History Heartwarming / DisneyThemeParks

* Crossing over with a meta heartwarming for the Cinderella sequels (Specifically the last segment of ''WesternAnimation/CinderellaIIDreamsComeTrue'' and ''WesternAnimation/CinderellaIIIATwistInTime''), any cast member who plays Anastasia will feel how the animated one felt when she did get her happy ever after, by having her little fans give that to her in person. Examples [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVtvA-Tghmo here]] (And its [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JBhQ7jhdWI follow up]]) and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yQD0D21JFI here.]]

* The part of California Adventure in which Ariel's Undersea Adventure currently resides used to have a theater playing a documentary, titled ''Golden Dreams''. Creator/WhoopiGoldberg portrayed the mythical Queen Califia, who took guests through the history of the state named after her, while occasionally providing encouragement to Californians in need. Eventually, she encounters a young Creator/SteveJobs expressing his dream of selling [[UsefulNotes/AppleMacintosh personal computers]] to everyone in the world. Steve Wozniak retorts, "[[ItWillNeverCatchOn Dream on, Steve.]]" Califia chimes in, "[[SincerityMode Keep dreaming.]] Trust me on this one", then bites from [[{{Foreshadowing}} a red apple]].

* A Disney commercial from the 1990s involving a man gets a call from his son, telling him that he's a grandpa (for the first time, probably). Grandpa has a brief ImagineSpot of a boy at Disney World running towards him yelling "Grandpa, Grandpa!" Then the grandpa hears what the son is naming his new grandkid: [[spoiler: Maggie. Another ImagineSpot appears, this time featuring a girl at Disney World running towards him yelling "Grandpa, Grandpa!"]]

** Even ''more'' sweet? The ride's California counterpart, the Submarine Voyage, returned with a vengeance (and a ''WesternAnimation/FindingNemo'' theme) in 2007, and is still going strong to this day.

** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ysPw1ef9aQ&t=1006s "Happiness Is Here Parade"]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3o8Fogee-Q has to be one of the sweetest and cutest parade ever held at an Disney Park]]. It features various Disney Characters (such as ''Franchise/WinnieThePooh'', the cast from ''WesternAnimation/FindingNemo'', and characters ''WesternAnimation/AliceInWonderland'') being, well, ''happy''. The parade even features some of Disney's lesser-known characters (such as The King Of Hearts, ''WesternAnimation/TheUglyDuckling1939'', and a float dedicated to ''The Aristocats'' featuring Marie, Toulouse, and Berlioz); even the Queen of Hearts float features her smiling and being happy for once.

* ''Wondrous Journeys''

** At the top of the DarkestHour, WesternAnimation/{{Moana}}'s Grandma Tala swims past in her stingray form, optimistically singing an excerpt of "[[HopeSpot I Am Moana (Song of the Ancestors)]]." This segues into [[TearDryer a compilation of motivational speeches]], as a combination of [[WesternAnimation/{{Encanto}} "Dos Orugitas" and "Two Orugitas"]] re-materializes Sleeping Beauty Castle into a Casita-like structure, complete with non-''Encanto'' characters carved into images resembling the enchanted doors.

** At the DarkestHour, Disneyland appears to fall into ruin. As [[TearJerker everyone shares a good cry]], WesternAnimation/{{Moana}} begs the ocean, "You have to choose someone else!"... but then [[HopeSpot her Grandma Tala's stingray form swims past]], optimistically singing an excerpt of "I Am Moana (Song of the Ancestors)." This segues into [[TearDryer a compilation of motivational speeches]], as a combination of [[WesternAnimation/{{Encanto}} "Dos Orugitas" and "Two Orugitas"]] re-materializes Sleeping Beauty Castle into a Casita-like structure, complete with non-''Encanto'' characters carved into images resembling the enchanted doors.

* Much of the upcoming Animal Kingdom show Rivers of Light can not only come across as totally awesome, but also pretty cute to look at during certain scenes, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvUQn-DYd88 as this early preview event shows]].

* ''Wondrous Journeys'' reaches its DarkestHour as Disneyland appears to fall into ruin. As [[TearJerker everyone shares a good cry]], WesternAnimation/{{Moana}} begs the ocean, "You have to choose someone else!"... but then [[HopeSpot her Grandma Tala's stingray form swims past]], optimistically singing an excerpt of "I Am Moana (Song of the Ancestors)." This segues into [[TearDryer a compilation of motivational speeches]], as a combination of [[WesternAnimation/{{Encanto}} "Dos Orugitas" and "Two Orugitas"]] re-materializes Sleeping Beauty Castle into a Casita-like structure, complete with non-''Encanto'' characters carved into images resembling the enchanted doors.

* ''Wondrous Journeys'' reaches its DarkestHour as Disneyland appears to fall into ruin. As [[TearJerker everyone shares a good cry]], WesternAnimation/{{Moana}} begs the ocean, "You have to choose someone else!"... but then [[HopeSpot her Grandma Tala's stingray form swims past]], optimistically singing an excerpt of "I Am Moana (Song of the Ancestors)." This segues into [[TearDryer a compilation of motivational speeches]], as a combination of [[WesternAnimation/{{Encanto}} "Dos Orugitas" and "Two Orugitas"]] re-materializes Sleeping Beauty Castle as a Casita-like structure, complete with non-''Encanto'' characters carved into images resembling the enchanted doors.

* It's a GeniusBonus / AllThereInTheManual one, but when Mission: SPACE opened, it featured several plaques in the outside queue area with quotes on them from famous people related to space travel, one of them being from Christa [=McAuliffe=], the woman who was supposed to have become the first teacher in space, but who died in the Challenger disaster. The woman who was the runner-up, Barbara Morgan, overcame her friend's loss, entered regular astronaut training, and flew on the shuttle after all, twenty years later. Morgan was invited to dedicate a plaque of her own on that wall at Mission: SPACE... and it's right next to [=McAuliffe's=].
** In the queue for Soarin' Over California, there are images and artifacts from every era of aerospace, including a photo of the Space Shuttle Columbia dedicated to the memory of the crew.

* Before his passing in 2005, Creator/PaulWinchell planned on reprising his role as Tigger for ''WesternAnimation/TheTiggerMovie''. [[VocalEvolution Due to his age effected his voice]], he was replaced by [[Creator/JimCummings1952 Jim Cummings]] who currently voices Tigger in future Pooh projects. However, the Imagineers felt very bad for him and decided to allowed him to reprise his role as Tigger for the final time with ''The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh'' at Walt Disney World's Fantasyland. After he finished recording Tigger's dialogue, he said to the Imagineers "TTFA! Ta-ta forever." before leaving the recording booth.

* Tokyo Disneyland's Easter Parade ''Disney's Easter Wonderland'' and ''Hippity Hoppity-Springtime'' both feature Goofy and his [[WesternAnimation/GoofyTroop son]] [[WesternAnimation/AGoofyMovie Max]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGdXiauEbrc having the time of their life.]] Especially the ''Hippity Hoppity-Springtime Parade'' where the duo are interacting with [[WesternAnimation/AliceInWonderland The White Rabbit]] (much to his annoyance). Both parades also feature Thumper and his mate Miss Bunny bonding with each other. They even hosted the show stop sections for the ''Hippity Hoppity-Springtime Parade''. The entire parade is filled with genuinely sweet interactions between Mickey and the other famous Disney Rabbits.

* The scene in the 3D movie "Mickey's Philharmagic" where Donald goes after the Sorcerer's hat on a Magic Carpet in Agrabah while Aladdin and Jasmine sing "A Whole New World". At the end of the song, Jasmine notices Donald reaching for the hat on their carpet, so she responds by picking it up and placing it on his head. Donald's delighted reaction, and the fact that Jasmine was the only one on the film who actually helped Donald get the hat back, are both really heartwarming.

* That moment when you get to introduce your young family member to their favorite Disney character live, in person. The look on their face when they get to meet Mickey Mouse, Winnie The Pooh, Cinderella, Buzz Lightyear, Anna and Elsa, Moana, Darth Vader, Spider-Man, Phineas and Ferb or another popular character is just amazing.

* How about this story? After the September 11th attacks, all of the Walt Disney World theme parks and activities were closed for the day (due to timezone differences, the Florida parks were still open, while Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure never opened that day). One guest even reported that an AC-130 Spectre gunship flew over MGM-Studios and Epcot, and was flying low enough that a soldier at a machine gun was visible, [[Main/ParanoiaFuel ready to intercept hijacked airliners.]] However, when it seemed that nothing would go on, they surprisingly ran the Electrical Water Pageant that night, with one small change...they kept the American flag floats lit during the entire trip around the lake.

* One for fans of WDW as it was back in the 1980's and early 1990's. As a special treat for the park's 40th anniversary in 2011, they arranged for [[ChuckCunninghamSyndrome Dreamfinder]] from the old ''Journey Into Imagination'' to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWzNjQ0zdHM make a surprise appearance at D23]] after a 15-year absence from Walt Disney World. [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic Seeing Dreamfinder singing "One Little Spark" again after all these years]] [[NostalgiaFilter might bring back memories to the older fans of Journey Into Imagination]].
* The part of California Adventure that Ariel's Undersea Adventure currently resides in used to have a theater playing a documentary, titled ''Golden Dreams''. Creator/WhoopiGoldberg portrayed the mythical Queen Califia, who took guests through the history of the state named after her, while occasionally providing encouragement to Californians in need. Eventually, she encounters a young Creator/SteveJobs expressing his dream of selling [[UsefulNotes/AppleMacintosh personal computers]] to everyone in the world. Steve Wozniak retorts, "[[ItWillNeverCatchOn Dream on, Steve.]]" Califia chimes in, "[[SincerityMode Keep dreaming.]] Trust me on this one", then bites from [[{{Foreshadowing}} a red apple]].

** Disney Legend Ron Logan remembers attending the Magic Skyway with Walt Disney at the 1964 - 1965 World's Fair. Despite being offered the [=VIP=] entrance, Walt Disney insisted on waiting in line with everyone else, with the line itself being two hours long!
* Doubles as Funny too, but in 1956, Walt Disney, Ken Anderson and set designer Emile Kuri slipped into Sleeping Beauty Castle to figure out the plans for a proposed Sleeping Beauty walk-through. When they got inside the Castle, they found that almost a hundred feral cats had made the space inside the Castle their home, which then resulted in the three covered in fleas! The Heartwarming bit is that, despite the recommendations to call in an exterminator, Walt arranged for the bathing and grooming of the "Castle Cats" and even found families for them!
* The scene in the 3D movie "Mickey's Philharmagic" where Donald goes after the Sorcerer's hat on a Magic Carpet in Agrebah while Aladdin and Jasmine sing "A Whole New World". At the end of the song, Jasmine notices Donald reaching for the hat on their carpet so she responds by picking it up and placing it on his head. Donald's delighted reaction, and the fact that Jasmine was the only one on the film who actually helped Donald get the hat back, are both really heartwarming.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOnRLSuiF50 Any video featuring guests]] ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV_e2ardtyA especially children]]) [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-vxaP-tYJg meeting]] [[WesternAnimation/TheAristocats Marie]]. [[http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5012/5541287239_14eb199e57.jpg It's just so cute to watch]] [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QHsgDGYLOeA children giving hugs and interacting with Marie]], who is considered by quite a few viewers to be one of the cutest Disney characters next to Figaro, WesternAnimation/ChipAndDale, [[WesternAnimation/Frozen2013 Olaf]] and [[WesternAnimation/BigHero6 Baymax]].

* The Mickey's Toontown area at Disneyland usually opens about an hour later than the rest of the park. On at least one occasion when the gates opened, Mickey and Minnie came out to greet the guests. Mickey leaned down to hug a few children, and then took two of them by the hand and led them into his neighborhood like old friends. That moment will be with those kids for ''life.''

-->"The Spectromen are keepers of light. They hold the parades magical light and transform it for you in the midst of the night. They come from a land called Light Spriation where everything is filled with rays of light and magical bursts of color. They were always afraid to come out of hiding and share their magical light, until one day, Mickey, the Spectromen King, asked if they would join him in a nighttime festival of magic and light, and come and bring the magical light for everyone to see. Scared to confront people, they hesitated. After much consideration, the Spectro Men agreed. They brought along their magical Spectro Balls and Light-Trumpets to spread the joy of their magical light to everyone. Mickey controls the light they magically create and powers the parade through his Electro-ball, changing it from night to day, or crystal to multi-color."

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSEJ_bh1OEw Jason Derulo stopping a televised performance at Disney World so a guest can propose to his girlfriend.]] There have been many memorable proposals at the parks, but this one really takes the cake. Bonus points for Derulo's song selection being [[WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994 "Can You Feel The Love Tonight".]]

* Older tropers may recall the story of Suzy Dewey, aged six, a leukemia patient from Grand Rapids. She'd been in the papers a few times in 1965 for kindhearted folks' various pre-Make A Wish type actions to fulfill her simple desires (a dollhouse, a wig when her hair fell out). In December 1966, the family was invited to Disneyland by a man claiming to work for Jerry Lewis. The invitation was a hoax. Cue outraged national headlines: "Meanest Man Has Laugh at Dying Child's Expense." Two days later, an anonymous woman millionaire financed the trip and sent gifts for the Dewey girls. On December 28, 1966, two months before her death, Suzy Dewey arrived in the Magic Kingdom.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF6VDP_2Eqc This commercial for Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary]]. In it, a baby is trying to walk, as the family can't go to Disney World until she does. They eventually decide to go to anyway...and the baby takes her first steps right into Mickey's arms.

** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ysPw1ef9aQ&t=1006s "Happiness Is Here Parade"]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3o8Fogee-Q has to be one of the sweetest and cutest parade ever held at an Disney Park]]. It features various Disney Characters (such as ''Franchise/WinnieThePooh'', the cast from ''WesternAnimation/FindingNemo'', and characters ''WesternAnimation/AliceInWonderland'') being, well,''Happy''. The parade even features some of Disney's lesser-known characters (such as The King Of Hearts, ''WesternAnimation/TheUglyDuckling1939'', and a float dedicated to ''The Aristocats'' featuring Marie, Toulouse, and Berlioz); even the Queen of Hearts float features her smiling and being happy for once.

* The 2022 Epcot International Festival of the Arts, happened to be the first one to conside with the new ''Beacons of Magic'' lighting ceremony on Spaceship Earth. During the festival, the standard music is replaced with "[[Film/TheMuppetMovie Rainbow Connection]]". The song's already heartwarming enough on its own, but the fact that the lights start to form a rainbow is just the icing on the cake. It helps that Disney used the version heard in ''Film/TheMuppets2011'' which was already rather bittersweet in context.
* Starting in the early 2020s, changing societal norms forced Disney to phase out all uses of the phrase "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls," in announcements throughout the parks. This most notably affected the Main Street Electrical Parade's famous introductory announcement, which dated back to the 1970s. Altering such an iconic line was always bound to be [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks controversial]], and as if that wasn't enough, this change was made right around the time parade was set to return to Disneyland to celebrate [[MilestoneCelebration its 50th anniversary]]. But when the parade started its run on April 20, 2022, guests found themselves greeted by the following words:

-->'''Roboticized Voice:''' "''[[CallBack To all who come to this happy place,]] Disneyland proudly presents our spectacular festival pageant of nighttime magic and imagination. In thousands of sparkling lights and electro-synthe-magnetic musical sounds: The Main Street Electrical Parade!''"

* [[Creator/WaltDisney Walt Disney's]] opening day speech in 1955: "To all who come to this happy place... ''welcome''."

-->'''Disneyland Announcer:''' "50 years ago, a magical parade sparkled to life, bringing joy to the young and young at heart. Alive with imagination, it continues to grow, welcoming new friends and stories, inspiring new generations, and shining into our hearts with its heritage of hope. For its magic celebrates togetherness and the spirit of Walt Disney's words that welcomed the world..."