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Most heartwarming thing you've seen at the parks?
Posted: Nov Sat 22, 2008 4:42 pm
by Future Guy
We have a thread about our pet peeves, but as annoying as people can be there is the occasional instance of human kindness.
Here's my story: the first day of our visit to WDW in 2004, we went to Animal Kingdom in the morning, then headed to the MK after lunch to catch a few rides and the Electrical Parade (or whatever they're calling it now). We found a nice parade-watching spot on Main Street right on the curb, but while we were waiting for the parade to start, my wife noticed a mom with three little kids behind us, and the little girl was crying. So my wife offered them our spot, and the mom thanked her profusely. It seemed they had found a closer spot, and then a rude guy pushed in front of them, which was why the girl was crying.
Anyway, the kids got to sit right on the curb to watch the parade, and during the parade Snow White came up to the girl and gave her a hug. It was great to see that little girl's face light up. It was the highlight of the trip for me.
So, what about y'all? Have you ever witnessed or been part of any random acts of kindness during a visit to the parks?
Posted: Nov Wed 26, 2008 2:30 am
by Cazza and Livvie's Mum
Future Guy that's lovely!
Our story is: We were queueing for Snow White's Scary Adventures and then heard a babble of voices behind us. A family with what seemed like dozens of kids approached the ride. A little girl about six years old ran ahead of her family and jumped into the ride vehicle with us. Before we could do anything about it we disappeared into the ride with me yelling back, 'We'll make sure she's OK!' We obviously couldn't move seats to be with the little girl ( who was slightly tearful), so we made her ride as enjoyable as it could be.
When we came out of the ride the family was nowhere in sight, the little girl clung to my hand. A few seconds later a very concerned family followed us out of the ride. Very much resembling some slapstick comedy.
The mother was quite tearful and the little girl was by this time wearing a big smile.
The lady hugged us and thanked us and told us normally she would be mad with her daughter but they had just arrived for their first trip and obviously the excitement and magic overwhelmed the little girl.
I didn't see what we did as an act of kindness but just something that one parent would do for another. But it was nice to be helpful.
Posted: Dec Sun 07, 2008 11:50 pm
by yodiwan1
ok, Here is something I did as a CM. One day while sweeping the streets of Frontierland, I saw two elderly women sitting on the curb...at about 5:30pm. I found this odd, but did not say anything. An hour later the same women were still sitting and looking very confused. I asked if everything was ok, and they told me they were wondering when the parade would come by. i told them politely that it came by over 3 hours ago. They actualy hugged eachother and cried. Turns out that both women were friend from across the country and every year they came to MK for one day just to watch the parade and see eachother. They had done this for 10 years. They were both on their 80s and I had no diea if they would make it back. I asked them to sit tight for a few minutes and asked who their favorite character was. They responded in unison, "Minnie". I went to the pin shop and used one of my "no strings attached" cards, and got two Minnie pins. I also ahd some friends in costuming and put ina call to my special female mosue friend. She met us in less than 5 minutes! I walked up to the women with Minnie on my arms and presented them with the pins. They both were crying with joy and began to hug me. THe character greeter took their pic with Minnie and I was in it as well. They both said this was better that any parade they ever saw. That was one of the best days I ever had while working there.
Posted: Dec Mon 08, 2008 9:24 am
by Future Guy
That's great, yodiwan. A lot of the CMs perform these wonderful acts of kindness that no one ever hears about. I heard a story once about a little girl who lost her first tooth down the drain in a water fountain, and a CM found out about it and had a reasonable facsimilie made in one of the "creature shops" backstage, then presented it to the girl as her tooth, telling her that Tinkerbell found it.
We talk a lot about Disney's problems at the corporate level, but the fact is that the parks wouldn't be a place we still want to go back to if it weren't for the large number of kind, decent people who work there and go out of their way to do nice things for people every day.
Posted: Dec Mon 08, 2008 11:46 am
by boilerbabe
These stories are great! Yodiwan, yours brought tears to my eyes!!! I think that would so very rewarding to be able to make wishes come true for people. That makes the job worth while.

Posted: Dec Tue 09, 2008 10:07 am
by Mr.ToadWildRider
Wow you guys' stories are amazing! The closest thing I can offer up is giving away fast passes if we're fortunate enough to have already been able to ride once (or twice) before our FP time

Still feels good though to give someone a chance to experience something like Soarin' when it's got a 90 minute line and they might have to give up seeing something else (or miss it all together)
Posted: Dec Tue 09, 2008 11:45 pm
by Soarin08
Entire families who are there together- and by that I mean three generations, which are grandparents, parents, and grandkids. My grandparents are not involved in my life so when I see grandparents with the families I feel good for those children who get to have their grandma and grandpa at WDW with them. Mine have only been to WDW once in 1973 and I'd love for them to go with me now, but that won't be happening....

Posted: Jan Sat 24, 2009 9:59 pm
by aparadissis
yodiwan1, that's what makes me wish people outside of the parks could see more of the magic and magnificence and love each other more. My wife does stuff like that all the time.
Posted: Jan Sat 24, 2009 11:40 pm
by Len90
Amazing story yodiwan1. It is great to see that there are CM's who are willing to go above and beyond just to make sure everybody is happy. It really keeps that Disney magic going!
Posted: Jan Sat 24, 2009 11:44 pm
by MetalRage
yodiwan1 wrote:ok, Here is something I did as a CM. One day while sweeping the streets of Frontierland, I saw two elderly women sitting on the curb...at about 5:30pm. I found this odd, but did not say anything. An hour later the same women were still sitting and looking very confused. I asked if everything was ok, and they told me they were wondering when the parade would come by. i told them politely that it came by over 3 hours ago. They actualy hugged eachother and cried. Turns out that both women were friend from across the country and every year they came to MK for one day just to watch the parade and see eachother. They had done this for 10 years. They were both on their 80s and I had no diea if they would make it back. I asked them to sit tight for a few minutes and asked who their favorite character was. They responded in unison, "Minnie". I went to the pin shop and used one of my "no strings attached" cards, and got two Minnie pins. I also ahd some friends in costuming and put ina call to my special female mosue friend. She met us in less than 5 minutes! I walked up to the women with Minnie on my arms and presented them with the pins. They both were crying with joy and began to hug me. THe character greeter took their pic with Minnie and I was in it as well. They both said this was better that any parade they ever saw. That was one of the best days I ever had while working there.
That is so cool

Posted: Jan Sun 25, 2009 9:39 am
by figmentaholic
Wow, there are some really great stories there. Honestly I can't think of anything to top those!!!!:)
Posted: Jan Sun 25, 2009 11:57 am
by kcarts
The Chili at ESPN. Gave me heart burn.
Posted: Jan Sun 25, 2009 10:16 pm
by ckc0915
hahaha kcarts.

Posted: Jan Sun 25, 2009 10:20 pm
by MetalRage
kcarts wrote:The Chili at ESPN. Gave me heart burn.
hahahahha

Posted: Jan Sun 25, 2009 10:34 pm
by Len90
kcarts wrote:The Chili at ESPN. Gave me heart burn.
LMAO! I'm not sure this qualifies though since ESPN is on the Boardwalk and not technically in the parks. I think we should let it slide though!