niece's idea & question - seeking advice

[BostonDisneyKid]

My niece (9yo) who is a Disney fanatic (her first trip was at 7 weeks old) and goes on most Disney trips with any of our family members who are going and asked us a strange question which we couldn’t answer and am hoping some of you might be able to advise me how to answer her.

She asked "Can I bring one of my stuffed animals with us to leave at the OKW 2 BRV and try to start a tradition for that room and ask each guest take a picture with the stuffed toy sometime during their trip (stranger location the better) and leave it there for the next DVC family to do the same".

I think she got this idea from the Travelocity commercials with the pictures of the gnomes all over the world but I am not certain. Here is my question - Do you think people would "go along" with this and also do you think the CM's will allow this to be left behind each time someone departed?

She is all excited about this and since, has started really developing on the idea by suggesting leaving a disposable camera with instructions to send back to her for to develop and send a new camera back to the resort each time. She even wants to build a website with all the pictures received back. She is putting a lot of thought, time and effort into this idea of hers and I don't know what to tell her. Any thoughts?

 

[RweTHEREyet]

It would probably be better to start a thread on this Board to have one family hand it off to another. If the critter is left in the room, it is going to picked up by Mousekeeping and/or turned in to Lost and Found or something like that.

I think it is a cute idea, and I hope you can work something out.

 

[Margie J]

I commend her for her creativity, enthusiasm and interest, first of all.

I'd think that getting the CM's involved wouldn't be a huge problem. After all, there is very little for them to do except to leave the toy in the room.

It's the other Guests that would be the problem. Some may think the toy is a free "gift" to them and take it home. Many probably wouldn't be keen on taking pictures for someone else and going through the bother of sending them later. In this selfish world, why should a stranger do anything like this when they have enough things to think about on their own vacation? If the instructions are lost or misplaced the whole project will come apart quickly. Just trying to be honest here.

My suggestion is that you start a toy passing chain right here on the DIS. We had one with a crockpot, why not a toy. The toy could have a planned passing with people who were very interested in keeping this going. Instructions could be posted here and wouldn't be lost. The toy could also travel to many DVC Resorts and other locations. Many DISers may even be willing to supply their own film (passing of cameras and pictures gets too awkward). Pictures could even be posted here for all to see.

 

[InstImpres]

I agree with the others. I think you need to start a thread and make it a "companion". Check out the budget board, you'll see this concept (minus the photos) for Pal Mickey and a stroller swap.

Sounds fun...my dd's school does a similiar things with a Courdory Bear, it even has a journal so he can write his highlights.

Good luck
Sandy

PS I am going in August and would be happy to help

 

[bom_noite]

Count me in. I think it is a wonderful idea and your neice should be commended.

I am sure that the OKW staff would be happy to give the "critter" to the next family. I would say that it should come complete with a sign in book and picture album. So, the staff would give you the critter and the book. It would be your responsibility to fill in the book (with picture, name and date) and leave it back at the front desk at check out.

So many people may want to participate you may need a password (that you or your neice supply), to retrieve the goods.

I will be happy to chip in the picture album. Just let me know.

 

[Simba's Girl]

What a smart girl and a great idea! Its kinda like the GPS treasure hunt things! We signed someone's personal "guestbook" today on a hike!

Our family would love to participate! I'm sure my older DD would get a kick out of it and seing all the pictures of the "buddy" with all of the other families. I love the idea of the guest book too.

 

[JimC]

Great idea. Count us in as well.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

We'll be there in October and would love to join in the fun. So many people have digital cameras now. Maybe we could just email them to your niece or find a "host" site to upload them to. This could really turn into something big!

 

[NancyDVC]

On other boards I have been on they have passed around a stuffed animal. Whoever got it next took it everywhere with them while they had it and posted pictures, 'stories', 'trip reports' etc.
I think that passing it from one family to another like the crockpot and christmas tree is a great idea.
It should be small enough so that the family that gets can carry it around to parks etc and take pictures of the trip.
I have heard of a similar idea where a small doll/animal gets sent to various places (to family/friends) who then pass it on after writing stories/taking pictures etc. and send the stories/pictures back to the originator. Could a small blank book be included to add notes like a diary of all the folks who spent time with it?
Let's go for it. I can't wait to see what it experiences.

 

[lacool]

Sounds like fun! My daughter's first grade class had a stuffed turtle that made the rounds with the whole class and kept a journal and it was fun for everyone.

We'll be there June, October, and December. When can we play?

 

[jdkdorn]

We'll be there for Halloween and again in Jan 2005 and would love to participate. We will be staying at BCV in Oct and SSR in Jan. Please let me know if we can play. We can also set it up so that we pass it on. One Dis member could contact the next one and pass it on through a meeting. It would give us a chance to meet each other and that way we know a busCM won't forget the traveling stuffed friend.

Judy

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

All I can say is "wow" and that you are all great sports!!! I was surprised to see that not only are some of you very receptive to the idea but were also so enthusiastic and had some great ideas of your own to add to the "game" to make it more fun for everyone. The idea of the journal is a great one. I think that should definitely be included so his/her "journeys" can be documented and everyone can leave notes and so forth to recollect upon each visit there after with the "toy" and see where he/she has been and what he/she has done. I think this could be really fun and provide a little more "magic" to all who participate.

I am going to ask my niece how she wants to go forward with this and will mention all your ideas to her as well. Please feel free to keep posting additional ideas and comments in the meantime and try to think of the finer details in regards to best methods for passing it along to the next family and things like that. I will type up all of her suggestions and ideas as well as the ones previously mentioned here. I will start a new thread for this once the details are worked out so we can all establish some guidelines and discuss how to go forward with this "game".

Once we have the details and all information known and documented I will then create an official game thread announcing the game open, the guidelines, how to participate, etc. She is going to so be thrilled!!! Thank you all for your enthusiasm and participation!!! DVC and its members are truly magical...