YOAMD a no show

[WDWBetsy]

DebIreland - thanks for the laugh. I about spit Diet Big Red all over my monitor!

I'm just happy to be going. If I get a sticker, I'll stick it on DH's rear when he's not looking.

 

[Karibeth19]

My theory is to do something 'magical' for someone else. Every time we are in the parks, I get fast passes to something, and as we always leave early it is any easy thing to do and costs nothing. I then give them away to someone walking down the street. They are so pleased and grateful. Me - I am thrilled to be sharing the magic with others. Play it forward - you will enjoy life more.

ITA! As much as I would love to win a dream on our upcoming vacation (Even a free chocolate chip cookie would be great!), I know the chances are small. But, I've decided to do my part in making magic for someone else. I recently purchased a pattern for a crocheted Minnie Mouse bag at my local yarn store (I would love to share it with other crafty DIS'ers, but it's copywrited, so I can't. If you can crochet circles, you could probably figure it out, though.). I've made one for my daughter, and I'm making one for myself and DD's Ballet teacher, who is going over Christmas. Since they only take a couple of days to make, I am also going to make a few extra and stick them in our backpack when we are there. If another guest or a CM does something nice for us, or if I see them doing something nice for someone else, or if someone compliments our bags in a really nice way, or even if I just see a really cute little girl, I will pull out one of the extras and give it to them. I am so excited about the thought of doing this! Disney is such a wonderful and magical place for my family, and I love the thought of making it magical for someone else.

 

[ppiew]

Congratulations Karibeth!!!! What a great attitude, I know you will surprise someone and it will make their day. Who knows, they might just be inspired to do good for someone too. Wouldn't it be wonderful! The Year of a Million Dreams could turn out to be a Year of TEN Million Dreams!!!!
P.S. Don't forget the adults and teenagers or college students. They all get lost in the muddle of toddlers. And you KNOW they won't be expecting ANYTHING!!!!

 

[MickeyBabe]

To those of you who choose to make magic of your own and share it with others....

To those of you who feel entitled... I hope you get all you deserve in life.




ps.... DebIreland... You made my day!

 

[orljustin]

Get over your entitlement issues... Just because you have children and took them to Disney doesnt mean Disney has to make their stay magical. How about you be a parent and make their stay magical yourself.

OR dont come into a message board and post this sort of stuff expecting coddling.

I can't tell if this is supposed to be directed at me. Oh, by the way, nice job on doing some personal attacks for a post in which contained only my opinion on things.

What "coddling" do you think I am expecting here? And what entitlement issues? And who said anything about children? My kids had a great time - they got to do everything we had planned ahead of time, and some surprises as well.

So, who has the attitude here?

 

[Karnak]

... so 2 adults they probably wouldn't target us anyway.

Yeah, I reckon as how they wouldn't target this slow old man on a solo trip as well. I mean, I'll be only one adult and hardly noticeable in the crowds. I sure don't ramble over the parks to win a prize anyhow. I just enjoy the days and the people watching, and the occasional ride, show, or meal.

Enjoy. (I always do.)

 

[MsSpinShady]

Wow, it would be nice to see a little more of that "Disney spirit" that everyone on this thread is bragging about having being directed to the OP, and a lot less of the negative insinuations, criticisms, put downs and plain old childish "neener-neener" behavior being displayed here instead.

The OP came back from their trip and reported that they did not see much evidence at either the parks or resorts of the YOAMD, after seeing the heavy promotion for the event outside of the World (who hasn't seen the cute commercials promising your dreams will come true?).

Instead of criticizing the OP for their report, why not just thank them for their review and opinions and move on.

Lets go Dis'ers, practice what we preach.

OP, thanks for your report. I believe it is important to provide a different perspective and report on different experiences. These boards are for sharing ALL things Disney.

MsSpinShady

 

[Ziva]

We just got back and you couldn't tell they were doing anything either. Of course it was a mom and me trip so 2 adults they probably wouldn't target us anyway.

That's not true. We got over to Disney a couple times a week and I've seen adults(with no kids) with dream fast passes, hats and pins on more then one occassion.

 

[julsmom]

What if all of us (all the visitors to Disney) turned the tables, so to speak, and helped make our vacations and everyday lives special for someone else. The dream squad is only a small squad, but the power of all of us is greater. Kind of a 'pay it forward' idea. Do something small for someone else (or as many someone else's as you can). For no reason other than the joy of it.

Also, we could take the time to turn it on the CMs by giving them a note or something to make their day more magical. I am considering the boards idea of printing business cards or something with a "Thank you". (I just am scared of negative reaction.)

What do you think? Too Pollyanna?

 

[Twinprincesses]

I am not going to WDW but am going to DL. I look forward to anything I get even if it is just a sticker. I think it is great Disney is doing this event as something extra for lucky winners.

 

[marmermea]

MsSpinShady,

Exactly! I am amazed at the attacks on the OP for just sharing her opinion! They accuse her of being half emptly glass of water, but they are just plain mean! I am a new poster and it makes me nervous to post on here when I read these attacks! Thanks for your positive post!

 

[CleveRocks]

Reality often looks very different than advertising and hype.

The website reports that, on average, 1,551 "dreams" will be given out each day. This is at all Disneyland parks, alifornia's Downtown Disney, Disneyland Hotel, and all Walt Disney World parks, water parks, Disney Quest, Downtown Disney, water parks, etc. PLUS, there are the mail-in entries.

It would be rare TO see someone winning a prize. I'm going in 3 weeks, and since I have a background in statistics, I won't be surprised at all if in my week there I never see a single "dream" handed out.

 

[PrincessCM]

Some of the places the "dreams" are handed out are not in the open. I won a Dream Fastpass 2 weeks ago and it was just before I got in the cars of the Buzz Lightyear ride. So, no one outside the ride would have seen me receive it - just a few folks inside the ride. And I didn't see all that many Dream Squad folks around myself. They are not terribly obvious......

 

[famsen]

Having just returned from a one week WDW vacation, I can state unequivocally that families with children were definitely treated to more “magic” than those like us who had no young children with them. I saw families with children singled out time after time for special fast passes, getting picked to be the first riders for the day on Soaring and Tower of Terror, being picked for audience participation, picked to walk in parades and other little extras like the stickers, etc.
I was happy for them but if I am being honest, I was a little jealous.

 

[orljustin]

It would be rare TO see someone winning a prize. I'm going in 3 weeks, and since I have a background in statistics, I won't be surprised at all if in my week there I never see a single "dream" handed out.

That's all I'm trying to point out here, that regardless of the other big thread, it is unlikely you'll either see or take part in any giveaway related action.

By the way, I'm a guy, and posting rants against me isn't likely to make me take someone any more seriously, than if they just posted some factual text.

 

[ppiew]

What if all of us (all the visitors to Disney) turned the tables, so to speak, and helped make our vacations and everyday lives special for someone else. The dream squad is only a small squad, but the power of all of us is greater. Kind of a 'pay it forward' idea. Do something small for someone else (or as many someone else's as you can). For no reason other than the joy of it.

Also, we could take the time to turn it on the CMs by giving them a note or something to make their day more magical. I am considering the boards idea of printing business cards or something with a "Thank you". (I just am scared of negative reaction.)

That's it! I AM going to continue my own personal fast pass giveaway, I will also buy someones coffee if have the opportunity, I will let another group in front of me on the Fantasia mini-golf course, I might even give someone my preferred seating dining ressie! And to each one I WILL say to 'pay it forward' if you can - it IS a Year of a Million Dreams. To CM's a special note will be in my fanny pack to hand out when warranted and that INCLUDES the trash cleaners, restroom cleaners etc - the unsung heroes of WDW. Flame away! The more heat the more I will do! I don't carry stickers so I can't pass them out!!

 

[mickeyfan2]

That's it! I AM going to continue my own personal fast pass giveaway, I will also buy someones coffee if have the opportunity, I will let another group in front of me on the Fantasia mini-golf course, I might even give someone my preferred seating dining ressie! And to each one I WILL say to 'pay it forward' if you can - it IS a Year of a Million Dreams. To CM's a special note will be in my fanny pack to hand out when warranted and that INCLUDES the trash cleaners, restroom cleaners etc - the unsung heroes of WDW. Flame away! The more heat the more I will do! I don't carry stickers so I can't pass them out!!

Are you taking donations for your sticker give away?

 

[saschab]

Of course it was a mom and me trip so 2 adults they probably wouldn't target us anyway.

Yeah, I reckon as how they wouldn't target this slow old man on a solo trip as well. I mean, I'll be only one adult and hardly noticeable in the crowds. I sure don't ramble over the parks to win a prize anyhow. I just enjoy the days and the people watching, and the occasional ride, show, or meal.

Enjoy. (I always do.)

Someone posted elsewhere that a couple in their 60's won a DVC membership. I wasn't there, so can't confirm. The prize locations/times are randomly generated beforehand. 2 adults are as equally likely as anyone to get a YOAMD prize.

 

[MyGoofy26]

I am describing the situations that I saw, so that no one has a false impression about what is going on there currently.

Unfortunately, unless everyone who doesn't have a "dream" posts about their lack of luck, people will always have a false impression on forums such as this. It certainly skews reality a bit to read threads where 90% of the people are "winners" and the other 10% either haven't been yet or walked away empty handed.

It's almost like the threads people post who are somewhat upset or disappointed that they don't get upgraded at the resort or come back to a towel animal every day. In the context of these boards, it does *seem* like odds are better than they actually are.

 

[saschab]

Orl,

I have no idea what is prompting me to reply to this, but I'm gonna stick my neck out, anyways.

When I first read your post, I felt like most that you were a "half empty" kind of guy.

I've since re-read it, and understand that most of your report is pretty factual in representing your experience of not seeing much in the way of a YOAMD experience.

But one of your paragraphs gets a little more terse in where you're coming from, and I think it's what most folks reacted to. It colored the rest. (Highlights are mine for emphasis):

How many stickers does a person need? That's all we got from anyone. Stickers and more stickers. I guess they are cheap, but c'mon. The security guard at the hotel ripped off about half a roll when we came through the gate the first time. I think we pitched them in the room when we were cleaning up. My son hates stickers. I have to convince the CMs to leave him alone, since they keep wanting to push them on us.

That sounds like frustrated expectations, and is probably the negativity others are honing in on. I bet if that paragraph wasn't in there, you would be getting different responses.

I couldn't care either way, but you seemed miffed by the reactions you were getting.....

So, a big zero in my eyes on the whole giveaway thing. Which isn't surprising, since they aren't really pushing it in the parks at all.

To which folks react to the sentiment that if you didn't get anything good, it's a worthless waste.

I'll go back to minding my own business now!