IMHO - Stupid marketing campaign

[lucincia]

I have to say this Year of Million Dreams marketing campaign is pretty stupid.

It gets people's hopes up and when they don't get it, a lot of people feel let down (no matter how much they say they don't care about not getting any dreams). It is only human nature.

The marketing campaign, at its core, is to fail tens of thousands of visitors a day (those who did not get a "dream"). What kind of customer service-oriented company sets out to disappoint majority of their clients on purpose?

And do people really book a Disney vacation this year because they're thinking "oh boy, I may have a chance to win a night in the Castle?"

It's not like Disney has not given out wishes and dreams before. They have been doing it for years and years. Why turn the dream part into a gamble? We have state lotteries and Las Vegas for that.

Please keep in mind that I am just complaining about the marketing campaign itself and the stupid people who thought it up, and not complaining about those of you who won :)

[eliza61]

[QUOTE=lucincia;20552474]It gets people's hopes up and when they don't get it, a lot of people feel let down (no matter how much they say they don't care about not getting any dreams). It is only human nature.

The marketing campaign, at its core, is to fail tens of thousands of visitors a day (those who did not get a "dream"). What kind of customer service-oriented company sets out to disappoint majority of their clients on purpose?

And do people really book a Disney vacation this year because they're thinking "oh boy, I may have a chance to win a night in the Castle?"

It's not like Disney has not given out wishes and dreams before. They have been doing it for years and years. Why turn the dream part into a gamble? We have state lotteries and Las Vegas for that.
[QUOTE]


Because most people should assume just like the lottery, the odds are wininng are small.

I don't blame Disney, I blame us (public at large) and our gimme, gimme, gimme mentality. When you play powerball or mega millions do you really expect to win. NO! you play a few dollars, dream for a while and then get back to reality when you don't win. Why do we go to Disney and then expect that we should win some thing? You see it all the time here on the boards. People post "It's my birthday, anniversary, honeymoon" What can I expect Disney to do for me? When we check into any other resort, do we expect bells and whistles simply because it's our birthday? Should Stevie wonder break out in song? People go to Disney in July and then post, they are mad because the park was crowded. Duh :confused3
People post on the boards when they get an upgrade, next thing you know we get a million post about how every one else is mad because they didn't get a free upgrade.
Don't blame Disney, you are entitled to what you paid for, any thing else is gravy.

[lucincia]

Like you said, a lot of people has this "gimmee gimmee gimmee" attitude. And like you said, people expect all these special treatment simply because they saw/read/heard that it happened to someone else. So, Disney is just throwing oil onto an already burning fire.

Sure most of people out there are greedy me-me-me morons, but does Disney have to go about to make it worse? Does not affect me any, but from purely marketing point of view, it seems stupid to set a lot of people's expectations up and then watch it getting dashed. Once that happens, all other wonderful Disney magic that one would experience on a day-to-day basis (even without this stupid promotion) are tossed out the window. To me, the promotion degrades the real Disney magic that everyone feels when on Disney property. It now turns into guests competing with each other, watching for dream members, and trying to figure out how to get those dreams, ignoring all the other wonder Disney magic in the parks and resorts.

Might as well throw the guests into a Running Man movie set.

[BamaFan121s]

IMO, I don't think the campaign is any worse than any of the others. I actually really enjoy it and am thrilled that it's going to continue for another year.:yay: :yay: But that is just MY opinion. Yes, I have won dreams. On our last trip, we didn't win anything until mid-way through our last day there and we were still thrilled and had a fabulous time.
I think that people are just going with high hopes that they are *assured* to win something and that is not the case. Disney never claimed or made false pretense that everyone who walked through the gate was going to win...if people are upset because they didn't get anything, they have no one to blame but themselves for expecting it to begin with.

I buy lottery tickets from time to time, never really expecting to win. But I don't think that they should put an end to it or that it was a bad idea as a result of me not winning.

And before the dreaded "F" word starts getting thrown around...no, not that F-word...let me just say that I am not trying to drag the OP through the mud or crucify him for expressing an opinion. I respect that opinion, I just happen to disagree with it. Nothing more, nothing less. Hopefully this won't end up like that other thread where it was portrayed that posters were on a head-hunt to sacrifice the OP to the Disney Gods.

[mking624]

This is not the first time Disney has sponsored/ran sweepstakes....they do it rather often. This is merely the first time they've done it on such a large scale. People set themselves up for disappointment...this is not Disney's fault. There wouldn't be an issue if people went realizing that it's a sweepstakes, not a guarantee. When you go in expecting to win something, of course you're going to be disappointed. People have to remember that the chances are rather slim...as with any sweepstakes.

[mking624]

Hopefully this won't end up like that other thread where it was portrayed that posters were on a head-hunt to sacrifice the OP to the Disney Gods.

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: Awww man! I was preparing my sacrifice table too!!! :lmao: :lmao:

[lucincia]

Heck - I own stocks in Disney. My DD8 and DD4 have Disney stocks in their funds. So don't scacrifice me just yet :)

We all agree that visitors are the ones who set themselves up for disappointment. We all agree this not everyone can "win". We all agree that Disney never made any false advertising here. I am just saying from the PR and marketing point of view, this campaign is just bad. Now that they have extended it just means they're too lazy to come up with another marketable campaign. It's just easier to market something Disney has been doing for years, that is, giving out random dreams to random in the park. What's so special about it? Disney has been doing it already!

Then again, if enough people get pissed off, less people will come to the park, which means smaller lines!

[eliza61]

.let me just say that I am not trying to drag the OP through the mud or crucify him for expressing an opinion. I respect that opinion, I just happen to disagree with it. Nothing more, nothing less. Hopefully this won't end up like that other thread where it was portrayed that posters were on a head-hunt to sacrifice the OP to the Disney Gods.


Nah,
I feel the OP's frustration. It seems like we are seeing so many post of folks complaining because they haven't won any thing. :confused3 I'm hoping folks get back to just enjoying their vacations. Nowadays they're so hard to come by. One poor lady posted today that her husband lost his job and his boss called him while they were on vacation at Disney. Kinda puts things in perspective.

[mking624]

I don't know, I guess it's all a matter of opinion. I think it's a fabulous campaign and I don't think it's lazy to extend the campaign rather than do a different one. From my perspective, from the PR & marketing point of view I think it's a great campaign. Obviously it was having enough success to warrant another year of it. I would think that if enough people hated it and complained to them about it, they wouldn't have extended it.

But I'm all for less people at the park! :lmao:

[lucincia]

I don't know, I guess it's all a matter of opinion. I think it's a fabulous campaign and I don't think it's lazy to extend the campaign rather than do a different one. From my perspective, from the PR & marketing point of view I think it's a great campaign. Obviously it was having enough success to warrant another year of it. I would think that if enough people hated it and complained to them about it, they wouldn't have extended it.

But I'm all for less people at the park! :lmao:

We agree to disagree :)

My only dream right now? Make next 31 days go faster so we can get to WDW faster :)

[BamaFan121s]

Nah,
I feel the OP's frustration. It seems like we are seeing so many post of folks complaining because they haven't won any thing. :confused3 I'm hoping folks get back to just enjoying their vacations. Nowadays they're so hard to come by. One poor lady posted today that her husband lost his job and his boss called him while they were on vacation at Disney. Kinda puts things in perspective.

Oh I know! That was horrible!:guilty:

[BamaFan121s]

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: Awww man! I was preparing my sacrifice table too!!! :lmao: :lmao:

Sadly, that's how people tried to portray it....but I'm sure if you post something about pool hopping or keeping your butt planted on the bus, someone will be glad to make THAT dream a reality!:rotfl2:

[sticker231]

we didn't get a night in the castle the last two trips this years, so I am trying again in October. What a sucker I am for a good marketing campaign. If it isn't this time I will probably stop going to WDW.:sad2:

[mazdabug]

I think the first poster saw alot of dreams given out on there last trip. And did not receive anything.
Most people do not even have the money to go to WDW at all. Yet others go 1,2,3 or More times a year. Plus the average person really does not know what they are giving away anyways. They are just there for the fun. It is Diser`s like us, who know the in and outs of the whole promotion. Then they are very disappointed when they win nothing.
Just be happy you are going. I know i am.:yay:

[Andyjo0930]

Do you know how many people walk through those gates and don't even know this is going on??? We were just there and I heard people talking when they saw dream fast passes around people's neck and had no idea that disney was running this promotion. My own family had no clue (my sister is our travel agent and she made all the arrangements), so our husbands and our mother had no clue that this promotion was even going on. For anyone to actually get "upset" because they didn't win a dream is just plain silly.

[maxiesmom]

If you book a trip to Disney World just because of the promotion, expecting to win something, then you are the stupid one. Not Disney. If you go to the parks expecting to win something, and then are upset because you didn't, you only have yourself to blame.

My dad and I were thisclose to Dream Fastpasses last year. We rode Splash Mountain with a nice woman and her young son. We talked about how we were going to ride Big Thunder Mountain next. Well, my dad changed his mind, and we didn't ride. We ran into the same lady later and it turns out they were handing out Dream Fastpasses as you entered BTM. Was I upset? Yeah, for about 3 seconds. Then I let it go and went on to enjoying my day.

All of the dreams handed out are bonuses. It is not a given you will win anything. And if people are so thick that they can't understand that, then they are only making themselves miserable.

[lucincia]

I think the first poster saw alot of dreams given out on there last trip. And did not receive anything.
Most people do not even have the money to go to WDW at all. Yet others go 1,2,3 or More times a year. Plus the average person really does not know what they are giving away anyways. They are just there for the fun. It is Diser`s like us, who know the in and outs of the whole promotion. Then they are very disappointed when they win nothing.
Just be happy you are going. I know i am.:yay:

You're wrong here - this is where people assume too much. I never, ever said I am jealous of people getting dreams. I have yet to go to WDW for leisure during this promotion period. Last time I went in March of this year was for business and we only went to DTD at night time to hit the night clubs, and did not see any dream stuff (was not paying attention to it). My comment is basically coming from what I have read on this board.

Yes, it is very easy to turn someone who post anything negative into a villain.

[lucincia]

It's amazing that people keep taking a thread and moving back into the standard response - "If they expect dreams and upset not getting them they are the only ones to blame."

We all have agreed those people are idiots. We all have agreed that we, ourselves, the posters on here, of how enlightened we are and we will never fall into such dispair of hellish jealousy.

The thing is the marketing campaign set the lofty desires, flaunt the dreams in front of non-winning guests, and then some people getting upset.

I like it better in the past when it's just random dreams given out to random people, unannounced, year in and year out. It's like Disney doing a marketing promotion stating "You will have a chance to meet a Disney character in one of our theme parks!" *duh* You have been doing that already.

[kaytieeldr]

And do people really book a Disney vacation this year because they're thinking "oh boy, I may have a chance to win a night in the Castle?" Well, there’s a HUGE difference between “I may have a chance to win” and “I will”. But the same is true of ALL sweepstakes. Everybody who enters and is eligible under the rules (which are governed by the laws of the country in which the sweepstakes is run) may have a chance to win a prize.

From purely a marketing point of view – the purpose of marketing being to increase sales of your product, and Disney’s “product” being the theme parks and resorts – it’s extremely successful.

I am just saying from the PR and marketing point of view, this campaign is just bad. Now that they have extended it just means they're too lazy to come up with another marketable campaign. It’s not bad, it’s good. It’s working. Attendance at the parks is up. And extending it isn’t lazy – the promotion is working, why NOT extend it? Double the number of Guests who may win?


we didn't get a night in the castle the last two trips this years, so I am trying again in October. What a sucker I am for a good marketing campaign. If it isn't this time I will probably stop going to WDW. Now, see, I wasn’t going back after this year because, well, it’s time to try new places. But if Disney’s going to keep giving away nights in the Castle, sign me up for another trip!


The thing is the marketing campaign set the lofty desires, flaunt the dreams in front of non-winning guests, and then some people getting upset. You could say the same for Powerball or MegaMillions or any nationally-run, nationally advertised contest. Off the top of my head, I can’t remember the contest but I saw an ad last week that said, “Many will enter, one will win”. Now, if THAT doesn’t make winning a desirable goal (for some, not, obviously, for me :teeth: ) or set up the losing entrants for disappointment, I don’t know what does. Lofty desires? President of the United States. Hundreds, if not thousands, aspire to this goal in their lives. Only one – every four years – will win. One Guest every NIGHT wins a stay in the Castle.

[lucincia]

So, some of you actually book a WDW vacation in the hopes that you win something, i.e. night in the castle?

Heck, for $5000 in vacation cost, I can go stay in a real castle in Scotland for less, and for longer period of time :)

I know, I know, it's not Disney :)

[lucincia]

Well, I guess the marketing is working for some people - as they are planning their trips in hopes of getting some "dreams". Personally, I never viewed planning Disney trips as that way. Just going to Disney is crazy, I mean, magical enough.

Also, another logic I do not follow from some of you - Since some of you are saying a lot of people going to WDW these days don't even know the promotion is going on, how can the promotion itself be a factor in the increased attendance?

[BamaFan121s]

It's amazing that people keep taking a thread and moving back into the standard response - "If they expect dreams and upset not getting them they are the only ones to blame."


That is because it is very easy concept to grasp...for some. There is an even simpler concept...if it upsets people that much, don't go.:rolleyes1

Just like if I buy a lottery ticket, expecting to win and then get genuinely upset if I don't, that's my fault.

I've actually seen some people (on here and in person) complain because they won something, but it wasn't what they wanted to win. The "dreams" given out vary from large to as small as a certificate or free ice cream or experience. But alot of people don't like those...they want the big prizes...the castle stay, the fastpasses.... If THAT isn't setting yourself up for disappointment, I don't know what is!

[CoPirate]

sorry but GOING to Disney is the 'prize'. Its not a right, its a privledge. And its possible if people werent so concerned with hunting down the dream squad, they'd realize magical moments are happening all around them.

Many people just cant afford to go to Disney, and its really upsetting to me when people who can afford multiple lifetime trips, come on and complain that theyre not getting enough free stuff.

You want magic? Make it happen for yourself and your children and then be pleasantly surprised if Disney does one for you.

[lucincia]

That is because it is very easy concept to grasp...for some. There is an even simpler concept...if it upsets people that much, don't go.:rolleyes1

Just like if I buy a lottery ticket, expecting to win and then get genuinely upset if I don't, that's my fault.

I have yet to meet someone who is upset that he/she did not win lottery. I think most sane people know that you have a better chance of getting hit by a lightning than winning a lottery like Powerball.

But I keep reading things on here about people getting disappointed (even if for a few seconds) about seeing other people getting dreams and not them. That's what got me thinking.

Again, my main point is that, to me, the marketing campaign is a silly one. I expected better things out of imagination of Disney (or should I say, Pixar, now ....)

I know that we all agree that people should not expect anything from this marketing, should just enjoy themselves, and we agree to disagree on the value of this marketing campaign. This thread is just spinning in circle and I am just bored at work ....

[BamaFan121s]

This thread is just spinning in circle and I am just bored at work ....

Me too!:banana:

I've never seen anyone get upset over not winning the lottery either--that's my point. I guess it's just safe to say that like all campaigns, some are going to like it, some aren't. I didn't really care for that last promotion 25 yrs or something? When the gold was put on the castle...?

[kaytieeldr]

So, some of you actually book a WDW vacation in the hopes that you win something, i.e. night in the castle?
Nope. In all seriousness, I book a trip to Disney because, well, it's Disney World. I've been going since LONG before the Year(s) of a Million Dreams, and the end or not of this promotion will not be what changes my travel plans.

[lucincia]

sorry but GOING to Disney is the 'prize'. Its not a right, its a privledge. And its possible if people werent so concerned with hunting down the dream squad, they'd realize magical moments are happening all around them.

Many people just cant afford to go to Disney, and its really upsetting to me when people who can afford multiple lifetime trips, come on and complain that theyre not getting enough free stuff.

You want magic? Make it happen for yourself and your children and then be pleasantly surprised if Disney does one for you.

This is my point exactly. We know some people are idiots who cry and whine about not getting "free stuff". "We didn't get an upgrade" "We didn't get towel animals" "We didn't get a dream fastpass".

Can't fix stupid people.

But, from marketing point of view, why use this campaign then?

1) Many people have said, a lot of people don't even realize this campaign is going on. So, why have it?

2) The few who knows fall into two categories - the ones who know going to Disney is THE magic in itself and the ones who feel that they're robbed if they don't get the "free stuff".

So, why alienate your clients, idiots and non-idiots alike? They all have wallets and they all feed the Mouse.

I just want to go on the record that my dream for our upcoming trip is to get our younger DD onto a ride other than It's a Small World. Two years ago, that was the only ride she rode over and over again for a whole week. OMG. Someone save me.

[kaytieeldr]

1) Many people have said, a lot of people don't even realize this campaign is going on. So, why have it?


1) A lot of people do realize it's going on, and a lot of those are visiting Walt Disney World, or Disneyland, specifically because of the marketing and the program
2) Of the Guests who arrive without prior awareness, once they get there and realize something special is happening, then of course they want to win something too.

[lucincia]

1) A lot of people do realize it's going on, and a lot of those are visiting Walt Disney World, or Disneyland, specifically because of the marketing and the program
2) Of the Guests who arrive without prior awareness, once they get there and realize something special is happening, then of course they want to win something too.

The dream giveaway is the basis for the marketing campaign that puts the Disney brand and awareness out in front of people and get them thinking to go to WDW. But do people go because of Disney brand or because of the giveaway?

Now if the campaign is just for brand awareness and putting the Disney brand in front of people, then the giveaway is just a crutch. No better than any other sweepstakes out there. Again, I say, Disney is too lazy to come up with something different, something more Disney. I guess after their anniversary celebration couple years ago, they have to let their marketing agency have a break.

[CoPirate]

2) The few who knows fall into two categories - the ones who know going to Disney is THE magic in itself and the ones who feel that they're robbed if they don't get the "free stuff".

I talk to a lot of people while I'm at Disney. Ive never once in the past year (and thats probably around 50 times to the world) heard someone complaining they hadnt won something. The only things I consistantly hear complaints about is how hot it is, how expensive it is and how crowded it is.

People are aware of the 'Year of a Million Dreams' but they dont book vacations banking on winning a dream. They go to Disney because going IS a dream come true. They push the YOMD brochures in your hotel pack, on signs, etc. Anyone currently 'planning' a trip to Disney is aware (those who dont plan... well forget winning, their vaca will be a struggle)

The only people ive heard complain, have been people on these boards.

'Just back no dreams'
'1 week In Disney, no dreams won' etc

Guess what? Ive been to Disney World 50 times in the past year and havent won 1 dream. Heck, i havent even been behind or in front of people that won. We get to the parks early, we stay late we just havent been in the right place at the right time. Is it a biggie? nope.

I just dont get why you're even spending time thinking about it if you feel like I do. Who cares about other people? There are people who 'get it' about disney and people who dont. Let the ones who dont 'waste their money' and be miserable. I feel I get my moneys worth of dreams and then some.

Ive read about people who won a night in the castle and REFUSED it because they thought disney was trying to sell them DVC. You can lead a horse to water but you cant make him drink.

[lucincia]

Why I think about it? Intellectual (or someone may put it - unintellectual) exercise? Bored at work? Trying to get people like you to post? :)

It is true the only people who whine about it seem to be on this board only. At the parks, I am too busy chasing after my kids to talk to other people.

I am not sure why you get so worked out about it. I am not whining about winners. I am not whining about non winners. I am just wondering the effectiveness of the marketing campaign as it is. Nobody should get so worked up over it.

[BamaFan121s]

Ive been to Disney World 50 times in the past year and havent won 1 dream.

50 times in a year!?! Heck...that IS my dream!:cloud9: Will you adopt me?

[lucincia]

50 times in a year!?! Heck...that IS my dream!:cloud9: Will you adopt me?

I started the thread. I get first dib. You get back in line.

[grannyminnie]

I started the thread. I get first dib. You get back in line.

:rotfl2:

[CoPirate]

lol see thats why I can afford to go 50 times a year. NO KIDS! lol

[CoPirate]

Why I think about it? Intellectual (or someone may put it - unintellectual) exercise? Bored at work? Trying to get people like you to post? :)

It is true the only people who whine about it seem to be on this board only. At the parks, I am too busy chasing after my kids to talk to other people.

I am not sure why you get so worked out about it. I am not whining about winners. I am not whining about non winners. I am just wondering the effectiveness of the marketing campaign as it is. Nobody should get so worked up over it.

I get what you're saying, but there is no solution. Some people will be dissasisfied no matter what. If its the year of a million dreams or with the quality of their burger at chilis or how often their friend calls them or whatever. People love to complain and point out how someone else got treatment they didnt. And after spending 1200-5000$$$ on a trip people tend to feel entitled. So if THAT family got a dream, they DESERVE one too! its people on vacation. For further research please view National Lampoons Vacation. ;)

Sorry folks, park's closed. Moose out front shoulda told ya.

[mking624]

1) Many people have said, a lot of people don't even realize this campaign is going on. So, why have it?
I'm not trying to be rude, so please don't take it as such, but that kind of reasoning is rather illogical. No matter what campaign Disney does, there will always be someone who isn't aware of what's going on. So then why not take the reasoning to the extreme and say to heck with ANY campaign. After all, why have it if there's someone out there who doesn't know it's going on? Just because someone isn't aware of a campaign doesn't mean that it shouldn't exist.

2) The few who knows fall into two categories - the ones who know going to Disney is THE magic in itself and the ones who feel that they're robbed if they don't get the "free stuff".
Where are we getting the numbers that only a "few people" know? For all we know, the majority of people do know.

So, why alienate your clients, idiots and non-idiots alike? They all have wallets and they all feed the Mouse.
Disney isn't alienating anyone. The people are doing it to themselves. Right now The Disney Store is running a sweepstakes for a trip to WDW and DL. We've had several people enter since the sweepstakes began. Should DIsney be blamed for "alienation" if the guests from our store don't win? After all, they walked into our store and were made aware of the sweepstakes (since the entry box is at our registers, we have a sign right by our tickets announcing the sweepstakes, and we have flyers we put into our bags that talk about the sweepstakes). Or do we take it for what it's worth: simply a chance to win? This isn't Disney alienating anyone. You've even agreed with us that people have only themselves to blame if they expect to win. If you agree to that, then you also must take that to its logical conclusion...that Disney isn't alienating anyone when people create their own disappointment. If we're going to talk about alienation, then we should discuss things that are outside of this campaign: alienating children for having height restrictions, alienating pregnant women or those with health issues, or brunettes & blondes for pirates shouting out "we want the redhead!" (I don't feel alienated there...I AM a redhead :lmao:). Of course those are silly examples, but I'm just making a point that anyone can feel "alienated" about anything, but that doesn't mean that it's Disney's fault or that the campaign isn't effective. It clearly IS effective otherwise they wouldn't be seeing park attendance increase (this past quarter had a 15% increase in attendance then the same quarter last year...during the Happiest Celebration campaign).

Even before this campaign began or was even announced, there were people with a sense of entitlement..."I wasn't given a free upgrade! I wasn't given a free this or that...etc etc etc!" The campaign has nothing to do with it. Those attitudes will be there regardless of a campaign.

[lucincia]

Even before this campaign began or was even announced, there were people with a sense of entitlement..."I wasn't given a free upgrade! I wasn't given a free this or that...etc etc etc!" The campaign has nothing to do with it. Those attitudes will be there regardless of a campaign.

My point exactly here. Why make this attitude worse? Rude and me-me-me people are already out there, why make it worse for them? What does this campaign accomplish? Yes, it's brand awareness. But there are better way to do it without giving these self-entitled people more fuel to throw onto the fire.

Please keep in mind that these people do not annoy me :) I go to Disney for the sake of my kids and see their eyes light up. I am just slightly annoyed that Disney doesn't have the imagination to come up with more original branding campaign.

What's next - The Year of Million Character Meets

[the4princesses]

I think the first poster saw alot of dreams given out on there last trip. And did not receive anything.
Most people do not even have the money to go to WDW at all. Yet others go 1,2,3 or More times a year. Plus the average person really does not know what they are giving away anyways. They are just there for the fun. It is Diser`s like us, who know the in and outs of the whole promotion. Then they are very disappointed when they win nothing.
Just be happy you are going. I know i am.:yay:

We are so very happy to go!!We are counting down!!
Please read our pre-trip!!
Thank you,
Kathy:flower3:

[the4princesses]

:flower3: :flower3: Do you know how many people walk through those gates and don't even know this is going on??? We were just there and I heard people talking when they saw dream fast passes around people's neck and had no idea that disney was running this promotion. My own family had no clue (my sister is our travel agent and she made all the arrangements), so our husbands and our mother had no clue that this promotion was even going on. For anyone to actually get "upset" because they didn't win a dream is just plain silly.

That's so true, We can't wait to get to WDW.
We will be at POP Sept. 22-OCt. 1
Counting down the day's!!
Read our pre-trip report!!
Thank you,
Kathy
:flower3:

[the4princesses]

:eek: 50 times in a year!?! Heck...that IS my dream!:cloud9: Will you adopt me?


50 times???? You got to be kidding!!!:dance3: Where do you get the money for so many trips???? Can I get in line to be adopted???:rotfl2:
HAHAHAHA!! Kathy:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[mking624]

My point exactly here. Why make this attitude worse? Rude and me-me-me people are already out there, why make it worse for them? What does this campaign accomplish? Yes, it's brand awareness. But there are better way to do it without giving these self-entitled people more fuel to throw onto the fire.

Please keep in mind that these people do not annoy me :) I go to Disney for the sake of my kids and see their eyes light up. I am just slightly annoyed that Disney doesn't have the imagination to come up with more original branding campaign.

What's next - The Year of Million Character Meets
But see you're missing my point...that it doesn't matter if the campaign exists or not. If the campaign didn't exist, those attitudes would still be there. So why NOT have the campaign? Stupid people will still be stupid people, but that doesn't mean you can't give out these prizes to all the others. I just don't understand why there's so much focus on the negative people. There are far MORE people who just enjoy WDW for what it is. Someone even posted they never heard one complaint while there. So why focus everything and determine an entire campaign based on the relatively few complaints we read only on this board? I mean that's fine not to care for the campaign, but I do think that WDW would be a rather miserable place if they just did everything just to appease the negative people.

As far as originality....the 50th Celebration wasn't exactly original either...it was just moving already existing attractions around to other parks in celebration of an anniversary that was already known. The upcoming rededication of Epcot is not exactly original since Epcot will be what is has been and it's a known anniversary that was bound to happen. I'm not complaining about either of these things, I think both ideas were/are rather nifty. But really, nothing in this world is completely original anymore...it's just taking an already existing idea or method and expanding upon it.

[mking624]

:eek:


50 times???? You got to be kidding!!!:dance3: Where do you get the money for so many trips???? Can I get in line to be adopted???:rotfl2:
HAHAHAHA!! Kathy:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
My guess (and it's only a guess) is that the poster lives relatively close and owns an annual pass. :) In about 9 months or so, DH and I are moving to Gainesville, FL...and you can guarantee we'll be there about as often too! :wizard:

[the4princesses]

::cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :dance3: My guess (and it's only a guess) is that the poster lives relatively close and owns an annual pass. :) In about 9 months or so, DH and I are moving to Gainesville, FL...and you can guarantee we'll be there about as often too! :wizard:

That's wonderful! I'm happy for you all!!
We just can't wait to gooooo!!:cool1: counting down the days!!
Have a wonderful day!!
Kathy:cheer2:

[LuvsEpcot]

Nah,
One poor lady posted today that her husband lost his job and his boss called him while they were on vacation at Disney. Kinda puts things in perspective.

We planned our first big family Disney trip in 1992. This was to be an awesome vacation with our daughters then 9 & 4. We planned to stay 8 days and my husband was so excited. He wanted the girls to be able to do the horseback riding and buy them anything they wanted (within reason of course :) ). He just didn't want to have to be on a budget. We had saved and paid for the vacation in advance, so we were ready to have fun. We arrived late the first day so we went to bed early to prepare for an early morning rope-drop and take in all that Disney had to offer. The next morning while getting ready to hit the parks, the Contemporary Hotel (yes, we went in style :cool1: ) room phone rings, it's a coworker calling to tell us that the aircraft maintenance shop they both worked at had just closed the doors and wished them all good luck...at that moment our world came to an utterly and complete halt. My husband just sat on the side of the bed in shock. I called the front desk to see if there was any way that we could get a refund on the vacation telling them what had just happened. They apologized profusely but weren't able to refund, so we decided since it was completely paid for that we would make the most out of it. Who knew when or if we would ever be back??? We had to be very careful with our food budget, but did allow the girls to pick out a special souvenir to remember the trip by. It was amazing they didn't want anything that was expensive at all.

Now it's 2007 and that was the best thing that could have happened to us. My husband went back to school, it was tough, but we managed, he has his Masters and is working for a government agency and absolutely loves it. Life truly does come full circle. During the "school years" we returned to Disney numerous times on a strict budget of course, but nevertheless we did it. It was too important for us to return to Disney and erase that life altering day. Boy have we ever erased it!!! :woohoo:

[kikiq]

I like it better in the past when it's just random dreams given out to random people, unannounced, year in and year out. It's like Disney doing a marketing promotion stating "You will have a chance to meet a Disney character in one of our theme parks!" *duh* You have been doing that already.

While I disagree with you, I have to tell you about a very special meeting that happened to my niece at Disneyland this last weekend. She is 6 yrs old and wants to be jack Sparrow for halloween. She and I had spent 30 minutes on Pirate's Lair on Saturday "looking for treasure". She went back on Sunday with my daughter to find more treasure because she "knew" that there was more treasure there. While she was playing on huge treasure pile, I had called my daughter to "bring her in" for drinks and a nap. So they were were headed for the rafts when Jack Sparrow came up behind my daughter and took her water and 2 swords. My niece yells, "He STOLE your water and my swords." For the next 10 minutes, he talked with her and they had a swordfight on the treasure pile. My daughter noticed that there were no other kids around, only 6 cms, a "suit" (I mean who wears a suit when it's 100 degrees) and a photopass photographer. Then as suddenly as Jack Sparrow appeared, my niece remembered that we were waiting for her and took off, leaving the 6 cms, the "suit", the photopass photographer and Jack Sparrow standing there. So maybe we didn't get fastpasses, lanyards, ears or the DVC...but we think from a casual conversation with a cm early in the morning, my niece got her dream to meet Jack Sparrow...after all, according to her, she's his BIGGEST FAN.

I've read stories about little girls getting to spend time with their special princess...how about a little GIRL spending time with Jack Sparrow.
I think it's a marketing campaign to restore more of the Disney magic...to remind cms and guests that sprinkling some pixie dust will make someone's day.

[MNWDWMANIAC]

I can tell you that we aren't going because of the YOAMD. We are going because we love Disney. If my children get lucky to have something EXTRA happen then thats wonderful. If nothing happens it won't impact our trip in a bad way what so ever.

I'm not buying a ticket in a lottery. I'm paying to enjoy WDW.

YOAMD dreams doesn't change that simple fact in the least.

[Flametamr]

I guess I'm one of the people that are being called stupid or dumb here. I felt very disappointed about the YOMD game. Was it too much to hope my daughter got a free set of 2 dollar ears or maybe a fast pass just to wear even if it was not used. No she did not hit the Disney lottery. She was left out of the fun and good feelings. She spent the whole week hoping and seeing others get dreams. Leaving me to try and explain why we were not chosen.

The person who dreamed up such a stupid ad campain must really be a sadist. They came up with something that cost Disney almost nothing in real money besides advertising it and makes thousands of loyal patrons feel left out.

The final straw was when I saw who won the Castle suite one day. It was a family from Celebration Florida. I thought Disney employees and family were excluded from promotions such as this. I guess not.

I think it would have been better if they would have done something to reward people who are loyal and visit every year. It would be simple to put a code on your reservation and have you go to city hall for your surprise gift. Maybe you could get a better prize each year.

Just for the record I do not expect things for free. But I did pay a lot of money to visit Disney only to feel slighted. It's not the money, it is the principal of how it is handled. Maybe I need to start looking for a new place to go on vacation.

[2BusyPlanning]

The final straw was when I saw who won the Castle suite one day. It was a family from Celebration Florida. I thought Disney employees and family were excluded from promotions such as this. I guess not.

Just because they live in Celebration doesn't mean they work for Disney. :confused3 I have a few friends that live there and they do not work for Disney. They also spend a lot of money when they visit WDW. Doesn't everyone?

[inkkognito]

I know the people who won from Celebration. Not sure why it would annoy anyone that locals win. They are just like anybody else...don't work for Disney, pay good money to get into the park, etc. It was a matter of being in the right place at the right time. And better yet, they had their neighbors join them with their children...very, very sweet of them to share the dream. I'm from Celebration, too, and I sure wouldn't feel one whit of guilt to win a dream...not sure why I should be different from anyone who lives anywhere else.

[BabyPiglet]

Wow, I think it's a pretty blanket statement to say people who go this time of year are expecting a stay in the castle.

I didn't even know what YOAMD was when I booked this trip.

It's people that go to WDW expecting prizes [and they don't get them] that say things like this.

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

I understand how OP (and lots others) feel. I, too, was a little disappointed when we didn't win ANYTHING. I'm not saying it was a big deal because in the whole scheme of life, not winning a "dream" prize is miniscule.

But, I just read a post that someone won FOUR dream prizes in one trip. That just seems so unfair. Oh well.

Here's to hoping for our November trip!:wizard:

[kaytieeldr]

I've never seen anyone get upset over not winning the lottery either I don't know how old she is, but maybe you could give her a simple explanation about 'sweepsstakes' and 'contests'? Without going through all the calculations again, an average of about 250 people per day per park will likely win a Year of a Million Dreams prize from the Dream Team - out of the normal 25,000+ Guests in that park that day.

The person who dreamed up such a stupid ad campain must really be a sadist. They came up with something that cost Disney almost nothing in real money besides advertising it and makes thousands of loyal patrons feel left out. Well, there are two ways of looking at it - glass-half-empty: "Oh, poor me, why did THEY win and I didn't?"; and glass-half-full: "Oh, cool! Another YoaMD winner. Lucky them!". As for costing almost nothing in 'real' money? Well, aside from the mult-million dollar advertising campaign, the total approximate retail value of ALL the prizes in the YoaMD Giveaway is $17,412,477.

The final straw was when I saw who won the Castle suite one day. It was a family from Celebration Florida. I thought Disney employees and family were excluded from promotions such as this. I guess not. That Disney owns Celebration in NO way means the town's residents are employed by Disney. I'm relatively certain that pretty much NO Cast Member can afford to live in Celebration.

[maxiesmom]

I guess I'm one of the people that are being called stupid or dumb here. I felt very disappointed about the YOMD game. Was it too much to hope my daughter got a free set of 2 dollar ears or maybe a fast pass just to wear even if it was not used. No she did not hit the Disney lottery. She was left out of the fun and good feelings. She spent the whole week hoping and seeing others get dreams. Leaving me to try and explain why we were not chosen.

The person who dreamed up such a stupid ad campain must really be a sadist. They came up with something that cost Disney almost nothing in real money besides advertising it and makes thousands of loyal patrons feel left out.

The final straw was when I saw who won the Castle suite one day. It was a family from Celebration Florida. I thought Disney employees and family were excluded from promotions such as this. I guess not.

I think it would have been better if they would have done something to reward people who are loyal and visit every year. It would be simple to put a code on your reservation and have you go to city hall for your surprise gift. Maybe you could get a better prize each year.

Just for the record I do not expect things for free. But I did pay a lot of money to visit Disney only to feel slighted. It's not the money, it is the principal of how it is handled. Maybe I need to start looking for a new place to go on vacation.

Why did you feel slighted? They do not state anywhere that every single person who enters their parks will win something. If the $2 Mickey ears were so important to your daughter, couldn't you have purchased them?

This is supposed to be a fun thing. You might be one of the lucky ones who win something neat! It is very sad that so many people have turned this into something bad, that the only way they would like this promotion would be for Disney to guarantee them they will win. Do you buy a lottery ticket expecting to hit the big one, and then get mad when you don't?

If you don't feel the magic just being at Disney World then I agree with you. You need to find someplace else to vacation, you are missing the whole joy of being at Disney.

[Flametamr]

"the total approximate retail value of ALL the prizes in the YoaMD Giveaway is $17,412,477"

That figure has nothing to do with real value. It is like saying a fast pass is worth $5.00. You can set a value to anything but that does not make it real. The vast majority of people are only getting fast passes or certificates for something silly. I guess if I had gotten to blow the whistle on the train Disney could say that was worth a hundred bucks and put it on the list of dreams given.

Call me whatever you want but I think this was an ill concieved ad and has offended many more than it has pleased. No one likes being left out. It's kind of like buying a meal and being told you were not chosen to have a drink. Maybe if some people were not so selfish and had declined the smaller dreams since they had gotten them the past 3 days there might have been more to go around. Why does Disney only pass out dreams from 9-1030 am ? Some people have trouble getting into the parks that early for medical reasons. For me all it would have taken was a free fast pass for just one day and I would have been happy. I never even considered getting a real gift with actual value like the caste suite or the DVC thing.

In my opinion Disney wasted millions of dollars to make a few people feel good and alienate many others. The money could have been better spent building new rides.

[Flametamr]

Why did you feel slighted? They do not state anywhere that every single person who enters their parks will win something. If the $2 Mickey ears were so important to your daughter, couldn't you have purchased them?

This is supposed to be a fun thing. You might be one of the lucky ones who win something neat! It is very sad that so many people have turned this into something bad, that the only way they would like this promotion would be for Disney to guarantee them they will win. Do you buy a lottery ticket expecting to hit the big one, and then get mad when you don't?

If you don't feel the magic just being at Disney World then I agree with you. You need to find someplace else to vacation, you are missing the whole joy of being at Disney.


I could have purchased them if they were for sale. It was the point of walking around day after day seeing everyone else with Dreams and never getting any of our own. Maybe we just have incredibly bad luck.

[lucincia]

I understand how OP (and lots others) feel. I, too, was a little disappointed when we didn't win ANYTHING. I'm not saying it was a big deal because in the whole scheme of life, not winning a "dream" prize is miniscule.:wizard:

Please note - I am the OP and I have not been to WDW since the current marketing campaign started (so I did not start the thread because I was envious) :). I was just pointing out how stupid the marketing campaign is when it is doing the exactly the same thing that Disney has been doing all the past years, giving out random dreams to random people.

Marketing got lazy.

Now, you may say this marketing campaign is a success because the park attendance is up. I would like to disagree. Park attendance is up because US dollar is down against all foreign currencies, thus, taking the words from the South Carolina Miss Teen USA, "U.S. Americans" are spending vacation money here in the States. Meanwhile, foreigners, with their higher valued currencies, are coming to the US to vacation. These are some of the main reasons why WDW's attendance is up. It's not because of this silly marketing campaign. I mean, most people even admit they go to Disney no matter what, doesn't matter the promotion. So, why do a promotion that brings nothing extra positive to the income statement, but have the potential of alienating some clients?

People here keep defending Disney saying that 1) it is a great promotion 2) we're going not because of the promotion 3) it is such a great promotion 4) oh yeah, we're happy other people won and we didn't but we didn't go to WDW because of the promotion so it's okay 5) this is such a wonderful promotion 6) why are you guys so envious of winners - you are such losers, etc etc etc.

So, a marketing campaign that people don't care about, does not change the way people spend their vacation money (it's already been decided), a lot of people admit they don't even know the promotion exists, and even those people who knew most say they go to WDW no matter what the promotion (my family included) - why even have the marketing campaign then?

Again, marketing got lazy.

I am not envious of those who won - since I have not been to the park. I am just viewing it from the marketing point of view.

[mazdabug]

I'm so upset about not winning anything that i will never go anywhere again. Because alot of places i go they have random drawing and i never win.
Give me a frigging brake. You people whining over not winning anything is so sad. If you think just because you been 5 to 10 or more time means you are going to increase your odds :rotfl2: . Whatever, lord don`t buy a lottery ticket. You may not win because the person who spent more than you will win not you.
I go to Disney to have fun and be a kid again not to win anything. People need to stop getting themselves and there kids so hyped up about YOAMD. Get over it you didn`t win a damn thing so what.
Just be happy you can afford to go. Alot of people cannot afford to go to a local fair much less than WDW.

[MNWDWMANIAC]

I guess I'm one of the people that are being called stupid or dumb here. I felt very disappointed about the YOMD game. Was it too much to hope my daughter got a free set of 2 dollar ears or maybe a fast pass just to wear even if it was not used. No she did not hit the Disney lottery. She was left out of the fun and good feelings. She spent the whole week hoping and seeing others get dreams. Leaving me to try and explain why we were not chosen.

Are you kidding me? I honestly can't believe that you're daughter was left out of fun and good feelings at WDW :sad2: it sounds to me more like you let something trivial and unrelated to the whole purpose of WDW get you in a rotten mood and your daughter was left to deal with you.

It's something extra.

The person who dreamed up such a stupid ad campain must really be a sadist. They came up with something that cost Disney almost nothing in real money besides advertising it and makes thousands of loyal patrons feel left out.

In the past were you upset that families were chosen to open the park, ride rides with characters, given free things like ice cream, room upgrades etc before they tagged and made an actual "campaign"? If you believe this campaign costs nothing then I suggest you do a bit more research. Evey time they send a pin/lanyard out in the mail the postage is something like 5 dollars. Every time a pair of ears has been sent the postage hits seven. I would honestly think that a "loyal patron" would have a better grasp of what the magic of Disney is all about.

The final straw was when I saw who won the Castle suite one day. It was a family from Celebration Florida. I thought Disney employees and family were excluded from promotions such as this. I guess not.

This statement gives me clear insight into how little you as a "loyal patron" of Disney seem to know. Celebration has nothing to do with people working for Disney or even their families. Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts placekicker & four-time Super Bowl Champion as well as Michael Jordan, former Chicago Bulls basketball player have homes in Celebration. I highly doubt they are secretly working as CM's

I think it would have been better if they would have done something to reward people who are loyal and visit every year. It would be simple to put a code on your reservation and have you go to city hall for your surprise gift. Maybe you could get a better prize each year.

So you want something for nothing based on the fact that you are visiting Disney every year? Like the majority of people who visit Disney I might add.......

Just for the record I do not expect things for free. But I did pay a lot of money to visit Disney only to feel slighted. It's not the money, it is the principal of how it is handled. Maybe I need to start looking for a new place to go on vacation.

I like this last line best. You say it's not the money:rolleyes: ... but in the sentence just before this statement you say "But I did pay a lot of money"


WHINE WHINE WHINE We're going to WDW for WDW. For the fun, magic and good times. If someone's family wins the caste while i'm standing close enough to see them I would be in heaven just seeing their happiness. We plan to do some extra magical things for guest s during our time in the park as well. WDW is the dream. Being there is the happiness.

[kaytieeldr]

Call me whatever you want but I think this was an ill concieved ad and has offended many more than it has pleased. No one likes being left out. It's kind of like buying a meal and being told you were not chosen to have a drink. No, it's not like that at all. Year of a Million Dreams is a Sweepstakes and a Promotion. NOT EVERY PERSON WHO ENTERS CAN WIN, whether "entry" means via postcard or via being in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. Let me repeat that, in case somebody missed it: NOT EVERY PERSON WHO ENTERS CAN WIN.
We can't make it any clearer than this.
The Guest who sets themselves, or their child, up for disappointmentment by EXPECTING to win something will very likely leave disappointed (and then of course, there's the issue of the Guest who does win a prize - but not the prize they wanted... :rolleyes2:).
Why does Disney only pass out dreams from 9-1030 am ? They don't. According to the official rules http://adestinations.disney.go.com/media/disneyparks/en_US/html/yomdrules.html?CMP=OTC-VanURLYOMDRulesEng#YOMDCopyWinnersText "Sponsor anticipates that potential winners will be selected at the Disney Properties between opening and 5 pm local time" (found in the How to Participate section). Disney does not select ANY winners. An independent and impartial company is operating the Sweepstakes. Disney Dream Team Members simply award the prizes where and when they are instructed. But back to your question - well, how much sense would it make to hand out Dream FastPasses at Animal Kingdom at 3:45?
-
And Marketing did not 'get lazy'. Are you in Marketing? Do you have better ideas/suggestions, or were/are you just bored?

So, then, Disney shouldn't have run the promotion about, what, twenty years ago when every tenth person entering the Magic Kingdom won a prize? I went. I didn't win a prize. Rotten Disney. Rotten promotion. I was there. Would it have been soooo hard for them to have given me a prize? Stupid me. I've been back thirty times.

[kaytieeldr]

WHINE WHINE WHINE We're going to WDW for WDW. For the fun, magic and good times. If someone's family wins the caste while i'm standing close enough to see them I would be in heaven just seeing their happiness. You don't think quickly enough. In that situation, I'd yell out, "I'm with them!" :teeth:

[lucincia]

I'm so upset about not winning anything that i will never go anywhere again. Because alot of places i go they have random drawing and i never win.
Give me a frigging brake. You people whining over not winning anything is so sad. If you think just because you been 5 to 10 or more time means you are going to increase your odds :rotfl2: . Whatever, lord don`t buy a lottery ticket. You may not win because the person who spent more than you will win not you.
I go to Disney to have fun and be a kid again not to win anything. People need to stop getting themselves and there kids so hyped up about YOAMD. Get over it you didn`t win a damn thing so what.
Just be happy you can afford to go. Alot of people cannot afford to go to a local fair much less than WDW.

Again, this kind of post shows the intent of my original thinking for starting this thread. If people like you still go to WDW with or without promotion, and the promotion is ticking some people off, so where is the benefit in having it?

Yes, most places have promotions. McDonald has its annual Monopoly thing and people can buy lottery tickets. But, the Monopoly game runs over for a few weeks (not 2 years) and it's not like you walk into a restaurant and people are walking around with freebies all around you. And a lottery ticket is only $1, not tons of money a lot of people have save for years. There are no comparisons here.

I think people need to step back and stop getting so emotional about some people feeling a tad bad about not winning. If you do not feel envious, more power to you. Now, I am not saying I am envious - I am staying at GF next trip and it's paid for completely by casino winnings - so I don't care about dream fastpasses or whatever - I am going to WDW for free! :) But the original intent of this thread is - why have it when 1) people who likes it will still go no matter what and 2) it ticks off some people - so where is the advantage in it?

This thread is not about how whining some people are. We are all human. We all think grass is greener somewhere else (or the human race would have perished a long time ago). We all whine and get envious of others - the difference is how we handle it. So do not get on a high horse and look down upon those who actually voice out the logic (or illogic) of the current marketing campaign.

[lucincia]

And Marketing did not 'get lazy'. Are you in Marketing? Do you have better ideas/suggestions, or were/are you just bored?

So, then, Disney shouldn't have run the promotion about, what, twenty years ago when every tenth person entering the Magic Kingdom won a prize? I went. I didn't win a prize. Rotten Disney. Rotten promotion. I was there. Would it have been soooo hard for them to have given me a prize? Stupid me. I've been back thirty times.

Do you need to know how to play all instruments in a symphony to know a good classical music performance when you hear one? But, to answer your question - yes, I was in couple marketing companies before.

And again - this is not about people whining about not winning. And it's about this campaign, not 10 years ago. What does 10 years ago promotion has to do with anything? Again, your post supported the original intent of the thread. You went 30 times despite winning or not winning. Promotion or not promotion, we go to WDW for our own reasons. So, it doesn't get us to the park (we don't go to try to win - we go because, well, we like to spend $6000 on a vacation in the middle of Florida), but it does tick a few others off.

So, where is the benefit in it?

[lucincia]

You don't think quickly enough. In that situation, I'd yell out, "I'm with them!" :teeth:

Heck -

Dream Team: Congratulations! You got a night in the castle! What's your name?

Winner: Bob Smith

Me (standing close by): UNCLE SMITH! IT'S ME! COUSIN LUCI! FOUR TIMES REMOVED!

[Andyjo0930]

I guess I'm one of the people that are being called stupid or dumb here. I felt very disappointed about the YOMD game. Was it too much to hope my daughter got a free set of 2 dollar ears or maybe a fast pass just to wear even if it was not used. No she did not hit the Disney lottery. She was left out of the fun and good feelings. She spent the whole week hoping and seeing others get dreams. Leaving me to try and explain why we were not chosen.

The person who dreamed up such a stupid ad campain must really be a sadist. They came up with something that cost Disney almost nothing in real money besides advertising it and makes thousands of loyal patrons feel left out.

The final straw was when I saw who won the Castle suite one day. It was a family from Celebration Florida. I thought Disney employees and family were excluded from promotions such as this. I guess not.

I think it would have been better if they would have done something to reward people who are loyal and visit every year. It would be simple to put a code on your reservation and have you go to city hall for your surprise gift. Maybe you could get a better prize each year.

Just for the record I do not expect things for free. But I did pay a lot of money to visit Disney only to feel slighted. It's not the money, it is the principal of how it is handled. Maybe I need to start looking for a new place to go on vacation.

Sounds to me that your were more upset than your daughter was. As far as telling your daughter why she didn't win something, its called "life." I don't know how old your daughter is, but we came back a few weeks ago with a 17 year old, 13 year old, two 7 year olds, a 5 year old and a 4 year old. Not once did I hear from any of them about mickey ears or fastpasses. In fact, if it wasn't for me, they wouldn't have even known about the promotion, or what the prizes were. How about when the grocery stores have a promotion for a free turkey and you don't win that, gonna start shopping elsewhere??? Or when your local bar has giveaways for Monday Night Football and you don't win a t-shirt, not going to drink there again too??? We choose to go to Disney for the magic of Disney, not to win something... and if that is your thinking, then maybe you DO need to find a new place to go on vacation!!

[lustergirl]

<<< goes to disney without hoping to win something. I have know about the current contest going on, also knew that they extended this but this isn't the real reason I go to disney (in hopes to win something because dog gone it I spent all of this money on a disney vacation), I go to disney to be in the most magical place on earth and leave my worries at home.

[MNWDWMANIAC]

You don't think quickly enough. In that situation, I'd yell out, "I'm with them!" :teeth: :rotfl2: :rotfl: :lmao:

You got me there :)

[MNWDWMANIAC]

To the point of a failed marketing campaign I'd have to wonder how many new pin traders there are out there.... ;)

How many people are talking about Disney that might not have before?

Smile people.. it's Disney :wizard: :wizard: :wizard:

[lucincia]

To the point of a failed marketing campaign I'd have to wonder how many new pin traders there are out there.... ;)

How many people are talking about Disney that might not have before?

Smile people.. it's Disney :wizard: :wizard: :wizard:

Give every ticket holder a free random pin out of a batch of just normal, average Disney pins (how much does it cost Disney to make one - less than a buck I am willing to bet). Or to limit the campaign can just say free pin for kids. Throw kids and parents together into WDW and watch the wallets fly open. Watch the pin sales go up. Don't need a promotion to do it.

Pin trading is evil. Just bought another bag of 50 pins on eBay for trading purpose in the upcoming trip. We need professional help.

[BabyPiglet]

FlameTamr, you are obviously mad at Disney because you didn't win anything. YOAMD is supposed to be a special thing. You're making it into a competition with the other vacationers.

Good god, I think some of you just need to be happy you're at Disney at all. Many many people can't afford to even go once, and you guys are griping because you didn't get free ears.

[MNWDWMANIAC]

Give every ticket holder a free random pin out of a batch of just normal, average Disney pins (how much does it cost Disney to make one - less than a buck I am willing to bet). Or to limit the campaign can just say free pin for kids. Throw kids and parents together into WDW and watch the wallets fly open. Watch the pin sales go up. Don't need a promotion to do it.

Pin trading is evil. Just bought another bag of 50 pins on eBay for trading purpose in the upcoming trip. We need professional help.

Yes, I agree their may be OTHER ways to start pin trading as a while. But this is a discussion about the whole campaign. Disney nor I ever said the point was to start people collecting pins. The point over all is that people might start talking about Disney when they otherwise might not. Seeing a clip on the local news about a local family winning a night in the castle is bound to spark conversations and even get a family talking about visiting WDW when they might not otherwise have a reason to discuss it. My point about pin collections going up was a side note pointing out that giving away a 2 dollar landyard and pin set a a sound investment. Disney doesn't need a promotion to do anything. But giving people something to celebrate, discuss and enjoy at times be that directly or indirectly is the entire point.

Marketing by no means got lazy with this promotion. Do you have any idea the work they are putting into setting up, tracking, sorting sending and working out this entire promotion? Just the postcard side of the campaign alone has to be a major workload. I send postcards to Elmhurst IL and 3 months later my prizes arrive from Lake Buena Vista, FL??? that doesn't translate as lazy to me. They have to maintain prize lists and follow strict rules in how they handle the giving of prizes. Again that can't be handled by a lazy marketing group.

The idea also translates into getting CM's into the "magic" more so. They are given the ability to make a child smile with a free cookie or an extra ice cream with Disney's blessing. The moment there even if brief is something I refuse to call stupid or a failure.

We're not going because of the YOAMD prizes. HOWEVER the discussion my wife and I had back in April is directly connected to our discussing the promotion and the post cards we started sending in for fun with our family. With the birth of my news child and life in general we got caught up in life. Mickey got our attention.

Now that we are back on our Disney Track we will be visiting again in march for a secret trip with out kids and another Oct 2008 trip as well. I'm not going because they gave me a lanyard or ears. I'm going because they got us talking about Disney again.

[kaytieeldr]

I could have purchased them if they were for sale. See Ebay http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=disney+dream+ears&category0=. And, while "the" Year of a Million Dreams Ears aren't for sale in the parks, A version of ears honoring this year's celebration, is.

Yes, most places have promotions. McDonald has its annual Monopoly thing and people can buy lottery tickets. But, the Monopoly game runs over for a few weeks (not 2 years) and it's not like you walk into a restaurant and people are walking around with freebies all around you. And a lottery ticket is only $1, not tons of money a lot of people have save for years. There are no comparisons here.
1) But McDonald's runs the SAME Monopoly game year after year after year after year after... well, you get the point. And you think THAT'S not lazy? But Disney is? Whatever.
2) Oh. You know this because? The winners' food prizes look different? It comes wrapped in different paper? There's a special seating area for winners? You have to figure, winning a food prize in McDonald's Monopoly sweepstakes is like winning Dream Ears or A Dream FastPass (in value) at Disney.
2.1) While it may appear that prize winners - I can only think that's who you mean when you say freebies - are "all around you", again, given the number of prizes awarded per capita per day, it's likely you're seeing the same people.
3) That the cost of a lottery ticket is flexible notwithstanding, WINNING A PRIZE IS NOT A RIGHT!

There are actually 1,250,000 prizes.
They're being awarded in eight venues (Disneyland, California Adventure, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM, Animal Kingdom, Downtown Disney, and by postcard entry).
The current promotion is 457 days long.
That's - please excuse the calculation error above - an average of 342 prizes per location per day.
A slow day in the Magic Kingdom is 25,000 Guests.
That works out to one prize for every 73 Guests.

And, specific to the Dream FastPasses, there are 125 per day in Epcot, and 210 per day in each of the other three parks:

95,970/457 = 210
57,125/457 = 125

457 days = Year of a Million Dreams start date October 1, 2006 through December 31, 2007.

Now, I am not saying I am envious - I am staying at GF next trip and it's paid for completely by casino winnings - so I don't care about dream fastpasses or whatever - I am going to WDW for free! But the original intent of this thread is - why have it when 1) people who likes it will still go no matter what and 2) it ticks off some people - so where is the advantage in it?
Oh? Are you sure about that? Are you sure you hadn't first given the casino(s) more money than you ultimately won, over all the times you visited casinos? ;) Anyway: Because it has and will ENTICE people who feel lucky; who were on the fence about Disney and need/ed an extra push; who've never been and think maybe, just maybe, one of their Dreams can come true...

Give every ticket holder a free random pin out of a batch of just normal, average Disney pins (how much does it cost Disney to make one - less than a buck I am willing to bet). Or to limit the campaign can just say free pin for kids. I don't want a "random" pin, and I don't have kids. THIS promotion isn't fair to ME, and look at all the money I'VE spent at Walt Disney World over the years and dagnabbit, all that matters is ME.

The idea also translates into getting CM's into the "magic" more so. They are given the ability to make a child smile with a free cookie or an extra ice cream with Disney's blessing. Child? Heck, they're given the ability to do that for ANY Guest (said the anonymous Guest who insisted she didn't want 'anything', she just wanted Guests Relations to be aware of a situation - where the CM insisted equally firmly and pleasantly that there must be something the Guest - by now addicted to Mocha Frosts - might enjoy...)

[MNWDWMANIAC]

Child? Heck, they're given the ability to do that for ANY Guest (said the anonymous Guest who insisted she didn't want 'anything', she just wanted Guests Relations to be aware of a situation - where the CM insisted equally firmly and pleasantly that there must be something the Guest - by now addicted to Mocha Frosts - might enjoy...)

Correct...I tend to think in terms of "child" knowing everyone at WDW is a kid :) :thumbsup2 :woohoo: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[maxiesmom]

The problem is some people don't feel "a tad bad" about not winning. They feel so bad that they don't want anyone else to win either.:sad2:

And as far as it being a bad campaign, and Disney knowing how it would upset some guests, I'm thinking Disney gave people too much credit. They though that people would get that they are not guaranteed to win, and that it would add some excitement to the parks, the possiblity of winning. And instead too many guests have decided to complain and moan because they didn't win. It is pathetic that some people have decided to turn a campagin designed to delight and thrill people into something mean and nasty.


It is one thing to feel bad about not winning. It is another to be actively mad and decide that you were wronged somehow.

Society is turning into a bunch of selfish, spoiled, grumpy people.

[lucincia]

Yes, I agree their may be OTHER ways to start pin trading as a while. But this is a discussion about the whole campaign. Disney nor I ever said the point was to start people collecting pins. The point over all is that people might start talking about Disney when they otherwise might not. Seeing a clip on the local news about a local family winning a night in the castle is bound to spark conversations and even get a family talking about visiting WDW when they might not otherwise have a reason to discuss it. My point about pin collections going up was a side note pointing out that giving away a 2 dollar landyard and pin set a a sound investment. Disney doesn't need a promotion to do anything. But giving people something to celebrate, discuss and enjoy at times be that directly or indirectly is the entire point.

Okay, I agree here that you are correct in this viewpoint. The promotion gets people talking, gets press excited about big winners, and get more people talking - which may push some people who are on the fence about where to go for vacation. I admit my assessment of the marketing campaign is skewed in the beginning (as the OP) :)

Any press is better than no press!

[lucincia]

Oh? Are you sure about that? Are you sure you hadn't first given the casino(s) more money than you ultimately won, over all the times you visited casinos? ;)

Scary - but I track my casino runs in Quicken - and it is in high positive territory :) The upcoming trip to Vegas is also paid for by my gambling addiction. Not want to brag but you asked :)

1-800-BETS-OFF ....

[lucincia]

Society is turning into a bunch of selfish, spoiled, grumpy people.

Society is also filled about grumpy people complaining about grumpy people! :)

[maxiesmom]

Society is also filled about grumpy people complaining about grumpy people! :)

I'm not sure what I said that made you think I was grumpy. Disgusted, maybe. Saddened too at how so many people can turn something fun into something negative.

The grumpy ones are the ones doing the complaining about not winning, imho.

[kaytieeldr]

Society is also filled about grumpy people complaining about grumpy people! :)
Society is also filled with realistic people refuting the unsubstantiated complaints of grumpy, selfish people ;)

Seeing a clip on the local news about a local family winning a night in the castle is bound to spark conversationsDang it, man! You're going to force me to pack my "fancy" outfit, aren't you, for the TV cameras, on the absolutely miniscule chance I'm in the exactly right place at the exactly right time one day next week, aren't you? ;)

Scary - but I track my casino runs in Quicken - and it is in high positive territory :) The upcoming trip to Vegas is also paid for by my gambling addiction. Not want to brag but you asked :) Excellent! Um, care to share some of your secrets? Not the Quicken ones - the gambling ones? :teeth:

[lucincia]

Excellent! Um, care to share some of your secrets? Not the Quicken ones - the gambling ones? :teeth:

Come to Vegas with us! :)

Okay, I withdraw my original comment as OP regarding the stupid marketing campaign. After some fun back-and-forth debate with a few people (not those who are just trigger happy and using a knee-jerk reaction to chalk this thread up as another whining poster who did not win) I can see that this promotion does not cause the diehards like people on DIS to go or not to go to WDW - we will go no matter what - but it does cause the press to write up about winners which will cause those undecided people to start talking about Disney, which may in turn cause them to sign up for the kool aid line. If Disney pisses off a few people along the way, the newcomers justifies the loss.

[themilesfamily]

I LOVE this Disney promotion. I've really enjoyed reading about the people who won & the cool and inventive prizes Disney came up with. I think having something special happen to you, unexpectedly, is magic.

I'm happy for the people who've won -- and I really want to teach my daughter to be happy when good things happen to others -- not to be so me-focused. If she saw someone else win, I would expect her to be happy for them -- no sour grapes.

[kaytieeldr]

Come to Vegas with us! If you can schedule that for the week of December 16, I got a pretty good (for a non-gambler) rate at TI... ;)

[honugirl]

No, I think what sucks about this promo is making someone think they're going to win, then when they find out they're not family, yanking the prize out from under them. I think that's pretty low and that's what happened to me. I had a pretty hard time enjoying the Magic Kingdom after that. Then on top of that, I asked about the "special ears" and she wouldn't even give me a pair of those after refusing to give me the "special family" dream. Not everyone has family and not everyone can afford to dream. Dreaming and wishing are luxuries I can't afford, but I would have thought that Disney CM's would have a little more tact than that, but I guess not. I guess it's just another example of how adults don't get to have dreams or wishes.

[MNWDWMANIAC]

No, I think what sucks about this promo is making someone think they're going to win, then when they find out they're not family, yanking the prize out from under them. I think that's pretty low and that's what happened to me. I had a pretty hard time enjoying the Magic Kingdom after that. Then on top of that, I asked about the "special ears" and she wouldn't even give me a pair of those after refusing to give me the "special family" dream. Not everyone has family and not everyone can afford to dream. Dreaming and wishing are luxuries I can't afford, but I would have thought that Disney CM's would have a little more tact than that, but I guess not. I guess it's just another example of how adults don't get to have dreams or wishes.

Not to seem rude but I have no idea what you just said with all of that. How did they make you think you were going to win? When who finds out who's not family? And for what purpose would that matter? I don't get what you are trying to say?

Please try to explain the problem you had better so we can try to understand :)

[asmit4]

I cannot believe that someone would feel so bad about not winning.

I can tell you right now, if the family in front of us 1 a night in the castle- I would be a bit sad for a minute but I would also immediately get a smile on my face and wish the winners good luck :) I like to see people win things, see people with smiles on their faces! It's such a joy for me to see others happy.

I would be telling my children, wow! How great for them! Your kids will ALWAYS have friends who have more, go on trips more, have a better house etc. I can't even believe that you would get so upset over not winning and worse yet, that you would transfer that onto your kids. How sad.

Honestly- I never even knew what YOMD was until I got on these boards- I'm going on the trip with my family- some of them kids, and I have no intention of even bringing it up. WHY? B/c it has NOTHING to do with us going and NOTHING to do with us having a great trip!

I think this parent set their kids up for winning something- and when they didn't, the mother got all upset about it and brought it on the kids.:confused3

What kind of values are we instilling in our children when parents stew over not winning all the time?

[honugirl]

Basically, the YOMD cast member spoke to my boyfriend and I for about 10 minutes questioning us about a whole bunch of different things, then we were told by the CM that they were looking for 20 special families for the parade, but since we weren't a family we couldn't win. Ever since I was a tiny child it's been my dream to be in a Disney parade and to learn that I had to be a family to win something broke my heart. I didn't think Disney discriminated against those without families, but I guess they do. So it was dangled in front of us, then when they found out we weren't a family, they yanked it away again.

[asmit4]

Basically, the YOMD cast member spoke to my boyfriend and I for about 10 minutes questioning us about a whole bunch of different things, then we were told by the CM that they were looking for 20 special families for the parade, but since we weren't a family we couldn't win. Ever since I was a tiny child it's been my dream to be in a Disney parade and to learn that I had to be a family to win something broke my heart. I didn't think Disney discriminated against those without families, but I guess they do. So it was dangled in front of us, then when they found out we weren't a family, they yanked it away again.

While I certainly came down hard on the mother above, I would have to say that if what you wrote really happened- that's unfair IMO. I don't think it's fair that you must have kids with you or that you must have at least 3 in your party or whatever they quantify as "family"....

[honugirl]

That's really what happened. It was just my boyfriend and I so we didn't qualify. Which I think is really unfair because how do you quantify family? What if he was my only "family"?

[lucincia]

If you can schedule that for the week of December 16, I got a pretty good (for a non-gambler) rate at TI... ;)

Sorry - just missing each other :) Will be in Vegas the week of Christmas for my folks' 40th anniversary.

[lucincia]

That's really what happened. It was just my boyfriend and I so we didn't qualify. Which I think is really unfair because how do you quantify family? What if he was my only "family"?

I recommend you writing to Disney about this. This basically ruined the trip for you, as Disney considers you less human than someone with a "family".

[kaytieeldr]

No, I think what sucks about this promo is making someone think they're going to win, then when they find out they're not family, yanking the prize out from under them. Okay, it’s not fair; on the other hand, being “Family of the” anything, or “Car of the” anything, is NOT A SWEEPSTAKES PRIZE!!! It’s a Magical Moment, granted by a random Cast Member with the authority to do that. Had it been an actual PRIZE, you would have won no matter what the makeup of your party/family. And, those CMs don’t HAVE the Dream Ears to give out as consolation – the Ears ARE an actual, official, listed-in-the-rules PRIZE, and as such, distribution is entirely random and completely separate from Magical Moments. Would it have been nice if the CM had given you something as consolation? Sure, but she didn’t. But dude – you were at Walt Disney World! Isn’t that Magical enough? Look at the millions of people who never get to go!

I would be telling my children, wow! How great for them! Your kids will ALWAYS have friends who have more, go on trips more, have a better house etc. Conversely, they (we all, probably) also have friends who have less, go on fewer/no trips, etc. There’s always somebody who’s got it better than you, and there’s always somebody who’s got it worse. At least (and I really hate to keep pointing this out ;)), we go to Disney World!!!! That’s pretty darn special in itself!

[honugirl]

Didn't ruin my whole vacation, just that whole day in Magic Kingdom. The next day we went to MGM and had a fabulous time and saw our favorite performer, Kitty Calico. I guess though I am still really hot under the collar about it though, I really am. I'm just tired of being a second class citizen because I don't have or want kids.

[CoPirate]

Basically, the YOMD cast member spoke to my boyfriend and I for about 10 minutes questioning us about a whole bunch of different things, then we were told by the CM that they were looking for 20 special families for the parade, but since we weren't a family we couldn't win. Ever since I was a tiny child it's been my dream to be in a Disney parade and to learn that I had to be a family to win something broke my heart. I didn't think Disney discriminated against those without families, but I guess they do. So it was dangled in front of us, then when they found out we weren't a family, they yanked it away again.


Listen, You were 'qualifying' for either the family fun day parade, or to be Grand Marshalls of the 3pm parade. Considering Ive seen couples grand marshalling the parade, im sure it was for the FAMILY Fun Day Parade.

In which, that parade is meant for families to be in, where a costumed Disney character teaches you a 'dance' gives you a prop and you follow them down main street. HOnestly, its a big deal for children.

I understand you were dissapointed. But its Disney World, and you're an adult. Considering you've most likely lost your sense of illusionment awhile ago, without children (and trust me, as im 22 with no kids) you have to create your own magic and find things to be excited about that dont center around you being made the center of attention. Because its always going to be about children at Disney. Its a place for adults to play, a place for children to play, and a place for adults and children to play together. However adults cant play the same games the kids are playing and vice versa.

Asking families to be in the family fun day parade is how it goes. All the other 'prizes' are random. And many couples with them. Why when i was there last week my mom and I (we were there together) were made honorary citizens of Walt Disney World. And we got special treatment everywhere we went. We're adults. It was great. you gotta be more appreciative of the little things.

[Vemnox]

Did you really want to be in a parade for parents and young children and march down Main Street banging on a tamboreen? Seriously, if that's your problem you have deeper issues.

[jmkrat]

I guess I don't even pay attention to any of it, I just go about my vacation. I don't look for anything or any dream makers. I wouldn't now what the CM's that passed out dreams actually look like. I am so happy to be able to go on yet another trip, that I already have my dream. May sound corny to some, but not to me.

[Mickeys_n_me]

I think the problem is with YOUR expectations and not the campain itself. I go and enjoy my time at the park, if I am awarded anything extra then fine, if not I am still enjoying my Disney vacation.

Sure, it would be awesome to get chosen for things such as a night in the castle. Am I going into it thinking it will make or break my vacation if I don't recieve it? - nope. It is a prize and EXTRA, not the whole purpose for my trip.

There is enough magic around at WDW it does not have to be something that is given to you, look at the smile on the CHILDREN'S face (even one not related to you) to enjoy the magic. That is what WDW is about, and I will be enjoying that for years to come, even after they stop awarding "dreams" because a persons dream used to be just going to WDW - why must it now be something more?