The magic behind such a touching story
**If you have a box of tissues close, I would suggest grabbing a few now**
Every night, Disney World's Magic Kingdom puts on a spectacular fireworks presentation called "Wishes." Behind every Disney tale is a dream: Snow White is looking for her prince, Cinderella longs for life without rags, Ariel wishes to see the world beyond the sea, Pinocchio longs to be a real boy, etc. Disney wants everyone to believe in their dreams no matter how small. Dreams conquer over all. "Dreams come true!"
One night as I was watching the fireworks, thinking of all the dreams I have and wishing for them to come true, one of my fellow Cast Members told me how "Wishes" came to be:
There was a young girl whose dream was to be a recording artist. This little princess was diagnosed with leukemia and had only a few months to live. When the Make a Wish Foundation heard of this, they partnered with Disney, who was in the process of creating a new light show. The plan was to kick off Disney's first "Wishes" presentation with this lovely song sung by a young girl wishing for her voice to be heard among hundreds. Just days before this song was to premiere, unfortunately, she passed. Now, every night, her voice rings out throughout all of Magic Kingdom so that millions can hear her.
This same Cast Member also said that one night she stood beside a man who cried the whole show. When she mentioned how "Wishes" always made her cry too, he replied, "It is even harder when that is your daughter."
I can feel this little girl's spirit with me every night. I get chills; I cry; I know she is watching the fireworks with us. Her legacy will live on, just as Walt's will. She is an inspiration.
Embrace her spirit,
Snow White
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
Changing One Life
That's what Disney is about
"Wishes" begins. The stores are closing. My day is almost over and in runs this woman with her child in a stroller. The doors are partly closed; however, she makes her way in and how am I to tell her that she is not allowed in.
She tells me that her son has a condition where the fireworks would send him into a panic if he were to hear the blast. Of course, I let them stay. We begin to talk about their day and she is glowing with happiness. "Today has been the best day of my life! The Cast Members have been so sweet to us and have blessed us with so many things." Before I got to even ask what she meant, she told me that earlier this week, she went to the doctor and got some not-so-good news about her health and is beginning to worry about her future and the care for her son. One of her friends had given her a free pass to the park and she figured today was the only free day to use it.
Before she even got on the tram to arrive in the park, she was already sick and exhausted. She contemplated turning right around and going home. Instead, she toughened up and stuck it out for her son. Once in the park, she felt faint and started to shake. As fast as she could, she walked into the bakery hoping to find sustenance. After being told that they did not sell anything to help her, the manager came out from the kitchen and handed her a loaf of bread and said, "I hope this helps." Blessed by such a wonderful gift, she took her son to the candy shop hoping to find something cheap but exciting for him. They walked out of that store with a 5 pound bag of jelly beans at no cost. After 4 hours of endless fun, she began to feel weak and saw that her son was asleep in the stroller. She arrived at First Aid asking for a chair and ice so that she could rest. Not only was she given bags and bags of ice, but also a private room and a bed. She was able to take a quick nap to rejuvenate herself in order to give her son the time of his life! She was even given a front row seat (big enough for a family of four to lay across) for the Electrical Parade.
I wanted to cry. It took every ounce of my power not to cry in front of her. The last thing she needed right now was my pity; all she needed was a friend. "Wishes" already makes me cry, and her story was playing to the tune of "Wishes". I can only hope we fulfilled her wish that day.
This woman went from thinking she could only last a couple of minutes, to being there for 12 hours, just because of the generosity from the kindest of Cast Members. We brightened that woman's day; we might have even given that little boy the best last day with his mother. God only knows, but I am so thankful to be a part of such a wonderful family that reaches out to every person that needs a hand.
Lending a helping hand,
Snow White
"Wishes" begins. The stores are closing. My day is almost over and in runs this woman with her child in a stroller. The doors are partly closed; however, she makes her way in and how am I to tell her that she is not allowed in.
She tells me that her son has a condition where the fireworks would send him into a panic if he were to hear the blast. Of course, I let them stay. We begin to talk about their day and she is glowing with happiness. "Today has been the best day of my life! The Cast Members have been so sweet to us and have blessed us with so many things." Before I got to even ask what she meant, she told me that earlier this week, she went to the doctor and got some not-so-good news about her health and is beginning to worry about her future and the care for her son. One of her friends had given her a free pass to the park and she figured today was the only free day to use it.
Before she even got on the tram to arrive in the park, she was already sick and exhausted. She contemplated turning right around and going home. Instead, she toughened up and stuck it out for her son. Once in the park, she felt faint and started to shake. As fast as she could, she walked into the bakery hoping to find sustenance. After being told that they did not sell anything to help her, the manager came out from the kitchen and handed her a loaf of bread and said, "I hope this helps." Blessed by such a wonderful gift, she took her son to the candy shop hoping to find something cheap but exciting for him. They walked out of that store with a 5 pound bag of jelly beans at no cost. After 4 hours of endless fun, she began to feel weak and saw that her son was asleep in the stroller. She arrived at First Aid asking for a chair and ice so that she could rest. Not only was she given bags and bags of ice, but also a private room and a bed. She was able to take a quick nap to rejuvenate herself in order to give her son the time of his life! She was even given a front row seat (big enough for a family of four to lay across) for the Electrical Parade.
I wanted to cry. It took every ounce of my power not to cry in front of her. The last thing she needed right now was my pity; all she needed was a friend. "Wishes" already makes me cry, and her story was playing to the tune of "Wishes". I can only hope we fulfilled her wish that day.
This woman went from thinking she could only last a couple of minutes, to being there for 12 hours, just because of the generosity from the kindest of Cast Members. We brightened that woman's day; we might have even given that little boy the best last day with his mother. God only knows, but I am so thankful to be a part of such a wonderful family that reaches out to every person that needs a hand.
Lending a helping hand,
Snow White
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