Ok ok ok, I’m lowkey obsessed with Disney. SO what if reader and Bucky start dating and she takes him to Disney World with her friend group (she’s been a million times but he’s never been) and has the best time getting to experience everything with him. She loves having him with her, leaning against his shoulder during fireworks, showing him her favorite shows, buying all the snacks, and laughing until she cries when they happen across his “character” in the Avengers section. Like, maybe he’s affronted at how they portray him? Or maybe the character flirts with reader and she blushes a bit just because he looks like Bucky? And Bucky’s like oooooh no!! Anyways, just an idea!! Love love LOVE all of your work!!
the idea of taking bucky to disney for the first time is adorable
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Bucky had been skeptical from the start.
“Mouse ears, really?” he’d muttered when you fastened the headband over his hair that morning.
“Yes, really,” you’d said, standing on tiptoe to adjust them. “If you love me, you’ll wear them.”
He’d given you that look—half fond, half resigned—and twenty minutes later, your boyfriend was walking hand-in-hand with you down Main Street, U.S.A., wearing a navy ball cap and silver-and-black mouse ears perched right on top. You’d never seen anything so adorable.
By the time you reached the castle, he’d stopped pretending not to enjoy himself. The sunlight caught the water of the moat, kids squealed with churros in hand, and the music from the speakers made everything feel like the opening scene of a movie.
Your friend group had scattered—some to snag Genie+ slots, others in search of coffee—but you and Bucky lingered by the hub, your fingers intertwined.
“So,” you said, grinning up at him. “How’s your first Disney trip so far?”
He tilted his head, pretending to think. “So far, nobody’s tried to kill me, and I got a pretzel shaped like a mouse. I’d say it’s going pretty damn great.”
You laughed, tugging him toward the next ride. “Wait until we get to Galaxy’s Edge. You’re gonna lose your mind.”
The day passed in a whirl of laughter, sunshine, and sugar. You screamed together on Space Mountain until your throat hurt, shared a funnel cake under a mist fan, and took a dozen pictures in front of the castle—each one progressively goofier.
But your favorite part came right before the fireworks.
You’d found a spot on the grass near the hub, Bucky sitting behind you with his legs bracketing yours, arms wrapped loosely around your waist. The castle glowed in pastel hues, and as the first burst of color bloomed in the sky, you felt him rest his chin on your shoulder.
“Didn’t think it’d hit like this,” he murmured.
You smiled, leaning back against his chest. “Told you. Disney magic’s undefeated.”
He hummed. “It’s not the castle I’m lookin’ at, doll.”
That earned him a soft elbow to the ribs, though you couldn’t hide your grin. You swore your heart could burst right there—fireworks exploding above you, his breath warm against your ear, the world spun out in gold.
The next morning brought mischief.
Your group had saved the Avengers section for last—naturally, since you wanted to see how Bucky reacted to himself.
You were halfway through your third iced coffee of the day when you heard one of your friends gasp.
“Oh my god, look—it’s him!”
You followed her pointing finger, and there he was: Disney’s Winter Soldier. A tall cast member dressed in tactical gear, dark wig pulled into a low bun, vibranium arm shining under the Florida sun.
The resemblance was… passable. But the attitude? Not even close.
The actor struck a pose, flashing a smirk that was pure smarmy charisma. “Who wants a picture with the Soldier?” he called, voice dripping with drama.
You clapped your hand over your mouth to keep from laughing. “Oh no.”
Bucky’s jaw went slack. “That’s supposed to be me?”
“Mhm.” You nudged him. “Go on, soldier, meet yourself.”
“Absolutely not.”
But the actor had already noticed you—and more importantly, noticed Bucky’s broad shoulders and serious expression.
“Hey there,” the “Winter Soldier” said, sauntering over. “You look like you could give me a run for my money.” Then, to you: “And you, doll, care to be in our photo together?”
Your cheeks heated. “Uh, I—”
Before you could answer, Bucky stepped forward, slipping an arm firmly around your waist. “She’s already got one, thanks.”
The cast member blinked, clearly assuming this was all in good fun. “Oh, playing hard to get, huh? You sure you’re not Hydra undercover?”
Bucky’s stare could’ve melted the Florida asphalt. “Pretty sure,” he said flatly.
You were laughing so hard you had to bury your face in his shoulder. Your friends were doubled over behind you, phones recording the entire exchange.
The actor, wisely, backed off with a grin and a salute. “Guess I’ll stick to the stage version, then. Have a magical day!”
When he was gone, you looked up at Bucky, tears from laughter still streaking your cheeks. “Oh my god, you were so jealous.”
He scoffed. “Was not.”
“Were too!”
“Was—okay, maybe a little.” He squeezed your hip, trying to hide a smile. “You were blushin’, doll. Couldn’t have that faker thinkin’ he had a chance.”
You kissed his cheek, still grinning. “You know, technically, you just got jealous of yourself.”
He groaned. “Don’t start.”
“Oh, I’m definitely starting. That’s going in the group chat.”
By the end of the trip, your phone was full of photos: Bucky wearing Mickey ears while holding six churros, Bucky pretending to duel Darth Vader, Bucky on It’s a Small World looking genuinely terrified.
But the one you loved most came from that night—after the last fireworks show, when the park was winding down and you two were walking hand-in-hand through the emptying streets.
You’d stopped in front of the castle again, its lights soft and shimmering.
“Thank you for coming with me,” you said quietly.
He looked down at you, eyes soft. “You kidding? Haven’t had this much fun in… hell, maybe ever.”
“Even with the fake you hitting on me?”
“Especially that,” he said, tugging you closer until his forehead brushed yours. “Gave me an excuse to kiss you in front of the castle, didn’t it?”
And when he did—slow, sweet, framed by glittering towers and the hum of distant music—you thought maybe the real magic wasn’t Disney’s at all.
We've come to an end of another productive year of trying to save Wander Over Yonder. I have to say that is almost a decade since it unfairly got shut down while a third season had been planned. I have to say that it's heartbreaking for me, and it's been messing with my mind endlessly. And what disappoints me even more is that Phineas and Ferb, Kiff, and Big City Greens are the ONLY three animated series at DTVA that are allowed to exceed more than two seasons, which is why I steer clear from DTVA series that ended in victory and/or received more than two seasons. Not to mention that some people are telling me, "It’s just a cartoon," and "It's been ten years since it got canceled. Move on," Honestly, it makes the situation even worse. It seems to me some fans still think they're powerless, dismissive, and fixated on other series. To be frank, as a devoted admirer of Wander and Sylvia's shenanigans, it is DIFFICULT for me to move on at this point, simply because the plans for season 3 still triggers my curiosity to see them.
You know what? I truly wish Disney would give Wander SOMETHING to wrap it up properly.
As I said before, there are four types of people who need to be persuaded to save Wander Over Yonder: the higher ups, those who act like the public is too powerless to do anything about the injustice done to the show, those who are dismissive, and those who are fixated on overrated shows and/or unaware of the underrated ones.
"How can we do that?" You might ask.
Well, here are some ways to effectively persuade them.
The Higher-ups (Executives/Decision Makers)
Approach: Focus on business ROI, cultural legacy, and long-term value.
• Data-Driven Appeal: Present metrics on the show’s fanbase (e.g., social media engagement, streaming numbers). Highlight how reviving Wander Over Yonder could increase revenue via merchandise, streaming platforms, or merchandising tie-ins (e.g., "BreadWIN" as a viral marketing hook).
• Case Studies: Cite examples of shows (e.g., Veronica Mars, Legion) that were rebooted or saved by fan campaigns, resulting in positive brand image and financial gains.
• Cultural Investment Frame: Emphasize the show’s unique blend of humor, philosophy, and visual artistry as a brand asset that sets it apart from generic content. Argue that supporting underdog shows enhances the network’s reputation for quality.
Tone: Professional, solution-oriented, and focus on mutual profit and legacy-building.
The Powerless Public Group
- Approach: Empower through actionable steps and social proof.
• Highlight Success Stories: Share examples of past fan campaigns that worked (e.g., Daria on Netflix). Explain how collective efforts (petitions, social media trends) led to tangible outcomes.
• Simplify Participation: Provide clear, easy-to-follow steps (e.g., signing a Change.org petition, contacting network executives via social media, or organizing local letter-writing campaigns).
• Community Building: Create a sense of unity by spotlighting how fans’ voices, when amplified, can move decisions. Use hashtags (e.g., #SaveWanderToYonder) and share stories of fans who successfully campaigned for causes.
Tone: Encouraging, hopeful. Stress the power of collective action without creating an overwhelming environment.
The "It's Just a Cartoon, Move On" Group
- Approach: Reframe the value of Wander Over Yonder beyond “just a cartoon”.
• Artistic and Philosophical Merit: Compare the show to critically acclaimed works like Gravity Falls (mystery-comedy themes) or Avatar: The Last Airbender (genre-blending storytelling). Acknowledge its humor for adults, its advocacy for empathy, and its exploration of existential ideas (e.g., Wander’s optimism vs. Starling’s cynicism).
• Cultural Impact: Argue that children’s media shapes values and creativity. Saving the show preserves a unique approach to storytelling that respects its audience.
• Nostalgia and Humor: Use lighthearted comparisons (e.g., “Even Phineas and Ferb and Big City Greens got a movie revival—why not Wander Over Yonder?”) to disarm dismissiveness.
Tone: Respectful, educational. Emphasize long-term cultural value over immediate gratification.
The "Overrated DTVA Fixated" Group
- Approach: Bridge preferences with curiosity and comparison.
• Curated Comparisons: Share side-by-side reviews of popular DTVA shows (e.g., Kiff) and Wander Over Yonder, highlighting the latter’s innovation in animation, writing, and emotional depth.
• “Underrated Gems” Lists: Create or share lists of underrated DTVA shows (e.g., Hailey's On It), explaining why their quality deserves recognition. Position Wander Over Yonder as part of this underappreciated legacy.
• Host Engagement: Suggest collaborative watch parties or themed events (e.g., “Weekend of Underrated Cartoons”) to foster discovery. Use humor to challenge gatekeeping: “If you love [overrated show], you’ll LOVE a cartoon that’s bolder and more imaginative.”
Tone: Inclusive, curious. Frame support for Wander Over Yonder as a way to expand appreciation for quality media.
A good rule of thumb is to NEVER antagonize them.
By the by, for those of you who haven't seen this image in disneytva's instagram...
Well, this has got to mean something, right? However, we still have to keep spreading awareness about WOY's incompletion, and I genuinely hope we'll see something WOY related next year.
If you have any questions or ideas on how to spread awareness to Disney or the internet, please feel free to reach out to me. Remember, #SaveWOY!