aww, ever had a kid create the magic for YOU?

[lady ulrike]

I had the cutest little boy yesterday. I was working at Casey and saw a kid with a little Stitch stuffed animal. Whenever I see kids with Stitch I tell them to keep hold of him so he doesn't cause problems. So here's my conversation with him:

Me: Make sure you keep a tight hold of Stitch, cause if he got loose he'd love to destroy all those little houses down there (I point to Agrabah so he knows what I'm talking about)
boy: It's alright cause Stitch is good now.
Me: Well, as of today, Stitch has a glitch. (I get blank stares from whole family) Today there's a new movie out, Lilo and Stitch 2: Stitch has a Glitch. I haven't seen it yet but he might be bad again.
boy: oh, okay.

At that point their train is there so they get on, I continue doing my thing, their train gets back and his mom comes over and says he wants to tell me something:
Me: What is it?
boy: Stitch got away, but he came back
Me: (in a very worried tone) Oh No, did he destroy anything?
boy: No, but he ate a house. (I don't know how eating a house is not destroying it, but that's what he said)
Me: (again, worried and slightly shocked tone) Oh No, who's house was it?
boy: Snow White's
Me: (again with the tone) Oh No, what's she going to do now?
boy: She still has a house.
Me: (lose the tone cause now I'm just confused) But I thought you said Stitch ate her house.
boy: yeah
Me: So, where's she going to live?
boy: With the dwarves.
Me: Oh

Then he left, but that whole interaction was so cute and exactly why I work here, I mean that boy believed everything I said about Stitch and believed that I believed it too, unlike most adults he probably encounters.

[LostMalfoy]

I was working the Tower gift shop one night and I was kinda making my rounds as the store was rather dead, and I see this 'family' of four; a grandmother, mother, and two little girls about two years apart. I kneel down (Just picture that...me...over 6ft. kneeling down...in a skirt...) and start talking to the girls, the older of whom was obviously shaken after the ride but had that emphatic "Let's go again!" attitude. I look to the younger girl, and she's clutching at the mother, bawling into her shoulder.

Me: "What's wrong?"
Little Girl: *Sniffle*
Me: "You weren't scared were you?"
LG: *nods*
Me: "But look, you survived! Gimme five!"

I held out my hands to both the girls, and got a huge grin from the older one, and a shy smile from the younger, but I was thrilled when she returned the action, tears gone.

Me: "Look on the bright side, you were so brave to go on it this once, you never, ever, have to do it again."

At this point, the grandmother says something along the lines of me making such a good consierge, to which I wanted to cry. But then I have to go over to the image counter because they needed the help, and the small family follows to purchase their 'proof' that they made it. I didn't get to help them, but when they leave, the two little girls, possibly at their grand/mother's prompting, turn to me and say, "Bye [LostMalfoy]." I was about ready to break down right there...they were the cutest little girls.

[sledspace]

When you are the waxer (on Matterhorn), you have to get up really early in the morning and clean the 2 to 3 sleds 3 hours before park opening. Well this happened to be an early entry day so I was still waxing when guests are coming in the park. This sucks because everyone and their mother-in-law has to chime in and make the stupid comments like, "you missed a spot" and "they must be wiping the blood off." (something you really don't want to tell the waxer because we use acid and sometimes I want to spray them in the face with it) Anywas, the sleds are coming in with guests and all of the sudden, "Your doing a good job," says this faint child voice. I thought that was so nice of the child to say that and smiled at him and thanked him. I should have let them go again but I was too tired and wasn't thinking (acid and getting up at 4am does that). One child, made my whole day.

[Parkbench]

Being in entertainment has allowed me to have a lot of special interactions with kids, and especially ones with kids who come down to WDW with Give Kids the World. Here's my two favorites...

One day, I went to check my new schedule for the next week, and I saw that I had the GKtW village on my schedule. Two full-timers near by told me how lucky I was, and no matter how many people tried to change shifts with me, to keep it that it would be an experience that I would remember for the rest of my life. They weren't kidding!! I was out as Pluto's best friend...

We had a little girl and her parents come up to get a hug and a picture. I got to spend some time playing with the little girl and what not as they were the only ones around for a while. The little girl gave me a big and dad took her into the building to meet Mickey and Minnie. Before mom went in, she came and gave me a big hug. I gave her a big hug and a Pluto lick, and she almost started crying me and thanking me. She said that she was so grateful for characters and all that we do for the kids. That we absolutely make their world. She went on to tell me that the little girl that i had just seen was so excited to come, but that her brother was supposed to also come, but that he had passed away before he could make it down. (They apparently had 2 terminal children.) She said that this was all that her little girl wanted, and that the wonderful people that they have met is what keeps her and her husband going. She gave me another big hug and thank you and went to join her husband and left me in tears in my costume.

This last one was actually on one of my last sets on my last day in my college program. I was Friar Tuck and I was with Robin Hood. (two characters who unless you're English, most people skip...) Well, it was right at the end of our set, we were starting to go in, (we were running around Towne Square playing the whole set) and a mom was about to stop us to see her little girl when the little girl shook her head no, and said to let us go in. (okay... that already made me like this little girl... :-)) Well, we turned around to see her in a wheel chair wearing her special pink button. We of course signaled no, and that we wanted to see her. We talked in the way that characters talked to the little girl, played with her, signed her book, and had about a 10 minute interaction before we went in. The little girl gave us a HUGE hug and smile before we left... It was one of my most memorable and last interactions when I left the park...

I know that these don't sound as special as some... but they definitely left me loving those kids and everything that they have a very special place in my heart. :-)

[shorty1219]

Actually yesterday it was the parent who made the magic for me. I was Lead in Store Command and the mother and 4 little ones come up to me and want to buy the Buzz Walkie Talkies. I rang them up, and I heard the mother say that these would make the kids really happy. I said "Let me check and see if I have batteries for these"...and I had one, they need two. So I told the mother "If you can wait here a moment, I can get another from Star Trader." She said "I can go get them." I informed her that we don't sell 9v's, but the ones I can get her are free. So I booked it over to Star Trader, went to the back, and got the batteries...and went back to Store Command. When I got back to Store Command ready to put the batteries in, she noticed that they needed a screw driver. I rummaged through a drawer and found the screw driver, and after 5 or so minutes, I put the batteries in. The mother was extremely thankful which made it all worth while. It made her night a lot easier which I was happy to do. Treat me with respect, and I'll be happy to pull the strings I have to make you happy too!

[hhsrat]

Had another good one today. I was in training at the Wildlife Express Train, and I was the engineer of the "Green" train. As we're loading at one of the platforms, a child boards with his parents. I overheard him say he wanted to sit up towards the front, so that he could be closer to "Percy" (apparently, Percy is a green locomotive from the Thomas the Tank Engine stories).

As he was exiting, his mom was encouraging him to "Say goodbye to Percy". I asked the kid if he'd like to come in the cab and blow the whistle. His eyes lit up. I helped him step up, showed him where the whistle was, and watched him as he pushed the button to blow the whistle. I then told him to sit down in the engineer's seat, and face his parents so they could get a picture. But wait there's more! I gave him a magical moments certificate as a "Co-Engineer"

Well, the kid was thrilled, as were his parents. The mom told me that they spent nearly every weekend at their local railroad museum, and that the kid was absolutely fascinated with trains. Made my day, to see the smile on all of their faces.

[Stduck]

I love reviving old threads...Anyway.

Saturday was one of the few awesome days on the parade route. I was standing over by the popcorn rope. (I am sure Polar knows exactly where I am talking about). A girl proceeded to ask me if the characters would be signing autographs during the parade. I said No because the characters would be too busy dancing to sign autographs but you can some times find the characters in such and such place.

She said "Oh...Can I have your autograph?" I was a bit surprised. I was in the CC costume (I can kind of understand the autograph in the mansion costume) and I said sure. So I knelt down took the book and pen. Asked her name and Wrote "Thanks for joining us on the Parade Route. Have a Disney Day. Stduck." Since this was the kind of book for pictures and Autographs her Mom asked if she could get my picture. I said of course and the girl gets up comes behind me gives me a hug as I look up at the camera. I wish I could get a copy of that picture. But that momment made my night.

[MistyT]

Both of these have happened at Festival of the Lion King at DAK, but still wanted to share them.

I once had a little girl who was there on her birthday, and I offered to give her and her family VIP seating in the Giraffe section. After the show I was still out at the exit, and not having a particularly "Disney" day. I was thanking all the guests for coming and inviting them all back when the little girl came flying out the door, jumped up, and threw herself around my waist thanking me for giving her such a great birthday. Turns out she not only got to make the giraffe sound, but also got to be in the Magical Moment. Her and her family were all so thrilled giving me hugs and taking pictures with me.

My second child is one that I will honestly never forget. I was out front at photocell where a family approached me to see if there was anyway they could use the wheelchair cue. Their daughter was sick with a type of cancer, and was not able to be around large crowds because of the germs. I helped them as best as I could, but our show went 101 and they were not able to see that particular show. About an hour later I was going back into the theatre and happened to see them sitting in the front row of elephant. I asked if they had any problems getting through the wheelchair cue, and they stated that most of the cast members were quite rude to them. However, they thanked me for all the help I had given them. The little girl once again told me that she was sick and I told her that with all the help she has from her doctors that she would get better. Her mom was holding her, and she proceeded to blow me a kiss since she couldn't come give me a hug. I threw my hand into the air and grabbed the kiss pulling it into my heart. I think about that girl almost every day, and that is what keeps me going!

[Syndrome]

I'm not a CM but I live in Celebration, so my husband and I spend a lot of time at WDW. Sometimes we like to do silly things, like wear weird headgear, just to make like more interesting while we people-watch. Hubby has one of those headbands that make it look like a monorail is running through his head. We get lots of great comments about it from guests and CMs alike, but my favorite was one little boy in Adventureland. We had stopped to get ice cream at Sunshine Terrance and were sitting on a bench enjoying our snack. All of a sudden, a little boy comes running up to my husband, grabs him in a big hug, and yells, "If you're an airplane, I LOVE you!" We both nearly choked to death from laughing! Next time you see one of those hats, look closely and you'll see that it does, indeed, look like airplane wings. I've seen some cute kid antics in the park, but that kid took the cake.

[TrishaBelle]

Would much prefer the yapping of an inquisitive & fun child than the constant complaining of an adult who won't listen. :twisted: Most kids are way cool!

Totally agree! I have three kids now, and I could spend all day yapping with them and playing hot wheels crash em up and paint with water or sing along songs on Radio Disney (My kids can't get enough of that, cuz we get it over the DirecTV).
I have had my share of complaining adults being brought down by their kids. My favorite was one lady at KBF when it was raining and I worked in Camp Snoopy. Her daughter wanted just one more ride on the Timberline Twister kiddie coaster...and the mom says, "No, you'll be out in the rain (only sprinkling, really) and you'll get sick." and the little girl, maybe 4 or 5, says "But, MOM, I like being wet! I can have fun on the rollercoaster getting wetter, and it might go so fast it'll make me dry, and we'll BOTH be happy!"

I was there on my day off another time visiting my best friend at the store at Mystery Lodge...and this lady comes in, browsing, and buys a book and t-shirt. My buddy asks her how her day is going. This is in July, middle of the month, 90+ degrees...her kids have gone on BFR three times, and went in the line again, this is the fourth time in a row, they LOVE the waterfalls. She goes on to complain that the park was too crowded, the kids were ungrateful, they didn't want to do anything she and her husband wanted to do, just rollercoasters and fast, crazy rides, everything was SO expensive, they just wanted junk food and didn't want to sit down and eat proper...and the kicker..."If we had known Knott's was going to be this crowded, we would have gone to DISNEYLAND." HAHAHA! I was rollin' laughing inside...not so she could tell...I said I didn't want to seem forward, but that I was an employee, just had the day off that day...I asked her what ages her kids were..."15, 18 and 19" I suggested she give one of them a watch, split up and let the kids do what they want, while she and her husband could go ride the things they were interested in, catch some of the shows (this was last season for the Birdcage), and enjoy themselves. I told her that it was perfectly safe, we had AP'rs there who were as young as 10-12 yrs old that were left unsupervised by their parents YR. I told them to set up a meeting place for a few hours later, and see how things had gone. She came back to the store later and left a note with my friend thanking me for the idea and saying they had a wonderful time. Her kids had gone off and spent their money on getting a costumed photo taken for their parents, they got two copies of it, and there mom left me one. She said they were ALL getting APs that afternoon, and if I saw her kids, tell them I knew their mom...LOL...that incident reminded me that some parents who complain think their kids are monopolizing the trip, but they don't have any ideas what to do different...we as CMs need to think up ideas...but some parents of younger kids, like mine are 6, 3, and 1 1/2 and they allow their kids to dictate life at home then wonder why it should be different at DLR or DCA or any other park...I love it when parents take pics and stuff, and they are smiling too, cuz I know that parent is having just as much fun as their kids...while some parents, when their kids see characters and RUN to them like its the best minute of their life, for that kid, it IS and those are the moments when I love working in the biz...I try to take time to stop and offer to take a pic of the family together with the characters...and every time I do, I get thanked profusely...