Low cost ways to spread fairydust?

[Accident]

How do you pick people out like that in a park?

I said the same thing but a little people watching near where you plan to eat and you'll spot the family that is once again telling a little one they can't afford to eat at disney or an excited family that when they look at what it would cost on the menu they realize they just can't do it. You might get it wrong but if it's going to be unused credits, why not invite anyone in.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I said the same thing but a little people watching near where you plan to eat and you'll spot the family that is once again telling a little one they can't afford to eat at disney or an excited family that when they look at what it would cost on the menu they realize they just can't do it. You might get it wrong but if it's going to be unused credits, why not invite anyone in.

I agree. No reason in letting unused credits go to waste.

I eat all meals at Disney but I have friends who make more money than I do who refuse to pay theme park food prices. I believe they tell their kids they don't have the money for that but it's more of a "I refuse to pay inflated prices this what I'm getting" type of thing.

Looks can be really deceiving. My son dresses like we have money but I just catch really good sales and coupon codes.

 

[china mom]

I agree. No reason in letting unused credits go to waste.

I eat all meals at Disney but I have friends who make more money than I do who refuse to pay theme park food prices. I believe they tell their kids they don't have the money for that but it's more of a "I refuse to pay inflated prices this what I'm getting" type of thing.

Looks can be really deceiving. My son dresses like we have money but I just catch really good sales and coupon codes.

That's me. Except, I don't tell my kids we can't afford it, just would rather come often and cheap than extravagant and seldom.

Funny story.

I was in line at POP paying for my pizza and the register went down. Another guest and I were just killing time chatting and I apologized for chatting her ear off but it was nice to talk to an adult since it was just me and the kids. I went on to comment that the pizza was a surprise treat for the kids since we only pay for one meal a day and eat sandwiches made from food we hauled with us and they had already had their one paid for meal.

When it was my turn at the register, I was told that another guest had paid for my pizza.

Ah, the guy who overheard the poor single mother who had scrimped and saved to bring her poor children to WDW.

Actually, hubby couldn't join us because of his work schedule and it was something like our fourth trip to WDW that year alone and we are not needy just cheap as _____.

 

[Jon84]

We had a ridiculous amount of DxDDP credits left at the end of our last trip and ended up buying people lunch in Casey's. People were so shocked, and also surprised they could even have a Brownie with their Hotdog and Fries!

 

[chris benton]

That's me. Except, I don't tell my kids we can't afford it, just would rather come often and cheap than extravagant and seldom.

Funny story.

I was in line at POP paying for my pizza and the register went down. Another guest and I were just killing time chatting and I apologized for chatting her ear off but it was nice to talk to an adult since it was just me and the kids. I went on to comment that the pizza was a surprise treat for the kids since we only pay for one meal a day and eat sandwiches made from food we hauled with us and they had already had their one paid for meal.

When it was my turn at the register, I was told that another guest had paid for my pizza.

Ah, the guy who overheard the poor single mother who had scrimped and saved to bring her poor children to WDW.

Actually, hubby couldn't join us because of his work schedule and it was something like our fourth trip to WDW that year alone and we are not needy just cheap as _____.

I dress like a hobo most of the time. I'm dirt cheap when it comes to most things, but I pay up when it's needed. I tell my son point blank that some things are just not worth it. He knows we have money. I'd rather him know that spending money on things that are not worth it, is not the way to keep the money you need to pay for things that ARE worth it. ALL of that is relative. For me, fancy clothes are not imperative. Pineapple floats, however? I'd pay 10 bucks for one every day of the year. A burger at Casey's? Not worth it. 50 bux a head at Chef Mickey's? I say it's worth it. Not every night or anything..

 

[mom25kiddos]

I am a bit surprised at how many people would be offended by someone offering something to their family. I have never been offended by the offer of a sticker or something similar-want to buy me lunch-your awesome! If it is coming from a good place, and people are just trying to spread kindness then I am all for it. I have five kids and taking them all to the parks can be total mayhem, so if someone wants to offer a kind word, or a spare glow stick, or whatever, thank you! I appreciate the gesture regardless of what it is, I recognize the intent is kindness. We had extra reserved seats for the candlelight processional one night-we gave them away to people in line-never occurred to me it could be taken as anything other than a kind gesture.

 

[wilkeliza]

I am a bit surprised at how many people would be offended by someone offering something to their family. I have never been offended by the offer of a sticker or something similar-want to buy me lunch-your awesome! If it is coming from a good place, and people are just trying to spread kindness then I am all for it. I have five kids and taking them all to the parks can be total mayhem, so if someone wants to offer a kind word, or a spare glow stick, or whatever, thank you! I appreciate the gesture regardless of what it is, I recognize the intent is kindness. We had extra reserved seats for the candlelight processional one night-we gave them away to people in line-never occurred to me it could be taken as anything other than a kind gesture.

It depends on the situation. Giving someone an umbrella or poncho because you have an extra and see them caught in the rain cool awesome spread the pixie dust. You have extra credits so tell the family in front or behind you hey I have extra credits I'm just going to let you have them awesome cool spread the pixie dust. Fastpasses and dinning passes cool spread the pixie dust. Stickers and glow sticks again awesome cool.

For me it steps over the line when someone comes in and see my crying nephew who was just told no he can't have that and buys it for him as pixie dust. It completely ruins the teaching moment he was just having that no he can't have everything he wants just because he asked nicely he has already had enough candy, soda, ice cream, stuffed animals, light up wand, what ever. Same goes for the giving credits when you hear someone say sorry no we can't afford it. Maybe that family actually can afford it but had set a strict budget so their kids see you can have fun still in budget to teach the value of a dollar. So yes the gesture can be nice but when you hear stories of looking for the needy family or looking for the "once in a lifetime scraping by family" it can do damage. There was one awhile back where a family took their "gently used" Disney clothes with them to the parks and gave it out as pixie dust. They specifically said they looked for "needy" families. Sorry donate that stuff to your local shelter not families who are at Disney World.

 

[dreiwhit]

We were at the Donald Duck meet & greet in Epcot, waiting in line to see Donald. A family in line behind us found out their Sharpie marker was dried out. The mom asked if we had a spare one, and sure enough I did, so I gave it to her. She gave me a $5 bill, which I gave back to her and said she didn't owe me anything. I was just glad to help her and her kids out. She took two pins off her trading lanyard and gave one to each of my kids.

Its good to help each other out!

 

[mom25kiddos]

It depends on the situation. Giving someone an umbrella or poncho because you have an extra and see them caught in the rain cool awesome spread the pixie dust. You have extra credits so tell the family in front or behind you hey I have extra credits I'm just going to let you have them awesome cool spread the pixie dust. Fastpasses and dinning passes cool spread the pixie dust. Stickers and glow sticks again awesome cool.

For me it steps over the line when someone comes in and see my crying nephew who was just told no he can't have that and buys it for him as pixie dust. It completely ruins the teaching moment he was just having that no he can't have everything he wants just because he asked nicely he has already had enough candy, soda, ice cream, stuffed animals, light up wand, what ever. Same goes for the giving credits when you hear someone say sorry no we can't afford it. Maybe that family actually can afford it but had set a strict budget so their kids see you can have fun still in budget to teach the value of a dollar. So yes the gesture can be nice but when you hear stories of looking for the needy family or looking for the "once in a lifetime scraping by family" it can do damage. There was one awhile back where a family took their "gently used" Disney clothes with them to the parks and gave it out as pixie dust. They specifically said they looked for "needy" families. Sorry donate that stuff to your local shelter not families who are at Disney World.

I have never had someone intervene with my kid mid-tantrum, or offer to buy them something substantial-so I can see how that would be uncomfortable. I also have never had someone identify me as 'needy', but I wouldn't take particular offense if someone deemed me as such-we may not be financially needy, but there are days in the hot florida sun where a kind gesture from a stranger would totally help me out! I have to admit, when we have given away extra fastpasses or whatever, I tend to look for a 'needy' family-meaning someone I think could use a pick me up-I obviously don't say to them 'wow, you look like you are wrecked' lol.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

I know there are so many different things that can be done to spread a little pixie dust. Last year I gave out a few trading pins, had extra glow sticks that we were able to share with a family while waiting for the Star Wars fireworks, but the first thing we did before we offered anything to any of the children was ask the parents if it was ok.

I did at one time refuse a pin trade with a new trader because he wanted to trade his expensive pin for my cheap one. I wouldn't take his trade, but I did give him the pin he wanted for free, and if I noticed a child had a new lanyard with only a few pins, I would give him a few more to trade. I think the most thing that the kids need to be educated about Pin trading is the don't have to trade if they don't see something they don't want. Education abut pin trading is just as important because there are people out there who are not as forgiving.

But ever time the seats were full on the bus I would give mine up to another child, elderly person or mother. I know I am a female myself but I don't have children so I know some mothers feel better sitting next to their children then a stranger.

But the best thing you can give anybody at Disneyworld is a smile and just the simple use of manners. If you bump into someone please say sorry, it teaches the children around you that no matter how crowded it is and how tired you may be, manners are important.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I have never had someone intervene with my kid mid-tantrum, or offer to buy them something substantial-so I can see how that would be uncomfortable. I also have never had someone identify me as 'needy', but I wouldn't take particular offense if someone deemed me as such-we may not be financially needy, but there are days in the hot florida sun where a kind gesture from a stranger would totally help me out! I have to admit, when we have given away extra fastpasses or whatever, I tend to look for a 'needy' family-meaning someone I think could use a pick me up-I obviously don't say to them 'wow, you look like you are wrecked' lol.

That is what I do.

I couldn't imagine offering something to a child who's mom just said no.

And I always offer it to Mom or Dad, and I try to do it out of sight/earshot of child.

 

[Family B]

We always check with the parents before passing out anything to a child, if we as the adults are doing the pixie dust. As an example, last trip we passed on our pool noodles which we were just going to toss to another family that was just arriving for their vacation. DH checked with the parents first before giving them to the children.

We carry glow sticks for our children and bring extras so the kids can share. Same with little pool tools. It's amazing how easily a small token helps to make new friends with children. The kids love being able to share the Magic.

In the days of paper FP, would would had off ones that we weren't going to be able to use.

I did read about a guest that would buy a small stuff animal and leave it with a cute note "I need a new home". (Passing the Pixie Dust).

 

[china mom]

From my personal prospective, the difference in how I feel about being on the receiving end of pixie dust is about the spontaneity versus the pre-meditation.

When I, or someone else finds themselves with extra glow sticks or extra mea credits or the time to stop and offer to take a picture, it is pure and genuine. When someone passes on a balloon or pool sticks that they otherwise would not have taken with them, it is sweet and appreciated. And just being friendly and engaging in pleasantries can brighten someone's day. Helping a parent fold a stroller when getting on the bus or, even better, offering to carry it off the bus for them so they can carry a sleeping child.

But it sits wrong with me when people pre-plan the spreading of pixie dust like they are some sort of benevolent and the recipient is in some sort of need. Look, being in Disney at all is enough pixie dust for me. I find my own joy and happiness there just breathing the air. I don't need any extras. Donate your time, money and energy to someone who is really in need back home not the family who just plopped down $3,000-10,000 on a Disney vacation.

 

[burnurcomputer]

I carry a backpack when I go to the Parks. One thing I keep for us, and extra to give away, are magic wash clothes. We get Disney themed ones from Dollar Tree and when I see people with an obviously overheated little, or even an adult, they get one to help cool down the person. Yes, they take a minute to rehydrate and rinse, but they can save a day! We overheat easily, so I know what it's like to be miserable. It's an easy carry item, and has always been received well.

 

[CountyMounty]

In the past we have done some of the same thing other posters have mentioned, bringing extra little toys, pool toys, glow stuff etc to share with other kids (after asking their parents first of course) a couple times buying someone a meal or snack with an "extra" dinning credit (although we only did the dinning plan with free dinning which is rare nowadays) and me I would often offer to give up a bus seat or help carry a stroller for someone or something like that. This time I think I am going to bring a few extra little star wars toys. I was just told that a discount/surplus chain store that is near the airport just got in a big shipment of star wars toys that are selling for half or less the regular price. Was told yesterday they had a bunch of star wars hot wheels cars for $1 to $2 each some lego type star wars stuff and also had some glow stuff and then some bigger more expensive star wars toys. If I have time I'm going to get a couple for my boys to hopefully do trading with Jawas (and hope they then pass them along to some other child) and then maybe a couple to share with some other kids that might be near us for the fireworks.

 

[WiscMomof2]

Great comments on this thread. I especially like the suggestions of things that don't cost a dime. Stopping to offer and take a photo for a family, giving up your seat to someone elderly or a standing parent with a sleeping child (if you're able), letting someone go ahead of you in a line, smiling at other guests. Acts of basic kindness are a great way to spread pixie dust in the parks.

 

[eastendlights]

There is no way you can look at someone and correctly determine their financial situation. That aspect of this is what upsets me the most. Handing stuff out to people "you" deem worthy because they look like they scrimped and saved for Disney is more about making the giver feel good than the recipient. I know people that can barely afford to make their mortgage payments and whose houses are falling apart that drive around in leased Mercedes Benz's and BMW's carrying Louis Vuitton bags paid for with maxed out credit cards. Then there is my husband-to look at the way he dresses you would be offering to pay his meals for him if you saw him in Disney. My kids could look pretty needy too back when they were young, my son with his clothes covered in chocolate ice cream that he insisted he could eat without spilling all over himself and my daughter wearing her "magic" sneakers that she refused to take off for six months. The giver would have felt good about picking us as that family who scrimped to get to Disney-right up until they saw us entering our CL suite in our deluxe resort.

IMO, no one needs trinkets, especially not when they are in Disney. To me, it almost like teaching kids that being in Disney is not enough of a treat. Some people don't want strangers intruding on their vacation. Like pp said, be kind and polite. Let the parents struggling with the stroller and the kids standing behind you get on the bus in front of you. Hold the door, give up a seat, offer your table when you are almost ready to get up and see someone looking everywhere for one, etc. Take that $10 or $20 and buy some new clothes or toys for kids at a homeless shelter.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

There is no way you can look at someone and correctly determine their financial situation. That aspect of this is what upsets me the most. Handing stuff out to people "you" deem worthy because they look like they scrimped and saved for Disney is more about making the giver feel good than the recipient. I know people that can barely afford to make their mortgage payments and whose houses are falling apart that drive around in leased Mercedes Benz's and BMW's carrying Louis Vuitton bags paid for with maxed out credit cards. Then there is my husband-to look at the way he dresses you would be offering to pay his meals for him if you saw him in Disney. My kids could look pretty needy too back when they were young, my son with his clothes covered in chocolate ice cream that he insisted he could eat without spilling all over himself and my daughter wearing her "magic" sneakers that she refused to take off for six months. The giver would have felt good about picking us as that family who scrimped to get to Disney-right up until they saw us entering our CL suite in our deluxe resort.

IMO, no one needs trinkets, especially not when they are in Disney. To me, it almost like teaching kids that being in Disney is not enough of a treat. Some people don't want strangers intruding on their vacation. Like pp said, be kind and polite. Let the parents struggling with the stroller and the kids standing behind you get on the bus in front of you. Hold the door, give up a seat, offer your table when you are almost ready to get up and see someone looking everywhere for one, etc. Take that $10 or $20 and buy some new clothes or toys for kids at a homeless shelter.

I can't imagine trying to guess how much someone makes. How much they paid for their vacation.

I snap the glow sticks and hang them on my scooter basket. About halfway through the night, or when I am leaving, I hand out what I have. They are already snapped. They will only glow so long. Why not give them away if I don't need them anymore?

I have given a couple away before they were snapped. There was a mom holding a child on the bus to Disney Springs. The child was afraid of the dark. And Mom forgot the child's glow stick. I asked if she had really forgotten or if she was trying to get her daughter used to the dark. (I asked this out of the hearing of the child.) She really did forget them. I offered her one of mine that wasn't snapped because I hadn't snapped any yet. I deemed that child worthy, because she was crying. I'm sure the family could afford a glow stick. In fact, they family had a bunch back at the resort (the Floridan). But at that moment they needed, or at least appreciated, the help.

 

[china mom]

I know people that can barely afford to make their mortgage payments and whose houses are falling apart that drive around in leased Mercedes Benz's and BMW's carrying Louis Vuitton bags paid for with maxed out credit cards. Then there is my husband-to look at the way he dresses you would be offering to pay his meals for him if you saw him in Disney.

One of my favorite books on finances "the Millionaire Next Door" discusses this in depth. Usually, the ones with the most money are the ones you least expect because it is in their bank accounts, not in their cars, clothes and toys.

 

[MudQueen22]

I have mixed feelings about these threads. I admire those who want to spread additional joy and happiness and I truly believe that these efforts are all for the best of reasons. And spreading fairy dust makes one as happy as being the recipient of fairy dust does.

But, inevitably, there will be some mention of wanting to find a needy family to bestow joy upon. How on earth do you identify the needy...in Disney, of all places?

Is it the Mom who is wearing K-Mart shorts circa 1995? Well, that's me because my threadbare shorts are comfortable and the pockets are just the right size and I can never find anything in the stores that work so well for me. Yes, they are threadbare and yes, I am going to have to give them up soon.

Is it the family eating baloney sandwiches brought into the park along with our pringles and free cups of ice water? That's my family.

Is it the child who longingly fondles the souvenir that they know they won't be allowed to buy? Again, my family

We are AP holders and fly to Disney 3-4 times a year. We are financially stable but have decided that if we do Disney cheap, we can do it often. And, boy am I cheap. I make it a challenge to myself to see just how cheaply we can do Disney each trip.

I would be appalled to be the recipient of charitable Pixie Dust if I thought that it was being bestowed due to my being less fortunate than you.

I would be polite and kind to you because I know that your intentions are honorable but I would rather you donate a pair of mittens to a homeless shelter than a bauble to me in WDW.

I'm inclined to agree. A family at Disney is, compared to many, quite rich--even those of us staying at the values and wearing old shorts from discount retailers.