Okay, so I was having a rough morning (moving STINKS), and I see this post this morning?
Instant smile.
My advice is always to let things happen organically. I usually tweet a TON of cast compliments on Twitter (it goes into the CMs file), but most of all? I just try to smile and be polite to everyone I run into. One time I had this man just start flipping OUT. Like he was LIVID over wait times and he just started going off on his family. I think they had not planned very well and he was hot and stressed. Well, we had some paper FPs, and so I inserted myself into their very heated argument, and offered my FPs (there were 4 of them and I happened to have 12.), and offered trading pins to the two kids. (We were leaving the next day and my whole crew was pretty much done with riding. We got the paper FPs from a CM after my kids got “caught” picking up trash. They gave us two per person, and there was 6 of us)
Like that little moment probably changed their entire vacation. The dad looked horrified at his behavior (and rightly so!), the kids were thrilled with pins, and the wife looked like someone had just rescued her from a sinking ship.
Another time DH and I were in the MK on our last day in May. It was time for the “end of trip” ice cream breakfast. And this couple with FOUR kids bought ONE ice cream for them all to share, while the dad was complaining about the $5 rip off ice cream. The kids were terrified and almost crying, and upset about sharing. The dad said “I already spent a fortune to be here, I’m not buying everyone an ice cream! This is INSANE” He said they could each have one bite and the rest was for him. It made me really sad. It was early and there wasn’t a line at the sunshine terrace, so we grabbed a CM and I paid for 4 more ice creams, and the CM came out and told the family this cute story about how they were chosen for a “magical moment”, and said each kid got a free ice cream. If I remember correctly, they gave the mom and grandparents one as well. And after the CM left, the whole demeanor of this family changed, and the dad was smiling. They looked at DH and I and wanted to share this moment with someone, so we smiled and congratulated them! I then pulled out my little bag of trading pins and offered one to each of the kids to commemorate the moment. (And even gave the dad one, because he wanted one. )
Please know, I don’t share these stories to brag…just to inspire. I am always hesitant to share some of the shenanigans I get into, as I never ever want to come across as a braggart. I just find that observing guests around you, it’s what opens up the possibilities to do little magical things. But you really can’t force it, it’s just has to organically happen.
Oh and I don’t just do stuff like this at Disney. we really try to have an “attitude of gratitude” in our house, and are always on the lookout for moments we can do things. It’s really amazing when you observe people what you notice.
But you have to come back and share your stories after your trip!! Seriously the BEST thing for CMs is a cast compliment. Those go in their file, and they actually get presented with a printed and laminated copy if you send it on Twitter (and wdwtoday will usualky tweet you a photo with the CM holding your cast compliment!!). I actually have one CM, she works at BOG, and I manage to see her EVERY trip now! She’s such a treasure. Jaquetta is her name. If you see her there, just know she is a truly amazing CM. She gives up her days off to work for other CMs who need the time or have kids. I mean, I ADORE HER.
That’s why I always tell people going to WDW, stop and take it all in. You’re in a place of magic, where dreams come true and happily ever after seems possible, no matter what trouble you left at those gates.