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

[Missy1961]

I don't get why people keep saying that we are wrong for saying we wouldn't take used items. I grew up dirt poor and had to shop at Goodwill. I got made fun of it so much as a kid. I worked my way up and out and now have a pretty decent job that affords me to be able to buy what I want. I wouldn't be offended about the offer but I sure as heck would have wondered why the OP wanted to give me their used items when I definitly could have afforded the retail therapy myself.

I think something bought in the park and used, that is theme park/fair centered is one thing. Like my example of the bubble guns or others with the arcade cards, but bringing used Disney stuff from home just steps over the line for most of us. I'm sure a women's shelter or homeless shelter would have real use for them items.

Exactly. I keep thinking of shelters for abused women - so often, they leave with only a few things. Those places could certainly use gently used clothing and maybe toys (there are health concerns as noted).

and I'm sorry, but if someone came up to me at WDW and offered me an item of clothing, I'd turn it down. And if I was traveling with kids, and they offered them a toy, I'd turn that down too. I'd be polite, but firm. The kids I travel with have more than enough stuff. In fact, after every birthday, they donate old toys to make room for the new stuff.

So pass along an almost used up arcade cards or things of that nature. Be kind to someone. But please don't hand out dollar store crap (yes, I said crap. I don't buy that stuff when I'm at home, so please don't give it to me at WDW) or used clothing. Thanks for the gesture, but I'll pass.

 

[wilkeliza]

How much of this is trying to force the magic? I've never preplanned extra kindness it has always just happened but I'm reading a ton of stories of people buying goodies to give out. This isn't halloween and isn't a signed for event like Fish Extender. The little kids in pur family would probably be weirded out if someone offered them jewels during Philharmagic because they know it isn't weird and I know it isn't a Disney thing!

Now the glow sticks I get if you have a multipack. We had 3 kids travel with us and had glowsticks but the pack had like 10 and only 2 of the kids wanted them. I am pretty sure my sister-in-law asked the moms around them if their kids might want one. She never talked to the kids just the parents. Totally wasn't planned we just had too many and didn't want them to go to waste.

 

[pfalcioni]

I must be the only person here who frequents second-hand shops and yard/garage sales. Used stuff doesn't bother me, and if someone handed me a cute, gently used Mickey Mouse hoodie or t-shirt in my size I'd happily take it with sincere thanks. If it was something I didn't care for or need/want, I'd politely decline, but I sure as heck wouldn't be "offended" by someone's generosity.

Of course you're not the only one here who frequents second-hand shops and garage sales. Other people have said they do the same thing, I think probably everyone has at some point or another in our lifetimes. That's not the point, the point it there is a major difference between going to a sale of used items and selecting what you need, or some stranger walking up to you in a theme park and "gifting" you with a random used item.

 

[anniemae]

I must be the only person here who frequents second-hand shops and yard/garage sales. Used stuff doesn't bother me, and if someone handed me a cute, gently used Mickey Mouse hoodie or t-shirt in my size I'd happily take it with sincere thanks. If it was something I didn't care for or need/want, I'd politely decline, but I sure as heck wouldn't be "offended" by someone's generosity..

Of course not. I stated up thread that I used to buy kids toys at yard sales, and my neighbor gives me her sons clothes for my son when he outgrows them.

What people are upset about is the fact that it is just plain odd to be at an amusement park, on a very expensive vacation, and having a family come running up to you, out of the blue, offering you used hoodies and t-shirts. It's just strange and "out of place." As others have stated, there are plenty of places, like women's & homeless shelters, that could put these to good use. Not a family on vacation at a very expensive vacation spot who probably does not want or need another families castoffs.

I don't know if offended is the right word (maybe if the giver thought the family was needy/poor if they in fact were not), maybe a better word is baffled. Because that is how I would feel.

 

[rwdavis2]

Of course not. I stated up thread that I used to buy kids toys at yard sales, and my neighbor gives me her sons clothes for my son when he outgrows them.

What people are upset about is the fact that it is just plain odd to be at an amusement park, on a very expensive vacation, and having a family come running up to you, out of the blue, offering you used hoodies and t-shirts. It's just strange and "out of place." As others have stated, there are plenty of places, like women's & homeless shelters, that could put these to good use. Not a family on vacation at a very expensive vacation spot who probably does not want or need another families castoffs.

I don't know if offended is the right word (maybe if the giver thought the family was needy/poor if they in fact were not), maybe a better word is baffled. Because that is how I would feel.

Annoyed and weirded out comes to mind for me. Why would anyone accept (or give away for that matter) used clothing at WDW? I would not even accept new stuff.

 

[supersnoop]

Of course. What act charity isn't about the giver? So what?

Charity is about doing something good for someone else. Any benefit received is consequential to that act, not the purpose of it, nor to be expected. This seems to be an act done for that specific purpose; it is not charitable. And many people seem to find it to be inappropriate.

 

[LiveYourLife]

I don't even like carrying a purse when I go to WDW, let alone a bag full of clothes and plushes. Can you just imagine being behind that scenario in the bag check line?!?!?

 

[larryz]

Agreed!

Call me selfish, but when I'm at Disney and I need a pick-me-up after experiencing an irritation, I find the closest BAR.

Kungaloosh!

 

[texasroni75]

I just don't think that WDW parks are the right venue for distributing your used/unwanted items.

While I don't have any suggestions to the OP on any additional ways to spread good will, I can say that after reading this thread, if anyone tries to give me or my kids anything used in the parks on our next visit, I will definitely be wondering if they think we (in their eyes) "look needy".

 

[Hrhpd]

I don't get why people keep saying that we are wrong for saying we wouldn't take used items.

I agree. The victim shaming by some on here is crazy. To treat WDW like the Good Samaritan Homeless Shelter by planning, purchasing and bringing used items to give out to who you perceive to be poor and deserving is strange. The receiver of this strange act does not need to be grateful as they would be if it was a random act of kindness.

If I choose to go to Goodwill and purchase used clothing, which I do, is one thing. To have some stranger walk up to me and decide I look like the perfect person to receive their "charity," is weird at a minimum and can be extremely insulting to others.

 

[Hrhpd]

Of course. What act charity isn't about the giver? So what?

Charity is about doing something good for someone else. Any benefit received is consequential to that act, not the purpose of it, nor to be expected. This seems to be an act done for that specific purpose; it is not charitable. And many people seem to find it to be inappropriate.

Exactly.

And I am still baffled by the idea that anybody can use charity and WDW in the same sentence. Why in the world would anybody think WDW was an organization whose visitors needed some charity?

 

[Cee]

To the OP....you are teaching your children to be kind and selfless. In this time of entitlement, you are teaching your kids that it is so much better to give than to receive. When I witness a child that is kind, courteous and giving, I feel the magic. Thank you.

 

[minnie mum]

. We have even taken to "special" acts of kindness (like collecting out grown but "new" looking Disney hoodie's and T-shirts, a light up toy no longer used, a Disney plush no longer cherished, etc and searching for the "perfect" kid to give it to). We save these "special" gestures for when we are tired or cranky or have encountered a "not-so-magical" moment (like line cutters, screaming parents, not getting "picked" for a show, or the rare unfriendly cast-member). It always perks every one up.

Sorry OP, but the bolded speaks mountains about your motivations. It's about making YOU feel better. This, plus the assumption that people in a Disney park would appreciate a total stranger approaching them with castoff toys and clothing. It is completely inappropriate. Instead, why not teach your children by donating to charities that really need the help?

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Sorry OP, but the bolded speaks mountains about your motivations. It's about making YOU feel better. This, plus the assumption that people in a Disney park would appreciate a total stranger approaching them with castoff toys and clothing. It is completely inappropriate. Instead, why not teach your children by donating to charities that really need the help?

Even the title of the thread is about enriching OUR vacation...not someone else's.

 

[DM Minnie]

We have a mickey savings jar, we put our extra change in there and my son's counts it once a month. Before we go to disney we donate the change to a childrens charity. My family can afford a trip to disney so we can spread magic at home. Disney is not a place to be charitable I see extra glow sticks or stickers but clothes and toys can serve a much greater good at home to a child that can't afford breakfast let alone a trip worth thousands of dollars.

 

[dekraut]

I love the idea of spreading joy to others. It is positive for the giver and the receiver, assuming the receiver isn't someone who is looking to be offended. If someone gave my kids a glow stick or button, or let us go in front of them in line (and people have), I think that would make my day. If they gave a stuffed animal, my wife would wash it first , but I certainly wouldn't assume they thought we needed it or couldn't afford it. I might think it was a weird gesture, but if I thought it was weird, I would just shrug it off, and would assume that the giver was trying to do something nice.

Having said that, I have taken extra toys when we camp in campgrounds and go to fireworks, and things like that, mostly because we have the option to do so. As a teacher and a parent, I really enjoy doing things for kids. I don't see why the result of making myself feel good has to take away from the positive of the happiness that I might generate for others.

 

[Hrhpd]

For those that think they need to enhance their own vacation by giving trinkets away, why are you vacationing at a place you feel is sub par and needs enhancing? Why not vacation somewhere that you completely enjoy?

Also, for those that think others need "pixie dusting," in what areas do you think Disney is so lacking that you feel you have help fellow Disney guests have a better vacation? Obviously you don't think a Disney vacation alone is magical enough. What do you think Disney can do better so that their poor paying guests don't have to step in and try to make other guest's vacations worth the outrageous amounts of money they are spending for the vacation?

 

[brookmey]

I wouldn't accept used clothing or a toy from a stranger at WDW either. I don't understand the idea of giving out used items to others at a theme park to make your experience better. Does the OP really think a child will be jumping for joy because some stranger just handed them a used t-shirt that the child may not really want, let alone appreciate? That's why prep-planned, not-so-random acts of kindness seem insincere. I get the glow stick thing, giving arcade cards, unused FP in the old system, snacks from unused snack credits you need to use up. My son was given an arcade card with over $20 on it and you would've thought he'd won the lottery. The family had to leave to catch a flight and passed it on to him. That random act touched him and meant so much to him.

My kids have been given glow sticks and the above mentioned arcade card. But the acts of kindness that have stuck with them aren't always about something others gave them. They remember things people did for them. When DD was 4, she was on a mission to see all of the princesses. We were on a bus to Epcot to get the last 2, Snow White and Mulan. On the bus DD was sitting across from a man who had just graduated from college, so he was around 21-22. She talked his ear off the whole way to Epcot, telling him about all the princesses she saw and she showed him all their autographs. He patiently listened and even asked some questions. DD was shocked that he knew about the princesses and their songs. He listened to her nonstop chattering with kindness and patience, which meant so much to me. When we got to Epcot I said thank you to him for showing DD such patience and attention and he said it was fun talking to her and that she was a "cool little kid."

A little later in the day we were on our way to World Showcase when we passed this young man and his family. He said hi to DD and asked if she found Snow White. We hadn't, so he told her he just saw her in Germany and she was probably waiting for DD to get there. DD took off running, so DH took off to catch up to her. When they got to the line, the attendant was just about to cut the line off, but let DD and DH slide in. If we hadn't run into the man from the bus, we probably wouldn't have caught Snow White at that time. That was 7 years ago and DD still talks about the man on the bus. That's what she remembers, what the young man did for her.

As a parent, the acts of kindness that I appreciate are letting my kids sit in front of you during a parade, taking the time to ask them about their autograph book or a button they're wearing, listening patiently to their chatter, being understanding if one of them accidentally bumps into you, things like that. I don't need strangers giving my kids "stuff" that I will end up having to carry around. Patience and a kind word can go along way with any child.

 

[revdon64]

Wow, it took exactly three replies to take a thread that was giving me personally some real joy and turn it into a (well I can't even say what I really feel). I truly lament the world that sees a gesture of kindness as an insult. Sadsadsad.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Wow, it took exactly three replies to take a thread that was giving me personally some real joy and turn it into a (well I can't even say what I really feel). I truly lament the world that sees a gesture of kindness as an insult. Sadsadsad.

But is it REALLY a gesture of kindness? By the OP's own writing, it's done to make her own family feel good or when they're having a bad day, enriching their own vacation.