Disneyland Memories

[fo'c's'le swab]

Originally Posted by Goofy Daddy

This may sound really well, "goofy" until I explain it. The reason I chose my nickname is that I think of Goofy when I think of Disneyland. When I was a child I went to DL for the first time at the age of 3. My father took a movie of me walking around the park (you know the old movie cameras with no sound?) and meeting the characters.

The encounter that sticks out in my mind and in my mother and father's mind because we have watched it many times, is my first meeting with Goofy. He took the hat off my head and put it on the ground. I picked it up and replaced it. He did it again...and again...and again, each time with me putting it back on and chewing him out (I think I even stamp my foot at one point) about it.

It's a "family story" that my parents still laugh about to this day and has stuck in my mind as a humorous situation.

As an additional note, on my daughter's first trip back in 2002, my parents joined us. We walked into the DLH and who should be there but the goof himself! My mother had not been to DL since around the 1980s. We walked up to him slowly as this was my daughter's first ever encounter with one of the characters. She was a bit nervous and about 2.5 years old. My mother says, "Todd, it's a good thing you are not wearing a hat like when you were little, he might try and take it again." To this day I am impressed with the CM who was bringing Goofy to life there that day...he/she pointed at me as if to say "that was you!?" and then mimed in sign language about how big I had gotten. My daughter perked up and said "Daddy he amembers you!" (she meant remembers but she was 2.5 years old ya see) and then said "You two need to make friends." Goofy stuck out his hand to shake mine. I accepted and we also hugged. My mother was laughing so hard that she had tears in her eyes. My daughter then had no trouble hugging and talking to Goofy or any other character after that. The person who played Goofy on those two occasions spanning many years of my life really created some family "magical moments" for us (before they were even officially called that!) and I can't express enough how grateful I am to those CMs who ever they were.

So anyway...when I think of Disneyland, I think of Goofy. And that's also why I am a Goofy Daddy.

It's quite an useen, unsung responsibility these CMs shoulder. They have the unique ability to create lasting memories that are inter-generational. Disney should pay them accordingly, IMO.

[Pirate Lover 68]

As a kid growing up in So Cal, we visited the park at least 2-3 times a year. Space Mountain was the first Roller Coaster I ever went on, and it was with my Sister and her (then) husband. I cherish that memory, I'm very close to my sister. I "reminded" her about this recently, and she said, "Really? I don't remember that trip!" LOL... Oh well.

I also think of my mom who is still with us, but lives far away now. Growing up, she was always VERY indulgent with me regarding Disneyland trips. She knew that Disneyland feeds my imagination and she wanted to make sure I explored every inch of the park to my heart's content.

Great Thread Swab. I'm giving you a man hug again, you just bring it out of me.

[fo'c's'le swab]

Originally Posted by Pirate Lover 68

Great Thread Swab. I'm giving you a man hug again, you just bring it out of me.

Running the potential risk of being mis-identified as a 'hugger', I hug you back; but let's not make a habit of this.

Thanks for the post (and the hug).

[mycroft16]

Originally Posted by fo'c's'le swab

It is a small part of a larger poem I wrote several years ago, adapted from some verse I read by Tolkien.

Grandparents don't last nearly long enough

No, they certainly don't.

It sounds like something Bilbo would write. Aside from being a Disney nut, I'm also a Tolkien nut. They were both obsessed with getting things perfect and I think they would have been great friends.

I must say that Thunder Mountain and Haunted Mansion always remind me of my Aunt who would sit off them with me when I was little since she didn't want to go on them either. Well, that's what she told me anyway. And we'd just sit and talk about the people we saw walking by or watch the Mark Twain sail by.

[DrJazz]

Whenever I think of DL my grandfather comes to mind. He was the first person I ever went there with. This was around 1975 (I was 5 years old). He was a "key club member" or something like that thru his work. Does anybody remember something like that? I was to young to really recall it.

[hollywood1939]

I think of my parents. They used to always take my brother and I when we were kids and it was always the trip of the year. Last April, after a long long hiatus for both my parents and I, we went back to the resort. It had been about 10 years since my parents had been there and 7 for me (my brother had an AP by then). To kind of pay them back, my brother and I paid for our parents the whole day including their ticket.

It was very interesting being back there with Pooh there, no FP for Star Tours and such and especially DCA. My mom loved ToT and it was one of the best days I've ever had there. We got to do a lot and experience the things we've missed throughout the years. Hopefully somewhere down the road I can do that for my parents again and again. If it weren't for them, I literally wouldn't be here and I wouldn't have become a Disney fan.

[TikiRoomLiz]

I always think of my family. My parents would make a trip to Disneyland our extra Christmas gift, and we always had a wonderful time. The most memorable moment was when we were walking through Main Street and one of the carolers asked my sister to play the tambourine (I think) - sticks out in my mind a lot.

[Susabelle]

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father Swabby. I send you a big hug! Memories are those wonderful moments when we are dep in our thoughts and we spend all the times we had with those who have passed or that we do not see much of anymore. I love to just sit and daydream about the trips I took with my parents when I was young, not just to DL, but across the country in the *big* car, the Pontiac Bonneville! It was more comfortable for a family of six. My parents still have all the photos of our trips on slides, they were big on slides in the 1960's, while some were into the movies and regular pics, my dad loved showing his slides! I am going to try to get them scanned and get copies of all our trips. Good memories. Next time I go to see my folks I am going to raid the slide collection. I really want to see the old DL trip pics my dad took!
Hugs Foc'!
sues

[fo'c's'le swab]

Originally Posted by TikiRoomLiz

I always think of my family. My parents would make a trip to Disneyland our extra Christmas gift, and we always had a wonderful time. The most memorable moment was when we were walking through Main Street and one of the carolers askes my sister to play the tambourine (I think) - sticks out in my mind a lot.

I am seeing more and more often, a CM being involved in a cherished family memory. Are you reading this, Disney?

[Mermaid_Magic]

Goofy Daddy, don't feel weird about thinking about Goofy in the park because, well...I think about Pinocchio.

When I was about 2 years old, my parents took me to the park and I wasn't quite ready to meet the characters-in fact they FREAKED me out-so you can imagine my horror when Pinocchio walked up to me and told me to kiss him on the nose. I refused and ran into my mother's arms and I KID YOU NOT Pinocchio followed us around the entire day (this is according to my parents, for all I know it could have been a couple hours?). Apparently he would wait for us at the exits of all the rides and wouldn't leave us alone, so I finally kissed him on the nose and started bawling and my Dad has a picture of it just so I'll never live it down

I also think of my Dad who lives in Texas now because I'll never get to go to Disneyland again without him bringing my evil stepmother....grrrrr

[fo'c's'le swab]

Originally Posted by Susabelle

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father Swabby. I send you a big hug!

Thanks for the sentiment, the memory, and the hug!

I really want to see the old DL trip pics my dad took!
Hugs Foc'!
sues

Don't forget to share with us all if you get them, yeah?

[fo'c's'le swab]

Am pleasantly surprised by the few who list Disney Characters as ones they primarily think of (along with close family members), when memories return them to their childhood, and more specifically Disneyland. Unexpected and refreshing

[ladydragon55]

Originally Posted by fo'c's'le swab

It's quite an useen, unsung responsibility these CMs shoulder. They have the unique ability to create lasting memories that are inter-generational. Disney should pay them accordingly, IMO.

You are so right! The buildings are always there, the rides are always there, but when you find a CM in character they are special. When they give a little more time or a extra hug to a person it makes a memory that will be with them forever. I would say that the CM's are the Heart of disneyland.

[Mickey&Me]

Some of the best memories I have of my dad is from Disneyland. We used to go every year and when I was a kid I was afraid of the "big" rides. I didn't want to go on The Jungle Cruise and I remember him telling me that I couldn't be afraid of things all my life. I was afraid of the Matterhorn, too, and he told me that when he was younger (20's maybe) he had beautiful girls begging him to ride it with him and he still wouldn't because he was afraid, too, but he did it for me. It ended up being great memories and a life lesson. I always think of him and our family vacations when I think of Disneyland.

[fo'c's'le swab]

Originally Posted by Mickey&Me

Some of the best memories I have of my dad is from Disneyland. We used to go every year and when I was a kid I was afraid of the "big" rides. I didn't want to go on The Jungle Cruise and I remember him telling me that I couldn't be afraid of things all my life. I was afraid of the Matterhorn, too, and he told me that when he was younger (20's maybe) he had beautiful girls begging him to ride it with him and he still wouldn't because he was afraid, too, but he did it for me. It ended up being great memories and a life lesson. I always think of him and our family vacations when I think of Disneyland.

Thanks for sharing that about you and your Pop, M&M (I like hearing the 'Dad Stories')--and welcome to MiceChat.