Not to be a stick in the mud, but...

[buzz2400]

How true! The towel animal debate has been a point of contention. I for one have never received a towel animal. When I read the new promotion I instantly thought, "it won't be me." Oh well .

And I thought I was the only one who never got a towel animal. I am even staying offsite for the first time because of this.

I kinda agree with the OP though. I go every year with my son who is now 14 (his first time was when he was 5). He would see over and over again cm's and characters doing special things for other people. He would see the animal towels in people's hotel room windows. And he would always ask, why not me. The only "magical" thing we get every time we go is the front seat of rock n roller coaster. We always request it and are never denied.

 

[**pixiedust**]

Part of the magic of Disney is watching pixie dust being bestowed on someone else. That, to me, is the true message of Disney World, and what I try to get across to my children when we are there.

Magic isn't all about "the golden ticket".

 

[elastigirl]

So, what is the alternative? Not offer anything above and beyond what is expressly included with admission? That way it's "fair" and no one feels "left out"?

I'm one of those people who loves just watching magic happen to other people. I can be brought to tears by the talking trashcan making people happy in Tomorrowland (I'm a sap, I admit it). That's part of the magic for me in my trips, watching others enjoy the place.

I'm interested to hear what all this promotion/celebration will entail.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I kinda get what the OP is tallking about. Me and my family are lucky enough to have been able to visit WDW multiple times (and we're going again ). I am certainly not disappointed with WDW in any way. We get what we pay for. However, I guess I am one of those people who never win anything or get any unexpected good stuff ("extra" magic at WDW, etc. The biggest thing I've ever won in life has been a free Pepsi on a bottlecap game. ETA... my tags! They are a nice surprise... how could I forget? ). Again, this is perfectly OK with me. But I suspect that unless something changes I will never receive any of the special stuff they are supposedly offering, even though we will probably vacation twice in WDW during that time period. I will be happy for those around me who receive the bonus stuff, but as for me.... big whoop. I just hope it doesn't make the queues longer.

I am SO with you on this! I NEVER win anything, and I am not "lucky" in general. Neither is DH. DS on the other hand, is relatively lucky but that is just compared to me and DH! Our first trip to WDW was because DS won an airline ticket.

DS was SOOOOO disppointed that he wasn't picked to pull the sword on the last trip that I don't think we will ever go to that show again. He pouted for HOURS after that. Yes, I explained to him that the child who was chosen had a sibling on a Wish trip, but he didn't care. Maybe he is selfish or spoiled or whatever, but he was disappointed and he held on to that disappointment for WAY longer than it was worth. If other people are being singled out all around us and I have to put up with DS being upset EVERY SINGLE TIME then I have to agree that I won't be having a very magical time myself!

 

[KatheeME]

I totally agree with your post. If I were ever lucky to win, and I am NOT holding my breath lol, I would be absolutely thrilled. Also, there are not going to be tons of winners, at least at the grand prize level, where visitors will see it all the time.

I may get flamed, but I think you are being a little bit of a stick in the mud. Let's be honest, if it were your family being endowed with a bit of pixie dust, you'd be thrilled. And, quite frankly, my husband and I have shared many a smile when we've witnessed special things happen to families or children on our visits--not our family and we don't have children. Why does it always have to be "unfair" or "unjust" if something nice happens to one person and not another? What an opportunity to teach your children about how beautiful unexpected surprises can be!

I think this promotion truly enhances the magical mystique of Disney and the celebration of random acts of kindness that make the world a much better place to live in.

Simply put, Disney doesn't have to do any promotion or spend an extra dime on giveaways, and folks would still flock to the Disney Theme Parks.

Just my two cents.

 

[FOV]

Anyone that truly lets Towel Animals make or break their vacation needs a good grip on reality.

My vacation is magical whether I get nothing more than I pay for, or am lucky enough to be the receipient of some unplanned magic.

Sammie - I *truly* believe you have a wonderful attitude but I think the OP may have been referring to the many people who ALREADY walk onto WDW property with expectations of "extra" stuff. I have seen so many posts on these boards (and others) like "how can we lead the parade" or "strategies for being first family" etc... You have to wonder if this type of announcement would just fuel the fire.

I hope the thought of getting some kind of prize does not detract from the true magic of WDW. It sounds like there are many, many prizes all day - as opposed to just one huge prize - so I would hate for it to take the magic away from a family who is always looking over their shoulder trying to figure out how to snag a prize. Can't you see the posts now:

"My neighbors best friends s-i-l got a free cupcake reward and it was their first visit - I have been to WDW 7 times this year and still haven't won..."

Maybe we'll have to open a new board (saying this in jest, of course!)

In reality I doubt this will effect the MAJORITY of park guests.

 

[golden1]

I don't think we have the whole story yet. There is probably more to this promotion than this. It is a cool idea in theory but I don't know how it will be workable.

 

[Ishy]

I hope something magical happens to YOU on your next trip.

I understand the 'envy' overpowering the 'joy' thing when something great happens to someone around you = in or out of disney =

Maybe the magic really needs to start with each of us individually? Be extra nice to everyone around you and the cast members too?

Who knows what this new thing is... or how it will work... but if we allow it to inspire us to help spread cheer and magic with each other...

uhmm... okay I am making myself puke with the marysunshine act...
heheh, but I get that way because I travel with a pack of Grumpy's.

 

[schumacher]

I think all of you have made valid points on this and I believe a number of you have hit the nail on the head with one single word...expectations. My personal belief is that many folks who travel to the World get themselves so unbelievably hyped by reading these boards as well as other message groups that their expectations are quite frankly on another planet. Now, I agree WDW is expensive and exemplary service should be expected but the CMs are human. I prescribe to the belief that my family has been truly blessed to be able to go to DW annually and experience "the magic" of being at Disney and, fortunate enough to stay on-site so that this magic is 24 hours a day while we are there. With that being said, I sense that some folks feel that there trip will be ruined if, like others have said, "we don't get towel animals like family ABC got or we don't get the room request that family XYZ got or we don't get the table that family DEF got." I think many are just EXPECTING way too much. Live for the moment, enjoy your family/friends and if the extra stuff happens great, but don't lose your mind if it doesn't happen like you have read on these boards. I think these boards are great and the vast majority of info is correct but don't believe everything you read.

Bottom line; you are on vacation go with the flow.

Cheers,

Schuey

 

[MsSpinShady]

I feel so misunderstood. This thread was not about me feeling like it wasn't fair because I might not get something "extra" on my trip, and therefore, I must be jealous and angry when the Disney Magic is sprinkled on others.

I just thought that the whole promotion sounds like a marketing gimic that could really cause problems for Disney because it will raise the expectations of some people above and beyond what the actual promotion is intended to be.

My analogy of the family watching others get sprinkled was in no way a reflection of my family, or anyone else I know -- it was just an example of how advertising that you can (which will be read as will by many people) get a dream come true could cause a lot of people to leave Disney feeling like they'd been overlooked or misled.

I'm not out looking for a "golden ticket" for myself, just questioning the promotion and hoping that tonight's press conference will show the celebration to be more inclusive and attainable for a broader group of people. I AM disappointed that it sounds like this is just a random giveaway and not something (a new ride, attraction, etc.) that people can count on to enhance their vacation (mine included ).

MsSpinShady

 

[KatheeME]

But ... your son's reaction to being chosen for something magical or not being chosen is another issue entirely ... wouldn't you agree? I do not think it's fair to wish something NOT happen to others because of this ...

I am SO with you on this! I NEVER win anything, and I am not "lucky" in general. Neither is DH. DS on the other hand, is relatively lucky but that is just compared to me and DH! Our first trip to WDW was because DS won an airline ticket.

DS was SOOOOO disppointed that he wasn't picked to pull the sword on the last trip that I don't think we will ever go to that show again. He pouted for HOURS after that. Yes, I explained to him that the child who was chosen had a sibling on a Wish trip, but he didn't care. Maybe he is selfish or spoiled or whatever, but he was disappointed and he held on to that disappointment for WAY longer than it was worth. If other people are being singled out all around us and I have to put up with DS being upset EVERY SINGLE TIME then I have to agree that I won't be having a very magical time myself!

 

[snickerharley]

I just hope that Disney does not start "selling" a night in the castle. If they do start "selling" a night at the castle I will feel like it is wrong/ weird, to me the castle should only be inhabited by Walt or his family, no one else. But otherwise the promotion sounds great good luck to anyone going in October

 

[tinkerbell1967]

I may get flamed, but I think you are being a little bit of a stick in the mud. Let's be honest, if it were your family being endowed with a bit of pixie dust, you'd be thrilled. And, quite frankly, my husband and I have shared many a smile when we've witnessed special things happen to families or children on our visits--not our family and we don't have children. Why does it always have to be "unfair" or "unjust" if something nice happens to one person and not another? What an opportunity to teach your children about how beautiful unexpected surprises can be!

I think this promotion truly enhances the magical mystique of Disney and the celebration of random acts of kindness that make the world a much better place to live in.

Simply put, Disney doesn't have to do any promotion or spend an extra dime on giveaways, and folks would still flock to the Disney Theme Parks.

Just my two cents.

I agree with you, nothing has been announced yet and everyone is already complaining about the promotion, from what I can see I have not seen anything other than the contest to enter, so I'm not sure why everyone is so upset, we have no details! I would love to see someone near me enjoying thier time at Disney with something special!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

But ... your son's reaction to being chosen for something magical or not being chosen is another issue entirely ... wouldn't you agree? I do not think it's fair to wish something NOT happen to others because of this ...

I don't wish for others NOT to have pixie dust, but I might wish for them not to have it right in front of my child.

He KNOWS life isn't fair. "Not fair" is pretty much in his face every day during the school year. Comprehending "not fair" doesn't make it any more pleasant to endure.

If folks are getting free dessert or free room upgrades or anything else that DS wouldn't notice or particularly care about, GREAT! He doesn't want to be Princess for a Day, he has never really given a second thought to the families in the parades, and if somebody else has better Fast Passes than we do then that's all good, too. I just hope if they are handing out stuff that DS would care about that they don't hand it to the kid next to him over and over again during every day of our trip. And I hope if DS gets chosen for something that the kid next to him either doesn't notice or doesn't care because everybody really probably gets enough "not fair" as it is.

 

[jbdreamer]

I've got to believe there is more to this announcement than a slogan and a contest. I can't believe Disney would host a huge event in downtown New York to announce a new slogan for the next year and a contest a small percentage of people will win. My guess is there will be other announcements as well. If they don't have anything else to announce I think it's kind of waste to have people travel to New York for a media event.

Guess we'll have to wait and see....

My thoughs exactly.

 

[CathrynRose]

...am I the only one not excited about the new promotion? How disappointing will it be for families who go to WDW for a week only to watch time and again as the family in line in front of them, or at the table next to them, gets a "dream come true" while they are seemingly passed over?

Hadnt thought of it like this - very good point. And considering Ive never won anything in my entire 32 years on this planet - odds are I *will* be the family looking over at the family having "dreams come true"

 

[CathrynRose]

And I thought I was the only one who never got a towel animal. I am even staying offsite for the first time because of this.

.

Nope - me either. After going every year since 1996, for 2 weeks +, at a time - and even LIVING down there in 2004 and spending many weekends at resorts... no towel animals for me.

And I will tell you RIGHT NOW, I will pack that towel animal in my suitcase *so quick* if I ever DO get one!

 

[theycallmered]

I remember quite clearly, even now that many years have past, the head of my graduating class and the speech he gave during commencement. Entitlement was the theme. He wanted us to know and recognize that even though we lived in one of the most affulent areas of the state the world owed us nothing. In short, we were to work for everything that we wanted and that we should expect nothing. Nothing is a given and we are perhaps entitled to nothing in this world.

A lot of what he said can be carried over to this topic of discussion in my opinion. As much as it might make me look like a horse's behind, I am sorry to say that no one is entitled to anything in WDW. Sure WDW does a great job at trying to make every guest feel special and sprinkled with pixie dust, but the sad truth remains that you are one out thousands of people at WDW and are not entitled to anything beyond the vacation package you purchased.

So while I wish that everyone could be on recieving that special prize and having those great magical moments, I just do not see that happening. And the sooner people realize that they perhaps are not the most important person existing in WDW right this moment the sooner they will come to their own inner happiness.

Perhaps instead of this lengthy post I could haev just quoted Ms. Sheryl Crow. "It's not having want you want - it's wanting what you've got!"

 

[Lichaloca]

What is the promotion that everyone is talking about???

 

[Sneezie]

I will still pay for the room I want, not book a value and hope to be upgraded for free to the Presidential Suite at the Grand Floridian.

Wait a minute! Are you reading my mind? I am hoping to get that deal when we go in September!