Spreading the magic guest to guest

[dotcomgirl18]

I remember there was another thread along these lines recently, but I can't find it now. Back during the days of paper fastpasses, I used to love giving fastpasses we weren't going to use to a family about to enter a long standby line. It felt so magical to me to see huge grins erupt on their faces.

Now that that option is gone, I've been thinking of other ways to spread the magic. Today I was in Michaels and they had some cute Disney items in their dollar aisle. I found some plastic Disney Princess crowns made for ages 3 and up. My idea was to buy a couple, and each day in the parks I would carry one or two in my bag. Then, while maybe waiting in a standby line or waiting for Fantasmic to start (or something of the sort where I'm not going out of my way to do this), if I see a little girl (who looks like the type to be into princesses) I would offer her a crown. I could say something like, "Hi! Cinderella stopped me back there and told me that no princess should be without a crown. She told me to give you this!"

I'm a woman in my late 20's who will be traveling with my sister. Is this a good or bad idea? I don't want to come off as creepy or weird. And maybe I should whisper to the parents to ask if it's ok first (but again, I don't know if that would be weirder or what). I would just love to make someone's day by doing something random. Thoughts please?

 

[eyehartdisney]

This is a loaded question. Before I was on these boards I had no idea that people could actually get angry because others were doing nice things for them. Who knew? But there is a vocal (minority?) group here that acts as if you killed a puppy for offering their kid a bit of magic. If I was a parent, I would think it was cool, as long as I was asked first, and my kid didn't see it before you asked.

 

[Disney Frenhines]

As a recipient of such kindness with the paper FP and when my daughter was given a soft toy by another guest at Hester and Chester I think it's lovely. Spreading the magic doesn't have to be a material item, it can be a compliment, it makes a person feel good when they are told 'I love your T-shirt/Earrings/Dress', I was so shocked when someone first said it to me I didn't know what to say, now I thank them for their lovely compliment as it has made my day. If people behave negatively to such kindness then they are most in need of magic in their lives.

 

[mgsquared]

Oh wow! I didn't know people did this! I would love to spread the magic and make some kid's day. Esp. Since I don't have kids yet and I remember Disney being so magical back when I was a kid!
I grew up in Europe so my dad took me to Disneyland Paris and I will never forget it. It was such a happy place. I think the best we can do is to be happy and keep spirits up and making jokes in lines, etc. It's this constant happiness that kids remember most!

Maybe if there are extra snack credits, pick up some treats and ask parents if you can offer then to their child?

Or score an ADP for BOG and offer it to someone else?

Kids love jokes. You can make jokes whole waiting in line or put on a sock puppet show to make the whole waiting process less painful for the kids and the parents.
I would have like a joke book on hand and read out loud. Or fun Disney facts! Or have people help you look for hidden mickeys!

Hopefully others have more ideas!

 

[CrazyDuck]

Unless you work for Disney and wear a nametag please don't give my kids anything you creepy wierdo. I'm spending thousands of dollars on this trip and you are going to show me up with a $1 plastic crown, not happening! You trying to poison my kids with that lead painted made in China junk?

Not my real sentiments, I wouldn't care... but don't be surprised if others feel this way!

 

[CT Yankee]

Unless you work for Disney and wear a nametag please don't give my kids anything you creepy wierdo. I'm spending thousands of dollars on this trip and you are going to show me up with a $1 plastic crown, not happening! You trying to poison my kids with that lead painted made in China junk?

This made me laugh out loud, CrazyDuck. I can totally see how some people would have that reaction.

 

[Dreamscome2ru]

This is a very sweet sentiment but most parent teach their kids not to take gifts from strangers. You would be putting the child in a confusing position.

 

[tinkerpea]

Unless you work for Disney and wear a nametag please don't give my kids anything you creepy wierdo. I'm spending thousands of dollars on this trip and you are going to show me up with a $1 plastic crown, not happening! You trying to poison my kids with that lead painted made in China junk?

Not my real sentiments, I wouldn't care... but don't be surprised if others feel this way!

I was reading this thinking you felt like that,lmao! So.pleased I kept reading!!

My kids wear loads of those glow bands and we buy tubes of them and carry them in our bag for night time parades,
When ever our boys get them out there is always some child who stares longingly at them,so my boys will give their bands to them.
We was waiting for a bus one night and it was very late,lots of kids moaning and tired so the boys handed out glow bands to all the kids,
" good job I carry around 50 at a time" not once did anyone complain in fact they all said how lovely the boys was to do this,the kids all then glowed on the bus on the way home as they turn the lights out,it looked amazing we have fab pics from it.

 

[tinkerpea]

This is a very sweet sentiment but most parent teach their kids not to take gifts from strangers. You would be putting the child in a confusing position.

It's a hard situation however I think if the parent is clearly with the child,it's ok.
We have had people give our boys things at disney whether it's a sticker or a sweet in a Que, and normally they would never except it,but there with me they look.at me to ask if it's ok

 

[StrwLady]

I usually have 20 to 30 pins with me to trade with CM's. I will often give little kids a pin. It might be the kids of someone I'm talking with or maybe if I see a little one crying. I ALWAYS ask the parent quietly first. Then when I give the child the pin I have them ask their parents also. This way if the parent doesn't want the child to have a pin I have not caused any added drama in the family. And by making the child check with the parents first the child learns/reinforces "don't take things from strangers before asking your parent" rule.

In 2011 we were at Disney for July 4th. I had some small flags that I bought to decorate my ecv. I ended up giving them out. So this year I bought more with the intention to give away. Again asking the parent first.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think the best thing a person can do at the parks is be courteous to others

 

[Minion89]

I try to help spread the magic when I am on vacation, but I always ask first to make sure the guest is okay with it. I do find that it helps if you strike up a conversation with the guest first rather than just randomly walking up to a guest.

I am lucky to have a Disney Outlet near me, so I stock up on $1.99 authentic Disney pins to trade. There have been several occasions when I have given these pins to a guest. During a pin trade, I also let the cast member pick which pin they want off my trading lanyard. I know it seems small, but many cast members get excited to be given the option to choose a pin. I have also given out various Disney stickers and glow sticks. Lastly, I always offer to take pictures for other guests. People are usually very appreciative that they can get a picture with their entire family, and a lot of times, they will offer to do the same for you.

 

[mrsabbott]

Years ago, a girl walked up and handed my daughter a plastic magic wand. You would have thought she was handed a million dollars! Because of that sweet gesture, we have the best memory of our daughter pointing that wand at the sky right when the fireworks went off.. She thought she did it with her magic wand! Her eyes got huge and she turned to us and said, "Did you see me?!? Did you see me?!" She was almost 3 at the time..

As a parent, I wouldn't mind someone handing a small toy or stickers to my kid. Food items might be another story though..

 

[SpringSprite]

I remember there was another thread along these lines recently, but I can't find it now.

Just to warn you, that thread (if it's the same one I'm thinking of) got REALLY heated. I would love glow sticks at the parade!! In my experience, my boys can NEVER get enough glow sticks.

 

[SpringSprite]

oh, and OP, one thing you might want to consider, is OTHER kids seeing what you are doing, and then being upset / wondering why it wasn't done for them as well. Just throwing this out there to you as something to be aware of, from the kind of thing I see on the playground with my own kids

 

[dawnhaze]

I like to give pins to kids who go on rides they were afraid of, but I do always ask the parent first. Most say yes, a few say no... There are also some that prefer to take the pin and give it to the child themselves, saying something like "Oh, this lady wants you to have this!" which is fine by me, as it gets around the whole gifts-from-strangers thing and the child still gets to have the pin.

 

[prisjoyce]

I was reading this thinking you felt like that,lmao! So.pleased I kept reading!! My kids wear loads of those glow bands and we buy tubes of them and carry them in our bag for night time parades, When ever our boys get them out there is always some child who stares longingly at them,so my boys will give their bands to them. We was waiting for a bus one night and it was very late,lots of kids moaning and tired so the boys handed out glow bands to all the kids, " good job I carry around 50 at a time" not once did anyone complain in fact they all said how lovely the boys was to do this,the kids all then glowed on the bus on the way home as they turn the lights out,it looked amazing we have fab pics from it.

Mom of two here...this is a very sweet idea & glow sticks are a fabulous answer! I, too, bring along tubes of glow sticks for evening park time. My kids LOVE them & it usually prevents them from begging for the $18 glow toy from the Disney cart. ;-)

Be careful w food items. I once offered a lollipop for a child who was screaming (I quietly asked the parent) and they moved away from me. Yikes!

 

[It's A Happy Day]

Mom of 2 here, and fairly laid back if I say so myself

I think it's great that your thinking of spreading some Disney cheer and would have no problem with my child accepting an item as a piece of magic. A crown, pin, stickers, glow in the dark stuff, etc. I think are wonderful ideas.

That being said, any food item is normally tossed. No offense to anyone but if my child was given a piece of candy or treat, even if it's prepackaged, it will be tossed. In todays day, it is too easy to tamper with a product and make it look new. And before anyone brings up the whole Halloween candy is candy from strangers, do you do that. Well, we do trick or treat and then I buy their collection of goodies off them with a couple bags of their favorite goodies and I bring in the collected candy to work (I'll poison them instead ). We've had a couple local incidences where someone has tampered with candy - staples, nails, razors in halloween candy, that I just don't take my chances with stranger given food items of any type. My kids know this and have never questioned it because they know I usually substitute it with something else when the occasion arises. The food item would be declined politely or received graciously only to be discarded at a later time.

 

[WEDWDW]

I don't do anything for kids,but when the 20% Merch Coupon is available(as it is now through July 15) and when I have one I am not going to use,I find a Guest with a BIG amount of items in Mouse Gears,etc. and give them my extra coupon.

They do sometimes scream with joy like a child though.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

According to most other threads like this, it is indeed a loaded question as the number of parents who object to a stranger approaching their child for various reasons is pretty staggering. Approach the parents first if you feel you must approach families you don't know. Or start chatting them up in line and then ask the parents if you can give their child(ren) a gift. It is likely not the best idea to pop out of nowhere with gifts for kids anymore - unless you work for Disney.

And it's likely advisable as a previous poster said to stick with items like pins and plastic doodads, and never offer food items.