Traveling Kindness
Ever since I was a child, I have loved going on trips. For many years, I attended an annual conference with my Dad. This trip was typically over Father’s Day weekend and took us to places such as Washington D.C., Denver, Orlando, Vancouver, Dallas, and other cities throughout the US. During these trips, I could join my Dad during business dinners and entertainment. Thinking back on it, I realize I was very lucky (maybe even spoiled). My Dad always took advantage of trips to Orlando, which is what began my love of Disney.
On one of these trips, I remember the longest meal of my life—a seven-course meal. From what I remember, it was good, but I have no recollection of what I had. I was 7 or 8 years old. It was a good experience, and I have not had another meal that long since then. I knew that no matter how long it took, I was expected to be nice, kind, and respectful of everyone.
My daughter and I recently went to Walt Disney World for our second annual father-daughter trip. This trip was different on several levels. One is that she is old enough to hang out with a friend from home who happens to be here, too. That means I get a little downtime and spend time at a friendly watering hole. Also, I am visiting one of my favorite places and should not be worrying about my health, which is easier said than done.
My health aside, for now, I realized why many people (not everyone) enjoy visiting a Disney Destination—it is the kindness of others. I had never realized this kindness until an experience with a bus driver.
I got on his bus, the first resort bus I saw at the Epcot station, and told him I was going to Disney Springs. He said he could take me to Fort Wilderness, and I could transfer to another bus to take me to Disney Springs, OR I could get on the bus to another resort and transfer to Disney Springs. He continued explaining that the other bus should be arriving any minute and would be a much quicker experience with less backtracking. I had never thought about that, he was correct.
As I was on the bus ride to Port Orleans French Quarter and then to Disney Springs, I realized that many guests here enjoy the kindness extended to them by the Cast and guests. We live in extraordinary times, and kindness and love are not always extended to others. Being kind to others is not hard; it is just realizing and accepting that they do not believe the same as you, and that is okay.
Most of us want to be kind in everyday activities but let the ‘me, myself, and I’ attitude take over. During this Disney trip, it was clear to me that people are kinder to others when others are kind to them. Disney has a culture of kindness—maybe more places should adopt a similar culture—just a thought.