How about a Positive Thread???

[JodyLynC]

I don't know about you, but after reading the "Have you ever had a shock.." post, I was pretty depressed reading about all the rude, crude, nasty people out there.

I'd like to start a thread of positive things happening. I doesn't have to be anything incredibly magical. Just a positive note that you would like to share.

I am hoping that this positive post will be as long as the "shock" one, but only time will tell. Help me look forward to a positive vacation. Let's look for good stuff not bad.

I remember one year, DH and I were staying at one of the All-Star resorts. We were going to AK and the first bus of the a.m. was packed. We were lucky to get seats, but many weren't. Just about everyone was squeezing in to make extra room. I remember striking up a conversation with some people from Wisconsin that were standing in front of us. Everytime we went around a corner, the people standing would slide and apologize for bumping anyone. Everyone around was cheerful. Someone said "all apologies can be saved till the end of the ride and will all be accepted." It wasn't a big deal or anything just a bus full of happy, excited people being courteous to one another and helping each other get through a packed ride.

This is part of the vacation magic. Sharing your excitement with others. One earlier thread mentioned standing in line for the rides and chatting with people around you. I intend to do that as much as possible this year and make sure that I am touching base with people around me and not closed up in a "me" mentality.

:thewave:

 

[calena]

Our first trip to Disney, DD, 9, began collecting autographs from the characters. She was so excited. Each child had a fanny pack and in hers she had her autograph book, pen, water bottle and disposible camera. Well... we were walking around Epcot and we realized the fanny pack was not in the stroller bag where she had put it. I immediately thought someone had stolen it because they thought there might be valuables in there - money, credit cards etc. She was devastated.
We looked around and decided to retrace our steps. We went back to Great Britain where she had been working on her mask and the young English man said "I think you left something here." He had noticed right away when she took it off and left it there and he had placed her fanny pack in the back for safekeeping. The value of the items in the fanny pack was minimal to me, but that autograph was precious to her, so he really saved the day! She also learned a lesson about keeping the fanny pack firmly attached to her waist.

 

[Unofficial Fan]

I've had so many positive experiences, what a great thread idea! This last trip (over Memorial Day Weekend) alone had so many great things:

*My (fairly) expensive 35mm SLR camera was accidentally left in MK - and someone turned it in to Lost and Found!

*Stephanie at the Yacht Club upgraded us to the concierge level. I have no idea why, but we surely enjoyed it!!

*I had to use an ECV this trip and was fairly inept at loading onto buses and monorails. One lovely woman went out of her way to help push it onto the bus (you have to load it backwards). The first time I rode the monorail there was nobody there to set up the ramp when it came time to disembark. I was quite nervous that it would depart with me still on it and my kids off! A very sweet couple tracked down a CM immediately. They could have simply gone on their way, making sure that they got in line as soon as possible, but they took the time to help.

I can't wait to see others!

 

[Dopey & Grumpy]

Let's see. Positive experiences. Hm-m. I don't believe I've ever had anything but positive experiences. When we get home from our trips, we only remember the good and never the bad.

I guess the one that I really feel great about was this last trip. It was just my DIL, two DGS's and I and the youngest (4) wandered off. I went right into the nearest store, asked the CM behind the counter if she had seen him (describing him and giving his name) and within 5 minutes, another CM had found him. The communication when a child is lost is absolutely unbelievable. I've never experienced this before but I have to say they deserve a lot of kudos because when your child is lost, nothing else matters to you and to them but to find him/her as soon as possible.

 

[dreamalittledream]

On our last trip I was coming back from AK to POFQ with my mom, and 2 DD. I got a seat next to a cute 4 yr old boy whose Grandma and sister were sitting in front of him. Now I was trying to juggle the baby in my lap and her stoller and DD standing in front of me while mom had the other stroller and got pushed towards the back of the bus. The bus was super crowded as those end of night busses can be, but a wonderful man picked up my stoller and held it on his lap for the entire ride! Also, the cute little boy was a true Southern gentleman and gave up his seat for my DD and he sat with his Grandma. He did make eyes at her for the entire ride though! These people were just life savers and everyone was in a good mood while doing so. It was a nice ending to a Disney Day.

 

[alyssa810]

*We traded with a CM in DD one time who really hooked us up with some great pins, and wouldn't even take pins from us!
*Another time I accidently put a bunch of postcards in the mailbox in the lobby of the BWI, and later realized that I forgot stamps. One of the CMs there was able to open up the mailbox so I could stamp them!! The upsetting part of that was that I had made address labels for everyone that I sent them too so I didn't need my address book...I was so relieved and thankful that she helped me out!
*On our engagement trip, we came back to our room to find a card from Mickey & Minnie, balloons from the WL, and those chocolate covered pretzels shaped like ears!
*My DH found his brand new Celtics hat that he lost in Buzz Lightyear at lost & found!
I could go on and on...I think sometimes people love to complain on the boards- this is quite refreshing!

 

[princesspiglet]

I like this thread. I have never had anything shocking or negative happen to me in all my trips to WDW. the best memory I have was when we took my daughter when she was 2 years old. We were at MVMCP and we were sitting on the sidewalk outside of the bakery waiting for the Xmas parade to start. Athena was whining somewhat because she was hungry and a very nice CM from the bakery came up from nowhere and gave my daugher a huge Mickey cookie ..free of charge. During the parade she had on a Mickey santa hat that had "Princess Athena" written across the top in stitching. When Santa Clause came through on the sleigh, he looked directly at her and said "Merry Christmas Princess Athena". I thought she was gonna have a heart attack! She just stared at him in amazement. I was in tears because it was so magical. That was such a wonderful night!

 

[saucymb]

Our family has had many many positive wonderful things happen to us at WDW!:
* in 1993, my mom left her fanny pack hanging in a stall in the bathroom in Frontierland around 5pm. THis was the first day of our vacation, and it contained all of our park tickets, $800 cash, $200 travelers checks, her credit card and drivers license, her checkbook, and a few other things. She realized she left it there about 5 minutes later and ran back frantically, but it was gone. We reported it to a CM, then went to City Hall to wait to see if it turned up. We sat on the steps at City Hall for over 6 hours that day, my friend and I got my brothers to help us look at everyone who left to see if they were carrying my mom's distinctive fanny pack, but no luck. Finally, around 11:30pm, after the last Spectro, a GR CM came out and told us we would never believe it, but a CM found a fanny pack matching mom's description on a bench in Liberty Square. The CM brought it to GR, and when mom opened it, not one dime, ticket, card, or check was missing! Who knows what/how that happened???

* In 1998, my mom was taking her mother, and three of her friends and their mothers to WDW. They stayed at All-Star Music, and everyone except my mom had to buy 4 day PH tickets (she had an AP). While they were waiting in line to buy the tickets at ASMu, they were approached by an middle-aged guy who asked if they needed tickets. They looked at him suspiciously, and he quickly explained that they had bought length-of-stay tickets, but had to leave 4 days early. Mom said they weren't comfortable buying tickets from a stranger. He said, oh, no, I meant I would be happy to just give them to you! It was coincidentally enough for the 7 women who needed tickets for the 4 days them needed them for!

 

[MyGoofy26]

A couple years ago we met up with my cousin and her family right before Christmas. It was their first trip to WDW so just being there getting to experience everything with fresh eyes was so much fun - especially her kids ds 6, dd 3 1/2 at the time. We got there and checked into Contemporary earlier than they arrived (they were flying in from overseas) - they got in well after midnight, but the kids weren't about to let jet lag stop them and were up bright and early. We had no PSes but wanted to see if we could get into Chef Mickeys and we had only a 5 minute wait. As they took us to our table I realized we were headed to the back window. The kids were too busy looking around inside at all the people and characters to notice, but I thought they were going to flip over their chairs to turn around and see the castle when I pointed out that it was right out the window. It was a PERFECT way to start the trip and I'm sure it was just luck that we got there as a table big enough opened up that just happened to have that view - but it'd be nice to think that the CMs that helped get us in so quickly also had a lil something to do with it.

A couple nights after that we were in line for Buzz at MVMCP and a young boy, probably about 10 or 11, tapped me on the arm and asked if he could give my cousin's dd one of his glow necklaces. He and, I'm assuming, his brothers had quite a few that it looked like their parents bought beforehand and brought with them to the parks and I thought it was so sweet. She hadn't even asked, and actually hadn't even noticed the boys yet - he just *wanted* to share.

The best story - my post positive experience - came when I was on the CP. I was working a cart on New Years Eve and was completely miserable. I rarely ever got assigned to carts and it seemed like such bad luck to be assigned to one and be left completely alone on New Years. My mom and aunt had just flown back home that morning after coming down to be with me for Christmas. So I was feeling about as alone as one could feel as those fireworks were going off at midnight. Even the area around me was dead since most people had already, or were rushing closer to the front of the park for a better look. A mom and her 2 kids had stopped at a bench across the 'street' to watch the fireworks with no crowds. I had moved to the middle of the 'street' for a better look over some trees that were blocking if I stood right at the cart. As the fireworks ended I was fighting back tears, just from that feeling of complete alone, as I walked back to the cart. I could hear footsteps behind me, and all of a sudden I hear "Happy New Year!!!" The mom and kids must've noticed that I was standing there with no one around and came running over with huge smiles. I couldn't help but get a huge grin and wish them a Happy New years. . . I was once again fighting off tears, this time for another reason.

 

[KAMommy]

So many, many happy things...

On our trip last year, the cm who was our guide on the Jungle Cruise really played up the cheesy-ness of that ride. Throughout our whole trip, my 6 and 10 year olds would quote her "Isn't that AMAZING!"

About two years ago, while DH and DS were riding rides, my DD (then 4) and I were in the photo shop in MK and met Cruella. She talked to us for a while, and signed both kids autograph books - we explained that our brother was on Space Mountain. About 6 hours later, we were in the villans greeting session and met the same Cruella. She saw Katie and quite literally looked at my kids and said, "Well hello Katie. And you must be Katie's brother Adam". I was floored. She had to have met hundreds of kids that day, but to remember one little girl was indeed magical.

 

[PixiePop]

When we went to Disney in 2003 for my son's birthday, on the way back to the resort the entire bus sang Happy Birthday to him which was such a great end to the day.

When we went last year a CM at the Splash Mountain ride overheard us talking about this being the first time my son was able to ride it. She asked him if he would like to be in front--which he of course agreed to...needless to say we got soaked..but he loved it!!


By the way, thanks to the OP for creating this thread. We will be leaving in 11 days and am looking forward to some more disney magic

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I can think of so many from room upgrades for it being one of our birthdays or on our honeymoon to the little things Cms do in the parks. All of our trips are so magical and memorable just being in WDW.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

We were at WDW for Christmas last year.

One late evening, we were riding the boat back to the Dolphin from MGM. As we sat at the dock waiting to leave,and during our entire ride, the guests on the boat, sat in the dark, and we all sang Christmas carols.

It was so much fun.

 

[rayelias]

Let's see. Positive experiences. Hm-m. I don't believe I've ever had anything but positive experiences. When we get home from our trips, we only remember the good and never the bad.

I guess the one that I really feel great about was this last trip. It was just my DIL, two DGS's and I and the youngest (4) wandered off. I went right into the nearest store, asked the CM behind the counter if she had seen him (describing him and giving his name) and within 5 minutes, another CM had found him. The communication when a child is lost is absolutely unbelievable. I've never experienced this before but I have to say they deserve a lot of kudos because when your child is lost, nothing else matters to you and to them but to find him/her as soon as possible.

One of the cool things I learned during one of the tours I went on was children don't get lost in WDW. Their parents' do.

In an effort to calm the child of the missing parents, when a CM is with the child, the speil goes something like this... "Well, we're standing here looking at <insert ride here>, so we know where WE are. And if we know where WE are, we can't be lost, right? We need to help your parents get unlost." It's sort of a neat way to diffuse a very scary situation for the child, and most times, works very well.

 

[Wickedmom75]

First let me say I love reading The "Have you Ever Had a Shock ... " thread only becasue I have never seen any of that stuff, could be cause i was into the Magic of DW or totally oblivious because I was keeping track of 4 kids That being said we did have great experiences.

August 2002:Me and my 17 other family members got stuck on the monorail on our way to chef mickeys we were 10 minutes late but they still got us to a table in 15 minutes,not only that but as we were getting ready to leave 1 of the waitresses assigned to us brought out juice boxes for all the kids to take with them.

Same trip, at the Garden grill we asked our waiter if he could fill our camel back up with water , not only did he fil it up wiht water but he put ice in it too, that was very nice of him.

We will be heading Back at the end of August Beginning of September If I see anything ... shocking or great I promise to post on it, this will be another big family trip so most of the shocking will probably be from us

 

[idofabric]

After many, many trips and trys my DS found not 1 but 2 paintbrushes at TSisland at MK. He was on the first boat over there that morning. He had been trying last trip every day we went to MK.

He turned in one of the brushes and decided that he would go back to the island and hide the other one in the middle of the afternoon.
He said that it was fun to find and he wanted to share that. Also he had been getting to the island about 11am, give or take a little and each time all the brushes were gone. So he thought it would be neat if someone got to find one latter in the day- and maybe confuse the CM's a little...

We also had fastpasses given to us last trip. And since we did not make any AP's for eating we had great luck with CM's that fit us into Crystal Palace, Garden Grill, and Alfredo's. We had not made AP's cause so many of us were going on this trip and we were not always hanging together.
Lots of college kids and (?) 2 adults.

Also when one of the CM's found out that DS had been looking so many trips for paintbrushes and never found one( this was before he did the next week), the CM gave him a Front of Line/Fastpass for his favorite ride! Good for all 3 of us at that time.

I think the more good things you do for others the more good things that happen for you... but that is not why you should do nice/good things.
For me doing the nice things gives a warm and fuzzy feeling- corny, but true!

 

[homeschooler]

The first year we went, I went alone with DS 4 months, DS 4 years and DD 8 years. We stayed at POFQ. After a long day at the parks, DS 4 months, would fuss during the evening meal. A couple of the waiters would carry his as they checked tables and at that time, they were remembering orders and entering in the computer in back so they could do all that with a babe in arms. They would return him when serving. (The next year, one waiter caming running out the restaurant to hug and greet the children and me when we came back. I know he only remembers us because I was the crazy lady that came by herself with three kids but it still was great.)

That same year, I had tons of help getting on and off busses, folding strollers, etc.

Again that year in the Little Mermaid preshow, I was holding a sleeping baby and a tall gentleman moved over to us and asked if he could 'boost the little lad" meaning the 4 year old. I asked if my shy guy wanted and he nodded. The gentleman put him on his shoulders and treated him as a son-grandson, pointing things out, talking to him, and never leaving my side.

Another year I was soloing again but this time I also had a teen foster son who was feeling very much 'man' of the group. We ate at Cindy's Table and teen was harassing, not obnoxious or out of control, just being a teen male with no older male. You know, that head butting mood they can get into. Anyway, we had a waiter named David (also the name of my youngest), and he kept teen under his thumb the whole meal. It was hilarious. "The young Prince doesn't understand that I hold his life and meal in my hands." "The young prince should understand that the Princess needs to be cared for not tormented." "I will put the butter in front of the Princess so others may get their portion before the Prince." "I will place this near the Queen so she can allow the Prince to have it when SHE wishes." We asked for him for several years but unfortunately he left Cindy's Table about 2-3 years ago.


We were on the bus going back to CBR and the bus driver was really odd. He wasn't talking and was going slow then speeding up then slowing down. It was a very odd ride. Then all of a sudden, he stops the bus and shouts and countdown and then there, there and points out the window and it was space shuttle Atlantis taking off. We had forgotten about it.

We were having trouble with a squeaky wheel on the stroller. I asked at the front desk of POFQ if there was any WD40 I could use to spray the wheels. They could give me the can but not spray. There were two sailors standing there awaiting the people for the cruise or to sign them up or something, the the older, very distinquished looking gentleman said that he didn't work for the hotel and he was allowed to spray the wheels. A housekeeping lady came running over and put a white towel down before he knelt so his white uniform wouldn't be soiled. The whole thing was so neat.

One year, we flew in but there was trouble in Atlanta and we were late. I had arranged for a car to meet us. Well, the car wasn't there when we got in but in came the driver running and said that because the plane was so late, they had him drive another group to a local dance and asked if we minded using a limo. DID WE MIND? But when we drove up to CBR, I got out and went to register us. All of a sudden, I start hearing all this whispering and don't really know why. I start to walk out and everyone is pointing at the limo and POR employees are unloading the limo real fast and usher my family into the van and someone takes me by the arm and hurries me into the van and people are staring and trying to figure out who we are. I found out the next day that the computers had been down and when they came back up, the cars and vans were running like crazy. Some of those people had been waiting for over an hour. I don't know why they took us so fast but we certainly were the center of attention and I know the subject of some conversations that trip.

 

[jenrose66]

My first trip to Disney was when I was 10. I was there with just my Grandma. I don't remember too many details about the trip, just that I had a great time. She treated me like a princess.

Leading up to the trip, she bought me an outfit to wear each day along with a purse and 2 new pairs of shoes (ok, she was a bit compulsive) and would talk about what a great time we were going to have.

This was a very special trip for me (my parents were divorced and this was my dad's mom so I didn't see her very much). It was really a time to bond.

I remember she let me take almost all of the pictures on the trip (which was great because my mom would never let me do stuff like that). I still look at the pictures today and can't really tell what I was taking a picture of most of the time.

One of the things I loved most about the trip was the hotel room. We stayed at the French Quarter and it was my first time at a hotel. I felt like we were in the lap of luxery, I just loved it!

Five years later, my grandma died (quite young) after suddenly getting cancer. Whenever I want to think of a fond memory of her I think of the trip.

For years I wanted to duplicate that experience. I finally got to go back on my honeymoon last year. We stayed at POFQ because I wanted to see if it was how I remembered it. It was. My grandma was very close to me on that trip.

Wow, this is getting really long, and maybe a bit off topic (and maybe too personal)...but that was a positive Disney experience.

On a simpler note, me and Jake wore those goofy bride and groom ears our whole trip. When we went into a coffee/book shop in MGM the cast member gave us bogo on our drink and cookie. Unexpected treat and very appreciated!

 

[lajones81]

Thank you for a happy thread!

 

[momof2disprincesses]

The very best "magical moment" for us was our first family trip to Disney in 2002. We booked the land & sea package. EVERYTHING on the Disney cruise was absolutely magical, but the best part was finding out we were upgraded from an inside stateroom to a room with a balcony. That was SO cool!

The other magical experience was on my husband's birthday trip last Nov. He got the birthday buttons and got many "Happy Birthdays" from guests and CM's. He also got a free cookie when we got lunch in The Land food court.

My favorite memory of Disney magic was a simple pleasure. It was riding up front in the monorail and getting to talk with the driver. He was married to another monorail driver and she "drove" past us on our trip. He was so happy to see her (as were we).

Gotta love Disney and thanks for starting this "good news" thread!