As someone who has partial responsibility for customer service in his real job, Disney has always been the standard I look to for perfection on this side of business. Going out of one’s way to make someone happy or to alleviate a problem is an art. It can be taught but some may not have the gift of turning ordinary into “extraordinary.” Part of a Disney Vacation is the extra magic that the cast members provide to make simple things seem, well, not simple. And that brings us to today’s list.
Welcome to Believe Vacation’s Top 10 where today, we’ll look at the Top 10 Little Things Disney does to turn small moments magical. We’re going all over the World in this list, from the parks, to the gift shops, to the resorts and even to the skies. Forget the attractions, shows and resort pools; these are the little things I can’t get enough of. And speaking of not getting enough, it’s only appropriate to start with:
10) Refillable Mugs – You’re telling me that for $18, i can use the same mug to have unlimited soft drinks and coffee? Well, this is one Disney purchase that is not a rip-off. Whereas most hotels have the run-down soda machine in the exterior hallway, Disney allows you the joy of going back to the food court area and slamming liters of your favorite beverage. As an extra bonus, the mugs have turned into collector’s items as they are different every year. Not a fan of sodas or coffee? Bring it to the parks and fill it with water at the fountains. Just don’t be surprised you get the jealous eye from other parents when you bring it to your child’s soccer/baseball/etc. game.
9)”it’s a small world” Final Scene – Technology can be a wonderful thing, especially for out-of-date attractions that need a little pop to keep them from getting too stale. We all know the Magic Bands keep your credit card, room key, park admission and Fast pass information in one accessory. But with your personal information stored as well, the final scene with the little singing dolls is a personalized bit of Disney Magic that you’ll want the camera ready for. In fact, it’s the 2nd best ending of an attraction..
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8) Haunted Mansion Final Scene – …only to be outdone by the final “Hitchhiking Ghost” scene on the Haunted Mansion! Even as a child, I loved the fact that a ghost had hijacked my Doom Buggy and would follow me home. Leave it to Phineas, Ezra and Gus to switch your heads, blow up a balloon in your face or some other crazy antic. But again, now with the personalization of your Magic Band, don’t be surprised if your hometown is mentioned or if you are showered with gifts depending on what you are celebrating at Disney Parks.
7) No gum – Some may find this to be petty but I think it’s genius. If you are a Disney newbie, let me share a very shocking little secret – There is absolutely zero gum sold on any Disney property! Think of all the man hours they have saved pressure washing it off the pavement, finding it under rails and benches and clogging sewage systems. Now if you think that’s random, how about the fact that both Disney World and Disneyland used to have fully operational tobacco shops on Main Street?
6) Welcoming and Saying Goodbye to Guests – Once again, this is an example of how Disney studied their guests and made little changes to how they interacted with them as the day went on. Have you ever noticed how the cast members greet you in the morning? Full of energy, high fives, male cast members bowing low to the younger girls delivering their best “Welcome Princess!” Their energy matches yours as you are ready to conquer the park. Now think about how you were acknowledged after 14-16 hours in the parks after a hot, Florida day. It’s not the energetic “Good Bye” right in your face. Rather, it’s a simple, soft, quiet, “see you real soon” that combines politeness and quietness. The perfect transitions to go along with the moods of the guests.
5) No Planes or Helicopters – On my last trip to Disney World, I was standing in line for food when I heard a sound unlike any other above me. I and about 25 people I was with looked to the skies and there, above us, was a machine being propelled through the air. Now why am I making a big deal about a helicopter flying over? Well when I’m in my neighborhood in Alabama, I expect it because it’s everyday life. But at Disney? You never realize it until you do see one, “There really are zero aircrafts that fly over the parks.” Disney has made strict demands to the government that they want their parks to be escapes from reality and that means it is a “no-fly zone.” What an incredible little touch you may not have ever noticed!
4) Buttons – As Willy Wonka would say, “Button, Button, Who’s got the button?” Disney is always looking for a reason to celebrate and buttons assist perfectly. Cast Members can go the extra mile by wishing someone Happy Birthday. Now if only there was a way to know it was someone’s birthday. What a shocker that you can do this if someone wears a button proclaiming his/her birthday! Simple yet magical. The buttons at Disney are collection items and I once tried to see how many I could wear at one time without cheating. I got up to 4 as I was celebrating my birthday and my anniversary, a family reunion since it was my brother’s family’s first time and I’m Celebrating because we were there on Mother’s Day!
3) Magical Express – I’m assuming most of my readers have flown on an airplane before. So you know the hassle of checking your bags, getting on the planes, finding your bags, finding your transportation, bringing luggage to your room and on and on. The service you get from the Magical Express alone is reason enough to stay at a resort on-campus. Once you check in your bags at your local airport, the hard part is over. All you have to do is fly into Orlando, hop on the bus to Disney, arrive at your resort and begin your vacation. No baggage claim, no getting a rental care, no toting bags to your room, no pressure. The perfect way to start your magical vacation!
2) Seeing the Castle – It’s okay to admit that the moment never gets old. For some, it truly is an emotional moment and we are not going to judge. Odds are you have worked hard for a year (or two) to save up for your vacation. You have completed hours of research to make everything perfect. You did not sleep the night before, knowing you would be at the Magic Kingdom the next day. That’s why seeing the castle is a small moment in and of itself but on a grander stage, it’s the sigh of relief you can give yourself as you say, “I did it!”
Honorable Mention
Mysterious Moving Strollers – After carefully planning where you park it, your stroller moves to an entirely different location! Magical!
Towel Art – Since you need towels to take your baths, you may as well have them twisted into the shape of a swan!
The announcements arriving to the parks – In grand arrival form, the moment the intercom welcomes you to the park of your choice is the moment the butterflies start up in your stomach.
1) Customer Service – There is none better anywhere else! Disney fans will tell you that part of what they pay for is the actual experience with the cast members. If you’ve ever visited a Disney Property, some of your stories to your friends are sure to include the actions of Cast Members who went above and beyond to roll out the red carpet. When I asked my team at Believe Vacations, here are just a sample of responses I got back about the customer service that makes the little things go a long way:
– Giving eye patches to the kids at Caribbean Beach Resort
– When you ask a Cast Member a question, they actually stop what they are doing to speak to you and answer your question with a smile on their face!
– Once my oldest got to turn on the Osborne lights! The Cast Member that picked us to turn the lights on friended me on Facebook and we still keep in touch!
– I have never entered a building, it seems, without whatever button my family may be wearing being recognized and acknowledged by Cast Members.
– It’s pretty usual to receive personalized birthday cards at many character meals, confetti on the table, special desserts, etc.
– When Olaf did not show up with Anna, they called, apologized, and said they would love to make it up to my daughter and sent a stuffed Olaf and a signed picture of Doc McStuffins.
Did we miss anything? What small moments do you look forward to every Disney trip that make every trip much more magical? Leave your comments below and as always, there’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!
