4. The parent of the year

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Being a Disney mom or dad isn’t always easy, particularly for families travelling with very small children or multiple kids. We’ve all cringed at seeing parents lose it or felt concern when kids get into sketchy situations while being ignored by distracted guardians.

However, on any given Disney trip, you find super-parents. I’m not talking necessarily about the charmed, Carousel-of-Progress image of a perfect family with no problems ever. I’m talking about parents who come prepared and who handle challenges with their kids like rock stars.

They know how to plan a day with reasonable pacing, and they know when it’s time to be flexible and let the kids have some improvised fun. They set realistic expectations (it was from a Disney supermom that I first saw the “Magic Backpack” trick) but are still able to cut loose and have fun as a family. When their little ones get crabby or throw a tantrum, they may be visibly flustered, but they handle it with class and patience that makes you want to stand up and cheer. You can tell they adore their kids and want them to have the best experience possible, but you also see them teaching their kids how to share the park with other kids and families.

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It's the dad who picks his sobbing daughter up and carries her tenderly to First Aid after she scraped her knee on Main Street. It’s the mom who somehow manages to keep five kids safe holding hands and prevent sibling squabbles as they navigate Fantasyland. It’s the parent who sacrificed a park day so their toddler could keep playing at the resort pool, which turned out to be their favorite part of the trip.

Rockstar parents, you aren’t just a participant in the Disney magic. You and your kids makes Walt’s magical world even more special for everyone around you. Speaking of which…

5. The kid who is truly having a magical moment

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A discussion of the best people you meet at Disney can never be complete without the stars of many a Disney vacation: the kids.

Are there difficult and whiny kids at Disney? Sure, it’s a theme park. Most of us have seen a kid who just isn’t having a good time, and there may be a dozen reasons for that. However, there is nothing like seeing a kid’s face light up when that Disney magic kicks in.

Cinderella Castle may be an inspiring landmark for adults, but seeing a kid stare at Cinderella’s actual Castle with jaw hanging agape can make anyone feel like they just stepped through a cloud of pixie dust. Hollywood Studios' Jedi Temple Training may be a cool experience for Star Wars fans, but for a kid whose dream is to be Rey, Luke Skywalker, or Boba Fett (we see you, brooding-but-precious-dark-side-allegiant-kid), it’s a dream come true, their wildest fantasies made real.

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It’s that kid who can’t stop telling everyone about their first ride on Space Mountain. It’s that little ball of yellow gauze, ribbons, and satin who stares starry-eyed as she hears a story from Belle the first time. It’s the moment when a little boy or girl is struck speechless at the chance to meet their hero, whether that’s Merida, Flynn Rider, Anna, or Star Lord. Disney World is a blast for adults, but without these kids, there is no magic in the Magic Kingdom.

These are just some of the people who make Disney World an unpredictably wonderful place to visit time and time again. What sort of person have you met at Disney who absolutely made your day?