Just my two cents about the YEAR OF A MILLION DREAMS

[Kronos]

If they are passing out dreams, the very least they should do is smile to those of us not getting them, we are just happy to be there. Bad form!

Having had to work with many of the Dream Squad members, all I can tell you is that this story is hardly unique.

Sadly, it seems that Disney has made such a big deal about being on the Dream Squad that many of them have developed massive egos and see themselves as the Ultimate Authorities In All Things Disney -- even when they don't have the knowledge or training. How bad is it? I've seen DSCMs openly question (or attempt to direct) attraction operations (when they have no training on that attraction) and repremand CMs in front of guests -- which they 1) have no authority to do, and 2) have the bad form to do on stage. This has, in fact, resulted in several situations where management has instructed operations CMs to immediately report any instance of a DSCM interfering with any aspect of an attraction's operation.

Another part of the problem is that some DSCMs, upon getting the DS position, immediately began "burning bridges" (then learned that they'd be returning to their old positions after 90 days). Personally, a lot of CMs I know cannot stand the Dream Squad, and feel that they deserve all the grief they get from guests.

 

[Kronos]

Because giving dreams out and making the guest happy all the time is what they've always done. Now they only have to do it once an hour from 9-5, So really the average guest is less likely to get something now then ever! Guess this is kind of a break for Cast Members! After all, just let the Doom Squad, I mean Disney Secret Police, I mean, Dream Squad take care of it.:lol:

If only.

The rank-and-file CMs have been told they are to make more Magical Moments for guests than ever before... and that the DS is not to be pestered by them for help.

And you're quite right in calling them the "Disney Secret Police", too. I know many CMs who have been grilled and reprimanded by DS about everything from "The Disney Look" to operational issues (i.e. "Are you giving out Rider Switch Passes to everyone who asks for one?"). I've been reminded more than once about the similarities between the Dream Squad and the "Inquisitorial Squad" from "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"... if they keep it up I can easily see a group of ticked-off CMs forming a secret group called "Walt's Army", dedicated to making magic for as many guests as possible -- not just a select few.

 

[DDCT4U]

Having had to work with many of the Dream Squad members, all I can tell you is that this story is hardly unique.

Sadly, it seems that Disney has made such a big deal about being on the Dream Squad that many of them have developed massive egos and see themselves as the Ultimate Authorities In All Things Disney -- even when they don't have the knowledge or training. How bad is it? I've seen DSCMs openly question (or attempt to direct) attraction operations (when they have no training on that attraction) and repremand CMs in front of guests -- which they 1) have no authority to do, and 2) have the bad form to do on stage. This has, in fact, resulted in several situations where management has instructed operations CMs to immediately report any instance of a DSCM interfering with any aspect of an attraction's operation.

Another part of the problem is that some DSCMs, upon getting the DS position, immediately began "burning bridges" (then learned that they'd be returning to their old positions after 90 days). Personally, a lot of CMs I know cannot stand the Dream Squad, and feel that they deserve all the grief they get from guests.

OK. I dont even know why i'm bothering responding to you. but you clearly have no idea what your talking about. Clearly.

and its really annoying.

 

[Kronos]

Replied via Private Message.

 

[Main Street USA]

Replied via Private Message.

Well, that should bring the thread to a screeching halt!

 

[Herk]

From what I can gather about all these prizes and stuff wouldn't it make it abit fairer if every 10,000th or every 15,000th guest to go into a park by when they use there park pass to get in that it comes upand says that they have won something.

It could be something as little as a meal at a counter service or even a sweet treat at MainStreet Bakery for instance.

So it seems everyone will get something on average. I know how powerful the magic at disney theamparks can be, I think it could be disney management promissing to much, personally it would be better if at least 33% of guests per day could get something. But from what I have read it's more likely 10%.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

From what I can gather about all these prizes and stuff wouldn't it make it abit fairer if every 10,000th or every 15,000th guest to go into a park by when they use there park pass to get in that it comes upand says that they have won something.

It could be something as little as a meal at a counter service or even a sweet treat at MainStreet Bakery for instance.

So it seems everyone will get something on average. I know how powerful the magic at disney theamparks can be, I think it could be disney management promissing to much, personally it would be better if at least 33% of guests per day could get something. But from what I have read it's more likely 10%.

I don't see how that would make it more fair. As it is, the winners are selected at random, so everyone (in theory) has an equal chance at winning.

Also, if they bumped up the percentage of daily winners, they would have to either increase the number of prizes or shorten the promotion.

 

[wannab@dis]

From what I can gather about all these prizes and stuff wouldn't it make it abit fairer if every 10,000th or every 15,000th guest to go into a park by when they use there park pass to get in that it comes upand says that they have won something.

It could be something as little as a meal at a counter service or even a sweet treat at MainStreet Bakery for instance.

So it seems everyone will get something on average. I know how powerful the magic at disney theamparks can be, I think it could be disney management promissing to much, personally it would be better if at least 33% of guests per day could get something. But from what I have read it's more likely 10%.

Where does it end? Why 33% and not 50%... hey, why not 80%? Oh, but then those poor souls that are in the 20% would be left out. Where does the sense of entitlement end? Is this the new "American Dream?"

The only problem with this promotion is that the general public has become so liberal minded, they feel that no one can be without special treatment. If someone misses out on any little thing, then life is not fair and they should be included. :hurl:

 

[Herk]

Where does it end? Why 33% and not 50%... hey, why not 80%? Oh, but then those poor souls that are in the 20% would be left out. Where does the sense of entitlement end? Is this the new "American Dream?"

The only problem with this promotion is that the general public has become so liberal minded, they feel that no one can be without special treatment. If someone misses out on any little thing, then life is not fair and they should be included. :hurl:

The resoning behind 33% is that it's not as much money disney have to 'pay out'. Plus lets remember if a disney cast member gets told pick a party of 4 adults. And there is two parties of 4 adults walking along - now the cm's must decide to pick between the ones who are wearing disney t-shirts or the ones who aren't. Human choosing skills are some of the worst thing you can do in a competition like this. You need a computer to deceide everything with this competition

 

[durangojim]

The resoning behind 33% is that it's not as much money disney have to 'pay out'. Plus lets remember if a disney cast member gets told pick a party of 4 adults. And there is two parties of 4 adults walking along - now the cm's must decide to pick between the ones who are wearing disney t-shirts or the ones who aren't. Human choosing skills are some of the worst thing you can do in a competition like this. You need a computer to deceide everything with this competition

This is exactly right. DS member have conscious and unconcious biases the will cause them to choose one guest over the other in a case of a "tie". Again, that's why choosing guests based on the number that they enter the park (every 10000 guests) is much more equitable, albeit less exicting. Also to the folks who say that you should just be grateful for being at Disney I wholely expect you to refuse any prizes that may come that way. After all you're allready full of the Disney spirit so I'm sure that nothing could add to thatn especially some silly prize.

 

[AEfx]

Ya give away something for free, and it brings out the worst in people.

I can't believe there is any negativity surrounding this promotion at all. Well, let me rephrase : I can believe it, but I just wish people weren't so predicatable.

Will I be thrilled if I get something on one of my trips this year? Heck yeah. Will I be disapointed if I don't? Nope, because that's not why I'm there. I don't see the good fortunes of other people winning a CONTEST (we keep forgetting, this isn't a "resort benefit" or even a "park benefit", but a legal contest) making me upset, sad, or otherwise.

The only thing that makes me sad is, again, how it brings out the magic in some, yet the worst in others.

AEfx

 

[wannab@dis]

The resoning behind 33% is that it's not as much money disney have to 'pay out'. Plus lets remember if a disney cast member gets told pick a party of 4 adults. And there is two parties of 4 adults walking along - now the cm's must decide to pick between the ones who are wearing disney t-shirts or the ones who aren't. Human choosing skills are some of the worst thing you can do in a competition like this. You need a computer to deceide everything with this competition

What?

33% is a lot more than the current amount. The number of prizes versus the worldwide attendance is nowhere near 33% and it's not requred for a successful campaign.

What's the problem with choosing the family with a Disney shirt? Who cares? This isn't a competition, it's a sweepstakes -- lottery. :brick:

 

[wannab@dis]

This is exactly right. DS member have conscious and unconcious biases the will cause them to choose one guest over the other in a case of a "tie". Again, that's why choosing guests based on the number that they enter the park (every 10000 guests) is much more equitable, albeit less exicting. Also to the folks who say that you should just be grateful for being at Disney I wholely expect you to refuse any prizes that may come that way. After all you're allready full of the Disney spirit so I'm sure that nothing could add to thatn especially some silly prize.

:brick: No, it's wrong.

Why does it have to be so difficult? It's supposed to be a simple and fun contest to make people happy. But apparently you can't make some people happy unless they get everything they want or feel they deserve.

 

[durangojim]

:brick: No, it's wrong.

Why does it have to be so difficult? It's supposed to be a simple and fun contest to make people happy. But apparently you can't make some people happy unless they get everything they want or feel they deserve.

No, it's right. Disney is all about equality. We all get to enjoy he parks equally and go on the same rides and all have wonderful experiences regardless of our appearance, social status or income. Just because I stay at the GF or WL doesn't give me the right to cut in frront of someone staying at the All Stars, just because I can walk doesn't mean I should have benefits over someone in a wheelchair. What Disney has done with their winner selection process is change that dynamic, and like I said earlier, it has to do with the DS's personal biases which they might not even be aware of. It is no longer an equal chance for all guests to win. When we go in Feb, sure it would be neat if we won something, would we be disapponted if we don't? Maybe a little but certainly not enough to put a damper on our trip. It has nothing to do with feeling entitled or that someone deserves a prize, it is that we all deserve an equal shot regardless of any prejudices.

 

[wannab@dis]

No, it's right. Disney is all about equality. We all get to enjoy he parks equally and go on the same rides and all have wonderful experiences regardless of our appearance, social status or income. Just because I stay at the GF or WL doesn't give me the right to cut in frront of someone staying at the All Stars, just because I can walk doesn't mean I should have benefits over someone in a wheelchair. What Disney has done with their winner selection process is change that dynamic, and like I said earlier, it has to do with the DS's personal biases which they might not even be aware of. It is no longer an equal chance for all guests to win. When we go in Feb, sure it would be neat if we won something, would we be disapponted if we don't? Maybe a little but certainly not enough to put a damper on our trip. It has nothing to do with feeling entitled or that someone deserves a prize, it is that we all deserve an equal shot regardless of any prejudices.

Quite honestly, the only prejudices I see here are yours. Complaining about the structure of the contest is ludicrous, especially since we really don't know the full process or checks/balances. For every prize given in a queue, there may be three given on the streets. So, by your flawed logic, since I probably spend most of my time in line waiting to ride, someone that likes to just walk around has a better chance of winning. See, I can find ways to complain based on your assumptions. It's a total waste of time of effort to complain about such an asinine issue.

Once you walk through the gate, you have just as much chance of winning as anyone else.

 

[Greenlawler]

We were at the parks last week, a friend of mine got two "wishes". One was a fast pass the other was uh...I cannot remember, nothing spectacular. I was not exactly sure how the promotion worked so I asked someone at the Animal Kingdom. The cast member I asked said for me to ask one of the people dressed in blue shirts "the dream squad", and he would give me a wish, so I did. Now I don't know if you have ever had this feeling but as I was asking I could tell the cast member was thinking "this guys is a jerk, how dare he ask", and I felt like a schmuck. I tried to change subjects quickly with him and he showed us where a good place to eat was, and was very congenial after that but I still felt like a loser. I know now that the wishes are random, I just wish I had not put myself in that scenario.

 

[durangojim]

Quite honestly, the only prejudices I see here are yours. Complaining about the structure of the contest is ludicrous, especially since we really don't know the full process or checks/balances. For every prize given in a queue, there may be three given on the streets. So, by your flawed logic, since I probably spend most of my time in line waiting to ride, someone that likes to just walk around has a better chance of winning. See, I can find ways to complain based on your assumptions. It's a total waste of time of effort to complain about such an asinine issue.

Once you walk through the gate, you have just as much chance of winning as anyone else.

Pleae explain to me what my predjudices are. Also the only flawed logic is yours because by your posts Disney can do no wrong and anyone who criticizes disney doesn't deserve to attend the park. There's a big difference between complaints and criticism. It's unfortunate that you have trouble thinking analytically and with reason instead of feeling defensive.

 

[wannab@dis]

Pleae explain to me what my predjudices are. Also the only flawed logic is yours because by your posts Disney can do no wrong and anyone who criticizes disney doesn't deserve to attend the park. There's a big difference between complaints and criticism. It's unfortunate that you have trouble thinking analytically and with reason instead of feeling defensive.

They can do wrong... but I see no reason in highlighting what *I* see as a problem when the good far outweighs any little issues. In addition, anything that I see as an issue would probably be insignificant for others, especially the general guests.

I've yet to see where your complaints, er, criticisms have been analytical at all. They have been based on what you think you know about the process of winner selection and not on the full facts. You can think what you want... I'm not defending one point over the other, except to point out that your assumptions have little basis in fact, you don't know the details of winner selection, and the people that designed the promotion have much more experience in dealing with random contests than any of us here.

I do have experience in the promotion marketing industry and I have seen the rules and regulations that are required for contests such as these. By the way, the most stringent jurisdiction in North America for contests... Florida.

 

[durangojim]

They can do wrong... but I see no reason in highlighting what *I* see as a problem when the good far outweighs any little issues. In addition, anything that I see as an issue would probably be insignificant for others, especially the general guests.

I've yet to see where your complaints, er, criticisms have been analytical at all. They have been based on what you think you know about the process of winner selection and not on the full facts. You can think what you want... I'm not defending one point over the other, except to point out that your assumptions have little basis in fact, you don't know the details of winner selection, and the people that designed the promotion have much more experience in dealing with random contests than any of us here.

I do have experience in the promotion marketing industry and I have seen the rules and regulations that are required for contests such as these. By the way, the most stringent jurisdiction in North America for contests... Florida.

These discussion boards are not only about what you think is important. They're a place where we can have a discussion. We all love Disney, that's why we're on the site, but because we love Disney we should be able to or even feel an obligation to point out things that could be changed to make Disney even better. I agree that this contest is great and will provide alot of joy to many people, but it could be better and this is the place to express that thought. I base my assumptions on what an earlier member said about the choosing process -- be at adventureland at 4:00pm and find someone with a funny hat -- obviously all prizes are not choosen this way, but it is undeniable that there is some ambiguity here, what constitutes a funny hat? What if there is more than one person with a funny hat? etc. You may think this is trivial, but there are those of us who do not, (I'm not talking about those who feel entitled to a prize, that's a very different issue and wrong from my standpoint) and we should be able to express ourselves without being labled as whiners, or greedy, or not deserving of a disney vacation (give me a break). If this is trivial, then would a ride in disrepair be trivial as well? Should no one say anything about the Brer Rabit animatronic on Splash mountain that works only intermittently because most of the guests won't know the difference? Of course not, by bringing that to Disney's attention, it allows them to address the concern and improve it. As a shareholder that's what I like to see done in a company. As a Disney fan, that's what I expect from Disney because their customer service is second to none and a main thing that makes them great. If you feel this is a trivial issue, then why do you feel the need to post? If you haven't read the rules than what gives you the ability to write with any authority when trying to disprove our concerns? Only time will tell how this contest plays out, I just hope that you don't try to shut down any poster that may have a negative experience by trying to pin a negative label on them.

 

[Main Street USA]

They can do wrong... but I see no reason in highlighting what *I* see as a problem when the good far outweighs any little issues. In addition, anything that I see as an issue would probably be insignificant for others, especially the general guests.

I've yet to see where your complaints, er, criticisms have been analytical at all. They have been based on what you think you know about the process of winner selection and not on the full facts. You can think what you want... I'm not defending one point over the other, except to point out that your assumptions have little basis in fact, you don't know the details of winner selection, and the people that designed the promotion have much more experience in dealing with random contests than any of us here.

I do have experience in the promotion marketing industry and I have seen the rules and regulations that are required for contests such as these. By the way, the most stringent jurisdiction in North America for contests... Florida.

Man, I'd just let it go. Let the unhappy people be unhappy. They're beyond stubborn, and even if you prove thhem wrong they'll argue to the death. It makes NO difference if they like the promotion or not. Their extreme minority opinion is worthless when it comes to this celebration.

I can just see them sending emails to Disney abouut how "unfair" this promotion is. Then I can see the person recieving it, and showing everyone else in the room how the emailer doesn't have a clue. Then they laugh, and laugh, and laugh.