Advice--forget about YOMD-no disappointment

[TinkGirl]

We just got back from a week at Disney, and I wish my family and I did not even know about the dreams giveaways. We were at a park or two every day and covered a lot of ground--just not the right ground, I guess. I don't want to complain. We had a wonderful family vacation. We are AP holders for a few more days and DVC members, so we are bombarded with Disney info in the mail and e-mail. We knew all about the dream team and giveaways. I sent in 20 postcards--nothing. We saw LOTS of dream team people--big groups and individuals. We even walked into the Land right in front of them and watched them pop into the Soarin' exit. We stayed there for a while--did Soarin' and Living with the Land. I have to say it was a little disappointing even though we knew in our heads that our chances of randomly winning anything were small. We walked into Tusker House right as ears were awarded to a certain room. We walked into Dino Land only to see lots and lots of people putting on dream fast passes. A couple inches away from us were asked to be in the parade, etc., etc. The whole thing was a let down for our family. Oh well. If we would have won anything, I probably would be singing a different tune. My best advice would be to forget about the whole thing. I've seen posts where people actually are creating strategies to try to win things. That seems like a big set-up for disappointment.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

You are voicing the experience of many! During our last visit we were also a few steps behind the Dream Squad and it did get a little frustrating. Whenever I start getting annoyed about not winning anything I remind myself that I'm a winner on a daily basis (in spite of my "Losers Check In Here" thread!) because I am able to travel to WDW whenever I want, have a roof over my head, food in the cupboards, a car that springs to life everytime I turn the key, and a family that loves me...it the big scheme of things, the mouse ears don't really matter to me. I'll admit, I wouldn't turn them down -- but it's not like it would be a life changing event whether I did or didn't get them.

 

[roseprincess]

I imagine it's got to be frustrating and upsetting to see people all around you winning something (dream fastpasses, pins, etc). to you and all that is frustrated about not getting a Dream at the parks and the mail-in entries.

 

[mlill]

Yep, you just gotta forget that the Dream Squads are even in the parks. We were in WDW for 5 days in October, and we happened to win MK Dream FastPasses. We were just in the right place at the right time. We also just got back from a 2 week WDW vacation and didn't win a thing! Go figure. We even talked with several Dream Squad CM's and nothing...nada...zip...

You can't count on winning anything, and if you do, then just be pleasantly surprised!

-Michelle

 

[Disfan3]

I am sorry...I know how this feels. I had this happen to me a few times before the YOAMD even happened...as far as people being chosen right in front or right behind us....I got my feelings hurt a bit because I am emotional but then I remembered all the magic that happened to us and felt better.

I won't go in March thinking I will be held up in the castle suite...thanks for reminding me to have no expectations!!

 

[antmaril]

We just returned today from five days at WDW and we didn't get anything either. We were walking into The Land headed for Soarin' right behind a YOMD crew. They headed toward the exit. I'm sure some folks got lucky, but not us.

We knew it was a long shot, but I admit I was a little disappointed.

However, we had a fabulous time

 

[NotAmused]

Yep, I agree. You can't go there expecting to win something or talk about it your entire trip otherwise you are setting yourself up to be let down. I am going in a few weeks and I am honestly not expecting to win anything...just because I never win anything. But seriously, I have no expectations. I'm just gonna enjoy my vacation. And if I should win mouseears or something, then I shall dance around like this:


But I can definitely understand how it can be disappointing, especially if you are always *so close* to being selected.

 

[Vickie46]

we went for 5 days in december and did not win any dreams either.. my little girl did get the tinkerbell pin that says one to have and one to share... she was very thrilled with that!

 

[dimoe]

I went in Dec for a 8 days and didnt get anything. It is a little disappointing because we know about it. The one thing I noticed is that a lot of ppl are stopping and talking to them and some I noticed received pins.
It is hard seeing others with the passes or hats and knowing you would have loved them and was really secretly hoping for them. Best to forget!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Luckily I didnt say anything to my family so they didnt know any better so just mom a little upset.

 

[ppiew]

I figure I am a winner of a 'YOMD' because I get to take my 4 yr old granddaughter to WDW in Feb for a week. THAT makes me a super BIG winner in my book. Yes, I too have an AP and am also a DVC owner. But ya know - just to be in WDW with a little girl is all the hoopla I need - I am so happy to be afforded this opportunity I feel like a winner all over! If I don't get a FP, nite in the Cinderella Suite, cruise, DVC points, Micky ears, - so what! I will STILL be living the dream I worked so many years to achieve. So we have to wait in lines, so we don't have 'ears', so we aren't Grand Marshalls - I just don't care! This whole trip makes me a bigger winner than any 'dream team' could offer to me.

 

[Dragonfly0521]

Just got back from a wonderful 6 day trip to WDW. After day 1, I remembered the YOAMD. I was so caught up in the "dream" of being there, I actually forgot! Then we saw people with the ears, and dream fp.... I just tried to let it go and remember that my dream was to be there. On our final morning in the park.... whamo! Dream FP's!!!!! We were so exicited! And we have to laugh as the park was so slow, they never even turned on the FP option in MK for Space Mtn... and more! We actually only really used it on BTM RR! It was fun to be a winner, but the trip and the magic of it all was our real dream come true. So... think of it as a what if... and if it happens, great... but you would have gone to WDW even if YOAMD wasn't going on.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Our family just had this discussion last night. We leave on Saturday!! I reminded them NOT to expect to win anything and if we do it is just icing on the cake. DS really wants to win a resort upgrade (we are staying budget this trip) but I reminded him that EVERYONE else at POP has the same idea and few will win.

We have had a lot of "drearms" on past trip that we did not expect so we will face this trip with the same attitude. We have opened the park, opened toon town, gotten an upgrade at the WL, free fast passes, ice cream etc, just from the WDW magic. I hope a lot of people are not letting their looking for the magic, take away from the real magic.

Ms Sandra

 

[Brise Nannie]

I couldn't agree more with the idea of "forgetting about YOAMD." We visited the World in December and before arriving I mentioned to our "Gathering" group the YOAMD concept. I wish I hadn't said anything to them at all. I think some members were disappointed thinking the Dream Team would be everywhere waiting to shower people with surprises every minute. We were lucky enough to win Epcot FPs and I was thrilled to win something but I could tell some family members were expecting a bit more. I was just happy to be making the trip at all! For me it was my best trip yet!

 

[Stitchfans]

I'm just excited about going, and if we do win something I will just consider that an added bonus!

 

[dimoe]

I was excited to go too but after seeing the hats, fastpasses or anything else special you wonder when it will happen to you or why didnt it happen to you .

 

[jaysbabe]

I was really disappointed too. We saw the YOAMD crews several times but they were never giving anything away. I asked one of them how it worked and she said they did not carry product and were told with no notice to award items when their bosses showed up to their location. I actually saw the same woman several times in MGM throughout the park.

I guess we got something....We ordered food at the Tusker house at AK and our tray was different color and we were given 1 cupcake for our family of 3.

Overall, I guess it would have been better if I didn't know the promotion was going on. I wonder if there is someplace we can voice our disappointment with the promotion to WDW.

We still had a good time at the world but it would have been nice to get a lanyard or ears. -- they really are cute!!

 

[TreesyB]

I pretty much forgot about the promotion, and bought all of our dreams paraphernalia. But it's so pretty! I have a soft spot for baby blue

But just being at WDW and on the cruise was magic enough for us. And how special we were made to feel, each and every day!

 

[JFlo]

Just had to share, my DD3 woke up this morning smiling and hugging her mommy and her daddy, because she had just had a beautiful dream that she was at WDW! She told us she met Mickey and Minnie, Daisy and Donald, Goofy and "Mickey's little dog, named Pluto". She also met the princesses and the 100 acre wood. She was elated, and I realized that we have already "won" all we could ever wish for, just to get the amazing opportunity to take her to this magical world. And she will experience it all. She has reservations to all of the best character meals and a hair appointment at the BBB before attending the PPP! She's a brilliant child with an unbelievable imagination and beautiful soul, and to bring her to WDW is a dream come true.

Our upcoming trip is so special on so many levels. This will be my DH and DD's first experience, and as for me, I have not been to WDW since 1991, on a limited 3 day trip, never been to AK or even MGM. My parents will be joining us as well, and I realize that I have not been on a REAL vacation with them since 1995! They live many many miles away from us, and do not get to enjoy their only grandchild nearly as much as they wish they could. So their dreams are coming true, to see the World through her eyes.

As for my husband, this trip respresents so much more to him than just a family vacation. This is the start of a major change in his life. For reasons that are too complicated to go into, for the past 10 years, my beautiful, creative and intelligent DH has been "stuck" in retail management. I won't mince words, he has been miserable. The birth of our little girl has given him the courage to fulfill his dream, to be a chef. He wants to be an example to her, that if you have a dream, you have to work to make it come true. So after 10 years of stifling his mind, body and soul, the end of this month he is leaving his management job, and the middle of February he starts culinary school. Between leaving his job and starting school we are going to WDW. As my DH said himself, it could not be a more perfect time to go. After all of these years of stifled imagination and creativity, he will be traveling to a place where imagination knows no boundaries and dreams come true. We are breaking the bank to do the Chef's Table at V&A's, which I predict will be an inspiring and quite emotional evening for us. This trip will rejuvenate his soul, which is my wish beyond all others.

The icing on the cake: Our best friends in the whole world and their son of the same age as our daughter, will be joining us as well, to make it a true magical gathering!

Of course it would be an incredible blessing to win a prize as part of the Year of a Million Dreams, but in all honesty, this trip has been my dream, long before we even had our beautiful little girl. My dream has been to take my family to WDW and experience the magic, and God willing, in 17 days this dream will come true.

 

[ppiew]

JFlo: with your attitude you have already won the TOP prize! There are sure to be a few 'bumps' in the road on the trip, but there is no doubt you will sail thru and have the time of your lives! We have been to V&A's and the Chefs Table (once) and it is a truly inspiring evening. What a great opportunity for your husband! So heartening to hear about people that are so optimistic about life. Go for it!!!!

 

[TinkGirl]

Wow! JFlo, my husband's still "stuck" in retail management. That's why we take Jan. trips--just to reconnect after the grueling Christmas season. I hope you have a wonderful vacation. I didn't mean to compain. I feel very lucky to have been in Disney in the winter instead of work/school. After watching the Christmas parade on tv, our kids all decided we were going to win a trip. My husband and I assured them that there was NO WAY we would win a big prize--probably not even a small prize. We tried to forget, but it was a little hard when we saw so many people with the hats/fast passes--and lots of just misses. The dream team awarded prizes to people on the very next train to Rafiki's planet watch, etc. A friend of mine is taking her family to Disney for the first time next month. It sure would be nice for them to win a dream.