Sending 365 postcards each day to DCL before our vacation

[KentuckyDisneyFan]

I wanted to share a way our family passed the time before our upcoming cruise, which was over a year. We started sending DCL Guest Communications a picture postcard (most were pictures from our first and only Disney cruise in 2009) starting on Dec. 8, 2011. We sent 219 in all and would have sent more, but I found out I was pregnant in July 2012 and would be in my third trimester during our cruise, so we had to cancel our cruise. We sent DCL one final postcard and included the remaining "Reasons We Love Going on a Disney Cruise" to total 365 (actually 366 b/c of Leap Year). We received a phone call from Joseph Paris and he congratulated us on our news and asked what we wanted done with the postcards. Each day they received them, they had been posting them on the wall in the office. I told him I'd love to have them back and he said he'd mail them to us. So, a few weeks later, we got all 219 postcards back along with the new Sailor Mickey and Sailor Minnie plush characters for our 4 year old daughter. Isn't that neat? I'm new to posting, so I have no idea how to post an image. Until I learn to do that, all the pictures of the postcards we sent are on my blog and the pictures of all of the postcards and the gifts they sent are on a separate post, too.
www.disneydreamin4familyfun.blogspot.com

There is actually more to the story....I ended up miscarrying. Instead of booking the cruise again (believe me, we wanted to, but we are running into some financial strains with this economy and thought it was smarter if we wait a year or two), we decided to take our daughter to WDW for her 5th birthday and take her to the hospital where she was born (we adopted her in Orlando) in November.

 

[davedmaine]

You might have less financial problems if you saved all those stamps.. Seriously, I don't get it..

 

[KentuckyDisneyFan]

It's ok that you don't get it. Other avid DCL fans get it. It was something that we could do to pass the time before our next DCL vacation since a Disney cruise is considered a luxury for us and we don't get to do it often. The postage was worth it for us. We are not in such financial stress that stamps are putting us in debt. We just thought it would be wiser to wait a few years when a few financial strains are not as pressing.

 

[goincrusin]

Great ideas, looks like fun.

 

[argomANIA]

Wow davedmaine that was really uncalled for.

KentuckyDisneyFan, that is amazing. I've sent your blog to my friend who has three little guys. This will be perfect for them. You seem like such a great mother. I hope to be able to do this one day when I have my own kids.

And I'm really sorry for your loss.

 

[sue]

I wanted to share a way our family passed the time before our upcoming cruise, which was over a year. We started sending DCL Guest Communications a picture postcard (most were pictures from our first and only Disney cruise in 2009) starting on Dec. 8, 2011. We send 219 in all and would have sent more, but I found out I was pregnant in July 2012 and would be in my third trimester during our cruise, so we had to cancel our cruise. We sent DCL one final postcard and included the remaining "Reasons We Love Going on a Disney Cruise" to total 365 (actually 366 b/c of Leap Year). We received a phone call from Joseph Paris and he congratulated us on our news and asked what we wanted done with the postcards. Each day they received them, they had been posting them on the wall in the office. I told him I'd love to have them back and he said he'd mail them to us. So, a few weeks later, we got all 219 postcards back along with the new Sailor Mickey and Sailor Minnie plush characters for our 4 year old daughter. Isn't that neat? I'm new to posting, so I have no idea how to post an image. Until I learn to do that, all the pictures of the postcards we sent are on my blog and the pictures of all of the postcards and the gifts they sent are on a separate post, too.
www.disneydreamin4familyfun.blogspot.com

There is actually more to the story....I ended up miscarrying. Instead of booking the cruise again (believe me, we wanted to, but we are running into some financial strains with this economy and thought it was smarter if we wait a year or two), we decided to take our daughter to WDW for her 5th birthday and take her to the hospital where she was born (we adopted her in Orlando). We started sending WDW Guest Communications 100 postcards before our trip, so it's been exciting to keep sending them each day.

Although you took the time and expense to mail each one to Disney, ( and I get that it is fun for your family) I guess I don't understand why you would want Disney to mail them all back to you at their expense. Disney probably gets thousands of photo's from family's each year. This would be a huge expense for them.

 

[mmouse37]

While I understand how it could be fun for your family I wonder how Disney's mailroom will feel about handling the potential influx of thousands of postcards from people who may want to follow suit.

I also hope people don't start doing it for the wrong reasons....in the hopes they will get something in return from Disney (free stuff). While it was a gracious gesture on Disney's part....posting things like this received from Disney often makes me feel others will expect the same. I think some things/experiences are just meant to be kept between Disney and the family that received them.

Also, while it is Ok to post your link to your blog on this forum (as long as you are not selling anything), the board is not to be used to actively solicit readers to your own blog.

MJ

 

[KentuckyDisneyFan]

When Joseph Paris called me on my cell, he asked me if I wanted them back. I told him we could pick them up at their office when we were in Orlando during our November 2012 vacation, but he said that he would be happy to mail them to us. My daughter and I took alot of time to make and send those and we were very happy to have them back.

 

[lorenni]

OP, I am so sorry for your loss.

Some people become crazy internet freaks obsessed with message boards, and some people send postcards. Everyone gets excited for vacation in their own way. I'm glad you found a way that works for your family.

Good luck and don't let the negative people on here get you down.

 

[Raspberry Beret]

I wanted to share a way our family passed the time before our upcoming cruise, which was over a year. We started sending DCL Guest Communications a picture postcard (most were pictures from our first and only Disney cruise in 2009) starting on Dec. 8, 2011. We send 219 in all and would have sent more, but I found out I was pregnant in July 2012 and would be in my third trimester during our cruise, so we had to cancel our cruise. We sent DCL one final postcard and included the remaining "Reasons We Love Going on a Disney Cruise" to total 365 (actually 366 b/c of Leap Year). We received a phone call from Joseph Paris and he congratulated us on our news and asked what we wanted done with the postcards. Each day they received them, they had been posting them on the wall in the office. I told him I'd love to have them back and he said he'd mail them to us. So, a few weeks later, we got all 219 postcards back along with the new Sailor Mickey and Sailor Minnie plush characters for our 4 year old daughter. Isn't that neat? I'm new to posting, so I have no idea how to post an image. Until I learn to do that, all the pictures of the postcards we sent are on my blog and the pictures of all of the postcards and the gifts they sent are on a separate post, too.
www.disneydreamin4familyfun.blogspot.com

There is actually more to the story....I ended up miscarrying. Instead of booking the cruise again (believe me, we wanted to, but we are running into some financial strains with this economy and thought it was smarter if we wait a year or two), we decided to take our daughter to WDW for her 5th birthday and take her to the hospital where she was born (we adopted her in Orlando). We started sending WDW Guest Communications 100 postcards before our trip, so it's been exciting to keep sending them each day.

I know I will probably get in trouble for saying this but this whole thread seems like thinly veiled advertisement for you blog.

 

[KentuckyDisneyFan]

I understand what you're saying. I just wanted to share some positive news. I thought it was really nice of them to do that. I have no idea how to post a picture on here or if it's even possible-that's why I added my blog address in case others wanted to see the pictures. My family had the best vacation on DCL in 2009 and we want to share it with others who may have never been. That's one of the reasons I started posting the pictures for others to see. It might give a glimpse into what a Disney cruise is like (from our perspective, of course).

I had no idea my post would create such a negative discussion. I'm just a SAHM (former 2nd grade teacher) who loves to create more fun and lasting memories for my child, especially if it involves Disney.

 

[maryisme]

OP,

I am so sorry for your loss. I just wanted to say that you seem like a great Mom who is building lasting memories with her daughter. Just one look at your little girl's face and it is pretty clear that she is one happy camper who is enjoying herself.

While I don't get the postcard thing it really doesn't matter. I don't have to -- to each their own.

Mary

 

[Princess Dolly]

While I understand how it could be fun for your family I wonder how Disney's mailroom will feel about handling the potential influx of thousands of postcards from people who may want to follow suit.

I also hope people don't start doing it for the wrong reasons....in the hopes they will get something in return from Disney (free stuff). While it was a gracious gesture on Disney's part....posting things like this received from Disney often makes me feel others will expect the same. I think some things/experiences are just meant to be kept between Disney and the family that received them.

Also, while it is Ok to post your link to your blog on this forum (as long as you are not selling anything), the board is not to be used to actively solicit readers to your own blog.

MJ

That was my first thought, what if many people started doing this.

How many things have been ruined over the years because of people demanding something that was to be a special treat? The diver's at the Coral Reef is always the one that first springs to mind.

 

[cruisecrasher]

That was my first thought, what if many people started doing this.

How many things have been ruined over the years because of people demanding something that was to be a special treat? The diver's at the Coral Reef is always the one that first springs to mind.

Off topic, but what happened to the coral reef divers? I haven't gotten to WDW in way too long.

 

[sissy_ib]

Off topic, but what happened to the coral reef divers? I haven't gotten to WDW in way too long.

Too many people were asking them to hold up signs at dinner they had to stop it altogether. The could not accommodate everyone or people would not see theres and get upset.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Off topic, but what happened to the coral reef divers? I haven't gotten to WDW in way too long.

The divers are still there, but I believe that they will no longer hold up any birthday, anniversary, etc. signs. Apparently it became too much with people expecting it to be done, and then getting upset if it didn't happen. What once was a nice special touch of pixie dust became expected, and people bacame too demanding, so now they have stopped it altogether.

 

[mdsoccermom]

Too many people were asking them to hold up signs at dinner they had to stop it altogether. Or people would not see it and get upset.

Isn't that what also happened to the personalized menus at the Coral Reef? People overwhelmed the person in charge with their requests. If I recall, people on these boards were handing out the manager's direct phone number.

What was supposed to be an experience for special occasions got out of hand. It's really too bad.

 

[spiiffy]

Thank you so much for sharing. I am sorry people have been so grumpy with you the morning! I loved your idea and I bet the people at headquarters who recieved the postcards really looked forward to them each day!

I am also a mom (I have two young boys) and your blog had some awesome idea. You must have been a very talented and creative 2nd grade teacher! I can't wait to try some of your ideas!

 

[HomeiswhereMickeyis]

I think that was a fun idea to do with your little girl! It's always nice to hear that Disney employees care about the guests and make things magical even when they don't have too! Just another reason I love Disney

 

[mcroadman]

Thanks for sharing.

And how nice that the company recognized your family has special memories forever that are Disney moments.

Your daughter is blessed to have a mom and dad so dedicated to her well being and happiness. Best wishes on growing your family.

Mary, another adopting mom.