I don’t know about you but I love to make people happy. Going to Walt Disney World® always makes me happy and I like to try and pay that forward. The Cast members always go above and beyond to make every guest feel special, so I try and make sure that the Cast Members who interact with me get the recognition they deserve.
One of the simplest ways to pay it forward for any Disney Employee is to simply go to guest services at the front of the park, and tell one of the workers there about your experience, making sure to mention the cast member by name. For instance “I just wanted to let someone know that ‘Patrick’, working at the Fastpass Return for Thunder Mountain RailRoad, made our day special by …..” 
Another way I try to make things more special for those who are working hard to make my vacation a success, is to print up little business cards that say “Thank you for the extra Pixie Dust” or something similar. I take a picture of something that matches the theme of my card (for instance a Tinkerbelle ornament) and use a fun font. Then I just print several up on my home computer, laminate them and keep them with me in the parks. When I see a Cast member doing something I think is special – even if it is something little, I hand out the cards. The Cast Members get a huge kick out of it, and so do I!
Something as simple as decorating a tip envelope can also make a Cast Member’s Day. I have gotten so much positive feedback from when I decorate my tip envelopes. Waiters and Waitresses enjoy getting the decorated envelopes, as do the “Mousekeepers” in the hotel rooms. Have your children draw on them, scrapbook them or just use stickers. This is also a way to help with the anticipation during the countdown process.
Probably the best way to be a Magical Guest, is to simply say Please and Thank You. So many times this simple courtesy is overlooked. People are in a hurry, children are tired and fussy, and many times the smallest courtesy is appreciated the most.
If you have had a Cast member go far above and beyond for you, contact Disney by going to their guest services email and write a note telling how the experience made you feel. Every time I do this, the response I get from Disney is so heartfelt and appreciative. So many people write to complain, very few write to compliment! I have even gotten a phone call from a Disney Guest Services Manager, thanking me for my nice letter, and asking if they could send me a photo frame. I was later told by yet another cast member, that my letter had been forwarded on and published in a newsletter for Cast Members. It meant so much to all of them that someone recognized their hard work.
Being a Magical Guest makes for a fun and magical vacation for everyone!
Noelle has been a Travel Specialist with Wishing Well Travel since 2012, you can contact her at Noelle at wishingwelltravel.com, find her on Facebook or Request a Quote from her online.
