If you have read Part I of our Magical Disney Experiences you will be aware that we had been told by our guide on the Keys to the Kingdom Tour last year that Disney employees were ‘empowered’ to make their own decisions especially where they were in a position to add that something extra to a guests visit.
This year we were indeed fortunate to experience such empowerment in action – twice!
Our second such experience took place just two days after the first, whilst visiting the Disney Wedding Pavilion adjacent to the Grand Floridian and Polynesian Hotels.
Following a superb Afternoon Tea in the Grand Floridian’s Garden View Lounge, we took a walk with my mum and our friends to have a look at the chapel. Imagine our dismay to find the gates to the Pavilion closed and seemingly locked. Undaunted however, I was just sticking my hand through the gate to see if I could open it, when I saw a security guard approaching. Oops I thought, I might be in for a telling off.
As the guard drew near, my wife asked if there was any chance of having a look round the grounds surrounding the chapel. The guard, probably realising that with my 85 year old mum in tow we were hardly hooligan material, said that as the cleaners were still at work then, yes, he would let us in to take a few photos. He took us round to the rear of the chapel and as we started to take photos of each other standing in the Wedding Arch, with Cinderella’s Castle in the background, he even joined in and took some shots for us, helping out my friend who was having trouble with her camera. As we were about to thank him he then asked us if we would like to take a look inside, and proceeded to unlock the chapel.
Once inside more photos were taken, this time as we stood at the ‘altar’ again with Cinderella’s Castle as our backdrop. Suddenly the light came on and wedding music began to play. Our private tour guide had added yet another unexpected moment to our experience.
We left the chapel and our friend walked with us back to the gates and then locked them behind him. But our treat was not over! He then took us across to the Wedding Planning building and once more unlocked the doors to enable us to step inside and view first hand the quite stunning array of place settings, chair drapes, and the models of cakes including the incredible Cinderella’s Castle.
Almost lost for words we thanked our host who then walked back to the Grand Floridian with us and continued to chat with us, giving us his life story almost. We finally parted with more profuse thanks for his kind gesture.
So, be prepared to expect the unexpected when you visit Walt Disney World. The Disney cast members are Magic!!
This year we were indeed fortunate to experience such empowerment in action – twice!
Our second such experience took place just two days after the first, whilst visiting the Disney Wedding Pavilion adjacent to the Grand Floridian and Polynesian Hotels.
Following a superb Afternoon Tea in the Grand Floridian’s Garden View Lounge, we took a walk with my mum and our friends to have a look at the chapel. Imagine our dismay to find the gates to the Pavilion closed and seemingly locked. Undaunted however, I was just sticking my hand through the gate to see if I could open it, when I saw a security guard approaching. Oops I thought, I might be in for a telling off.
As the guard drew near, my wife asked if there was any chance of having a look round the grounds surrounding the chapel. The guard, probably realising that with my 85 year old mum in tow we were hardly hooligan material, said that as the cleaners were still at work then, yes, he would let us in to take a few photos. He took us round to the rear of the chapel and as we started to take photos of each other standing in the Wedding Arch, with Cinderella’s Castle in the background, he even joined in and took some shots for us, helping out my friend who was having trouble with her camera. As we were about to thank him he then asked us if we would like to take a look inside, and proceeded to unlock the chapel.
Once inside more photos were taken, this time as we stood at the ‘altar’ again with Cinderella’s Castle as our backdrop. Suddenly the light came on and wedding music began to play. Our private tour guide had added yet another unexpected moment to our experience.
We left the chapel and our friend walked with us back to the gates and then locked them behind him. But our treat was not over! He then took us across to the Wedding Planning building and once more unlocked the doors to enable us to step inside and view first hand the quite stunning array of place settings, chair drapes, and the models of cakes including the incredible Cinderella’s Castle.
Almost lost for words we thanked our host who then walked back to the Grand Floridian with us and continued to chat with us, giving us his life story almost. We finally parted with more profuse thanks for his kind gesture.
So, be prepared to expect the unexpected when you visit Walt Disney World. The Disney cast members are Magic!!