sharing the love not the hate

[haleofafamily]

I am enjoying this thread as well. Unfortunately or fortunately, I am usually so distracted by my own family that I don't notice any rudeness if any at all going on around me. I thought of a couple of things, though.

I have told parents who are embarrassed by their children's behavior that I have seen it all and they will not shock me.

Once on splash mountain, the child in the family in front of me was having a meltdown at every little drop thinking it was the big one. They had obviously never been on the ride before and the parents were getting stressed out so I leaned forward and quickly described each drop so they could prepare the child ie. "little drop," "medium", "o.k. here's the big one". It was neat to see them visibly relax and enjoy the ride.

 

[seobaina]

I must admit I LOVE the parks and as a cast member outside of them it is really nice to help people get excited. Nearly every shift I work I get someone who is planning their trip and I just love being able to give the kids some tips or just chat to them about things they can do out there. It's nice to get people excited about going and to reassure parents that they will have a magical time.

 

[genetic jackhammer]

Great thread!!! When we go to the World we always get extra fast passes knowing we will never use them, then on the way out of the park, will try to give to people who reallly need them to keep their sanity. For the past two years, we always get extra passes to Soarin' (I keep running back to get tix when the time is right) and then I have my DD's find a family that needs them. usually a family that walks up to Soarin', sees the return time for fast passes and are on the verge of a kid melt down...it's great to see their reaction when we ask if they would like some passes. have done this for EE, TT and KR over the years.

Another thing is so simple but always very appreciated....I always make sure to give up my seat on the bus to someone who needs it...usually a person holding a small child that simply cannot stand anymore. Just a small act that brings smiles and usually starts a fun conversation.

I will also have my kids strike up a conversation with smaller children in line waiting for rides if the other child appears nervous. One thing to hear me say the ride is ok, but we have found out if someone close to their age says the ride is fun and tells them what to expect, then their nervousness goes away.

Fun thread.

 

[Tiggerkeeper]

Great thread! I went to the parks with a friend in November to help with her kids and every time she would see a meltdown or something going wrong she would start chanting "this is the happiest place on earth, this is the happiest place on earth". After a while is became quite funny! But the real kicker for me was she is one of the most difficult adults I know but at Disney she is very "happy"!

 

[Grumpy3]

We always go with a positive attitude and that sets the tone for an enjoyable trip. If you're looking for trouble it will certainly find you. We have helped numberous friends and neighbors that are planning their first trip. We believe that this not only helps them have a great time but an informed visitor to DW is more likely to have a good visit and not be one of the stressed out people that might act rude out of frustration.

 

[jpeka65844]

And I felt horrible! DH and I were crowded up to the rail for Illuminations one night. A woman nudges her way in next to us, pushing me over. My DH and I give each other one of those "ugh" looks and I notice that the woman saw us do it. She immediately looks embarrassed, and backs away.

The fireworks begin, and I glance behind my shoulder; the woman is standing slightly behind my husband and probably had an obstructed view. She is ENRAPTURED w/the fireworks. You know that look of pure joy and delight that little kids have when they watch them? Well, it was all over her face, even though I KNEW she couldn't have seem them very well. I felt AWFUL!

So I scooted over and asked her to step up. She didn't speak English so I motioned for her to squeeze in beside me. I felt so bad that I had been nasty and kept her from watching something that was so wonderful for her! So she scooted up and watched the rest of the show! And my conscience was eased.

 

[jpeka65844]

And I felt horrible! DH and I were crowded up to the rail for Illuminations one night. A woman nudges her way in next to us, pushing me over. My DH and I give each other one of those "ugh" looks and I notice that the woman saw us do it. She immediately looks embarrassed, and backs away.

The fireworks begin, and I glance behind my shoulder; the woman is standing slightly behind my husband and probably had an obstructed view. She is ENRAPTURED w/the fireworks. You know that look of pure joy and delight that little kids have when they watch them? Well, it was all over her face, even though I KNEW she couldn't have seem them very well. I felt AWFUL!

So I scooted over and asked her to step up. She didn't speak English so I motioned for her to squeeze in beside me. I felt so bad that I had been nasty and kept her from watching something that was so wonderful for her! So she scooted up and watched the rest of the show! And my conscience was eased.

 

[JodyLynC]

Any more love to share?

 

[SplashMountainMama]

I WILL TELL YOU ABOUT A RUDE PERSON AT WDW. ( ONLY 1 TIME IN 6 YEARS)
OK WE ARE ON THE FAIRY. I WAS 6 MNTS PREG AND I WAS HOLDING MY DD 18 MONTHS OLD. DH AND OUR 2 OTHER CHILDREN WERE ALL STANDING WITH ME. I COULD NOT STAND AND I WAS HOLDING MY TODDLER (WHO ONLY WANTED ME)... SO i SAT DOWN ON A PEACE OF A BENCH (MIND YOU HALF OF MY BUTT WAS WAVEING IN THE BREESSE ) AND THIS MAN TOLD ME TO GET OFF HIS BENCH I GOT UP AND MOVED...

He was probably rude because he was worried you might hurt Tink by standing on her!
Sorry, I couldn't resist.

 

[skipamyb]

My good story is...last June we were getting off TOT and my 8yo saw a cast member. She said "Please can we go on again?" and the cast member looked at her for a second, smiled and said, "Sure, follow me" and took us up the cast member service elevator and got us right on the next ride. How cool.
Amy

 

[DizneeMommy]

Great thread!!! When we go to the World we always get extra fast passes knowing we will never use them, then on the way out of the park, will try to give to people who reallly need them to keep their sanity. For the past two years, we always get extra passes to Soarin' (I keep running back to get tix when the time is right) and then I have my DD's find a family that needs them. usually a family that walks up to Soarin', sees the return time for fast passes and are on the verge of a kid melt down...it's great to see their reaction when we ask if they would like some passes. have done this for EE, TT and KR over the years.QUOTE]

Last June, we went on our first trip to the World. On our last night there, my DD really wanted to rider Splash Mountain one more time--it was her FAVORITE ride. Her Dad and brother had gone to ride Big Thunder Mountain one more time. All the FP's were gone, and the line was 2 hours long. A boy about 12 years old was nearby, and he walked up and said "Here, take these! We have to leave now." Then handed me 2 FP's. The look on my daughter's face was priceless! We thanked him profusely, and I decided that on our next trip I'll pass along the magic!!

 

[luvthemouse71]

I like to think of myself as a "ride advisor" particularly for my favorites...if there's a nervous kid on a ride, I try to talk them through it. Last trip this mom with 2 pre-teen girls got on KRR. The girls had obviously been to BBB earlier in the day and their hair had been done up elaborately. They both had ponchos on but no hoods...the mom said "I don't think you need the hoods-I don't think we'll get all that wet". I politely spoke up and said that their hairdos might get ruined, especially if they were in the "death seat". (you KRR fans know what seats I'm referring to). I said since the BBB experience is not cheap, they may want to put their hoods on. The girls didn't believe me at first but the mom sure did "girls, put the hoods on" she said. Good thing too, because evryone in our raft got pretty wet.

 

[disboo]

We had a really magical week - just got back last week. All the Brazilian tour groups were well behaved, the cheer leaders didn't cheer on the buses, and we were very well treated by every CM.


One sweet story - as we buckled up in Start Tours, a small boy next to my sister said to his dad, "This is a great ride!" His dad said, "You haven't ever been on the ride before!" The boy said, "It's great already!" He was a happy boy!

 

[JodyLynC]

Any recent "love" to share?

 

[KorieDWnut]

I think one problem why so much negativity gets talked about is because there are some people who get upset at things that wouldn't even bother another person. So if someone here posts something really nagative, it may be something that would never bother me in the least, and vice versa.

Long lines don't bother me too much, in general. I expect to wait in lines. I don't get crabby over ride lines. If I can't get a fastpass then I either deal or don't go on the ride.

What I CAN'T stand at all is long lines for food. It drives me insane. I always feel like everyone waits to eat until the exact time I want to eat.

But, I deal with it, cause what else can I do? I have been in food lines before, highly aggravated but kept a smile on my face because I am in WDW but then have had the misfortune to be standing behind someone who cannot control their frustration and take it out on the CM. So right there, something negative (lines) that I could deal with, but someone else couldn't and those people will let minor things destroy their vacation.

I say definitley take in the reports, both good and bad, but don't stress over anything.

 

[HannaBelle]

We were at WDW for NYE and stayed for the 1st week of Jan. (along with everyone else! lol).

My DS(14) and I made a mad dash over to the MK to see the SpectroMagic parade. This was one of our *must* do things for this trip and we both really wanted to see it.

Well, we got there about 5 minutes before the start of the parade and dashed up to the train platform. My DS is about 5'8" and I am 5'3". We found a spot and "peeked" around the people in front of us who had been waiting there for the parade. (I made sure my DS was not crowding them b/c I did not want to be one of "those" people!)

Anyway, the elderly gentleman that was standing in front of us squeezed over with his grandson and made room for my DS. My DS had a great view and got some awesome pictures of the parade! I was so grateful to the gentleman for making room for my son. I just tried to look over his shoulder. It was a very special memory that he and I share!

 

[Amyg]

Kudo's to you!! That is so, so true!

I read a lot of negative stuff before our trip and we found it is all in the attitude you take with you. Sure there may have been some little things such as being hot and sweaty when we went in July or having to wait 20 minutes at our TS restaurant. All in all we had so many positive experiences during that family trip there really was nothing to complain about!

Keep that positive attitude!

 

[dbarker]

We love WDW b/c of all the pixie dust from CMs and guests. We do our part also.

DH and I both will stand on a bus (b/c we can).
Everyone shorter than me (4'10") gets to get in front of me to see a parade, even if they just walked up. And if you are a kid and taller than me, you get to sit in front of me.
I've been known to freely start conversations and hand out advice to perfect (and not so perfect) strangers. (I think this one embarasses DH a little)
We give away FPs (we've received FPs)
All CMs get a smile and polite conversation. (you never know who they had to deal with before I got there)
I've explained the dining plan to people who were very confused by it all
I've warned people about "Beverly" (even though they still tried it anyway)

 

[Not so Dumbo]

While we were waiting for spectromagic to start the family sitting next to us was buying her kids some of the glow bracelets and bought some for our kids too. We offered to pay for them but she wouldn't except anything. I thought that was really nice.

BTW, this was in May 2005 just past the bridge in Liberty Square just incase you're on the DIS too.... once again Thank you. That was really nice.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Love this thread! Have a few, so bear with me.

I was at MK during Presiden's week 2006 with my then DS7, DD4 and grandfather on a little 2 day visit. We were in line for Dumbo when some technical problems turned our 15-20min. wait into over an hour. Anyway, there was a very young couple with a little boy (about 2) behind us. The boy was on a harness but was still managing to do some amazing acrobatics climbing the rails and such. People were starting to get annoyed and give dirty looks. My grandfather started talking to the little boy and let him play with all the change that was in his pocket and kept the kids entertained for the rest of the wait. The young couple started telling him how they had never been to Disney and how overwhelmed they were and how touched and grateful they were for his kindness. I learned a lot from grandpa that day.

I always guard my spot for parades very closely to ensure that my kids can see. However, I always save a little extra, so that when the parade starts I can invite a few forlorn kids up front. It's a great way to spread around some magic in those sometimes overwhelming crowds.

There was a lady at POR last August who was playing a ball catching game with her children at the quiet pool in Aliigator Bayou one evening. She invited all the kids to play and was so kind to everyone. The kids had a blast and I got to rest my weary feet for a little while. Thank-you to that kind lady.

Lastly, I just want to thank the nice man who made room for my children at the High School Musical Pep Rally. They had really been looking forward to it and you made their day.

One small act of kindness can go a long way.