Magic That Made Us is a series that reminisces on the bits and pieces of yesteryear that molded us - both individually and as a generation - into who we are today. Be sure to check out the archives for previous posts.
It’s 2007, and you’re visiting Walt Disney World during the holiday season. You’re up and at ‘em for your first full day at the parks but your family is still getting ready. You decide to pass the time by turning on the in-room television, hoping to run across some early morning cartoons.
The screen turns on and the room suddenly fills with a sound that can best be described as one of a banshee. “What the hell was that,” your Dad asks as he peeks into the bedroom with a perplexed look in his eye. The previous guests must’ve been trying to hear the television from outer space, and you frantically press the volume button on the remote to oh-my-good-gracious-make-it-stop.
Whew - that was maybe too much adrenaline for 5:37 a.m. You put the remote on the nightstand, completely forgetting about the cartoons. “Mickey is my boy“, exclaims the dark-haired woman on the television, whom you soon learn is named Stacey. With a little more shrieking, some flailing around, and a set of real enthusiastic jazz hands, you find yourself unable to look away.
Stacey is taking viewers on a tour of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It’s bright and sunny, and so is she. You see her meet characters, get her “ride on”, explain how this visit is like a trip to Africa “without all the malaria shots and stuff”, jam her arm in a log with an unidentified critter, and - oh, you’ll see!
This week, Disney announced the return of what is essentially the former FastPass+ system under a different name and, well, costs money. All that news got me reminiscing about days of the past, which got me thinking about Stacey and now - to absolutely no one’s surprise - I’m feelin’ a bit nostalgic.
But first, who is Stacey? Well, she’s an icon, she’s a queen, she’s the moment. With boundless energy and character, Stacey hosted the show that Disney resort guests could watch - on loop, if desired - on their in-room television. For some, a trip just isn’t quite the same without her. She’s kind of a Disney legend in her own unique and zany way, and we love her for that.
So, let’s take a walk down memory lane.
“Top 7 Must Sees at Walt Disney World” (2006)
“Must Do Disney with Stacey” (2011)
“Must Do Disney with Stacey” (2015)
Do you have any memories watching Stacey before or after a long day at the park? These days, my balance usually tips more toward the day-at-a-glance channel but I always take a moment to reminisce about the days when our screens were graced by the one and only host extraordinaire, Stacey. That’s magic, noted.
See ya real soon,
PS. Stacey retweeted me once and I’ve chosen to never forget it.
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