Year of Million Dreams...CM Nightmare?

[Sammie]

If anyone has any doubt that Disney has not thought out all of this process simply go read the official rules and you will see differently.

Especially this section:

General Restrictions on Event Prizes
By entering this Giveaway and accepting an event prize, each event prize winner (or, if a Minor, his/her parent or legal guardian) agrees to maintain his/her behavior in accordance with all applicable laws and generally accepted social practices in connection with participation in any Giveaway activity, including, without limitation, use of the event prize, and to comply with any event venue rules and regulations as applicable. Event prize winners (or, if Minors, their parents or legal guardians) understand and agree that Sponsor has the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify and remove the prize winner or his/her guest from any activity at any time if the prize winner or his/her guest's behavior at any point is disruptive or may or does cause damage to person, property or the reputation of Sponsor or otherwise violates the policies of the prize providers. Location of seating provided as part of any event prize will be decided by Sponsor in its sole discretion.

 

[keishashadow]

WDW profiling their guests to award a PR prize, unthinkable ,

as for a pre-assigned spot to select a random passerby, think that secret spot wouldn't last a day.

The honorable amoung us will say the joy is in the winning, doesn't matter what the prize is. The realist in me can only begin to imagine the meltdown when the 1st person gets a FP who was expecting a DVC membership.

The legalese "generally accepted social practices", is indeed a wide area of definition, hope they have lots of security on hand.

 

[mtrak17]

Yes your allowed to Post, we don't throw out nonmembers. And here is wishing you are the DVC winner and then we can Welcome You Home.

Ahhhh...that was so nice Now I might have to think about becoming a member even if don't win the membership , if everyone at DVC is so pleasant!

 

[bzzelady]

Any chance we can start a rumor that the main criteria is being neatly dressed, well behaved (adults and kids) especially while dining, not using anyone else's pool, no breaking in line, no asking to move your child to the front for parades when you just showed up, nothing gross, strollers and ECVs that yield to walkers, etc.

Man if this would happen that would be prize enough for me. It would be my dream vacation.

Feel free to add to the list.

Please add:

a guest who doesn't use their refillable mug from 3 trips ago...

(this should be interesting to see how this all pans out!)

 

[Sammie]

I think it will be great fun. I could care less if I win anything. I do hope I am there to witness someone winning something big, that would be so cool.

I have never won a contest and consider my life very blessed, and it will go on being that way when this one is over.

Let the Contest Begin.

 

[jarestel]

Please add:

a guest who doesn't use their refillable mug from 3 trips ago...

From all the carryings-on here about mugs, one would think they were much more valuable than DVC memberships anyway!

But to the point, step right up folks! You can't win if you don't play!!!

 

[3DisneyKids]

I think it will be great fun. I could care less if I win anything. I do hope I am there to witness someone winning something big, that would be so cool.

I have never won a contest and consider my life very blessed, and it will go on being that way when this one is over.

Let the Contest Begin.

This is exactly how I feel--I would LOVE to watch someone's dream come true and win a prize. I am SUCH a sap, that I know that I would tear up for that stranger.

However, DH insists that I am the luckiest person on the planet (I always win at the local raffles, hit all green lights, don't get pulled over for speeding when everyone else in the "speed trap zone" does, and so on)...so he is sure that we will be winners during our Oct. trip. I told him...we are DVC'ers....we're already winners!

 

[dianeschlicht]

As a former cast member I appreciate your concern for the prize folks, but hopefully I can ease some of your fears!!! I am guessing, based on my experience as a cast member at Disneyland, that those handing out the prizes have first and foremost been trained and secondly are exemplary cast members who have shown they can handle difficult situations. Most cast members would love to have this job, and most, as previously mentioned work real hard to make a guests dream come true. When I worked as a character host I saw a colleague listen to a parent nearly in tears about their child who only wanted to meet Jiminy Cricket. That cast member told the person to hold on, disappeared for a few moments and returned. Meanwhile, she arranged for a private meeting with Jiminy in the Lincoln Theatre. The cast member was never thanked or even commended at work, but told me that was one of the coolest things they had been a part of. I am sure that is the caliber of cast member who has been selected to be the "prize person" and I am confident they will do great!! If characters can move about the park and "leave" without too much of a riot I think the "dream squad" or whatever they are calling them will be able to do it too!
PS I am sure most of you long time Disney folks know this but if a cast member does something extra kind you call always leave them a compliment at city hall. It will make their day and also impacts things like promotions and raises too!

I'm glad to hear that the cast members get rewarded for their "Disney Day" type actions. Do you know where we might make commendations for places other than the MK though? We have occationally had bus drivers we want to make commendations for, but have no idea where or who to do that with after the fact.

 

[DVCconvert]

Do you know where we might make commendations for places other than the MK though? We have occationally had bus drivers we want to make commendations for, but have no idea where or who to do that with after the fact.

Any guest wishing to communicate their feelings about a specific cast member may write or email:


Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com


It is of course most helpful to give as much identifing information about the experience you wish to comment on (ie..CM's name, date, place, time etc. ).
The correspondence will be transmitted to the appropriate area manager if possible and would likely be included into the CM's personnel file.

HTH

 

[Granny]

However, if you read the long "Official Rules" page on the Disney site for this sweepstakes, it seems like they have a plan in place for giving out these prizes at the parks...My understanding in reading the official rules was that, every day, there is a designated "spot" and a designated "time". If there is one prize for that designated spot and time, then the person who (unknowingly) walk or stands in that spot at the designated time wins the designated prize...no discrimination. Clear and free, that person wins the prize because he or she met the parameters of the award designation. (I'm imagining something like...the person standing at the left side of the anteater exhibit at Animal Kingdom at 11:25 a.m. on such and such date wins such and such... )

The official rules go on to state that if there are "several" prizes designated for the spot and time (they call it a "batch"), then a certain number of people win the same prize within the location/time parameters. This might cause more of an issue for "expectant-type" people - I have a vision of hordes of people running to that location once they see someone has gotten something

Thank you. I had not, in fact, read the official rules and it sounds like it won't be much CM discretion so that makes it much easier on everyone.

Oops! Am I allowed to post here? I didn't realize this was a DVC thread and am not a member Of course, that will all change once I win the DVC membership prize from Disney

You are more than welcome to post here with any questions or comments about DVC. And I hope you are able to become a member someday if you want to and circumstances allow.

As a former cast member I appreciate your concern for the prize folks, but hopefully I can ease some of your fears!!! I am guessing, based on my experience as a cast member at Disneyland, that those handing out the prizes have first and foremost been trained and secondly are exemplary cast members who have shown they can handle difficult situations. Most cast members would love to have this job, and most, as previously mentioned work real hard to make a guests dream come true. When I worked as a character host I saw a colleague listen to a parent nearly in tears about their child who only wanted to meet Jiminy Cricket. That cast member told the person to hold on, disappeared for a few moments and returned. Meanwhile, she arranged for a private meeting with Jiminy in the Lincoln Theatre. The cast member was never thanked or even commended at work, but told me that was one of the coolest things they had been a part of. I am sure that is the caliber of cast member who has been selected to be the "prize person" and I am confident they will do great!! If characters can move about the park and "leave" without too much of a riot I think the "dream squad" or whatever they are calling them will be able to do it too!
PS I am sure most of you long time Disney folks know this but if a cast member does something extra kind you call always leave them a compliment at city hall. It will make their day and also impacts things like promotions and raises too!

Thank you for this post. I guess I should know that Disney has this figured out, but was concerned about "CM abuse" since the promotional spots could be construed by some to create expectations of winning one of the prizes.

And I would also like to know where to go in other parks besides MK to note a great CM effort. We usually write the note, but would like to be able to report CM efforts more quickly (and so I don't forget names, circumstances, etc).

 

[castleri]

I would think that spots and times would vary each day. I can't see them having these events happen at the same time and place every day. That would be too easy for people to figure out. Where is this list of rules and regulations located? Does it say anything about limited to one per person at certain levels? We leave two days before it starts but will be back in Dec so will be waiting to read reports between those times. Just being able to go three times this year and one trip Christmas week is prize enough for me no matter what else happens.

 

[BeccaG]

I'm glad to hear that the cast members get rewarded for their "Disney Day" type actions. Do you know where we might make commendations for places other than the MK though? We have occationally had bus drivers we want to make commendations for, but have no idea where or who to do that with after the fact.

And you can leave it at any guest relations in any park, I think they all have them, I know I have done it at DCA in California so I am sure they have them at every park and probably the front desks of resorts too in Walt Disney World.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Any guest wishing to communicate their feelings about a specific cast member may write or email:


Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com


It is of course most helpful to give as much identifing information about the experience you wish to comment on (ie..CM's name, date, place, time etc. ).
The correspondence will be transmitted to the appropriate area manager if possible and would likely be included into the CM's personnel file.

HTH

THANKS!

 

[mtrak17]

Where is this list of rules and regulations located? Does it say anything about limited to one per person at certain levels? We leave two days before it starts but will be back in Dec so will be waiting to read reports between those times. Just being able to go three times this year and one trip Christmas week is prize enough for me no matter what else happens.

I hope this link works....
http://adestinations.disney.go.com/...tml/yomdrules.html?CMP=OTC-VanURLYOMDRulesEng

That is the Official Rules page. It is quite long, but interesting to read the details of the prizes, the legal specifications, etc. (and dream ) For example, it has the Grand Marshal Disney Parks tour listed at a $43,000 prize value and the DVC membership listed in the $80,000-range.

It would be wonderful to actually witness someone win these in person - What a fantastic experience...(and I wouldn't turn up my nose at any of the prizes myself...)

 

[Entropy]

I really don't know how to say this and be politically correct and I also don't want anyone to get the wrong impression, but does an average, non-minority family with kids that aren't "child" aged even stand a chance? I just feel like the guidelines given to CM's will require them to target certain groups: minorities, disabled persons, young families, etc. because I feel Disney as a whole, really tries to be PC. I'm not saying one group doesn't deserve it more than another, but as a family that has always just "blended into the woodwork", I would like to think we would at least have a chance. Heck, I'd be happy just to get one of the FastPasses!

You don't have the slightest idea of how this program is going to be handled. Would it have been possible to, at a minimum wait until the guidelines leaked or at least wait until the program started?

 

[CarolA]

You don't have the slightest idea of how this program is going to be handled. Would it have been possible to, at a minimum wait until the guidelines leaked or at least wait until the program started?

I have a feeling that strating 10/1 I will have to AVOID all posts regarding the Year of a Million Dreams. I can see it now the following WILL be posted. (Place dates on when...)

1. My vacation was RUINED when I didn't when a prize. (don't believe me, go to the resorts board, folks there have ruined vacations when they don't get towel animals, folks on the DVC board file complaints when they don't get "Welcome Home")

2. They didn't pick ME for a prize because I was single, have six kids, pooh sized, skinny, blonde, burnette, etc... (Pick whichever fits you) (There is already a post on the Theme Park board from a poster in Sweden very upset that according to him/her Euopeans aren't able to win)


3. I HAVE TO PAY TAXES???? Disney should just give me the stuff. How dare Uncle Sam want a take? (and he will if the prize is over a nominal value)

4. For the amount of money I pay I desever a prize more that that woman they picked who was staying at Pop Century....

5. I am an AP holder and they never pick us to win.. Disney doesn't love us.

6. I am a DVC owner and they never pick us to win... Disney doesn't love us

(Five and Six can be interchanged with four)

7. I am a Florida Resident and they never pick us to win

7. My prize was worthless. For example, you win the fast pass "we only go when it's slow and we don't ride anything with a fast pass. I tried to exchange it for the DVC memberhip, but they were MEAN and wouldn't let me"




So what posts do you expect????

Magic happens when you least expect it... If you go looking for it, it's not likely and if you set out to prove that it won't happen you will be right.

 

[keishashadow]

wonder if the "unwanted" prizes will show up on eBay?

 

[castleri]

I hope this link works....
http://adestinations.disney.go.com/...tml/yomdrules.html?CMP=OTC-VanURLYOMDRulesEng

That is the Official Rules page. It is quite long, but interesting to read the details of the prizes, the legal specifications, etc. (and dream ) For example, it has the Grand Marshal Disney Parks tour listed at a $43,000 prize value and the DVC membership listed in the $80,000-range.

It would be wonderful to actually witness someone win these in person - What a fantastic experience...(and I wouldn't turn up my nose at any of the prizes myself...)

Thanks - interesting reading and I agree about seeing someone win - it should be fun to see how it all comes out.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I have a feeling that strating 10/1 I will have to AVOID all posts regarding the Year of a Million Dreams. I can see it now the following WILL be posted.

I think that was the point of this thread and "Year of a Million Letdowns"-that all the "entitled" people would just make a misery of the entire thing. There were some good points raised on both threads that perhaps our Disney lurkers may have taken about how the contest is being perceived by fans. DIS board posters are fans, and usually more forgiving of the Mouse than the average vacationer and there are complaints being aired here. If Ernie Entitled pays $4000 to bring his family to WDW for the first time because of the contest and his Princess does not get to sleep in Cindy's castle-how do you think he'll react?

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

You don't have the slightest idea of how this program is going to be handled. Would it have been possible to, at a minimum wait until the guidelines leaked or at least wait until the program started?