Third time is truly a charm at Disney.

• Author: Downey, Marguerite G.
• Position: About This Issue

I have a confession to make. When I first learned that LMA was holding its 25th Annual Conference at Disney World, I was not overly thrilled. Nothing against Mickey personally, I just have had a couple of less than magical experiences in Walt's kingdom. My first trip came in 1981 with my family. I had not been at the park 10 minutes when I promptly lost the $20 I had been saving and cried my eyes out. Fast-forward to 2004, and this time I felt like Belle at the ball with my own Prince Charming in tow. Having grown up a few miles from Six Flags, I boasted I could stomach any ride. My husband took me on the kid-friendly Star Tours where I turned greener than Jiminy Cricket.

But this year's conference held at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resort changed all of that. Upon departing from the Magical Express Shuttle, my 6-year-old niece enthusiastically greeted me at the front desk of the hotel. The front desk attendant, aka Disney cast member, immediately realized that I would want to stay in a room near her. He offered me a selection of rooms and explained how the closest room to my family wasn't necessarily the best room available. Then, he handed me different keys, so I could inspect each room. I have stayed at many hotels but have never had anyone hold rooms until I have looked at all of my options firsthand. That interaction with the cast member exceeded my expectations. It...