Sometimes it is about what you give...Stories anyone?

[darkkskyzz]

This is such a nice thread. I too experienced something similar...

Two years ago, I was checking in at CS and while I was waiting for our room key, a gentleman came out of nowhere and gave us two resort refillable mugs. He said he had just checked out and didn't want to take them home. We gladly took them and used it! Then when we checked out, we gave them to another family that was just checking in. They were so surprised and grateful.

I spread my own Disney magic.

Great idea!!!

 

[Tinker_]

I love this thread! We are like most of you and pass out glow sticks, stickers, and share our extra meals and snacks! The great thing about having extra snacks is you can go to the candy store and stock up on suckers to share!

 

[ninecrayons]

This is a wonderful idea. I am big believe in karma and paying it forward.

I am going with some friends to celebrate my birthday in October. I'd love to take a little something with me to give away to people who wish me a happy birthday. I was thinking something like stickers or whatnot. I feel like it's the least I can do for people who make my special day better!

However I am little worried that as a young woman without kids, parents/people are generally going to find it a little weird if I'm trying to give stuff to them. Any thoughts on the best way to approach that?

If I'm picking between giving out glow bracelets or stickers, which would you pick? I know I can easily get glow bracelets at 12 for $1 at our local Michaels.

 

[Aunt Stepody]

Last year my entire family went to WDW. It was my 2 year old nephew's first trip. My sister kept telling me that she really wanted to buy him a set of Mickey ears, but she couldn't really afford them along with the cost of the trip. So, my DH and I bought an arrangement from Disney that had the Mickey Ears with his name embroidered on the back, a character autograph book and pen, and a rice crispy treat. We had it at the front desk to be given to her at check-in. She was surprised and greatful.

On the same trip, I received a Tinkerbell pin that I received from a CM while visiting with her while the family was on Stitch Escape. I had my DH take my picture with her and my pin.

We also received 4 Year of a million Dream fastpasses for my family of four at Epcot from the nicest ladies. I wanted to hug them. Actually, I think I did. My boys were SUPER excited. They really wanted to "win" something from the Dream Team. They knew that our "winning" was much better. This really made our day. We've kept the remains of those fastpasses.

We, like others have mentioned, have given up fastpasse, and places in line, and seats on the bus many times.

I hope to do something different this year.

 

[pixiefairy]

When we were at WDW last June, we "paid it forward" a bit here and there, as well. While getting FP's for TSMM, there was a CM helping to make the process go faster. He took my 6 kttw cards, fed them through, grabbed the FPs and sent me on my way. As we walked back to meet my dh, my ds and I counted through to make sure we had 6, since the CM didn't grab them each as they were spit out. I told him that if there wasn't enough, I'd stay out with the baby and the rest of them could go. As I counted, I realized we were given 11 FPs. So, instead of saving them and letting my family go on without me and our youngest, we scanned the crowd for a family of 5. I had my teenager go over and give them to the dad, who was rushing over to get FPs for that very ride. They were very thankful. Made us both feel good.

We celebrated my dh's birthday and my ds's 13th birthday while we were down there. I ordered cakes for both of them. The first one, a white chocolate cake with white chocolate/milk chocolate swirled ganache, came from the GF at 1900 Park Fare. It was SO good. We had so much left (my kids had started to raid the dessert buffet before the cake came out) that we started to offer pieces of cake to the surrounding tables. Everyone partook, and we didn't have much left. I didn't want to waste a $35 cake, so I was thrilled that everyone wanted to share, lol. For my dh's birthday, we were at Cape May Cafe and this table of three elderly ladies had joined in singing happy birthday to him, so we gave them the remaining half of his cake to take back with them to their room. Again...we were going to a park, no fridge in our room...$35 cake...they were happy to take it.

We were passed an extra umbrella stroller in the lobby of POP...so we used it at night when our dd was sleepy to get back to our room. We passed it on when we left. I've known friends to pass on a cooler they purchased down there, as well.

In February, my dh found it amusing that I offered to take pictures for so many families so that they could ALL be in the photo. We have no personal photos of all of us, just photopass, so I know how important that is!

 

[LovesTimone]

When DD was little-I have given, juice boxes, capri suns, and gold fish to other kids at the pool. But we always asked mom first.

I was a single mom so my budget was tight, I had a really nice family give me their bench one year during the parade and I was holding DD who was more than tired but who wanted to see the parade.

Since no little people at home only college aged DD.I really haven't thought about this. So when we go on our girls only trip in Oct. I think I will bring along some glow things and give away them in the parks to help other parents, pay it forward like another poster said.
Thanks.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

This is a wonderful idea. I am big believe in karma and paying it forward.

I am going with some friends to celebrate my birthday in October. I'd love to take a little something with me to give away to people who wish me a happy birthday. I was thinking something like stickers or whatnot. I feel like it's the least I can do for people who make my special day better!

However I am little worried that as a young woman without kids, parents/people are generally going to find it a little weird if I'm trying to give stuff to them. Any thoughts on the best way to approach that?

If I'm picking between giving out glow bracelets or stickers, which would you pick? I know I can easily get glow bracelets at 12 for $1 at our local Michaels.

As the poster below states, they ask the parents' prior to giving the kids any type of food (speaking as a mother, thank you for asking with regards to food!). So for food items, I definitely say ask first but you are wondering about stickers or glow bracelets. As a mother and as someone who likes to give stuff away, I try to ask the parents first. If that is not possible, I say to the child that I'd like them to have this if their folks say it is ok and I look at the parent(s) for a nod or whatever. But really, CMs give the kids stickers directly so I don't see any harm in offering that and if there is an issue, the parent will give the 'that is so thoughtful but no thank you' and that's it. As long as you are doing it with a giving heart, that is what will show through and that is all that matters

And for those of you wanting to buy glow/light-up stuff in bulk, go to glowsource online. I get the light up ice cubes in bulk - they are so much fun and reusable. Mine usually last a year or two!

When DD was little-I have given, juice boxes, capri suns, and gold fish to other kids at the pool. But we always asked mom first.

I was a single mom so my budget was tight, I had a really nice family give me their bench one year during the parade and I was holding DD who was more than tired but who wanted to see the parade.

Since no little people at home only college aged DD.I really haven't thought about this. So when we go on our girls only trip in Oct. I think I will bring along some glow things and give away them in the parks to help other parents, pay it forward like another poster said.
Thanks.

 

[delaneyc52]

This is not a huge deal, but on our last day, we give away our pool noodles. We've also given away our fastpasses. But more than the material things, I think just giving away a smile and good vibes is the best ... especially to the moms and dads on that late bus with cranky kids!

 

[Ms.Mouse]

Sometimes, we have lots of snacks and CS left so on our last day when we are in line at the CS for breakfasts, we will offer the people around us their meals/snacks. They love it!!!

 

[cindyd1@optonline.ne]

I have read this whole thread! It just put a smile on my face. I knew there were good people out there, I just didn't know that there were so many!!!! Its amazing what the Magic of Disney can do! Thanks to all of you amazing people

 

[GoofyMam]

Love this thread Looking forward to putting some of these ideas into practice during our trip in December.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I like to spread the magic all year round too so I've been finding Disney things in Target's dollar bin when they go 75% off!! I get cute pens, pencils, notepads, stickers, temporary tattoos, and even ice packs for 25 cents each!! I like to give these out to the kids' friends or my nieces and nephews. I also send this stuff to my brother (he is mentally retarded - well, the pc word now is 'challenged' but that makes him sound ok and he's not) and his group home. These guys are in their 40s and many of them have been abandoned by their families and their stuff gets "lost" so often (i.e. stolen) so they love getting ANYTHING. I love the bright smiles when they see this stuff and they are so happy because Disney is such a happy company. I just wish they were well enough to travel to Disney but most of them just aren't (and even if they were, they don't have a cent to their names).

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I'm traveling right now for work and it has been so tiring with no 'loving' family or friends around me. My job is 'fixing' things for others and finding out why things don't work or if someone has questions. I only get talked to when something is 'wrong'. But today, I actually had someone smile at me and say 'thank you' for all that you do. Sometimes a simple 'thank you' can make someone's day so I'm going to try harder to say thank you at Disney World and the rest of the world.

 

[bobbie0253]

I was nursing my little guy in "stroller parking" and there was a dad with his young daughter (about a year old) she saw the little link toys on Matthew's stroller...the oval bright colored kind that link together to form a chain. She kept saying "keys" her dad kept trying to distract her. She kept saying keys. LOL I took a couple off and then handed them to her. We had plenty to share. She was sooo happy to finally have her "keys".

We have also given away fastpasses.

 

[rosiep]

I'm traveling right now for work and it has been so tiring with no 'loving' family or friends around me. My job is 'fixing' things for others and finding out why things don't work or if someone has questions. I only get talked to when something is 'wrong'. But today, I actually had someone smile at me and say 'thank you' for all that you do. Sometimes a simple 'thank you' can make someone's day so I'm going to try harder to say thank you at Disney World and the rest of the world.

You're so right. I always say "thank you" to bathroom custodians....It's such a crappy (pun indended) job and I'm sure that no one compliments them. It usually takes them by surprise..but they always smile and say "you're welcome".

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

You're so right. I always say "thank you" to bathroom custodians....It's such a crappy (pun indended) job and I'm sure that no one compliments them. It usually takes them by surprise..but they always smile and say "you're welcome".

So I told my coworker that I appreciated her 'thank you' and about me writing it on the DIS and it turns out, she's a Disney nut too! So I'm glad I shared my story here and let her know how much it was appreciated because I have one more Disney friend now

 

[DisneyDahling]

My husband and I are kid-less so we always try to hand out things to the kids we see that are having a child-meltdown. We usually stock up throughout the year for dollar items that are disney related and pass them out. We have struck up amazing convos with the parents and the smiles on the kids faces are amazing and uplifting.

We are part of the glow stick give away party too!

I always have my bag of "just in case" emergencies and on our last trip a poor little guy fell on Tom Sawyer's Island and there were no CM in sight. Daddy and Gma were trying everything they could to keep the little guy together while on the phone trying to find Mom. I got my bag out and asked the Gma if I could help. So with my Mickey Band-aids and antiseptic wipe, I got his knee all fixed and with a Mickey Pin from my husbands over stuffed lanyard, got a smile back on his face.

It was soooo worth the lashing I got from my DH about how that was the pin he was saving for the trip! Whooops! LOL. But he was happy to have spread the magic too!

 

[JoShan1719]

I've given away FastPasses and Ponchos, offer to take family photos and occasionally paid for the meal or snack behind me but my favorite way to give magic is to simply engage people.

On one trip I noticed an older woman with her grown daughter and her daughter's family. This woman looked so pretty: well groomed with a matching necklace and earrings...so I tapped her shoulder and said I just had to comment on how nice she looked. Well.....her eyes got a little teary and she proceeded to tell me that her husband recently passed away and since he usually accompanied the family on their Disney trips she was hesitant about going alone...she gave me a big hug and said that every morning her husband would tell her just how nice she looked and that she "knew" my remark was his way of telling her that he was still with her.

I felt like a million bucks...so simple...just to reach out.

Thanks OP, for starting this thread!

Ok, that one got me. Such a beautiful moment!

 

[giginator]

What a wonderful topic to write about. I loved reading the stories and leave for our own magical trip in two days and can't wait to spread the Disney magic and pixiedust myself!!!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Well, Disney does know something about giving. I was totally curious about the DVC and signed up for a webcast. They sent me a mousepad, notepad, and a pin along with some documentation. It's so true how excited we get over the little things and my daughter was just loving all the 'stuff'!