More than 618,915 Dreams Awarded, and Counting... (Update on Pg.2)

Janet2k

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I thought it would be fun to share what Disney has given away so far. I found this on their official website.

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More than 303,400 dreams awarded, and counting


LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Dreamers are everywhere.

At least that's what Disney's Dream Squad cast members have discovered since the Oct. 1, 2006, launch of "The Year of a Million Dreams" at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., and Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif.

In fact, more than 303,400 dreams have been awarded since then, bringing Disney Parks closer to the (very) "magic number" of 1 million.

To date, dreams have been awarded to theme park guests visiting from as far away as Clenrothes, Scotland, or as close as Mickey Mouse's "backyards" of Central Florida and Southern California. Dreams are awarded every day at Disney Parks and Downtown Disney locations on each U.S. coast.

Presented in random, surprise fashion to guests visiting from around the world -- from Wailuku, Hawaii, and Workington, England, to Brown Deer, Wis., and Gig Harbor, Wash. -- Disney Dreams have come in all shapes and sizes so far, including Dream FASTPASS lanyards, admission to sold-out Disney Parks events, luxurious vacations aboard Disney Cruise Line and more.

Here are just a few of the dreams awarded to date:

* The Hawkins family of Miramar, Fla., was in the right place at the right time to win a return vacation to Walt Disney World Resort valued at $5,200. As they exited Spaceship Earth in Epcot, they were randomly pulled aside by a member of the Disney Dream Squad and told the surprise news.

* Estella Villegas, of Murrieta, Calif., was enjoying Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif., when she was approached by a member of the Dream Squad with a special bon voyage greeting -- she and three guests were going to be VIP guests on the Disney Cruise Line's first-ever, eastbound trans-Atlantic cruise from Port Canaveral, Fla., to Barcelona, Spain. It's a dream voyage, scheduled for May 2007, valued at $13,650.

* All systems were "go" when Oral Koehling of Phippsburg, Maine, found himself in the right seat at the right time on Mission: SPACE at Epcot when he was surprised with the presentation of an Adventures by Disney "Viva Italia" vacation package valued at more than $25,000. After completing his high-speed trip to Mars on the Epcot thrill attraction, Koehling immediately started making plans for his next big journey -- the nine-day, eight-night dream vacation (with up to three guests) to Rome and Venice, Italy.

* Robert Zwonik of Colchester, Vermont, "found Nemo" in grand fashion, a result of the dream he was awarded to attend a special presentation of the new, Broadway-caliber, short-form musical "Finding Nemo-The Musical" at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The can't-be-purchased experience included VIP seating at the musical inspired by the Disney-Pixar hit film, "Finding Nemo."

* Tori White of Kaysville, Utah, and her family discovered the art of Disney Dining during a visit to Disney's California Adventure when she was surprised with a gourmet dining experience package. As part of this present for the palate, she and her guests were whisked to a Disneyland Resort restaurant where they were served a menu personally recommended by the chef.

* Magic Kingdom guest Craig Martin of Hainford, England, was treated to a VIP dream experience at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival's popular Party for the Senses. Party of the Senses is an enchanting evening in Epcot World ShowPlace that features more than 70 wines, champagnes and beers, culinary creations from more than 25 chefs and entertainment by the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil. The prize is valued at $300.

Among other winners:

* Jared Sean Patterson, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada -- Private, $500 Shopping Spree at Disneyland Resort.

* Maximilian Haubrich, of Grayslake, Ill. -- Private, $500 Shopping Spree at Walt Disney World Resort.

* Elizabeth Valdes, of Miami -- ABC Super Soap Weekend event VIP Package at Disney-MGM Studios. Value: $160.

* Sheri Johnson, of Vacaville, Calif. -- A Walt Disney World Vacation. Value: $5,200.

* Janette Ahrndt, of Bainbridge Island, Wash. -- Party for the Senses prize package. Value: $300.

* Iam Buxton, of Darwen, Lancs, United Kingdom -- Gourmet Dining Experience at Walt Disney World Resort. Value: $450.

* Joseph Merriman, of Farmington, N.M. -- A Disneyland Resort Vacation. Value: $5,200.

And there's plenty more dreaming still left for eligible guests and mail-in participants selected through a random process as part of the unique Disney Dreams Giveaway. Whether it's a Dream FASTPASS, celebrity meet-and-greet invitations to in-park events like ESPN The Weekend at Disney-MGM Studios or VIP access to the gala grand opening of the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage attraction at Disneyland, hundreds of thousands additional dreams will be awarded by Disney's Dream Squad throughout the year.

In fact, some of the most imaginative, over-the-top and unprecedented Disney Dreams are yet ahead, including: a royal stay in the newly constructed Cinderella Castle Suite at Magic Kingdom; an immersive, "all things Mickey" stay in the new Mickey Mouse Penthouse at Disneyland Hotel; magical journeys to London and Paris courtesy of Adventures by Disney; memberships in Disney Vacation Club where guests can actually "own" a piece of the Disney magic; and becoming grand marshal for parades at every Disney theme park around the globe -- a 14-day, whirlwind dream journey valued at more than $45,000.
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I just wanted to add...that's a lot of dreams. Wow! And still more are yet to be awarded. Good luck, everyone!
 
Thank you for the update. I can still dream of winning the 220 DVC points:cloud9:
 

I am a person that really doesn't ever win anything. I am proud to say, I sent in my post cards and won, twice. When I go in April, it will be nice to at least have my YOMD Lanyard, I'm still not quite sure about the Ears yet, maybe if other people have them on, I just might do it.

Thanks Janet for the post.
 
Yes, ::yes:: , a link please. I can't find this on the website anywhere! Thanks!
 
Thanks for the info Janet! These dreams are certainly exciting! I just love reading about all the magic!
 
I'm hopeful that other Dis'ers will post information about the Year of a Millions Dreams celebration here in this thread. I started this thread when I saw Disney’s press release stating that more than 303,400 dreams had been awarded so far. That was a mind-boggling number, especially considering the fact that the actual celebration didn’t kick off until October 1, 2006.

303,400 plus dreams...and counting. Wow!

If any of you have links to news articles, video clips, audio clips, and photographs, please feel free to share them here. I have a bunch that I will be posting soon. I’ve been gathering them together all morning. I hope you’ll enjoy them.
 
Disney hired Annie Leibovitz to take photographs as part of the Year of a Million Dreams celebration, in particular, the "Where Dreams Come True" campaign.

On Friday, January 26, 2007, Ms. Leibovitz unveiled a series of photos. Here's what the press release had to say:

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Stars Play Out Disney Park Fantasies In New Images Unveiled by Annie Leibovitz


World-renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz poses Jan. 26, 2007 in front of her image featuring Scarlett Johansson as Cinderella – one of three images unveiled today to launch Disney Parks “Year of a Million Dreams.” Leibovitz, wearing the 62-carat, $325,000 Harry Winston diamond tiara worn by Johansson in the photograph, was at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. today to unveil her new Disney Parks-commissioned "Dreams" images. Johansson, clad in a Cinderella ball gown and the diamond tiara, glides down the palace staircase at the stroke of midnight and unknowingly leaves behind a single glass slipper. Each of Leibovitz’s three “Dreams” images feature a scene, with celebrities playing the role of a Disney Parks character, expressing their own dreams and imagination. The other two images feature singer/actress Beyonce, actor Oliver Platt and singer/songwriter Lyle Lovett in a giant, whirling teacup from Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland,” and international soccer star David Beckham portraying Prince Phillip atop a white steed and slaying a fire-breathing dragon in the climactic scene from Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty.” In addition to the three debut images, Disney Parks has commissioned additional images by Leibovitz featuring more celebrities in fairy tale settings. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

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Here is a link to the photographs on one of Disney’s websites: click here (click on images to enlarge them).

Here are other links to those photographs:
Cinderella Photo
Prince Phillip Photo
Alice in Wonderland Photo


And here is a video clip of Annie Leibovitz as she discusses the photo campaign: click here.
 
I forgot to share the most important photo of that series: click here. I particularly love that photo because Ms. Annie Leibovitz looks like one of us -- a real person. No fancy clothes. No fancy makeup. No fancy hair style. Just a simple girl with a Disney dream.

Okay, ignore the fact that she's wearing a $325,000 tiara. At least it was loaned to her and isn't really hers. ;)
 
There is a thread here on the Dis with all sorts of information regarding the Magic Kingdom's Cinderella Castle Suite. Click here to read it. There are links in that thread to press releases, photographs, audio clips, and so on. Hopefully one day soon, a Dis'er will share their personal experiences of that magical suite. I've got my fingers crossed.
 
I think it is odd that there are 11 months to go in the "year" and they have already given away 1/3 of the prizes.:confused:

Have no fear, Ilovemyprincesses, there are plenty of dreams to last all year long.

Click here to hear the words of Faron Kelley, Disney World Project Development Director. Disney has already stated that more than one million dreams of all sizes will be given away to Guests during the Year of a Million Dreams celebration. Keep the faith!
 




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