Making somebody else's Disney Magic ...

[eastcarolinafan]

I believe that we as Disney fanatics hold the keys to a lot of the magic we all experience at the parks. We are responsible to a degree for each other's good times and magical experiences. In short, we must not only want the magic to happen to us, we have to make it happen for others.

It was raining in Epcot -- not ironically, it was raining in Great Britain. My wife and daughter and I had just sat down at an outdoor table with a huge umbrella on it at the counter-service place and the skies literally opened up. I forget the name of it, but it was just a fish and chips stand with an outdoor patio.

But we were nice and dry and eating well. Life was good. Looking up, I saw two couples in their 50s or so with their food looking for a spot. There was no space, of course, it was p-a-c-k-e-d. So they trudged off to sit on a bench in the rain. Not cool. Ours was a huge table that could seat eight easily. I looked at my family and they looked at me like "What are you waiting for?" So I swam over to the couples and politely asked if they would like to share our shelter and some sparkling conversation. I should add that I fully expected to be turned down. I don't assume others feel as I do about DW and the whole "we are family" thing I have going on.

But they agreed -- quickly, I might add -- which made me feel great. We sat for an hour in the rain talking. The two couples were in-laws. They both have kids -- grown -- who met at Disney World as interns and are married as adults, so apparently it's a great marriage because the in-laws love each other. The daughter is an elementary school teacher in Orlando and the son is a technical writer for Disney Imagineering Department. He writes the manuals for rides and stuff. Pretty cool, huh? The teacher keeps working at DW in the summer so she can keep her park priveleges, but she loves what she is doing.

The conversation was seamless, even effortless. I was prepared for awkwardness, but there was none. The few silent moments were shared reflecting on that day's events and the night's plans. They were nice people with nice families living nice lives. And I am so very happy we took that opportunity to reach out to somebody and make a little magic for them. I love thinking that those people recount this story from time to time on boards just like this. To me, this is what Disney Magic is all about.

SOOOOO, with all this in mind, I ask you: What have you done to make Disney World the most Magical Place on Earth?

 

[frayedend]

We gave our expensive Disney ponchos to a family on their way into the park while we were leaving. They seemed pretty happy as it was looking like a thunderstorm was coming.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I love stories where guests make magic for other guests!

If we leave a park early, we'll stop by an attraction with fastpasses and will get a set of fastpasses before we leave. On our way out of the park, we'll find a family coming in and we'll give them those fastpasses to use for that evening.

 

[Fantasmic23]

I am LOVING this thread (and I'm sure that I will love the stories to come)!! Thanks so much for starting it.

I am always on the lookout for people who need a table/seat because I know what a pain it is to find seats (especially when the parks are crowded). Last Wednesday at AK, we were just finishing lunch when an elderly couple walked by, quite flustered about where to sit. I quickly signaled them over.

We never seem to use all of our Fast Passes (my son and I always chicken out when it comes to Space Mountain), so we hand out those out. Last Monday, we made a father and son's night with our unused Space Mountain Fast Passes.

Finally at HS last Tuesday night, I was having a smoke (I know, I know) after Fantasmic. A woman who was smoking next to me left her camera on the ledge. I chased after her calling, "Ma'am, ma'am ... Your camera!" The woman almost hugged me.

 

[janloz]

We always talk to the people waiting in line with us, not just at WDW. It is always fun to find out where people are from, etc.

We have:

1. given away Fast Passes that we knew we would not be using to other families on our way out of the park.

2. given our Disney stroller to another family who were entering the park as we left.

3. Had our children give other children glow sticks and stickers while waiting for the parade to start.

4. DD gave a special tink pin to another girl we met on the bus.

We try to share as much as possible at WDW.

 

[michelleiada]

I absolutely love your story!!! Unfortunately, nothing comes to mind that I have done at Disney that really compares, or is worthy of sharing here, but it certainly inspires me to want to do something Disneylike the next time I am there, or better yet implementing this good behavior into our every day life is even better. This is part of what makes me love Disney so much...it brings out the goodness in people.

 

[SafetyPinndSally]

We were just there and one night we were waiting around for Spectro to start and we had sat down on the curb towards the front of Main Street. DH decided that he wanted to sit down and watch the parade, but I always prefer to stand because I usually am the one taking pictures. So there's an empty seat right up front and instead of letting it go to waste I look behind me and I see this mother and her little girl, maybe four or five years old and they both have First Visit Buttons on. So I asked the woman if she and her daughter wanted my seat so that they could see better and really get a great parade experience.

That little girl got the attention of just about every character that passed by, whereas if I had sat there, they probably would of just passed me by without a second glance. When the parade was over with the woman thanked me profusely because they had missed the parade every night it was going and this was their last night there and she was glad that it was a special experience for her daughter.

It wasn't much, but it still made me feel all warm inside because I knew that I did the right thing and I made some little girls trip more special.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

We were just there and one night we were waiting around for Spectro to start and we had sat down on the curb towards the front of Main Street. DH decided that he wanted to sit down and watch the parade, but I always prefer to stand because I usually am the one taking pictures. So there's an empty seat right up front and instead of letting it go to waste I look behind me and I see this mother and her little girl, maybe four or five years old and they both have First Visit Buttons on. So I asked the woman if she and her daughter wanted my seat so that they could see better and really get a great parade experience.

That little girl got the attention of just about every character that passed by, whereas if I had sat there, they probably would of just passed me by without a second glance. When the parade was over with the woman thanked me profusely because they had missed the parade every night it was going and this was their last night there and she was glad that it was a special experience for her daughter.

It wasn't much, but it still made me feel all warm inside because I knew that I did the right thing and I made some little girls trip more special.

THAT's what I'm talking about! Just a little common sense and concern for a child's good time is all it takes. Way to go! My daughter had the same experience. Couldn't see the parade but a young, young couple, like 22 or so reached out (with my knowledge) and grabbed my girl up to the front row. Great stuff.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

We have done a few normal things beofre. We have given away numerous FP's before and this trip lucked up into some Space Mtn FP from another park go-er on a busy day, this trip we used all of our FP's and didn't have any to share. We have given up and shared tables in crowded restuarunts before with people, etc. This trip I took a new approach and turned into walking tour guide for people thanks to "Lines" from touring plans (2 ) . On the bus trip over to MK one morning about 10 am we discussed a touring plan for the family w/ small children next to us. Gave them the best strategy and provided wait times for the rides they wanted.

On our last day while I was waiting on DH to send in his last ride times of our trip and hiding from the rain at the ride times board in FW I helped out a poor family that didn't have a clue. They didn't know how to buy FP's, where to go, which rides were popular, etc. I gave a crash course on FP's and gave them a strategy to get the big rides in during the next few hours. Gave directions and let them know that Test Track may close b/c of the weather so be prepared if they were in line, etc. They were very greatful and asked if I would tag along with them all day. I so would have but we had a plane to catch.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

We gave our expensive Disney ponchos to a family on their way into the park while we were leaving. They seemed pretty happy as it was looking like a thunderstorm was coming.

They ARE expensive, aren't they? Stopped in to buy one and was like $1,500,000 for a plastic poncho? So I paid it of course. Still have it, too. You are indeed generous.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

We have done a few normal things beofre. We have given away numerous FP's before and this trip lucked up into some Space Mtn FP from another park go-er on a busy day, this trip we used all of our FP's and didn't have any to share. We have given up and shared tables in crowded restuarunts before with people, etc. This trip I took a new approach and turned into walking tour guide for people thanks to "Lines" from touring plans (2 ) . On the bus trip over to MK one morning about 10 am we discussed a touring plan for the family w/ small children next to us. Gave them the best strategy and provided wait times for the rides they wanted.

On our last day while I was waiting on DH to send in his last ride times of our trip and hiding from the rain at the ride times board in FW I helped out a poor family that didn't have a clue. They didn't know how to buy FP's, where to go, which rides were popular, etc. I gave a crash course on FP's and gave them a strategy to get the big rides in during the next few hours. Gave directions and let them know that Test Track may close b/c of the weather so be prepared if they were in line, etc. They were very greatful and asked if I would tag along with them all day. I so would have but we had a plane to catch.

Good job. FP seems so intimidating to some, but it's sooooo easy.

 

[Pakey]

My husband and I invited another couple, strangers to us, to share our Illuminations cruise, free of charge to them. I don't like to do the cruises with a full boat so it was just us. It was a night with gorgeous clear skies, the perfect evening to share that pixie dust.

 

[riceflowers]

This thread is quite refreshing! I'm new (my first post) and have lurked for a few months and have nothing to add yet b/c we are planning our 1st trip this year.

 

[LJC1861]

I was cruising on the Magic and was in the gift shop one morning. I noticed a woman and her son come into the store. The woman was hobbling and limping and obviously in pain, and she was leaning heavily on her son's shoulder. I overheard her telling the CM in the store that she had cut her big toe badly while on the beach the day before, and that her shoes were hurting her terribly.

I mentioned that Crocs might be more comfortable for her, but they were out of Crocs in her size. I asked what size she wore and we happened to wear the same size. I immediately took mine off and handed them to her. She tried to protest and offered to pay me for them, but I explained that I had several more pair in my cabin and that these would most likely be retired after the cruise anyway. She put them on, seemed immediately relieved and limped away.

Several days later we were on Castaway Cay and we were waiting for our parasailing excursion to begin. I saw the same woman walking slowly up the pathway towards the ship. I said hello and her husband gave me a BIG hug! They explained that my Crocs literally saved their vacation as they became the only shoes she could tolerate as her toe got more and more swollen. The Crocs allowed her to be able to walk and enjoy things, even though she was moving more slowly.

Linda

 

[jagafen]

In 2008, we won dream fast passes in Epcot.....it was wonderful!! Luckily, the parks weren't super crowded, and we were able to make decent use of the regular FPs and our sporadic use of the Dream fast Passes....DS was under the height limit for Mission Space, so we weren't going to use those from the Dream Pass anyway. We also had an extra set of regular FPs for Test Track....DS was getting a little cranky (as 6 year olds will), and I had been chatting up a young couple that was near us....they were on their honeymoon, and bummed because the standby time for MS and TT were SUPER LONG, and they didn't seem to know anything about the regular FP system....so I gave them our leftover dream passes and the FPs for TT....they were SO THRILLED!! I know, I broke a Disney rule and "transferred" a dream pass....I told them just to tell anyone that asked that they won it on Nemo earlier in the morning! It made their night!

 

[Pakey]

Oh and I want to share the magic I received one vacation. We were at the bus stop to leave Blizzard Beach and return to our villa. After we were all seated on the bus, ready to leave, someone came running on the bus to return my camera to me. I had left it sitting on the bus stop bench and although these people were not that close, they had seen at a distance what I had done and ran to make sure I got my camera back.

 

[Jimham4]

I have done some of these things and am thrilled to hear about people spreading the magic. What is sad though is that these stories might be the unusual instead of the normal way guests treat each other everyday

 

[DisneyFamily123]

We bought a helium Mickey balloon on our first day.... and we cannot take it on the airplane. So, on our departure day, DS4 picked a child checking in to give the balloon to. It was quite nice and will be a tradition to be repeated on our next trip.

We also tend to rack up fast passes and sometimes give them away, especially at Magic Kingdom. I'm suprised how many people don't know what fast passes are.....

I always give up my seat on the bus for children, elderly, women.... etc... I don't even ask because people will be polite and say "that's OK....". I just say, "Here, I don't want to sit down, you can have my seat if you want", and I get up.

I've also been the recipient of kind people who offer a parade curb side seat for DS while we stand behind.

 

[kathyell]

We've done the balloon gift too! We bought a Mickey helium balloon on our second day and then DD and I went down to the food court in the Contemporary on the morning we were due to leave and gave it to another child.

Let me tell you how that came back to us. I thought it was rather extraordinary.

Later that year, my DD and I were checking in at POR for my daughter's 4th birthday trip. We were walking to our room behind a nice couple who I had joked with while crossing one of the bridges, assuring them that we weren't following them intentionally. They turned out to be staying in the same building that we'd been assigned to, and when they reached their room, the woman asked if we could wait for a minute. She went into their room and came back with a purple Mickey head balloon and asked if we wanted to keep it for our stay because they couldn't take it on the plane with them and they were checking out the next morning.

I was just flabbergasted. I told them about handing down my daughter's pink balloon the previous May (she'd actually wanted a purple one but the vendor we found on the way out of the park didn't have any more purple) and we all shared a kind of astonished laugh. I told them to have a safe trip home and we took our new balloon to our room.

Of course, the morning we were due to leave POR, we went to the main building and gave it to a family who had a daughter who were just checking in. I like to think of that balloon still bouncing around POR somewhere. (Shhh, Mickey balloons last forever. Everyone knows that.)

A somewhat less impressive story (but I hope it was helpful nonetheless) involved a sharpie. I always carry a couple of extra sharpies in my camera bag (never know when we'll lose one) for my daughter to get autographs with. We were in line behind a lovely family who were so excited to get to meet the Up! characters at DHS. Then, when they went out for the meet and greet, the parents couldn't find their autograph pen. I whipped an extra sharpie out of my bag and offered it to the CM who was controlling the head of the line and asked if she could offer it to the people doing the meet and greet, and they took it. (I think they thought it was the CM's at the time.)

When they finished their meet and greet, the mom came over to the CM to give the pen back and the CM directed them to me, and I told them to keep it if it would help them out. She seemed so surprised that another guest had helped her instead of one of the CMs. (I hope that doesn't mean that she'd run into other guests who wouldn't have done the same thing up to this point in her trip.) She thanked me and asked again if it was okay, and I told her it was. Saved them a trip out of the animation building to buy another pen, anyway, and I still had two extras. (I might have a pen issue.)

It's weird how a little thing like a pen or a balloon can really buoy your spirits, but I think everyone feels better, both the giver and the getter, in these little guest-to-guest magic moments.

 

[ValinWV]

Our chance to share some magic was in March 2006. We had gone to Disney for my DD's band trip. We had nice weather (warm) until the night we were in Epcot. The sky's opened up and heavy rains came. Of course it cooled down considerably. The park also cleared out so we got really good seats to watch Illuminations. As the wind picked up the jackets we brought weren't enough. So I walked to Mexico and bought a blanket to keep us warm. When the show began my DH noticed a girl wearing shorts and and short sleeve shirt trying to stay warm sitting by a trash can to block the wind. He looked at me and said I am going to let this girl sit with you so she can be warm. After the show her father was so grateful. They were from another country and I don't think she spoke much English. But the smile on her face while watching the show, instead of freezing, was worth it to my husband. He would do anything to make sure a child has a good time at Disney.