Winners say 'no thanks' sometimes

[crazy4wdw]

Winners say 'no thanks' sometimes

Beth Kassab | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted February 28, 2007

For some visitors, Walt Disney World's "Year of a Million Dreams" giveaway is a reason for a million excuses.

The yearlong campaign bestows randomly selected guests at the resort with prizes such as a night in Cinderella Castle, but some folks say "no thanks."

"Sometimes, believe it or not, which I can't understand, people say, 'Nah, I'm leaving tomorrow or I don't want to move my stuff . . .' " said Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo. "We have had some guests for whatever reason say that they couldn't do it, so we go to the next person."

Rasulo said he doesn't know exactly how many people have turned down the prizes that range from a stay fit for a princess in the castle to much smaller giveaways such as free popcorn or a pass to the front of thrill ride lines, but "it does happen."

While giving up a night in the castle may be unfathomable to parents of young princess wannabes, Disney has a backup plan for when it happens.

Another winner is simply selected at random.

"It's the most complicated, complex mathematical system you can imagine," Rasulo said of the process developed for Disney by an outside firm.

Each day the system pinpoints an exact location -- such as the seventh person to exit a specific show at the Magic Kingdom -- and whoever is at the right place at the right time wins the prize.

The campaign started last year with more than 1 million prizes, some worth tens of thousands of dollars apiece, such as time-share contracts and trips halfway around the world.

On average, 1,700 to 3,000 prizes big and small are given out on a daily basis, said Disney spokesman Jacob DiPietre.

Beth Kassab can be reached at bkassab@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5448.

 

[ameraumi]

Can you imagine?!?!?!?!?

 

[MassJester]

Nope -- I'd want to stay in the castle -- even if I had to go out and rent a family.

 

[caitty13]

Wow! I would stay to no matter what.

 

[Another Voice]

As I've heard how it works, winning the castle stay essentially takes your entire day. You're thrown into the parade, there's another stage appear, there's a planned dinner, than an appearance at the fireworks show, then you're locked into castle that night and can't leave. From the moment you win, the rest of your day is out of your control.

If I was traveling with a group and had already made arrangements, I too might think about saying "no". I have better things to do at WDW than become a prop.

 

[MassJester]

As I've heard how it works, winning the castle stay essentially takes your entire day. You're thrown into the parade, there's another stage appear, there's a planned dinner, than an appearance at the fireworks show, then you're locked into castle that night and can't leave. From the moment you win, the rest of your day is out of your control.

If I was traveling with a group and had already made arrangements, I too might think about saying "no". I have better things to do at WDW than become a prop.

Not me--I'll take castle stay and "prop" status

 

[raidermatt]

We travel with friends, so it would be tough to bail on our plans with them for the whole day, but they would understand and we would probably still do it. I know we'd encourage them to do so if they won.

It could also happen where somebody won but was leaving that day.

I heard one couple that turned it down were elderly and didn't want to move their stuff.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I can't say I'd be jumping for joy with the Castle either. Now the free FP's I'd accept. But of course we haven't been picked for anything (not even popcorn) ... Only visit every month a couple of times so I guess it's no surprise.

 

[GreyStr0ke]

If you win the stay in the castle do you still have to pay for your hotel room for that night if you are stayng on Disney property?

 

[Mickmse2002]

I could very easily turn down a castle stay. I enjoy an evening stroll around the Beach Club/Boardwalk area with a cocktail and the wife and given that Magic Kingdom is alcohol free it would be difficult to do this down Mainstreet USA.

 

[kjkcool]

I would not turn down a stay in Cinderella's Castle for anything,no matter what I have schedualed,no matter if I was offered a million dollars to refuse, even *gulp* a chance to meet Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom and use their plastic to go shopping with them all day if I didn't stay.

THAT'S HOW MUCH I WANT TO STAY THERE!

All you people who want to give up a once in a lifetime opportunity,are nutters!
Cindy's Castle=Awesome

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

There are lots of things that are once in a lifetime opportunities that I'd be happy to turn down. A castle stay could easily be one of them.

 

[YoHo]

I'd gladly turn down the Once in a Lifetime opportunity to be shot dead.


Also, turning down a million dollars and instead spending a night as a prisoner in an oversized castle is Wrong-Sick.

 

[momto6]

If we were lucky enough to be chosen for any of the free gifts, you bet we would take them.

 

[DisMN]

I don't have any desire to stay in the Castle, free or not, so if they let me I'd absolutely love to give my "prize" away to someone. I think giving it to someone would be much more fun than keeping it for myself!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

no way i if i won i would make sure i was there to stay in teh castle

 

[MrsJackSparrow]

I would not turn down a stay in Cinderella's Castle for anything,no matter what I have schedualed,no matter if I was offered a million dollars to refuse, even *gulp* a chance to meet Johnny Depp

I could never say no to Mr. Depp!

 

[kjkcool]

I could never say no to Mr. Depp!

It'd be the toughest decision I'd ever have to make.
I thought about it long and hard before I even posted that.
Cinderella was in my loving affections long before my (hott,amazing exquisite!!!! ) Johnny or Orlando.
Dang,why must I be so loyal?!

 

[Pixie Tales]

Nope -- I'd want to stay in the castle -- even if I had to go out and rent a family.

There was a Post about a young tattooed guy on the CB that did this.. He is single and was in the parks alone.. He invited a family with 2 young girls 5 and 2 to stay with him in the castle!!!




ETA: oopsss it is on THIS board... sorry

 

[surferhick]

My kids would be very upset if I turned down the stay. I would just have to make it work. Can you imagine the stories my kids would have to tell all their friends when they got home. IN THE DISNEY PARADE, STAYED AT THE CASTLE, WOW!!!