Enriching our vacation through spreading Pixie Dust...ideas?

[cabanafrau]

It may not seem this way to the OP, but to me it comes off very self important -- particularly if it involves used items. The title of the thread alone shows who the act is really about -- enriching whom?

I would not enjoy or appreciate my family being approached with this type of gesture while vacationing at WDW. By all means feel free to break out your politeness, your good attitude, your smiles and your enjoyment and put those on display for everyone to see and share with you in return. Keep all your other gestures of benevolence and largesse for those who need them.

 

[abeautybutafunnygirl]

I agree with others. Your heart is in the right place, but if I had kids, I would not allow them to accept used gifts from strangers.
That being said, one of my favourite Disney memories from when I was a kid was waiting at an airport for a connecting flight to Disneyland. I was 4 or 5 years old. There was another little girl who seemed so much older than me, but in hindsight was probably not that much older, 9 years old maximum. Anyways, she had one of those pressed penny folders pull of pennies, a bunch of them that I had never even seen before. I was admiring them, and she let me chose one to keep. I chose a simple one with a print of Jasmine on it, and I still have it to this day.
I think little acts of kindness like this- a penny, a ballon, even a sticker- would be much more appreciated than used clothes. Save the clothes and plushes for a local charity.

 

[SonicGuy]

I wanted to come back and write to OP - I hope the many comments against part of your post are not a reflection on the intent of your heart. If everyone in the parks, especially on those hot, sticky, crowded days that get us all in a crabby mood had the same intent as you the "world" would be a better place

 

[wilkeliza]

We do simple things like letting little ones stand in front of us on the parade route even if they show up 15 minutes before it starts. As long as there is room and it is just the kids (or crouching parents) we don't mind.

We have bought things for people before but usually when they have already gone to pay for it and then realize they are short. It is usually adults who walk up with a ton of drinks at the hotel or at Starbucks.

I also will swap with single riders to let friends ride together. Sometimes I'll see that 2 friends were single riders and one ended up in another car and i'm right next to their friend so will offer to swap.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

We do simple things like letting little ones stand in front of us on the parade route even if they show up 15 minutes before it starts. As long as there is room and it is just the kids (or crouching parents) we don't mind.

We have bought things for people before but usually when they have already gone to pay for it and then realize they are short. It is usually adults who walk up with a ton of drinks at the hotel or at Starbucks.

I also will swap with single riders to let friends ride together. Sometimes I'll see that 2 friends were single riders and one ended up in another car and i'm right next to their friend so will offer to swap.

This is a great one! I completely forgot about it.

Last year, my son and I were doing single rider on Test Track. We were in a car with a gentleman, his two sons, and one of their friends. So the CM put two of those boys in front, dad and third boy in back and told DS and I to fill in the empty two. Dad actually had all three of his boys sit together in front and he sat in back with DS and I so we could sit together. Not a huge sacrifice on this part, but it was just a kind gesture. We ended up chatting and had a great experience on the ride. Something as simple as that put a smile on my face--and didn't cost a cent!

 

[wilkeliza]

This is a great one! I completely forgot about it.

Last year, my son and I were doing single rider on Test Track. We were in a car with a gentleman, his two sons, and one of their friends. So the CM put two of those boys in front, dad and third boy in back and told DS and I to fill in the empty two. Dad actually had all three of his boys sit together in front and he sat in back with DS and I so we could sit together. Not a huge sacrifice on this part, but it was just a kind gesture. We ended up chatting and had a great experience on the ride. Something as simple as that put a smile on my face--and didn't cost a cent!

I think it might happen a bit this upcoming trip since we will be a party of 3. I know my fiance will want to ride with his buddy a lot so I'll be the single of our three. As long as I'm still on the same coast train I don't care where I'm at unless I ask for the front or back row. We don't buy ride photos anyways so I figure I'm riding by myself anyways why not swap with so a friend or family can ride together.

 

[potterfanatic]

So... anyone else have other ideas to add to the pile? We would love to hear new ideas about how to spread kindness (and make ourselves happier in the bargain). Thanks!

One of our favorite Disney memories was giving a woman one of our signed star wars weekends posters. We had met her early in the morning and her day had continued to get worse and worse every time we saw her in the park. At one point she told me they had missed their signing time so we gave her one of signed souvenirs (we had two because both my husband and myself had tickets). She texted me 7 months later on Thanksgiving Day to tell me that the support of having met two strangers in Disney who reminded her that there are still good people in the world, was what she was most thankful for that year. I will never forget how good it made me feel to know that I had made a difference for her.

I think that the most meaningful "extras" are spur of the moment and can't really be pre-planned. Maybe she can hold on to her $10 in order to buy somebody something special in the park?

 

[FLCyndi]

I would be offended.

 

[Disneytam]

I agree it's the small spur of the moment things that seem like pixie dust to me. One such moment that I remember happened at the CG when my husband and I were celebrating our anniversary. Our table had a lot of the mickey mouse confetti on it when we arrived and a little boy at the next table was really fascinated with it. So much so that when his mother took him to the restroom she had to nearly drag him by our table. When we left I put a few pieces in my purse to use in my scrapbook and then swept a small handful up and stopped at his table and bent down to his chair and gave them to him. I explained that mickey had left them for us because we were celebrating our marriage and that he could have them. You would have thought I had given him something huge his smile was so big! I know it made my night.

 

[ruthies12]

I agree that the best magic is the random acts of kindness. I was once changing my babies poopy diaper in a restaurant in Epcot and a lady who was just finishing washing her hands after using the restroom came over to the changing table and asked if I'd like her to hold my baby so I could wash my hands. If anyone has ever tried to wash hands while simultaneously not dropping your baby, you will understand how nice it was! It was only 2 minutes out of her day, but it made my task much easier for those few seconds and her thoughtfulness was much appreciated by me!

 

[Eastern]

Ack!
Someone gave your kids their ice cubes after they finished their drinks?

I probably would have taken them

It's been sitting in alcohol, right? How bad could it be?

 

[wilkeliza]

Ack!
Someone gave your kids their ice cubes after they finished their drinks?

You can ask the bar staff to clean them off.

On my 2nd to last DCL trip the bar staff gave me like 7 because he heard me saying I loved collecting them. He said they can't reuse them in the bars and have to toss them if they are left on the table so he had the bucket full to be toss. He cleaned them off and gave them to me. I was so excited.

 

[danny1649]

I think this a great and helps me restore my faith in mankind. You see so much in this world where a kind work ,a small gift and smile can help all around you. I have seen them at WDW anc makes me proud I live in USA. Sure have some who only think of themselves. So keep that giving kind spirit and who knows we make some changes how to make this a better but in our homes and towns world and just not at wdw

 

[mrsjoannh13]

I think you have very good intentions and it's great what you are instilling in your children. However, I'm in the camp of PP's who would be offended if someone offered me used clothing or toys. Maybe not offended so much as just caught off guard. I would probably realize your intention as being good but still not want to take the item for myself of my child.

I have heard of people giving out glow sticks and that seems like an affordable way to spread some pixie dust to those in long lines, cranky kids, etc. I bought a container of 100 of them on Amazon for a couple of bucks for Halloween and am bringing any leftovers to Disney. I also saw things for a few bucks on Amazon when searching for "cheap Disney toys" - stickers and things like that. Might be better for kids than offering pre-owned items. And I would definitely ask the parents if it is okay first.

Don't be discouraged by the negative remarks here. Just take it for what it's worth and keep spreading pixie dust!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

How about simply smiling at people, and making eye contact. Ever notice how few of the people moving around WDW are smiling?

 

[yankeepenny]

I had never had any of the balloons you can get. I was thinking of getting a few first night and bringing them back on the bus. I had already planned on getting a few extras to share with small riders. That way, maybe no one will pitch a fit, and at night no upsetting a less than 3 year old kid. I do share glow sticks.
I do bring as an assortment of adult extra wipes /hand wipes around and let me tell you, that is always thanked when I share those.
Two trips ago I got a special vip pass for a night show in the studios. I was not planning on going and saw a family with a Veteran member. I asked if they where attending> They said yes, and I gave that Old Soldier my ticket for VIP seating. Great Grampa was thrilled. Sharing is good.

 

[Disneylover99]

I probably would have taken them

It's been sitting in alcohol, right? How bad could it be?

Good point.

 

[Disneylover99]

You can ask the bar staff to clean them off.

On my 2nd to last DCL trip the bar staff gave me like 7 because he heard me saying I loved collecting them. He said they can't reuse them in the bars and have to toss them if they are left on the table so he had the bucket full to be toss. He cleaned them off and gave them to me. I was so excited.

I guess the scenario I'm envisioning has the older couple fishing the cubes out of the glass with their fingers after the cubes have been in contact with their lips and saliva. And then handing them off to the happy kids. Seems beyond gross to me.

 

[RustManFan]

I always like to volunteer to help a family be sure that they get photos with everyone in the shot. Usually it is easy to spot someone that might appreciate it (and doesn't have too complicated a camera). Have done the same on trips to Great Britain (mostly Scotland)

 

[tjmw2727]

I always like to volunteer to help a family be sure that they get photos with everyone in the shot. Usually it is easy to spot someone that might appreciate it (and doesn't have too complicated a camera). Have done the same on trips to Great Britain (mostly Scotland)

We often do this - especially now that selfie sticks are banned!

I Love the stories up thread, so many great random acts of kindness given and received. I guess this is what makes the difference for me is that they aren't planned they are just simple gestures that are remembered - they are truly Random.

Among other things we have given out (and received) paper fast passes, glow sticks (as I mentioned in a pp) and pool noodles on departure day. My dd likes to sketch Disney characters in a small sketch book while waiting and she has occasionally given them out to younger guests that have admired them. (don't worry she doesn't pose as a CM!) None of these items are acquired in advance for distribution - it just happens.

Other things IMHO are just common courtesy - holding the door open for the person before/after me, standing on a crowded bus if I can, not taking up extra room at a crowded QS restaurant, holding a fireworks spot for a single mom with a child who had to go potty............