How Can We Step Up? RAOK in the Parks

[*NikkiBell*]

This week's show regarding inclusiveness in Disney theme parks was beautifully done. At one point, a discussion was had about random acts of kindness (RAOK) from one guest to another. I know that DISers used to do various things (pass out stickers or glow sticks, give away Fast Passes, etc.) in the parks many years ago, but I don't see that much anymore. Wouldn't it be nice if that became the norm again?

What are some simple things that you could do to show RAOK in the parks?

 

[samsteele]

With fellow park guests: offering your bus seat to very young children, parents holding infants & those with mobility issues. Let them have the choice if they wish to sit or not. Some may not wish. That's OK, too.

With CMs: when a CM does a great job and is helpful, make a point to take the time to complete a job satisfaction card at guest relations or the restaurant podium or leave a positive note with that CM's name & your compliments for the manager. We complain when CMs aren't all that they could or should be. We should take the time to give written kudos when they do a great job!

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

This week's show regarding inclusiveness in Disney theme parks was beautifully done. At one point, a discussion was had about random acts of kindness (RAOK) from one guest to another. I know that DISers used to do various things (pass out stickers or glow sticks, give away Fast Passes, etc.) in the parks many years ago, but I don't see that much anymore. Wouldn't it be nice if that became the norm again?

What are some simple things that you could do to show RAOK in the parks?

I disagree with this statement. I know I do RAOK, as you call it, every trip--usually everyday of every trip, and my guess would be many, many other frequent guests do too. Maybe we just don't feel the need to brag about it. Being kind is not something to trumpet on message boards.

Edit-to list them is to negate the purpose.

 

[samsteele]

I disagree with this statement. I know I do RAOK, as you call it, every trip--usually everyday of every trip, and my guess would be many, many other frequent guests do too. Maybe we just don't feel the need to brag about it. Being kind is not something to trumpet on message boards.

Edit-to list them is to negate the purpose.

You know, I just didn't read the OP's question this way. I read it more as what are simple things we could all do, at least once during a trip, except (and I read this part in) we often are so busy or caught up in our own commando style list of things we want to do, that we just don't think to do or are too busy to do. I have no doubt many DISers, like yourself, quietly do great things on a routine basis.

 

[KingLlama]

I didn't see it as bragging either. In fact, I appreciate threads like this one. Having been to WDW several times, I'm always looking for new ways to experience the Disney magic for myself and for my family, as well as finding ways to be an encouragement to others while I'm there. Threads like these give ideas for how to be that kind of encourager.

 

[disneysteve]

We stay offsite and have never done the Disney dining plan, but on one trip the family in front of us in line at the Art of Animation food court asked if they could give us their extra snack credits as they were preparing to leave and didn't need them. They ended up buying us each a soda and snack.

Many times, we gave away paper FPs. Too bad we can't still do that. It always floored people when we did that.

We've never done the glowstick thing but that is a neat idea.

One easy RAOK that pretty much anyone can do is offer to take people's photo when you see them struggling to fit everyone in a selfie or have one family member excluded from the picture because he is behind the camera.

 

[ninecrayons]

I know that DISers used to do various things (pass out stickers or glow sticks, give away Fast Passes, etc.) in the parks many years ago, but I don't see that much anymore.

When we used to come down for trips from NYC we would usually bring stickers with us and such. I can't say why it became something we stopped doing. Perhaps when we moved here...

That said, RAOK are lovely and, imho, best when they are spontaneous. We try and make it a point to find a cast member each time and write up a compliment for them.

And I love the idea of taking pictures for people. We will usually offer and people are generally happy to take you up on it. I usually make DH do it because he is a better photographer.

 

[smiths02]

I gave away rider swap passees that we didn't have time to use, so that can still be done.
Things we experienced on our trip:
--people giving up a bus seat (we have twin toddlers)
--people complimenting our children (clothes, courage to ride a ride)
--being forgiving...my kids did a few things I found mortifying (spraying a random person with our spray bottle), but I apologized, and people just shrugged it off
--people picking up stuff my kids dropped
--nice conversations

The funny thing is that we had nice conversations every place EXCEPT at Biergarten with communal seating where they acted like we weren't there lol

 

[smiths02]

I wrote 3 emails about cast members today from our trip last week. I didn't think about going to guest services, but it was hard with 3 kids. I hope that works?

 

[mytripsandraces]

You know, I just didn't read the OP's question this way. I read it more as what are simple things we could all do, at least once during a trip, except (and I read this part in) we often are so busy or caught up in our own commando style list of things we want to do, that we just don't think to do or are too busy to do. I have no doubt many DISers, like yourself, quietly do great things on a routine basis.

The way it reads, the OP is saying that DISers don't do random acts of kindness on a regular basis anymore and she would like us to go back to doing them. It's a pretty big leap to say that just because DISers aren't posting threads about the good things they do, that they aren't doing good things.

 

[mytripsandraces]

This week's show regarding inclusiveness in Disney theme parks was beautifully done. At one point, a discussion was had about random acts of kindness (RAOK) from one guest to another. I know that DISers used to do various things (pass out stickers or glow sticks, give away Fast Passes, etc.) in the parks many years ago, but I don't see that much anymore. Wouldn't it be nice if that became the norm again?

What are some simple things that you could do to show RAOK in the parks?

I suspect DISers continue to do good things, but they don't post about them as much. As a previous poster mentioned, talking about the kind things we do takes away from doing kind things for the sake of doing kind things.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Wow. I didn't anticipate a thread about kindness to take such a turn.

In my post, I never stated that people are not being kind towards others nor did I say that they should be bragging about them. My point was that this was a big movement on the boards many years ago, and I don't see it discussed much anymore or happening in the parks as often. I thought it would be a great idea to brainstorm together ways to add a bit of pixie dust to other guests' trips for those looking to do so and wanting some ideas.

Let's steer this back on track.

 

[GAN]

I suspect DISers continue to do good things, but they don't post about them as much. As a previous poster mentioned, talking about the kind things we do takes away from doing kind things for the sake of doing kind things.

Ok ...I'm really confused. I think it's nice to do kind things even if you've mentioned them on a discussion board. Most people will still appreciate the thought....

 

[GAN]

Wow. I didn't anticipate a thread about kindness to take such a turn.

In my post, I never stated that people are not being kind towards others nor did I say that they should be bragging about them. My point was that this was a big movement on the boards many years ago, and I don't see it discussed much anymore or happening in the parks as often. I thought it would be a great idea to brainstorm together ways to add a bit of pixie dust to other guests' trips for those looking to do so and wanting some ideas.

Let's steer this back on track.

I agree wholeheartedly!

 

[disneysteve]

Being kind is not something to trumpet on message boards.

IMO the point of sharing things you've done is not to pat yourself on the back or brag about how wonderful you are but rather to inspire others to do the same. You may give someone an idea they hadn't thought of. Maybe posting here actually IS a RAOK if it causes others to go out and do things themselves. It's a pay-it-forward kind of thing.

 

[disneysteve]

This isn't a "random" act but one thing I would encourage everyone to do when they visit WDW is to sign up to volunteer at Give Kids the World Village. We did it for the first time last year and plan to do it on all future trips. We'll be doing it again in November when we go down.

 

[Brancaneve]

Finally got around to listening to this podcast.....pass the kleenex!