Making somebody else's Disney Magic ...

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

some people might find it strange but I make sure I talk to people in wheelchairs smile at kids that have problems. Some people shy away from disability, I remember vividly chasing a woman and her daughter down to ask her where she got the wheel trims for her daughters chair. It made her day to chat about it.


Edited to say DH uses a wheelchair which we like to try to personalize

 

[eastcarolinafan]

some people might find it strange but I make sure I talk to people in wheelchairs smile at kids that have problems. Some people shy away from disability, I remember vividly chasing a woman and her daughter down to ask her where she got the wheel trims for her daughters chair. It made her day to chat about it.

Ok, this is a new one, I must say. I don't find it strange at all that you speak to those in wheelchairs. I have to admit though that I scratched my head at the part where you actually chased down somebody in a wheel chair. Are you or is somebody close to you wheelchair-bound? Still, kudos to you! It's just another way to spread happiness.

 

[kaligal]

I don't feel it is my responsibility to make other people's vacations special. If I want that job, I'll go work for Disney.

I do take pics for people and try to give away FPs when I leave, but that's about it. I pretty much tend to help where I can because that's me...but I don't think anyone should feel required to do it.

I've talked to people in wheelchairs, but never went out of my way to do it or considered that as something nice or special.

 

[inkkognito]

I've talked to people in wheelchairs, but never went out of my way to do it or considered that as something nice or special.

I know what you mean. I think Pooh Bear Hugs is right that people tend to shy away from disability but I would feel condescending to go out of my way to walk to those in wheelchairs. I chat with them just like anyone else when the circumstances warrant it. Years ago you never saw a CM in a wheelchair but I always saw several working at Universal and I thought that went a long way towards showing people that disabilities are a normal part of the world. Now I am seeing more at WDW too.

 

[dburg30]

I've handed out fastpasses before. We took the DVC tour (and bought the next day ) but we had the instant FP cards from the tour. I forget how many are on each card, but I rode TSM 2 times right in a row, and took the cards and got TSM FP's and just looked for folks heading that way and gave them away. It was actually harder then I thought as people didnt seem to want them lol.. Dont know if they thought they were fakes or what .


And to the OP, I still remember your story about your dive experience, so you shared a little magic even from 1000 miles away I smile everytime I see your posts with that picture

 

[zeferjen]

On the receiving side, I was the recipient of some magic in the airport coming home. We landed in a deserted terminal in Philadelphia, DH left to pick up our car leaving me with two very tired cranky toddlers. I was at the end of my rope when DD3 took off all of her clothes and tried to sit on the dirty bathroom floor with no underwear on

I was in the middle of changing DS2 on the changing table so could not leave to stop her or to get her dressed. This angel walked into the bathroom, asked if I needed any help and proceeded to dress my DS2 while I get DD3 situated. She really saved my sanity that night.

 

[Kimberly815]

However, MY dream is to buy up a bunch of the Mickey balloons and just give them away. I just imagine how much fun it would be to hand out the balloons for free to lots and lots of little children, especially the ones whose parents have planned a frugal trip and just can't spend the money on a $10 balloon.

I have always wanted to do this! Hopefully someday I will have the means to make it happen. In the meantime, I will buy a balloon or two and do it on a much smaller scale!

 

[suse66]

Just wanted to say thank you for such a great thread. It's the little things we do that can make such a difference in someone's life. We don't always realize the positve impact our actions can have for others.

Thank you for all the people who make magic happen and inspire others to do the same!

 

[Indychick]

I always buy other people's food with my left over DD plan meals. I never have TS left, but inevitably I have CS in abundance (not to mention snacks). I just go through the line at my resort and ask people how they are paying. Most look at me like I am crazy, but many of them are so thankful! One lady told me it was her parents first Disney trip and they were going to be so excited that someone was paying for their breakfast. We also give away fast passes. One other thing I noticed is that when someone has a pin on and you say "Happy" whatever it is, they just beam at you and say thanks. It is nice to be noticed by people who are not CMs.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

And to the OP, I still remember your story about your dive experience, so you shared a little magic even from 1000 miles away I smile everytime I see your posts with that picture

Wow, what a kind thing to say! Everytime you see my po.... hey, wait a minute! Are you saying I talk too much???

Thank you very much. That is a nice thing to hear.

 

[sters]

We always offer our seats on the bus, to older guests and parents with little ones.

But on our last trip.....
I first did this for my DS, but when I told my DD and her 2 friends, they wanted to do it. I called the pay phone in UK when DS went in there, he thought it was cute. Well my DD's friend ( Lauren 15yr old -1st time to WDW) wanted to call.

Well there was this big group (all in blue shirts) looked like they were from a different country. They were taking pictures in the phone booth. Lauren called. A young guy ansrewed, she said "Hi, how are you, I hope you are having a wonderful trip", he was so excited, then she said "I like your blue shirts", he was amazed, he said "who is this", she said "its Tinker Bell, I am flying over Epcot". He made her say hello to others in his group, they were all laughing and really enjoying the phone call. Later we walked over there to take a pic, and he told us, "Tinker Bell might call you, she called us." Lauren was so excited, she was telling me she was having so much fun, and wanted to work at WDW. It was one of the highlights of our trip, bringing joy and excitement to others.

That's hilarious! What is the phone number? I'll have to try this on our next trip!

When we were in Legoland, the lady in front of us gave us a free admission pass she couldn't use. I thought I hit the jackpot! It's not Disney, but it was still magical!!

At Disney, we usually do the Fastpass thing as well. I guess we should all challenge ourselves to do one pixie dust thing per day when at disney!

 

[SCHBR'smom]

We celebrated DD2's 1st birthday at Disney World. I ordered a cake for after lunch at Crystal Palace. Even though there were 12 of us and I was pregnant, we couldn't eat the entire cake. A new family had arrived a table away from us, so I offered them the rest of our birthday cake. They seemed very excited about it and our waitress thought it was wonderful. Honestly, we weren't going to carry it around the park and it would be a waste to throw it away. At least half the cake was left.

We've also given away fastpasses that were good for any fastpass ride.

While waiting for the Specro parade, the kids were playing with the hoola hoops. We had been there awhile and our kids had more than their fare share of using them when DD10 came over to me and asked if she should give it to another child. She had noticed a little girl watching and thought she might like a turn. She very sweetly offered it to the other little girl and the other 4 children in our party who were using hoola hops followed her lead. I thought it was very sweet to share instead of hoarding them to themselves until the parade, especially without being told to share.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

I have always wanted to do this! Hopefully someday I will have the means to make it happen. In the meantime, I will buy a balloon or two and do it on a much smaller scale!

I know what you mean, Kimberly. I love those balloons and think they are the coolest ever. But they are expensive, like $10, so I shy away from them; however, you have inspired me. The next time we visit, I will buy at least two of those Mickey balloons and pass them on to the saddest faces I can find. I promise.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

While waiting for the Specro parade, the kids were playing with the hoola hoops. We had been there awhile and our kids had more than their fare share of using them when DD10 came over to me and asked if she should give it to another child. She had noticed a little girl watching and thought she might like a turn. She very sweetly offered it to the other little girl and the other 4 children in our party who were using hoola hops followed her lead. I thought it was very sweet to share instead of hoarding them to themselves until the parade, especially without being told to share.

That was very sweet. Sharing makes it more fun and it is so contagious.

 

[SOnotLayuh]

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?

This is so great!

We always pass on fast passes. For some reason we always get ones we won't use! I have no idea why.

BTW - it's also great that you're an ECU fan. DH and I met and fell in love on that campus

 

[ambertides]

One thing I try to do every time we go is bring a handful of stickers (usually Tink, Cars, and/or Princesses) to leave here and there and/or give away. It's a lot cheaper than balloons (though of course, not as cool), but usually gets a smile.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

One other thing I noticed is that when someone has a pin on and you say "Happy" whatever it is, they just beam at you and say thanks. It is nice to be noticed by people who are not CMs.

I do that too! I get a lot of weird looks, but i get a lot of sincere thank yous too. My wife had a birthday pin on our last trip and it was great. She is very reserved, but really appreciated all the fuss. It was a small, nice thing for people to do.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

BTW - it's also great that you're an ECU fan. DH and I met and fell in love on that campus

I fell in love on that campus too! And with it. Go Pirates!

 

[eastcarolinafan]

One thing I try to do every time we go is bring a handful of stickers (usually Tink, Cars, and/or Princesses) to leave here and there and/or give away. It's a lot cheaper than balloons (though of course, not as cool), but usually gets a smile.

Oh, I don't know about it not being as cool. They may be less expensive, but the you pass on are every bit as cool as the balloons. And the smiles you give are DEFINITELY as cool. Well done.

 

[perdidobay]

I do little things here and there... I always say Happy Birthday to anyone wearing a birthday button, I offer to take photos of couples who obviously are alone and taking turns taking photos of each other. I give away unused fastpasses as we leave a park.
But the best was when I was waiting near the gift shop of Mission: Space for my DH to get off the ride and next to me was a woman in a wheelchair who was obviously undergoing chemo/radiation treatments and her 12 year old daughter.
The daughter was wearing a lanyard full of pins. I started making small talk while we waited and the daughter commented on my Keys to the Kingdom pin on my shirt (we had taken the tour that morning). She made the comment that she really wanted that pin for her collection but would have to wait till she was 16 to get it. I gave her the pin and she was thrilled. Later when my DH and the husband of the lady came off the ride, the daughter showed him the pin I had given her and he told me after they had gone to shop in the gift shop that his wife was not doing well and that it was a difficult trip (for obivous reasons). Boy did I ever feel good then about giving her that pin.