Sometimes a lifetime of magic comes to those who are at the right place at the right time.
Website Boing Boing recently reminded the world of a most precious moment involving Walt Disney and two kids who were afforded lifetime tickets to Disneyland, simply for being in an auspicious spot on opening day.
It's a great story that manages to heighten the magic and mystique of California's most iconic theme park.
The website points to an initial report from The Orange County Register that highlights a memorable day in the lives of Michael Schwartner and his cousin, Christine Vess, who now goes by Kristina Graef-both of whom were at Disneyland on its opening day, July 18, 1955.
At the time, Schwartner was seven and Graef was five; both were adorable.
It was perhaps that latter fact that had officials asking the kids if they wanted to come on in and enjoy the park, not immediately knowing that this meant they would be the first kids to step foot into this magical place.
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The O.C. Register explains little Michael was all over the news of the opening and knew that the family would pass by on their vacation trip to Mexico.
The little boy got his way and the family made a detour to this new amusement park that boasted 15,000 people already in line.
As the adults waited in line to buy tickets-at a price the report states was "$1 each for the adults and 75 cents or 50 cents for each of the kids, depending on their age"-the kids played around the nearby turnstiles.
Fortunately, although it must have seemed like a tragedy at the time, Christine scraped her knee. The family credits the ensuing sobs to getting the attention of staff who offered to introduce the kids to Disney.
Michael remembers his first meeting with Walt: "I was just a kid, but he talked to me like a real person. He asked me if I could wiggle my ears. I said, 'No, can you?' He said, 'Nope, but I can wiggle my nose.' And he did - mustache and all."
Michael's mom, Mildred Schwartner, who was 90 at the time of the report, explains that the experience was astounding: "We went wild. We went from ride to ride to ride. All we had to do was get up and get on. We didn't have to wait in line for anything."
Because the two kids were the first to enter the park, posing in myriad pictures with Walt Disney, the family got into the park for free and didn't have to even pay for food.
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The best part was yet to come. After riding on rides without waiting in line and eating all they could without paying for it, the two kids were granted lifetime passes to this special place.
It's nearly like meeting Santa Claus and then getting a lifetime pass to the North Pole.
Graef is still very fond of Disneyland: "Disneyland is a special place. I tell my grandchildren and everyone to enjoy every minute they are there. The memories that are made there last a lifetime."
Michael states: "Those were some of my fondest memories. I liked to watch the kids having fun. You can see a lot of life and living."
If you are wondering what a lifetime pass looks like, it's something like a box filled with annual passes. The O.C. Register explains that in Michael's case he saves all of his passes that are sent to him by the park on a yearly basis.
He wouldn't have that box without a few things working in fine order. Over 70 years ago, a little boy's pleas and a little girl's tumble led to a lifetime of Disneyland bliss.
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