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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
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The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
By Lisa Flam
When Freddie Wieczorek retired after 35 years in the German navy and moved to Florida in 2007, he was rising at 6 a.m., bugging his wife, flipping channels and wondering when it was time to eat again. Seeing him unhappy, his wife gave him two choices: Get a part-time job -- or a divorce.
She wasn’t used to having him around all the time, and he felt like he was missing something. “We decided I’m going to get a part-time job to make me happy again,” said Wieczorek, 58, of Spring Hill, Fla.
Wieczorek was hired as a security guard at Walt Disney World, where he works two evenings a week checking the bags of people entering the Magic Kingdom. In finding the bright spot he was lacking in his own life, he is now bringing joy to legions of others.
When his bag check line is not too long, he asks kids in costume for their autographs, a twist on a longtime Disney tradition of kids collecting autographs from their beloved characters.
“Their face brightens up,” Wieczorek said of that moment when pint-size princesses and pirates realize they’re being mistaken for the real thing. “This is something so unbelievable for them. It gets them by surprise and they feel special.
“Every time I see a princess leaving from that signature or when I just tell them, ‘You look so pretty,’ I see them skipping. Then I know I just made their day. And the pirates, the same thing. When they ‘Awwwr,’ it’s very special.”
In his 4 1/2 years at Disney, Wieczorek estimates he’s collected more than 1,400 signatures, some taking the shape of a smiley face, a heart or even just a scribble from the youngest characters. Recently he gained some fame around the Web after the grandmother of a little Cinderella posted a photo of their meeting on Pinterest, with others reposting the touching image.
The photo from September 2008 shows Alli Bunchuk, then just 5 and outfitted in the light-blue, puffy-sleeved gown of her favorite princess, signing Wieczorek’s book. For the Bunchuk family, who are planning their eighth trip to the park in September, it was a standout moment.
“We started to walk in the park when the security guard stopped her and said, ‘Excuse me, Princess, can I have your autograph?’” recalls her grandmother, Barbara Bunchuk. “She couldn’t believe it. Throughout the day, she kept saying, ‘I can’t believe he thought I was a real princess.’”
“She kind of floated around all day,” said Bunchuk, 65, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
It’s not just the little Snow Whites and Ariels who enjoy the moment. Parents and grandparents are often excited and encourage their kids to sign the book, Wieczorek said. When youngsters are too shy, “the parents take it harder than I do,” he said.
Still, the interactions mean a lot to Wieczorek. “It makes my magic, too,” he said. “The magic is not limited to the guests.”
A Disney spokeswoman says employees are encouraged to engage with park visitors, including by asking for autographs. In fact, Wieczorek got the autograph idea from a training class.
Wieczorek, who has seven grandchildren, started by asking his granddaughter to sign his book and he kept on going. “After seeing the feedback from the parents I continued it, and I’m on my eighth book,” he said.
Wieczorek says his job as a bag checker suits him because he gets to interact with people. “I wanted to have every guest that goes through my line leaving with a smile and so far, I managed that,” he said.
If it’s raining, he welcomes grumpy grownups to the “Magic Kingdom Water Park.” He puts children at ease when searching their bags by telling them he’s looking for red apples because Snow White is afraid of them. And he’s learning to say “Have a Magical Day” in 15 languages.
“I’m up to nine so far and it really makes the guests feel special,” he said.
And for making so many children joyful when they’re already at the happiest place on Earth, his fans are grateful for making their day extraordinary.
“He kind of went out of his way to do something special for a child,” Bunchuk said. “It made the whole family happy.”
To Wieczorek, she says: “Thank you for just being a nice guy.http://moms.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/30/12995244-the-security-guard-who-makes-disney-dreams-come-true?lite
Message edited 7/30/2012 12:58:43 PM.
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Posted 7/30/12 12:49 PM  |
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CouponKT
Our family is complete
Member since 6/06 16494 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
this is AWESOME! Love hearing stories about such simple acts that mean a world of a difference to people. 
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| Posted 7/30/12 1:08 PM |
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APT910
Let It Be
Member since 2/11 5021 total posts
Name:
Ashley
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The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
LOVE this! Such a sweet story!!
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| Posted 7/30/12 2:04 PM |
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Otherme
Square head cutie pants
Member since 3/06 6899 total posts
Name:
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Re: The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
awwww, super sweet!
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| Posted 7/30/12 2:07 PM |
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jilliibabii
Mrs. O'Connor
Member since 6/10 12821 total posts
Name:
Jillian
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Re: The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
 I wanna give this guy a hug!
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| Posted 7/30/12 2:09 PM |
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nancyg
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/10 729 total posts
Name:
Nancy
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Re: The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
Aww... I got teary eyed reading that. Such a special man.
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| Posted 7/30/12 2:11 PM |
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lvdolphins
My Loves!
Member since 5/05 46292 total posts
Name:
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Re: The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
Awesome!
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| Posted 7/30/12 2:17 PM |
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Michmouse
LIF Adult
Member since 11/07 1260 total posts
Name:
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Re: The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
Disney magic! Great story, thanks for posting.
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| Posted 7/30/12 5:12 PM |
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peanutbutter2
Carpe diem!
Member since 11/10 5287 total posts
Name:
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Re: The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
That is SO sweet!!!
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| Posted 7/30/12 5:54 PM |
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Booshka
In love with my baby girl <3
Member since 2/11 1417 total posts
Name:
Booshka
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The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
Wow, great story!! What a sweet man :)
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| Posted 7/30/12 6:26 PM |
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Re: The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
This is so sweet! What a nice thing to do. You can tell he really loves his job. It makes me want to go the extra mile at work. 
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| Posted 7/30/12 6:40 PM |
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Tulips915
................
Member since 8/08 6851 total posts
Name:
Me
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The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
What an amazing man! Why can't we have more people like him in the world!!!!
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| Posted 7/30/12 8:21 PM |
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ArmyOfBabies
Growing older but not up
Member since 7/07 4427 total posts
Name:
Jeri
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Re: The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
I saw this on Pinterset a while ago and I thought it was so sweet.
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| Posted 7/30/12 8:45 PM |
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Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
Love this. What a sweet man!
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| Posted 7/30/12 9:21 PM |
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Eunyboo
<3
Member since 7/12 4376 total posts
Name:
E
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Re: The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
Aww how cute is he!?!
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| Posted 7/30/12 9:31 PM |
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Naner325
waiting on nugget!
Member since 6/10 4432 total posts
Name:
N
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Re: The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
what an adorable man! The world needs more of him!
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| Posted 7/30/12 9:35 PM |
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DiamondGirl
You are my I love you
Member since 7/09 18802 total posts
Name:
DiamondMama
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Re: The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
that is so sweet!
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| Posted 7/30/12 9:58 PM |
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tink23
Step by step....
Member since 6/11 1061 total posts
Name:
Lori
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Re: The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
Aww, he's so sweet.
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| Posted 7/31/12 1:06 AM |
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kahlua716
3 Girls for Me!
Member since 8/07 12475 total posts
Name:
Keri
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Re: The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
Posted by nancyg
Aww... I got teary eyed reading that. Such a special man.
So did I- I'm such a sap! lol
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| Posted 7/31/12 11:09 AM |
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Metsmomma
Happy Winter!
Member since 1/09 5351 total posts
Name:
Renee
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Re: The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
what a great man!! love this!!!!
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| Posted 7/31/12 9:17 PM |
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Lillies
Grateful for my babies!
Member since 2/12 4571 total posts
Name:
<3
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Re: The security guard who makes Disney dreams come true
Posted by kahlua716
Posted by nancyg
Aww... I got teary eyed reading that. Such a special man.
So did I- I'm such a sap! lol
same!!
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| Posted 7/31/12 9:34 PM |
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