Tag: Walt Disney World

Third day at Magic Kingdom wraps up trip

June 11, 2026June 11, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

We are now in the final installment of my account of our 2026 family trip to Walt Disney World. Our first character interaction of the day was Aladdin and Jasmine. They could not have been lovelier. When I remarked to Jasmine how beautiful she was, Aladdin agreed. “I’m a pretty lucky guy, aren’t I?” he said. “You are both lucky,” I answered. “You are a truly magical couple.” “Let me know if you need the magic carpet,” Aladdin said. “I could always use a magic carpet,” I told him, “and the Genie.” We also met Captain Jack Sparrow, who bore a striking resemblance to Johnny Depp and made both of my girls somewhat weak-kneed. Through a lot of intentional mumbled warbling, the only thing I could make out that he said to me was an invitation to the tavern for drinks. After some of the things we had been through on this trip, I would have happily accepted such an invitation. While traveling the Magic Kingdom alone, I also ran into Shaker from the Country Bear Musical Jamboree. Additionally, while on my own, I took advantage of all the other attractions I could experience from my wheelchair, including Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid, which takes guests through the story of the film in beautifully crafted clamshell vehicles featuring perfect renderings of scenes from the movie itself. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is another one of my favorites, as I get to bounce with Tigger, be blown through the wind with Piglet, and face off against the Heffalumps and Woozles with Pooh in his nightmare as he fears they will steal his honey. Since no one was waiting to ride the wheelchair-accessible vehicle, I was able to experience the attraction twice, which made it extra special for me. I also took in Enchanted Tales with Belle, an interactive retelling of the story of Beauty and the Beast featuring children portraying members of the cast. Lumière leads the way by narrating the story, while Madame Wardrobe hosts the show from the hallway. The program begins, however, in Papa Maurice’s cottage, where the Magic Mirror takes us back to the day Belle and the Beast fell in love. Seeing the little children portray the various characters reminded me of our trip in 2019, when Bella played a salt shaker. Emily and I were so proud, and I could see the same joy on the faces of other parents as they watched their children meet Princess Belle at the end of the program. I was also able to ride the original Jungle Cruise with my mother, the attraction that eventually inspired the real-life safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. These boat cruises are obviously where either working comedians go when they cannot get work elsewhere or bad comedians go to die. There are relentlessly terrible puns coming from the tour guides along the way, but it is nevertheless an entertaining ride, and I was very happy to share this classic attraction with my mother. Walt Disney designed the attraction long before live animals could be incorporated into a theme park experience, although that had been his dream. The inspiration and brilliance of Walt Disney are qualities that continue to shape the Disney World experience to this day. With that thought in mind, there was nothing more magical about Disney World than watching the Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away parade through the Magic Kingdom just before closing. Not only did it bring back memories of the Main Street Electrical Parade that my sister and I happily watched as children, but it also showcased elements of the aerial stage production at Disney Springs that I unfortunately missed during my trip in 2024. Having watched the Disney Starlight parade four times during this trip, I feel I got the best of both worlds. Waving goodbye to Mickey with my sister and following the parade to the park exit provided the perfect magical ending to this amazing Disney experience. But the parade itself was a dream come true. No matter how old you get, when those characters wave directly at you, you cannot help but be touched in your heart. It is another one of those presentations that is good enough to make you weep. The parade opens with magic from the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio, inviting everyone to wish upon a star. It pays direct homage to the original opening of the Main Street Electrical Parade. The procession features a robust lineup of both classic and contemporary Disney stories, including Peter Pan, Frozen, Moana, Coco, Encanto, and Wish. I had the perfect view from across from The Hall of Presidents, the same spot where I used to watch the Main Street Electrical Parade. Featured on the Blue Fairy’s float are Pinocchio and Geppetto. Wish features Asha, Valentino, and Star. Encanto features Mirabel, Isabela, and Bruno. On the Frozen float, Elsa dazzles the crowd with icy blue lights. The Royal Princess unit brings Disney royalty together, featuring Aurora and Prince Philip, Tiana and Prince Naveen, Belle and the Beast, and Cinderella and Prince Charming. Coco leads its float with Miguel, his bright guitar, and the vibrant spirit guide Pepita crossing the marigold bridge. Moana sails through the parade on a massive glowing wave accompanied by Hei Hei, Pua, and Grandma Tala as a manta ray. Peter Pan and Wendy once again fly above the London rooftops on suspended cables, not to mention Tinker Bell casting pixie dust everywhere she goes. The final float features Casey Jr. from Dumbo, the original locomotive carrying Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, Snow White, Dopey, Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Aladdin, Jasmine, and finally Mickey and Minnie Mouse in their new star-themed costumes. Together, they close out both the parade and a trip that will be remembered for a lifetime.

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Parades illuminate Disney experience

June 11, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

A highlight of any visit to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is the parades. I had premium viewing spots for the Festival of Fantasy Parade, which I saw twice—once on my own and once with my daughter. The best experience, of course, was seeing it with Bella. Two characters even came up to the handicap rope to shake my hand: Prince Philip from Sleeping Beauty and Bashful from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. “There’s a big dragon back there,” Prince Philip told me. “I hope that you will help me vanquish it.” “It would be my honor, sir,” I told him. The Festival of Fantasy Parade starts with the 50-foot Floral Princess Garden float, which includes rotating turntables to ensure that every guest has a great view of the royal couples led by Cinderella, Tiana, Belle, Anna, and Elsa, along with their princes. The Tangled float is a 36-foot pirate-style longship featuring Rapunzel and Flynn Rider and complete with a swinging wooden pendulum that carries the dastardly thugs over the parade route. Next, The Little Mermaid float is designed like a giant kinetic seashell music box in which Ariel rides atop a colorful school of dancing fish below her. The Peter Pan ship includes a flying Peter Pan and Wendy suspended by wire cables as the Jolly Roger soars 28 feet above the street. Captain Hook swings from a dangling anchor while being chased by the giant crocodile as he attempts to attack Peter Pan. The Brave float includes a ship inspired by the Scottish Highlands carrying Merida and her triplet brothers in their bear forms. Sleeping Beauty’s float is a 53-foot-long, 26-foot-tall steampunk-inspired Maleficent dragon built on an articulating chassis that moves fluidly and breathes real fire as Prince Philip battles it on foot. The parade culminates with the Mickey and Minnie float, a 90-foot caravan of characters including Pinocchio, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and the Mad Hatter. Mickey and Minnie sit high above the crowd in a 32-foot hot air balloon surrounded by the dancing hippos from Fantasia. Bella and I also had the privilege of meeting the Mad Hatter and Alice from Alice in Wonderland, who told us about the parade and encouraged us to be sure to catch it. The Mad Hatter also said that he was preparing a tea party for the Queen of Hearts and was planning to paint the teacups red. He wanted to invite all of us to the tea party, especially me since I was wearing red. When I told him that red was my favorite color, he became very excited and said that I would fit in perfectly. Meeting Peter Pan and Wendy was another genuine thrill for me. Bella, Emily, and I met Peter Pan on our second day at the Magic Kingdom, and it was just the lift our spirits needed. “Thank you for coming and sharing your happy thoughts with us,” Peter Pan said to me. “It’s been my honor to meet you,” I replied. “You have given us the happy thoughts we needed for today.” We also enjoyed meeting the wicked stepsisters from Cinderella, Anastasia and Drizella. Though they were not nearly as wicked in person as they are in the film, I did ask Anastasia if she was still seeing the baker from Cinderella II: Dreams Come True, which depicts the redemption of one of the evil stepsisters. “Yes,” she whispered, “but don’t tell my mother. I’ll never be able to marry him because he’s not rich.” They also reported to me that Lucifer the cat was doing well, but that Bruno the dog and the mice had left the castle since Cinderella’s departure with Prince Charming following the wedding. Wendy from Peter Pan was also kind enough to tell me that Nana, the Saint Bernard, was doing very well and that her younger brothers, Michael and John, were still having fun portraying Peter Pan and Captain Hook in playful battles in the nursery. Peter Pan told me that Nana still jumps on him to play games but does not chomp at his shadow as she did in the original film. Meeting Donald and Daisy was also a genuine thrill, as Donald is a favorite character of both of the girls. They were dressed in their circus attire as fortune tellers, and Daisy looked beautiful in her colorful costume. I reminded Donald what a lucky guy he was to have such a beautiful lady as Daisy. After all, it was 16 years ago that I found Emily, my equivalent of Daisy. I also reminded him not to lose his temper around her and to do everything he could to keep her happy, a promise he assured me he would keep. I assured him that we were all very big fans of his and thought he deserved a chance to be Disney’s number one star. In terms of classic shows, one of Walt Disney World’s original attractions featuring Sherman Brothers music was Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. These beautifully colorful Audio-Animatronic birds provided a fantastic musical show and even a pre-show featuring two birds, one of which was voiced by one of Disney’s original great voice actors, Sebastian Cabot, best known as the narrator of the Winnie the Pooh films and as Bagheera the panther in The Jungle Book. These vintage presentations, which came directly from the mind of Walt Disney, are among the most important attractions to me. Even though they may appear dated to some, the nostalgia and brilliance of Walt Disney are evident in every aspect of them. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room and its famous theme song are prime examples of this. Stay tuned for our final jaunt into the Magic Kingdom—and Walt Disney World as a whole.

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Magic Kingdom lives up to its name

June 11, 2026June 11, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

Before I get into the first of our three-day adventure at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida, I should mention the fantastic resort at which we stayed. This is the first—and probably only—time we will stay in a deluxe resort, but the Yacht Club provided us with a stay my family and I will never forget. My daughter is now more interested in lazing around the pool with her mom than chasing characters with me, so this was the perfect place to do just that. We had access to the best pool of any Disney property, and we enjoyed a wonderful meal at the Ale & Compass Restaurant almost immediately upon our arrival at Disney World on Sunday, May 31. Three of us enjoyed excellent New York strip steaks, while my sister enjoyed a decadent-looking pasta dish and my brother-in-law had a scrumptious-looking pork chop. Although we were not able to experience Animal Kingdom due to an ankle injury suffered by my wife, we are grateful that she was able to rent a scooter in time to enjoy the rest of the trip. We are also grateful to the resort for agreeing to mail Emily her phone when it was discovered that she had left it there after we had already departed for the airport on Sunday, June 7. Although they could not return her bank card by mail, we are thankful they informed us that she had left that behind as well so we could make proper arrangements for a replacement. Despite not being able to enjoy the amenities of Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, we did visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and enjoy the beautiful wildlife, which included three giraffes, an ostrich, and two zebras. However, it was the Magic Kingdom that proved to be our dream home and the center of everything magical about our vacation this year. We kicked things off with our annual visit to Mickey, where I told him of our first meeting in 1999. I had broken my nose on the pavement of the Florida Welcome Center on the way in, and my father and mother had brought my sister and me to meet him. Now that my father was gone, a meeting with my hero felt more like a magical necessity than at any other point in my life. It felt as though he knew this and signed in Bella’s autograph book, “You are the magic.” This was after I had told him that his brand of magic could cure even the worst type of blues. In reality, it is only my mother who is capable of this. She is the reason we were able to take this trip as a family and enjoy all the luxuries that came with it. This trip to the Magic Kingdom also gave me a sense of independence that I have never felt before. As a disabled 41-year-old man, I am very seldom comfortable being alone, let alone navigating a place like Disney World. The Magic Kingdom was so accessible that I was able to see Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress on my own. Originally designed by Walt Disney for the 1964 New York World’s Fair to showcase the progress of technology since the turn of the 20th century, the classic 20-minute rotating production highlights the technological advances experienced by the average American family from the 1900s to the 1920s, then the 1940s, and finally the turn of the millennium. The iconic song, There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, was written by the award-winning songwriting team of Robert and Richard Sherman, who supplied much of the music for Disney’s classic films in the 1960s and 1970s. Carousel of Progress holds the record as the longest-running stage show in the history of American theater. I was thrilled to be able to see it before its upcoming refurbishment, which will remove much of the originality that Walt Disney himself placed into the attraction. I was also happy that my family was able to join me for The Hall of Presidents, a show that we never miss on any visit to Walt Disney World. This was my father’s favorite attraction at Disney World, and I really missed having him around when we attended that particular show. Another family favorite of ours is Mickey’s PhilharMagic. That program has been rumored to be removed from Disney World almost since its debut in 2003, and I was thrilled to see that it was still around. As Mickey is my favorite character of all time, I love anything centered around the mouse that started it all. We also enjoyed the Country Bear Musical Jamboree as a family, one of the few original attractions remaining from the opening day of Walt Disney World in 1971. Although it has undergone some modernized changes of its own, including having the Country Bears perform classic Disney songs from films such as The Jungle Book and The Little Mermaid, it remains as enjoyable and lovable as ever. You can never visit Walt Disney World without taking a ride on it’s a small world, which now features a brand-new verse added by Richard M. Sherman shortly before his death on May 25, 2024, at the age of 95. The new verse provides a lesson to us all: “Mother Earth unites us in heart and mind, and the love we give makes us humankind. Through our vast, wondrous land, when we stand hand in hand, it’s a small world after all.” Like his boss, Walt Disney, what an incredible message Mr. Sherman left us with before departing this world. I feel very gratified to have heard the verse in person myself in one of the few rides that can be experienced entirely from your own wheelchair. That wheelchair needed to be charged by the end of the day, and I am truly grateful that I was able to watch the Happily Ever After fireworks spectacular with a perfect view from my charging spot. The only way to…

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Disney’s Hollywood Studios provide ‘Fantasmic’ entertainment

June 11, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has always been a favorite park of mine, second only to the Magic Kingdom. The tribute to the Golden Age of Hollywood is truly the only way I would want to visit the real Tinseltown. On this particular day, I had the blessing of enjoying some one-on-one time with my mother. We saw the spectacular new Disney villain show, Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After, together. The 18-minute interactive stage show, hosted by the Magic Mirror from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, allows the audience to pick which villain is the most misunderstood between three live portrayals: Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians, Captain Hook from Peter Pan, and Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty. Like most of the people waiting in line to see the show, many felt that Maleficent would emerge victorious. They were correct. Through the many mirrors across and surrounding the stage, we see numerous other villains from the many Disney films that have been created over the last century. It was a real thrill to watch this show with my mother from the front row, as she has always been a particularly big fan of the villains. We also had the opportunity to watch the outstanding Walt Disney documentary One Man’s Dream. The 15-minute film, narrated by the original Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews, features rare audio commentary from Walt Disney in his own words. It details his humble beginnings and the extraordinary hardships he overcame, including the loss of the rights to his early characters such as Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and the dramatic story of how he brought Mickey Mouse and the Magic Kingdom to life. Prior to seeing the film, we were able to walk through a gallery that included more than 400 rotating artifacts from the Disney Archives, including original models, toys, animation artwork, and movie props, all of which track the evolution of The Walt Disney Company. There were no rides I could personally experience because of my disability at Hollywood Studios. Therefore, it was my job to concentrate on all the shows and offerings of that nature. Thankfully for me, there were plenty of those. Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Animation offered a 12-minute nighttime spectacular utilizing state-of-the-art projections that transform the façade of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre into a full-fledged movie screen carrying viewers through more than 90 years of Disney and Pixar animation. Broken into six themes—magic, family, adventure, villains, love, and friendship—the program features everything from classic hand-drawn films like Steamboat Willie to modern Pixar smashes like Coco and Frozen. It includes a variety of amazing light displays and a brief fireworks presentation that keeps you captivated throughout the entire show. It is the perfect precursor to the 25-minute Fantasmic! spectacular, which is presented on water screens created by fountains, mist, and lasers. With Mickey fast asleep, he dreams of being the powerful Sorcerer’s Apprentice from Fantasia, using the power of his imagination to control music, water, colors, and magic. When his dream is interrupted by a nightmare of Disney villains, he must overcome his deepest fears and defeat evil to prove that dreams are worth pursuing and that good always conquers evil. This is a very emotional show that is so good it almost makes you want to cry. Huge projections are cast onto walls of dancing mist and water screens featuring dozens of live costumed dancers, pirates, and characters performing on stage and aboard moving boats, complete with sword fights and acrobatics of all kinds. The special effects include dazzling pyrotechnics, lasers, fire effects, and giant floats, with different boats featuring classic characters, film clips, and music from movies such as Fantasia, The Lion King, Aladdin, Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid, and more modern films like Moana and Encanto. The show delivers a message to dreamers of all ages that we have the power to control our own destiny and the choice of whether we pursue good or evil within our lives. My family and I also enjoyed a classic that has been part of our Walt Disney World trips for the past 27 years: Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage. Though it has grown progressively shorter over the years, it remains magical and enthralling for viewers of all ages. Emily, Bella, and I attempted to have a second day at Hollywood Studios, something we had never done before. However, when Emily was rudely interrupted by a cast member while trying to get Goofy’s autograph, my wife was reduced to tears and decided to move our day to the Magic Kingdom. We were happy to do so, and that truly made the day better. Emily was told by two different cast members that it was up to Goofy whether or not he would provide an autograph. When she asked Goofy himself, as directed, the cast member rudely informed her that they were in the middle of an experience telling jokes. Even though she did not have the cast member’s name when she made the complaint, she wanted it known, as do I, that this has been the only time in years of visiting Walt Disney World that we have ever been treated rudely. Even though nothing can be done about it now, we would never do anything to impede the experience of a child at Disney World. We would have been happy to wait until the interaction was finished, but the juvenile reprimand from the cast member upset my wife to the point that she did not want to return to Hollywood Studios. Thank God our three remaining days at the Magic Kingdom brought much more happiness. Stay tuned to hear about those.

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Cooley family returns to EPCOT

June 11, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

My fifth trip to Walt Disney World, my third as a father, and the first without my father on this Earth proved to be the most difficult trip I have ever endured during the first week of June. However, there were too many magical moments to dwell on the difficult parts. Suffice it to say that it is just becoming too hard to grow older and travel with a disability. Nevertheless, our first day in Walt Disney World took place at Epcot. We enjoyed a character dining experience at the Garden Grill, which offered a fantastic breakfast: scrambled eggs, bacon, cheesy potatoes, sliced steak, cinnamon bread with caramel glaze, and the one delicacy no breakfast at Disney would be complete without—Mickey waffles. My mother was kind enough not only to pick up the tab for the $60-per-person breakfast, but to pay for the entire trip. She is the true Mickey Mouse of my life, one whose generosity knows no bounds and the one person who can make magic happen out of the worst situations. I’m so happy that my sister and her husband were able to join us on this trip from Charleston, South Carolina. The loss of my father last October left a huge hole in the trip, as I believe he was trying very hard to hang on so that he could join us. I know he was there in spirit and that he was responsible for some magical things that happened on the trip, not to mention our safety to and from home. Our Garden Grill breakfast would have been something he truly would have enjoyed. He and I were the only two members of the family who really loved breakfast food, and one of the things I missed most about this trip was not being able to have breakfast with my dad. Mom, Bella, Emily, and I enjoyed our breakfast in the company of Mickey Mouse in his brightly colored overalls, as well as Chip, Dale, and Pluto. They were all wonderful and brightened our day considerably, as only Disney characters are able to do. After the meal, Bella and I met with Mickey again at Epcot, as well as Minnie and Goofy. In meeting with Mickey, I asked him the same question I always do: Did he know of any good property in Walt Disney World for my family and me to live? He pointed to Spaceship Earth, suggesting that I could live in the giant ball that serves as the emblem of Epcot. I could definitely get used to that. I also enjoyed riding The Seas with Nemo & Friends, despite the fact that the 45-minute wait took more than an hour before we boarded the seven-minute ride. Still, it is a favorite of mine, and every Disney ride could be its own movie. This one, for example, serves as a sequel to Finding Nemo, in which Nemo is lost again and his father, Dory, and all their friends embark on an undersea journey to find him. Two rides that I exceptionally enjoyed at Epcot were Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Both were favorite experiences. After enjoying lunch at the San Angel Inn Restaurante, a favorite Mexican dining spot that we have enjoyed throughout all of our Disney trips over the last 27 years, I was finally able to board the wheelchair-accessible Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. This ride represents an all-time favorite film of Bella’s and mine, and riding it together through a virtual tour of Mexico—including the Mayan pyramids and vibrant beaches—was a wonderful experience. We viewed whimsical blends of live-action travel footage and classic hand-drawn animation as we searched for Donald Duck with José Carioca and Panchito Pistoles. Donald, of course, spends his time wandering around Mexican tourist attractions, taking photographs and enjoying the sights. The finale features Audio-Animatronic figures of the Three Caballeros performing their original theme song. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure was a fantastic ride as well, even though there were more twists and turns than I expected. Knowing that a fast-paced attraction such as this can be made fully wheelchair accessible leads me to believe that any ride in Walt Disney World could be made accessible with the proper effort. The four-dimensional ride shrinks you to the size of a rat and guides you through Chef Gusteau’s famous Paris restaurant as you help Remy prepare his masterful meal. You travel through giant physical sets and massive screens that make you feel as though you are on a roller coaster, even though you are not. You can feel the heat from burning ovens and even get splashed with sprays of champagne during the adventure. I also thoroughly enjoyed Reflections of China, a 360-degree documentary that showcases panoramic views of the wonders of China. Narrated by an actor portraying the ancient Chinese poet Li Bai, viewers are taken on a tour of the Chinese countryside and historic landmarks, including the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Terracotta Army in Xi’an, and scenes from Hunan, Guilin, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. The 2003 film is soon to be replaced by an updated version. I was glad to see this one before it disappears forever. In addition to the six characters I mentioned earlier, Bella was able to meet Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh, and the two lady mice from Cinderella, Suzy and Perla. While we did not break our record of three dozen character meet-and-greets this time, twenty-three is not a bad number. I am most thankful to have spent the day with my sister. Our childhoods are highlighted by two trips to Disney World, and we had a great time reminiscing about the past and being grateful for our consistently close relationship throughout our lives. We laughed and cried over memories of our dad, which was a great help to me. I am very thankful for her. Stay tuned next week to hear about our adventure at Disney’s Hollywood…

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Bella turns 12

May 17, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

There are moments in life that redefine who we are forever. For me, that moment came on a stormy Tuesday night — May 27, 2014, at 9:04 p.m. — when my daughter Bella entered this world. Today, the joy of my life turns 12 years old. Becoming a father was never something I truly expected, but the moment Bella arrived, it became my purpose. I could not be prouder of the young woman she is becoming. She inherited her mother’s beauty and kind heart, but she also carries a healthy dose of my no-nonsense personality. Thankfully, she inherited my love for live entertainment as well, and that shared passion has given us some unforgettable memories. This past year has been especially memorable for us. We traveled to Charlotte to see the touring Broadway production of Wicked and even met members of the cast afterward. Earlier this month, we attended Vicki Lawrence’s “Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two Woman Show” and had the opportunity to meet her afterward as well. Then, just days before Bella’s birthday, we saw comedian Tim Meadows perform at the Millwald Theatre here in Wytheville. I know Meadows from his legendary years on Saturday Night Live. Bella knows him from Mean Girls. It was one of those perfect father-daughter moments where two generations met in the middle. Of course, nothing tops Disney World for either of us. Thanks to my mother — Bella’s grandmother — whose magical powers may rival Disney itself, our family will once again head to the Most Magical Place on Earth during the first week of June. We are already counting down the days. Bella’s first concert was Genesis, our favorite band. Over the years, she has joined me in seeing legendary artists like Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Bonnie Raitt, and our late friend, the incomparable comedian James Gregory. But as she has grown older, her musical tastes have naturally shifted toward the artists of her own generation. These days, she is completely captivated by One Direction and the solo careers of its members. Now it is my turn to take her to the concerts she wants to see. Harry Styles ticket prices may require a second mortgage, so that dream may have to wait. Zayn Malik recently canceled tour dates due to health issues. But we already have tickets to see Louis Tomlinson at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center, the same venue where she saw Genesis in 2021. We are also headed back there to see a rising artist named Sombr, who I must admit is exceptionally talented. If all goes according to plan, we may even catch Niall Horan when he tours through Raleigh next spring. People say a father earns a special badge of honor when he takes his daughter to a boy band concert. By next year, I believe I will have earned mine several times over. As wonderful as this year has been, it has also been one of the hardest Bella has ever faced. Within roughly 14 months, she lost both of her grandfathers, her dog, and her cat. My father passed away on October 26, 2025, the day after his 83rd birthday. Living in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, he did not get nearly as much time with Bella as I wish he could have had. Still, I remain grateful for the memories they shared. Bella often reminds me not to worry because she has wonderful memories with “Pop.” I still remember sitting beside my father shortly after Bella was born as we watched her sleep in amazement. He looked at me and quietly said, “She’s going to do something very special with her life.” I believe he was right. Then, on February 11, 2026, Bella lost her maternal grandfather as well. She spent countless hours with her Pawpaw at his home in Elizabethton, Tennessee, often hanging out in “Dave’s Cave,” watching movies, listening to The Beatles, and talking about everything under the sun. They shared a special bond built on music, humor, and simple time together. She also continues to miss her beloved dog, Sophie, who had been by her side virtually every day of her life until Sophie had to be put down on March 14, 2025, just two months after Bella lost her cat, Sketch. For a child who loves animals as deeply as Bella does, those losses were heartbreaking. When a dog sleeps beside you every night of your childhood and suddenly is not there anymore, the silence is enormous. Yet through all of it, Bella has handled life with remarkable strength, positivity, and perseverance. One of the most important things I ever wanted to do as a father was to never crush her imagination or enthusiasm. Ironically, she has become the one encouraging me not to give up on my own dreams. Without her encouragement, I never would have landed the biggest interview of my career with Vicki Lawrence or shared that experience with my family. Bella has also never allowed my being in a wheelchair to define what we can do together. Whenever I worry about limitations, she immediately reminds me: “Are you kidding? We do more together than any father and daughter I know.” As I write these words through tears, I hope she always knows how much those words mean to me. Years ago, a counselor asked me to create a dream board filled with goals for my life. On that board, I placed a picture of infant Bella dressed in a Minnie Mouse outfit beside a simple phrase: “Take Bella everywhere she wants to go.” At the top of that list was Disney World. By the end of this June, we will have gone three times together. Along the way, we have attended concerts, met celebrities, traveled, laughed, cried, and made memories I would not trade for anything in this world. Most people never get to meet their heroes. Mine calls me Daddy. Happy 12th birthday to my Bubzie — the greatest joy of my life.

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