Doubting Disney

[Sammie]

Recently several posts on this forum and others have me wondering something.

There is great concern that Disney will not fairly execute the Year of a Million Dreams contest. Many thought Disney would not be fair to those that bought tickets for the Halloween Party and in removing nonpaying guests, which turned out not to be the case.

I guess there just seems to me for people that go to Disney year after year and even invest money with them in DVC, there is very little trust in them.

I mean I am not naive and think they are perfect, far from it, but if I truly thought they were always trying "do me in" I would run from them as fast as I can.

I just don't get it, people constantly seem to belittle and doubt them and yet they give them their money hand over fist.

Are these people just suspicous of everyone they deal with, or do they reserve that honor only for Disney.

All thoughts welcome.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

If Disney wants to run a "contest" and give out prizes--- that's just a bonus. I bought DVC with or without the prizes. If I win one (cruise or 200 more points) I'll be thrilled, however, Its really great that alot of people will be dusted with pixie dust throughout the year, whether or not its me!!

 

[byoung]

If Disney wants to run a "contest" and give out prizes--- that's just a bonus. I bought DVC with or without the prizes. If I win one (cruise or 200 more points) I'll be thrilled, however, Its really great that alot of people will be dusted with pixie dust throughout the year, whether or not its me!!

I agree.

 

[starbox]

Maybe I am a weirdo, but even though we'll take 5 trips during the YOMD promotion - it has not even entered my mind as a remote possibility that we will win a prize.

I've had my share of magical moments. A few years ago, DD (age 6 at the time) became ill with a migrane and needed to lie down in the first aid center while her medicine took effect. The nurse at check-in asked who her favorite character was, and when she found out it was Chip and Dale, she arranged for Chip and Dale to visit her. They arrived carrying a box of Kleenex and a book.

That single moment meant everything to her, and to me as a parent. There was no promotion or prize - just someone being kind to a little girl. I'd take that unexpected, beautiful little moment over a night in Cinderella's castle or a cruise any time.

 

[DMKEDM]

Starbox, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your story about the CM who brought Chip and Dale to see your sick little daughter...it's so Disney for me...We're first-time DVCers (the textbook family who should have bought years and years ago!), but for us the Disney magic has nothing to do w/clean rooms or prizes or promotions. I'm well aware that I'm spending lots of money when we go to WDW...I tell people "we don't go to Disney to save money"...but the atmosphere and the people (who make us feel like absolutely nothing is too much to do for us) and the "magic" are for us what it's all about...and your story just epitomizes what Disney is...in our experience, 24/7, 52 weeks a year...

We've had a bad moment or two at Disney...but the extent to which the CMs tried to make it right when something went wrong is amazing.

It's an amazing place. We love it beyond my ability to articulate accurately. And your story, Starbox, did such a good job of expressing why we love Disney so much.

Thank you.

 

[tjhsr]

Do you think it is because of the amount of money people do invest in DVC that some just think Disney owes them something more.I have gotten everything i was told and more from my membership. AP,DDP those were not perks when we became members.But more than happy to get them and won't get upset when they go away.Hopefully not to soon.You have to have some trust or why bother.

 

[disneymom8589]

I agree with all of the posters who are just happy to be at Disney and interact with all the CMs who go out of their way to make things magical. If we happen to win a prize during YOMD, that's just a happy bonus!

 

[LVSWL]

What a great story Starbox! I agree, our family has had years of magical dreams. Not that we would turn down something special from tinkerbell, but we go to Walt Disneyworld because of how we feel when we are there, and that is a feeling that we don't feel anywhere else.

 

[simzac]

Recently several posts on this forum and others have me wondering something.

There is great concern that Disney will not fairly execute the Year of a Million Dreams contest. Many thought Disney would not be fair to those that bought tickets for the Halloween Party and in removing nonpaying guests, which turned out not to be the case.

I guess there just seems to me for people that go to Disney year after year and even invest money with them in DVC, there is very little trust in them.

I mean I am not naive and think they are perfect, far from it, but if I truly thought they were always trying "do me in" I would run from them as fast as I can.

I just don't get it, people constantly seem to belittle and doubt them and yet they give them their money hand over fist.

Are these people just suspicous of everyone they deal with, or do they reserve that honor only for Disney.

All thoughts welcome.

I don't believe people are necessarily more suspicious than in the past, it's just with the internet and forums such as this one, there is a way for people to vent more than in the past without having to expose who they are. I guess it just makes them feel better, having gotten something off their chest, so to speak.

As for me, I would like to win a prize, heck, who wouldn't. But if I don't, certainly won't be the end of the world. Just being able to spend a week in the most magical place in the world with my family is the only prize I really need to win. I've already talked with the family that we will just go about our days at WDW just like we have done in the past. If we get stopped and awarded something, so be it, but we are not going to pester any CM's thinking that will help our chances. I'm afraid we will see other families and individuals doing just the opposite, and that will not be a pretty sight to see while on vacation. Hope everyone has a great year during the Year of a Million Dreams.

 

[cdmickey]

I know what I've paid for and have never been disappointed in what was returned (value). Everything else is bonus, and there has never been anything lacking on that account either.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

ENTITLEMENT! I don't know if it is genereation X or just the progression of our society in general, but we live in a day and age were many people feel they are entitled to what they want. These people complain loudly when they don't get what they want or think they are at a lessor advantage of getting it. This is a day when you can spill a cup of hot coffee in your own lap and and get awarded $ 1mil. suit against someone for making the coffee too hot. Since the laws changed allowing law firms to advertise, there has been a huge wave of law firms focused on entitlement cases. Our young people have and are being taught that apologies and regret aren't enough when you can reap big monetary damages.

Fortunately, this is DISney boards, and most of our complaints are objective and intended to help and inform. When someone crosses the line we usually light up our flame throwers and roast marshmallows. I feel bad for the cronic complainers, because they will likely never enjoy life or look forward to their next venture.

 

[Micmaniac]

I think the freebies throughout the year is great even though I'm more likely to be struck by lightning. Disney very rarely dissappoints. Several years ago we were checking into our garden wing room at CR and were given a free upgrade to the fifth floor tower facing the castle. I think Disney has been doing these kinds of things for a long time and just decided to let people know about it and make it better.

 

[pamjb]

We will be arriving at BCV on 10/1. I, for one, am a little worried about those who feel they should be the winner. I agree with the "me, me, me" attitude. I would be thrilled to pieces to even just win a pin. But, I will be just as thrilled to be spending time with my DH and our two friends in the "Happiest Place on Earth"

 

[TwingleMum]

Everyone would love to win a prize thats a no brainer but to begrudge or complain if you don't win is what I don't understand. We don't want anyone to lose. But you know what some of the best life lessons come from losing ~ trying harder next time, never quiting or being a gracious loser (and winner sometimes even harder). I think Disney will handle the Million Dreams wonderfully. And I hope that I can teach my kids to be happy for someone else.

 

[Fitswimmer]

ENTITLEMENT! I don't know if it is genereation X or just the progression of our society in general, but we live in a day and age were many people feel they are entitled to what they want. These people complain loudly when they don't get what they want or think they are at a lessor advantage of getting it. This is a day when you can spill a cup of hot coffee in your own lap and and get awarded $ 1mil. suit against someone for making the coffee too hot. Since the laws changed allowing law firms to advertise, there has been a huge wave of law firms focused on entitlement cases. Our young people have and are being taught that apologies and regret aren't enough when you can reap big monetary damages.

I think the concern about the promotion is not from DVC people or DIS boards people about themselves, but that based on the published rules Disney has left themselves open for problems like those mentioned above. Those of us who visit the park often have had numerous experiences with the Entitlement folks and they're annoying enough already-add the potential of winning a prize and we could really see some offensive behavior.

I'm a DVC member and I get to go to Disney 3 times this year, so I've already won.

 

[bicker]

I don't believe people are necessarily more suspicious than in the past, it's just with the internet and forums such as this one, there is a way for people to vent more than in the past without having to expose who they are.

Actually, I think one feeds on the other, so consequently, many people are not only more suspicious than in the past, but many people also hold a stronger sense of entitlement than in the past -- more precisely, there is a much wider gap between what they are actually entitled to and what they have chosen to expect.

 

[bicker]

I think the concern about the promotion is not from DVC people or DIS boards people about themselves, but that based on the published rules Disney has left themselves open for problems like those mentioned above.

The problem with this is that the "entitlement folks" have made it impossible to offer anything without facing the spectre of how those folks will distort the offering into something other than it was intended. In the past, companies could expect customers to be reasonable in their patronage. Now, any unlocked door is considered an expressed invitation to enter. These customers have created an exploitive environment, within which no customer-facing business can truly satisfy, on the order that businesses satisfied customers in the past.

 

[Doctor P]

I think there are a few things going on here. First of all, I don't think the ONLY problem is one of people having an entitlement mentality (although that is a BIG problem and is very hard to understand or deal with). We also have an inclination on the part of businesses to expect/demand loyalty on the part of their customers and then not reciprocate that loyalty or reward that loyalty in a tangible way (or set up their loyalty programs with ridiculous provisions). I have no problems with the concept of the Million Dreams promotion, but there is a CHANCE for this to really run amok. If the million dreams were all to be given out in a truly random fashion, then I don't think anyone would really have a problem with it. If discretion enters into the puzzle, then all bets are off. I have faith that Disney will do it the right way, and I know that a lot of these types of things have been done in the past anyway with far less hoopla. Frankly, I am not worried about it, but wanted to point out that there is another dimension to the entitlement story as well.

 

[jarestel]

Based on the relatively small number of members who use this site and a handful of anecdotal "meltdown" stories, I don't think we have anywhere near enough evidence to proclaim DVC members (but not us, because we're far too fun-loving and magical) suffer from "Disney owes me" syndrome. At least not anymore than any other group of people.

It's an interesting question though Sammie. It's been my experience that whenever any new program or idea is discussed here, a number of posters tend to focus their energies on coming up with reasons why something won't work rather than will. Nothing wrong with taking a critical approach to something as long as we don't forget that most every problem has a solution. Disney knows this anyway.

So I expect all will be well and the million dreams program will function nicely. We won't see bands of sore-losers roaming the parks accosting CMs with crys of "Where's mine?", prophecies by DIS board swamis not withstanding. It should be a heck of a year!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

In their attempt to build excitement, Disney created too much speculation about the award process by stating CM's would award the prizes. I responded in another thread which was questioning the selection process. Although my comments were done tongue-in-cheek, I don't think it was perceived that way by some. I have total faith that Disney has researched this up one side and down the other (isn't that what corporate attorneys are for?). Do I have just as much chance as anyone else? Yes. Will I win? Probably not. Do I care? Heck no. Why? Duh...I at Walt Disney World!!!

BTW, I'm already a winner because I am a licensed Monorail Pilot...and I've got the official card to prove it!