Year of Million Dreams...CM Nightmare?

[S. C.]

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"

 

[LSchrow]

I agree with this completely!!! We give away FastPasses we can't use, give up seats on the bus, etc. Like I said earlier in this thread...it's the little things we do for others that make us a better person. How can that not be a win-win situation?

ditto........as guests, we might not be able to give away a GRAND prize, but we can (& personally, also DO) enjoy making mini *magical moments* for others. it simply feels good to offer to take photos (so their entire group is in the pic), give up a seat, hold a door, letting small ones in front so they can see the parade, talking to children ~ it's fun to say "hi, princess cindy/aurora/belle!!" to girls in costume, asking 2 boys dressed as peter pan if he saw where Tink went, "i've been looking EVERYwhere!! "

IMHO, we feel MUCH more *pixie dust* doing one of the above, than is in a free turkey leg!!

 

[disneygal55]

Sounds great that Disney decided that there will be specific locations and times for the prizes to be given away but...Will the cast members stand at the sites wiith STOP WATCHES. Crowds are always on the move in WDW. Who will decide which of the twenty people coming through at a certain time will get the prize? I still think that there will be problems with this method. It's not completely unbiased and calls for a "human" decision which some people WILL question if they are in the group of twenty not awarded a prize. To make it completely fair and unbiased they should give them away at the gates as people put their tickets through...computer picked. For example
if someone wins the fastpass at the gate it can be good for his entire party and so on.

 

[Fitswimmer]

To make it completely fair and unbiased they should give them away at the gates as people put their tickets through...computer picked.

I was thinking that too. People are so crazy these days that the slightest suggestion of bias will send some folks running for the lawyers. " I didn't win because I'm (insert race or ethnic identity here); I didn't win because I'm single; I didn't win because my kids weren't deemed cute enough..."

It's sad that we've come to this kind of thing, but you only have to read these boards for a short time to find out how crazy people can get over the slightest perceived insult.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Sounds great that Disney decided that there will be specific locations and times for the prizes to be given away but...Will the cast members stand at the sites wiith STOP WATCHES. Crowds are always on the move in WDW. Who will decide which of the twenty people coming through at a certain time will get the prize? I still think that there will be problems with this method. It's not completely unbiased and calls for a "human" decision which some people WILL question if they are in the group of twenty not awarded a prize. To make it completely fair and unbiased they should give them away at the gates as people put their tickets through...computer picked. For example
if someone wins the fastpass at the gate it can be good for his entire party and so on.

I agree that would be the most fair way of doing it, but it could take away a little bit of the magic, depending on how it would be handled.

 

[madonna31]

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.

More specifically, batches will be calculated. i.e.: 1000th guest to go through the turn style at Space Mountain.

Am I the only one who has faith that this will be handled fairly (and no discrimination) because it's Disney? Wow, I can't get over the bad rap that Disney is getting on the DIS boards about this contest. Kinda like the old "I'm an annual passholder, so Disney OWES me a discount" thinking.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Based on some of the early statements about this promotion, my concern is that Disney may be leaving themselves open for problems. I would hope that they have thought it all through carefully, but from what has come out in advance I'm not sure.

Maybe 20 years ago people would have been less litigious, and not try to sue over every perceived insult but things have changed.

 

[DIXIEDIVAMOM]

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.

I love this. My feeling exactly. You hit everything we were complaining about on out last two trips. It was pretty bad when my three teenagers were mentioning the same thing.

 

[Kathy C]

If it can't be my family that wins one of the prizes, I'd love to be there when another family wins. I'd love to see their reaction! Heck, we never win anything - and anyway I'd probably pass out!!!

 

[3DisneyKids]

Am I the only one who has faith that this will be handled fairly (and no discrimination) because it's Disney? Wow, I can't get over the bad rap that Disney is getting on the DIS boards about this contest. Kinda like the old "I'm an annual passholder, so Disney OWES me a discount" thinking.

Count me as part of your team on this one...I think that they have likely thought of all these scenarios and have established protocols, etc. to deal with it. Think about it...Disney is nothing if not detail-oriented. Every little datail on every attraction, sign, etc. has some type of significance. My feelings are that they have given the same amount of thought to this as well. Certainly, they have made mistakes in the past, and will make more in the future. Since this is a year-long event, they will find out very quickly if there are flaws to the system and then they will work to correct them.

 

[monetnj]

When I was there a couple of weeks ago, I struck up a conversation with the CM who watches over the wait-time board over at MK. He seemed to be eager to speak about the Million Wishes campaign. I asked him how they are going to be giving out the prizes and he said there will essentially be a CM prize patrol with computer readouts that say things like "15th guest to get off the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at 1425 hours will receive X award." Based on this, I have faith this is going to be random give-aways that will not rely on the personal bias of the CM. Sounds like this groups of CMs in the prize patrol will also be a special group. No doubt the best of the bunch and trained to handle difficult situations.

Another interesting note, the CM I spoke with also mentioned that he was applying to be a butler for the "spend a night in Cindy's castle" prize. According to him, the family that wins will be subjected to some sort of background check and questionnaire from the state of Florida before being allowed to stay overnight. So, if you win this prize, and have something to hide, run!

 

[mtrak17]

Count me as part of your team on this one...I think that they have likely thought of all these scenarios and have established protocols, etc. to deal with it. Think about it...Disney is nothing if not detail-oriented. Every little datail on every attraction, sign, etc. has some type of significance. My feelings are that they have given the same amount of thought to this as well. Certainly, they have made mistakes in the past, and will make more in the future. Since this is a year-long event, they will find out very quickly if there are flaws to the system and then they will work to correct them.

I completely agree. I really can't believe they haven't thought out every scenario in advance. If there are any quirks, I believe they'll straighten them out fairly quickly, so I think we can all just enjoy the excitement and not worry However, it is interesting to speculate on how things will work, exactly.

 

[Sammie]

More specifically, batches will be calculated. i.e.: 1000th guest to go through the turn style at Space Mountain.

Am I the only one who has faith that this will be handled fairly (and no discrimination) because it's Disney? Wow, I can't get over the bad rap that Disney is getting on the DIS boards about this contest. Kinda like the old "I'm an annual passholder, so Disney OWES me a discount" thinking.

No I have complete faith they will handle it fairly. They don't want the hassle involved of doing it otherwize. All the bruhaha over this being fair is no different than the mob scence over the Halloween party and the uproar proved to be nothing but hot air. Disney had everything well in hand, and they will with this contest too.

Not everyone will win but you know that is life. Everyone just needs to deal with it.

 

[Sammie]

Sounds great that Disney decided that there will be specific locations and times for the prizes to be given away but...Will the cast members stand at the sites wiith STOP WATCHES. Crowds are always on the move in WDW. Who will decide which of the twenty people coming through at a certain time will get the prize? I still think that there will be problems with this method. It's not completely unbiased and calls for a "human" decision which some people WILL question if they are in the group of twenty not awarded a prize. To make it completely fair and unbiased they should give them away at the gates as people put their tickets through...computer picked. For example
if someone wins the fastpass at the gate it can be good for his entire party and so on.

It can be done just as fairly as the turnstyle. I don't think they mean they are going to give them to someone just standing somewhere, but more in that at Dumbo for example at a certain time, the person in Elephant number 10 will win. The CM on the Prize Patrol will not make that decision, they will simply be notifying that particular person. So it is very random.

Or a particular horse on the Carousel, or in a batch situation, everyone on the carousel at a particular time.

They are not going to allow some CM to just roam around the parks randomly giving out prizes just because they like the way someone looks or is standing somewhere.

 

[BeccaG]

More specifically, batches will be calculated. i.e.: 1000th guest to go through the turn style at Space Mountain.

Am I the only one who has faith that this will be handled fairly (and no discrimination) because it's Disney? Wow, I can't get over the bad rap that Disney is getting on the DIS boards about this contest. Kinda like the old "I'm an annual passholder, so Disney OWES me a discount" thinking.

I am with your madonna31!! Not only will it be done fairly but I guarantee Disney has thought of all the law suite possibilities and has worked to minimize any potential ones they can think of. The cast members giving out the prizes, as others have mentioned, will be incredibly well trained and Disney has been doing this prize thing for years, I am sure it will be very random and very fair.

 

[Heighho]

Hi folks - new to the boards. Just wanted to pitch in my 2 cents. My family and I went to DW in June and were picked to be the first family of the day to ride Buzz Lightyear SRS. Rode all by ourselves, received a certificate, 2 pictures, and 2 sets of FP's, and 1 FP for any rde in the park. We just happened to be at the right place at the right time. We were standing at the rope outside FW and my youngest - 10yo - asked the CM to trade a pin and that started it. I think the promo will be very similar. Just a random choice. And while it was exciting for us, I am sure there were others who were disappointed. We are an average family, Mom and Dad, and 2 boys ages 10 & 12. Nothing special - just average Joe's. I am sure, though, that if I was behind someone else being chosen, I probably would have been a little upset - that is just our human nature "why them/him/her, etc..." I sure would like to see a thread of disboarders who get something though...

 

[pb4ugo]

snip
I think I'm feeling a little too jaded this morning, but I just have this bad feeling that there will be a significant number of guests who will be disappointed if they don't get one of those million dreams.
snip

how could i be disappointed if i don't get one of their dreams? after all, i already have my dvc and my annual trip to wdw!

now - not being tagged by the tag fairy is another story!

i'm agreeing with the posters who feel that disney has thought this out long and hard to make the process as random as it can be. but even that can't negate the disappointment that some are sure to feel.

 

[mikiclements]

My son was a disney cast member and believes the good stuff will go to friends of the CM's. I hope there is a way to prevent that. I don't think CM's should be allowed to pick.

 

[mikiclements]

Sounds great that Disney decided that there will be specific locations and times for the prizes to be given away but...Will the cast members stand at the sites wiith STOP WATCHES. Crowds are always on the move in WDW. Who will decide which of the twenty people coming through at a certain time will get the prize? I still think that there will be problems with this method. It's not completely unbiased and calls for a "human" decision which some people WILL question if they are in the group of twenty not awarded a prize. To make it completely fair and unbiased they should give them away at the gates as people put their tickets through...computer picked. For example
if someone wins the fastpass at the gate it can be good for his entire party and so on.

that's the greatest idea yet! i hope they are reading the boards and see that one. it would prevent tampering and favortism

 

[3DisneyKids]

I doubt this highly....usually with any contest or thing of this nature "employees are not eligible."