Service projects in Disneyland

[Oregon Traveler]

Hey everyone, I need some help. We're doing a little project this year to catch the Christmas spirit. Each day in December up to Christmas, we'll be completing a small act of service for someone else. For three of these days we'll be down at Disneyland and I need some help coming up with some ideas for acts of service that the family (myself, my wife and 3 teens) can provide while enjoying time together at our favorite place.

They don't need to be grandiose, just something that will help someone else, make someone else happy, etc.

Thanks for your help!

 

[CaliDisneyMama]

Buy a balloon for a small toddler/child who seems to be overdone or having a hard time?

 

[SMD]

Knott's does a Toys for Tots drive where you can get free admission for donating a toy of a certain value.

Here's a shelter that accepts donations: http://www.aishalcyon.org/wishlist.html

I'm sure since it's close to the holidays there will also be places tha need help sorting food drive donations or serving meals. Maybe check Volunteer Match.

 

[SarafinaPink]

Pay for the person behind you at a snack cart? Get a FP and then give it out to someone who looks like they could really use it? If waiting for a parade or show, offer your seat up to a senior or young child?

 

[lana772]

I second the giving out of FPs. My DH and DD were in the FP line for Indy once. He also had the 2 passes for myself and other DD that chose not to ride. There was a young married couple in the regular line (she looked quite frazzled). He gave them our 2 FP. They were so happy!

 

[Malcon10t]

Buy a couple pins to give away. Buy the next families churros. Buy a treat for a child/family sitting next to you at a parade/show.

 

[cel_disney]

I think you can look for ways to help people without spending money if you want....simple things - like see if a family needs help carrying their quick service meals to tables from the counter...or if you have a great front row spot for the parade - let some little kids come from behind and stand infront of you...I think being a fast pass fairy is also really fun! But it's not always as easy as you might think to give away fast passes especially with the crack down on usage times so be prepared for that!

If you are willing to spend some money - I think that you could easily buy a bunch of glow sticks and hand them out when it got dark (we had a girl and mom give is a bunch one night at Epcot when my then 5 year old was pretty cranky and it totally turned our night around! Years later I still refer to them as the angel family with the glow bracelets!!)...

 

[CaliDisneyMama]

If you are willing to spend some money - I think that you could easily buy a bunch of glow sticks and hand them out when it got dark (we had a girl and mom give is a bunch one night at Epcot when my then 5 year old was pretty cranky and it totally turned our night around! Years later I still refer to them as the angel family with the glow bracelets!!)...

I was just coming back to suggest this Hit up the dollar spot at Target, or the dollar store, and stock up on glowy things before you go so you're only spending a few dollars.

I like the fast pass idea, too!

 

[DharmaLou]

http://www.amazon.com/LumiStick-Bra...F8&qid=1382926722&sr=8-1&keywords=glow+sticks

100 glow sticks for $9

 

[dragonflycurls]

I agree with the fast pass idea.

 

[Oregon Traveler]

These are great, thank you all. Our kids are all old enough to do stand by, so a set of RSR FP's would be great to give away and what kid isn't looking for something special (pin, balloon, light stick) to cap their day. Keep the ideas coming. Is there something that someone (not a cast member) has done for you that made your day?

I knew the boards was the place to come to for ideas.

 

[lalasmama]

Perhaps spend a day in the parks with the agreement that you will offer to take pictures of people whenever you see a need (that is, offer to take a picture when you see someone taking a picture of the rest of their group--you know, dad taking a picture of mom and kids, or boyfriend taking picture of girlfriend, Just walk up and offer to get them in the picture too!). It's free. It brightens their day. It gives them a memory. It's my little way of spreading magic

 

[Susie63]

We always buy trinkets to hand out. At Mardi Gras it was beads, at Halloween it was flashing pumpkin pins ,Halloween doodle notepads with a marker and skeleton & pumpkin glow necklaces. It is fun for DD 12 to hand out and can indeed turn a frown upside down. Just make sure you ask the parent first.
I also like to give the cashier an extra $5 and ask her to use it to pay for the coffee of the person who is behind me. Gotta make tracks so they don't get a chance to say thanks.