Next time I have a survey that asks what my once-in-a-lifetime event was I have the perfect story to talk about... Once that features a bit of Disney Magic, and the "VIP" status. We went somewhere in Disneyland where not many people get to go- mainly movie stars, and the Disney family (Walt and Lillian Disney's kids and grandkids)...
It all starts...
In a land far away, named Disneyland :)
ok really.... So my Aunt got off Star Tours ride and a Disney Cast Member asked her what she is celebrating (we were all wearing the "I'm Celebrating" button). In my Aunt's words "Well, its kinda morbid, but my Mom (my Grandma) is battling lung cancer, and this will probably be her last trip to Disneyland, and this is where she wanted to come. Also, we found out just before the trip that my husband (my Uncle) was just told he is now cancer-free!" So this super-cool Disney Cast Member was really touched by the family story and wanted to do something extra special for the family. She told my Aunt to gather the family and meet back to where they met (in the Star Tours gift shop) at 3:30 (in 2 hours) that we will experience Disney- VIP style.
Well KayLynn, Ariana, and I split from the group that day for a few hours and we were just getting back to the hotel at about 1:00 to get some lunch and take naps. When we arrived my cousin met us and said we had to be back at the park by 3:30 to not be late, then she told me the whole story. So we quickly went up to the room and ate a quick lunch while KayLynn and Ariana took a fast 45 minute nap. We got up and going and made it to the meeting spot at 3:30 and waited for the rest of the family to show up.
After we all gathered 2 employees came to us, the initial lady, and her manager. They asked us to follow them where we ended up at TomorrowLand train station. We met the train conductor and the whole family, 2 employees, and train conductor loaded up on the caboose. The caboose is named "Lilly Belle". Walt Disney gave the caboose to his wife Lillian as a gift. Walt Disney originally wanted to paint the interior of the caboose yellow, but Lilly said if this is my car, I get to design the inside. She designed the inside herself, with all her touches. The caboose is beautiful, its furnished in burgundy and velvet. Pictures of herself and Walt are one the table, there are stained glass windows toward the ceiling. The car had been taken off the railroad off and on thru the years for touring, and remodeling. A few years ago it was brought back to Disneyland and is in service.
We took a tour around the park and enjoyed the beauty of the car and the conductors narration thru the trip. At the end of the trip we were able to take a great group picture, and each child received a balloon. My Grandma received a few gifts to take home to Utah to the 2 Great-Grandsons that were unable to make the trip with us.
It was a fantastic day, one that I will never forget. The trip was truly a special trip in many ways.
meeting up
meeting the conductor and finding out what we are doing
loading up on Lilly Belle
Lilly and Walt picture on the back table
the whole family
my Cousin sitting in Johnny Dep chair he always requests
she is gleaming with joy
the whole group
thank you ladies!!!
Ariana and her cousin trotting off very happy kids
KayLynn and Grandma
the kids and their balloons
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