creating pixie dust for other guests.... ideas?

[KapBoy77]

We recently left Disney World on December 15th. At the start of our vacation we bought a couple balloons for our boys. We knew we couldn't take them on the plane with us so we decided to give one (clear with Mickey shape inside) to a family. The other balloon was already deflating so we decided to take the air out and bring it home with us.

Anyways, we were at our resort AOA getting ready to leave and we went to the check in counters and just couldn't find the right family. We only had one ballon and we didn't want to give it to a couple with two or more kids. Anyways we just decided to take the boys for a last walk around of the resort before leaving for good and I noticed a couple with a young boy walking towards us and they just had that certain look to them. That look that just says "We just got here!!!" Well that and they were carrying their luggage heading towards the rooms. I asked the father if they were staying for a while and he said they were for a week or something like that. And I asked if his son would like our balloon since we were returning home today. He spoke to his boy in what sounded like German and the boys eyes and face just lit up!!! I mean it was absolutely priceless. He took that balloon and they thanked us and went on there merry way and I just knew that they were going to have the times of their lives just like we just had the week prior.

We will do this every trip from now on... It just felt wonderful.

 

[Angebee]

The only suggestion I can offer is to share a snack while in line. My friend and I did this in the middle of July last year in the outside queue when it was very hot with Rapunzel and Flynn not even ready to meet for another half hour or so. We were talking with a father and his two young daughters who were in front of us and a couple of mothers with their slightly older daughters behind us. Since shade was so limited I rationed and shared a cup of grapes from the snack cart with the very grateful little girls. It may not have been magic but they did seem happier having something else to focus on other than the heat. Absolutely asked the parents first before offering to their kids.

The weather shouldn't be as warm in January but you never know when even sharing your treat could erase an experience with a rude guest earlier in the day. I can't remember if Disney sells hot chocolate but you could always buy one for a family waiting for the fireworks/parade to split if the night is cold so they don't lose their spot.

 

[tjmj9801]

What a thoughtful idea! I also use to look for others to share FP's with.

Having small kids, I pack lots of small entertaining items for us but I think I'll pack a little extra for others next time. Not saying you *should* carry these around, just if you *wanted* to. A lot of first-timers don't think of this stuff. Frazzled kids can put a damper on parents and all surrounding parties. I try to keep mine as happy as possible.

Most of this can be found at party supply stores for goodie bags. Here's what I bring: restaurant sized crayon packs and small notebook/post its, LOTS of stickers, small bottles of bubbles (I've seen Disney themed ones at Party City), and individual snacks.

Others here have touched on buying items for children who might want them. I'd like to add that, for us, it's not that we can't afford that $12 balloon or a $6 ice cream. Sometimes it's that we've already told them to wait until X time to get it and a stranger handing them one would undermine that. I would certainly still be appreciative of the thoughtfulness (smile and say thank you) but it could be frustrating.

Also, I love confetti in the parks. Not in my carpet in the room.

 

[MrEVILdrPorkchop2u]

My DD bought one of the light up balloons in the MK. We couldn't fit it in the car to take home. She asked if we could go down to the lobby and gift shop in our hotel and she could pick a family to give it to. We walked around for a bit and then she found a family she liked. She asked the Mom if she could share her balloon with her little girl. I thought the Mom was going to start to cry she was so happy. I was proud of my little girl!

 

[Keegansmommy]

We're hoping to spread some magic while at Disney next week too! We've shared FP we weren't going to use and it's a wonderful feeling! Last trip my son decided he didn't want to go on SM again so we gave our FP to a dad and his young son waiting in line. He was so excited to not have to wait in the 180 minute stand-by line.

 

[OneBlessedFamily]

This would definitely be difficult to figure out. I'm pretty sure that most people visiting WDW aren't truly in need of material things. I do think it's a nice idea to spread a little kindness, but it would be better to do lots of small things for many people, rather than one big thing (i.e. buying balloons, pins, meals, etc.) for just one family. There have been many times when my family was stuffed onto a crowded bus, and it made may day when someone gave up there seat so I could sit down with my wiggly toddler.

Look for a family there with Make A Wish or another organization. All receive some spending money for the trip, but many are so behind on mortgage payments, etc that the spending money is used to catch up on bills.

As a family of 8 (6 children, 12 and under) we can only afford Disney because we are military or when our son received his Wish. Any teeny tiny random act of kindness for any one of our children is always appreciated, but never expected.

 

[Jannephotog]

I'm really hopeful that when we get there, I can get a few extra stickers from a CM and give them to kids who are, well, looking like they need it.

Also am going to get a postcard & get it signed by Cinderella to mail to a friend who didn't get to meet her on her trip last year but really wanted to...I know it's not in the park but I know that pixie dust will travel to Nashville easily.

 

[Maleficent53]

This reminded me of something I saw many years ago that made a special memory. There were two 20-ish men working the crowd that was waiting on Main Street for a parade. The would go up to the balloon vendor, buy a handful of balloons and then go up and down the street passing them out to kids. The guys were having a blast. It was so much fun to watch!

When I do solo trips I like to chat with other guests in line, especially those with small children. I try to have a few little things to pass out.

If you get Disney Movie Club mailings (frequently like I do) they have cute fab5 stickers in them that can be cut up and passed out. One benefit is they are different from the ones kids might already have received from a CM.

 

[1stvisit0909]

I'm really hopeful that when we get there, I can get a few extra stickers from a CM and give them to kids who are, well, looking like they need it.

Also am going to get a postcard & get it signed by Cinderella to mail to a friend who didn't get to meet her on her trip last year but really wanted to...I know it's not in the park but I know that pixie dust will travel to Nashville easily.

We gave away FP to test track on our way out of EPCOT Christmas Day that were for 30 mins later. We had ridden 2x and were beat. The current stand by was 90 mins and FP were for that night. You would have though we handed out $100 bills. We gave FP to EE away our ak day as well. Our last day, my girls gave their balloons away, but we asked the mom first. The little girl my dd picked looked sad, turns out she had missed a day in the parks bc she had been sick. I thought her mom was going to cry and the little girl just lit up. The other family was equally touched. our $10 balloons were bought a week before and had looked like they and just been blown up. My kids were so happy to spread the magic.

 

[LostSock]

We like to strike up conversations with strangers in Disney....

I've given pins to kids who only have a few on their lanyard. I also always keep a baggie of trader pins on me, so I will trade with kids.

Last time we were there my mom started talking this family from the UK while waiting for illuminations and gave a little girl a bunch of Minnie stickers. I have no idea why my mom was carrying around sheets of Minnie stickers. She loves little kids.

My husband and I had extra space mtn fastpasses and handed them to a couple heading for the standby entrance. They looked confused and I pointed them to the fastpass line. I hope they figured out it got them on the ride sooner. lol!

I probably wouldn't *buy* or pay for anything for anybody. It isn't like most people in WDW are hurting for money. (Except for my husband and I. When I lost my pink sparkly minnie ears, I literally broke down crying at guest relations like a 5 year old. We budget everything out and literally only had money left for food that last day. It was sad. rofl!)

 

[Pudding mum]

Our first trip in less than 50 days!!! After reading this thread I have gone and bought extra boxes of those snap glow bracelets for my boys to share out in the evenings. Just hope they make the flight over without breaking

 

[WEDWDW]

Look for a family there with Make A Wish or another organization. All receive some spending money for the trip, but many are so behind on mortgage payments, etc that the spending money is used to catch up on bills.

As a family of 8 (6 children, 12 and under) we can only afford Disney because we are military or when our son received his Wish. Any teeny tiny random act of kindness for any one of our children is always appreciated, but never expected.

Do you know if Guests are allowed to leave "gifts" at the Wish Lounge in Magic Kingdom?

I have wanted to buy a bunch of the balloons they sell on Main Street USA and leave them at the Wish Lounge for the Wish children,but didn't know if that was allowed.Thanks.

 

[nanlou]

Carry your own autograph book and pen. Whenever you see a child dressed up as a Disney character (Princess, Buzz Lightyear, an Incredible, whatever), ask that child for her/his autograph. If possible, call them by their character name ("Oh, Cinderella, I've been looking all over the park for you. I'm so glad I bumped into you just now. Would you please sign my autograph book?")

 

[jsgrand0]

And how would that family look? Holes in their shoes? Missing teeth? Lots of kids?

lmao, I'm sorry, but that's funny..you would have to be close by and hear something about them saying they can't afford that balloon, or plush or whatever. Being at disney in the first place is expensive...for many, it takes everything they've got to get their family there...so that they can enjoy the experience. On our first trip we got lots of souveniers...on this one, well, the kids got disney gift cards from their grandma, and that is it for their spending money...they can get a couple things that mean the most to them, but no more spending hundreds on all kinds of gifts and souveniers!

 

[colfr]

I like to play the games in Dinoland at DAK,but I just play for fun.

Usually there is a child and their parents playing at the same time who don't win anything,so when I win,I hand the prize to one of the parents and explain that I was just playing for fun.

Since they saw the CM hand me the prize,they don't have to "worry" about where it came from(sadly,the world in which we live makes parents "leery" of "gifts" from "strangers").

They usually then hand the prize to their now excited child and I am on my way feeling happy.

Someone did this for me when I was in Orlando for the first time when I was 6!! I really wanted this one cute beige bear but because I was only small, I SUCKED and couldn't get it. I went to sit down nearby with my family and a few minutes later, a staff member came over with the bear, explained to my parents that he'd won it for me because he could see how much I wanted it, and gave it to me. Those kinds of things sure do make an impression because 14 years later and I still have that darn bear.

I think the idea of the confetti outside the doors is sweet - I'm pretty sure I know the video you're talking about and if I came out of my room and saw that it'd put a smile on my face.

I think the balloon idea is cute, and also bringing glow sticks/bracelets and handing them out to kids before the parade or fireworks.
Maybe you could get some pins and giving them to kids who are collectors
Buy a drink for a newlywed/newly engaged couple is also a nice idea

I think it's so lovely that you're going and thinking about what you can do for others!

 

[recmouse]

Carry your own autograph book and pen. Whenever you see a child dressed up as a Disney character (Princess, Buzz Lightyear, an Incredible, whatever), ask that child for her/his autograph. If possible, call them by their character name ("Oh, Cinderella, I've been looking all over the park for you. I'm so glad I bumped into you just now. Would you please sign my autograph book?")

This is FANTASTIC! I just may do this next week!

Last year when I was down in Disney it was my sister's 50th birthday. I bought her an autograph book. Whenever anyone wished her happy birthday, as she had a pin on, she asked them to sign her book with their name and where they were from. People loved it!

 

[recmouse]

We like to strike up conversations with strangers in Disney....

I probably wouldn't *buy* or pay for anything for anybody. It isn't like most people in WDW are hurting for money. (Except for my husband and I. When I lost my pink sparkly minnie ears, I literally broke down crying at guest relations like a 5 year old. We budget everything out and literally only had money left for food that last day. It was sad. rofl!)

First of all, I wouldn't presume most people in Disney aren't hurting for money. Many people only go once and save a long time for that trip.

But no matter what a person's financial situation is - being kind to them is priceless. And maybe they'll learn to 'pay it forward' someday when they are able.

 

[bringmethathorizon]

after the move it shake it parade pick up a pocket full of the mickey head confetti. those little things work magic on a small child on a long bus ride back to resort.

 

[Cadyrose]

A few weeks ago, we were waiting for the lights to stop dancing in HS as it just makes for a better picture while they are on. We were chatting with the two Photopass and the Writer's stop sign caught the corner of my eye. I asked one of the photographers if the carrot cake cookie was as good as I had heard. She told me that she had worked there for 11 months and never had one....

So both photographers got a late night snack of carrot cake cookies from my kids wishing them Happy Holidays. The look on their faces was priceless!

We said that we will definitely in some way spread pixie dust to CMs each day.

My parents have also had tolls paid for them from cars ahead in line so that got me thinking that it would be cool to just hand a $20 to an ice cream stand CM and buy how ever many ice creams for the next few people in line.

 

[Gooshy]

We saw 3 kids probably on Summer vacation in high school. They were trying to decide what to do first. We had 3 FP to ToT and handed them over. They were so stoked! The line was crazy and our fast passes were for later but that freed up the next several hours for them to do other things.

Then there was a little girl who was sad because her mom wouldnt buy her a glow toy because like me she thought they were to much $$ but I had brought several glow stick bracelets for the kids to play with and gave one to the little girl. Her and her mom were so happy. She instantly stopped crying. That made DS find another little boy to give his to.

And although DH and I will be going alone this time, We will probably do the same for another little kid again