The Real Disney Love Stories

“Once in a while, right in the middle of ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.” –Anonymous

Everyone loves a great love story, admit it! Especially the kind that seem to be like a fairy tale (mixed with a bit of real life, of course). We have all loved watching the classic Disney romances blossom on the big screen, falling head over heels for the characters and their epic tales. I think just about every little girl dreams that one day she will meet her prince and ride off into the sunset to live happily ever after. But today you are going to see that real life fairly tales really do exist, maybe minus the whole riding off into the sunset part.;)

Since September is the month of our wedding anniversary, I thought this would be the perfect time to share not only about our great love story, but about the real Disney love stories that no one may know about…until now!;) As some of you know my husband and I both worked for the company for years, yet our paths didn’t cross until I was working in Japan for Tokyo Disneyland. To quote Taylor Swift he was the prince and I was the princess and the rest is pretty much history. You can read our entire story here…

But today I want to share other stories, like ours, that really are a dream come true. Disney is not just a magical place for all who visit the parks, but it is also the beginning of so many real life love stories for the people who have worked there. Mickey Mouse really is the world’s greatest match-maker. So let me introduce you to a few of these real life fairy tale couples…

Micah and Kolissa met while working on Pixar Play Parade. They both had worked at Disney for years, but never knew each other. When Micah returned home after a contract working for Tokyo Disneyland they finally had a chance to meet and become friends. After about a year the two finally started to date and the rest is, you know, history. They have been together for 7 years now and have 2 little girls with another one due any day. The couple even decided to name their girls with Disney inspired names since meeting there meant so much to both of them.

Ashleigh and Tom met while rehearsing for the opening cast of the Disney Dream in Toronto, Canada. They sang “Once Upon a Dream” together in a music rehearsal, and he melted her heart. The couple dated for three years before walking down the aisle. They have been happily married for two and a half years and have a 18 month old son named Gideon who they love to take to Disneyland.

Lauren & DJ met at Disney 10 years ago doing Block Party Bash parade. He was her first rehearsal partner and it was love at first sight for her..he just thought she was cute. But a couple months later they became best friends, which grew into dating, then they were married a year and half later. They have a beautiful little boy named Link who is now four years old and wants to work at Disney too one day!;)

Kim & Chris first met while performing in the original Princess Fantasy Faire. They were just friends for several years when Kim left Disney to go to grad school, but they stayed in touch. Eventually, after talking for months, they decided to turn their friendship into more and started to date. Chris claims after their first date he knew she was the one and that sealed it! They were married in December of 2014 and are still enjoying being newlyweds. Happiest Place on Earth, indeed, especially when drinking the famous Dole Whip with the one you love!

Claire & Jay met while both being cast in a show on the Rivers of America in spring of 1977. Their first date was to a Disney movie showing to cast members of “Pete’s Dragon” in the Lincoln Theater in Town Square Dec 11,1977. She was still in the Parade Department until 1979 which happens to be when Jay proposed. At that time Disneyland was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays during the off season so of course they were married on Monday, March 24, 1980 so everyone could attend without asking for a day off.

Jay has now worked for Disneyland for 40 years! They have had four children, two of which have worked for Disneyland. After all this time they say that Disneyland has changed considerably, but they still have lifelong friends there whom they consider family.

Holly & Matthew met working for the Electrical Parade at The Disneyland Resort. After their first rehearsal together she knew that she wanted this person in her life! A year later they were offered contracts for the Tokyo Disney Resort and lived in Japan together for 2 years where their relationship quickly grew. He was a prince and she was a princess and he truly made her feel like one every day! Eleven years later they have been happily married for 5 of those years and have a beautiful daughter! They love taking her to Disneyland where their lives together started and now can share it through her eyes!

Stacy & Keiso were sitting in the cosmetology room on opposite sides of the mirror. She nervously asked the cosmetologist if she was doing the makeup right for a new role she was playing. Then right there, sitting on the bench, was a man whom she had never met before. He smiled, and in very broken English, introduced himself. She felt like a little schoolgirl and just giggled, walked back to the other side of the mirror, sat down, and simply smiled as well.

Because he didn’t speak English, nor her Cantonese, during their breaks they would sit in the break room and draw pictures to each other to help them communicate. The fascination between both cultures and the chemistry they shared together is how this uncommon relationship began. Stacey says it is difficult to explain, but they just matched. This girl from Southern California and this boy from Hong Kong…. just simply meant to be.

Jen & Dean met during rehearsals on Tom Sawyers Island for a brand new show called “Fantastic” in the Summer of 1993.  He was in show services, she was a performer. Jen would completely stop talking and just stare at him whenever he came in sight, although never had the courage to talk to him. A friend finally gave her Dean’s phone number along with a little push to give him a call. Things didn’t go quite as planned, so they decided to be friends. But finally, on January 25, 1994, Dean realized their friendship was something more and took Jen out on their first date. They dated for 5 years before tying the knot on June 5,1999.

They now have been together for 22 years, married for 17 and have two incredible kids; Cooper 12 and Finley 8. They both still work at the resort part time and feel so blessed to be part of the Disney family. Jen is particularly thankful for her Aunt who gave her the heads up to audition and who jokingly said  “The men are so nice there, you might find a husband”….Little did she know.

Krista & Kevin met when Krista was working as a princess at Disneyland. Co-workers (we’ll call them Pocahontas and John Smith) set her up on a blind date with a manager from another department, who happened to be Kevin. On that date they talked until the sun came up. It was true magic and love at first sight. A decade later they have been married for 7 years with two beautiful children. They visit disney once a year to take the kids and reminisce about the place where they met.

Liza & Nathan met in 1999 when “God brought us together by casting us both in the Mulan Parade” says Liza. He was a dragon carrier and she was an umbrella dancer, it was a match made in Heaven. They performed in parades together for years then in 2005 Nathan popped the question during rehearsal in front of fellow cast members and friends. Of course Liza shouted “YES” and now, 11 years later, they have 3 beautiful children. They love sharing their passion for Disney with their family because it really holds so many magical memories for them.

Bud & Kelsey met while working at Disney eight years ago. He was an acrobat in the Pixar Parade and she was a dancer in Parade of Dreams. A mutual friend introduced them and Kelsey knew right away that this was something different, even though she was only 19 years old at the time. They dated for eight years before getting married a year ago and they both say not only did they find each other because of Disney, but they met so many their best friends too!

Now, if you didn’t believe in happily ever after before, I have a feeling you might now!;) Disney really is the “happiest place on earth” especially for those that find their one true love.