“A moment lasts all of a second, but the memory lives on forever.”
– Unknown
Yesterday I had the pleasure of getting to spend some time watching the Mad Hatter and Alice in Wonderland making memories at Disneyland. I hadn’t done this for quite some time and really it is a shame. As I stood there watching them near the Mad Tea Party in Fantasyland, I couldn’t help but smile as I watched them create moments and make memories. This quote popped into my head as I watched smile after smile grow as kids of all ages interacted with the Mad Hatter and Alice.
I have observed this before and I hope I observe it many times more in the future: these unscripted moments at Disneyland are where the magic shines brightest. It is amazing to me how Disney can spend millions (if not billions) of dollars trying to create magic yet some of the most magical moments come out of a brief encounter with an old man in a big hat and bright coat with a 12 year old girl in a blue dress and apron. I’m thankful that these types of experiences exist at the Disneyland Resort.
I will always love the attractions, the entertainment, and the beauty that Disney creates in its parks on a daily basis. They are unmatched. However, I really do think that the most magical moments come from the people that inhabit these parks. It’s the moments created by a piano player singing and playing “happy birthday” to a guest on their first visit to Disneyland. It’s the server in the Carthay Circle Restaurant going the extra mile to close the door to the outside to ensure a little girl isn’t bothered by fireworks, and also building friendships with their guests. It’s the stores Cast Member who searches the Disneyland Resort for a specific souvenir for an out of state guest who just wants that specific Mickey sweatshirt. It’s the artist who stops what he is doing to share with an aspiring artist about how he got into the industry. It’s the musician who encourages the first year student to keep practicing and come audition for the Disneyland Band someday. And finally, it’s the characters that allow guests to meet their favorite stars from Disney movies and cartoons and bring their imagination to life.
Each one of these roles are incredibly important and are what sets Disney apart from any other company. The Disney legacy was really “started by a mouse” but it is continued by Cast Members every day. For this, I’m thankful. Thank you for continuing to create the magic for old and young. Thank you for the sacrifices you make and the adversities you overcome to create magic. Thank you for daily making the world a little bit better by helping people smile.
These are the things I think about as I watch the Mad Hatter and Alice in Wonderland make a girl Disney-bounding as the Mad Hatter light up with excitement as they make her the celebrity of the encounter. Thank you Mad Hatter and Alice for continuing to keep me thinking and appreciating the magic of Disney yesterday while I was at the park.
What do you appreciate most about Disney Cast Members? Do you have a favorite memory to share? Let me know in the comments section below!
Make it a GREAT day!
- Mr. DAPs
ps. I apologize if this blog was all over the place. I decided to just let my mind wander and fingers follow…and this is what you get!
