Give Back the Magic Ideas - pay it forward

[Disney Dad Canada]

After listening to this week's show, I agree that the internet has taken some of the "Disney magic" away by knowing too much about what to expect on rides, events, etc.

I thought I'd start a thread soliciting ideas as to how to return the Magic to others. It may be something you've done, something someone has done for you, or just an idea.

As for me, on our last trip I attended a DVC add-on seminar at BLT the last day of our trip. The DVC sales rep gave me some ultra-fast passes, cards that you put in the fast pass machines that basically give you instant access to the ride. As it was our last day, I couldn't use all the passes, so while waiting at the tea-cups for my son (I can't ride them because of dizziness), I met a family with 2 small kids that had saved up for 3 years for the trip and gave them my passes. The thanks in their faces warmed my heart to no end.

Any other great ideas out there? It would be nice to see some "random acts of kindness" suggestions or examples.

 

[skunkvette]

Every visit for the last five or six years my DW and I make a point to treat someone, usually a couple, to a drink at the bar while waiting for our table at dinner.

It started when we waiting at Jiko a few years back and we met two women who had gotten soaked in a late afternoon thunderstorm and missed their ADR.

We overhead them say how things were falling apart all day for them, so we have the bartender take care of their drinks on our tab while they were waiting for their table. That really put the sparkle back in their eyes.

Since then it seems there is always an opportunity at least once a trip to share the magic with someone we chance into, something that adds magic to our day too!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

If you're in line for a ride, and you see a kid being impatient/crying, make a funny face at them, or engage them in conversation, if they are old enough.

 

[sdchickie]

When we were at Epcot we were in line to buy something (shocker, I know) and the guy in front of us dropped a $5 bill and didn't realize it. My son (7 at the time) picked it up and tried to give it back to him telling the man he dropped it. The man thanked my son for his honesty and let him keep the money as a reward for being honest and trying to return it. I thought that was a great thing for him to do and it really made an impression on my son.

 

[cj9200]

On one trip, DD and I tried to do the AK later in the afternoon. Of course Everest was packed with no fastpasses available. While we were watching the screaming people ride, a gentelman came up and offered us two fastpasses. "We have to leave so would you like these? You can go on right now." Made our day.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I always bring a bunch of extra glow necklaces and pass them out to the kids around while waiting for Spectro, Illuminations or Wishes. It's alot of fun and the kids love them. One year after a friends wedding, I bought a whole bunch of the left over little bubble bottles she passed out to guests. I gave out a few when we were waiting in longer lines. We all got quite alot of bubbles floating around in the Dumbo line.

 

[mysanchez]

We have heard people complaining that they were leaving the World and still had dining credits left over. On our last day we realized that we had a couple of counter service meals left on our plan due to my husband being ill earlier in the week. We were buying our breakfast and the couple behind us were trying to order and stay within a budget. My husband asked the cashier if we could use our counter service credit to pay for their meals and he smiled and told us, "Sure, they are your credits!" They couldn't thank us enough. It made our day to help others by spreading a little magic.

 

[shellynn24]

I always bring a bunch of extra glow necklaces and pass them out to the kids around while waiting for Spectro, Illuminations or Wishes. It's alot of fun and the kids love them. One year after a friends wedding, I bought a whole bunch of the left over little bubble bottles she passed out to guests. I gave out a few when we were waiting in longer lines. We all got quite alot of bubbles floating around in the Dumbo line.

We do this too. I always buy tons on glow bracelets and neklaces and give them to everyone around us. It puts a smile on little faces that have been sitting around for much longer then they would like. I love to see kids smile at Disney...that's where the magic is for me.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

If you're in line for a ride, and you see a kid being impatient/crying, make a funny face at them, or engage them in conversation, if they are old enough.

This is likely the funnest thing I get to do as a father! I love being a goof ball father!

 

[chaoscent]

I am an avid pin trader. I put aside pins each trip to give to kids. I love watching their faces light up. I have no kidlets, so it helps make my trip more special when I see them with a smile on their face. It is also pretty interesting to watch the parents. I always ask first if I can give them a pin and some look at me wierdly, but then when they realize I want nothing in return, they says thanks. You know, it really is about the magic. I get more in return than the parents realize. I get to see a child's face light up. For most of us without kids, that's a gift in itself.

I like the glow bracelet idea and will have to pick some up at the dollar store for my next trip. Penny

 

[mrzrich]

I like to give away fast passes that I don't need. Back in my baby swap days I would find a couple to get in line with me (since up to 3 can ride with the rider switch pass)

Back during our stroller days we would give our stroller to a family with little ones that was entering as we were leaving.

In both cases the FP and the stroller, there usualy a few "no's" before somebody would take them from us. There were even times when people looked at us like we were trying to give them an infectious disease. We would eventually find someone grateful to accept our offer.

 

[SusanWasHere]

I always try to give away fast passes as well! One time we were at MK going into the Hall of Presidents. My mom uses and ECV so we were in the back section. An elderly woman rode in on one and her son was next to her. You have to kind of back in to the spot to free up the walkway. The woman was having a tough time and just couldn't do it and her son was getting really really angry with her. I felt so bad bc the more upset he got - the worse her driving got. Since I always load my mom's onto the buses, I went over and asked her if she wanted me to park it for her. By this time tons of people were watching and I got nervous, lol. But I was able to get it parked right away and the woman looked so relieved. LOL and her son was a bit embarrassed for being so short with her. That kind of made my day

 

[wendydarling826]

I love this thread! I'm going to bring extra glow things to give away, and you've got me thinking about what else I can do to spread some pixie dust.

 

[WaltD4Me]

In both cases the FP and the stroller, there usualy a few "no's" before somebody would take them from us. There were even times when people looked at us like we were trying to give them an infectious disease. We would eventually find someone grateful to accept our offer.

One time I had an extra ticket to MVMCP. I didn't want it to go to waste, but let me tell you, I had a heck of a time giving it away! I went by the ticket window and offered it to people buying tickets, but most were picking up from Will Call and the rest just seemed to think I was crazy and didn't take the ticket, like they didn't believe me or I was trying to scam them. I was about to give up when a young couple with a little boy walked up. They accepted the ticket and seemed pretty thrilled about it. I never thought it would be so hard to give a ticket away!