Sad to announce the woman in her 80’s, Aunty Kau’l, who made Lei’s at the Polynesian Resort has passed away. May she Rest In Peace and continue to make magic from above.

When I was around 5 or 6 in Jedi training academy, right when I saw Darth Vader (My favorite character in Disney) I passed out from shock and woke up in the hotel room with a note talking about what happened and I had gotten a refund because I wasn’t even able to participate because of “Medical Reasons” and also gave me a picture of Darth Vader signed by him. Best day of my life.

On Oct 1 1971, my cousin, my uncle, my aunt, and myself. we were in the first 50 people let in Disney World. Back then we got a coin from the opening, mouse ears, and a map. Me and my cousin all we were told was be back at the train station by 8pm ( Back then it was not a big deal. they took our pictures and our names. Any time I go back the pictures are taken again. Apparently they are seeing how many of the original people from opening day return. Been back every 10 yrs for the anniversaries.

When I was a kid, I went to the Jedi training academy. I ended up breaking my lightsaber. I was scared I couldn’t defend myself so I just ran away from Darth Vader...

One day we were in Magic Kingdom, when everyone was leaving, my gf and I decided to stay a few minutes more and take pictures. A disney cast member approached us and gave us two blue bands to stay at the park and participate in the 25th anniversary of disney vacation club, a private party. We ride a lot of rides, had unlimited disney ice cream, chips, beverages, meet with rare characters and a special fireworks show. Like I'm not from US and just go to disney once in a while. It was a truly magical moment we will never forget

My wife and I ran around the Magic Kingdom one morning with me in a suit and her in her wedding gown. We were on a mission to get pictures using the Magic Maker in spots all over. We got some great shots and were about to head out when we ran by the carousel. I grabbed my wife and sent her to try the sword, something she'd never heard of and, lo and behold, she actually pulled it up without expecting to. I got the look of shock on her face captured on camera. It was truly magical.

last time we went to disney, my sister was having a down day. the sword in the stone show was about to start, so we decided to stay and watch. they picked my dad to try, but failed. they picked another father, and he failed as well. then they picked my sister, and she got it! my mom, dad, brother, and i were so happy when she got it! she was happy for the rest of the day! :)

When my step dad was little, he got to pull the Sword from the Stone. He got a little medal and a certificate saying he was ruler of the realm for the day.

Anyone just watching these videos while not having the money to go, or is it just me?

I didn't know you could get pixie dusted at Castle Couture, but I was at the Magic Kingdom during extra magic hours on my birthday and my family and I decided to stop inside Castle Couture really quickly before the park closed. I was wearing a birthday button and the employees got all excited and asked if I wanted to be sprinkled with pixie dust. I didn't know they were going to sprinkle actual glitter all over myself, but the little ceremony was really cute. They told me to close my eyes and make a wish and when I opened my eyes, my family was laughing because I was covered in glitter. It was a really magical moment despite constantly finding glitter everywhere in our hotel room lol

I remember Stitch melting when a little 5 year old did a perfect impression of him.

i love how everyone is telling their stories in the comments its so cute

Wow..considering all the adults that travel to Disney without kids, it would be nice if they would make more of these things available to adults as well.

I have done jedi training academy 3 times. When I was 6 I fought Darth maul, 9 when I fought Darth Vader and 11 when I fought seventh sister. It was very creepy when seventh sister said to me "so you must be that talented young jedi I have heard so much about" I did tell a cast member when signing up but that's Disney magic for you...

Early morning when the park opens, the characters will come out for pictures and when Mickey came out, my daughter ran into his arms and he walked her down Main Street and picked a couple flowers for her and put them in her hair! It was so awesome I'll never forget that! Disney is my favorite!

When I was little, my brother got chosen to preform in a rock and roll show in Hollywood studio. He got a little inflatable guitar and he pretended to play it then slammed it on on the ground.

When I was young I was allowed to "drive" the Jungle Cruise boat...boy oh boy did I feel like a big deal.. I think they still do that

I guess I’m 10 years late to Jedi Training...

In Hollywood Studios there’s a little square in the street (I forgot where exactly I think it’s on the way to sunset boulevard) Cast members stand near that square and it’s really funny because as soon as someone steps in the square, the cast members go crazy clapping and cheering but as soon as someone is out of the square they fall silent. You don’t even need to fully be in the square, just like your foot or something. It’s funny and cute

The kids get all the cool stuff. :(

My family did the Flag retreat one time. My dad is a veteran so he got the flag and my sisters and I said the pledge of allegiance. It was a great experience and I will never forget it

imagine pulling out the sword and just yelling “THE HOLY SWORD EXCALIBUR!”

When I was younger my family, and I were selected to be in the Grand Marshal Parade. We were just eating at (I think) Crystal Palace for breakfast when a cast member came up to us and started talking, and asking a few questions like “how long are you here for”. Then he randomly asked if we wanted to be in the parade! It was super cool, and fun! We got special Mickey Mouse ear hats that were gold with our names on the back of them. It was such a cool experience! This is why I love Disney!

Took my wife to old Key West for a week for our Honeymoon. Ever since then she is a Disney Fanatic. (She had never been before) The first night we got to our room they greeted us with a goodie bag on our kitchen counter. Also the next morning a cast member knocked on our door and gave us a Minnie and Mickey Salt and Pepper shaker set in a little red car. And the cast member told us congratulations. Disney is very accommodating. I am forever grateful that They went the extra mile to make my wife smile.

Okay... I've got a story. When my family was having one of our most recent Disney visits, we were at the lunch pavilion when me and on of my cousins were chasing each other around the tables(remember, I was 13 chasing a 12 year old) When we looked through the gate/vine fence, we watched one of the horse drawn carriages' drivers unhooking her horse, and undoing her tail buns. Lemme just say, her tail was GORGEOUS after her buns were removed. We asked her what the horses name was, and she said it was either Trixie or Dash. I can't really remember. But then she asked if we wanted to go see her horse before she went back to the stables. We, of corse being addicted to horses, said yes. Ya know how there is that white cris-cross fence gate that is sometimes open and sometimes not? Yeah, she came around and opened it for us and we got to go see her horse, I have never felt a horse any softer than that. Disney takes VERY good care of those GORGEOUS horses. Thank you Disney!

8:05 "All the flags except for one are missing a star or stripe" Grandpa Simpson: "I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missourah!"

I feel like this is an easter egg tutorial for Disneyland

I'm now 19 and the bald Jedi Master from the Jedi Training is the same cast member from when I went as kid! Super cool to still see him after all of these years!

I just want to THANK YOU for saying "OR YOUR SISTER" as the veteran! I KNOW I speak for many fellow sisters serving that I appreciate that shout out!!

I got to march with the stormtroopers once. I ruled the galaxy like a boss 😂

Me and my brother once did the Jedi training, we were good at it, BUT we thought we were going to fight Dark Vadar, not Dark Maul. The minute Maul came out we dropped the blades and ran.

The flags on main street are 45 star American flags which was the national flag of the US when Walt Disney was born.

I didn’t know the Jedi training was free, so I never did it and by the time we go again I’ll be 13 :/

My husband and I went to Disneyland for our 20th anniversary and had reservations at Cafe Orleans, and when we told the server what we were celebrating, we got the cute pins AND free beignets! Magical 🎉

I am so sad I only learned about the Jedi academy AFTER I turned 14... it sounded like a the one at the interactive hotel might be for all age groups though so hopefully I'll still get to do that one day!

I remember the lady making the leis from my honeymoon while staying at the Polynesian 25 years ago. It is amazing that she is still there.

I went to animal kingdom when I turned 7 yo, they picked me for the Lion King Show and it was amazing , a highlight in my childhood

My son got to recite the Pledge for the flag ceremony and tears were definitely shed by both my wife and I (two proud Veterans). Very moving ceremony and one that everyone should try to witness at least once.

AJ remains the VOICE and Ambassador of the Magic for a reason. You and your team continue year after year bringing content that excites and gives wonderful information. Be proud of all you have created AJ

*(charges at Vader, lightsaber in hand.)* LEEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOYYYY!!!! (Twelve seconds later.) ...WHAT DO YOU MEAN "BANNED FOR LIFE!?" D:

ooh! I hv a really sweet story, me and my drama team just finished competing in Orlando and decided to go to Disney to celebrate. Walking into toy story land, we all started singing Hamilton songs. And one of the security guards came up and said ‘ work! I love your singing!’ And we were all of course very thankful for saying that. Then somehow my mom became friends with him talking with him and he said, because you guys are so sweet we will let you get some fast passes certain rides. it was so magical. but it was one of the best experiences ever had at Disney!!! Thank you Bret!!

But mommy I want to be a sith :C

20+ years ago, I got to pull the sword from the stone. I still have the certificate.

Great video! I remember very clearly when I was five, I got to dance with the seven dwarves spontaneously. I also remember going to a character breakfast and getting to ring a bell and announce that the characters were coming, and run down some steps with a toy horse. Those moments were not planned, they just happened and they were some of my favorite memories 💕

One thing my wife and I always do is ride the peoplemover two or three times in a row without getting off. If you just ask to stay on, the cast members will let you. 😊

Scheduling a low key resort day is great idea to plan in especially if you have the travel time.

I MISS DISNEY WORLD SOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!

I'm a dancer, so when I was younger and got picked to do the Irish step dancing it was so fun! I would recommend sitting near the stage if you want to get picked to dance. The age group was around 6-10 years old so if your around that age you will most likely have a higher chance to be picked.

The movies they play in the common area also play in the rooms for that particular resort (I forget the channel but it is there and it will play at the exact same time) so if you just want to watch a Disney movie from your room or it is too hot to stay outside for the full length of the movie you can pick up your snack and go back to the room and watch the movie from there.

Being sad that I'm an adult. 😭

There used to be a nature island across from the Magic Kingdom. In 1994, I got chosen as the helper in one of the demonstrations. It was a task specifically for an adult. In 1963, when "The Sword and the Stone" was released, the Hecht Company stores in the Washington, DC, area had a promotion in which kids could try to pull out the sword from the stone to win a prize. I tried but didn't succeed. I was 11 at the time.

close to the daily closing time i tried to pull the sword out of the stone when i was about ten in disneyland paris and it worked but immediately some securities rushed to me and took it away. it was in the middle of a huge place behind the castle and i think at that time (about 25 years ago) it was more like a mistake because the bolt who was holding it broke but it felt awesome

Dude, the Irish dance thing is so cute!! I’ve been a dancer for 9 years and I always love seeing kids discover the sport(?) for the first time. What a fantastic style of dance ❤️

Of course the button has Karen on it! 🤣🤣🤣

I remember when I did the Jedi training, I was too young to understand the whole “routine” part and was prepared to impress Vader. When I went up to fight him, I twirled the lightsaber between every strike, but still hit exactly where I was supposed to. He was clearly surprised, because I wasn’t supposed to do that, but nothing went wrong and I walked away extremely proud of myself.

So I was a 2020 high school graduate and I celebrated by going to the reopening back in July, when I got my celebration button the cast member looked at my aunt and then walked away, and came back with the graduation cap Mickey ears and gave them to me for free. Since my school decided to not give us any form of graduation this was a really special thing and I literally started to cry

Theres another thing you can do in star wars area. You can protect the launch bay from siths, and the 1st ordwr

When our kids were little we took them on the monorail and they thought it was a great ride. You don’t have to go broke at Disney World.

So many magical moments : my youngest son at 10 pulling the sword out of the stone, my oldest son at 33 being part of the street performance at HS, and my daughter turning a corner and practically bumping into a group of princesses in MK! All great memories!

I’m going on the 18th-22nd for my birthday/Halloween (can’t. Wait.). I got to open Jock Lindsey’s Hangar bar and was given a pin that’s not sold in the parks,be the first rider of the first elevator on Tower Of Terror (my favorite ride), and all kinds of fun stuff in the past. I also think it’s AWESOME you can get married and have a catered meal on the veranda at the tower of terror.

I used my Cricut to add our names in silver vinyl to the Happy Anniversary buttons we've been reusing for years, so it's fun to keep the badges and use over and over. I don't think you can even get Anniversary buttons anymore, just the Happily Ever After, so that's fun too.

the flag lowering is fantastic we love it even tho some people just walk by like its not even happening however I beg you if your at Disney or any of the parks please just slow down and take in the experience and do some of these amazing things especially the jedi training the kids really enjoy this. ive seen this training many times.

I’m so glad you mentioned Fort Wilderness. The highlight of my daughters and my yearly trip (Christmas thru Jan 2) was watching a movie at the outside theater and roasting marshmallows using the two campfires. We’d drive around on our golf cart, watch the movie or fireworks and it was amazing! She has thanked me multiple times for our camping trips to Ft Wilderness and for the memories she has of a happy childhood. While it was always a VERY expensive 9 days, it was well worth it!!!

I find it impossible for any sane human being to dislike a video like this. It’s literally telling you how to get noticed or get your child noticed by mostly everyone in the park and have good memories.

Dang..... I wanna become a Jedi...... I’m a teenager though so I can’t...

When I was 28, I finally got to go to Disney World. Now I want to go to Star Wars land and Harry Potter world at 50. See? This is how it happens...so don't tell me I'm too old.

I've been going to Disney World for the past 18 years and by far my favorite thing ever has always been the DHS streetmosphere. It is a shame when people don't know about it or appreciate it like it deserves. Its so awesome to watch always. They sang a hilarious rendition of 12 days of Christmas last time I went

Fun little note the flags actually have 48 stars. It’s a little added piece to help the atmosphere of old time down town Disney that is themed to be turn of the century when the United States only had 48 states. And thus being a “historic” flag they are real and must follow the flag guidelines and do because they are lit by lamps when it gets dark. Disney really goes all out with little details to really perfect the atmosphere. Even if we don’t notice it.

im going this year from australia for the first time, i wish i was not 33, i want to be a jedi

I remember doing the Jedi Academy thing back when Darth Maul was one of the available sith to fight. It was great, I miss Star Wars Weekends.

I got engaged in Disney on a Wednesday in Magic Kingdom. We went back to Magic Kingdom on Friday before leaving and got chosen as Grand Marshalls! It was INCREDIBLE! We got a photoshoot with a photo pass photographer, a special viewing area for the parade and the cast member ended up giving us free memory maker for our photos. Truly a magical experience.

The pixie dust tip (shared by a cast member at Cinderella's Royal Table) was one of the highlights of our trip. My little girl was blown away by being "in on a secret thing". Darn I love Disney.

AJ, the list is abit outdated, the sword and ths stone one is being stopped, sadly october 5th is when those cast members will be not doing it anymore

Thank you AJ that is a lot of magical moments for free that I didn’t know about. Appreciate the info as always. Great job!!!

Another really cool thing for free at the Polynesian Resort is being the chosen family for torch lighting. My family went to look around the resort and they asked us if we would like to do it. We got free leis and they took a bunch of great photos. Once a crowd started forming they introduced us and we went outside to see a guy throwing around torches and fire. We also got to sit closer and meet the guy at the end of the show!!!

Watching these videos just reinforce me wanting to work there! I work in musical theatre, but I would do anything just to work at Disney! The amount of magic and happiness a cast member can provide is beautiful!

Both of my kids did the Ragland Road dance. They were under 10 and thought is was awesome.

Would love to see you guys cover Rafiki’s Planet Watch more

the festival of the lion king is so amazing and it is so cute that they get kids involved,, when i went last year they even let my grandad push around my uncle in his wheelchair and it was so magical,, they really do cater to everyone and they make everyone feel included in the magic

My daughter was chosen to be the “guardian of the launch bay” at Hollywood Studios a few months ago. After the Star Wars stage show, she stood in front of the Launch bay with her hand up and “used the force” to keep the bad guys out. Then got hugs from Chewie and Rey. It was amazing! She was dressed as Rey and a few cast members came up to us while we were waiting for my wife to come out of the coffee shop at opening.

when I did the star wars stuff I was 7 and me being up to the height of Vader waist I had to stand on my tiptoes to swing and hit the lightsaber on video it the cutest thing you'll ever see

Free? Fun? Two things we love! Thanks for sharing these with us! Throwing out the first pitch looks like a fun thing to do. I didn't know they still pulled the sword from the stone these days. Going to try these things our next trip!

I was at Hollywood studios with my family on my little brothers birthday! I was so excited when I saw Betty Shambles as she is someone I’ve watched over many vlogs for years! We talked for 5-6 mins and she played her accordion to say happy birthday to my brother!

When I was little, my parents gave me a map the night before a day at Disneyland and asked if I wanted to plan the day. I took my duty very seriously, and somehow discovered the horse carriage. My parents had no idea why we were waiting in this one spot (though they trusted I had a plan) and were amazed when a live horse walked up to us and we got a ride to our first area~ It was a really fun memory and the facts about the Disney World transports reminded me of it

Thank you! Right now I'm at the hospital, but in 10 days I'll be traveling to disney to visit Galaxy's Edge! Hugs from Argentina

One time when waiting for a pyrate show me and my brother were chosen to hold up a key to defeat some skeletons we were older (as in high school age)

I always loved being selected in Festival of the Lion King when I was little! It has happened about 3 times in my life and I loved every second of it. And also I was usually called up during the show to make the noise of my section's animal. It was a truly magical experiences and I wish I could still do that now even though I am older. That has become one of my favorite shows because it allows you to feel like a part of the show itself!

I got picked to do the Sword in the Stone thing. Although I'm not a "do stuff in front of a crowd" kind of person I still played along and Merlin thanked me for hamming it up a bit. I also ended up having lunch with Alice and The Mad Hatter on Main Street right behind the Red Cart. They were on their way to something and stopped to chat. I wound up in a lot of photos that day.

I pulled the sword from the stone in Disneyland when I was a kid. It was amazing 😊

Always love your informational videos!!!! I wish I could work for DFB!!!!

To be the veteran of the day at Magic Kingdom you will need to coordinate with guest services in advance to see if they have availability. Much like a reservation system. I had a friend put in the reservation at the Magic Kingdom guest services several days prior to my vacation arrival. On the day of the reservation I checked in at guest services to confirm that morning. It was a great experience and I was presented with a wonderful picture and limited addition lanyard pin.

When I went to Disney in about 2014 I did the Jedi training thing at night and it was so much fun

We were Grand Marshalls in August!

I always ask a cast member what time is the 3 o'clock parade.

I remember when my aunt’s friend was a performer in the Lion King play thing and she chose my sister, she had an absolute blast!

Gosh I miss MK. I haven’t been in years and I worked there in Characters in 2000. I had an amazingly magical time and I miss it so very much. My heart was so happy there and I could feel the magic all the time.

At the training acadamy isnt there moments where the seventh sister and darth maul come out?

I saw the character palooza in 2017, but I thought they were just walking. This is why we watch DFB

I’m a regular viewer of your channel and a WDW lover. I didn’t know 5 of these! Thanks!

My grandpa and I got to apart of the flag ceremony when we went! I'll never forget how cool it was ❤