4 Magical Memories

One of the things that Disney is known for is making magic for its Guests every single day. Whether it be a free cupcake for a special Princess or introducing a Make a Wish family to their child's favorite character, we're always supposed to be making magic.
However, there are times when it's the other way around. Even if they don't realize it, there are some Guests out there who have made our days much more magical. It's those magical Guests who inspire us to keep going, it's those Guests we talk about years later, after we've retired.
And it's these special Guests I'm going to be talking about today. This post is dedicated to those special Guests who made my day awesome, directly or indirectly.

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4. Hugs, Hugs, Hugs

Now, it probably goes without saying, but Character Attendants don't get a lot of hugs. The hugs are all for the Characters. But for some reason, on this way, that changed quite a bit.
One day, I was Attending for Buzz Lightyear in Tomorrowland. For whatever reason, kids tend to go the wrong way when they finish meeting him, and so I always have to get down on my knees and direct them out the exit. The little boy I was directing on this day heard me calling to him and saw me kneeling on the ground. Next thing I know, he walks over and gives me a big hug.
I almost cried. He was so sweet, then he let go and went with his parents.
Granted, this could have totally been a fluke. But for some reason, this happened twice more with two other kids - another little boy, and one little girl. Every time, I would get down on their level to direct them, and every time, I would get a big hug.

It was awesome.


3. Marriage Proposal

Also goes without saying: Marriage proposals happen a lot at Disney. Sadly, though, I only got to witness one during my time there. The proposal I got to witness was when I was Attending Mickey and Minnie during their brief stay in Tomorrowland. I was at the end of the queue, keeping an eye on things, when a man came over to talk to me. He whispered to me that when he and his girlfriend got up to the Mice, he was going to ask her to marry her - could I just let the photographer know so he could be ready? I nodded, and after he left, I spread the word to the other Attendants, the Photographer, the Characters, and our Captain. We were able to get them some Just Engaged buttons, and by the time they actually got up there, we were all so excited we almost exploded. We all watched him (very nervously) get down on one knee and pull out...bride and groom mouse ears. It took her a moment to figure out what was going on...

But then, she said yes.


2. Make-A-Wish

Make-A-Wish families come to Walt Disney World all of the time. They come and go so frequently that after a while, as sad as this is, they all blend together.
However, I remember very clearly my first one ever. I was Attending Chip and Dale, and things were Business As Usual. I then saw the Make a Wish family headed my way. I asked them if they wanted to see Chip and Dale, and they said yes. I then redirected Chip and Dale's attention to them. (Before you ask: Yes, all Make a Wish families get front of line priority...for reasons that should be obvious).
Chip and Dale were so sweet. The child in question could barely move, but they both came over and gave him as much love as they possibly could. They also gave big hugs to the parents and the sister, making things as magical as they could. Then, we all noticed something. The boy was making puckering motions with his lips. I didn't understand it, but then his mother started tearing up and said, "He's blowing them kisses." I almost lost it, but I managed to keep it together and take a bunch of pictures for them.

It was absolutely magical.


1. Name Tag Girl

This is my number one story I like telling people. I sadly cannot remember the name of the girl involved, so she will have to be Name Tag Girl. Oh well...
I was working in Town Square (where Pluto and Daisy can usually be found). I was going along and chatting with the lines, trying to make the long wait more bearable. Along the way, a little girl caught sight of my pin lanyard and asked if she could see them. Of course, I got down and showed her my pins. She was oohing and aahing over all of them. Then, she caught sight of my name tag. She went crazy over it, pointing at the name tag and looking at her mother, saying "She has a name tag! That's so cool! I want a name tag!" I then told her about the Celebration buttons - these say things like First Visit and Happy Birthday and all that. As we were right next to City Hall (Guest Relations), I told her that if she wanted one, she could go over there and ask them to write her name on a button. Her mother then took the girl to City Hall while her father held their place in line. I went off to check on the rest of the lines.
By the time I got back, they had returned. When I walked by, the girl waved excitedly at me. "Look, look!" she said, pointing at her button. "Now I have a name tag! Now I'm just like you!" Her mother then asked me if I would take a picture with her.

Of course, I said yes.

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You know you love the magic.

AGENT R IS OUT. PEACE.

My Favorite Disney Things

Young or old, everyone has a favorite thing from Disney, be it a show or a ride or what have you. I wanted to share my favorite thing...but I could not decide which Favorite Thing to show you! I have many favorite things!

So, I'm going to list my favorite things from a few categories: Ride, Show, Parade, Fireworks, Restaurant, Store, Character Location, and Mousellaneous. *ba dum pssh*

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RIDE: Journey Into Imagination With Figment

I can hear the gasps of surprise now. Yes, I absolutely love my thrill rides. Yes, I like roller coasters and out of control elevators. But Journey Into Imagination With Figment is super special awesome. Yeah, it's slow and "for kids." But I'm a kid at heart, and I also value air conditioning. It also has one thing that those other rides do not have.

That guy.

That, my dears, is Figment. He's a purple dragon from your imagination. He loves to make mischief, but he also is very knowledgeable about the imagination. He encourages everyone to tap into theirs, by using every sense that they have and by changing their perspective. And he sings!

Follow the bouncing Figment! Then when you get off the ride, spend time in ImageWorks and have fun!

One little spark can light your fancy/your mind sees more than what your eyes see/one spark of light can make your fancy fly/there's more to sight than meets the eye! - Figment.


SHOW: Fantasmic!

I'll admit it, when I first started working for Disney, I never wanted to see this show. Whenever I would go to Disney's Hollywood Studios, I would see the long line for the show and think "...what on Earth are these people waiting for?" Then I would go on the Tower of Terror again. I finally saw it after being there for nearly five months when my mother came for a visit.
I finally figured out why people wait an hour for this thing. It is the best...

Bloody...

Show...

EVER.

Every major animated character from every major Disney animated feature is in this show in some way, whether through projection or actually up on the stage. Meg, Mushu, Rafiki, Maleficent, the Wicked Queen, Scar, Pocahontas...they're all there. The music is incredible, the message uplifting. And the effects will blow you away...sometimes quite literally.

So, when you see that big long line for Fantasmic!, just know...it is worth it.


PARADE: Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It Street Party

The only parade that actually takes place 3 times a day, you can find this one in the Magic Kingdom in the street in front of the castle. MiSiCi (my-sigh-kai) is a chance for you to dance with your favorite characters to some of the best music from your (or your parents) teenage years.

There are stiltwalkers. There's confetti and streamers. Mickey will generally blow you a kiss if you're by yourself (true story). Conga lines and shaking your tail feathers ensues. It's positively mad, and yet it's one of the most fun things you could ever do at Disney World. And everyone from the Big Cheese himself down to the Incredibles show up to celebrate. Keep your eyes peeled though - there may be a few surprises if you think outside the box!

FIREWORKS: Wishes Nighttime Spectacular

Starlight, star bright...first star I see tonight...I wish I may, I wish I might...have the wish I wish tonight...we'll make a wish, and do as dreamers do...and all our wishes...will come true...


God, I'm tearing up just typing the lyrics. As soon as the voice started singing them in my head...well, you get the picture.
Wishes is the fireworks show that takes place nightly at Magic Kingdom. It's about 12 minutes long, and it's about...well, wishes. About the good things that can come from them, and also the bad - as the villains get a chance to show what their wishes would look like. Needless to say, though, good triumphs in the end, and you're left a happy, crying mess as you sing along with that beautiful little voice.

Oh, wishes...wishes...
*blows nose*


RESTAURANT: Yakitori House

Yakitori House is the quick-service restaurant in the Japan pavilion in Epcot. This is where I had my first taste of teriyaki when I was little. I've loved it ever since.

It doesn't have a huge menu, but it has enough to make you happy. It's a very peaceful place, even when it's very crowded. You're of course welcome to sit at a table inside, but there's a wonderful garden outside where you can sit as well - with lanterns and waterfalls and beautiful plants.

It's a nice place to just sit and relax while you eat. No rush, no worry, just enjoy your steaming, delicious bowl of teriyaki and rice.


STORE: Mitsukoshi Merchandise Store

And once you're done eating, you can walk right across the way to Mitsukoshi, the coolest, nerdiest, most Japanophilic store EVER. There are all kinds of anime merchandise, recipe books, language guides, kimono, shoes, food...this store basically has everything you could ever want for making your home as Japanese as possible.

Sprinkles, we need to go shopping here when we get down there!


CHARACTER LOCATION: Phineas and Ferb's Play and Greet

Oh, come on - were you expecting me to pick a different one?

At Disney's Hollywood Studios, you can actually meet Phineas and Ferb - and they are absolutely adorable. You can't get a hug from Phineas or Ferb and still have a bad day. All the while, you can marvel at the meet and greet area - items from the show, such as the Floating Baby Head and Ducky Momo, make appearances. The music that plays the entire day, even when they aren't out? It's a radio station that plays nothing but Phineas and Ferb music - with characters from the show calling in and making requests. Three guesses what song Buford asks for. And that's not even the best part.
Does anyone remember the episode Lights, Candace, Action!? (If you don't: Phineas and Ferb directed a movie starring Candace - The Curse of the Princess Monster.)

In this episode, we meet acclaimed film producer, Cletus Filmore, who is running the production. Well, guess what? He's in Florida now!

(The guy in the yellow jacket)
He puts the "play" in "play and greet." He encourages us to dance, he leads call and response songs. ("AGLET!") He basically makes the 45+ minutes you're waiting in line much more fun. It's awesome.


MOUSELLANEOUS: The Magic of Disney Animation

Some of you may be calling CHEAT, since part of this is a show. But the show isn't the whole thing. In fact, it's just an appetizer. There is so much more to be done here.
First, let's talk about the show: Drawn to Animation.

You, the humble Guest, are taken on a journey through the process of creating a character - in this case, Mushu from Mulan. It's hilarious and nonsensical, it's educational and entertaining. Please don't be alarmed when Mushu shatters the fourth wall - that's just what he does. Oh, and air conditioning! Don't forget air conditioning.

After the show, you go out into the interactive area.

There are meet and greets with characters here. There's a quiz which tells you which Disney character you are (I'm Cinderella, apparently...). There are some booths where you can put your own voice in an animated cartoon.

And then...the Holy Grail...The Animation Academy.

This, my dears, is where you get to learn how to draw a Disney character. The class is 20 minutes long, and there are a whole range of characters you could learn to draw. I personally got to draw Ray the Firefly when I took it, but I've seen everyone from Mickey and Buzz Lightyear to Tigger and Rapunzel. So you never know who you'll be drawing. Sometimes, the artist won't tell you - you have to guess! Just be patient with yourself - most people there aren't professional artists, and yet you'll still walk away with a drawing you can be proud of.

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And those are my favorite things from Walt Disney World! Hurray!

AGENT R IS OUT. PEACE.

South Park Goes Disney

No, South Park did not run an episode where the boys went to Disney World. (Though, if they wanted to, sign me up to write it! I would love to unleash Cartman in the Magic Kingdom...especially Fantasyland)


I am referring to the use of Disney characters in some of the episodes of South Park.


Perhaps the most noticeable use (or not?) was in the Imaginationland trilogy in Season Eleven. For those who need a recap: Stan, Kyle, Kenny, Jimmy and Butters get brought to the fantastic Imaginationland, where everything that has ever been imagined exists. Some terrorists get into Imaginationland, bomb it, then break down the wall between the "good" Imaginationland and the "bad" Imaginationland, allowing all that is evil to spill out and giving the terrorists a chance to rule our imaginations.


Still with me? Ok.


Absurd plot line aside (it IS South Park, guys), quite a few Disney characters make an appearance in Imaginationland. The most obvious one for most viewers would be Cinderella (dead center of the picture):

Other characters who make appearances include Pat the Hammer (Handy Manny), the Chesire Cat (Alice in Wonderland) and Jack Skellington (The Nightmare Before Christmas). There's even a guy wearing a TRON suit.

However, the biggest one of all is the one the most people miss.
Take a look at the Mayor of Imaginationland.

Does he look familiar to anyone? Sprinkles? Do you know?


Look at him again.

Does this remind you of anything?


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Ok, departing from Imaginationland now.


The other episode I want to talk about is "The Ring" from Season Thirteen. No, this is not about Samara Morgan coming out of the tv. In fact...I honestly don't think they've EVER done any reference to The Ring in ANY episode. Holy shit, Matt and Trey! GET ON IT!


Ahem.


The Ring, believe it or not, is about the Jonas Brothers...and their purity rings. 
Kenny brings Tammy, his new girlfriend, to a Jonas Brothers concert in hopes of getting a blowjob from her. Instead, after the concert, she is invited backstage and invited to wear the purity ring and abstain from sexual activities. Kenny reluctantly dons one as well. After watching him rapidly go downhill, Cartman, Stan and Kyle all go to confront the Jonas Brothers.


What they don't know is that the Jonas Brothers are actually selling sex to little girls. They were the purity rings to "make it ok."
But, don't jump all over them. They're forced to do it under threat of violence.
Who is threatening them, you ask?

That guy.


That's right, kiddies. Your innocent views of the Big Cheese just got shattered. Mickey is fully aware that they are selling sex to little girls, and when Joe Jonas tries to walk out of it, Mickey does this:

Yes. That is Mickey Mouse beating the crap out of Joe Jonas.


Oh, but we're not done crushing your hopes and dreams yet. THERE'S MORE.


When the boys go to confront the Jonas Brothers, Mickey shoots them with tranquilizer darts and imprisons them. When they wake up (at the Jonas Brothers big concert in Denver), Mickey threatens to kill them with a chainsaw if they don't tell him who sent them. (Most like Eisner, of course)


And then... (Warning: What follows is very vulgar and completely out of character for the Mickey Mouse you know and love. Leave now if you're easily offended.)


Mickey: "You think God is in control here, haha?! I am in control! I've been in control since the '50s in case you haven't noticed, haha! You three faggots are going onstage, and YOU three faggots aren't going to stop me! NOBODY IS RUINING THIS EVENT!! Haha. I've worked too long and too hard to have anybody fuck this up! Where would you be without me, Jonas Brothers? Haha. Your music sucks and you know it! Haha. It's because you make little girls' 'ginies tickle! And when little girls' 'ginies tickle, I make money! Haha. And that's because little girls are fucking stupid! Haha. And the purity rings make it okay to do whatever I want! Haha. Even the Christians are too fucking stupid to figure out I'm selling sex to their daughters! I've made billions off of Christian ignorance for decades now, haha! And do you know why?!  Because Christians are retard-ed! Haha. They believe in a talking dead guy! Haha."

Naturally, about a third of the way through that, Kyle turned on the microphone, and everyone at the concert got to hear this.

"Ohhh. Haha. Hello, folks."
And then Mickey turns into a Godzilla-like figure and destroys Denver.

All right, I'm done ruining your childhood. I'll talk about Stan being in TRON another day.

AGENT R IS OUT. PEACE.