It was an absolutely perfect day. The air was warm and the sun was shining. I was surrounded by some amazing holiday decorations in the most magical place on earth. My camera was out and I was hurriedly taking photos of everything around me because I felt as if I was about to wake from a dream and I didn’t want to miss anything. I took pictures of the building facades and signs. Decorations and the street. I even took pictures of the vendors and some of the people who, unbeknownst to them, were about to become part of the magic.
As I stood at the intersection of Main Street USA and Town Square, snapping photo after photo, an elderly couple, probably in their eighties, caught my eyes. They were still some distance from me but they were walking in my direction in a most peculiar manner. Hand in hand, this couple was walking sideways towards me. Almost backwards. I chuckled to myself thinking that even at my age, it would be difficult to maneuver in such a manner.
As they drew closer to me, I began to sense that I was standing right where they wanted to be. I moved aside for them and they stopped right where I had been standing except they were no longer looking sideways. They were now standing backwards facing Town Square and the train station, locked arm in arm. The elderly gentleman bent slightly over towards his wife, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and asked her if she was ready. With a slight nod of her head, he began counting down. Three. Two. And then one.
At that instant, they spun around and looked down Main Street, towards the castle. It took me a moment to register what I had just witnessed and as I saw the tears begin to stream down their faces, I too had tears swell up in my eyes.
I don’t know this couple’s story. Why they choose to wait to see the castle together in such a sweet way but what I do know, is that it was magical. What I witnessed on that beautiful day, epitomizes what Disney magic is all about. It’s why I love being there and why I don’t mind the funny looks I get from people when they learn that I’m going back…again.
Walt Disney World is magical and for those of us who consider ourselves to be Disney Fanatics, its home. We feel home from the moment we step off that Magical Express onto our resort and encounter our first Cast Member and we feel home during our walk up the slow incline of Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom where we see and smell the sights and sounds from yesteryear. It's these reminders and so many more that sing out to me with the voice of a Siren...Welcome Home.