My favorite Celebrity Encounter was in the spring of 92. None other than THE ANNETTE. She was launching her perfume at the (then) Mademoiselle Antoinette's Perfumeries. Anyway, the shop was all set up to feature her perfume and the color of the box it is packaged in was lavender. The bottle was shaped like a cello. There was even a large lavender velvet Victorian chair. And out of nowhere, pops Annette!! We knew at the beginning of the day there would be VIP in the Park but I never expected HER!! I sure got the lucky assignment for New Orleans Square that day, before I took up assignment to Graveyard, I was Day Crew and the areas could change any day because of my status, Casual Regular. So my Lead tells me to go and check all the cigarette urns. Especially those in the shops and especially nearest the Perfume Shop, back when smoking was still permissible in public.
Now when you work at Disneyland and are in the presence of VIP, you just DONT ask for an autograph or especially initiate conversation with them! But she said to me, "Thank you Tina , everything looks so tidy." Well, losing control of myself I initiated conversation with her to say how much I LOVE her and I still LOVE all the Beach Party movies! Then I did my best fade out so as to not be censured by the Security around. I managed to get a sample of the Perfume Cello... Now perfume does have an expiration date but I still have my sample! I will never forget that especially because she said my name!
Now the Guests think Disneyland is magical, but Annette is absolutely the living definition of magic and class! She reminded me the uniqueness of Disneyland and how it still means so much to her. I didn't notice if she was in the beginning stages of MS, because she took her seat and was so bright eyed and aware of everything around her! She is the royalty of Disneyland! I can only hope she knows how much it meant to me to meet her! I am not of the generation of the Original Mouseketeers, but my mom cried when I called her after work to tell her! She is of that generation, and thinks of her with much fondness.
Now, I have seen and spoken to some celebrities that would knock your socks off, but Annette is without a DOUBT the finest, most gracious and endearing person one could ever hope to meet!! I even got to see Fergie and daughters ride the Motor Boat Cruise, at the time was Gummi Bears Boat Ride through Gummi Glen, but even genuine Royalty did not hold a candle to THE ANNETTE!!
