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

[tjmw2727]

ETA -
I think someone needs a Mickey balloon.....

OP- I think the things you are doing are wonderful and more importantly are teaching your children to be kind and compassionate human beings...something our world desperately needs more of....

If your going to quote me do it properly - and fwiw I don't like balloons for various reasons.

 

[Southernswthrt]

Wow! So when I read the first post, I just took it as someone being nice and kind to others and asking what others do to spread Random acts of kindness or to pay it forward. If you don't want what they are offering, politely refuse it and move on! I didn't take it as though they were walking around like Santa Claus in the parks! JMTC

 

[nono]

So I live in a resort town with a pretty good set of amusements. I get hand-me-downs regularly, from other local residents. I'd be probably very surprised if I had my kids up on an amusement pier and someone handed me either a new or hand-me-down sweatshirt (and trust me, we're poor compared to the folks who come in to vacation!). It strikes me as so out-of-place, that I can't imagine how I'd even react. So while I'm a regular user of used items, outside the context of my regular community, I'm not sure I'd appreciate it the way the OP is intending. And that's the trick, right? Not just pushing what you want as the giver, but giving in a way that the receiver is surprised and happy, not surprised and wary/confused/etc.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Planning out random acts of kindness ("searching for the perfect child") seems weird. Just let nature take its course and if some moment crops up that you can be a good samaritan etc then have at it. But no to the clothes and toys.

For example, I came off of Forbidden Journey at WWOHP and I was so sick I thought I would die! I staggered off that ride and got dragged on Dragon Challenge by the family, and by the time I got off of it I was green from head to toe, in a cold sweat, shaking and ready to hurl. I collapsed onto a bench while DH ran to find a bottle of water. I was doubled over on te bench while my mom stroked my hair. A man on the bench next to me reached into his backpack and pulled out a new bottle of water and handed it to me. I nearly cried I was so grateful!

When DH and I are at WDW I hold doors for others, help parents fold/hold strollers on the bus, offer to take photos for others, wish happy birthday etc to those wearing pins, say Please/Thank You to CM's and guests, and occasionally bow/courtsy to little ones in princess dresses. For the most part, just using good manners is magical enough.

Yes, it's the planning that makes it weird.
If the strangers in your story carried around extra water and so they could rescue people that needed water, it'd be weird.
Also, the kids are only giving away things they don't want anyways. Giving that stuff to a local charity would teach the kids about being kind and thinking of others, all that stuff people think this is teaching them.

 

[GPC0321]

So...back to the original purpose of the thread, I think the idea of buying up snacks with unused credits and distributing them is neat. If you've got some extra credits and see a family standing in line for ice cream or something you could offer to buy it for them with your remaining credits.

I thought about ponchos too. If you have extras and see someone in obvious need of one, give them one.

Or maybe pass out towels to people coming out of PotC! LOL!

 

[raider97]

This thread makes me sad. What a spoiled society we are. As if anyone who goes to WDW is above wearing a gently used shirt or having her child enjoy a toy someone else has played with.

How can so many people be offended by a thoughtful, if not economically valuable, gift? I can almost understand politely declining such an offer, but actually being offended?

Exactly!! And if I read the original post correctly she wasn't asking for people's thoughts on what she does with her family during her vacations... she was asking for other ideas that other people do. If you get approached just say "no thank you" if you don't want to accept the item. Why do we need to "judge" her actions?

 

[Cee]

Thank you everyone for your opinions. I will take into consideration that so many people find it offensive and/or intrusive and/or creepy- that was never my intention, nor my experience.

BTW, the whole reason we upgraded from glow sticks, silly bands, and stickers… (idea's I read about here on the Disboards)...was because of a similar action directed towards my youngest daughter during our first trip. She had fallen and scraped her knee very badly and another little girl -who was a little younger than her-watched her get it patched up while we waited for the day time parade at Magic Kingdom. Basically what happened was (through the moms) the little girl gave my daughter a Belle light up toy for the fireworks that night. It was done very appropriately, I didn't feel anyone was intruding in our vacation, and they were very safe and appropriate with us. It made all the little girls very happy- they all chatted together throughout the entire parade. I had just thought it would be a nice tradition to continue.

But I will definitely take into account the feedback I have received by posting about it. My family would much rather give up this tradition than freak anyone out or negatively impact their own special time with their families.

I'm very impressed with the generous way you have responded to the criticism you have received here. All the very best to you and your family.

 

[Magpie]

Yes, it's the planning that makes it weird.
If the strangers in your story carried around extra water and so they could rescue people that needed water, it'd be weird.

I think that'd be really kind, actually. Lots of hot thirsty people would likely appreciate a small bottle of water at Disney. What's "weird" about planning to do something nice? Why should being nice to a stranger HAVE to be spontaneous in order not to be "weird"? "Oh, you look thirsty! Would you like a bottle of water? I brought lots!"

Like AtlantaDisneyDreamer above, this thread makes me rather sad, too. I wonder if what it is that makes some of us us so eager, not just to reject the kindness of a stranger (because there's definitely nothing wrong with politely declining), but to try SO hard to then shame that stranger for even considering such an action. "Weird". "Narcissistic." "Shut up about it." "Don't you dare impose your 'charity' on MY family vacation."

I'm reminded of the time I once responded to a thread on another site in which a mum wanted to know what she could do to make a plane ride with her infant a little easier on everyone. I linked her to a story about a family with twins who handed out little baggies of candy and earplugs to fellow passengers. And I got back SO much rage from other readers - resentful parents who thought that the fact that one family had done this kind thing, meant they were now obligated to do it too. Irritated non-parents who just don't want a stranger's icky candy or gross earplugs (even if they're all prepackaged). I had no idea at the time that generosity was so controversial.

But it is. Almost as controversial as letting your children blow soap bubbles on park property.

 

[Smile4Me]

We started doing random acts of kindness in the parks to honor a young boy from my husband's hometown who passed away in an accident- http://www.doit4derek.com/
We usually buy extra pins on ebay and when we are talking in line with families or waiting for something and see a child that needs some pixie dust - we pay it forward. They have been some of my favorite interactions with other guests and favorite memories from our trips! In fact we need to get our extra pins ordered soon for our upcoming trip! Makes us feel good and hopefully they do too!
I like the idea of the glow sticks too! Other fun things that don't take up much space would be lanyards, stickers, temporary tattoos... Have fun sharing the magic!

 

[DisneyRobin]

if you have extra dining credits at the end of your trip, go up to someone who is about to pay for counter service or for a snack offer to pay for them.

Let them know that happy to share the meal credits since you're going home soon and the credits will just go to waste otherwise.

 

[WEDWDW]

I always end up with extra 20% off merchandies coupons when Disney does that promotion at the QS restaurants,so I gve my extras to other Guests.

Always gets a HUGE response!

 

[wilkeliza]

I think that'd be really kind, actually. Lots of hot thirsty people would likely appreciate a small bottle of water at Disney. What's "weird" about planning to do something nice? Why should being nice to a stranger HAVE to be spontaneous in order not to be "weird"? "Oh, you look thirsty! Would you like a bottle of water? I brought lots!"

I think it really depends on the situation. I wouldn't know how I would respond if offered a beverage out of someone's personal stash. It is a fine line to walk.

Now I did see a group of teenagers on a "mission" which was literately giving people free water at the theme parks in Orlando. We saw them every day we were at Disney and both days we were at Universal. As someone who grew up in a mission oriented church I scoffed at the fact they came to Orlando on a "mission" but in all honestly looked like they were there to have a paid for vacation as a church group. The did offer us a bottle of water which we politely declined but I did find myself thinking if they wanted to do a mission trip why weren't they working with Orlando's homeless or underprivileged and it felt so weird to have a mission trip to all the major theme parks.

 

[cabanafrau]

I still cannot wrap my brain around the idea that a vacation in Disney World has sunk to the level it requires guests to actively plan to lift the spirits of other children vacationing there. How did that happen?

 

[Magpie]

I still cannot wrap my brain around the idea that a vacation in Disney World has sunk to the level it requires guests to actively plan to lift the spirits of other children vacationing there. How did that happen?

No one's "requiring" anything. If I choose to do something something nice for a stranger, that doesn't put any obligation on you to do the same.

As for how did it happen... A Disney vacation has always been a hot, thirsty, frustrating experience for guests. I vividly remember my son, age seven, in the middle of a Christmas party with people dancing and singing all around him, wailing at the top of his lungs, "I'm not HAPPY!"

I sincerely appreciate every small gesture, even if it's just a smile, anyone's ever given me or my children, at Disney or outside Disney. Stickers, pins, buttons, small toys, magazines for bored children, water... Even when it was sweets that the children weren't allowed to eat, we were always still grateful for the kind thought and we made sure people knew it.

Our first trip to Disney, over a decade ago:

If some kind person had wanted to try to cheer that boy up, we would not have been offended. Heck, they might have had more luck than we did!

 

[cabanafrau]

No one's "requiring" anything. If I choose to do something something nice for a stranger, that doesn't put any obligation on you to do the same.

As for how did it happen... A Disney vacation has always been a hot, thirsty, frustrating experience for guests. I vividly remember my son, age seven, in the middle of a Christmas party with people dancing and singing all around him, wailing at the top of his lungs, "I'm not HAPPY!"

I sincerely appreciate every small gesture, even if it's just a smile, anyone's ever given me or my children, at Disney or outside Disney. Stickers, pins, buttons, small toys, magazines for bored children, water... Even when it was sweets that the children weren't allowed to eat, we were always still grateful for the kind thought and we made sure people knew it.

Our first trip to Disney, over a decade ago:

If some kind person had wanted to try to cheer that boy up, we would not have been offended. Heck, they might have had more luck than we did!

I definitely wasn't advocating being unpleasant to other guests. I think there's a wide gulf of open space between being courteous to those around you and cleaning out your closets and toy boxes in an effort to enrich your experience -- or that of your fellow guests. Quite frankly, preplanning to bestow benevolence on the unsuspecting masses sounds remarkably similar to the efforts of many exploring and conquering colonials in their approaches to the indigenous peoples of the world.

As far as your son reaching his limits, how on earth would a stranger be able to easily discern the difference between a kid who needs some downtime back at the resort to rest or swim and another kid who may have some challenges that aren't readily apparent and for whom my efforts to "cheer up" would be the opposite of helpful? IMO better to mind my own business and treat others courteously like I want to be treated.

 

[judeis]

This - from the OP - is exactly what I (and several others) have been trying to say all along. OP IMHO there is a HUGE difference between a kind gesture kid to kid as you describe below and hauling hand me downs to Disney to enrich "your" vacation.

The OP's follow up is exactly what I have been trying to say- and a great example of a "RANDOM" act of kindness - "an impulse act"! You just can't plan this - it is wonderful - and it just happens when we are open to giving and receiving kindness, generosity and common courtesy.

Actually, talking to girl's mom, we discovered she was "paying it forward" as well.. they gave us the idea. But I understand how wonderful random acts of kindness are!

 

[Hibiscus]

I definitely wasn't advocating being unpleasant to other guests. I think there's a wide gulf of open space between being courteous to those around you and cleaning out your closets and toy boxes in an effort to enrich your experience -- or that of your fellow guests. Quite frankly, preplanning to bestow benevolence on the unsuspecting masses sounds remarkably similar to the efforts of many exploring and conquering colonials in their approaches to the indigenous peoples of the world.

As far as your son reaching his limits, how on earth would a stranger be able to easily discern the difference between a kid who needs some downtime back at the resort to rest or swim and another kid who may have some challenges that aren't readily apparent and for whom my efforts to "cheer up" would be the opposite of helpful? IMO better to mind my own business and treat others courteously like I want to be treated.

Last year, my grandparents shared a story from their church. One couple wanted to do away with the Angel Tree (for those not aware, this is a Christmas program where you select a tag corresponding to a wish from a less fortunate child, purchase the gift, and return it to the church) because they felt it "wasn't personal enough." They wanted their children to "directly experience the gratitude" of the recipient. They couldn't understand why everyone else seemed to think this was a terrible idea. Indeed, why shouldn't the recipient children have been forced to say "thank you" to their "holiday saviors" so that the givers could feel good about themselves?

That's what I thought of when I read the OP.

 

[Magpie]

I definitely wasn't advocating being unpleasant to other guests. I think there's a wide gulf of open space between being courteous to those around you and cleaning out your closets and toy boxes in an effort to enrich your experience -- or that of your fellow guests. Quite frankly, preplanning to bestow benevolence on the unsuspecting masses sounds remarkably similar to the efforts of many exploring and conquering colonials in their approaches to the indigenous peoples of the world.

As far as your son reaching his limits, how on earth would a stranger be able to easily discern the difference between a kid who needs some downtime back at the resort to rest or swim and another kid who may have some challenges that aren't readily apparent and for whom my efforts to "cheer up" would be the opposite of helpful? IMO better to mind my own business and treat others courteously like I want to be treated.

How can you discern the difference? You ask the parents! It's not hard.

And I find it intriguing that it appears you're assuming that the desire to be generous can only come from a position of superiority (vis a vis, your "colonials versus indigenous peoples" metaphor). Is that really how you feel about the people you've been generous to in your life? Does being generous make you feel superior? Because I definitely don't think that when someone is kind of us, that means they're putting themselves up on a pedestal above me and my kids. I think they're just nice people.

But, I can definitely see how, if every act of generosity made me feel like I was acting out the "white man's burden", I'd be VERY reluctant to be both giver and recipient of such kindness. So, if that's the case, I do understand where you are coming from.

Actually, talking to girl's mom, we discovered she was "paying it forward" as well.. they gave us the idea. But I understand how wonderful random acts of kindness are!

Well, as you said... you're a child therapist. I work with children with learning disabilities. I think "preplanning to bestow benevolence" and "paying it forward" are things that have likely become second nature to us, and folks like us.

 

[cabanafrau]

How can you discern the difference? You ask the parents! It's not hard.

And I find it intriguing that it appears you're assuming that the desire to be generous can only come from a position of superiority (vis a vis, your "colonials versus indigenous peoples" metaphor). Is that really how you feel about the people you've been generous to in your life? Does being generous make you feel superior? Because I definitely don't think that when someone is kind of us, that means they're putting themselves up on a pedestal above me and my kids. I think they're just nice people.

But, I can definitely see how, if every act of generosity made me feel like I was acting out the "white man's burden", I'd be VERY reluctant to be both giver and recipient of such kindness. So, if that's the case, I do understand where you are coming from.



Well, as you said... you're a child therapist. I work with children with learning disabilities. I think "preplanning to bestow benevolence" and "paying it forward" are things that have likely become second nature to us, and folks like us.

When it's presented as "enriching our vacation", I don't think it's much of an assumption what the intent is.

Beyond common courtesy I don't see Disney World as teeming with need. Have we done nice things for others on our Disney visits? Yes. It just happened in the normal course of the visit, no need for planning or packing anything but smiles, patience, cooperation, some tissues and a band aid -- without any forethought about how we would feel about ourselves afterward, actually not really giving a thought to how we felt afterward. Somehow we manage to have a nice time in spite of ourselves, unaware that simply being courteous apparently no longer measures up to "folks like you" in a spreadsheet mentality of calculating how to pay it forward.

 

[Magpie]

When it's presented as "enriching our vacation", I don't think it's much of an assumption what the intent is.

Beyond common courtesy I don't see Disney World as teeming with need. Have we done nice things for others on our Disney visits? Yes. It just happened in the normal course of the visit, no need for planning or packing anything but smiles, patience, cooperation, some tissues and a band aid -- without any forethought about how we would feel about ourselves afterward, actually not really giving a thought to how we felt afterward. Somehow we manage to have a nice time in spite of ourselves, unaware that simply being courteous apparently no longer measures up to "folks like you" in a spreadsheet mentality of calculating how to pay it forward.

So... on the off chance any of us commits an accidental act of generosity, we must all be very careful not to think about it afterward or enjoy it in any way. Gotcha!