I'm gonna go out on a limb and ask...

[ChimCher-ee]

How do you define pixie dust?

See, there's this ticker running across the bottom of my disboards screen, tempting me with threads, and I followed one that asked just this same question. But it turned out to be in the DCL forum, and I've never been so don't qualify to butt in there. And the topic has come up here recently in another context, so I've got it on the brain.

I guess I define it as those moments you can't plan for or explain, that may or may not result from Disney's hallowed excellent service. Those moments that make you feel like you've caught a glimpse of a better world, where the scales tip in favor of "nicer." Luck, coincidence, a deliberate setting aside of cynicism. If only while you're at Disney.

Tell me, what has to happen before you cry, "Pixie dust!"?

 

[EmmabaRose]

Hmmm..... I think you've hit the nail on the head there.

Pixie dust is those moments in the park that just make you feel joyful. It takes you back to that time as child where magic is real. It can be anything from a special touch made by a CM, to a wonderful interaction with a character or a memorable moment with family and friends.

 

[ShayBells]

Randomly handed Free fastpasses to any ride any time.

Handed a free balloon.

That's it but the first happened at least once a trip until FP+ came than no more. But the free balloon I thought was sweet.

ETA: I always thought of pixie dust as free things or above and beyond kindness. But if it's for anything magical than its always pixie dust for me just walking down Main Street.

 

[silverhaze269]

I totally agree with the OP! For me, I would say that it's the unexpected moments when the CM's go above and beyond to make your trip extra special. Maybe it's something simple like a celebratory cupcake after a meal, or some Mickey stickers, but maybe it's something bigger, like being chosen as the family of the day at the MK or being upgraded to a higher resort or room category. It's the unexpected things that make you warm and fuzzy, smile, and say "holy cow, that was cool!"

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

DD13 given a free cookie in the bakery. Put a huge smile on her face.
We were 'Family of the Day' at Boma last week. We were lead in to the restaurant first as they played drums. Then we were seated at 'The Royal Table'. We received a certificate as well. It was totally unexpected and gave us a good feeling.
Unexpected moments that give us happiness

 

[tcherjen]

I agree it is the little things that make you feel special.

 

[beck00]

We went late May 2014 for the first time as a family (me, DH, DD 1 1/2, DD almost 7). It was all so perfect and magical! I actually cried during Wishes watching my older daughter's eyes light up when the crowd starting singing "Let It Go" along with the music and the lights flashed across the castle. We are going back in November, and I'm not looking for any upgrades or better deals...I just want to see that look on her face again! That is pixie dust to me! I guess how great our trip went was pixie dust too though, after I read some people's reports of mishaps.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I agree with you, OP. It's an unexpected, and unnecessary, little bit of extra that is given without a request. What I mean by unnecessary is that I see a lot of people saying they got some "pixie dust" after having a problem. To me, pixie dust is not Guest Recovery (trying to make a wrong right). Instead, it's something a CM does just because.

 

[BeachClub2014]

I guess I define it as those moments you can't plan for or explain, that may or may not result from Disney's hallowed excellent service. Those moments that make you feel like you've caught a glimpse of a better world, where the scales tip in favor of "nicer." Luck, coincidence, a deliberate setting aside of cynicism. If only while you're at Disney.

I think this is a great definition. Nice job!

 

[cheryl.UK]

it's being wished 'Happy Anniversary' up to 20 times a day; your 'complicated' booking being simplified to the point you never thought possible, that panic when your magic band doesn't work being sorted in moments and with a smile, its being wished 'Have a magical day' 5 times before 9am, its the transport people ordering a bus, just for you when you are one of the last out of MK, the cast member who plays pat a cake with your child, or, like I saw today, the one who sits on the ground to show a small girl how to make bigger bubbles, it's that chat with a cast member who shows/tells you something new about an attraction you've ridden 50 times before, it's the sticker given to you for no reason at all...

And then there's the big stuff...
Being given a T shirt in MK because you are having an allergic reaction to the washing powder you washed yours in
The cast member who wheels you from the park cos you are feeling unwell, then orders you a taxi to get you back to your hotel quickly
The magical hotel upgrade
The special fast passes when something goes wrong
The cupcake on your birthday
The cast member who searches every pocket of every bathrobe collected for laundry at the GF to find that necklace you stupidly left there
It's Peter Pan making a special arrangement to meet with your daughter because she missed him three days in a row due to weather or changes in schedule

 

[ChimCher-ee]

I'm glad to see so many of you have a positive spin (you'd be surprised at how many ways pixie dust can be turned into a negative)!

Any more stories? It makes me happy to read about others being happy...and I'm trying to prolong that Disney glow!

 

[DisneyOma]

I've read posts where people claim 'pixie dust' but I'm like 'huh?' To me, finding an empty table is not pixie dust. Getting the last seat on 7DMT is not pixie dust. Having a CM do something beyond the general job description is pixie dust in my household.

 

[BudgieMama]

I totally agree with the OP! For me, I would say that it's the unexpected moments when the CM's go above and beyond to make your trip extra special. Maybe it's something simple like a celebratory cupcake after a meal, or some Mickey stickers, but maybe it's something bigger, like being chosen as the family of the day at the MK or being upgraded to a higher resort or room category. It's the unexpected things that make you warm and fuzzy, smile, and say "holy cow, that was cool!"

This!

It's an unexpected, and unnecessary, little bit of extra that is given without a request.

And this!

We were pixie dusted a few times on our first visit- most significantly, our room was upgraded from a Studio to a One Bedroom Villa at SSR. The best thing was, the CM didn't say a single word about it. We arrived in the room, and I looked a bit confused, because I knew exactly what my room *should* look like, and it didn't. I asked my DH if he had arranged it (though I was 99% sure he hadn't, I had to check he hadn't suddenly become romantic!) and when he said he hadn't... I just sobbed! I was so surprised and overwhelmed. I never saw the CM again who checked us in, so she didn't get to see my gratitude, and that made it more magical: she didn't expect us to gush and thank her, she just got on with it and let us be surprised! It's actually brought a little happy tear to my eye now, typing about it.

 

[Magpie]

I'm glad to see so many of you have a positive spin (you'd be surprised at how many ways pixie dust can be turned into a negative)!

Any more stories? It makes me happy to read about others being happy...and I'm trying to prolong that Disney glow!

There's a world of difference between pixie dust and pixie dandruff.

Pixie dust is an unexpected bit of luck, a kindness that makes your day just that much more special. It generally happens at WDW, though the bestower doesn't always have to be a castmember. Pixie dust can be me inviting another family to enjoy our five person Soarin fast pass with us. Or it might be a cm making a fuss over my tshirt. Or it might be an upgrade to a suite from our king room.

But, if pixie dust is unwanted or unwelcome, that's when it becomes pixie dandruff. It's something you suspect you're supposed to feel joyful about (it comes from a pixie after all), but which you just don't want. Like an extra room sitting empty on a romantic couples trip. Fast passes you just can't use. A free cupcake when you don't much care for sweets. You know it's meant kindly, you feel awkward about declining, and not only do those around you think you're crazy, but some even think you're being rude.

And, on the Dis, negative voices speak the loudest, which makes sense... people are trying to protect their vacation experience. If they suspect there's a chance something they perceive as dandruff might blow their way, they're going to fight vehemently to prevent that from happening. Which is why even the most seemingly uncontroversial bits of pixie dust can turn into fierce debates on these boards.

 

[kangaand2roos]

I have/experienced so much pixie dust in my trips that I couldnot begin to list it all, but I have never seen a better description than that of the OP!! We have had so many gestures, both grand and small, and all of them have contributed to my deep love of the place!

Just a few:

Fellow guests helping me on and off of the bus when I was traveling alone with a baby and toddler

CMs taking time when my kids were young and learning to pin trade

Having the kids be chosen during the YOAMD to sit in the the control room of IASW and wave at guests

Playing Ring-Around-A-Rosie with Chip and Dale

Stitch trying to walk away with my kids or their toys

Having my son be chosen to open Blizzard Beach by riding Summit Plummet for the first time

Having a very dear CM take our home information when she found out that my daughter (9 at the time) wanted to be an Imagineer when she grows up and sending her a hard hat from an Imagineer who worked on New Fantasyland. She had another CM customize the hard hat with my daughter's name and favorite character (Stitch)!

Having a CM miraculously find the LAST vinylmation my son needed to complete a set in the mystery trade box


I would also like to add that one of the things that makes my Disney trips infinitely more special, and has taught a lot to my children, is being the ones to bestow pixie dust.

For example:

Giving pins to kids sitting nearby while waiting for parades or shows

Taking family photos for other guests

Helping overwhelmed first time visitors that we meet on the busses by pointing them in the right direction

Sharing glow sticks with kids during nighttime shows

Giving a band-aid to a mom to helo her little one with a boo-boo

Bestowing the appropriate well wishes to those wearing celebration buttons


I also agree that just being at a Disney Park makes me feel like there is pixie dust in my veins!

98 days and counting until we get to have our pixie dust fix!

 

[kangaand2roos]

I agree with you, OP. It's an unexpected, and unnecessary, little bit of extra that is given without a request. What I mean by unnecessary is that I see a lot of people saying they got some "pixie dust" after having a problem. To me, pixie dust is not Guest Recovery (trying to make a wrong right). Instead, it's something a CM does just because.

Agreed!

 

[BillyBuff]

Definitely random. Just the other day they had an extra waffle chicken sandwich at one of the food places at Magic Kingdom and the CM asked if I am hungry. I said yes and he handed me that sandwich when I've only orders a funnel cake!

 

[Magpie]

This!



And this!

We were pixie dusted a few times on our first visit- most significantly, our room was upgraded from a Studio to a One Bedroom Villa at SSR. The best thing was, the CM didn't say a single word about it. We arrived in the room, and I looked a bit confused, because I knew exactly what my room *should* look like, and it didn't. I asked my DH if he had arranged it (though I was 99% sure he hadn't, I had to check he hadn't suddenly become romantic!) and when he said he hadn't... I just sobbed! I was so surprised and overwhelmed. I never saw the CM again who checked us in, so she didn't get to see my gratitude, and that made it more magical: she didn't expect us to gush and thank her, she just got on with it and let us be surprised! It's actually brought a little happy tear to my eye now, typing about it.

The other possibility, as I've learned from the other thread, is that something happened to make your studio unavailable, and the cast member was hoping to avoid an argument by just quietly upgrading you without your knowledge.

Because it's entirely possible you might have really, really wanted that studio.

Kind of like how my husband and I always try to get a standard room at Pop, so we can request a lake view in the 60s building. An upgrade to pool view would not be appreciated, as that would possibly stick us out in the 90s, staring at a pool instead of a lovely lake.

I'm really glad your upgrade turned out to be as magical as the cast member no doubt prayed it would!

 

[ChimCher-ee]

There's a world of difference between pixie dust and pixie dandruff.

Pixie dust is an unexpected bit of luck, a kindness that makes your day just that much more special. It generally happens at WDW, though the bestower doesn't always have to be a castmember. Pixie dust can be me inviting another family to enjoy our five person Soarin fast pass with us. Or it might be a cm making a fuss over my tshirt. Or it might be an upgrade to a suite from our king room.

But, if pixie dust is unwanted or unwelcome, that's when it becomes pixie dandruff. It's something you suspect you're supposed to feel joyful about (it comes from a pixie after all), but which you just don't want. Like an extra room sitting empty on a romantic couples trip. Fast passes you just can't use. A free cupcake when you don't much care for sweets. You know it's meant kindly, you feel awkward about declining, and not only do those around you think you're crazy, but some even think you're being rude.

And, on the Dis, negative voices speak the loudest, which makes sense... people are trying to protect their vacation experience. If they suspect there's a chance something they perceive as dandruff might blow their way, they're going to fight vehemently to prevent that from happening. Which is why even the most seemingly uncontroversial bits of pixie dust can turn into fierce debates on these boards.

Good point (love the dandruff image--that'll stick). However, I meant no offense and, in that part of my post, I wasn't referring to particular experiences. In fact I was starting to wonder if I had mistaken the accepted meaning of PD!

I should have been a little more specific about what I meant by negative. In that, I wasn't referring to any experiences mentioned elsewhere, but rather the attitude. Evil corporation doing what it can to lock up your wallet, that type of thing.

Keep the stories coming, dust and dandruff. It always helps to broaden our perspective and consider things from many angles. And it still makes me happy!

 

[Magpie]

Good point (love the dandruff image--that'll stick). However, I meant no offense and, in that part of my post, I wasn't referring to particular experiences. In fact I was starting to wonder if I had mistaken the accepted meaning of PD!

I should have been a little more specific about what I meant by negative. In that, I wasn't referring to any experiences mentioned elsewhere, but rather the attitude. Evil corporation doing what it can to lock up your wallet, that type of thing.

Keep the stories coming, dust and dandruff. It always helps to broaden our perspective and consider things from many angles. And it still makes me happy!

I'll tell my daughter - she's the one who came up with the phrase!

And I didn't perceive any offense on your part, I was just thinking back to many other previous threads. Disney, as I often say, is my favourite evil corporation, and may they forever continue searching for new and awesome ways to convince me to throw my wallet at them.

Or ideally, my credit card, linked to my MagicBand, it's so much more convenient!

These moments of pixie dust, whether on the part of staff or fellow guests, whether spontaneous or contrived, are a big part of the reason why we return year after year.