A Week Full of Memories for Chilean Guests

This is a follow-up to post written to announce the upcoming adventure awaiting the formerly trapped Chilean miners and their rescuers.  Trapped 2,300 feet inside the earth for 69 days in a collapsed Chilean mine.  There miracle rescue became one of the most compelling stories of 2010 as an entire world awaited updates.   Because of their faith, hope and endurance, the miners, their rescuers and members of their families were treated to a vacation by Walt Disney World Resort (map) in order to create new cherished memories.  Memories of a lifetime were indeed created for the Chilean vacationers as they celebrated life at Disney World last week. 

The group of nearly 160, which included 31 of the 33 miners, started gathering memorable moments upon their majestic arrival  at the Orlando International Airport when they received a ceremonial water salute by local firefighting units.  The salute came in the form of  a water arch created over the tarmac as the airplane they were riding passed through the spray.

A welcome party was held at the American Adventure Pavilion in Epcot (map) and was hosted by President of Walt Disney World, Meg Crofton, among other local dignitaries.  The adventures continued for several days as the guests attended each of the four theme parks that comprise the Resort. Visiting the attractions, shopping and getting hugs from Disney characters seemed to be the order of the day.

The highlight of the trip had to be when the miners served as the Grand Marshalls of the Main Street USA parade in the Magic Kingdom (map).  The gathered crowd that lined the route, happily cheered and waved Chilean flags.  The “Mayor” of Main Street even made a proclamation declaring it their day. As a special touch, there was a display of daytime pyrotechnics and streamers in the colors of the flag of Chile.

In the previous post, I had pondered a question, would these miners who had been trapped for so long, board an attraction that is themed around a gold mine? Just in case you were wondering, the guests did indeed ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and it looks like they had fun!

Photo Selections: WDW News, Kent Phillips and Diana Zalucky, photographers