Spreading the magic guest to guest

[eyehartdisney]

I'm not going to lie. I do this stuff because it makes me happy. I also crochet stuffed animals for the local women's shelter, and donate to needy families during christmas. I actively raise money for cancer research, and I help host the local animal shelter's yearly fundraiser. This is the one place I get to see the effect that me being a nice person actually has. So what? I obviously do it for me, just as I do anything else: for me. I hold a door open because it's the nice thing to do, and I get a smile. Does it make opening the door less genuine? No. It was still a nice thing to do.

 

[*TheWigs*]

We have done this in the past-have extra pins, stickers, little trinkets in our backpacks. We have never "targeted" a certain kid based on "looking poor" or any other profiling technique. We usually strike up a conversation with strangers in line or our kids start talking with their kids...we always check with parents first before giving the children anything. It's nothing that we absolutely have to do each and every trip. We just have extra loot in our backpacks and if the opportunity is there, then we share a bit of magic. It's fun for both parties! We have had trips where we come back home with everything because there was no real opportunity to share.

 

[Virtucomp]

I agree with the OP about the old paper fast passes. We loved handing over the passes when people were just walking in.

I think Disney is a place where you could walk around handing out pins and glow-sticks and spread magic. I think a lot of people might not be very accepting to randomly handing out food items.

"Did you make this? What's in it? Was the counter clean when you made it? Are you trying to drug my kid?" I think enough people out there would be apprehensive to handing their child food but a small hand made item or glow-stick would be magical.

 

[kittyninja]

I think I'm going to do the balloon thing next visit!! A nice way to make my and others' day without making things weird or making the parents feel weird in the ways others have stated they might!! All legit in my opinion.

 

[cheryl.UK]

A few years ago, we went to the V&A a day before we went home. Me and my DD were given rose. As I walked back though the hotel, I noticed a couple with a 'just engaged' badge so I gave the girl my rose. She just about cried. While we were on the monorail back to BLT, a little girl looked at my daughter's rose and asked, "is that real?" My DD said that it was and as we got off the monorail, she gave it to her. Her face lit up, as did her mothers.

I'm a big believer in 'pay it forward' and RAoK but we always do it spontaneously.

 

[KeroKero]

I used to hand out fp's that we knew we weren't going to get around to using. Better for them to be used than to go to waste.

We buy tubes of glow bracelets/necklaces for nighttime events, and each tube has so many that they would just go to waste, so I give them to kids sitting near us for night time parades or firework shows.

 

[meggiebeth]

We give away FPs we haven't used- although the last time we gave away FPs for Splash Mountain, the family looked at us like we were crazy- I don't think they knew what FPs were.

The simplest things guests do mean a lot to us- meeting people on the parking lot tram, for example, giving away FPs, even taking photos for you.

Meg~ Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Foltzyboy]

The thing about Disney is that these type of things happen and are normal. I've Seen people give away fast passes they were going to use, but give to another family who tried to get one, but couldn't due to time limit, etc. The workers and guests at Disney will take an extra step to make your vacation awesome. Gotta love that about Disney

 

[themommy]

The balloon thing works great. A few years ago my son bought one and I was not about to travel 11 hours with a balloon in flight in the car. I told him he should find a kid to give it to on our way out and reminded him of how happy he was to get it and that he would make someone else just as happy to receive it. It not only made the receiving child happy but, my son was happy and learned a great lesson in the process. Win win situation!

 

[Laura66]

Several years ago I approached a balloon vendor on Main Street. Told him I wanted to pay for the next two balloons. Settled up and walked away. He handed over the next two and told the guests it was a gift from Mickey! Felt great!

This is the only thing I would be okay with!

Just my opinion - but I think it's creepy and really all about the giver. I don't want little plastic trinkets or food and if given I would toss them straight in the trash! Why isn't a nice trip to Disney special enough?

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Yesterday was our last park day and when we arrived to AK about 10:30 they told me the AAA parking lot was full, so I parked in normal lot.

The people next to me had driven their own van (out of state plates), were getting a stroller out of the back and the woman was visibly pregnant.

I asked if they were driving to the parks every day, and when they said yes, I asked them if they would like my AAA parking pass. They said yes and thank you.

The next time we go back are black-out dates, so it wasn't any good to me any more this year, so I was trying to pass it on to someone else who could use it.

 

[bookluvingbabe]

I wouldn't mind a kid offering DS a glow bracelet at night during a parade or at the bus stop.

Anything else, I'd probably not allow/throw away/decline as gracefully as possible.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

The thing with any of these ideas is you have to be VERY discreet when asking the parents. If the child sees or hears you, it's putting the parent in a very awkward position. The parent might want to say no, for whatever reason, valid or not, and now the child is watching. Just not fair to put the parent in that position.

And if you see a child crying or looking upset, don't assume you should swoop in and cheer them up. Maybe that same child just finished throwing a tantrum and the parents are trying to teach them the correct way to behave. Last thing the parent needs is someone reinforcing that behavior with a special treat!

Personally, I'm more about the "just being extra nice". Let someone in front of you in line. Hold the door for someone. Offer to help the young mother struggling to get her stroller folded and on the bus. Let someone else get that table at the QS place because they've got three little ones who are looking tired. Say "Happy Birthday" to the little one wearing a button. Say, "After you, princess," to the little girl all dressed up. Offer to take a photo so the whole family can get in the shot. Stop and let them take their photo before traipsing through. These are all little things that if everyone did, just think how "magical" the experience would be for everyone!

 

[EEPETEZ]

If someone wants to do something nice, that is wonderful. I have two small children and I would think it was very sweet. Just last year the adults in our party offered our front row seats during the electric light parade to another family's children. They sat beside our boys and had a great time. The mother of the family had some glow sticks and offered them to our kids as well. It made for a really lovely evening.

 

[luvthemouse71]

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.

I am of the opinion that simply acting decently and courteously is enough. I admit, I would not want a random stranger handing gifts to my kid.

While their intentions are most likely good, there are also creeps in this world. I also don't go to WDW to get all mushy with strangers. Conversation is nice, gifts are weird, IMO.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Do it if you want, but don't fool yourself into thinking the objective is anything other than making YOUR day.

Yes, this.

Don't get me wrong, I've handed out stuff for kids in my group, saw another child looking and offered one to them too.

But, looking around for someone to randomly give gifts to? That's overboard to me.

 

[Eetx]

I was just talking to DH about how I had some extra pins that I wasn't attached to and how it would be fun to find a kid pin trading and offer him/her an extra pin so they didn't have to "give one up." After reading this thread and the one someone linked to, I'm terrified of that. Maybe if I can use voodoo mind tricks to ask the parents silently first ....

 

[It's A Happy Day]

I was just talking to DH about how I had some extra pins that I wasn't attached to and how it would be fun to find a kid pin trading and offer him/her an extra pin so they didn't have to "give one up." After reading this thread and the one someone linked to, I'm terrified of that. Maybe if I can use voodoo mind tricks to ask the parents silently first ....

I think the key to any "magical" moment is to sit back and wait for the opportunity to present itself. Don't go looking for that kid to surprise but be surprised when your standing in line and start chatting with the family in front of you and find out that this is maybe their 1st trip or favorite ride and you happen to have a pin that goes along with that conversation - "oh, your 1st trip to WDW, have you heard of pin trading? I would love to give you your 1st pin, you can look at CM's an trade this one with one of theirs or keep it as a souvenier." I guess my point is don't be desperate to create magic but wait for it to just happen. It will feel right.

 

[jm106]

I think the key to any "magical" moment is to sit back and wait for the opportunity to present itself. Don't go looking for that kid to surprise but be surprised when your standing in line and start chatting with the family in front of you and find out that this is maybe their 1st trip or favorite ride and you happen to have a pin that goes along with that conversation - "oh, your 1st trip to WDW, have you heard of pin trading? I would love to give you your 1st pin, you can look at CM's an trade this one with one of theirs or keep it as a souvenier." I guess my point is don't be desperate to create magic but wait for it to just happen. It will feel right.

Well said, exactly it! Being kind should happen, its nice to make someone smile, just being kind and happy.

 

[roobug]

Do it if you want, but don't fool yourself into thinking the objective is anything other than making YOUR day.

My boys were given a pirate sword on a trip when they were three the are now five still have those and still talk about getting them. They loved it and thought it was amazing that Jake knew they wanted them. It sure made their day and we loved how happy it made them. Not gonna lie I wasn't thrilled with them at midnight that night when they were fighting each other with them but it still made their trip. So that wasn't just about the giver. In fact I they got stickers another time and it was a big event too.

We would love anything pixie dusted to us!!! Means they are less likely to beg us for things at least for a few minutes