as if my own boys were there.

Tinkermommy
06-04-2009, 11:59 AM
7/17/05 -- my pal and I brought our kids, spur of the moment, for Disneyland's 50th birthday. They had giant screens set up, and when it was almost time for Walt's dedication speech to play, we wandered to the hub where we easily found a perfect place to stand and view the screens and castle.

When the time came, it was so quiet -- a silence rarely heard in Disneyland when the sun is up. All around us was a sea of golden ears, which they'd handed out to guests as we entered. Walt's image came up on the screen, the speech replayed, and my friend and I bawled as we stood there with our kids, knowing none of us would never forget the moment. It was the nicest, most respectful crowd I've ever seen at Disneyland, and we all shared that magical moment.

Other memories:
-Helping Chris & Brittany get engaged in February -- unforgettable!
-Sitting in front of the castle on warm summer nights, holding my daughter on my lap, waiting for fireworks to start.
-Doing the "Discover the Magic" tour, and being the only guests on it at the time. Talk about feeling special!
-Meeting an amazing CM who spotted my daughter and her pal peeking through a construction fence (which they often do) and who, upon learning they want to be Imagineers, gave them some personal attention that we will never, ever forget!

PixieChick
06-04-2009, 12:29 PM
I have two memories that stand out for me.

Last September was the first time we took our son and we also took my sister's oldest son with us to Disneyland. My nephew had been talking about Disneyland since he was three. Auntie always went and came back to tell him stories about how much fun it was. He finally got to go when he was ten years old. We walked under the tunnel and out on to Main Street the first morning and he looked up at me and said in a shaky voice: "We're really here, aren't we?"

My favorite memory was of my son. He got to meet Mickey, Tigger, and Buzz Lightyear and was very happy to get their autographs and pictures taken with them. Afterwards he was just as happy to go find something else to do. We took them to a character breakfast one morning and after about 45 minutes or so, Minnie Mouse came and sat at our table. My son crawled over his cousin, sat in Minnie's lap and gave her a huge hug and kiss and told her he had been waiting all day just for her.

yellowrosedtxn
06-04-2009, 03:25 PM
I have two favorite memories. The first is the when we went the very first time in 1980 and they were celebrating their 25th anniversary and I was 13 years old. I got to see Jan and Dean in concert! I was SOOOOO Excited!

The second was going back 25 years later for the 50th anniversary. I was able to take my kids there for the first time (and my oldest was 13). And the whole trip was a wonderful memory, but the pictures made it priceless!

trypticon
06-04-2009, 03:51 PM
I've got a lot of great memories from the park, and they range from emotional to humorous. Probably the most funny thing I can remember at the moment is bringing my ex wife to Disneyland for her first visit. We stayed for close to a week, and made a point to ride everything at least once, and most things repeatedly (not Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, however). Everything, that is, except for Small World.

Passing by the back of the ride numerous times on the train, the old script announced the incoming ride, and suggested it was the happiest place on earth. Every time it did so, I had to disagree, and give my own thoughts that it was about the worst thing ever created. My ex-wife would disagree with me every time, swat me playfully, and tell me that the ride had to be great, just like the rest of the park.

So I decided to let her see for herself.

On our last night there, just before closing, I swept h er forward to the almost empty line of Small World, and boarded the craft with her. I was dreading the trip already, but she was excited as the boat launched slowly, ominously forward, to meet that dreaded song.

After a minute, she'd had enough, and was looking for exits. Of course, there are exits all over the place, but she didn't want to be the only one to get out of the extremely slow moving ship and bolt for the door. Instead, she sat down, crossed her arms over her chest, and wore a frown that told me she wasn't too happy to have learned the truth.

On the way out of the park that night, as well as through the following y ears, she made a point of yelling at me over the ride I'd chosen to be our last for that visit.

She and I went to the park many more times in the years afterwards, but that last night of her first round of visits to the park still makes me smile, and not in the evil way some readers may think. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

That was about eleven years ago, and the last time I've stepped onto Small World. If it's my choice, I'll never ride it again. If I had any say at all in the matter, the ride would be blown up in some spectacular evening fireworks accident, and never rebuilt. I'd rather see the area paved over and made into another parking lot than see it be rebuilt. I would literally take Innoventions over Small World any day of the week, and that's saying something. Hell, I'd rather have the entire park revamped with Paul Rubens doing Pee Wee Herman for every character voice on the many rides than have to sit through Small World even one more time.

Of course, there is always the option of screaming on Small World when it goes around its turns as if it were a roller coaster. That's always fun.