A Warning of Sorts

[Okh]

If you're planning a trip to the World and that trip is a surprise to someone living in the same house as you, please know that they now send out a brightly colored mailing extolling your vacation. This is exactly what it looks like in the mail:

It is NOT subtle and something my 9 year old picked up on IMMEDIATELY. I guess no Christmas surprise here, huh? If you've planned a trip and want to keep it a surprise, watch the mail or have a talk with the mailman or something.

 

[dansdad]

Yup. I've seen at least a dozen of these warning posts here on the DIS every month since they started shipping the Magic Bands.

 

[Okh]

Magic bands, I get. Travel docs, I get. I know those are coming and I can plan for that. This? A dumb booklet about FastPass? No need.

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

Thanks for the heads up. Surprise here as well.

 

[mousehockey37]

Be forewarned, there's more coming. We received a booklet thing with refrigerator magnets in the back reminding us of "important dates" for our upcoming trip. Since we did a split stay, we got 2 of them!!!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Yeah that could use a plain envelope, I agree

 

[Okh]

Be forewarned, there's more coming. We received a booklet thing with refrigerator magnets in the back reminding us of "important dates" for our upcoming trip. Since we did a split stay, we got 2 of them!!!

Cat's out of the bag now. Bring on the swag. I am FURIOUS about this.

 

[dansdad]

Ever since they started with the whole My Disney Experience probably thousands of surprise trips have been ruined. From the Magic Bands, the USB Drives to explain MDE, to the Fast Pass + booklet, to the magnets, etc they have gone way overboard. And with the amount of anger this has caused, I am very surprised they are still doing it. I have seen so many posts by people who have written guest services to complain and yet nothing has changed. Sigh.

 

[mousehockey37]

Cat's out of the bag now. Bring on the swag. I am FURIOUS about this.

Disney's too caught up in the their pitches for stuff that they don't care if it's a surprise or not. They've got tons of money in advertising, which is what you got, an advertisement. I understand your anger, and yes, you have plenty of reason to be upset. Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do about it...

Unless you're a good liar, Disney's gonna spoil it.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I actually find these offensive...they are just wasteful...as are shipping or holding magic bands for those that already have them...

At the very least - there should be an "opt out" for this kind of glutinous junk when you book.

On another note...I wish they'd stop with high gloss DVC sales pitches as well.

Like I don't know where to find them...if the spirit moves me to buy points at over double the cost of my originals to book the same rooms.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

So sorry your surprise was ruined, I hope you have a magical trip. Maybe now you can embrace the anticipation of the trip, make a cool countdown calendar together (look on pinterest), have some Disney family fun nights (see thread on the family board), watch YouTube videos of Disney vlogs, rides, etc. Can you keep the resort a surprise still? Or maybe plan a few surprise dining experiences.

 

[bumbershoot]

I guess no Christmas surprise here, huh?

So your 9 year old didn't get a fabulous surprise TODAY?

Might not have been your plan, but I bet s/he is tremendously excited and happy right now.

Ever since they started with the whole My Disney Experience probably thousands of surprise trips have been ruined. From the Magic Bands, the USB Drives to explain MDE, to the Fast Pass + booklet, to the magnets, etc they have gone way overboard.

But all of those things have been in boxes or envelopes. I've gotten all of the above that you mentioned, and they have NOT come out in the open.

The thing the OP got, if that's just how it was, is the first I personally have seen mention of coming without a cover on it.

 

[dansdad]

But all of those things have been in boxes or envelopes. I've gotten all of the above that you mentioned, and they have NOT come out in the open.

The thing the OP got, if that's just how it was, is the first I personally have seen mention of coming without a cover on it.

Interesting. All of the things I mentioned have been delivered to us in very obvious packaging for our last 3 trips. All of them had the Incredibles plastered all over the outside.

 

[mousehockey37]

Interesting. All of the things I mentioned have been delivered to us in very obvious packaging for our last 3 trips. All of them had the Incredibles plastered all over the outside.

Ditto.

 

[Okh]

So your 9 year old didn't get a fabulous surprise TODAY?

No, the surprise part was all about me. I miss that absolute joy that you see on a kids face when you show up at school to take them to Disney.

 

[shrinkydinky]

Hmmmm, someone angry because Disney is going above and beyond to make your vacation super magical? My sister told them how wonderful those informational packets and boxes were when she spoke to them last, when she was arranging another reservation. They said that, unfortunately, they will be phasing those out. So, some of you will get your wish.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Hmmmm, someone angry because Disney is going above and beyond to make your vacation super magical? My sister told them how wonderful those informational packets and boxes were when she spoke to them last, when she was arranging another reservation. They said that, unfortunately, they will be phasing those out. So, some of you will get your wish.

I'm waiting for the punchline...

 

[Halloweenqueen]

You can op out of more magicbands. Just call and let them know (407) 939-7765, extension 3.

I see plenty of guests complain that they don't send much printed material anymore. Disney isn't responsible for keeping your trip a surprise. Simply use a local relative's mailing address or watch your mail.

 

[Okh]

Disney isn't responsible for keeping your trip a surprise. Simply use a local relative's mailing address or watch your mail.

When surprising the kids with a Disney trip is central to a marketing campaign it is. They should either send this garbage in plain wrapper or allow the person making the rez an opportunity to opt out. As far as watching the mail? I had no idea this was coming.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

You can op out of more magicbands. Just call and let them know (407) 939-7765, extension 3.

I see plenty of guests complain that they don't send much printed material anymore. Disney isn't responsible for keeping your trip a surprise. Simply use a local relative's mailing address or watch your mail.

Good tip on the bands... However that's apparently not well know outside the intranet.

Disney has implemented a web based resort system...the proper take would be to eliminate the printed materials in favor of web based tools/information and allow the option to request printed material if you like.

And those mailers are obnoxiously Disney...Mickey heads or incredibles on the exterior packaging...

And your suggestion to use a false address is against the "company policy" of verifying all materials and assigning all purchased items to specific individuals with specific addresses/ emails/ phone numbers/ and finger sizes...is it not?

And if not explicitly contrarian to policy - certainly in the spirit of what they are trying to do...

I'm not saying nobody likes the promos...and if they do - more power to them.

But there is a downside and it was legitimately brought up here.
I have to reject "magic" (for a brochure that includes sell techniques and tactics) and the corporate cutoff as effective counter arguments.

My opinion...to each his own.