What it means to be dreamed?

[doconeill]

Yes a trip to all of the Disney parks is a "dream". Staying in the castle might be a dream for some. Fastpasses, cokes, ears are not dreams calling them such is the problem and cheap...once again when those things were done in the past without a cheap marketing plan. You can pretend all that you like about not understanding but I really think you do. As you know this is not a single issue subject as far as decline in Disney and this really just a another step further from the real Disney.

No, I don't understand your argument, and I've given up trying. You called it a "scam", which implies that someone has somehow been harmed. Aside from potentially the stockholders if this costs more than they they made, that doesn't seem likely. I was trying to get your reasons, but I have failed to do so, as it seems to be a moving target.

A castle stay does not appeal to me, directly. Would I love one? Yes, because it would be special for my kids, and at least to date they would have enjoyed something that few have.

why can you talk about somthing differernt,read a lot of your posts and non one elce?anywhy FPs are dreams thats why i talked about it
Paulh

I was responding to europacl's comments that YOAMD was a scam. I wasn't talking about something different.

I'm bowing out of this thread. I hope the OP's question has been answered, and recommend further questions be directed to the YOAMD specific forum

 

[paulh]

No, I don't understand your argument, and I've given up trying. You called it a "scam", which implies that someone has somehow been harmed. Aside from potentially the stockholders if this costs more than they they made, that doesn't seem likely. I was trying to get your reasons, but I have failed to do so, as it seems to be a moving target.

A castle stay does not appeal to me, directly. Would I love one? Yes, because it would be special for my kids, and at least to date they would have enjoyed something that few have.



I was responding to europacl's comments that YOAMD was a scam. I wasn't talking about something different.

Time to stop feeding the trolls.

Still and i belive europacl
Paulh

 

[Sarangel]

Guys, please remember to play nicer. No name calling or personal attacks (and yes, "trolls" counts as an attack). If you disagree, find a polite way to disagree please.

 

[doconeill]

Guys, please remember to play nicer. No name calling or personal attacks (and yes, "trolls" counts as an attack). If you disagree, find a polite way to disagree please.

My apologies...I have replaced that remark in my post.

 

[Another Voice]

You called it a "scam", which implies that someone has somehow been harmed. Aside from potentially the stockholders if this costs more than they they made, that doesn't seem likely.

Because it used to be the operating plan that every guest was treated special, that every guest was, well - a guest. Cast members were told that they were the ones to decide how to make each guest's visit "magical".

Now Disney lets some computer decide who gets to be "special" by staying in a castle that I can never see. Or a computer decides who gets a lanyard with two pins. Or a computer decides who gets to cut in line with a "special" FastPass.

There's no customer service there. There's no cast member seeing a little girl in a princess dress and deciding - a human decision - to point out Cinderella around the corner. Now it's just a luck of a draw without any care or concern other than what lawyers think up.

There's no "magic" in a corporate giveaway that spews out trinkets at random.

The magic comes from people going out there way to make others feel special, to meet their special needs, to understand what would make this guest's stay more pleasant when someone else might. The castle stay doesn't go to the ill little girl from the town that collected money to send her to WDW - it goes to whoever happens to be sitting on the third bench next outside "Malstrom' at 10:08am. Or maybe they'll get a free churro instead.

How "magical" is that?

 

[doconeill]

Because it used to be the operating plan that every guest was treated special, that every guest was, well - a guest. Cast members were told that they were the ones to decide how to make each guest's visit "magical".

Now Disney lets some computer decide who gets to be "special" by staying in a castle that I can never see. Or a computer decides who gets a lanyard with two pins. Or a computer decides who gets to cut in line with a "special" FastPass.

There's no customer service there. There's no cast member seeing a little girl in a princess dress and deciding - a human decision - to point out Cinderella around the corner. Now it's just a luck of a draw without any care or concern other than what lawyers think up.

There's no "magic" in a corporate giveaway that spews out trinkets at random.

The magic comes from people going out there way to make others feel special, to meet their special needs, to understand what would make this guest's stay more pleasant when someone else might. The castle stay doesn't go to the ill little girl from the town that collected money to send her to WDW - it goes to whoever happens to be sitting on the third bench next outside "Malstrom' at 10:08am. Or maybe they'll get a free churro instead.

How "magical" is that?

WHY WHY WHY did I click on this thread again? I had to reply to this though.

IF (and I mean a really, big IF) they have stopped doing all the nice things they used to do in lieu of YOAMD, then I'd totally agree that Disney has totally trashed the magic.

However, I seriously don't think that's the case.

You don't need to win a Dream to spend some time with a character. Some Dreams do involve characters, however.

And no one could stay in the castle before YOAMD, so to say a little sick girl won't get that now really doesn't apply.

I'm pretty sure that CMs are doing all the same things they used to do to make stays magical, when they can. Perhaps less than in years past, as times have changed and yes, I believe the magic is fading - I just don't see that it has suddenly been replaced - I believe it has been augmented. SOME things that may have been discretionary before may be reserved for Dreams use, like opening of rides, etc., or may be CALLED Dreams but are still discretionary. It's the actual prize giveaways that are randomly chosen (as there are laws that actually get in the way).

The discretionary things that CMs do have another name that I've seen mentioned - they aren't called Dreams though...I think they are called Wishes...and they still exist.

If Walt was still around, WDW would be very different today. But he isn't, and the corporate world (and the world in general) is very different as well. The magic may have faded - but I don't think its gone yet.

 

[maxtomsmom]

Because it used to be the operating plan that every guest was treated special, that every guest was, well - a guest. Cast members were told that they were the ones to decide how to make each guest's visit "magical".

Now Disney lets some computer decide who gets to be "special" by staying in a castle that I can never see. Or a computer decides who gets a lanyard with two pins. Or a computer decides who gets to cut in line with a "special" FastPass.

There's no customer service there. There's no cast member seeing a little girl in a princess dress and deciding - a human decision - to point out Cinderella around the corner. Now it's just a luck of a draw without any care or concern other than what lawyers think up.

There's no "magic" in a corporate giveaway that spews out trinkets at random.

The magic comes from people going out there way to make others feel special, to meet their special needs, to understand what would make this guest's stay more pleasant when someone else might. The castle stay doesn't go to the ill little girl from the town that collected money to send her to WDW - it goes to whoever happens to be sitting on the third bench next outside "Malstrom' at 10:08am. Or maybe they'll get a free churro instead.

How "magical" is that?

I totally agree with you and some of the others on this. When we got back from our trip in Dec. many people asked if we received a prize. We did not, but we did receive some great treatment from some humane CMs. My mom because of a leg injury cannot ride on many rides as she is not able to bend her leg. At AK she was able to ride Primeval Whirl three times in row as it was one of the thrill rides she could stretch her leg out. The CMs saw how difficult it was for her to get in and out and said we can ride again. They saw the grin on her face the second trip and said one more time if we wanted. Now that is exactly what Walt would expect. The little things that made someone's day. This happened again at TOT, which she rode two times in a row without getting off. We weren't expecting it and the fact that they offered shows some remember Walt's dream. BTW - this was not a YOMD thing. This was just kind-hearted CMs. We don't need prizes or give aways just simple things to make you feel special once and a while without the hoopla.

 

[Another Voice]

But he isn't, and the corporate world (and the world in general) is very different as well.

Funny - that's the same lame excuse people told Walt when they said Disneyland would never work - this "modern world is too fast paced for a kiddie park" and "no legimate company would ever be associated with an amusement park - it's a dog-eat-dog world" and "Walt's Folly" and all the rest.

It was bogus in 1955, it's bogus fifty years later.


"Daddy, can I stay in the castle with Cinderella?"

Answer #1:
"I'm sorry, but the castle is special place that's for people who Cinderella invites to stay with her. Not every little girl has all the things that you have, not every little girl gets to come to Walt Disney World. Cinderella knows this, and when she learns about someone who is very sick, or someone that has done something really special, she asks them to come spend the night there. That way, little girls who might never, ever, get the chance to see the things that you can see can become as happy as you are here. Isn't that a nice thing for Cinderella to do?"

Answer #2:
"I'm sorry, but we're losers. We weren't standing in the right spot. Nothing you do, think, say or accomplish makes you good enought to stay in the castle - it's just dumb blind luck. The company thinks that if anyone gets a chance to stay there, they'll make a lot of money from the stupid who think they have a chance and come anyway. And the free photo in the local newspaper of the 'winning' family is more important to them than the dreams of little girls like you. Face it kid - the business world is different today. No one cares about you. Life is nothing but luck and the rich people who run this place are just better than you. Now shut-up and get out you Disney Dining Plan card, Daddy wants a beer."

 

[Wick]

Bottom line...

I'd like to see most of you anti-YOAMD crowd go into the parks and turn down a freebie (be it a FP or a cruise) on the basis that: "Well these are just an extension of WalDisney's cheapo marketing ploy and should be standard in WDW anyhow"

I mean come on. As deplorable a campaign you may believe YOAMD to be, would any of you honestly respond this way if YOU were approached for a dream?

I understand what many of you are saying about "dreams" being a part of standard Disney interaction between CMs and guests. But many guests STILL receive that experience from the phenomenal CMs without it being part of YOAMD. IMO, YOAMD takes it a step further by tossing out free stuff. It seems like the biggest problem the anti-YOAMD crowd has is that this practice has been organized and given a title.

 

[EUROPACL]

Bottom line...

I'd like to see most of you anti-YOAMD crowd go into the parks and turn down a freebie (be it a FP or a cruise) on the basis that: "Well these are just an extension of WalDisney's cheapo marketing ploy and should be standard in WDW anyhow"

I mean come on. As deplorable a campaign you may believe YOAMD to be, would any of you honestly respond this way if YOU were approached for a dream?

This is exactly what I would do...

...No really I guess it depends on the situation and what the "dream" was. For example I could see a situation where I would give away something to a child or other person I think would enjoy it more than I would. I can say for sure that I would turn down a meeting with a character or a set of Mickey Ears. It just depends.

 

[Another Voice]

I've been "trinketed" twice at Disneyland. The first time was right after the program started. A Trinket Team was chucking out "All Park FastPasses" underneath the train station tunnel. The "team" consisted of about five people and a suit. They all had arm full of the passes.

I joined the crowd and picked up one because I have a rather extensive collection of "Disney Stupid" - stuff like the brochure from Disneyland's "Circus" event featuring 'The Globe of Death' in the middle of the plaza, a memo from Michael Eisner about complaining that WDI's annual parody of the studio newsletter was making fun of him, the press announcement for California Adventure, and Mathew McCounaghy's "body tatoo" screen test from Reign of Fire. I figured this would fit right in.

I didn't use any of the FastPasses by the way.

The second time I was walking down Main Street to meet a friend. Another Trinket Disposal Person was trying to give away those hideous silver and blue cloud "We're Too Cheap to Make Park Specific Merchandise So Where ever You Get This Is Where Dreams Come True" mouse ears. She told me - and anyone else within arm's reach that we've won a free hat. She was literally holding them out in front of people and blocking their path.

No one was taking them.

I almost took one just because she was looking like a six year old Girl Scout standing in front of the super market and no one was buying her cookies. Then it struck me that I would be forced to carry this headgear at least until I turned a corner and could dump it the trash can without her seeing it. I mean, she works for Disney...why add any more pain to her life.

So I declined. Fortunately it was just in time. The smell of free stuff was finally wafting down Main Street. I saw a large herd approaching - all agitated and drooling - the first signs of an annual passholder feeding frenzy. I escape with my life; I’m not sure not what happened to the women with the hats…I have a weak stomach for that kind of carnage.

Of my six days at WDW, I saw two members of the give away team walking through the park and a gaggle of teenage girls wearing the silver & blue mouse ears.

Sadly, no one tempted me with a night in the castle (I’m not going to loose my day to a parade, a bad dinner, and an 9:00pm curfew), a free cruise (I prefer ships with more firepower), a shopping spree at Downtown Disney (Legos to the masses) or any of the other prized I would gladly turn down.

 

[DancingBear]

Not everyone gets to be in the parade - someone was always chosen. They'll still be chosen to ride in the parade when YOAMD ends. But perhaps by placing it under the banner, someone might feel just a little MORE special at being chosen.

I really doubt that any family chosen to be in a parade feels MORE special this year than in the past. But we do know that some people feel like they missed out on something because they didn't get chosen for anything. Just seems like it's not a very well thought-out or effective promotion.

And then there's added frustration because this is being done hand-in-hand with the "Disney Parks" program which has displaced unique merchandise and pushed aside an important event like Epcot's 25th. AND there's frustration in looking at this program in conjunction with the decline in training and customer service in general.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

Yes, we were one of the lucky ones! When we received our lunch order at Tusker House in the AK, we "won" a blue frosted cupcake that Tinkerbell had made herself! That was the only dream we "won" in January, and we were so excited! (Ha-Ha).

 

[TheLastPrincess]

My question is, what happens when YOAMD ends? And it WILL end, someday, although tentatively not until 12/08.

I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. Superficially, it is simply a marketing ploy. It is no better than your average, every-day sweepstakes by your average, every-day business...such as McDonald's. In fact, it could be considered worse: when a family comes home from their vacation, feeling "jipped" they had not won anything...well, that's just sad. Who goes to McDonald's for the contest? We don't win, we say, "oh well," and we enjoy (or not) our lunch and move on. We don't feel like we've been snubbed.

Due to legal reasons, however, it was smart for Disney to hire a company to have them computerize and randomize the sweepstakes process.

But in my opinion, it would have been so much better if Disney decided to do their YOAMD, but not advertise it, and then the person winning the DVC membership would feel all that more special, because it WOULD seem like a dream come true. Instead of a marketing ploy, it could have been a corporate decision to inspire the cast members, to strengthen their own company policy of stellar service.

Unfortunately, the opposite has happened, according to the families who have recently returned from WDW: the quality of food is dwindling down, the prices are going up, the "stellar" service is anything but, and to top it off they are feeling "jipped" by Disney's own marketing ploy.

This is inexcusable. I have been a fan of Disney since I stepped on property with my 5-year-old feet. I remember the stellar service. I remember when it was truly special to be selected to be part of something magical, even if it was only to be MGM's "Family of the Day." And then the experience last year of getting engaged there...THAT was "The Disney Way." Now, they have watered it down to a marketing ploy.

IF they pull out a "Room Rate" to stay in Cindy's castle, what was once envisioned as Walt Disney's own personal suite, I will write them a scathing letter. It is fine for them to continue using it as a random prize, a priceless experience, but if they put a price tag on something like that (like they do so many other things), well....the dream is over for me.

Are you listening, Disney?

 

[paulh]

will now be named AEOAMD an eturnity of a million dreams now?
Paulh

 

[raidermatt]

If Walt was still around, WDW would be very different today. But he isn't, and the corporate world (and the world in general) is very different as well.

Different, but same.

The magic may have faded - but I don't think its gone yet.

And that's good enough for you?

 

[BeLLaNoTTe]

.....edit: wrong thread

 

[Wick]

It is no better than your average, every-day sweepstakes by your average, every-day business...such as McDonald's. In fact, it could be considered worse: when a family comes home from their vacation, feeling "jipped" they had not won anything...well, that's just sad. Who goes to McDonald's for the contest? We don't win, we say, "oh well," and we enjoy (or not) our lunch and move on. We don't feel like we've been snubbed.

No better than a McDonald's sweepstakes? Absurd.

Next time you're offered FPs to space mountain, you should stand up for what you believe in, kindly tell the CM about your disdain for the so-called marketing ploy, and tell him to go toss them to a guest who doesn't know any better (preferably me!)

 

[Another Voice]

McDonald's let me win a million dollars.

The biggest and best prize that Disney offers is less than they spent on doughnuts for the second unit of Pirates of the Caribbean: At Talent's End. And the rumor is the winner of the top prize (a visit to all Disney Parks) turned out to be ineligle so Disney isn't awarding it at all (note: this is only a rumor I've heard, it still needs to be verified. Don't cancel your trip because of this one - I'm just sure[/i] the lucky winner Disney is waiting for).

And if "winning" two FastPasses to Space Mountain brings thrills and joy to your life - finding an extra ten bucks in pants pocket while doing your laundry must make you giidy for months on end.

 

[ursijam]

Because it used to be the operating plan that every guest was treated special, that every guest was, well - a guest. Cast members were told that they were the ones to decide how to make each guest's visit "magical".

Now Disney lets some computer decide who gets to be "special" by staying in a castle that I can never see. Or a computer decides who gets a lanyard with two pins. Or a computer decides who gets to cut in line with a "special" FastPass.

There's no customer service there. There's no cast member seeing a little girl in a princess dress and deciding - a human decision - to point out Cinderella around the corner. Now it's just a luck of a draw without any care or concern other than what lawyers think up.

There's no "magic" in a corporate giveaway that spews out trinkets at random.

The magic comes from people going out there way to make others feel special, to meet their special needs, to understand what would make this guest's stay more pleasant when someone else might. The castle stay doesn't go to the ill little girl from the town that collected money to send her to WDW - it goes to whoever happens to be sitting on the third bench next outside "Malstrom' at 10:08am. Or maybe they'll get a free churro instead.

How "magical" is that?

I have to disagree that anything has changed. The CMs still have the same ability to provide a magical experience as they always have. There are only certain items that are officially "dreams". I have not received any of them, but we did still experience a ton of magical moments from the cast with whom we interacted. [Free pins for my DD who was being good waiting for my DW to feed our son at the baby care center. Becoming a member of the 100 acre wood family and getting all of the character's autographs. More free pins at Artist Point. Just to name a few...]

I would love to get something "official", but that doesn't change the nature of it.