We were told we won a night in the castle!

[Twende]

Sunday, 12/7 was our first day of vacation for 17 of us. It was a family reunion with my brother's children, their children, our children and our parents. Half of us were waiting by the flagpole in MK for the rest of our group so we could head to the Polynesian for our dinner.

I was hoping to catch a photographer so I was keeping my eyes peeled for CM's. We had one CM approach my parents and just chat with them. It was so nice and my parents love to talk about the family and how cool it was to be in Disney for their 69th wedding anniversary.

I mentioned to this lady CM that I was hoping a photographer would show up at about the same time as the rest of our group because I wanted a group photo. She laughed and told me to go back on to Main Street and just grab a photographer. I told her that I thought that would be rude as there were many people waiting in lines for pictures and after all we had all week to get some pictures.

She left and a few minutes later another CM approached us. I laughed and said something about him being a photographer and how happy I was to see him.

He said, "No, he was not a photographer but a Dream Team Member." I smiled and explained that we had just been talking about finding a photographer to get some group pictures.

He looks me right in the eye and says, "How would you like to spend the night in the castle suite?" I think I almost fell over! I know I stumbled a few steps back and grabbed my heart! I found tears welling in my eyes as I struggled to answer him. Oh yes, yes, yes! Time stood still, DH looked at me and seemed as shocked as I was. My parents do not hear well and read lips mostly. They had not heard his question therefore were looking concerned as I was falling over with excitement!

Just about the time the reality of it hit me and I started figuring sleeping arrangements for 17 of us................................................ .................
he put his hand on my shoulder and said "Oh Ma'am, I am just kidding. Did you think I was serious?"

He said this is not how we give away the castle night. He told us that it is all very programed to be random with a certain time, a certain park, a certain ride and a certain chair or car. I just nodded at him, still in shock!

He left a few minutes later. I have no idea what else he said. I was just so full of mixed emotions and busy trying to explain to my parents what had just expired. DH was laughing his head off. He thought it was really funny. I was still somewhat breathless and then I started laughing my head off!:rotfl2:

Two of our children approached and we decided to tell them that they just missed getting to spend the night in the castle because they were 3 minutes late meeting up with us. We told them that we were asked but because our entire group was not there they had to move on to someone else. I know really mean of us! The kids kept saying that no one really asked you that mom. And DH and I kept laughing and saying yes we were asked! Well the part about being asked was the truth!:lmao:

So that is my near castle night experience. I can honestly say I was asked to spend the night in the castle!:goodvibes :rotfl:

[trouttigger]

You have a great sense of humor!! I'm glad you do!

[Twende]

It was one of those you either laugh or you cry moments!:confused3

I still can't believe that it happened. Thank goodness DH and others were right there to witness it. They would have never believed me other wise!

[Sorahana]

I would have cried if he said he was kidding lol.

[justtobeme2]

Well I am glad you are laughing I would have been terribly upset. That is NOT funny to me. In fact it's downright mean to me. Tell you the truth I would have reported that CM because no telling how many people/kids he upsets with that "line" that he finds funny and tells his friends about the looks on people's faces when he tells them the truth...grrr....He finds joy in other people's sadness. Nope...not funny and I am sorry you went through this.

[Twende]

Like I said you can either laugh or cry. :confused3

It was later in the day and I knew from hearing stories that the castle night is giving away earlier in the day so I was really shocked.

I later thought about getting angry but decided against it. It was a neat dream for the few minutes it lasted!:goodvibes

[Jacklynn]

Shame on him for playing on other's emotions!

[Goof-abulous]

Well I am glad you are laughing I would have been terribly upset. That is NOT funny to me. In fact it's downright mean to me. Tell you the truth I would have reported that CM because no telling how many people/kids he upsets with that "line" that he finds funny and tells his friends about the looks on people's faces when he tells them the truth...grrr....He finds joy in other people's sadness. Nope...not funny and I am sorry you went through this.

I couldn't agree more. I know the poster said it was a decision not be be upset but that is not magic...

I don't know that I would have thought about whether the time of day was logical or not; or, if being asked that question, I would have thought it wasn't genuine.

At the very least if it were a joke then something should have been given to you and your family as a "no hard feelings" gesture.

[Nparrotte]

When I read the OP I was expecting the last paragraph to be filled with anger and was shocked to find none. It is hard to say how I would have felt if I had the same experience. That would be a roller coaster of emotions that I would not want to ride.

[WUVmyDISNEY]

I can tell you straight up what my reaction would have been! I know I would have been terribly upset and very very angry. So many people hoped to have that dream cast upon them, or maybe I should just speak for myself...I would have loved to win that! I would have cried probably if he told me he was joking. I definately would have reported that to someone either in a person or in a letter to disney. I can't remember but did the OP ever state whether he was a photographer or not? If not, what was his purpose for even having the false conversation with her?

[01Sweetpea]

I don't think that's very funny. What if you weren't a family of 17, and just a family of 4...a very doable situation with sleeping arrangements. I'd have been very upset & hurt to have that type of a "joke" played on me.

[the_princess]

I wouldn't find that funny at all! I would get quite upset if someone made a joke like that. Why would he do that, that's just mean and not at all funny.
I'm glad to hear that you can laugh at it!:wizard:

[freepixie]

I'd have been majorly P-O'd!

[inkkognito]

I would have known it was a joke because I know how they really give the castle away, but if you don't know I can imagine it would be a huge let-down. Maybe he was feeling cranky because apparently the Dream Team won't have a job anymore in less than two weeks.

[cpdwiz]

Sunday, 12/7 was our first day of vacation for 17 of us. It was a family reunion with my brother's children, their children, our children and our parents. Half of us were waiting by the flagpole in MK for the rest of our group so we could head to the Polynesian for our dinner.

I was hoping to catch a photographer so I was keeping my eyes peeled for CM's. We had one CM approach my parents and just chat with them. It was so nice and my parents love to talk about the family and how cool it was to be in Disney for their 69th wedding anniversary.

I mentioned to this lady CM that I was hoping a photographer would show up at about the same time as the rest of our group because I wanted a group photo. She laughed and told me to go back on to Main Street and just grab a photographer. I told her that I thought that would be rude as there were many people waiting in lines for pictures and after all we had all week to get some pictures.

She left and a few minutes later another CM approached us. I laughed and said something about him being a photographer and how happy I was to see him.

He said, "No, he was not a photographer but a Dream Team Member." I smiled and explained that we had just been talking about finding a photographer to get some group pictures.

He looks me right in the eye and says, "How would you like to spend the night in the castle suite?" I think I almost fell over! I know I stumbled a few steps back and grabbed my heart! I found tears welling in my eyes as I struggled to answer him. Oh yes, yes, yes! Time stood still, DH looked at me and seemed as shocked as I was. My parents do not hear well and read lips mostly. They had not heard his question therefore were looking concerned as I was falling over with excitement!

Just about the time the reality of it hit me and I started figuring sleeping arrangements for 17 of us................................................ .................
he put his hand on my shoulder and said "Oh Ma'am, I am just kidding. Did you think I was serious?"

He said this is not how we give away the castle night. He told us that it is all very programed to be random with a certain time, a certain park, a certain ride and a certain chair or car. I just nodded at him, still in shock!

He left a few minutes later. I have no idea what else he said. I was just so full of mixed emotions and busy trying to explain to my parents what had just expired. DH was laughing his head off. He thought it was really funny. I was still somewhat breathless and then I started laughing my head off!:rotfl2:

Two of our children approached and we decided to tell them that they just missed getting to spend the night in the castle because they were 3 minutes late meeting up with us. We told them that we were asked but because our entire group was not there they had to move on to someone else. I know really mean of us! The kids kept saying that no one really asked you that mom. And DH and I kept laughing and saying yes we were asked! Well the part about being asked was the truth!:lmao:

So that is my near castle night experience. I can honestly say I was asked to spend the night in the castle!:goodvibes :rotfl:

Ya know?? You have high tolerance....Let me tell you, as a winner in the YOAMD, and the grand prize winner, if someone would have done that to me, I would have been PO'd big time. Thats just wrong, you dont play around like that......That CM was way out of line......

[Twende]

The CM was a dream team member by his own saying and not a photographer. His reasoning for talking to us was never made apparent. I never let him know that we were a group of 17. At that point we were split up into three groups.

I am rather surprised at the number of posters who said they would be angry. :confused3 I guess we have had some really rough spots in our life :sad1: and I must have automatically figured that getting angry over something like this would not be good for anyone.

I was surprised that the dream team member said it to us but it just did not seem big enough to really get upset about.

[BabyRN]

I would've been forced to tell him a thing or 2...that was very rude of him to get you all excited like that, just to let you down. That wasn't fair of him at all!

[cpdwiz]

The CM was a dream team member by his own saying and not a photographer. His reasoning for talking to us was never made apparent. I never let him know that we were a group of 17. At that point we were split up into three groups.

I am rather surprised at the number of posters who said they would be angry. :confused3 I guess we have had some really rough spots in our life :sad1: and I must have automatically figured that getting angry over something like this would not be good for anyone.

I was surprised that the dream team member said it to us but it just did not seem big enough to really get upset about.

You are on vacation....You are in a happy place where the CM's STRIVE to make it magical...You obviously thought the Castle was amazing to win, based on your reaction.....I am sure he realized that MOST people would react like you did...And, I am sure, with this economy and tough times, people would be really looking forward to this prize...To boost you up then laugh about it was wrong...It would have been one thing if he did this, then joked and gave you a free coupon or something, saying "this might not be as good but here"

The fact he did it, laughed, and then left is wrong...Something you do not expect from Disney.

Merry Xmas to you as well!!

[DVCBELLE]

Wow - count me in as someone who would have been really mad. What if your child had heard it happen? I can't imagine my 7 year old hearing that and then being told oops it was a joke.

[cdrn1]

I hate to admit it, but I would have been m-a-d...anything that the CM did after that point would not even compare to the night in the castle. What a letdown. Kudos to you for taking it in stride. I don't think it was funny at all; I think it was kind of mean, a very, very misguided "joke".

[Buzz Litebeer]

Well I am glad you are laughing I would have been terribly upset. That is NOT funny to me. In fact it's downright mean to me.
woah, I am a pretty easy going person for the most part, but that would have made me really angry. Shame on him for playing on other's emotions!
I can tell you straight up what my reaction would have been! I know I would have been terribly upset and very very angry.
I'd have been very upset & hurt to have that type of a "joke" played on me.
I wouldn't find that funny at all! I would get quite upset if someone made a joke like that. Why would he do that, that's just mean and not at all funny.
I'd have been majorly P-O'd!
Ya know?? You have high tolerance....Let me tell you, as a winner in the YOAMD, and the grand prize winner, if someone would have done that to me, I would have been PO'd big time. Thats just wrong, you dont play around like that......That CM was way out of line......
I agree wholeheartedly. That DSCM was completely out of line.

To the OP: I'm so very, very sorry that happened to you.
Maybe he was feeling cranky because apparently the Dream Team won't have a job anymore in less than two weeks.
No, their old jobs are waiting for them. I know some DSCMs who burned their bridges when they joined the DS, and aren't looking forward to going back...

[MentalVacation]

Oh, that just makes me SAD.

So, how DO they give away the night's stay? Just curious. ;)

[Matt71]

I'd have been in too much shock to even respond, but I'm betting that later on I'd be contemplating scenarios involving the CM, a crow bar and the MK trash removal system.

[aceys_h0ney]

I think like the op I would have had to laugh or cry. However if one of my children overheard that I would have been really mad. They certainly would not understand. OP kudos to you for keeping your cool!

[savvy?71]

My husband and I had similar (but not that seemingly *literal*) banter back and forth with a few CMs. We noted that CMs were hesitant in any jokes about castle wins--appropriately so.

That said, I don't think my husband nor I would have been angry, but being partly skeptics and partly knowing better as to odds, etc, we wouldn't have believed the CM in the first place.

But that is us. Others will wholeheartedly believe , and still others may not even know what all the YOAMD thing was. And the worst of it all would be if a child overheard this (and hopefully no CM has 'joked' about this to a child!).

An adult can work out any confusion & irritation--a child would be confused & crushed--and that is not all magical.

I think the OP handled the situation with a very generous heart, which is certainly nice to see, (instead of rants, raves, and 'get me your manager' kind of responses).

All in all, I do believe that CM dropped the proverbial ball on that one.

[princess jackie]

I would die to stay in the Castle. If a CM came up to me and said this I probably would've passed out. I know how giving the night stay in the Castle works but still if a Dream CM came up to me and said I won a nights stay I would still believe him. You never know what the circumstances could have been that given day.

Have to say to the OP that I wish I could let things go so easily. Thats a great trait to have.

[dementia412]

Well my initial reaction was to think I'd have decked him, but I think it would depend on the whole back and forth. I can usually tell when someone is joking, so I doubt I'd have thought he was telling the truth but if it seemed like I was actually being told I won, and then had the rug pulled out from under me... I'd flip out. I have low tolerance for people who think they're funny but are actually just mean.

[ligirlz]

Well my initial reaction was to think I'd have decked him, but I think it would depend on the whole back and forth. I can usually tell when someone is joking, so I doubt I'd have thought he was telling the truth but if it seemed like I was actually being told I won, and then had the rug pulled out from under me... I'd flip out. I have low tolerance for people who think they're funny but are actually just mean.

I think my DH would have decked him too as for we always dreamed of this giveaway. I probably would have been too upset to even deal with it then but as a loyal AP holder who goes a few times a month to the parks, Disney would be getting a nice letter from me letting them know about what had happened. It is not nice to play cruel jokes on guests saying they won especially with something as nice as the Castle stay. Wonder how many other victims are out there?

[DISDANCEMOM]

DH was laughing his head off. He thought it was really funny. I was still somewhat breathless and then I started laughing my head off!:rotfl2:


Oh I don't think I'd be laughing about that one! I think that the CM would have gotten an earful from me!

In Aug08 my 2 dd's and I were in Tinkerbell's Treasures and a Dream Team member came up and spent at least 10min with my youngest...I kept thinking the whole time...is she going to give her something??? She didn't but the girls had a nice time chatting with her and asking questions about working a WDW and if she knew the princesses. Eventhough we didn't win anything we still got something from the experience...had she deliberately toyed with our emotions like that though I would have been furious!

[pilesoflaundry]

woah, I am a pretty easy going person for the most part, but that would have made me really angry. Shame on him for playing on other's emotions!

Yeah me too. I think I would have flipped my lid on him. That's not nice.

[PrincessAlways]

Even if you know how the Night is given away, the person asking you the question was a DMCM!!!! There could have been a change in procedure. You can't say for sure what you would do in a certain situation. However, I think I would have been terribly disappointed & mad, gotten the CM's name & made sure he knew how mad I was about the stupid thing he had done! Then gone in search of a manager!!!! You should have been compensated in some way, even some small way, for that mean-spirited practical joke!!! If you have his name, I think I'd still contact Disney & report it.

[mybgirl]

Well I am glad you are laughing I would have been terribly upset. That is NOT funny to me. In fact it's downright mean to me. Tell you the truth I would have reported that CM because no telling how many people/kids he upsets with that "line" that he finds funny and tells his friends about the looks on people's faces when he tells them the truth...grrr....He finds joy in other people's sadness. Nope...not funny and I am sorry you went through this.



why would CM do this:sad1:

[hmurry]

for some reason i cant send a personal message bc i have not sent 10...ahhhhh

[Liann]

Read this or just scroll down to the bottom and read the last line.

I applaud you for not going bonkers but..... I would have. And I have a VERY sarcastic sense of humor. As strange as it may sound to some, there are ppl out here like me (and a bazillion other DIS boarders) that look at something like a night in the castle as a bonified dream come true because memories like that aren't shared by just anyone.

As I was reading through your post I was welling up with tears of happiness for you and I don't do that very often, trust me. And then I read it was a joke and instantly became ticked off. IF that had happened to ME I would have been bawling so much from just being told I was staying the night the CM wouldn't have DARED saying it was a joke.... cuz I would have gotten him and every other CM he even walked by fired. Well at the least I would have requested an audience with Mickey where that CM was publicly spanked by every big headed costume wearing character from every park. I'm envisioning a 3 hr procession taking place on the steps of the castle with big screen TVs floating above main street so even the ppl way back could see and like free tomato carts roaming around so everyone had something to throw at the guy ala the hunchback.....

All I can think about is what if last summer when we went for the very first time to WDW my 12 yr old Daughter had been told "Oh I'm kidding you're not really going to be a Grand Marshall in the parade! HA HA HA!"-- it would have CRUSHED her and she would NEVER want to go back. And neither would I. Again, I know it may sound strange to some but going to Disney and experiencing all the magic is NOT a joke to me, it's sommething I had to wait till I was 39 years old to do.

This whole scenario is SO unlike anything we experienced last summer on our first trip and also SO unlike anything I've ever read here I am hoping it's a joke in itself to see who would freak out the most- I win.


I think I would have been upset.

[Justsyd2]

To the OP... I'm so very glad that you laughed it off. As a joke, I'm sure he meant no harm. You should be very proud to be able to handle life so easily, instead of acting insulted when you did not get what you wanted. My hat is off to you...I would have reacted the same way.

[kadesha]

I would have reported that CM. That would have been devastating to me!! Not funny at all!

[Liann]

Maybe the CM was trying to find someone who really really really wanted it? I still say he deserved a public spanking.

[justtobeme2]

My husband and I had similar (but not that seemingly *literal*) banter back and forth with a few CMs. We noted that CMs were hesitant in any jokes about castle wins--appropriately so.

That said, I don't think my husband nor I would have been angry, but being partly skeptics and partly knowing better as to odds, etc, we wouldn't have believed the CM in the first place.

But that is us. Others will wholeheartedly believe , and still others may not even know what all the YOAMD thing was. And the worst of it all would be if a child overheard this (and hopefully no CM has 'joked' about this to a child!).

An adult can work out any confusion & irritation--a child would be confused & crushed--and that is not all magical.

I think the OP handled the situation with a very generous heart, which is certainly nice to see, (instead of rants, raves, and 'get me your manager' kind of responses).

All in all, I do believe that CM dropped the proverbial ball on that one.
I totally understand your point, yet if someone doesn't "call the manager" that CM will continue to enjoy his little sadistic joke and that's just not right. I'd have called the manager's manager...That CM owed me a big apology and his boss an explaination, the next time it might be a child that hears it.

[Twende]

Well if they were looking for someone who really really really wanted it then they would have found that group. My heart was visibly pounding when he spoke to us!::yes::

As to turning him it, it never really occurred to me to do so. I did not even note his name so even if I later decided to tell on him I would have no way of positively IDing him.

Looking back on it I would love to know why he did what he did. Or even what he was really doing out there as a dream team member all alone.
Most of the time I saw dream team people in the last two years they were in small groups.

Ultimately there are no hard feelings, or even feelings of regret that we did not get angry about it. It is now just another silly story to tell about our Disney experiences. :goodvibes :rotfl:

[Vickie46]

I would have been so UPSET... he would have to have someone calm me down.. I would have been so excited... that is just terrible to do to you.

[ShannonMB]

I can't even believe that happened to you. Angry does not even come close to how I would feel! My blood was boiling just reading about it happening. That CM sounds like a true psycho. I fail to see how anyone without a borderline personality disorder and/or a sociopath could possibly find it funny to do that to anyone. I'm not even joking when I say that I do not feel that someone who would do such a thing should be employed by a company which caters to children.

Wow - count me in as someone who would have been really mad. What if your child had heard it happen? I can't imagine my 7 year old hearing that and then being told oops it was a joke.

Now if that happened to me and my DD heard, there would have been problems. I am a pretty mild-mannered person with a good temper, but I have been known to fly off the handle twice in my life. That would have been the third.

CM, if you are reading this, my DD's pic is to the left under my ID. If you see her, you better just keep walking!!!!!

[Buzz Litebeer]

Maybe the CM was trying to find someone who really really really wanted it?
It didn't work that way.

[Disuser]

You are so nice and so lucky not to have me as a family member. What he did to your family was rotten. It upset me just reading about it.:mad:

[kato0627]

I would have been really angry with him. I really think that is a horrible joke.

To the Grand prize winner of 07, what was the grand prize and congrats.

[Twende]

....
To the Grand prize winner of 07, what was the grand prize and congrats.

If you go to her profile you will find the link to her web page.
http://webpages.charter.net/dvcwinner/


"Welcome to our little "World" on the web. We are Jessica and Mike, the 2007 Year of a Million Dreams Grand Prize Winners. We won an all expenses paid DVC Membership to Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, until the year 2054!......."

[mjmoon]

Wow- I don't understand what the purpose of such a joke would be. I would have expected him to follow that "joke" up with something special. How cruel. I can't imagine Disney would endorse such behavior from their cast members.

[DisnLuvr]

Sunday, 12/7 was our first day of vacation for 17 of us. It was a family reunion with my brother's children, their children, our children and our parents. Half of us were waiting by the flagpole in MK for the rest of our group so we could head to the Polynesian for our dinner.

I was hoping to catch a photographer so I was keeping my eyes peeled for CM's. We had one CM approach my parents and just chat with them. It was so nice and my parents love to talk about the family and how cool it was to be in Disney for their 69th wedding anniversary.

I mentioned to this lady CM that I was hoping a photographer would show up at about the same time as the rest of our group because I wanted a group photo. She laughed and told me to go back on to Main Street and just grab a photographer. I told her that I thought that would be rude as there were many people waiting in lines for pictures and after all we had all week to get some pictures.

She left and a few minutes later another CM approached us. I laughed and said something about him being a photographer and how happy I was to see him.

He said, "No, he was not a photographer but a Dream Team Member." I smiled and explained that we had just been talking about finding a photographer to get some group pictures.

He looks me right in the eye and says, "How would you like to spend the night in the castle suite?" I think I almost fell over! I know I stumbled a few steps back and grabbed my heart! I found tears welling in my eyes as I struggled to answer him. Oh yes, yes, yes! Time stood still, DH looked at me and seemed as shocked as I was. My parents do not hear well and read lips mostly. They had not heard his question therefore were looking concerned as I was falling over with excitement!

Just about the time the reality of it hit me and I started figuring sleeping arrangements for 17 of us................................................ .................
he put his hand on my shoulder and said "Oh Ma'am, I am just kidding. Did you think I was serious?"

He said this is not how we give away the castle night. He told us that it is all very programed to be random with a certain time, a certain park, a certain ride and a certain chair or car. I just nodded at him, still in shock!

He left a few minutes later. I have no idea what else he said. I was just so full of mixed emotions and busy trying to explain to my parents what had just expired. DH was laughing his head off. He thought it was really funny. I was still somewhat breathless and then I started laughing my head off!:rotfl2:

Two of our children approached and we decided to tell them that they just missed getting to spend the night in the castle because they were 3 minutes late meeting up with us. We told them that we were asked but because our entire group was not there they had to move on to someone else. I know really mean of us! The kids kept saying that no one really asked you that mom. And DH and I kept laughing and saying yes we were asked! Well the part about being asked was the truth!:lmao:

So that is my near castle night experience. I can honestly say I was asked to spend the night in the castle!:goodvibes :rotfl:

I cannot guarantee how I would have reacted had I been in your shoes. You really got over your upset soon and took all this experience in your ride., Well done friend. I know how much the offer of castle means and how much it meant when it is denied

[junebugTN]

Twende, you are truly my HERO. :goodvibes I like to think that my family is pretty easy going, and we've had enough hardships in our lives to sorta roll with the punches... but WOW. I am amazed how you were able to take this in stride and turn it into a positive, funny experience.

My family and I discussed your story over dinner tonight, and we all agreed that we could learn a lot from your positive outlook. We all also agreed that you're probably an amazingly fun person to go to Disney with, too! :lmao:

June

[Twende]

Twende, you are truly my HERO. :goodvibes I like to think that my family is pretty easy going, and we've had enough hardships in our lives to sorta roll with the punches... but WOW. I am amazed how you were able to take this in stride and turn it into a positive, funny experience.

My family and I discussed your story over dinner tonight, and we all agreed that we could learn a lot from your positive outlook. We all also agreed that you're probably an amazingly fun person to go to Disney with, too! :lmao:

June


Thank you so very much for this and for everyone who has been so complimentary! I would admit that most of the time we have a very good time when in Disney and people who travel with us have a blast!:dance3:

It is nice to hear this today though.Thank you so! We have just returned from a funeral for a dear friend who was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. He died a long, slow, painful death and his grace through it all is one of the things that taught us to appreciate our lives so very much! He will be missed!:sad1:

[bytheblood]

That was completely out of line and uncalled for. I would have asked for a manger right away....not because I would have felt cheated out of something, but what if he said that and a child was standing there? A little girl who is really into Princesses? :(

[SunshineGoober]

Wow. You handled that amazingly well. I know for a fact that I would have cried if the same had happened to me.

[junebugTN]

We have just returned from a funeral for a dear friend who was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. He died a long, slow, painful death and his grace through it all is one of the things that taught us to appreciate our lives so very much! He will be missed!:sad1:

I'm sorry for your loss. When my family discussed your story, the word "grace" came up a few times when describing you. It sounds like your dear friend's grace is still being carried on through you, and he's still touching others even now.

Lotsa hugs to you, Twende. And if I ever win the lottery, I'm taking your family to Disney with me! :goodvibes

June

[MinnieLee]

That is downright CRUEL! You have a good sense of humor Im prety easy going but to pull something like that -I think I would of been ticked off. I hope they gave you something!

[DisneyTinkerbell]

I would have been truly upset. That is one of my dreams to stay in the castle. I noticed several posters say they know how it really works. How does it really work?:confused3

[Buzz Litebeer]

I noticed several posters say they know how it really works. How does it really work?:confused3
Well, it doesn't... not anymore. But here's how it used to work (in a nutshell).

The Dream Squad would receive instructions from a computer to award the night in the castle to a Guest in a very specific spot at a very specific time (for example: The Guest in the Haunted Mansion riding in Doombuggy #149 at precisely 10:32am -- that way there's no room for interpretation. If there was no Guest there, the prize would go back into the computer to be given to someone else). The Guest would be told that they were a "finalist" for a prize for the YoaMD. They'd be escorted to Guest Relations where they were asked some screening questions (i.e. "Do you or anyone in your immediate family work for Disney?" "Are you a citizen of the United States?" etc.), and if all went well they'd be told what their prize was, fill out paperwork, etc. NOBODY was ever told that they won a night in the castle before they were screened for eligibility (due to legal precedents).

The YoaMD ad campaign made it seem that DS CMs would randomly approach guests walking through the park and award them prizes, which was certainly not the case.

[ljwrn]

Wow

[kaytieeldr]

The CM was a dream team member by his own saying and not a photographer. His reasoning for talking to us was never made apparent. I never let him know that we were a group of 17. At that point we were split up into three groups.

I am rather surprised at the number of posters who said they would be angry. I'm impressed with your sense of humor, too - good going! :thumbsup2:

To the posters who would be angry, report him, etc: being analytical and cynical as I am, and okay, given what fanati - I mean, DISers, know about all things Disney...
I 'know' YoaMD prizes are granted by teams of Dream Squad-ers, not by individuals.
I know they are members of the Dream Squad, not the Dream Team
I know any/all members of the Dream Squad on a prize-awarding mission would not first engage any Guest in conversation.
I know they would not identify themselves as Dream Squad-ers in advance.
And - where the real analysis/cynicism comes in - the exact wording used: "How would you like to spend the night in the castle suite?". When you come right down to it, he asked a question - as part of the conversation he was having with an enjoyable and knowledgeable Disney Guest.

In fact, I'm pretty sure based on the sweepstakes rules that the Dream Squad could NOT identify themselves as such in advance of awarding a prize.

[pktbMouse]

Yes yes...I would have probably laughed too...then ran after him and gave him the biggest wedgie hes ever had in his life :lmao:

[smiths02]

Well if they were looking for someone who really really really wanted it then they would have found that group. My heart was visibly pounding when he spoke to us!::yes::

As to turning him it, it never really occurred to me to do so. I did not even note his name so even if I later decided to tell on him I would have no way of positively IDing him.

Looking back on it I would love to know why he did what he did. Or even what he was really doing out there as a dream team member all alone.
Most of the time I saw dream team people in the last two years they were in small groups.

Ultimately there are no hard feelings, or even feelings of regret that we did not get angry about it. It is now just another silly story to tell about our Disney experiences. :goodvibes :rotfl:

I would worry less about turning him in and getting him in trouble as reporting that this happened to WDW. Obviously, you were ok, but lots of others would be upset...even if they didn't single him out, it would be worth stating at a staff meeting

[smiths02]

I'm impressed with your sense of humor, too - good going! :thumbsup2:

To the posters who would be angry, report him, etc: being analytical and cynical as I am, and okay, given what fanati - I mean, DISers, know about all things Disney...
I 'know' YoaMD prizes are granted by teams of Dream Squad-ers, not by individuals.
I know they are members of the Dream Squad, not the Dream Team
I know any/all members of the Dream Squad on a prize-awarding mission would not first engage any Guest in conversation.
I know they would not identify themselves as Dream Squad-ers in advance.
And - where the real analysis/cynicism comes in - the exact wording used: "How would you like to spend the night in the castle suite?". When you come right down to it, he asked a question - as part of the conversation he was having with an enjoyable and knowledgeable Disney Guest.

In fact, I'm pretty sure based on the sweepstakes rules that the Dream Squad could NOT identify themselves as such in advance of awarding a prize.

Maybe English is your or the CMs second language...but you are being much too literal the the "How would you like to spend the night in the castle suite?"

My 2 year old is always asked "how would you like xyz?" and people ALWAYS intend to give it to him....

Even as adults we say "How would you like .....?" and it always means that there is at least a small chance of it happening....now I know that technically she had some small random chance of it happening some other way...

While he did not promise anything, it was still easily miscontrued and it would have been better if he did not say anything at all.

[scrump]

What a bizarre "joke" - I may not have gotten angry, but I would've been disappointed. Good on the OP for having the right attitude and keeping her cool.

[kimberlyWDW]

Seriously...that's pretty twisted. It would have ruined my whole trip. I went twice during YOMD and didn't get anything until the last day of my second trip. I wanted anything - didn't care what. I was so happy to get my hat!

My best thing on the trip though wasn't YOMD. It was being "family of the day" in Cosmic Rays. They escorted us to our seat right after we placed our order. They brought the food to us along with every imaginable condiment... and free dessert! It was such a thoughtful thing. I was pretty fried by dinnertime, it was a wonderful gift to have someone else handle all the little mommy chores for a few minutes. When we left they were just seating a new family of the day in our booth...it was a great little magical moment!

[chumsmum0916]

Oh I don't think I'd be laughing about that one! I think that the CM would have gotten an earful from me!

In Aug08 my 2 dd's and I were in Tinkerbell's Treasures and a Dream Team member came up and spent at least 10min with my youngest...I kept thinking the whole time...is she going to give her something??? She didn't but the girls had a nice time chatting with her and asking questions about working a WDW and if she knew the princesses. Eventhough we didn't win anything we still got something from the experience...had she deliberately toyed with our emotions like that though I would have been furious!

Hi Fellow Ontarian! I took my daughter last year for her 8th birthday and am also planning on doing it again in Sept this year for her 9th birthday. It was quite fun, make sure that you tell them at the concierge desk when you check in what day is her Birthday, I did this after hearing from people on disboards and our travel agent. When we got home from the parks on her birthday she opened the door to find balloons and a personalized picture from Cinderella. She was ecstatic, and still talks about it! Nothing more magical I don't think than celebrating your birthday at WDW! Some of the restaurants will also give her a cupcake and I know Crystal Palace gave her a birthday card signed by all the characters too. Hope she has a :bday:

[theweave]

I only read the first two pages of replies but can tell you right now that if someone did that to me and I had a large group of 17, it would have been the biggest beating he ever got in his life! Than you get a jury of WDW fans, who would aquit all of you and shame him for life!

That is very cruel and I assume you got nothing from him, not even any FP's or anything. He should have been fired for what he did!

I only wish I could have met a dream team member when I was there but I had enough trouble finding a Photo Pass person at the parks! Maybe they didn't give out Dream FP's because it was so busy and everyone was willing to wait over 60 minutes for Winnie The Pooh... well everyone except me... I just went to my hotel and laid by the pool!

[aidaneric]

:(

[MickeyMomOfThree]

WOW! OP is a much calmer person then I am. I would have been deviatated and terribly upset, what's more, my DH would have not have acted well knowing how much that would have hurt me. I think that CM was awful to do that and lucky he didn't get a hot-head to pull that on-- things could have turned ugly fast.

I too would have turned in that CM, and I don't get angry too easily, but that would have broken mine and my kids hearts!

[jonathanlikestrains]

oh, no!

[AmbPyp]

That is horrible. What a mean trick. :sad2: I'm glad you didn't let it get to you. I don't think I would have been that cool with it. :eek:

[4everWDW]

You handled it far better than I would have but it was funny what you told the kids...what a mean trick for a cm to play on a guest, I would have asked for his name or made a mental note and then either write a letter or tell someone at the main ticket place in MK (not where you come in)

[AmberHeartsDisney]

Sunday, 12/7 was our first day of vacation for 17 of us. It was a family reunion with my brother's children, their children, our children and our parents. Half of us were waiting by the flagpole in MK for the rest of our group so we could head to the Polynesian for our dinner.

I was hoping to catch a photographer so I was keeping my eyes peeled for CM's. We had one CM approach my parents and just chat with them. It was so nice and my parents love to talk about the family and how cool it was to be in Disney for their 69th wedding anniversary.

I mentioned to this lady CM that I was hoping a photographer would show up at about the same time as the rest of our group because I wanted a group photo. She laughed and told me to go back on to Main Street and just grab a photographer. I told her that I thought that would be rude as there were many people waiting in lines for pictures and after all we had all week to get some pictures.

She left and a few minutes later another CM approached us. I laughed and said something about him being a photographer and how happy I was to see him.

He said, "No, he was not a photographer but a Dream Team Member." I smiled and explained that we had just been talking about finding a photographer to get some group pictures.

He looks me right in the eye and says, "How would you like to spend the night in the castle suite?" I think I almost fell over! I know I stumbled a few steps back and grabbed my heart! I found tears welling in my eyes as I struggled to answer him. Oh yes, yes, yes! Time stood still, DH looked at me and seemed as shocked as I was. My parents do not hear well and read lips mostly. They had not heard his question therefore were looking concerned as I was falling over with excitement!

Just about the time the reality of it hit me and I started figuring sleeping arrangements for 17 of us................................................ .................
he put his hand on my shoulder and said "Oh Ma'am, I am just kidding. Did you think I was serious?"

He said this is not how we give away the castle night. He told us that it is all very programed to be random with a certain time, a certain park, a certain ride and a certain chair or car. I just nodded at him, still in shock!

He left a few minutes later. I have no idea what else he said. I was just so full of mixed emotions and busy trying to explain to my parents what had just expired. DH was laughing his head off. He thought it was really funny. I was still somewhat breathless and then I started laughing my head off!:rotfl2:

Two of our children approached and we decided to tell them that they just missed getting to spend the night in the castle because they were 3 minutes late meeting up with us. We told them that we were asked but because our entire group was not there they had to move on to someone else. I know really mean of us! The kids kept saying that no one really asked you that mom. And DH and I kept laughing and saying yes we were asked! Well the part about being asked was the truth!:lmao:

So that is my near castle night experience. I can honestly say I was asked to spend the night in the castle!:goodvibes :rotfl:

id really would of been SUPER mad/upset. that is a chance of a life time and he shouldn't of joked!:headache: lol

[diskids2]

You took that MUCH better then I would have. I feel like reporting him and it didn't even happen to me!

[tink317]

I had a similiar situation happen to my family back in may of 2008. However, the dream team member talked to us for 45 minutes leading us on the whole time. It was a very upsetting to some of the people in my family who did not understand what was going on. I have a feeling that the same dream team member talked to both of us. While im sure he had the best of intentions it ended up just becoming an upsetting experience.

[daisy2jae]

I would have gone to guest service and would have been upset.


Sunday, 12/7 was our first day of vacation for 17 of us. It was a family reunion with my brother's children, their children, our children and our parents. Half of us were waiting by the flagpole in MK for the rest of our group so we could head to the Polynesian for our dinner.

I was hoping to catch a photographer so I was keeping my eyes peeled for CM's. We had one CM approach my parents and just chat with them. It was so nice and my parents love to talk about the family and how cool it was to be in Disney for their 69th wedding anniversary.

I mentioned to this lady CM that I was hoping a photographer would show up at about the same time as the rest of our group because I wanted a group photo. She laughed and told me to go back on to Main Street and just grab a photographer. I told her that I thought that would be rude as there were many people waiting in lines for pictures and after all we had all week to get some pictures.

She left and a few minutes later another CM approached us. I laughed and said something about him being a photographer and how happy I was to see him.

He said, "No, he was not a photographer but a Dream Team Member." I smiled and explained that we had just been talking about finding a photographer to get some group pictures.

He looks me right in the eye and says, "How would you like to spend the night in the castle suite?" I think I almost fell over! I know I stumbled a few steps back and grabbed my heart! I found tears welling in my eyes as I struggled to answer him. Oh yes, yes, yes! Time stood still, DH looked at me and seemed as shocked as I was. My parents do not hear well and read lips mostly. They had not heard his question therefore were looking concerned as I was falling over with excitement!

Just about the time the reality of it hit me and I started figuring sleeping arrangements for 17 of us................................................ .................
he put his hand on my shoulder and said "Oh Ma'am, I am just kidding. Did you think I was serious?"

He said this is not how we give away the castle night. He told us that it is all very programed to be random with a certain time, a certain park, a certain ride and a certain chair or car. I just nodded at him, still in shock!

He left a few minutes later. I have no idea what else he said. I was just so full of mixed emotions and busy trying to explain to my parents what had just expired. DH was laughing his head off. He thought it was really funny. I was still somewhat breathless and then I started laughing my head off!:rotfl2:

Two of our children approached and we decided to tell them that they just missed getting to spend the night in the castle because they were 3 minutes late meeting up with us. We told them that we were asked but because our entire group was not there they had to move on to someone else. I know really mean of us! The kids kept saying that no one really asked you that mom. And DH and I kept laughing and saying yes we were asked! Well the part about being asked was the truth!:lmao:

So that is my near castle night experience. I can honestly say I was asked to spend the night in the castle!:goodvibes :rotfl:

[mbanks21]

Thats kind of like Ed Mcmahon coming to your door with a giant check and balloons and a camera and saying "is your neighbor home?"

[bratmomma]

I definitely would've been BEYOND mad! It probably would've ruined the rest of my trip, to be honest. OP is a much better person than I.

On a lighter note.....
I would have requested an audience with Mickey where that CM was publicly spanked by every big headed costume wearing character from every park

ROFLMAO!

[LimoFam5]

WOW I cant beleive how well you guys handled that situation. I would have had my night in the FREAKING castle or his JOB if that was the last thing I did that trip........OMG that is not something to joke about, us Disney FREAKS take that stuff seriously.
Good for you for laughing it off.......you are a better person then me!:cheer2:

[eastcarolinafan]

That is one of the cruelest, meanest unforgivable things I could imagine a cast member intentionally doing. I would have been calm, but I would have had a name and his job before that day was done. And then I would have had a night in Cinderella's Castle.

P.S. LIMOFAM5, I noticed we are going to be at DW at the same time. See you there!!!!

[scottmel]

If you don't mind my asking, out of curiousity, how did the Dream Squad member lead you or anyone else on for that matter? Just long conversations going nowhere? That would annoy me as time is crucial at Disney. I have no time for idle chit chat in the AM as I am zipping around getting FP. Talk to me in the evening when I am relaxed!:goodvibes

[djthereplay]

The CM was a dream team member by his own saying and not a photographer. His reasoning for talking to us was never made apparent. I never let him know that we were a group of 17. At that point we were split up into three groups.

I am rather surprised at the number of posters who said they would be angry. :confused3 I guess we have had some really rough spots in our life :sad1: and I must have automatically figured that getting angry over something like this would not be good for anyone.

I was surprised that the dream team member said it to us but it just did not seem big enough to really get upset about.

Hello Twende !,

I just read this post, and As A Winner of The Year of A Million Dreams
2008 Disney Dreams Giveaway " DREAM MAGIC HOUR " To Be Specific,
I want to take this time to applaud you for The Way that You have carried Yourself, and took that. You may not have won the Dream of A Night in Cinderella's Castle Suite, But You at least Have something that this certain CM You are telling about On Your Post could only DREAM of Having,
and That is KINDNESS !!!! :)
I can tell you if I were in Your Shoes, This person would have better been prepared for a Nice Little, " MisUnderstanding " if you will.
There is A Special, Deep, Emotional, Inspirational, Secret Place that
A Disney Castle Holds in My Heart. To Be awarded A Night inside of
Cinderella's Castle would be like Giving me The Entire World.
The Way This certain Dream Squad Member Joked like THAT actually is not funny to me. So Really, I am proud of you !!!! :)

~ Dwight

[itsreally4mommy]

You are an inspiration in class as to how well you handled the situation. I'm not sure if angry is the right word, but I must admit I'd be terribly let down or disappointed when learning the truth. Not exactly the intended purpose of the "dream squad":sad1: No one should feel that on their Disney vacation, much less from a CM.

I am glad that you did have a happy trip.

[RSADP]

Aww I totally would have started balling my little eyes out! lol

[Hydani]

Oh wow... I would be so angry with that guy :sad1: How can you do that to someone?:confused3

[Explodo]

So was this CM a white Guy around 40ish...Kinda Frumpy...Dirty Blond Hair? Because if it is...we had a CM do almost the very samething to us when we were there last year.

We were watching people ride Dumbo when the Guy walked up to us and Said "Do you know about the YOMD thing Disney Does?"

I said Yes...I read about it on this place for almost a solid year. I was excited as hell.

He then says "Are you here with your family?

I told him it was My wife and I on a second honeymoon and the kids are with the grandparents.

He says(and I quote) "Boy that's to bad...Because if your Kids would have been with you you could have won a night in the CAstle"

He then goes on to explain basicly that only so many dreams are given out etc...Certain times...Certain Places...Then he picks up his bag and leaves.

The Wife looks at me and says "Well that was mean..."

[djthereplay]

So was this CM a white Guy around 40ish...Kinda Frumpy...Dirty Blond Hair? Because if it is...we had a CM do almost the very samething to us when we were there last year.

We were watching people ride Dumbo when the Guy walked up to us and Said "Do you know about the YOMD thing Disney Does?"

I said Yes...I read about it on this place for almost a solid year. I was excited as hell.

He then says "Are you here with your family?

I told him it was My wife and I on a second honeymoon and the kids are with the grandparents.

He says(and I quote) "Boy that's to bad...Because if your Kids would have been with you you could have won a night in the CAstle"

He then goes on to explain basicly that only so many dreams are given out etc...Certain times...Certain Places...Then he picks up his bag and leaves.

The Wife looks at me and says "Well that was mean..."

Hello Explodo !,

Please read the last sentence in this post .

When I was there at Walt Disney World in September of 2008 to Celebrate My 31st Birthday, and when I was there, The CMs That I met were kind and Friendly, and Sweet to me.

If I did not win anything, they did not say anything to me.
But Fortunatly, I DID win something.

I am sorry, But I have read another post similar to yours on this thread, and after reading your post, Now I am a bit " animated " about this
if you will. :mad:

Firstly, Here is what I do not get, It does not matter whether You Brought Your Kids with you to Disney, Or Not, If You all were not in The Right Place at The Right Time, Why did the CM say anything to you about
The Year of A Million Dreams?
Secondly, If What happened to you actually Happened to me?
You know what, I am gonna be straight up with you.
He Better hope that he caught me on a good day, because
On A Regular Day, If Anybody were to see me get taken out of the park,
I will tell you why.
Because I would have made and example of him and gave him a story and a lesson to tell ALL The Rest of The Other Cast Members that are involved in the Disney Dreams Giveaway .....

WARNING ..... DO NOT SHAM !!!!!

I would have cussed him out ........ BIG TIME !!!!! :furious:

~ Dwight

[Explodo]

Well...I can tell you our feelings were a little damaged...But we didn't want to make a scene and ruin the rest of our vacation PO'd at this event. And you know...We were at disney during almost the exact time period you were. We were loving the small crowds and our time together...This event was just an oddity. One of those things we talk about to this day.

We think it was a guy who had been doing the Wishes stuff for to long and was having some kind of breakdown...And for the record, like you, every CM we came across outside of this one guy was wonderful to us...we most definately experienced the magic that is disney.

[BigJ]

I wouldn't have been too happy.

[djthereplay]

Well...I can tell you our feelings were a little damaged...But we didn't want to make a scene and ruin the rest of our vacation PO'd at this event. And you know...We were at disney during almost the exact time period you were. We were loving the small crowds and our time together...This event was just an oddity. One of those things we talk about to this day.

We think it was a guy who had been doing the Wishes stuff for to long and was having some kind of breakdown...And for the record, like you, every CM we came across outside of this one guy was wonderful to us...we most definately experienced the magic that is disney.

Well Explodo,

I came to Walt Disney World On Tuesday September 16th, 2008, and Left Walt Disney World On Saturday September 20th, 2008.
Wednesday September 17th, 2008 was My Lucky Day.

Based On What happened to me causes me to Thank God That I am A Childhood Disney Fan, OR Even KNEW ABOUT DISNEY.
I Knew about The Year of A Million Dreams, But For The Fact That I was There to Celebrate My 31st Birthday that is actually On September 8th,
I was able to make A Magical Moment with the Dream Squad Members that I have met. This may sound a bit out of the Normal, But For me, It's Me Giving Those 2 Members of The Dream Squad An Autograph Request.
If I NEVER WON Anything from The Disney Dreams Giveaway, At least I had something.

There must have been A Divine Intervention that day.
This all Happened in The Princess Room In The County Bounty Tent in Mickey's Toontown Fair. My Mother was with me. Thank God for that, too.
She took me To Disney For My Birthday, and Let's just say that I got a little more than I bargained for to make a long story short :goodvibes .

To win a Night in the Castle, for me would be a VERY SYMBOLIC MOMENT TO ME, Because The Castle Itself is part of What drew me to Disney in its' OWN Right in the First Place.

Minus that One thing that happened to you, I am happy to hear that you all had A Magical Time :goodvibes , because That is what Disney is ALL About .... At Least The Disney I have been growing up knowing.

~ Dwight

[PhillipA82]

Lol

[CleveRocks]

Any Dream Team member who ever said such a thing to a guest was either: A) not really a Dream Team member; or B) lying.

The fact is, Dream Team members themselves didn't even know what prizes they were giving out, when the prize was above a certain level. With those high level prizes (there were many, not just the night in the Castle Suite prize), the Dream Team CMs weren't told what they were giving away, but were only told where/when to locate the winner, and then to escort the winner to an office setting, where a manager would reveal the prize.

So in other words, there's no way a Dream Team member could have truly known what he/she was contacting the guest about.

In addition, big prizes such as the night in the Castle Suite were awarded based on the random generation of a place, time and number ... and this was done daily by a computer in Elgin, Illinois. For instance, it could be something like "the 11th person who walks through the left-most exit door of MuppetVision 3-D on or after 10:12 a.m."

The only thing that was not truly random about the awarding of the night in the Castle Suite was the time it was awarded. It had to be done fairly early in the day, for logistical reasons. They needed time to notify the winner, then drive the winner to his/her hotel room (or house, if a local) and have them pack a bag for the night, and then get them to Magic Kingdom for the afternoon parade, and so on.

[MMrules]

As with other replies, you are a truly gracious person!!! I am so sorry that happened to you on your vacation. I too would have fallen for that little joke and would have cried my eyes out at the prospect of having a lifelong dream taken away from me before I even knew what happened. That is a terribly mean trick to play on anyone especially when you know there were dreams being given out left and right. I am surprised Disney would allow CM's to do that even if it is in a joking manner. It isn't funny to build one's dream up only to shatter it within the blink of an eye. I can say that has never happend to me at Disney and hope that jokes like that never would...I would end up crying and then being angry.

I did have the pleasure of winning $10,000 on a fake scratch ticket once, which is the same type of humor if you ask me....mean. For a split second I dreamed of what I would do with the cash (and yes, a DVC membership was going through my mind) only to realize I had been had. Such a sad day:sad2:


Maybe next time you will be the true recipent of Disney magic!!!! Best wishes to you!

[Disneybound!!]

Twende, I think that you must be a really awesome person! What a great way to look at it. I love your attitude!! I hope that I would have reacted the same! :flower3:

[mamaloya]

A similar thing happened to me on the Jungle Cruise in Feb 2008. I am aware of how the winners are picked, but not how they are awarded. I was in a wheelchair that trip and got on at the exit of the ride right after the boat was emptied. The rest of our group was on Space Mountain, so it was just me, my 17yo niece, and my 4yo daughter. Well, just before we take off to go to the entrance to pick up everyone else, it still being just us 3 and the CM. The CM says "have you heard of the YoMD" we grinned and said yes, our hearts starting to flutter. He says "have you heard about a night's stay in the castle being given away?" We say yes and at this point I am about to scream. He says, in that big game show you won a million dollars tone "well you just one an extra 50 second ride on the Jungle Cruise." and takes off the few feet to pick up everyone else. My heart dropped. I looked at him and said with as much humor and gentleness as I could muster and giving a forced grin "now that was just not nice at all." My niece said "aw man how could you do that to my aunt." He wasn't sure what to say after that. My niece and I did laugh about it and my 4yo had no clue what was going on, but I knew that he was just trying to be funny and intended no harm. You know those Jungle Cruise CMs are corny as heck.