2010 promo information is here! "Give a Day. Get a Disney Day."

[Leofoenget]

Annual Passholders get "Special Fastpass" "mouse ears with some pins" or they can donate their ticket to someone else" How fun To donate my ticket to someone else.

why not the gift card, maybe priority seating at Fantasmic. doesn't sound interesting to me honestly

Disney Special FASTPASS® cards for certain attractions for you and up to
five additional members of your party†

A collectible Ear Hat figurine with exclusive trading pins‡

Donate your free ticket to a non-profit organization designated by Disney Parks.

 

[50sjayne]

I am curious why there are not more agencies in WA and OR that are registered with Hands On. I wonder how difficult it would be to get your agency registered with them...

Yeah I'm worried about that. Seems like there is something in Portland- 2 hour drive but we love Portland- but it would be nice if there were something closer.

 

[ebtbmom]

OK, was I the only one that saw this and thought "Wow, they are helping to promote the current administrations policies." Everyone knows that the Obama administration has volunteerism as a central theme, I doubt this timing is a coincidence.
Not that there's anything wrong with volunteering. I just think that if Disney aligns itself too closely with a very liberal administration that they run the risk of alienating their conservative customers.
Of course, this is a free country and private businesses can do what they want to do! That's what makes it great!

 

[AmericanItGirl]

So excited about this because it means that I might be able to go to Disneyland next year.

 

[Leofoenget]

I think we are going where angeles fear to tread...........

Without getting into politics, volunteerism is a good thing no matter what political party one belongs to. That being said, I doubt I will participate in the program because i have an AP and getting some mouse ears or donating my ticket to someone else isn't much motovation for me. I know I know I sound like jerk I should volunteer out of the goodness of my heart and not for a reward. Ehh whatever. I took care of my Alzheimers mother for the last 5 years in my home. For the time being, I'm "good deeded out"

Now onto my dying sister

 

[ebtbmom]

You're right, I think I'm watching too many opinion news shows. It's getting me paranoid!

 

[Belle Ella]

I love this promotion, and living in a house with a sibling who watches nothing but the Disney Channel, it really reminds me of the Friends for Change thing they've got going on, getting kids to 'go green' and help the environment.

 

[KCmike]

Pay it forward. Sounds great.

 

[nunzia]

OK, was I the only one that saw this and thought "Wow, they are helping to promote the current administrations policies." Everyone knows that the Obama administration has volunteerism as a central theme, I doubt this timing is a coincidence.
Not that there's anything wrong with volunteering. I just think that if Disney aligns itself too closely with a very liberal administration that they run the risk of alienating their conservative customers.
Of course, this is a free country and private businesses can do what they want to do! That's what makes it great!

I really didn't interpret it that way at all. Disney has always been strong in volunteer pushes..we even had chances to VoluntEAR at Expo23 and it was like the 10 year anniversary of that, plus I know I've read corproate things about it forever, so I didn't tie the 2 together at all. It's a great idea and I really hope people can see it in a positive light even if they can't or won't join in. The thing that drives me nuts is the attitude that if ~I~ can't do it it is not good, or fair.

 

[imjen]

It's definitely not a program aimed at AP holders, but I think it's great for those that normally can't afford Disneyland. And so much more flexible on dates than the birthday one.

 

[alvernon90]

OK, was I the only one that saw this and thought "Wow, they are helping to promote the current administrations policies." Everyone knows that the Obama administration has volunteerism as a central theme, I doubt this timing is a coincidence.

I totally thought this, too! I remember when Disney added Obama to the Hall of Presidents at WDW and I thought, "Disney is trying to indoctrinate our kids with socialism! Don't they care about us conservatives?"

There is no way in the world the timing is a coincidence. The Flag Retreat Ceremony is a bit of a coincidence because they did it even before the current administration. Still, you frequently see Obama standing near an American flag. I don't want to support the current administration, so I just won't let my kids watch the Flag Retreat or say the Pledge of Allegiance. (Allegiance to what? A socialist republic??)

I also hope Disneyland gets rid of a lot of other things closely associated with our current so-called president, like neckties.

 

[laura&fam]

I am curious why there are not more agencies in WA and OR that are registered with Hands On. I wonder how difficult it would be to get your agency registered with them...

Where did you find the list of agencies registered with them? All I found was a map of "action centers" with nothing in my entire state.

My DD9 has been begging me to let her volunteer at the local Humane Society, but I'm pretty sure they have an age limit of at least 16, also I really can't picture her trying to control a large, hyper lab on a leash

 

[DLR29]

I totally thought this, too! I remember when Disney added Obama to the Hall of Presidents at WDW and I thought, "Disney is trying to indoctrinate our kids with socialism! Don't they care about us conservatives?"

There is no way in the world the timing is a coincidence. The Flag Retreat Ceremony is a bit of a coincidence because they did it even before the current administration. Still, you frequently see Obama standing near an American flag. I don't want to support the current administration, so I just won't let my kids watch the Flag Retreat or say the Pledge of Allegiance. (Allegiance to what? A socialist republic??)

I also hope Disneyland gets rid of a lot of other things closely associated with our current so-called president, like neckties.

At first, I thought you were serious. Then I kept reading....

 

[Leofoenget]

I think this thread is taking a turn to the dark side.

 

[perlster]

The thread about this year's Birthday Promotion has, IMHO, been quite useful to many people. I'm sure there are going to be questions about various details of this new promo. I'll try to keep the information in the original post up-to-date.


request:
Could a moderator put a link to this thread in the "DLR FAQ ..." sticky, so this does not get lost when 2010 rolls around?

 

[PHXscuba]

Trying to steer it away from the politics ...

I really hope this promo works out, because we would be able to spend a day doing volunteer work together as a family and only end up paying for a child's ticket to DL (our DS4) as a bonus.

My two biggest fears are:

1. Lack of volunteer opportunities in our area (or so few that they get swamped with Disney volunteers)
2. That the "official" charities won't actually take child volunteers. DH is a Scoutmaster and for one of the merit badges they have to do 8 hours of community service through an accredited nonprofit (not our church). You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find organizations that will take volunteers under age 16! I sure hope Disney has checked this out if they are promoting it for ages 6 and up.

PHXscuba

 

[LavenderPeach]

I think the promotion is a good idea but like a PP mentioned, isn't it kind of strange that they leave out the 3-5 year olds? I can understand that it would be hard for the younger kids to do big volunteer projects but it still seems odd to me that they aren't designing the program so a whole family could benefit. This isn't a promotion we will likely be participating in but I still think it's a pretty good idea although it doesn't have the fun factor that the dreams promotion had.

 

[Chris420]

I like this promotion, I think the reason it doesn't fit for everyone is that they're pushing more to inspire people to volunteer then just giving away free days in the park. I do volunteer work taking care of confiscated/unwanted pets(mostly exotics smuggled into the state as illegal pets or something thats cute as a baby but grows up to be not so cute anymore) and doubt that any of that would count towards a day in disney considering the place is not well known, and really dont have the time to volunteer at more then one place, plus work, plus school but I still think this is a great idea and alot of good will come of it

 

[jobo]

I like this promotion, I think the reason it doesn't fit for everyone is that they're pushing more to inspire people to volunteer then just giving away free days in the park.

I totally agree.

 

[iheartdisney]

OK, was I the only one that saw this and thought "Wow, they are helping to promote the current administrations policies." Everyone knows that the Obama administration has volunteerism as a central theme, I doubt this timing is a coincidence.
Not that there's anything wrong with volunteering. I just think that if Disney aligns itself too closely with a very liberal administration that they run the risk of alienating their conservative customers.
Of course, this is a free country and private businesses can do what they want to do! That's what makes it great!

ITA!
Although i think the name of the program should be changed to "community service" or something along that line, and skip using the word "volunteering" Volunteering envokes a sense of giving of your time, energy and efforts without compensation. This is giving of your time, energy and efforts for the sole purpose of compensation. Which is why I am REALLY glad not to see a giftcard option!
Don't get me wrong, i think it is a great program, but we should call a spade a spade here.
And much better than the Dreams promotion. At least in this, everyone has equal opportunity and access to the prizes.
(and the muppet commercial last night was adorable! But what is Miss Piggy doing dreaming of someone but my Kermie? Is there a breakup in the works that we don't know about? I've always known Kermit could do wayyyy better!)