The Essence of the Disney Parks’ Magic
Now that I’ve “Aired My Disney Parks Grievances,” I figure it’s time to show the other side of the coin and share why I enjoy the Disney theme parks so much. Frankly, there’s a lot more that makes Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and the other parks special places imbued with a sense of magic than there are mild annoyances.
Most of the time, the little pet peeves I mentioned don’t even phase me; they’re just little, fleeting moments. I’m guessing this is true for most people. While America’s national pastime is complaining (sorry, baseball), I think we all mostly enjoy life or, in this case, the Disney theme parks.
For the most part, what I’m going to list here as the “essence” of what I find endearing about the parks is what makes the experience something more than the sum of its parts. Sure, the parks wouldn’t be what they are without amazing E-Tickets like Splash Mountain and Tower of Terror, but rides alone are not what makes the Disney Parks special.
There are literally hundreds of different things about the parks that put a smile on my face and make me a hopeless Disney “addict,” but instead of simply posting a laundry-list without much explanation for each, I want to focus on a select few, saving the two most important things for last…
Quiet Places
I am a huge advocate of the Disney theme parks as holistic experiences. I don’t mean that in the hippy-dippy, new-age medical sense (although if some crackpot wants to assert that the parks are beneficial to my health, I’ll totally buy that and use it as an excuse to visit more). Rather, that the parks are so much more than a collection of attractions.
This will be borne out throughout this post, but what I mean as a general matter is that to me the parks are much more than racing from E-Ticket to E-Ticket, experiencing attractions as if I’m scratching items off of a checklist. For me, part of drinking-in the parks is taking quiet moments for relaxation, to soak up the ambiance, and to reflect upon the experience.
Whether this means quietly sitting on a bench at park closing in Tomorrowland as the neon and background music assault my senses (totally in a good way) or watching the sunset along the Rivers of America at a tucked-away table in Hungry Bear Restaurant, these moments are as paramount to the park experience for me as doing Haunted Mansion or Pirates of the Caribbean.
Lighting
Have you ever noticed that the parks have a totally different vibe and look at night? That they have a certain texture and color not seen during the day? This is the result of meticulously arranged lighting schemes, and when you think about it, it makes perfect sense that the parks would have a better visual storytelling quality to them at night.
One thing at which the Imagineers excel is perfectly controlling environments to evoke certain thoughts and emotions, but this really isn’t possible in terms of outdoor lighting during the day, because of that pesky “sun.” Night provides a blank canvas for lighting, and the Imagineers largely use this to great success via hidden show lighting and visible light fixtures.
Regular readers of this blog know I’m a huge fan of the lighting of the Disney theme parks, and view it as a big deal in the parks. Lighting might seem like an insignificant detail that many people take for granted, but without this attention to detail in terms of lighting, instead of the great kinetic energy and beauty the parks have at night, they would instead feel dark and empty.
Background Music
Continuing on the topic of things that many guests don’t notice, but that they would definitely notice if it were missing is background music. A lot of effort goes into creating the music heard in the parks, and while the songs from ‘it’s a small world’ and Haunted Mansion have permeated pop culture, most music in parks isn’t so prominent.
Off the top of your head, you may not have any idea what music plays in the ‘background’ of Tomorrowland or the Innoventions breezeways. If you’re a regular guest, though, and you were to download and play those tracks, I’ll bet not only would you instantly recognize them, but you’d be transported to those places, or memories of being in the parks. You know music is pretty powerful if it has an evocative quality like that despite you having no explicit memory of it!
The Cast Members
This really should be its own article, and at some point soon, it probably will be. I guarantee any of you who have been to a Disney theme park can think back to a moment when a Cast Member put a smile on your face. Whether it be someone in Guest Relations fixing a frustrating problem with a MagicBand or the custodial artist painting Donald Duck with a mop, every Disney Cast Member has the capacity to make the guest experience special.
For me, this is embodied by two things: the regular and consistent hard work that the Cast Members put into the regular aspects of their jobs, and those small moments when they do something that leaves a lasting impact upon a guest. Of these two things, the former is what I feel is the bulk of what makes Disney Cast Members so amazing–and also where they are most under-appreciated.
Anyone who has been to Walt Disney World or Disneyland enough times has likely seen a guest meltdown directed at a Cast Member. These meltdowns happen for any number of reasons, but the underlying reasons mostly relate back to the sense of entitlement at the core of the Disney Parks Pet Peeves article, or the stresses and pressures that many adults feel when going on a Disney vacation.
With rare exception, in my experience, these meltdowns are not the fault of the Cast Member who catches the ire of the guest, but are caused by the guest themselves or decisions made by Disney management that are out of the hands of the front-of-the-line Cast Member.
It is thus no small miracle that Cast Members are able to deal with belligerent guests while essentially becoming a punching bag. Not only that, but once the unpleasant interaction is over, the Cast Member resumes their normal role as if nothing happened, putting on a smile and going out of their way to be pleasant to other guests. These Cast Members are typically not especially well paid, and yet they are verbally abused by guests and then can quickly set aside those emotions so it doesn’t negatively affect the experiences of other guests.
Let the incredible fortitude and positive attitude that requires sink in for a moment. I’d like to think I’m a pretty level-headed person, but based on some of the guest horror stories I’ve heard from my Cast Member friends, I doubt I would last a week as a Cast Member. I simply don’t have the incredible level of restraint to ‘smile and bear it’ that it takes to handle some of these situations. How many of you do? Can you honestly say that a negative interaction with a coworker hasn’t soured the rest of your workday before?
The role of the Cast Member as “magic maker” is that which is more commonly lauded, and probably what is brings the sense of satisfaction and joy that keeps them going through those unpleasant encounters. I’m sure this role is no easy task, either, as you never know what will trigger a special moment for each individual guest.
For some people, it’s a Cast Member telling them “happy birthday” or “have a magical day”, for others, it’s being given a sticker or a surprise snack on their honeymoon. The list of potential examples goes on and on. Most of these things are not major in the grand scheme of things, and could just as easily be ‘throwaway moments’, but end up being things that stick with guests for years after the trip.
One of my fondest memories from our engagement trip to Walt Disney World some 8-years ago was being congratulated by the Cast Members at Crystal Palace and being presented with a certificate signed by Pooh and friends. We still have this certificate and whenever I look at it, it brings a smile to my face.
The Children
Children have a sense of wonder and innocence about them that is amplified by the Disney theme parks, and seeing the parks reflected in their sense of wide-eyed mysticism is truly something to behold. Whether they are running around swinging around light sabers or watching in awe as they witness a giant talking Mr. Potato Head, there is a sense of life that kids breathe into the Disney theme parks.
What, exactly, that means is impossible to articulate. It’s one of those things I know when I see, and it brings a smile to my face, every time. If I had to try to pinpoint it, I think it’s probably equal parts envy and nostalgia. Even as adults, many of us are entranced as we watch Mickey Mouse fight a huge dragon in Fantasmic. There are many jaw-dropping moments that are impressive to kids and adults alike.
However, some of that mysticism wears off as we get older. Whether it’s a result of the natural cynicism everyone grows to various degrees as our lives wear on, or due to simply being “wiser” and understanding more about how things work, or something else entirely, adults tend to see less magic in the world than children.
While this blindness exists in every adult to varying degrees, one thing we all can see, if we look for it, is that sense of mysticism reflected in the eyes of children. The things we can’t see directly, we can see through them. For parents, this ability to experience the parks vicariously through children must be truly amazing. For non-parents like me, it’s not quite the same, although as someone who has been going to the parks since I was in diapers, it brings back fond memories of those simpler days when everything at Walt Disney World was magical.
I am loath to quote Walt Disney as I think his quotes are over and misused, but I think this quote is apt here: “you can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.” Those words ring as true today as when he uttered them five-plus decades ago.
Other guests may do things that irritate us and it’s easy to fixate on that, but I think it’s critical to remember that people–all people–make the parks what they are, and usually our fellow guests have no malicious intent in what they do; even if misguided, they are just trying to have their own little slices of the magic.
For Walt Disney World trip planning tips and comprehensive advice, make sure to read our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide. For those headed to the West Coast, check out our Disneyland Trip Planning Guide.
Your Thoughts…
What do you love most about the Disney Parks? Think the magic is in the details, Cast Members, fellow guests, a combination of the above, or something else entirely? Do you agree or disagree with our list of what makes the parks special? Any questions? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
The cast members make Disney so special. I have so many great memories of my many visits to Disney World. One time I was with my little five-year old granddaughter that was dressed up as Jasmine. We walked up to Harbour House Restaurant and the greeter started singing “A Whole New World” in a wonderful deep baritone. She was just thrilled. So was I. They are the Essence; they make the Magic.
Can you confirm the haunted mansion in Disneyland will be closed for refurbishment in March? If it is, I’m so bummed. 🙁
Love your blog, Tom! Just a little FYI – it’s “faze,” not “phase.” Keep up the great work!
We are coming (for the 1st time) to DisneyWorld December 11th 2016 to bring our 2 grandson’s, 1 of which has Autism with an Intervention Service Dog. I heard that @ 1 time DW was very good to kids such as Gaige, but now they do not care about any special needs kids due to others taking advantage. Gaige (13) has difficulty communicating with others & gets anxious if he has to wait, also has food disorder, etc. Some say the fast pass which anyone can enjoy, is not ideal for Gaige, in fact it may make it difficult for him to enjoy the rides. Does Disney not understand Autism? I am worried.
We visit every year with our five year old who is medically complex. She has some serious dietary needs also. We’ve always been treated wonderfully. I suggest you seek a disability pass at guest relations in any of the parks. If you mention any dietary needs when ordering food even at quick service dining they will accommodate just about anything.
The cast members seem to have a sixth sense about kids with special needs and they make it magical for these kids. The stories of the lovely things bestowed upon our sweet girl by cast members are numerous!
I have been going to Disney with my girls and nephew since they were little. My nephew is now 19 with autism and my girls 14 & 16 have anxiety disorders and ADHD. Knowing the possible obstacles, I go in with a plan each day, parks, rides, restaurants, which helps a lot with my nephew. I don’t give it to him in writing, but in vague blocks through out the day. He is particular about what he eats, so I make sure to pick restaurant that has food he will eat. My nephew and daughter have difficulty waiting in long rides so I make sure I take full advantage of fast pass. Ear plugs on certain rides help my nephew. We buy a box of disposable plugs and throw a handful in our back pack. It also helps to go to 1 park a day. I believe Disney does offer special passes for those with special needs. We’ve never utilized this. Our trips are planned, but we understand we need to be flexible. This year we took advantage of the interactive app to wait in lines that were longer. I could keep them all preoccupied by asking trivia questions. That helped a lot. When riding to the parks, I try to plan when it’s not so busy. When we leave the parks, we leave before all the crowds or we stay back until most people have left and there is no one waiting for the buses. We’ve actually ended up having our own bus back to the hotel a couple of times.
I love going to Disney with my special kids!! It brings out the most amazing parts of them. My nephew and I speak whale to each other and no one looks at us like we’re crazy. I found this is the best way to get real answers from him and not parrot responses. My daughter comes out of her shell for that week, which I love to see her act a little silly. We plan but we also have to be flexible. If we have to get out of line or leave the park for a while, it’s ok. I’ve enjoyed all our trips over the years.
Both your articles – Pet Peeves & Essence of the Parks ring true for me as well. As a NP who takes care of children who are 50% of my practice – they are innocent – as you said. Their parents are the influence that make them behave the way that they do, however there are exceptions. Just remember that they are just what they are – children – who are learning. Don’t judge, ignore it & enjoy yourself. I usually smile & remind my children, when they are with me, that they used to do (insert whatever is happening). 🙂
I’ve been shocked, in a good way, a few times with the actions of a Disney Cast Member sprinkling a little bit of “Pixie Dust” on our experiences. Both that stand out revolve around my son.
First, when he was 3 years old, we were at Downtown Disney (now Disney Springs) in the late afternoon for dinner and he wanted to drive one of the rental boats, which I promised he could do after dinner. Well, silly me didn’t bother to check to see what time the rental boats closed, and sure enough, after dinner they were closed. Being quit on my feet, I spotted the ferry boats that travel between the resorts and the dock here and suggested that while we couldn’t drive the “fast” boats, we could still go on a boat ride to an unknown destination. Meltdown averted, for now. As most toddlers are, mine was full of questions and “whys” that night. As we were waiting to board the ferry, he was asking me if he could drive the boat, to which I replied he couldn’t as this boat already had a Captain. Little did I know that the Captain had overheard our conversations, as we were the first in line to board while others were disembarking. Once everyone was on board, he picked up his mic for what I thought was going to be the typical dissertation about rules and destinations. Boy was I wrong. He started out by asking if there were any little boys on board that knew how to drive a boat, explaining he was a “new” Captain and a little nervous. He shot me a wink as I looked up at him in disbelief. My son was eager to raise his hand, in the typical jumping up and down to be stand out among all of the adults and teens on the boat at the time (he was the only child under age 10 on the boat). He was “selected” and asked about his qualifications, given an official Captains badge pin (which we still have), and allowed to “assist” the captain by turning the wheel and “tooting” the whistle as we left. The Captain patiently steered the boat all the way to Key West Resort with my sons “assistance”, and shook my sons hand and thanked him for his help with getting us to our destination. To celebrate his achievement, and promotion to Assistant Captain, we went to the Ice Cream shop and got a Mickey Bar to celebrate before catching the next ferry back to our point of origin. He was super excited to share his experience with his mom and sister when we returned, as well as his preschool classmates and Nana upon our return to normal life.
The second was in 2013 while staying at Kidani Village. We were part of the Beta testing of Magic Bands during our visit, as they were fairly new and my son’s, now 10, band quit functioning on our return from the parks one afternoon. After spending over 30 minutes in line to speak with a Cast Member at the front desk, due to a father who hadn’t heard about planning for Disney and was purchasing park tickets and needed to know about literally everything, it was my turn. I explained what had happened and and the Cast Member couldn’t retrieve any information from the band. Nothing. No tickets, reservations, Fast Pass. Nothing. Luckily I am a “nerd” and keep, and bring all of our cards, and have photos of all of our reservations and Fast Pass selections. So after a trip back to our room to retrieve these documents I found myself back in line, waiting for another 15 minutes while several guests were checked in. We started the process of trying to “fix” his band, and the Cast Member admitted to me that these were very new and no one had much training on them. At this time colored bands were only offered through the preregistration process and Grey bands were the only color available at the resorts. The issue with my son’s Green band was terminal, so he would have to have a Grey band for the remainder of the trip. Another hour of linking everything to his band, and we were set. The Cast Member thanked me for my patience and complimented me for being so upbeat and kind through the entire process. I asked her to write her name down for me so I could leave feedback about her superior customer service, which she did. I left and we continued about our vacation with this minor hiccup behind us. The next evening, after returning from the parks and while preparing for dinner, there was a knock at our door. We weren’t expecting anyone, so after checking the peep hole and seeing a Room Service Cast Member standing there I opened the door. He smiled, introduced himself, asked for my name, and stated that he was delivering a complimentary signature desert for the troubles I experienced the day prior. I was floored and at this point I was thinking cupcakes or brownies. Boy was I wrong. He pulled a large stainless steel cover off of a platter to reveal a thin, vertical, two dimensional White chocolate Giraffe, with Brown chocolate spots and facial features, centered in a the platter surrounded by a dozen chocolate covered strawberries and the words Thank You in Swahilli text written in chocolate. We were again amazed at how a Disney Cast Member went above and beyond to make us feel special.
Thank you, Tom!
One of the things I love most about the parks is that they provide a space outside of most my normal cares and troubles that allows me to feel joy and be excited about the adventures ahead. There is a palpable sense of happiness that envelopes me when I am in the parks, and I try to be thankful for all of the elements you mention in the post above for providing these places.
Cheers,
Mark
Having listed many “peeves”, I will now write that Disney magic is real. It oozes out of every pore of every person in the parks, it is tangible and contagious. Being in the parks, surrounded by people who are as mesmerized as you are, is a treasured gift and one thing that keeps us coming back. Fellow travelers and castmembers alike, the joy and excitement of just being there, knowing we all have this in common, this love of all things Disney is what makes a trip there like no other place ever. It’s like we’re strangers all invited to the same birthday party! You mingle, you chat with some of them, you all enjoy the same festivities that have thrown you together. Disney does have a way of bringing people together.
Quote: “I am a huge advocate of the Disney theme parks as holistic experiences. I don’t mean that in the hippy-dippy, new-age medical sense (although if some crackpot wants to assert that the parks are beneficial to my health, I’ll totally buy that and use it as an excuse to visit more)”
I’ll be your crackpot … I believe in Disney Magicâ„¢ and I believe it can be therapeutic.
My daughter and her husband took their daughter to Disney when she was 3 1/2. My granddaughter is on the autism spectrum. Before their trip, she (granddaughter – Little R, I’ll call her) would only communicate with a few select people – her parents, her other grandparents (whom she is around more frequently as they live in the same city), her daycare teacher and other little kids. But oh my goodness, Little R loves Disney princesses and Minnie Mouse!
My son-in-law was uploading pictures to his Facebook during their visit. In the first ones, they were introducing her to character statues, from a distance, at the resort. Little R was just staring at them. The next day, they had their first character breakfast. The pictures show Little R physically leaning away, and very wary. As time went on, she became more and more willing to get closer to the characters. They started out with real face characters, before seeing Mickey, Donald and the like. But she did fine with them all, and by the second day, Little R was running up to the character to get hugs. She danced with Anna, and sang with Elsa. She was fully participating in the character experiences.
Not only did she respond well to the characters, she came home a changed child. She talks, she interacts, she engages. They came to visit a couple months later, and Little R came running up to me, “Nana!!” On the previous visit, she could only stare at me. I couldn’t even touch her or make eye contact. She would stay apart from the other kids, in her own little world. This time though, she played with her cousins, and spoke to her aunts and uncles. You couldn’t tell that she wasn’t anything but a normal four year old. When it was time to leave, she gave me a big hug and kisses, and said, “I wuv oo, Nana!”
Their next trip to Disney coincided with ours due to our travel plans being changed at the last minute. We were able to share a good bit of time in the parks with them, and I was able to watch my Little R have the time of her life.
Disney Magicâ„¢ … it is real. It changes lives.
Beautiful story! Thank you for sharing that.
Thanks for this beautiful post, Tom. For me, the essence is in how much effort the Imagineers have put into creating a different world (or many different worlds), to the point at which simply strolling through any of the parks, any of the lands, is a joy in itself, whether or not you’re riding rides or seeing shows. Just being there puts one in a great mood, and thinking of Disney trips while back home can recreate that feeling.
Actually, apart from practical advice for planning our next Disney trips, the main reason my wife and I read your blog is to get a little reminder of that Disney essence.
I’m one of those weirdos that love Main Street at night. I could stand there for hours just soaking in the lights. It feels nostalgic and comforting to me- almost as relaxing as sitting on a beach. Even surrounded by people there’s this sense of … peacefulness (as odd as that sounds). It’s probably one of my favorite things about the parks.
On this last trip, my youngest (7) had a bit of a meltdown. Admittedly we’d been at the park for HOURS and she was mad that we’d missed the fireworks. She fell to the floor in the middle of the Star Tours shop crying. I was exhausted and, quite honestly, irritated. But a nice cast member came over and chatted with us and tried to calm my daughter down. It didn’t work. But I appreciated that she tried and she remained friendly the entire time. I felt horrid (and apologized a gazillion times) that my daughter was being… well a child. I don’t think I could handle other people’s kids let alone cranky adults, so I admire these cast members so much and they truly can make a HUGE difference in how the guest experiences the park.
For the few pet peeves I aired I will say there are 100 things I love about Disney. Just being able to leave reality and not care for awhile is the best part. Having my husband wear Mickey Ears and pose for silly pictures was worth the trip.
I love the detail that Disney takes in everything they do. We stayed at the Animal Kingdom lodge and after 3 days I finally noticed that the carpet even looked like a giraffe’s skin and there are giraffes etched into the elevator doors. Just brilliant.
I did have great Cast Members that went out of their way to make my day. We went to the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party on September 13 and a tropical storm came upon us. Miserable for most of the night. Lightning and downpours made the characters take refuge, the first parade was cancelled and many other things. I wanted a certain pin from that night which I never got to due to the weather…the next day I asked if there was any way to get it (and showed my ticket from the night before)…the manager helped me out and I walked away with the one piece of memorabilia I wanted…and yes I made sure to write her a thank you at City Hall before I left.
It took me 12 years to get back to Disney (last went in 2004 before our trip last month). It will not take that long again…it is truly magical.
My favourite quiet spot is tucked away in Liberty Square. And I love the music in World Showcase pre and post Illuminations and at Christmas at Innoventions (David Foster). I can hear it from my balcony at BCV.
On a trip in September my waiter at Kona have me a fast pass to use anywhere anytime on my trip. I got my chance to see Frozen because of it! Another cat member supervisor fat tracked me at The Great Movie ride so I could make my way to Indiana Jones in time. Cat members can definitely make a stay.
I was lucky enough to participate in the Walt Disney World College Program and everything you listed that completes your guest experience are the same reasons my cast member experience was magical. The only other thing I would add would be the guests themselves. The reason cast members can handle the occasional grumpy guest is because for the most part, guests create a magical experience for cast members too. There was nothing better than seeing the look of wonder on a child’s face (and adults too) and knowing you were helping to make that happen.
The lights and music at night a Magic Kingdom are my absolute favorite. I could just sit on a bench for hours and soak it all in. I’m taking my nephews for a week in December and have planned our first night and last night at MK for just this reason. My favorite memory as a cast member was standing in front of the castle – literally by myself, not a single person around – after the park was closed and empty with all the lights and music still on. Just thinking about it makes me tear up every time.
Such a great post! I’ll have to send this to people when they ask me what it is about Disney World that makes me want to keep going back. I can’t even think of anything to add, besides food. FOOOOOOOOD.
Amen to that! I’m a huge fan of funnel cake and I discovered on the last day of our trip how much I LOVED the funnel cake at Disneyland. I’ve been craving it since… 🙂
I wholeheartedly agree with all of these things! Disney World is
the place that makes us feel like kids again and yet we enjoy
all of the adult experiences also. We don’t have kids either but
it’s our number one vacation destination! We love the parks but
now find a balance between them and the resorts, dining, etc.
Thanks so much for all of your posts!
Great post!, I found myself reading it and agreeing with every word. Ever since I first step in Walt Disney World Orlando resort at age 5, back in 1992, I fell in love with it. Growing up I always said to my mom and dad that I wanted to work in Disney some day, and when I was 20 years old, here in argentina, in my college I saw a poster that said that Disney was conducting interviews for their college program. A chance to work at Walt Disney World, I didnt hesitate and singned up. My dream came true. I was a Cast Member for 6 months. And I loved it. When I was on my days off I went to the parks, every day, and enjoyed them in a different way. Taking my time, enjoying every attraction, every second. No hurries, and as you write in the post, I enjoyed the quiet places, maybe having lunch at Cosmic Rays, and sit there watching the tourists, and he kids enjoying it, go to the french quartier and walk there relax a while. I enjoyed that time of my life, and I cherished it.
I just love it, I love taking the monorail, I love Main street, but as Jeff says in a comment, the smell of Pirates of the caribbean is the thing that set the memories going. And its the first attraction I go every time I am there. Its great seeing that somebody else share the same.
As a cast member I was proud of being responsible of the magic, and thank God, didnt have to take on a guests meltdown. And even though we werent highly paid, seeing a kid smile at you when you give them a pin, or say have a magical day, it pays off.
I ve became a father recently and I cant wait to take my daughter to Disney, I cant wait to see her face in awe when Mickey wave at her from the top of the chariot in the parade. Just cant wait.
As a lucky former Cast Member, there are moments of guest interaction that I will remember for the rest of my life. The look on a little boy’s face when I casually “blew out” the lights before Illuminations, the tears in the eyes of a father of a profoundly disabled little girl that I had brought a balloon to tie to her chair and sat to chat with (even though she was nonverbal) about how Mickey couldn’t wait to meet her that day (“No one, ever, ever talks *to her*!”, he said in awe), to the Make A Wish kid on oxygen who had Minnie sit on the floor with her and just hug her, rocking, for nearly 20 minutes with no rush to stop. A day full of screaming, hot, angry guests could be completely erased by teaching one grandpa the “secrets” of SpectroMagic so he could loudly proclaim them to his family during the parade and come out looking like a hero.
I’m older and now disabled myself, but visit WDW often. We make it a point to go out of our way to call the Cast by their names, to tell them we appreciate them, and to let their coodinators know when they need recognition for good service. It’s a rewarding but very demanding thing, being “frontline”!
I’m an Australia and got to visit Disney World Christmas time of 2013. Not only do I love Disney but I also love Christmas and spending Christmas morning at Cinderella’s Royal Table was the best experience I could ever ask for. I almost get tears in my eyes thinking about it now. Words can’t express how excited I am for the end of the year. 187 days and counting.