We were just there last week. My DH and I brought my mom - sister and two nephews. It was nephews first trip and we were having --they were having the time of their lives. We were in line to go on primeveil whirl when Josh (my nephew) was asked to step out of line. The CM talked to Josh for a minute or two then told him he was chosen to be the family of the hour on the ride. He received a lithograph a certificate, and we were all escorted to the front of the line where we got to ride twice. My sister started crying when the CM was talking to her son. She explained this trip was a dream come true and so this just made the experience more wonderful. Thanks to Disney for a few extra special moments.
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Just my two cents about the YEAR OF A MILLION DREAMS
- Thread starter v_misses_epcot
- Start date
We were just there last week. My DH and I brought my mom - sister and two nephews. It was nephews first trip and we were having --they were having the time of their lives. We were in line to go on primeveil whirl when Josh (my nephew) was asked to step out of line. The CM talked to Josh for a minute or two then told him he was chosen to be the family of the hour on the ride. He received a lithograph a certificate, and we were all escorted to the front of the line where we got to ride twice. My sister started crying when the CM was talking to her son. She explained this trip was a dream come true and so this just made the experience more wonderful. Thanks to Disney for a few extra special moments.
minnie61650
Member
Thanks. I read your earlier (eloquently written) posts, and felt compelled to post again myself. I would never wish to change anyone's mind, just hopefully shed some light on the darkness. Everyone here seems like a great group, with similar values and desires.
BUT, where DOES this sense of "entitlement" come from? Isn't it enough to have the funds to purchase a park pass or ticket, walk through those hallowed gates and set yourself FREE for the day? Isn't the sense of excitement you still get in the pit of your stomach as you near your favorite attraction a glorious "prize/reward" enough? When did we all have to receive something tangible to feel indemnified? Adults need this economic remuneration...not children.
We all know most of us would likely go home and toss the "prize" in a drawer somewhere anyway (or sell it on eBay), so what is the big deal here? Is it the competition? Because some other family was selected, we feel inadequate? This is not the way we should feel, at all. It is not healthy. Life...just doesn't work that way. We need to take better stock of the situation, and count our blessings.
I've stood on the sidelines with a friend and witnessed soccer games where they hand out trophies to every single child who plays the game or participates. The same thing goes for the cheer/dance squads, etc. When I grew up and engaged in competitive sports, this was NEVER the case. You learned to lose, and lose with dignity and grace. Losers were not rewarded.
There is NO shame in losing, as not everyone can win. This is where the term "losing gracefully" hails from. When one team loses the pennant or Cup or Superbowl...the other lines up to shake their hands (MLB & others). Thank God the Olympics only hands out three top medals to this day, no matter how many competitors enter each sport! Losing, is part of the game.
This was part of the lesson Ilearned associated with sports.There are winners, and losers. Not everyone is going to win in the game of life either---and pretending by honoring/rewarding everyone to avoid any hurt feelings is not necessarily a good thing. Children must learn to deal with rejection. They will receive rejections from universities, and girls/boys, and jobs they apply for.
Adversity makes people stronger. Learning to take the lumps in life, brings out positive character traits. It brings out the BEST in the human spirit. People must learn to effectively deal with the "highs and lows" no matter what it pertains to.
McDonalds is currently in the midst of their famous monopoly game. Not every piece plucked off the side of the fry or burger box is an instant winner, or a million-dollar game piece. Yet, this is what makes it even more interesting. We hold-out for HOPE! That glorious feeling we used to have on Christmas morning, as we gathered around the tree with our siblings and parents...HOPING the one gift we longed for the most (for me...the quinnesential PONY..LOL)...was somewhere under those branches, wrapped in holiday paper and bows. We couldn't wait to dig-in.
This, represents the best in all of us. Hoping we are chosen to receive a special pin or prize while visiting WDW, is like the extra frosting on the cake. It should be enough, even more than enough. Just visiting the parks for the afternoon with our blessed children and loved ones is the grand prize. The most important lesson remains in teaching our children these values. It's not whether you win/lose...it will always be about HOW you play the game.
So Please, explain the rules to your children accordingly before entering the park...placing emphasis on the "not everyone wins" part. Then, lose the ADULT mumbo-jumbo baggage & competitiveness inside you by becoming a child once again. Simply shuck the monkey-suit at the turnstile--and LET LOOSE! You will soon forget about all the silly prizes, and become more focused on who can beat who in the race to space mountain! :sohappy: HAVING FUN...is the main objective. Let's not lose sight. ^_^ And...it's always when you LEAST expect it, YOU MAY ACTUALLY WIN!!!!
OmegaKnight
New Member
When I drive the monorails and I have kids in my front cab, I always let them open and close the doors on the trains. Now, that may not seem like a big deal to most of you, but let me tell you, those kids feel like hot stuff because they actually feel like they are helping drive the train. Its those type of moments that people will cherish more than a Dream FASTPASS or a free lanyard/pin set. Yes, it would be nice to win those things but please stop complaining about the process. It is done in a way to be as fair as possible.
I am sorry that some posters here seem to think that the whole world revolves around them but the year of a million dreams is not about winning prizes, it is about the special guest/cast interactions that make Disney what it is and those are the types of prizes that will last longer than some material item. Seeing the looks on children's faces when they get to close the doors on a monorail makes us realize why we do what we do on a day by day basis.
I am sorry that some posters here seem to think that the whole world revolves around them but the year of a million dreams is not about winning prizes, it is about the special guest/cast interactions that make Disney what it is and those are the types of prizes that will last longer than some material item. Seeing the looks on children's faces when they get to close the doors on a monorail makes us realize why we do what we do on a day by day basis.
MainStreetMouse
Member
A week or so ago while at EPCOT we received the special Mickey Ears.
Sure made our day.
and later that same day we got to ride up front in the monorail. What a day!
Sure made our day.
and later that same day we got to ride up front in the monorail. What a day!
Just my two cents about year of million dreams
I completely agree! I love Disney because of the happiness it always brought me whether I was in MK or at home. I love all things Disney and so does my family. Never would I plan a trip to MK to just win a prize---it's the greatest joy to go and have wonderful times with my kids and husband that last long after I get home. If I happened to be on our trip and won well that's just a cherry on the sundae. If I saw others win I'd think there's Disney magical happiness at work!
I completely agree! I love Disney because of the happiness it always brought me whether I was in MK or at home. I love all things Disney and so does my family. Never would I plan a trip to MK to just win a prize---it's the greatest joy to go and have wonderful times with my kids and husband that last long after I get home. If I happened to be on our trip and won well that's just a cherry on the sundae. If I saw others win I'd think there's Disney magical happiness at work!
well thanks for not going, i appreciate it. do me a favor and spread the word around about how much disney is nothing but a bunch of crooks for not giving you anything. thank god your the only person that didnt win anything
tcwickings
Active Member
Go enjoy your vaction, if you win good for you. If not (like I said ) enjoy your vaction.
wdwmomof3
Well-Known Member
I agree. We won a pin set back in Oct and while it was wonderful, it was not the highlight of our trip. I think it's great to win but it's even better to be at Disney with the family making magical memories. :animwink: