Florida woman celebrates 106th birthday with first-ever trip to Walt Disney World
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The “Most Magical Place on Earth” helped a long-time Florida resident celebrate her milestone birthday by making her “wishes come true” on Wednesday.
Magnolia Jackson, who will turn 106 on Thursday, visited Walt Disney World for the first time ever for her big day.
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She revealed that she got the idea to celebrate her birthday at Disney World after attending the Florida Classic college football game last fall, where she saw Mickey Mouse perform on the field in his drum major outfit. Jackson said that moment “ignited her love for all things Disney.”
After hearing about her wishes, Disney decided to make her dreams come true.
Magnolia Jackson, who wanted to celebrate her 106th birthday at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., after seeing Mickey Mouse perform recently in his drum major uniform at a college football game, is warmly greeted Wednesday by Mickey Mouse and the Walt Disney World Ambassadors as she arrived at Magic Kingdom for the first time. Born March 14, 1918 and the oldest living graduate of Bethune-Cookman University in nearby Daytona Beach, Florida, Jackson was showered in birthday wishes and admiration by Disney cast members and executives before she went off to enjoy the parks, visiting with Princess Tiana and experiencing the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. (Bennett Stoops, Photographer) Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse enjoy a celebratory moment with Magnolia Jackson on Wednesday during a Walt Disney World Resort celebration of Jackson’s 106th birthday in Lake Buena Vista Fla. Born March 14, 1918, Jackson, the oldest living graduate of Bethune-Cookman University in nearby Daytona Beach, experienced the magic of Walt Disney World for the first time along with family and friends. The festivities included dozens of Disney cast members, executives, colorful balloons and a huge birthday cake. Afterwards, she toured the Disney theme parks, including embracing her life-long love of gardening by attending the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. (Bennett Stoops, Photographer) Magnolia Jackson, who wanted to celebrate her 106th birthday at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., after seeing Mickey Mouse perform recently in his drum major uniform at a college football game, is warmly greeted Wednesday by Mickey Mouse and the Walt Disney World Ambassadors as she arrived at Magic Kingdom for the first time. Born March 14, 1918 and the oldest living graduate of Bethune-Cookman University in nearby Daytona Beach, Florida, Jackson was showered in birthday wishes and admiration by Disney cast members and executives before she went off to enjoy the parks, visiting with Princess Tiana and experiencing the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. (Bennett Stoops, Photographer) Magnolia Jackson, the oldest living graduate of Bethune-Cookman University in nearby Daytona Beach, came to Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista Fla., on Wednesday to celebrate her 106th birthday. Born on March 14, 1918, Jackson experienced the magic of Walt Disney World for the first time along with family and friends. The festivities included dozens of Disney cast members, executives, colorful balloons and a huge birthday cake. Afterwards, she toured the Disney theme parks, including embracing her life-long love of gardening by attending the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. (Bennett Stoops, Photographer) Magnolia Jackson, the oldest living graduate of Bethune-Cookman University in nearby Daytona Beach, came to Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista Fla., on Wednesday to celebrate her 106th birthday. Born on March 14, 1918, Jackson experienced the magic of Walt Disney World for the first time along with family and friends. The festivities included dozens of Disney cast members, executives, colorful balloons and a huge birthday cake. Afterwards, she toured the Disney theme parks, including embracing her life-long love of gardening by attending the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. (Bennett Stoops, Photographer) Magnolia Jackson, who wanted to celebrate her 106th birthday at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., after seeing Mickey Mouse perform recently in his drum major uniform at a college football game, is warmly greeted Wednesday by Mickey Mouse and the Walt Disney World Ambassadors as she arrived at Magic Kingdom for the first time. Born March 14, 1918 and the oldest living graduate of Bethune-Cookman University in nearby Daytona Beach, Florida, Jackson was showered in birthday wishes and admiration by Disney cast members and executives before she went off to enjoy the parks, visiting with Princess Tiana and experiencing the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. (Bennett Stoops, Photographer)
When she arrived at Magic Kingdom, Disney cast members and corporate executives, along with Mikey and Minnie Mouse, greeted her with smiles, happy birthday signs, music, colorful balloons, and, of course, a huge birthday cake.
Jackson is the oldest living graduate of Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, according to Disney. The theme park said she “came to play” at Disney along with her family and friends.
Disney World gives first look at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, reveals when ride opens
Following her celebratory moment, Jackson got a whole tour of Magic Kingdom, visiting with Princess Tiana ahead of the summer opening of her new ride, “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.” She also visited EPCOT’s International Flower and Garden Festival, where Disney gave her a special tour of the festival.
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