Define Pixie Dust

[JimmyV]

Magic: 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: The towel guy who places a towel in a lounger for you each morning in your favorite spot.

I can't tell if you are being serious or wryly tongue-in-cheek. A guy who remembers my name is "magical" and a guy who remembers by favorite chair is peppered with dust. I hope this was meant to be funny, because it actually is.

 

[Orukal]

To me, pixie dust is simply that Disney ambiance. The customer service is nothing unique, the being inundated with the Disney brand IS unique to the DCL. That's not a complaint, mind you. That's what I love about the DCL, but I think a poster put it well a little earlier on in that many hardcore Disney cruisers view the things that are done on every cruise as special because they only or predominantly sail the DCL.

 

[ImTempest]

For me, pixie dust has nothing to do with service. As others have pointed out, outstanding service has been found in many places by many people on these boards. "Pixie dust" is a euphemism for me for my connection with my eight year old self, and the first time I remember being at Disneyland with my family. It was the most wonderful time I'd ever had in my young life, and the memory has stayed with me forever. Every time I stand next to Mickey for a photo, just for a moment I am Peter Pan, and I've never grown up. I only get that feeling from Disney, don't know why, but there it is. I will now toast you all with my Kool-Aid; let the comments begin.

 

[JimmyV]

I will now toast you all with my Kool-Aid; let the comments begin.

No need. I think yours is the best explanation that there can be. All throughout our young lives we are in a rush to grow up. We always want to be older than we are. When we are 8, we want to be 12. When we are 14, we want to be 17. So there is this natural instinct to want to mature faster than we should. Disney reverses the process and makes us want to be younger than we are. So perhaps Pixie Dust and the Fountain Of Youth are interconnected. I, for one, love your explanation.

 

[mevelandry]

To me, pixie dust is simply that Disney ambiance. The customer service is nothing unique, the being inundated with the Disney brand IS unique to the DCL. That's not a complaint, mind you. That's what I love about the DCL, but I think a poster put it well a little earlier on in that many hardcore Disney cruisers view the things that are done on every cruise as special because they only or predominantly sail the DCL.

I agree with you. And I noticed that some people seems to be confusing --I'm not saying this in a bad way-- oustanding customer services (which you can also find elsewhere) with "magic and pixie dust".

(EDIT: ImTempest posted the best description of pixie dust I've read so far.)

Lately I realized that what I liked about cruising had very little to do with the Mouse. Clean boat? Good cabins? Fun activities? Great restaurants? Disney or not, I'm in!

But if you are looking for Disney (princesses, characters), you won't find it anywhere else.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Actually Disney Magic and Pixie Dust is the whole product, the superior designed, and built vessels with the classic lines and feel, the art deco and Nuevo deco feel and just enough Disney touches to bring a smile to peoples faces.

A ship crew that is excellent and the best trained and I know that for a fact, because I know all the special training they get on American Maritime schools. Add to that how they have rescued many at sea, including being able to get the rescue boat in the water and save a person who fell off another cruise ship when the other cruise ship could not even get their boat in the water.

Their own special designed terminal and Bus service where the magic begins with videos on what's coming and Disney cartoons.

The excellent service,, yes other lines may have great service, but twisting that into saying its Disney Pixie Dust, doesn't work, Add great food and good family entertainment. The DISNEY characters that bring joy to the kids, young and old. Mickey and Minnie. Things like Animators Pallet MDR, food and mixers events and that is just starters.

One of my thing was we were taken the design of the Magic tour, (which by itself is a great tour) when Belle came around the corner and a young girl on the tour with her MOM, just cried out in joy. Belle spun around, flopped down onto the deck, lifted the girl into lap and calmed her down. She finally told the child that if she was at a door down the passageway at 1830, she could walk with Belle to a greeting session. Mom nodded ok, Belle got up waved good bye and I would bet a week pay that child was at the door at 1830 and had a memory that would last a lifetime.

So although I feel this thread was set up to mock DCL, because almost everyone in the modern world knows Disney and Disney magic and Pixie dust, not only from DCL, but also the Disney parks and many other venues.

I will repeat if DCL is not for you, please find a line your happy with. If you feel DCL cruise are not world the money or your not willing to pay for it........please don't pay it, find another line your happy with and enjoy there product.

However the bottom line is the Disney cruises are special with real Disney Magic and Pixie dust only found on their ships.

AKK

 

[cgolf]

Originally I would have said that it is what we perceived to be some of the best customer service we have gotten to date and just the whole feeling of awesomeness you feel when you are onboard. Maybe I am growing out of cruises or DCL's recent policy changes have impacted me, but now I think it is some catch phrase just to make you think you are getting something that is better than it really is.

 

[MagicMe]

Yes for me Pixie Dust is more about that feeling that always happens several times while on DCL. That Peter Pan feeling. Speaking of which, where else can you be walking down the corridor and spy Peter Pan lounging in the portal window and as I pass he stops me to ask if I've seen Captain Hook at which point we have a 2-3 minue conversation. Or passing Tiana who stops and asks us about our trip and then proceeds to take pictures with us right there in the corridor (no photographer, just us).

 

[jlynch924]

I think what is evident by all the posts that are so very different is that to each person, Pixie Dust is something special to them personally.

I identify best with Quellman's description... magic is the service, the special moments with a character, etc. Pixie dust is tangible... a room upgrade, a free unexpected bottle of wine with dinner, something left in an FE that wasn't assigned, etc.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I will now toast you all with my Kool-Aid; let the comments begin.

I'm sure I'll be toasting with my own glass of Kool-Aid...spiked with my liquor that I snuck onboard, of course.

 

[JimmyV]

Actually Disney Magic and Pixie Dust is the whole product, the superior designed, and built vessels

I'll play along with most of what you wrote. But the bolded? You think that the good folks at Meyer Werft say: "C'mon fellas! We need to make these welds extra watertight and drive these rivets extra deep because this is a Disney Ship we are building. The workmanship we employed when building the Anthem of the Seas just won't be good enough. Hey, Hans and Gunter, make sure you sprinkle the work crew with extra powder from that bag that says "pixie dust" so that this ship is the best built of them all!"

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I'll play along with most of what you wrote. But the bolded? You think that the good folks at Meyer Werft say: "C'mon fellas! We need to make these welds extra watertight and drive these rivets extra deep because this is a Disney Ship we are building. The workmanship we employed when building the Anthem of the Seas just won't be good enough. Hey, Hans and Gunter, make sure you sprinkle the work crew with extra powder from that bag that says "pixie dust" so that this ship is the best built of them all!"

Actually the good folks at Meyers builds the type of ship the owners want, good or bad and as long at the class and insurance goes along with it, and they get paid for it. The Disney designs, architects and specs were some of the best in the world.

How do you think Carnival Inc. got into so much trouble by cutting the back up systems on their Italian built ships and had to add so many improvement after the Splendor and Triumph issues. Although the Triumph fire was not caused by lack of back ups but got everyone inspecting their ship.

How about the electrical problems on the Concordia class?

So yes I will said by the superior built Disney vessels.




AKK

 

[JimmyV]

Actually the good folks at Meyers builds the type of ship the owners want, good or bad

Wow. The Kool-Aid really is potent. So now the shipyard will intentionally build bad ships if the owner so desires.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Originally I would have said that it is what we perceived to be some of the best customer service we have gotten to date and just the whole feeling of awesomeness you feel when you are onboard. Maybe I am growing out of cruises or DCL's recent policy changes have impacted me, but now I think it is some catch phrase just to make you think you are getting something that is better than it really is.

Regardless what emotion each person attaches to the word(s), there's no denying Disney has latched onto the phrase as part of their "magical" list of trigger words that they use over and over. "Have a magical day!" Seriously take note of the repetitive words they use. Wishes. Dreams. Magic. Memories. Celebrate. Pixie dust. It's like your servers repeating the word "excellent" to you every chance they get. It isn't accidental. They want you to key into that word when you see it on the comment card. It's a power of suggestion. Really pay attention. You'll hear crew say excellent rather frequently. We've actually taken to saying it back to them every chance we get, too, just to let them know we get what they're doing. LOL!

Now, step back and think about cult behavior. Look, I know using the word "cult" is extreme but let's be objective here. Think about how they operate, the techniques commonly used to get into people's heads. Key words and phrases repeated constantly is a psychological tool. It is. The ultimate goal is money, power, and keeping the masses engaged with their agenda. Keeping the people's attention captive and loyal. I know it's kinda humorous in a way but when you step back and look, it's pretty WOW actually.

Even fully understanding all this I still do Disney stuff. I just make an effort now to keep it in balance and with a healthy perspective.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Wow. The Kool-Aid really is potent. So now the shipyard will intentionally build bad ships if the owner so desires.

Not "bad" but built to a lesser quality (but what that particular company accepts).

 

[mevelandry]

So although I feel this thread was set up to mock DCL, because almost everyone in the modern world knows Disney and Disney magic and Pixie dust, not only from DCL, but also the Disney parks and many other venues.

I will repeat if DCL is not for you, please find a line your happy with. If you feel DCL cruise are not world the money or your not willing to pay for it........please don't pay it, find another line your happy with and enjoy there product.

AKK

Mock DCL? ... I seriously think the question came from a good place. Perception/interpretation is always interesting. Personally, what I find interesting is that there are so many different interpretations of what "Magic" and "pixie dust" are and I truly enjoy this thread.

Some people like to compare the product to other cruise lines. I think there is room for more than "If you are not happy go somewhere else". I've had bad experiences in Disney hotels and Disney restaurants. That doesn't mean I don't like Disney at all.


Sometimes I feel like people here are not allowed to give a negative review (like it's going to burst the Disney bubble and destroy the magic).

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Wow. The Kool-Aid really is potent. So now the shipyard will intentionally build bad ships if the owner so desires.

OK>>>>>>why did the builder in Italy not insist on back ups?........only because the class let it side and they were not getting paid for it.

 

[ImTempest]

I agree with you. And I noticed that some people seems to be confusing --I'm not saying this in a bad way-- oustanding customer services (which you can also find elsewhere) with "magic and pixie dust".

(EDIT: ImTempest posted the best description of pixie dust I've read so far.)

Lately I realized that what I liked about cruising had very little to do with the Mouse. Clean boat? Good cabins? Fun activities? Great restaurants? Disney or not, I'm in!

But if you are looking for Disney (princesses, characters), you won't find it anywhere else.

Thank you.

 

[JimmyV]

Not "bad" but built to a lesser quality (but what that particular company accepts).

Let's be fair. "Bad" was not my word choice.
Look. There is no point debating (especially here), whether the Disney Dream is a better built ship than Anthem of the Seas. I would hope that we could all agree that they are both wonderfully built ships and got the full attention of Meyer Werft.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Not "bad" but built to a lesser quality (but what that particular company accepts).

Yep. Things are built to each company's standards. That what your QC folks are for.