Removal of DMR 22,000 WDW Reward

[newfamilyman]

Rather than continue this discussion on the movie code trade thread, I thought I would start a new one. To recap, Disney has removed the top reward prize, which was a trip for four, including airfare, four nights hotel, and park media. From reading multiple message boards, I know that I was not the only person building up points mainly to redeem them in on this reward. I called DMR guest relations this morning and spoke to Karen, whom I am starting to think is the only one who answers the phone over there. After consulting with her supervisor, as she usually does, she claimed that this reward was redeemed multiple times and that after a period of it not being available, they determined that they would not make any more available. I, in turn, explained to her that this marketing ploy was very deceptive in that it encouraged members to buy multiple videos for months before having the bait suddenly vanish. Needless to say, she was unmoved by my argument, not that she would had the power to do anything about it even if she had been. My next step is to send in a letter to Robert Iger and see if that generates any movement on their part, and I would certainly encourage any others who feel similarly taken advantage of to do the same:

Robert Iger
President and Chief Executive Officer
The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521

 

[bumbershoot]

I was not part of the original discussion, but I did see that reward and got all excited about things until I noticed it was not being offered at the time.

I thought "what a cool reward, bummer I do not need all those Disney movies".

So..."it encouraged members to buy multiple videos for months"...does not fly with me, as it never encouraged me to do anything!

With any rewards program, and I mean ANY, do not EVER buy anything that you do not actually want. Programs can change, disappear, do whatever, at ANY time. So if you are only after one reward, you are pretty much going to get burned...I stopped participating in my coke rewards because of the lack of good rewards anymore...no complaints, I just stopped having hubby collect coke caps from his coworkers (we are soda-free).

I cannot imagine they ever meant to reward people who were going to buy multiples that they did not actually wish to own, but rather the people who were building their own collection, or giving some as gifts, with the many disney movies out there.

 

[cxcelica]

This situation reminds me a little bit of the whole Pepsi points fiasco with the fighter jet. Although in that case their argument was that clearly it was a joke and they were not going to give away a fighter jet, where as here they were apparently actually giving away the prize at one time.

Unfortunately, I am sure in the contest rules there is probably language which gives them the ability to pull the prizes etc.

BTW how many movies would you have to buy to win this prize?!

 

[cglaura]

This situation reminds me a little bit of the whole Pepsi points fiasco with the fighter jet. Although in that case their argument was that clearly it was a joke and they were not going to give away a fighter jet, where as here they were apparently actually giving away the prize at one time.

Unfortunately, I am sure in the contest rules there is probably language which gives them the ability to pull the prizes etc.

BTW how many movies would you have to buy to win this prize?!

I think it ranges from 50 - 100 points per movie, movie ticket, etc. with some extra points promotional deals thrown in here and there.

So my guess would be ballbark 200 movies? I guess an avid disney fan or collector would have that many dvd's. I use the program, but I only buy what I was going to buy anyway. I've received a neat Mickey ...Peace/Love/Mickey messenger bag so far.

But I agree w/ PP, never buy something JUST to get rewards, you could just put that money in a savings and buy the reward for less I'm sure!

 

[mirandag819]

I think it ranges from 50 - 100 points per movie, movie ticket, etc. with some extra points promotional deals thrown in here and there.

So my guess would be ballbark 200 movies? I guess an avid disney fan or collector would have that many dvd's. I use the program, but I only buy what I was going to buy anyway. I've received a neat Mickey ...Peace/Love/Mickey messenger bag so far.

But I agree w/ PP, never buy something JUST to get rewards, you could just put that money in a savings and buy the reward for less I'm sure!

Actually, if you figure you can get most Disney Movies for around $20..... 200 movies would cost $4000, the trip they described would cost my family more then $4000...... so you could actually have saved money on your trip by just buying a lot of Disney movies (which we love already), and gone to WDW for less then normal OOP costs. Of coarse since it always showed unavailable, I wouldn't have ever bought the movies just for this, but it was something fun to shoot for since I buy a ton of Disney movies, oh well no more fun for me

 

[cglaura]

Actually, if you figure you can get most Disney Movies for around $20..... 200 movies would cost $4000, the trip they described would cost my family more then $4000...... so you could actually have saved money on your trip by just buying a lot of Disney movies (which we love already), and gone to WDW for less then normal OOP costs. Of coarse since it always showed unavailable, I wouldn't have ever bought the movies just for this, but it was something fun to shoot for since I buy a ton of Disney movies, oh well no more fun for me

That's probably true. I always forget, as we are a small family of two, so our average week stay for around $1600 (w/ aaa discount & good spiritair deal) is not the norm. About $1000 of that I pay for with survey sites and product testing, so my "perspective" on a true cost for a disney vacation is a bit skewed! They do have some neat backlot tours still available though, that might be fun to shoot for!

 

[newfamilyman]

So..."it encouraged members to buy multiple videos for months"...does not fly with me, as it never encouraged me to do anything!

With any rewards program, and I mean ANY, do not EVER buy anything that you do not actually want. Programs can change, disappear, do whatever, at ANY time. So if you are only after one reward, you are pretty much going to get burned...I stopped participating in my coke rewards because of the lack of good rewards anymore...no complaints, I just stopped having hubby collect coke caps from his coworkers (we are soda-free).

I cannot imagine they ever meant to reward people who were going to buy multiples that they did not actually wish to own, but rather the people who were building their own collection, or giving some as gifts, with the many disney movies out there.

You are wrong on multiple counts.

First of all, just because you were not encouraged to buy more movies than you had intended does not mean others were and did. I did not say "all" members, but clearly if you do a google search and read multiple threads of multiple boards, including this one, you will see that some did.

As for your imagination, to quote Hamlet, "There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy." In point of fact, I would argue that establishing a 22,000 point reward, a new record level to achieve, was set exactly for that intention. The point behind their double point bonuses and in fact for the program as a whole was to motivate people to buy DVDs that they might not have purchased otherwise. Ditto all reward and incentive programs. Therefore, it is deceitful for a program to offer a tremendous carrot with great fanfare and take it away quietly.

I will agree with you that other programs, including Coke Rewards, are guilty of this as well. However, I hold Disney to a higher level.

 

[cdrn1]

I've received a neat Mickey ...Peace/Love/Mickey messenger bag so far.
B

OT, but...
I just ordered the messenger bag. The site didn't really give any info; how big is it and does it have lots of compartments? Thx.

 

[cglaura]

OT, but...
I just ordered the messenger bag. The site didn't really give any info; how big is it and does it have lots of compartments? Thx.

I received mine last week, I love it!

It is approx. 14" wide x 12" high x 2.5" deep.

There is a mesh bottle holder on one end, and a velcro tab cell phone pocket on the other. There is also a little plastic clip on the front you can use carribiner (sp?) to attatch something.

It is the type of bag that is designed to lay flat against your torso, and on one of those flat pieces that come out is a zippered compartment that would hold something small like an ipod or phone (no hole for earphones though).

The front flap is velcro open, and under is a panel for pens/calculator and a small zippered (approx 4"x5") compartment. There is also a big zippered compartment on the outside of this flap.

There is also a large zippered part on the outside back of the bag, towards your body.

Inside is just a big main compartment (which is nice b/c it zips completely closed), no pockets or anything.

I'm thinking probably a little too large for part touring, but perfect for airplane carry-on.

 

[cdrn1]

I received mine last week, I love it!

It is approx. 14" wide x 12" high x 2.5" deep.

There is a mesh bottle holder on one end, and a velcro tab cell phone pocket on the other. There is also a little plastic clip on the front you can use carribiner (sp?) to attatch something.

It is the type of bag that is designed to lay flat against your torso, and on one of those flat pieces that come out is a zippered compartment that would hold something small like an ipod or phone (no hole for earphones though).

The front flap is velcro open, and under is a panel for pens/calculator and a small zippered (approx 4"x5") compartment. There is also a big zippered compartment on the outside of this flap.

There is also a large zippered part on the outside back of the bag, towards your body.

Inside is just a big main compartment (which is nice b/c it zips completely closed), no pockets or anything.

I'm thinking probably a little too large for part touring, but perfect for airplane carry-on.

Thanks for taking the time to answer...sounds great!!!

 

[sunshinegirl]

Thanks for the reminder about cashing these in! I had some set to expire this month. I didn't have much, but it was enough to get a magazine and a frame craft kit.