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, 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)
LAKE BUENA VISTA – Walt Disney World Resort made wishes come true Wednesday, March 13 for Magnolia Jackson, a long-time Florida resident who visited The Most Magical Place on Earth for the first time ever to celebrate her 106th birthday.
Jackson, whose actual birthday is March 14, attended the Florida Classic college football game in Orlando last fall and saw Mickey Mouse perform on the field in his drum major outfit. She said that ignited her love for all things Disney and fueled her desire to celebrate her birthday at Walt Disney World.
On Wednesday, her vision became reality as Jackson was greeted at the Magic Kingdom by cheering Disney cast members and corporate executives, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, happy birthday signs, celebratory music, colorful balloons and, of course, a huge birthday cake.
It was indeed a special moment for Jackson, who lives near Gainesville, Florida and is the oldest living graduate of Bethune-Cookman University in nearby Daytona Beach. She “came to play’’ at Disney along with a host of family and friends.
After the celebratory moment, she toured the Magic Kingdom and spent some time with Princess Tiana ahead of the summer opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction at Magic Kingdom. After that, she was off to EPCOT where she embraced her life-long love of gardening by attending the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. Disney gave her a special tour of the festival, which features extraordinary gardens, Disney-themed topiary and delicious culinary offerings through May 27.
