Define Pixie Dust

[TestingH2O]

I keep seeing the idea of pixie dust being thrown around as a way to justify the extra expense of a Disney cruise. So, what do you define as pixie dust? Did I get some and just classify it as good service?

To clarify: When I see people talk about pixie dust, I figure they mean free plushes for the kids, or free upgrades or... I don't define the lounge bartender remembering my drink of choice as pixie dust. Nor do I count the fact that the dining room had DD's drink ready every night after the first one. That to me is just good service if a bartender or waiter knows they will be working with the same people for a period of time.

So, what is this mythical pixie dust that people say is disappearing?

 

[Sanchez]

I can't necessarily define it and don't think it exists, but it is certainly brilliant marketing. The true believers are willing to pay much more for it. Marketing works.

 

[JimmyV]

So, what do you define as pixie dust?

This is a great question. I suspect that many people who toss the term around will have a very difficult time defining it, or, if they can, they will be citing to examples such as you describe which are nothing more than a level of service that, frankly, one should attain as a matter of course when one is spending $500 for a hotel room, $75 per person to get into an amusement park, and $24 for an Applebee's caliber meal.

My best explanation is Cast Members who anticipate your needs (even if you don't quite know those needs yourself) and acts before you ask. Like the CM who appears out of nowhere and whips out a napkin and hands it to your kid just seconds before that first drip falls from his ice cream cone and onto his Mickey T-Shirt. I think lots of people would view that as the "Disney Difference". It's a nice thought. But I have certainly received similar service at hotels, resorts and cruise lines that do not have the Disney name attached to them.

 

[mevelandry]

Love your subject. I posted this message this morning on another thread and to me it describes how I perceive "Magic" and "Pixie Dust":

You will find magic anywhere, as long as you can find it in yourself. I think most people allow themselves to find it because it's Disney... But I can find magic in New York. In Boston. And there is a strong chance that I may find it on another cruiseline/on a cheaper cruise as well.

You have to keep your heart open.

I have received free upgrades in a Marriott hotel. I've received outstanding service in restaurants in my own town. If you prepare yourself for magic, you will pay more attention to the good stuff than the bad... A lot of people believe that Disney is magic, therefore they'll see magic everywhere just because it is Disney.

I just feel sorry when I see people discarding entirely any other experience just because it's not Disney. I've enjoyed Universal vacations just as much as Disney. I just thought Disney was a bit better organized (Universal needs to get airport shuttles!) but that's about it.

So yeah, to me, it all comes down to marketing.

 

[Mark D.]

We've taken two Disney cruises a year apart, both on the Fantasy, and saw a lot of the same staff on the ship. On the second cruise, one of the CMs remembered our family from the first cruise and asked about things we had told him the year before. We also saw our assistant waiter from the first cruise. He remembered my son's name a year later. Personally, I don't think we're all that memorable, but they remembered us anyway. To me, that is Pixie Dust. It's not really getting something tangible from Disney -- its the fact that the CMs can still remember you a year later.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Watch Peter Pan wit your kids...You will get the idea.

Magicial powder.

If not I would suggest another cruise line

AKK

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Love your subject. I posted this message this morning on another thread and to me it describes how I perceive "Magic" and "Pixie Dust":

You will find magic anywhere, as long as you can find it in yourself. I think most people allow themselves to find it because it's Disney... But I can find magic in New York. In Boston. And there is a strong chance that I may find it on another cruiseline/on a cheaper cruise as well.

You have to keep your heart open.

I have received free upgrades in a Marriott hotel. I've received outstanding service in restaurants in my own town. If you prepare yourself for magic, you will pay more attention to the good stuff than the bad... A lot of people believe that Disney is magic, therefore they'll see magic everywhere just because it is Disney.

I just feel sorry when I see people discarding entirely any other experience just because it's not Disney. I've enjoyed Universal vacations just as much as Disney. I just thought Disney was a bit better organized (Universal needs to get airport shuttles!) but that's about it.

So yeah, to me, it all comes down to marketing.

Sorry Disney Magic and Pixie Dust is one of a kind thing only found at Disney.

Other Magic could be defined as marketing.

AKK

 

[mevelandry]

Sorry Disney Magic and Pixie Dust is one of a kind thing only found at Disney.

Other Magic could be defined as marketing.

AKK

Just to make sure: that was sarcastic, right?

 

[sweetpee_1993]

For me, "pixie dust" is a term picked out from Peter Pan: "faith, trust, and pixie dust". It's a term picked up by the diehard fanbois that describes that little something extra that makes something/anything Disney "magical" vs the same thing that is not Disney. It's more a state of mind than anything. If you pay more for something its human nature to automatically perceive it as better. Not always the case but it happens. Marketing gurus love to contribute to that notion. That's how they separate you from your hard-earned money. In Disney's case they dialed-in to the nostalgia of adults years ago. They get us to open our wallets wide and draw ourselves near at all costs like moths to a bug light. Seriously think about that. They do! Disney's marketing is brilliant. They love using those trigger words, too! Words like "magic", "dreams", "pixie dust", etc. The list goes on. They even get the fans repeating them to each other. It's not hard to figure out what words they like best. Look at the marketing campaigns from the last 5 years! Think of the slogans!

Where Dreams Come True
Happiest Place on Earth
Year of a Million Dreams
Celebrate the Magic (<--they love to get the whole family to come along and celebrate things! $$$$$)
Let the Memories Begin
Show your Disney Side (complete with a hashtag so fans could advertise FOR Disney)

The list goes on. It's not hard to see, really.

Sometimes I'm reminded of a time years ago we were at a stage show or something in the MK (at WDW), my hubby leaned over to me interrupting my completely mesmerized state to whisper, "Do you ever notice..like if you weren't a big Disney fan..like if you were just some random person who happened to be here..how much like some crazy cult this all appears?" I was so annoyed. I snapped at him to shut up. He quietly chuckled, "No, seriously. Look around you. Look at the people. Most everyone is like in a trance. Look!" I glanced around just to satisfy him, shrugged, and dove head first back into my own trance. On our next trip to WDW we had some less-than stellar moments so when we were drawing towards the end I was pretty well ready to leave. I had just spent 30+ minutes stuck in a monorail between the Polynesian and the MK. I had my youngest son (maybe 11yrs old) by the hand, we were trying desperately to get thru Main Street to Adventureland so he wouldn't be late for his Pirate makeover appointment while that abomination of a parade was going off, "Move It, Shake It". The music was blaring at a deafening, brain-rattling volume...so loud it distorted the voices into shrieks almost. I was so stressed and catching every other word. I was maneuvering us thru this massive crowd of people listening to the celebrate whatever...blah blah blah...and I started looking at the people around me. Really looking. And I saw exactly what my husband had mentioned during that show. These people were SOLD buddy. Lock, stock, and barrel. I think if Mickey had popped out of every float and said, "I want your first-born!" people would've pitched their youngsters right up there. It was a crazy moment. But since then I've had more clarity....or maybe a healthier perspective. I like to think I stopped snorting the "pixie dust" that day. LOL!

All things Disney are not perfect. Nothing in life is. You can choose to see it or not look. Either way is fine. But the phrase "pixie dust" gets tossed around in those discussions frequently. When I see someone repeating Disney's trigger words constantly I'm reminded of their genius because they really do sell that nostalgia to the point people go nuts and will happily pay any price asked to get the next fix.

 

[JimmyV]

We've taken two Disney cruises a year apart, both on the Fantasy, and saw a lot of the same staff on the ship. On the second cruise, one of the CMs remembered our family from the first cruise and asked about things we had told him the year before. We also saw our assistant waiter from the first cruise. He remembered my son's name a year later. Personally, I don't think we're all that memorable, but they remembered us anyway. To me, that is Pixie Dust. It's not really getting something tangible from Disney -- its the fact that the CMs can still remember you a year later.

This is a perfect example of what is really taking place. I have been greeted by name on cruise ships a year apart as well. And had the Dining Room Manager run out to get some Riedel stems for us the minute we walked into his dining room because he remembered that we always brought nice bottles of wine with us to dinner. And neither of these happened on DCL. But I never turned to my wife and said: "Guess what! We just received a bit of Disney pixie dust on a Princess cruise." Crew members on all cruise lines know that their livelihood depends on tips, and that tips increase when they do things like remember past passengers. It isn't just Disney.

 

[mevelandry]

It's more a state of mind than anything. If you pay more for something its human nature to automatically perceive it as better.

Absolutely.

Good examples being described here in some studies about wine:

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/jun/23/wine-tasting-junk-science-analysis

And here about food:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...hink-meals-taste-better-theyre-expensive.html

 

[AFamily]

This is a perfect example of what is really taking place. I have been greeted by name on cruise ships a year apart as well. And had the Dining Room Manager run out to get some Riedel stems for us the minute we walked into his dining room because he remembered that we always brought nice bottles of wine with us to dinner. And neither of these happened on DCL. But I never turned to my wife and said: "Guess what! We just received a bit of Disney pixie dust on a Princess cruise." Crew members on all cruise lines know that their livelihood depends on tips, and that tips increase when they do things like remember past passengers. It isn't just Disney.

This is like a thread that I was reading on here a few months back that asked "what are the little things that you love that makes DCL special" and as I read through the responses I noticed that most of what people were saying was what I had always thought of as normal cruise perks with almost ALL cruise lines. And then I noticed that many of the people only cruised with Disney and they didn't really know that it was common practices, like towel animals and a turned down bed at night. Or getting a second entrée or substituting sides at dinner. Or even like you say about them remembering your drink. On our first cruise, not Disney, my sister-in-laws tip to us was to find one pool side drink server and flag him down only for your drinks on the first day and by the second or third day he will be looking for you and he'll bring your preferred drink to you without you needing to ask. It all is just good customer service.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Just to make sure: that was sarcastic, right?

No indeed.....very serious and straight out. Sarcastic is not allowed on the Dis.

AKK

 

[Mark D.]

This is like a thread that I was reading on here a few months back that asked "what are the little things that you love that makes DCL special" and as I read through the responses I noticed that most of what people were saying was what I had always thought of as normal cruise perks with almost ALL cruise lines. And then I noticed that many of the people only cruised with Disney and they didn't really know that it was common practices, like towel animals and a turned down bed at night. Or getting a second entrée or substituting sides at dinner. Or even like you say about them remembering your drink. On our first cruise, not Disney, my sister-in-laws tip to us was to find one pool side drink server and flag him down only for your drinks on the first day and by the second or third day he will be looking for you and he'll bring your preferred drink to you without you needing to ask. It all is just good customer service.

I agree that "Pixie Dust" is just a Disney way to say "Good Customer Service". Perhaps that's what I was trying to say earlier, and just didn't do a good job expressing it

 

[thumpie's mom]

"Pixie dust" is not something that can be define and may not be something everyone experiences. For my family, pixie dust was not about service or people remembering who we are, but those truly special moments we only have with Disney. Times when my daughter was little and had few friends because she was disabled...she was always excited about going to Disneyland to see her "friends", the Disney characters! The times Piglet played tic tac toe with her at breakfast, when seeing and interacting with the character's after a terrible surgery helped take her out of a depression; when Chip and Dale got down on the floor with her on the ship to look at all the pictures we had laid out (and of course wanted us to buy all the ones that they were in!); when Donald Duck took her and pushed her chair all around deck 4; when on our last cruise we fell transferring her in the bathroom and the crew went and found Pluto (they already knew he was her favorite) and Goofy to help her calm down. I could go on and on, but for us that is Pixie dust and it is real. We will continue to cruise with Disney because of moments like these. We are not blind to the Disney's marketing and the cost associated with the cruise...I have checked out the other cruise lines, but we keep coming back to DCL because it is where my family is happy and for me that is all that counts. Even my husband, who is NOT a Disney fan and does not like spending too much money, loves going on a DCL cruises.

 

[Quellman]

I keep seeing the idea of pixie dust being thrown around as a way to justify the extra expense of a Disney cruise. So, what do you define as pixie dust? Did I get some and just classify it as good service?

To clarify: When I see people talk about pixie dust, I figure they mean free plushes for the kids, or free upgrades or... I don't define the lounge bartender remembering my drink of choice as pixie dust. Nor do I count the fact that the dining room had DD's drink ready every night after the first one. That to me is just good service if a bartender or waiter knows they will be working with the same people for a period of time.

So, what is this mythical pixie dust that people say is disappearing?

People seem really off topic here.

Magic are things that you expect to occur. Like buffet attendants helping you haul your tray of food when you have 2 little ones you are juggling. Or a random character interaction that you aren't standing in line for. There is magic in the fact that the towel guy you see everyday remembers you and strikes up a conversation each morning as you watch the sun rise.

Pixie dust are more tangible things. An extra free expresso from the cafe. Stuffed animal for a sick child from the housekeeping staff. The towel guy who places a towel in a lounger for you each morning in your favorite spot. People who put extra things in FE they aren't a group of.

 

[JimmyV]

People seem really off topic here.

How can people be "off topic" when the topic itself is undefined and ethereal?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So, what do you define as pixie dust?

Being pampered (no bed making, no cooking, no cleaning).
Room upgrades (rare, but possible)
Plushies for the kids
Having a movie added to the schedule that wasn't there before (and getting free popcorn)
Being able to talk to the Captain/officers
Seeing a child talk to Crush
Smiling crew members
Running into a princess (not a set up meet & greet)
Minnie sneaking up on my husband as he looks out to sea
Fireworks at sea


Just for starters.

 

[mevelandry]

People seem really off topic here.

Magic are things that you expect to occur. Like buffet attendants helping you haul your tray of food when you have 2 little ones you are juggling. Or a random character interaction that you aren't standing in line for. There is magic in the fact that the towel guy you see everyday remembers you and strikes up a conversation each morning as you watch the sun rise.

Pixie dust are more tangible things. An extra free expresso from the cafe. Stuffed animal for a sick child from the housekeeping staff. The towel guy who places a towel in a lounger for you each morning in your favorite spot. People who put extra things in FE they aren't a group of.

Not sure I agree with your descriptions but to each their own.

About your description of Pixie dust: My friend sailed NCL and they had a towel guy who made towel animals in their room every day of their cruise.

I guess NCL has pixie dust too???

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Not sure I agree with your descriptions but to each their own.

About your description of Pixie dust: My friend sailed NCL and they had a towel guy who made towel animals in their room every day of their cruise.

I guess NCL has pixie dust too???

I can answer this in about 3 weeks or so.