dream fast passes

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Originally Posted by mhendrix

Be advised that there are several thousand random locations that a computer selects. Whether or not the Dream Squad is at the exit of Pooh or anywhere else depends specifically on where the computer decides.

The times and locations ARE random. The only thing set in stone about time for the giveaway is that prizes are generally distributed between park opening and 5pm, as stated in the official rules of the 2008 Disney Dreams Giveaway.

On a personal note I've given away hundreds of prizes at several E-ticket attractions, not to mention insanely busy walkways and major points of congregation throughout the resort.

Be advised that I didn't say that prizes are never given away at the busier areas. Just that it's very easy to predict that prizes are given away at the more obscure areas/attraction exit queues. There's a reason why BCC has something like 60 DFP's now.

Originally Posted by mhendrix

This Disney Dreams Giveaway is worth over $13 million. Last year the amount of 'dreams' distributed surpassed the 1 million calling and the decision was made to continue at the same rate so more Guests could experience some of the extra magic.

From what I understand the same thing is about to happen again as of this month and the parks will continue to distribute prizes either way.

Great. More money can be spent on magic that not all guests get to experience, even though every guest is paying a good sum of cash to be there. Sounds like a wonderful idea to me!

Maybe next time when a new E-ticket attraction is built, they should hold a lottery to determine which guests actually get to ride it that day. That way some guests will have their dream of riding that great new attraction come true, and everyone else will be encouraged to keep buying admission to the parks in hopes that maybe their dream will come true next time. That would be such a magical improvement over something like waiting in line to ride. Think of all the additional happiness that would bring the winners!

Oh, you mean that would take away a potential experience from thousands of park guests? That doesn't matter! We only pay attention to what the winners get! The more we give the winners, the better we're supposed to be, and the more magical the giveaway is supposed to be! Who cares about the losers anyway? They'll just spend more money next time...

Then, after that promotion has gone twice as long as was originally announced and we've put up a gazillion banners all over the place, including blocking the views of Disneyland landmarks with the tacky ads, we'll just do it some more! We'll even cover up the monorail in our great celebration because it's just that great!

Originally Posted by mhendrix

If you've seen as many tears of joy and been hugged as much as I have when telling someone they'll be able to live a dream they never had the resources or ability to pull off, you might better understand that the Year of a Million Dreams is something truly spectacular and just an added bonus for the Guests that are already visiting the Happiest Place on Earth.

This promotion has changed lives in an extraordinary way.

If you've talked to as many people as I have who have spent bundles of cash to be at Disneyland/WDW, had to constantly see these Year of A Million Dreams banners everywhere they turn, and have never once seen a prize given out, and/or don't have any real idea what the Year of A Million Dreams giveaway actually is, you might better understand that the Year of A Million Dreams is something truly idiotic, and just a complete waste of money that could have been spent improving/adding to magic that all Guests already visiting the Happiest Place on Earth experience.

This promotion has bungled Disney marketing, and set new lows for management of funds, and what it means for a promotion to be considered a 'success' in an extraordinary way.

But of course, why am I paying attention to the ones who haven't won anything in this Disney Dreams giveaway? It's completely uncool, taboo, rude, negative, etc to remember that not everyone gets to experience these 'Dreams' or to point out that the Year of A Million Dreams has taken away some experiences that all guests used to be able to enjoy, and reserved them for the 'lucky winners', creating the wonderful instances of front row tables for Billy Hill being left empty or prime Fantasmic! viewing space not having more than a handful of people while everyone else stands around the ropes. It's so uncool to talk about that kind of stuff isn't it? How dare I.

-- PMM

[Wedbliss]

I have to agree with you PMM. Last year I made several dozen trips to DL and one to WDW and I have never even seen the Dream Squad, let alone won anything. I made many of my trips solo. Did that mean I didn't stand a chance of spending the night in the Dream Suite? Did it mean I wouldn't be selected to be awarded the Dream FastPass or anything else? If not, why not?

I am glad that, evidently, many people have had wonderful experiences with the YOAMD. But to me and many thousands of people like me, it was nothing more than a slogan on a banner, not an added bonus.

Personally, I would like the Disney Gallery back please.

[mhendrix]

Originally Posted by PeoplemoverMatt

Be advised that I didn't say that prizes are never given away at the busier areas. Just that it's very easy to predict that prizes are given away at the more obscure areas/attraction exit queues. There's a reason why BCC has something like 60 DFP's now.



Great. More money can be spent on magic that not all guests get to experience, even though every guest is paying a good sum of cash to be there. Sounds like a wonderful idea to me!

Maybe next time when a new E-ticket attraction is built, they should hold a lottery to determine which guests actually get to ride it that day. That way some guests will have their dream of riding that great new attraction come true, and everyone else will be encouraged to keep buying admission to the parks in hopes that maybe their dream will come true next time. That would be such a magical improvement over something like waiting in line to ride. Think of all the additional happiness that would bring the winners!

Oh, you mean that would take away a potential experience from thousands of park guests? That doesn't matter! We only pay attention to what the winners get! The more we give the winners, the better we're supposed to be, and the more magical the giveaway is supposed to be! Who cares about the losers anyway? They'll just spend more money next time...

Then, after that promotion has gone twice as long as was originally announced and we've put up a gazillion banners all over the place, including blocking the views of Disneyland landmarks with the tacky ads, we'll just do it some more! We'll even cover up the monorail in our great celebration because it's just that great!



If you've talked to as many people as I have who have spent bundles of cash to be at Disneyland/WDW, had to constantly see these Year of A Million Dreams banners everywhere they turn, and have never once seen a prize given out, and/or don't have any real idea what the Year of A Million Dreams giveaway actually is, you might better understand that the Year of A Million Dreams is something truly idiotic, and just a complete waste of money that could have been spent improving/adding to magic that all Guests already visiting the Happiest Place on Earth experience.

This promotion has bungled Disney marketing, and set new lows for management of funds, and what it means for a promotion to be considered a 'success' in an extraordinary way.

But of course, why am I paying attention to the ones who haven't won anything in this Disney Dreams giveaway? It's completely uncool, taboo, rude, negative, etc to remember that not everyone gets to experience these 'Dreams' or to point out that the Year of A Million Dreams has taken away some experiences that all guests used to be able to enjoy, and reserved them for the 'lucky winners', creating the wonderful instances of front row tables for Billy Hill being left empty or prime Fantasmic! viewing space not having more than a handful of people while everyone else stands around the ropes. It's so uncool to talk about that kind of stuff isn't it? How dare I.

-- PMM

At what point was you speaking your mind considered uncool? I was replying to you.

I agree with your criticism regarding the message of the promotion not being totally clear. The marketing was bad, especially in the beginning.

Other than that I respectfully disagree and refuse to give in to arguing with you further over a dead horse that you continue to beat time and again.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Originally Posted by mhendrix

At what point was you speaking your mind considered uncool?

At this point:

Originally Posted by mhendrix

Other than that I respectfully disagree and refuse to give in to arguing with you further over a dead horse that you continue to beat time and again.

You just answered your own question. Even though you were the one who wrote the Disney company line re: YOAMD and I responded to it, I'm the one beating the dead horse. My point is proven. How dare I point out the 'uncool' side of the story. How dare I!

-- PMM

[tomserwin]

^ I don't see your point. In fact, I don't really see how mhendrix is the one at fault.

At this point, your posts (indeed, your logic) seem to have become very emotional and irrational.

mhendrix's reply was well written and, to my reasoning, his statements about "beating a dead horse" refer to your continued, unrelenting, and disparaging views of the Year Of A Million Dreams since its beginning.

[mhendrix]

I'm not about to argue over something that was meant to be fun and exciting. Thank you again for your opinion, PMM. Have a magical day!

Hopefully now we can get back to answering the original poster's question.

[tyler]

Disneyland

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Originally Posted by tomserwin

I don't see your point. In fact, I don't really see how mhendrix is the one at fault.

mhendrix's reply was well written and, to my reasoning, his statements about "beating a dead horse" refer to your continued, unrelenting, and disparaging views of the Year Of A Million Dreams since its beginning.

I'm not saying mhendrix is 'at fault' for anything. The point that was proven was that since I'm the one who wrote the yang post to mxhendrix's yin post re: YOAMD, I'm the one going to get railed for it because it's uncool to talk about the other side of the giveaway. And I did so then in responce to mhendrix' first post. Had that post not existed, my reply to it wouldn't have existed. His yin needed a yang, that's all. But since I'm not talking about the happy happy joy joy side of it, I'm beating a dead horse, or whatever disparaging remark you wish to choose. My point is proven.

-- PMM

[Piglet]

Originally Posted by Wedbliss

I have to agree with you PMM. Last year I made several dozen trips to DL and one to WDW and I have never even seen the Dream Squad, let alone won anything. I am glad that, evidently, many people have had wonderful experiences with the YOAMD. But to me and many thousands of people like me, it was nothing more than a slogan on a banner, not an added bonus.

I hear you, Wedbliss. I spent a total of 18 days at Disneyland this past year, driving all the way from Seattle, Washington to be there. I have vented my disappointment at not only not having won anything, but also not even having the chance to witness someone else win anything. I've never even seen the Dream Squad! Mhendrix, I think it is wonderful that you love your job and it sounds like you truly are an asset at Disneyland. I just wish I could have seen you in action at least once. I also appreciate Peoplemovermatt's comments because he is merely stating his opinion that clearly reflects the frustration that so many of us have felt during this YOAMD promotion. I love Disneyland, I will continue to visit there, but I truly hope the next promotion is one that can include EVERYONE who pays the price for an admission ticket.

[tomserwin]

Originally Posted by tyler

Disneyland

LOL


Thanks for the input. Care to elaborate?

[Wedbliss]

Originally Posted by mhendrix

Hopefully now we can get back to answering the original poster's question.

I really love to see how some threads develope. The originals poster's question was "what are they and how do you get one?" That's a pretty simple question, isn't it?

mhendrix, I can completely see your point because you have had the chance to see first hand how YOAMD undoubtedly has made many people's dreams come true. I am sure you have a hundred stories of tears and hugs and changed lives. This is all great stuff.

My issue with the YOAMD is that it is exclusionary. For every winner there are a thousand non-winners. If it is the Year of a Million Dreams, then it is also the Year of 30 Million un-realized Dreams.

It is very simple. YOAMD was DL's main marketing thrust for many, many months and yet most people were completely left out of it. In a very budget conscious park, 13 million dollars was spent and the vast majority of guests did not benefit at all. Does that seem good to you?

And again I say, I would like the Disney Gallery back please.

[tropicskenzie]

I think the Dream Passes are a great idea. And mhendrix cudos for what you do, that has to be the most amazing feeling!

[BCC]

I really don't understand why people are taking the promo so hard. If you don't like it, STAY AWAY FROM DL or IGNORE it. In the beginning, I was always ticked off because I saw people w/ dream fastpasses. Then I ignored it until I wanted to do something about it, which was to look for them myself.

Seriously, its just a gimmick and it should not detract from your experience of DL and it definately should not be a life issue. The promo will be extinct in a few months.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

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