Every year Disney comes up with a new theme. This year was more of a promotion. This is the way I have always understood it. Free stuff is always good.
I have checked a few sites and find 10/1/6-12/31/7 as the dates of the year of a million dreams. I believe the last promotional year actually lasted about 17months (may 5th 2005-sept 30 2006) and was billed as 18 months. So Disney years aren't like calendar years or fiscal years.
From the YOMD Rules and Regulations on Disney's website:
The Disney Dreams Giveaway (the "Giveaway") provides participants with the chance to win prizes starting on October 1, 2006 and ending on December 31, 2007 (the "Giveaway Period").