Build Community the Disneyland Way

“Hi, did you know that you can buy diapers, baby food and formula at the shop on Main Street?”

This conversation happened on my daughters first visit to Disneyland at only 6 months old. We were sitting at a restaurant eating breakfast when a cast member, aka a Disney employee, approached broom and dust pan in hand.

The last thing I expected this young man to say was an unsolicited suggestion on where I could find essential items I might have forgotten. I think he even told me where there was a place to feed or pump.

Even though I have been going to Disneyland for years I keep being surprised at the level of attention I have been given as a guest of the park.

If you have ever visited Disneyland or just heard someone talk about their visit you know it is a special place. A place that strives to make guests feel welcome, cared for, and catered to during their visit.

You can place that same care on the people in your neighborhood and the various communities you are a member. Let’s call it Disneyland level care.

5 ways you can provide Disneyland level care to your community

Wave at the train
The Disneyland train runs around the perimeter of the park. If you are standing next to a cast member when it passes by you will notice that they smile and wave at the train. It is a small but mighty gesture.

You can add this to your neighborhood. Start waving to your neighbors as they come and go, when you see them on your walk. It will boost your mood and theirs. The more you do it the more likely it spreads through the whole neighborhood.

Keep it clean
Disneyland always have a lot of employees milling around with a broom and a dust pan. Just like the guy in the story above. Their only job isn’t collecting trash, but with the tools to clean in hand they help keep the park extremely tidy. This level of clean subconsciously encourages guests to care for the park in the same way.

When you are out on a walk take time to collect some trash. Set aside some time to go pick up trash at shared spaces. Areas tend to get treated with more care and respect when they are clean. A clean space is more enjoyable and more enjoyment leads to happier neighbors and so on.

Think of everyone
One of the things we love about Disneyland is that they consider my daughter and millions of other kids with different needs. My daughter has a food allergy and the level of care that Disney provides for those families and others.

This is something you can do by asking guests if they are allergic to pets you might have, ask about food allergies, check to see if they drink or are ok if others do around them. Then adjust your plans so everyone feels included.

Imagine the possibilities
Nothing about Disneyland is average. At every turn there is an imaginative solution or a surprising discovery.

Instead of staying in your backyard imagine what possibilities and friendships could arise if you start sitting in your front yard. What would become possible if you organized a neighborhood event, sent postcards from vacation to your neighbors?

Give them something to remember
Memories are the best souvenirs from Disneyland. Those positive memories can make a grey day brighter.

Find ways to make that kind of memory for your neighbors. A bouquet of flowers, (my answer to everything) cocktails on the driveway, a special celebration for the first day of school. Neighbors don’t stay neighbors forever. These memories will travel with them and could even inspire them to take action in their new community.

If you want more ideas on how to take simple steps to build community join us as a Pinwheeler. Our Facebook group talks about ways to cultivate community as well as flowers!

Tuckered out from a big day with The Mouse.