The Year of a Million Dreams FAQ - Everything You Wanted to Know & More [Version 1.4]
What is the Year of a Million Dreams?
The Year of a Million Dreams (YOMD) is Walt Disney World and Disneyland's current shared promotion running from October 1, 2006 until December 31, 2007 and advocates that the Disney parks are "where dreams come true."
What's so special about the YOMD?
The YOMD is the first promotion of its kind in Disney Parks history which actually focusses on the guests. Dreams are created every day for guests - totalling 1 million during the length of the promotion - both big and small.
What kind of prizes are awarded?
Low-tier level prizes handed out daily include:
- Dream Fastpasses (a plastic item worn around the neck with 1 detachable Fastpass for each attraction that uses Fastpass in the park the Dream Fastpass was awarded in; valid only on date issued)
- Dream Lanyards (a YOMD-exclusive pin lanyard in a sealed plastic case including 2 exclusive pins)
- Dream Mickey Ears (exclusive Mickey ears with a "cloud" base and mirror-like ears)
Higher-tier prizes include a night in the new Cinderella's Castle suite, Disney cruises, a variety of Adventures by Disney getaways, etc.
Additionally, each and every attraction, merchandise location, resort, etc. has their very own dreams they give away. The dreams are usually specific to that location such as Tower of Terror having a miniature bellhop costume for a little tyke to be a bellhop for a few minutes.
How do you win, already?!
Winning is completely and totally random. Despite efforts galore, there is absolutely no way to strategize the Year of a Million Dreams. A third party company was contracted by Disney to develop a computer software program to choose the winners for all level prizes. The computer will produce something such as: "All guests in Concourse 2, Gate B at Soarin' will receive Dream Fastpasses." A prize crew (described later) will then collect the prizes to be distributed and dispatch to the location and fullfil the prize. The amount of prizes per day has been calculated so that the number of prizes handed out each day will be equal from day-to-day throughout the YOMD.
Larger prizes will be more specific to an individual such as "award the night in Cinderella's Castle to the person riding on the left-hand side of Row 2, Car 4, Train 3 on Big Thunder Mountain at exactly 2:42pm."
There is absolutely no way to plan for where, when, or what prize will be given out.
Where does this take place?
The YOMD prizes will only be handed out between the hours of 9AM-5PM in accordance with the contest rules. But, the YOMD celebration is going on during all operating hours of the 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, and Downtown Disney! Attraction-specific "dreams" are still made round the clock.
How much does it cost?
Nothing! Entry into the YOMD is made just by entering one of the 4 parks, 2 water parks, or Downtown Disney. You're entered just by walking around!
Who hands out the prizes?
The prizes for the YOMD are handed out by one of two groups of people. The first, as mentioned above, are tied to each specific shop, attraction, resort, etc. and are done by the cast members of that area. Again - totally random.
The second, and the main/most talked about group of people, is Disney's "Dream Squad." These are specially trained Cast Member's whose job it is to go and fulfill prize distributions. While they are in "prize mode" (giving out prizes) they are traveling exclusively through backstage areas and generally appear onstage only in the location where the prize is going to be handed out. They will be wearing white YOMD-logo vests over their normal blue Oxford shirts and khaki pants ensemble.
The Dream Squad isn't always handing out prizes, though. In fact, that's only a small fraction of their job. Most of their job consists of simply "making magic." Talking to people, greeting them, and taking time to make their day better. While they are doing this greeter portion of their job, they are not equipped with prizes of any sort.
DIS member TheTXTaylors5 posted an image of the Dream Squad here. Note that the Dream Squad members consist of the 3 people on the right in the picture.
Do I have to be in a certain park to receive a certain prize?
No! For example, Cinderella's Suite is given anywhere in the 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, or Downtown Disney - it's all about where the computer says to go and when it says to go. For attraction-specific prizes such as Dream Fastpasses, you can only win Epcot FP's in Epcot and MK FP's in MK, and so on. Additionally, you can't win a free ride on Mission:Space in the Animal Kingdom.
I went my whole trip and never saw this supposed Dream Squad!
You're not likely to. Remember, while they are distributing prizes, they are traveling almost exclusively through backstage areas, where applicable and whenever possible. When they are en route to a location in "prize mode", they will not stop to interact with guests nor are they legally allowed to hand out a prize except at the specific location they are headed to. When they are greeting, they are in a costume that almost looks plain-clothed (just a light blue Oxford shirt with a Disney nametag and khaki pants), so you likely walked right by them. There are dozens of them working every day in all 4 parks, 2 water parks, and in Downtown Disney!
I'm not coming to a Disney park this year / I already left and want to still enter!
Disney's already thought of you too! Simply send a 3.5 x 5 postcard complete with name, address, daytime phone#, birth date and proper postage and send it to: PO Box 8629, Elmhurst, IL 60126.
Where can I get more information and see the official rules?
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/index?name=YOMDLowBandPage&bhcp=1
Notice: This FAQ is being updated periodically - stay tuned.
