How do YOU help spread Pixie Dust?

[tuaennoc]

We are preparing to go to WDW for the third time. This time is to celebrate beating cancer. Reading and reading it occurs that SO many people are concerned with FP+/WDW not being what it used to be/the magic being gone/a number of other concerns, that I want to ask something positive and get some new ideas to help others have a magical time.

When we go, we take a bunch of glow sticks and necklaces with us ($10 for 100 at the craft store). During MSEP we allow our kids to share with other kids around us. It takes the atmosphere in our area to another level! It is priceless watching the other kids' faces light up and hearing the joy our children get from making them smile. Our little area is glowing bright and the kids are joyful and lessons are learned and Pixie Dust is spread.

What are YOUR ideas to spread pixie dust to others? Maybe if we all put some effort into how I spread it, instead of how to attract it, we will all have a magical time!?

 

[minnie mum]

I think its just great if you want to give out glow sticks. But here's my take on pixie dust.

When I'm spending thousands of dollars to go to a place that advertises that it's the most magical place on earth, and is constantly touting the pixie dust impregnated atmoshere, I think that it is beyond sad that guests have to come up with their own ideas of how to have an enjoyable time while there. I always assume that if a child needs something to make their day more magical, it is up to the parent to give it to them.

If being polite, courteous and friendly to other guests and CMs alike is insufficient, then Disney is failing. If they can't deliver, it shouldnt be up to other guests to fill the void. Although, in the legacy FP days, we would usually give away unused FPs. Of course those days are gone.

Rant over. Please continue.

 

[Jennasis]

We're definitely more polite, patient, and just generally happy at WDW then we are anywhere else. That certainly helps I think.

And I have been known on occasion to loudly exclaim "Your Majesty!" and bow/curtsy to the littles dressed in all their princess splendor as they pass by.

 

[Zooshoveller]

I always offer to take pictures for families so every one is in it.

 

[Amysita]

I have always felt the magic at Disney given to me by CM's...maybe not 24/7...but that wouldn't really be realistic...would it. I'm one of those folks that likes to pay it forward...I get just as much happiness (sometimes more) by making magic for someone else than receiving it.

Some things I have done: I show up early for parades and get a good spot, when it gets to be parade time, I will back up a bit and let a few little ones in the front row spot, I can see just fine over them. When I get 'free dining', it comes with dessert...too much food for me, I will ask the people behind me what they would get for dessert if they were me, get that dessert & give it to them. When I see a Mom or Dad taking pictures, I will walk up to them and ask what button to push and tell Mom/Dad to join family so they can have a picture of everyone.

 

[disrev]

We are preparing to go to WDW for the third time. This time is to celebrate beating cancer. Reading and reading it occurs that SO many people are concerned with FP+/WDW not being what it used to be/the magic being gone/a number of other concerns, that I want to ask something positive and get some new ideas to help others have a magical time.

When we go, we take a bunch of glow sticks and necklaces with us ($10 for 100 at the craft store). During MSEP we allow our kids to share with other kids around us. It takes the atmosphere in our area to another level! It is priceless watching the other kids' faces light up and hearing the joy our children get from making them smile. Our little area is glowing bright and the kids are joyful and lessons are learned and Pixie Dust is spread.

What are YOUR ideas to spread pixie dust to others? Maybe if we all put some effort into how I spread it, instead of how to attract it, we will all have a magical time!?

First off, WOOOOHOOOO for beating Cancer. We actually passed someone at EPCOT last week who had a shirt that said "Celebrating: Cancer Free!" DW and I both took time to tell this person congratulations. For us, she was spreading pixie dust by reminding us what is most important.

Second, we do the exact same thing with the glow sticks at whichever park we are at for the night. Our kids have grown to love handing them out. It's also fun to see the smile on other kids face and hear the conversations from the families as we walk away. It could be called "pixie dust" but we just love the opportunity to have a "It's not all about you" moment.

I know I may get torched for this one, but we had a Child Swap for BTMR we weren't able to use, so we found a family with an infant and offered it to them. In this case, that family was on their first day and didn't know anything about the Swap, so we were able to doubly sprinkle the dust... once for the pass and letting them know what they can do for the rest of their trip.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

We used to enjoy picking a random couple and give them all our unused paper Fast Passes for the day. Guess we'll have to think of a new one.

 

[FestivalOfFantasy]

I carry stickers in my bag on a keychain, including Toy Story, Cars, Frozen, Sofia the First, and Tinkerbell. I also carry around a mega sticker book of the princesses. Whenever I see a kid, especially one crying, impatient, or just not as happy as a kid in Disney World should be, I talk to them and their parents and give them stickers. You'd be surprised how much it can turn someone's day around when their kid goes from a crying mess to entertained and under control. I mainly break them out in queues and on the bus - the parents love the break and the distraction. And kids love having someone to discuss Disney. I played with a little Elsa and Olaf for 25 minutes in PFTH and I was actually sad the wait wasn't longer. And I'm a magnent for the foreign tourists who just shove their camera at you, so I always try to help out there. And every CM I see gets a good (insert time of day). Going in with a happier attitude really makes all the difference!

 

[tuaennoc]

Those are some great ideas! We have been known to shrink some when it comes to parade time so other kids can sit up in the front row!

 

[gzmtlock]

When my kids were younger, we were all really into pins. Collected a LOT of them - too many, actually. And now we have a drawer full of lanyards, full of pins.

We each selected one lanyard and filled it with pins we want to keep, even though we're not actively collecting any more.

When we go to WDW, we each bring a different lanyard, with pins we no longer want. And through the course of the trip, we give them away. Mostly to younger kids, ones who are just starting their collections. We love seeing their faces when they realize we are not trading, but giving.

I love the idea a PP had about using stickers as distractions/redirectors - I may be trying this out myself on our December trip!

 

[magicbob]

Although, in the legacy FP days, we would usually give away unused FPs. Of course those days are gone.

We used to do this too. Mind you, we didn't "hoard" the FPs to "re-distribute" them as we saw fit (yes, cakebaker... people actually did level these exact criticisms at us in the past), but if we couldn't use our FPs for some reason, instead of throwing them away, we gave them to another family (some people still found fault in this practice since FPs were technically "non-transferrable.").

I always offer to take pictures for families so every one is in it.

I do this at Disney or any other travel destination where people are taking family photos.

Also, from years of pin trading (collecting and trading from day one), I have a huge collection and lots of duplicates (when I see one I like, I trade for it and figure out later if I already have one). So, if I see a kid who clearly likes a particular character, etc. I'll tell the parent that I have this extra pin and ask if it's ok for me to give it to the child.

 

[tuaennoc]

Again....more great ideas. And there should be no torching for sharing a parent swap pass.... Like you said, had you not told them, they wouldn't have known. Oh, and 'over reacting' to the princes and princesses.

 

[Moms]

First ... congratulations on being cancer free. Four years ago we took a trip to celebrate my "1 year cancer free" point and I have since celebrated the 5 year point ... another cause for celebration! Life is good!

When we are in the parks we always offer to take pictures for families, allow families with children in front of us at the fireworks and parades, and once bought a "replacement" Dole whip for a little one who had promptly dropped his on the ground after being handed it by his somewhat harried looking Mom. It was hot, there was a long line, and we were the next ones to order ... an easy bit of pixie dust ... and he didn't drop the second one!

 

[tuaennoc]

Congrats, moms!! That's awesome!

 

[gzmtlock]

Awesome on the dole whip, Moms!

For some reason (maybe thinking of Adventureland), it reminded me of the time on one of our parents-only trips when DH and I were watching Cap'n Jack's Tutorial. A young child lost interest and wandered away. DH noticed and, when the child was moving beyond comfort zone safety, nudged her mother and pointed. Her mom looked at us in panic, we told her we would stay right with her other kids watching the show, and she took off to reign in her wayward one. Maybe you wouldn't call it pixie dust, but we felt good helping that family to keep their magical day on track!

 

[tuaennoc]

G, that certainly IS PD in my definition!!! When I think PD, I think little things like that.... Not HUGE free upgrades and stuff that people search for.... It's the little, genuine, sincere things.

 

[Volkswagenphreak]

I love this thread this trip to disney will be my 10th-ish time and hubby's first! Our littles are staying home with the grands this time around. Even though I'm an adult I still like things like glow sticks for instance so when I bought glow sticks for our upcoming trip I bought extra to hand out. I also ended up buying an extra sticker/band thing for my magic band so I plan on finding some well behaved, lol, little girl to give it to. I all so have some extra magic band bling I will also bring along to hand out to some other littles. I love spreading the disney love

 

[AGoofykindagirl]

I always offer to take pictures for families so every one is in it.

I do this too. I was the family photographer and I have so many pictures of my parents and sister though the years (not just Disney) that I of course was not in. So when I see people switching places to take a 2nd picture, I offer to take it. Makes them feel good, makes me feel good. Pixie dust for all!

 

[tuaennoc]

Love it, volks!!! I will add that one to my list!