My sister discovered the Magic of Disney

I went to WDW this past weekend. I took my mom and my older sister. Now my mom I take fairly regular. My sister on the other hand doesn't get it. My sister is in the process of a divorce. In my opinion, she took on a lot of her soon to be ex's opinions of things. She has been to Disney a few times with her daughter when she was little, and then with her step daughter and family.

This being Mother's Day, and telling her we will take her, she finally agreed. I was able to get her a seasonal pass. This was to encourage her to make a few more trips. We picked her up, drove down the road and showed her a nice way into property with less stop lights than what she usually took.

Upon arrival to Saratoga Springs Resort, she said, "that is pretty." I smiled. "This is where we are staying." I had gotten us a one bedroom at the resort. She really liked the resort, and the room. She was impressed with the size of the room and the bath. The little details that were in the room. She even found a hidden Mickey.

We went to dinner at Cape May. Our initial plan was to be at DHS 50's Prime Time. Funny, the time was for 7:20pm and the park closed at 7pm. We were late getting there. My sister had gone to feed her horse and I was a little late getting out of work. Regardless, she enjoyed it.

We took mom back to the room, got her settled and went to Jellyrolls. My sister LOVED it! She met a couple friends of mine too. I have never gone out with my sister so it was nice. She told me, she really enjoyed the adult side of Disney.

Next morning we slept in. Got up to go to a late breakfast at the Artist Palette and then to BCV to meet Art. She really enjoyed that too.. and we met Vic! From there we went out to Epcot through the back gate. Redeemed her SP voucher and in we went. We strolled up from England to Canada. We stopped at *Heather French's kiosk (she is an artist and did the poster this year and has done others for Food and Wine). From there we went to Soarin', which again, she enjoyed.

We went to MouseGears, and then up to the front so we could see the topiaries. Saw the butterflies in the special garden. Road the ride in Mexico and Norway. Showed my sister another Hidden Mickey. She seems to like finding those. Walked around the rest of World Showcase and then back to the room to rest for a bit.

Dinner was at the Plaza and we rode Haunted Mansion and then Pirates. Next we caught the fireworks. I can't miss Wishes (okay... I can but I don't like to). Then to Teacups and a stop at the wishing well.

Next morning, my alarm didn't go off, but my sister's internal one did. Good thing too! We had breakfast at Cape May with Dorothy as our server. She is awesome! Tell her Sharon sent you.
Minnie, Goofy and Donald came by to see us. A quick run down to package pick-up to get a piece of art from *Heather French that my sister bought.

We then went to the room to pack up. We stopped at the DVC preview center. My sister went ahead with the full tour. She is going to purchase at some point. Then a stop at Downtown Disney. Unable to find one thing my sister wanted, we left to head home. It was a wonderful trip.

In the car my sister confessed (not exact quote). "I now get the adult side of Disney and why you go so much. How you go so much too. I always thought it was for kids. I like that you can go at whatever pace you want. I'm going to upgrade my pass and come down for the weekend when I want on my motorcycle and go to a water park."

Another one brought to the Mickey side. Mission accomplished

* Heather French is currently commissioned to do 2 lables for the Biltmore Estate Winery. I saw the first drafts that have to be altered because next year is the 25th Anniversary for the Winery.

The Magic that is the Magic of Disney

The magic behind Disney is not just the stories we are told, or tell our children, and it is not just the little things that make us smile. It is not only the characters we have come to love... or hate (those villans!) nor is it those wonderful rides that make us laugh or scream. There is more to it than just that... it's also the Cast Members who you may miss if you do not look. The CM's that you go out of your way to stop and see. Or the new ones you meet randomly.

I was at WDW this weekend. I was in line with my mom, to see Tinkerbell and friends at Pixie Hollow. There I met a CM named Sara. She is in the college intern program at Penn State and also in the Army. She was very interesting to talk with, and I hope to see her again. I know too, that I may not. She talked about being at West Point, about her unit, and about her family. She hadn't seen her Dad in a couple years, as he is enlisted too, and they got together at Disneyland Paris. She said that is the park that is sentimental to her. I can see why. She said she cried and cried when she first saw her Dad again. If... no, when, I finally get to DLP, I hope to think of Sara. As Sara walked away, I stopped her to shake her hand, and told her thank you for doing what some of us couldn't have done, by serving.

There are also some CMs that I go looking for. The ones that make my heart happier... that ask about my family, if they are not there with me. There are 3 in particular that I can think of right off. The first is Matthew. I didn't get to see him this weekend, but he is never far from our thoughts. He and my mom made a connection of a special sort a couple years ago, on my birthday. Matthew saw on my mom's wheelchair "Mimi". This was what I called her mom, and she took it as her nickname in regards to my nieces. Matthew called his Grandmother "Mimi" also and when he saw that at the end of the day, he started crying. He was adopted that day by my mom.

Dorothy is a dear lady. She was missing for several months due to a car accident. I met her through a friend, and have asked for her whenever I go to Cape May for breakfast. She is super sweet and spunky! I was thrilled to find she was back to work! I had missed her.

The most humble person in the world that I know of is also a CM at WDW. He is a true treasure and a Disney Icon in his own right. People go out of there way to see him or say hello. I had met him several times, but got to know more about him through the same person who introduced me to Dorothy. I am talking about Art the Greeter at Beach Club Resort and Villas. Art has given me so much with just his wonderful hugs, words of wisdom, encouragement when I wasn't sure about school. He asks about my mom when she isn't there. He asks about things we discussed were going on the last time I saw him. I have talked with him for a couple hours on some of my visits, pausing to take photos with others, or help them with directions. I tell him I feel like I am keeping him from doing his job, as he is greeting and saluting others as they enter. He just smiles and tells me this is part of my job. I have taken many photos of him and guests over the past couple years. I don't mind a bit! He has the warmest smile for everyone... and I am blessed to call him a friend. I am looking forward to introducing my sister and some other friends to him.

There are a couple others CMs that I see depending where I am at... Anthony, Richard and now Vic, because of the great humor he has with Art. These are just a few of the CMs that are the magic of Disney!