YOAMD a no show

[kaytieeldr]

a: stop the smilies. They are really annoying.

I'm so I just don't what's so wrong with ies? I think they're in fact, ies are dontcha think? But seriously - when you're posting a response, or a new thread, there's a 'disable smilies' box under Additional Options.

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. We never saw anyone win anything and didn't even really see any of the dream passes either.

They're not "targetting" anyone. The Year of a Million Dreams Sweepstakes is administered by an outside, impartial company; prize types/times/locations are predetermined, but the winners are NOT. If the prize is the special Mickey Ears, and the number is 50, and the location is outside Sounds Dangerous - the first fifty Guests to exit that attraction, win. Period.

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.

Oh, sure - I did lots of little nice things. Gave away some FastPasses I wasn't going to use (difficult, but not impossible, when you only have one )... babysat in a restroom for a few minutes because some TWIT jumped ahead of the mom waiting to get into the handicapped stall I was exiting... handed out most of the 'special' FastPasses given to me by an attraction Lead... paid for two little boys to ride the carousel at Downtown Disney because they'd opened a door for me... so where's MY YoaMD prize? Huh? Oh, what's that you say? Weren't those unexpected surprises you got from various CMs throughout your visit good enough?

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 a really nice idea, and it's NOT Pollyanna-ish,,, but.... I'd strongly recommend ALSO stopping at Guest Services and filling out a compliment card or thank you form for CMs who impress you, for whatever reason. People are quick to criticize when something goes wrong (myself included), so it's only reasonable to compliment when something unexpected happens. It ALL goes into a CM's file and is taken into consideration for reviews/raises/promotions.

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.

But that was all Disney Magic, NOT Year of a Million Dreams prizes (unless I'm misunderstanding when you say 'special fast passes'). To be honest, I was the recipient of Disney Magic more than once - including at least one event not likely to be experienced by anybody else except me and the couple with whom I was spending the morning at Animal Kingdom. Did I ever "expect" anything? Nope. In fact, one time I tried to turn down what I was being given - I'd gone into City Hall just to let Guest Services know in general that some misinformation was being given, and a supervisor insisted I accept a snack item for my trouble. I kept trying to refuse - what is it, three times that a CM in a non-tipped position has to refuse a tip? - but he 'made' me take it.

 

[orljustin]

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.

Sorry. The sticker thing is just annoying to me. While my daughter doesn't mind getting them, my son just hates stickers. So before he pipes up saying "No thanks, I hate stickers" and then the giver says "C'mon, everyone loves stickers", and then he's in an uncomfortable situation... I have to jump in and deflect the offer nicely so they leave him alone. It gets to you after a while.

 

[deekaypee]

About this glass half-empty personality...what's wrong with that?? In my neck of the woods, we call those folks realists. (And I can't assess if the OP is really a glass half-empty type of person, at least from the little information I have here.)

Me, I'm not a glass half-full kind of person, I'm not a glass half-empty kind of person. I'm a "where's the flipping glass?" kind of person. And being that kind of person means I agree wholeheartedly with all the folks who note that WE are responsible for making the magic happen, too. That's why we go to Disney, that's why we make careful plans, that's why we pass our experiences onto others on the DISboards! It seems to me that this is the spirit of YOAMD, and that's what lots of us Disney folks who are "in the know" groove on, even if--especially if?--we have higher expectations than other guests and are more subject to disappointment.

So big WHOO-HOOs to ppiew, julesmom, famsen, katielldr, and any other posters I may have fogotten. And another WHOO-HOO to the OP, whose post has helped start this discussion and gave us his perspective!

 

[Jennasis]

So, the worst part of you rtrip was the stickers? Sounds like a good trip. How about your son GRACIOUSLy accepts the gift from the Cm. He can then dispose of them however her wishes (throw em away or give them to another kid). No parental deflection necessary.

The original post is one of the saddest and most ridiculous posts I've read in a while. All you got were stickers...poor you.

We'd better call the Waah-mbulance!

 

[mickeyfan2]

Sorry. The sticker thing is just annoying to me. While my daughter doesn't mind getting them, my son just hates stickers. So before he pipes up saying "No thanks, I hate stickers" and then the giver says "C'mon, everyone loves stickers", and then he's in an uncomfortable situation... I have to jump in and deflect the offer nicely so they leave him alone. It gets to you after a while.

Why does he have to pipe up with "No thanks, I hate stickers". He could just say ""No thanks" or how about "thank you" and then give them to his sister or a little kid he sees having a small melt down.

 

[ReneeA]

For the record, we were there in August BEFORE YOMD started and we were given stickers like crazy also, so I don't think it's part of this promo.

 

[saschab]

About this glass half-empty personality...what's wrong with that?? In my neck of the woods, we call those folks realists.

Where's the "digging myself deeper into a hole" smilie when I need it?

Realism is the way to go...accept things as they are...not romanticizing...I'm with ya.

But I still think that by missing the CMs' sticker attentions for what they are: kind gestures; and expressing irritation moves a bit from realism into acrimony.

But hey, what do I know...I'm just a girl!

 

[orljustin]

Why does he have to pipe up with "No thanks, I hate stickers". He could just say ""No thanks" or how about "thank you" and then give them to his sister or a little kid he sees having a small melt down.

Sigh. Because he's an eight year old boy who doesn't like stickers and isn't concerned with placating the giver. Kid's aren't always rational, as much as you'd like them to be.

Look people, the sticker thing isn't a big deal here. Yes, they are meant to be kind gestures, because who doesn't love a sticker? And they're cheap, so everyone walks around with a pocket of stickers to give out. After twenty stickers, I'm not into it anymore. Anyways, you're getting distracted.

The original post is one of the saddest and most ridiculous posts I've read in a while. All you got were stickers...poor you.

We'd better call the Waah-mbulance!

Typical.

And another WHOO-HOO to the OP, whose post has helped start this discussion and gave us his perspective!

Thanks. That's all it is is another perspective. The trip was great. There were disappointments, like the Nemo ride, but nothing huge. YOMD was just a minor concern, to observe and see what happened. 'cept there was nothing to observe.

 

[deekaypee]

Where's the "digging myself deeper into a hole" smilie when I need it?

I SO need one of these smilies! Glad you took my comments in the fun-loving spirit I intended. I guess I read the sticker comment as more of a "once a suprise is so ubiquitous, it's no longer special" vein. But I also agree with your assessment that the gestures is thoughtful and well-intentioned. I wouldn't refuse them, but that's because I collect stickers to give to kids back home, put on postcards, etc.

But hey, what do I know...I'm just a girl!

Me, too! But I love my factual statements and logical arguments, too. Maybe I'm not a very good girl? (In so many ways!)

 

[MsSpinShady]

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!

Thanks mamermea, and WELCOME TO THE DIS!!!

Please don't let a few sour posts scare you away...there are MANY friendly, positive people on the boards who are more than willing to answer your questions and spread a little pixie dust.

And orljustin, I think you have handled this thread well. Thanks!

MsSpinShady

 

[TravelinGal]

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

WELL PUT!! Thank you!

 

[BluOrchid2]

We also just got back from a trip to WDW. On October 1st, the day we understood to be the kickoff day for the new YOAMD celebration, we went to the Magic Kingdom and got there about 20 or 30 min before the park opened. We expected there to be some grand announcements, giveaways - and no, we didn't expect to win but it would have been great to see other people win something really cool! - or SOMETHING, but instead the park opened without ceremony, as usual. No announcement or anything. There were some new banners and plaques placed around the park, but otherwise it was definitely anticlimatic.

Oh, and a couple of days later, my family won Dream Fastpasses while on Star Tours. So my post is definitely not about "sour grapes." We weren't expecting to win anything, but I guess we wanted to see more of a "big deal" made out of it than Disney made. :::shrug:::

 

[krismom]

Hmm, I can see the Op's point here- it's not greedy to want/wish for a "Disney dream" and then be dissapointed when it doesn't come true. I just got back from DL- and we had a wonderful trip. Yes, I have mentioned that I wished I hadn't known about the whole promotion since I let it get the better of me...wondering how the people with the fastpasses, mickey ears and lanyards got to be in the right place and how do I get there? I did / do appreciate the fact that I am lucky just to be there!
As a side note about thse stickers... we were watching the parade from the steps of City Hall (guest services) and everyone was facing Main Street- a CM was quietly putting stickers on everyones back who was watching the parade. It was really funny ans he put his finger to his lips when he saw me notice. That was pretty funny I thought.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Now, see - THAT'S Disney Magic!!! All those people got ready for bed that night (or at least changed for dinner, or something) and found stickers 'magically' placed on their shirts!

 

[dreamergirl78]

Magical moments happen everyday..... you just have to open your eyes and notice them!
I knew about the promotion and I was not expecting anything at all. The first time we got stickers we were so happy! Honestly, it is little touches like that, in my opinion, that set Disney apart from the rest. All around us we saw dreams being made. My dream was to go with my son to WDW and have a great time. And guess what? It happened and we did!
Think about all of the people that will probably never be able to go! Feel lucky and blessed for what you did get, and that was a magical vacation with your family.
Hope you have a great day!

 

[DaisyD]

We were at WDW the day that the family won MK for themselves for a morning. We saw numerous families get fasspasses, lanyards, pins, and other merchandise. DD won the Captain Cook Chef of the Day at the Poly and got a giant cookie, hat, and YOAMD certificate. Everywhere we looked there were the new signs advertising YOAD. Teh monorail had the front of it advertising YOAD. We had a pamphlet given to us at check it talking about. I don't know how much more you want.

 

[dreamergirl78]

They're not "targetting" anyone. The Year of a Million Dreams Sweepstakes is administered by an outside, impartial company; prize types/times/locations are predetermined, but the winners are NOT. If the prize is the special Mickey Ears, and the number is 50, and the location is outside Sounds Dangerous - the first fifty Guests to exit that attraction, win. Period.

50 people exiting Sounds Dangerous? Man oh man. Now that is wishful thinking! (I know it was just a random example, I just thought the attraction you chose was funny!)

 

[orljustin]

We were at WDW the day that the family won MK for themselves for a morning. We saw numerous families get fasspasses, lanyards, pins, and other merchandise. DD won the Captain Cook Chef of the Day at the Poly and got a giant cookie, hat, and YOAMD certificate. Everywhere we looked there were the new signs advertising YOAD. Teh monorail had the front of it advertising YOAD. We had a pamphlet given to us at check it talking about. I don't know how much more you want.

Well, of course they were going to be giving stuff away that day. That day was all about the giveaway. But the rest of the signage promotional bits you're describing don't mention the giveaway at all, and are perfectly valid advertising for the new parade (which is pretty catchy, btw), the new shows, etc.

 

[Bunch24]

a: stop the smilies. They are really annoying.

Sorry , I won't ever do that again.

I apologize if you hate smilies to the point that it makes you want to smash your computer.

Normally, I'm a nice guy , not like that silly Captain Jack Sparrow.

I hope you have a good day.

P.S. I love you.

 

[Jennasis]

All right...you win OP. I "see" your point of view. It' a shame you didn't win anything or get to witness anybody winning anything. Don't forget. the WDW resort is a HUGE piece of property and you are just one family. So the chances of you even seeing a wish granted are kind of slim. To be honest, I am REALLY surprised that so many people have won stuff or witnessed stuff won (checking out the "YOAMD, what have you won" thread). It gave me hope that I might actually get to witness some magic firsthand, but I'm still not expecting it. As for the observation that the parks aren't heavily marketing the giveaways...well, they aren't heavily marketing it outside the parks either, IMHO. Frankly, were it not for the DIS, I wouldn't even have known there was anything going on. The commercial doesn;t list the prizes or anything. My sister and cousins are meeting DH and I in Nov at WDW and NONE of them knew anything at all about the YOAMD (cousins live 45 min fromOrlando and my sis is in NY).

I get it. You were just telling us what you noticed (or didn't notice). But while you encourage the enraged masses on here to look at it from your perspective, please make sure you reread your original post from ours. The whole sticker thing DID come off as (for lack of a better word) ungrateful. And in the grand scheme of WDW did it really matter to you that you didn't get to see lots of wishes being granted? Enough to stir the hornets nest? With the number of voracious Disney fans on this site, posting anything that could be construed as negative against Disney is heresy and subject to rampant flaming (sad but true. I'm plenty guilty.)

Thanks for your report. I'll let you know what I find when I get back in November. DH is convinced we're going to win the DVC membership...where's that eye rolling smiley...