Disney: Bringing a Magical Experience to the Table

I recently took a week long trip to Disney World with my family and my boyfriend, Andy. I've been to Disney World about five or six times in my lifetime with the last time being in December 2010. Don't get me wrong, I love Disney World; however, a few days before we left for the trip, I realized that I wasn't very excited to go. I've been so many times, I almost felt like this trip was redundant. I've done everything I've always wanted to do while I was in Disney World and I felt like there wouldn't be anything new or exciting to do while I was there.

Now, I could talk about a lot of things here; most people who go to Disney World would want to talk about their favorite ride, restaurant, or park. But what really stood out to me through this whole week was the customer service. Disney World has always been seen as a magical place and I felt that magic through their employees. There are two experiences I would love to share that made the magic of Disney come alive for Andy and me.

Andy loves fine dining so the food at Disney was definitely a treat for him, especially in the world showcase at Epcot. On the Tuesday that we were there, we decided to eat at one of the table service restaurants in the Mexican pavilion called La Hacienda de San Angel. Even though Andy loves fine dining, he's not the richest man in the world. We got an appetizer and decided to split one of the meals for two. We also got ice water instead of soft drinks to try and save a few bucks. We were seated at a small table for two in the middle of the crowded restaurant. While we were enjoying our appetizer, we were approached by someone in a suit and, at first, we both thought we were in trouble. The manager told us that we were seated at a table needed for a large group and if we moved to a quiet table by the window, he would pay for our meal. We were so surprised! I don't know about Andy, but moving tables to make room for a large party is something I would've done for free. At first, Andy and I still stuck to our regular meal because we didn't want to take advantage of them just because they were paying. However, the waiter came around and suggested that we get some margaritas since he knew we didn't have to pay. Andy got two and I had one. With our appetizer, meal, and drinks, our bill came out to a grand total of $116...and we got it all for free! Andy obviously tipped the waiter generously. He also tried to tip the manager but the manager would not accept. The interesting part of the whole story is that the manager, and the group that we moved tables for were all from the same area of Louisiana as Andy and I are. It almost felt like fate. I could just feel the magic of Disney at the restaurant that night as we laughed and enjoyed our meal.

The next experience happened during lunch on the Thursday that we were there. My family was never big on taking me to meet princesses or other characters at Disney World when I was a child. Andy knew this and decided to surprise me by taking me to the Princess Storybook Dining lunch at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at the Norway pavilion in Epcot. When we first arrived, Princess Belle was available to take pictures and sign autographs. We also received a complementary printout of the picture we took with Belle in a cute folder with a few extra copies of the pic to share. During our meal, Snow White, Princess Aurora, Ariel, and Cinderella, walked around the restaurant to talk to the guests at each table where we could take pictures with our own cameras and receive autographs. Unfortunately, Andy and I had forgotten paper to get autographs from the princesses with. We asked the waiter if he had any paper but the only paper he had to give us was receipt paper. At the end of the meal, we received the photo of us with Belle in the beautiful folder and I wanted to get it signed. However, Belle was no where to be found so we asked one of the employees overseeing the lunch if we could have Belle sign our folder. She took the folder from us and told us she would be right back. When she came back with our folder, she said she saw that we were getting the other princess' autographs on receipt paper. Instead of just getting Belle's autograph on the folder for us, she got all five princesses to sign it. It was such a small gesture but I will treasure this gift for the rest of my life. It is not only a reminder of the wonderful experience Andy and I had at the princess lunch but of the kind deed of the employee working that day.

Even though I was a little skeptical at first, I did have a wonderful time at Disney World. The rides may not be as thrilling as competing parks in the area but every attraction, restaurant, and moment spent in Walt Disney World is an experience. I wish I could share all of the great stories from our vacation but I would probably end up writing a whole book in the process! The trip I thought would be redundant gave me so many magical memories and I believe the most enchanting moments came from their wonderful employees. I'm definitely looking forward to my next trip to Disney World and more good times to come!