Does Disney World make people... better?

[Tonyz]

I had an amazing experience with Splash Mountain this month. We were just wandering around the Magic Kingdom a couple weeks ago. Not racing towards rides, just taking everything all in. We decided to stop by and watch the people on Splash.

There was a big crowd on that bridge that overlooks the first little drop. A bunch of people taking pictures, taking video of the drop, or just watching as the people on the ride went through. Every log that went by, the people in it would wave at us, and we'd all wave back. People would yell jokes at us, we'd yell jokes back. Everyone laughing, having a great time. No one complaining, no one screaming about what ride was next. Everyone, be it participant or observer, joining in to simply enjoy this random experience. It went on for like 20 minutes, all of us sharing in this great little moment of pure happiness and magic that only Disney can inspire.

I don't know why it resonated so much with me, but it was like Splash Mountain that night was a place where humans beings were coming together to simply enjoy being with each other. It was almost like the ride was secondary... everyone was just watching other people's happiness and contributing their 'one little spark' to it. It was one of the nicest, most "communal" moments I've ever had in the World.

Only Disney is capable of giving you these little perfect moments with complete strangers that you'll remember forever. And Splash Mountain was the catalyst.

It made me think about other times I've had those little moments with strangers.

On "it's a small world", a little kid eating lunch in Pinocchio's pizza place was watching us and holding a sign that said "Do the Chicken Dance!" A cast member was with him and helping him encourage all of us in line to do the dance. A bunch of us started doing it for him, and he was laughing and having the time of his life. We all came together to make a little kid laugh, and had a great time doing it.

I honestly think that people are just nicer at Disney World. Strangers talk to each other, laugh with each other, share experiences with each other. I can't count the number of times I've had quick little great conversations with random people in the parks. At Sanaa last year I swapped and shared appetizers with two awesome ladies at the table next to us, making the experience even better. And then next night we saw the same couple at Cape May Cafe!

I have a very cynical view of humanity, but I lose all of that when I pass through those gates. I don't know why, maybe it is the magic of the place, but I think that the general public (me included) is at its best at Disney World. Sure, there's always the random jerk yelling at a cast member or trying to cut in line, but most of the time the people are downright pleasurable.

Disney World (and I assume Disneyland) makes the average human being a better person... and that may be Walt's greatest gift to this species.

 

[BigAlsGal]

I know it makes me "better". I smile at everyone. I try to do that in everyday life but there my smile is bigger and people almost always smile back. There is definitely kind of a sense of togetherness even though we come from all walks of life. We are all there to enjoy walt Disney world. It is a magical place.

 

[bumbershoot]

Only Disney is capable of giving you these little perfect moments with complete strangers that you'll remember forever.

Only Disney? No, not at all. Look for it in your daily life. You might be surprised.

I honestly think that people are just nicer at Disney World.

I don't. There are moments, but they are just moments.


Then again, where you're from might make a difference. I was reading a cruise TR recently, and the writer noted that Seattle people will just talk with you as you're walking, that they are friendly. And I agree that the area I live in has those moments often, where people just talk. Maybe if you're from NYC or DC or a high-stress place like that, you don't get those moments, and that's why you're noticing them at WDW.

 

[bryanb]

Yes I agree. There are a small number of people for whom Disney brings out their worst though. The ones who don't go with the flow, can't stop thinking about how much they've spent, or how tired they are, or how hot it is.

Disney enables people to be positive because we have positivity in ourselves. It didn't make us that way, it just helps bring it out more. But it doesn't work magic on people who are incapable of being that way. That's the good news in all of this, though: you can take that happy, better you home and practice it everywhere in your life!

 

[rainboots]

It made BIL pleasant for a week. As far as I'm concerned that IS magical!!!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I have to agree with bumbershoot on this one. I've met some wonderful people in WDW and some really nasty ones. Same thing in real life. People are people and I don't think they change just because they pass through the WDW tapstile. I think you just happened to be with a group of people who actually enjoyed hanging out on the bridge at Splash and having a good time. The nasty ones probably walked right by you!

 

[smallworldnh]

For the most part, people seem happier and friendlier and I've had chats with some of the nicest people while in line. But like someone said, I've seen a lot of selfish, nasty, inconsiderate, "it's all about ME", kinds of people too. I guess if you're like that in your everyday life, Disney sure isn't going to change you...

 

[GPC0321]

What a great story, OP! I love that sort of thing! Though I agree with a PP that this sort of "magic" can be found outside of Disney. I was at an Adam Lambert concert a few years ago, and the best part of the whole thing was the spontaneous "dance party" that broke out to the music (not live) that was being played before the show. This had become a regular thing during that tour, and I swear it was so uplifting and fun! A large theater full of complete strangers all dancing and singing and laughing and cheering. Adam was nowhere to be seen and we were already having the time of our lives. That place was full of love and happiness that night.
Here's a video: I'm in there somewhere!

I think that people with happy souls will not only find but also create happiness in their lives no matter what. You and the other happy souls on that bridge watching Splash Mountain did just that. Odds are, wherever you go, happiness will follow you.

The real "magic" of Disney isn't about rides, shows, food, and resorts. The magic is inside of US and Disney just helps release that magic. Unfortunately some people do not carry that magic on the inside, and those folks walk around looking for something external to make them happy. That's just not how it works.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think this used to be somewhat true. I did find more happy interactions at Disney than out and about in the real world. Maybe that was the nostalgia guests were feeling for their own childhoods, maybe it was the unparalleled high level of customer service brought to the parks and resorts via the CMs.

But honestly, years of CM cutbacks, high price increases and ever increasing crowds have changed things.

I'm still happy when I'm there, but it's not the same experience it was even a few years ago. It's just a different vibe now.

 

[Allison]

Only Disney is capable of giving you these little perfect moments with complete strangers that you'll remember forever.

That's just not true. I have had great experiences with strangers in many different places whether it is on the beach or sitting in bleachers at a school event.

I don't think Disney World makes people better people. People are who they are and they carry that with them wherever they go. They may be more relaxed on a vacation and not as uptight as when they are in "real world" mode but that doesn't change who they are.

 

[HopperFan]

For the most part, people seem happier and friendlier and I've had chats with some of the nicest people while in line.

But like someone said, I've seen a lot of selfish, nasty, inconsiderate, "it's all about ME", kinds of people too. I guess if you're like that in your everyday life, Disney sure isn't going to change you...

I think for most Disney World magnifies who you are. A few (my Mom's DH) it can soften and they see the world a wee bit different through others eyes.

If you are there with your heart in the right place, ready to ignore the bumps and enjoy the magic - your fun will be enhanced by all kinds of wonderful moments, and these folks are the ones who experience pixie dust. If you are inconsiderate and rude, expecting to do everything and magic being handed to you, odds are you won't have a good time, CMs will not offer you anything special and you will throw your negativity all over the place - maybe an attempt to make those around you as miserable as you are.

So glad you had some awesome moments, I know we bring home a few each trip!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Interesting post. That must have been a neat moment for you.

Unfortunately, I don't find this at WDW. I don't think people are rude there, most people are trying to be polite enough. But I find people are hyper-focused on their group to the exclusion of anyone else. I find most CMs are fine, but not what I would call friendly. I don't mind it though, I'm not really looking for that, either from the CMs or other guests. As long as you aren't trampling my kid, I'm happy.

Bumbershoot makes a good point....I am from NJ and people aren't overly friendly in their casual encounters (grocery store, etc). People just want to get what they need done and move on, it's very fast-paced and all business.

 

[Planogirl]

I believe that people tend to be nicer when they're having a good time. Just like people tend to be nastier when they're unhappy. I find that this is true everywhere not just at WDW.

 

[disneydude365]

I think Disney amplifies your true self so if you're genuinely a nice person you with the added pixie dust that is sheer excitement of knowing you are in Disney radiates off you and you are social and grin is always bigger than normal
But on the other side of the coin if you're not that nice of a person, selfish, entitled, impatient the all those traits are amplified as well.

 

[PSUGuy]

By far I find people to be more friendly when in WDW. It's human nature to be more likely to lodge a complaint than to go out of one's way to give praise so sites like this tend to feature more negatives than reality would dictate. Of course in our 15 + years of yearly WDW trips I've seen some bad behavior, mostly meltdowns by parents and I remember them only because they're rare. Speaking of meltdowns, our grand daughter had a doozy a few years back while preparing to leave MK just before the afternoon parade. A lady nearby offered to let Elise have her place on the curb she had staked out to view the parade. We thanked her and said we were leaving regardless be this flies in the face of all the posts here about guests crowding out parade watchers at the last minute.

Bill From PA