Wishes around the Web Part 1 ~ A Special Family Memory of Wishes

Today kicks off something new on Pursuing the Magic.  Each month I will be presenting a new theme and have invited some Disney bloggers to join in on the fun. I decided to kick off this project with one of my favorite things in Magic Kingdom ~ Wishes.  Today, I will share my thoughts on this nighttime spectacular.  Next week, Deb at Focused on the Magic will be sharing her favorite photo tips for photographing Wishes.  The following week, Mary at Capturing Magical Memories will be sharing a scrapbook layout to showcase your favorite Wishes photos.  Kristen, from Cooking with Mickey, will then share a favorite recipe to fit the theme.  During some months, Sarah, from Magical Days with the Mouse, and Chad, from Days in the Park, will be bringing a little Disneyland to the series.

Walt Disney World never ceases to bring out the emotions in me.  There are many things around the parks that bring a lump to my throat as I try to hold back happy tears, but the one thing that makes me cry every trip is Wishes.  This nighttime spectacular combines music, fireworks, a narration by Jimminy Cricket and a magical flyover by Tinker Bell in such a way that I can't help but get a tad bit teary-eyed.  I absolutely love it!

Joey at Libetry Inn,
March 2010

My favorite memory of Wishes actually happened on our last vacation to Walt Disney World.  Joey was just 5 at the time and hit a stage of being afraid of everything just weeks before leaving for the trip.  We were in the Magic Kingdom and absolutely lost track of time.  We knew the fireworks would be starting soon and needed to get Joey out of Magic Kingdom, since we knew he was very afraid of them.  In my panic, I lead the family through Fantasyland to the train station in Toon Town.  Well, I forgot, the train was closed!  So here we were  . . . trapped.  There was no way we were going to make our way through the crowds of Main Street moments before the fireworks.  My husband and I braced ourselves for what we expected to the meltdown of all meltdowns.  I will note here that I was so thankful to the Hayley and Emily, just 3.5 and 2 at the time for being so well behaved at this moment.  We had walked past several attractions they wanted to ride, which of course we said no.  Luckily, they just went with it and didn't complain.

So here we were trapped behind the castle when it began.  Music and fireworks were all around us.  Pierre watched the girls while I told Joey to cover his ears.  At this point, it was the only advice I had.  I was feeling very guilty that I had put Joey in this position.  Fortunately, the girls were loving it! It only took about 30 seconds before Joey uncovered his ears and was smiling ear to ear.  We made our way to the carousel and watched as the fireworks exploded in front of us, behind us and really just all around.  Being that it was so late and the park was closing after Wishes, we had Fantasyland all to ourselves, other than a few cast members.  Every time one of the fireworks exploded the kids would spin around to see where it was.  They started laughing and giggling.  Of course, you can probably guess that I was teary-eyed.  In that moment, it was if we were the only ones in Magic Kingdom and the happiest family you can imagine.  To this day, it is one of my favorite family memories.




You can see I have no photos of Wishes in my post.  That is because on Monday, Deb from Focused on the Magic will be here sharing her best photos tips for capturing the fireworks.  I can't wait!  With my children a little older, I have a feeling I will be able to really work on my camera skills this trip.






Make sure you checkout the rest of the Wishes Around the Web series:

• Wishes Around the Web Part 2 ~ Wishes Photo Tips with Deb from Focused on the Magic
• Wishes Around the Web Part 3 ~ Preserving Your Wishes Memories with Mary at Capturing Magical Memories
• Wishes Around the Web Part 4 ~ A Disneyland Perspective with "Remember . . . Dreams Come True" with Chad from Days in the Park