When we first began visiting Walt Disney World, we’d try to squeeze in as much as possible. This meant racing from one attracting to the next. But have you ever slowed down? Even sat down? You might just witness a bit of Disney Magic happen right in front of you! Here’s a bit of magic that unfolded right in front of us (in April 2012).
While waiting in line to meet and greet several Disney Characters at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there was a family in front of us with a Blind daughter (about 18 year old) also meeting the characters. The parents positioned their daughter next to Jafar and she looked in the direction of their voices to smile for a picture. I felt bad for this blind girl; Jafar does not hug or speak during character interactions. This girl was merely standing still listening for the camera to click, making a memory for her parents but none for herself…
That all changed when Mary Poppins and two of her Penguins arrived! Mary Poppins is a “face Character,” meaning she’s allowed to speak to her guests, and boy did she speak to this Blind girl. I watched as Mary held a conversation with her, this girl was smiling now and conversing back. Then, Mary took the girls hands and placed them on her dress. Mary let the girl feel her corset, and the stitching on her skirt, and even lifted her foot to let the girl feel her shoes! Mary was describing everything to the blind girl while she guided her hands over the details. Then, Mary took the girls hands and placed them on Mr. Penguin’s head! She felt his eyes, cheeks, beak, bow tie and fuzzy shoulders. The blind girl was beaming! She was then guided to stand in between Mary and the Penguins. The blind girl’s parents took a picture – another keepsake for them, but this time… a lasting memory and quite the experience for herself!
~Terri
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