2. Character magic

Image: Disney

For families with kids, stories abound regarding magical moments with Disney’s resident characters. Anyone who has ever visited Gaston in Fantasyland will know you never can guess what will happen when characters decide to take things to the next level.

We’ve heard stories of Disney princesses spontaneously knowing the names of approaching little girls before they arrive (thanks to listening attendants nearby). A video of a little boy dressed as Kylo Ren went viral when he was given a full stormtrooper escort through Disney Hollywood Studios. One family described an unprecedented encounter where Aladdin took their daughter on a full speed running tour of Epcot’s Morocco, and others have described rare occasions early in the morning when characters have even hopped on rides with astonished young guests. With character meet and greets being more strictly scheduled, these moments may seem harder to come by, but Disney still makes them happen time and time again!

3. Magical access

Image: Disney

I’ve told this story before on Theme Park Tourist, but another favorite magical memory for my family happened at The Seas with Nemo and Friends. It was our first anniversary and the first time our whole immediate family was able to visit Walt Disney World. We had just listened attentively to a dolphin training presentation. Both my mother and mother-in-law have a special love for animals, so we stayed after for a bit to ask the trainer some questions about the dolphins and how all the fish in the Seas are so carefully looked after. I don’t know if it was the celebration buttons some of us had on, but the trainer had our entire family gather at one of the Cast Member only doors then took us upstairs to the viewing bay above the dolphin tank where we had a private opportunity to meet the dolphins. I have never seen or heard of this happening again, but it was truly magical!

Other guests have described getting surprise access to VIP seating for fireworks on a busy night after simply asking where a good spot to enjoy the show was. In other cases, guests have ended up being picked as unexpected participants in parades and shows… and no one can deny the magic when a little one gets to participate in Jedi temple training!