Dream Fast passes - TWICE, and a bonus

[DisneyMom5]

Our first day was at Epcot. We had ADRs for Princess Storybook before the park opened, and decided to hit Test Track after breakfast, on our way over to get FPs for Soarin. Well, no need for that, because our group was in the Test Tr loading area at the right time, and we all got Dream FP. I knew what was coming before just about everyone else, and started jumping up and down. My family thought I was nuts. LOL

So we ambled over to Soarin and rode with no wait!
The only down side was that HISTA was closed, and we didn't need the FPs for anything else, though we did use them to FP Test Track again that night (awesome at night!) But it was so cool to win.

Then, a few days later, we were at MGM, our second day there, and I suggested we take the time to see Walt Disney, One Man's Dream, something we never seemed to have time for. It was probably around 10 am.

The CM was trying to get others to come in, but they would just pass by (word to the wise, check those things out!)
We walked in to see a Dream Team member, and now my family was starting to get the picture and we all had big grins! Sure enough, Dream MGM FPs.

The main thing this helped us do was get on TT several times in a row (By using the little kid's FPs, they even gave the baby one!), as RnRC was closed, and LMA was not taking FPs, and we had seen everything else already. But, again, it was cool.

Then that night, after heading over to Epcot for an ADR, we decided to take in the American Adventure. It was around 6:30. We were first in line for the next show, and the CM started chatting with us.
He asked if we were celebrating anything, which we weren't, so I said "Just being together as a family" and then he ased what our family's name was, and told us we were the family of the day at the American Adventure. We were allowed to look around the lower level, and then taken upstairs in a CM only elevator, and then given time to look around up there, and were taken in and seated first when the last show let out.
Then they announced us before the show and had us wave.

It was pretty cool!

[It was also pretty funny, because our 3 and 4 yos fell asleep during the show. Traitors! LOL]

We felt so lucky that day!

ETA: We were there 9/16-9/27.

 

[inkkognito]

Since the prizes are supposed to be random, I'm always surprised at the many reports here of the CMs trying to get people to come into an attraction, board a boat, etc. where they are being handed out. Doesn't seem too random (but still fun to win, I'm sure).

 

[lucincia]

Same thing happened to us at MGM. We were already heading to Narnia exhibit. A CM was outside encouraging people to turn the corner and go in the line for Narnia. Since we were already going there, it didn't make a difference for us. But a lot of people ignored her and passed on by.

Rule #107 - Always listen to a CM. They may be trying to sprinkle some pixie dust your way.

 

[Eoywin]

We were the 'First Family' at the showing we went to at the American Adventure We also got a dream certificate there, plus the CM took us to a phone in the lobby and told us to dial a certain #, and on the other end was Mickey and Minnie congratulating us on our honeymoon!

Mickey was very interested in the wedding cake part of weddings

 

[Vemnox]

Since the prizes are supposed to be random, I'm always surprised at the many reports here of the CMs trying to get people to come into an attraction, board a boat, etc. where they are being handed out. Doesn't seem too random (but still fun to win, I'm sure).

The CM's sometimes have to recruit people into the attractions because they are one's that people generally aren't going into. The randomizer can pick something like One Man's Dream or the Toontown Railroad which may not be on the top of anyone's priority list at 9:30 in the morning. The CM's, in that case, have to try and convince people to go into the attraction.

 

[inkkognito]

So the location is random but the winners are not (i.e. instead of waiting long enough for enough people to randomly enter on their own, people are "chosen" to be enticed in).

 

[lucincia]

So the location is random but the winners are not (i.e. instead of waiting long enough for enough people to randomly enter on their own, people are "chosen" to be enticed in).

People are not chosen. The CM outside the line would be calling out to all passerbys. If you happen to pass by the place and not listen to the CM, it's just your bad luck

The CM outside the Narnia queue area was yelling out "This morning is a good morning to visit Narnia!" We thought she meant it's nicely air conditioned (since it's hot and humid outside!) We stopped and the DDs traded some pins with her and then headed to the Narnia queue (which we were already planning to go anyway). When we turned the corner and I saw the dream team members standing there, I couldn't believe my eyes. I was not expecting to "win" anything on this trip. When we came out of the exhibit and she was still there. We thanked her and she said something to the effect "it's good to listen to cast members sometime!"

 

[disneydreamer1970]

Congratulations to you and your family!!!

Trish

 

[inkkognito]

People are not chosen. The CM outside the line would be calling out to all passerbys. If you happen to pass by the place and not listen to the CM, it's just your bad luck.

I understand...I didn't mean "chosen" specifically. But in a sense they are "chosen" over random people because random means happening by chance, with no outside interference. Calling people into an attraction because prizes are being given away there kinda negates that randomness. If it were truly chance, the Dream Team would just hang out there for however long it took enough people to simply walk in on their own. Due to people being called in who were heading elsewhere, the people who would have come in on their own later don't get the prizes because they have all been handed out to the enticed ones.

 

[lucincia]

I understand...I didn't mean "chosen" specifically. But in a sense they are "chosen" over random people because random means happening by chance, with no outside interference. Calling people into an attraction because prizes are being given away there kinda negates that randomness. If it were truly chance, the Dream Team would just hang out there for however long it took enough people to simply walk in on their own. Due to people being called in who were heading elsewhere, the people who would have come in on their own later don't get the prizes because they have all been handed out to the enticed ones.

Trust me - you have to be really diehard Narnia fan to want to go see this exhibit, with or without CM calling out to you

 

[Vemnox]

I understand...I didn't mean "chosen" specifically. But in a sense they are "chosen" over random people because random means happening by chance, with no outside interference. Calling people into an attraction because prizes are being given away there kinda negates that randomness. If it were truly chance, the Dream Team would just hang out there for however long it took enough people to simply walk in on their own. Due to people being called in who were heading elsewhere, the people who would have come in on their own later don't get the prizes because they have all been handed out to the enticed ones.

How does it negate the randomness? They are not telling specific people "Prizes are inside here." Think about it - would you want to stand in Narnia for 3 hours just to give 100 prizes? By them saying "Trust me, you REALLY want to come in here," the guests get to experience something they may not have planned to. I think your argument by them waving people in isn't random as a lot of holes in it.

 

[inkkognito]

It's only not random if they wave people in at other times and say the same thing too. If they are only doing that when the Dream Team is inside giving away prizes, then they are altering the conditions (i.e. the true randomness of allowing people to be in the right place at the right time, with nothing to influence them either way). And it's furthered altered when people read things like this on the internet. Now I would know immediately if I were in the park and saw CMs trying to entice me in, as would others who read these threads. You can believe it's random if you want; I call it stacking the deck when the prize location is an unpopular one.

 

[busytxmom]

Very cool for your family!

 

[lucincia]

It's only not random if they wave people in at other times and say the same thing too. If they are only doing that when the Dream Team is inside giving away prizes, then they are altering the conditions (i.e. the true randomness of allowing people to be in the right place at the right time, with nothing to influence them either way). And it's furthered altered when people read things like this on the internet. Now I would know immediately if I were in the park and saw CMs trying to entice me in, as would others who read these threads. You can believe it's random if you want; I call it stacking the deck when the prize location is an unpopular one.

And knowing more info on DIS makes it less random? How is that? You still have to be walking in the general vicinity at the precise moment to get enticed into the attraction by the CM. It is also common knowledge that most dreams are given out in the mornings, so those with information will try to hit the parks during that time - does THAT piece of information make it less random? There are people who follow dream teams around to see where they end up and try to get into the attractions before them. Does that make the situation less random?

Not sure what you're griping about

 

[Vemnox]

It's only not random if they wave people in at other times and say the same thing too. If they are only doing that when the Dream Team is inside giving away prizes, then they are altering the conditions (i.e. the true randomness of allowing people to be in the right place at the right time, with nothing to influence them either way). And it's furthered altered when people read things like this on the internet. Now I would know immediately if I were in the park and saw CMs trying to entice me in, as would others who read these threads. You can believe it's random if you want; I call it stacking the deck when the prize location is an unpopular one.

I can understand that if it was for the castle or something but to give away 100 Fastpasses which cost Disney all of probably a nickel to make, I don't think they need to justify standing in the same place 3 hours and not being allowed to "help" funnel people in.

 

[inkkognito]

I can understand that if it was for the castle or something but to give away 100 Fastpasses which cost Disney all of probably a nickel to make, I don't think they need to justify standing in the same place 3 hours and not being allowed to "help" funnel people in.

I don't either, but that doesn't change the lack of randomness.

 

[inkkognito]

Not sure what you're griping about

Not sure how you interpret an observation of fact as a grip.

 

[lucincia]

Not sure how you interpret an observation of fact as a grip.

Sorry, misunderstood Not a gripe then. I assume it's just a "random" observation.

 

[inkkognito]

Sorry, misunderstood Not a gripe then. I assume it's just a "random" observation.

LOL, good one!

 

[DisneyMom5]

Actually, I HAVE seen CMs wave people into rides or shows when there were NOT "dreams" at stake. I saw this several times before the whole "YOMD" promotion started.

We were waved into POTC just this trip because there was no wait.

Soooo...
Although knowing that there is a dream team, and being more open to going into attractions that people are inviting you into, MIGHT increase your chances of winning, it is probably negated by other factors, such as being waved into no wait lines.

For us, it WAS truly random, and maybe a little because we finally decided to give Walt his due. LOL