Winners say 'no thanks' sometimes

[pinkrose]

I guess none of it is a big deal, really, but we seem to have a habit of making it a big deal! :king: :lol: :lookaroun

I'd look at it as.... I'm at WDW already, and by golly, if they wanna give me something, anything, for that, then yay. If not... I'm still at WDW!

That's exactly how I see it too.

 

[mdjbenkert]

We would have to turn down any "big" prizes as my parents work for the Mouse. It would be incredible to stay in the castle for a night, but it will have to wait until the YOMD is over.

 

[LilDucky]

I'd look at it as.... I'm at WDW already, and by golly, if they wanna give me something, anything, for that, then yay. If not... I'm still at WDW!

:lol: :lol: Same here!

We go for NYE every year, and I always line up to get a NYE hat. It's a free Disney souvenir! :lol: I have a collection of seven, and hopefully I'll add to that number this year! :lol:

 

[JikoMarie]

I'm afraid I jsut don't get what the big deal of staying in the castle is:shrug: .

I mean if you could earn it . . . maybe by eating 150 hot dogs or something . . . then I could see that it would be something that you could be proud of, but just to be able to say you spent a night there after being picked at random doesn't seem like any big deal to me.

But most people seem to like it, so I think it's cool that they're doing it, but if given the choice, I'd rather just have a few fast-passes.

Because it's free! As my DH2B says, if it's free, I'll take two!

 

[smk]

Because it's free! As my DH2B says, if it's free, I'll take two!

Love that!:ROFLOL:

 

[MickeyTigg]

I'm afraid I jsut don't get what the big deal of staying in the castle is:shrug: .

I mean if you could earn it . . . maybe by eating 150 hot dogs or something . . . then I could see that it would be something that you could be proud of, but just to be able to say you spent a night there after being picked at random doesn't seem like any big deal to me.

But most people seem to like it, so I think it's cool that they're doing it, but if given the choice, I'd rather just have a few fast-passes.

Gary...you are my hero!

:sohappy:

Nicely said.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

To each his own, but there's no way I'd turn it down!!

For me the advantages FAR outweigh the slight inconveniences. Okay I have to either buy some pjs or go pack one outfit. Not my whole room - one outfit, really how bad can that be?

I give up an afternoon of regular park touring for - a parade, a FREE dinner for 6 at the castle, a FREE private tour of the park, a concierge, snacks, and once in a lifetime accomadations!!

There's no breakfast included so I'm sure we could leave anytime we want the next morning.

I'll be at Disneyland tomorrow and I am hoping and praying we get picked for a night at Mickey's suite!!!:sohappy:

 

[Legacy]

There's no breakfast included so I'm sure we could leave anytime we want the next morning.

Nope they'll kick you out before guests start entering the park.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Nope they'll kick you out before guests start entering the park.

I didn't say that very well. I don't mind leaving early I was responding to an earlier poster who was worried they couldn't leave early enough.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Here's an interesting article written by one of the winners. A SINGLE tatooed guy, I might add! Sorry if it's been posted before.

http://www.ajc.com/search/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2007/02/27/0228cinderella.html

Couple of interesting thoughts.
They had a front of the line escort, so it seems to me that would give you plenty of time to finish all the rides you wanted to that day!!

They even got a little free merchandise!

Fireworks through a window of the castle - wow, once in a lifetime again!!

I was wrong, they did get a FREE breakfast!! More monetary value for the prize! Breakfast was at 9.

Sounds great to me!!

 

[Legacy]

And you even get a 9 o'clock curfew!

 

[Enderikari]

And you even get a 9 o'clock curfew!

Curfew? I don't think so...

 

[MickeyTigg]

Curfew? I don't think so...

Uh....yeah. It may not be 9 PM, but there is a limit as to when they'll be able to be able to roam about.

According to the details published months ago...

For up to two hours after the scheduled close of the park, the family will have access to Magic Kingdom with a VIP Guest Relations cast member. This will allow them to enjoy the atmosphere of the park before they retire for the evening. Suggested after-hours tours will be available which include modified versions of "Art of the Theme Show" and "Keys to the Kingdom," which are tours that explore the history and creativity behind Magic Kingdom. This special "after hours" opportunity gives these guests an amazing opportunity to see Magic Kingdom in a way that few guests have experienced.

So even when they have park access, it will tightly controlled.

 

[MickeyTigg]

Here's an interesting article written by one of the winners. A SINGLE tatooed guy, I might add! Sorry if it's been posted before.

http://www.ajc.com/search/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2007/02/27/0228cinderella.html

Couple of interesting thoughts.
They had a front of the line escort, so it seems to me that would give you plenty of time to finish all the rides you wanted to that day!!

They even got a little free merchandise!

Fireworks through a window of the castle - wow, once in a lifetime again!!

I was wrong, they did get a FREE breakfast!! More monetary value for the prize! Breakfast was at 9.

Sounds great to me!!

You conveniently missed this important quote...

"Much of the royal family's day — like the parade and dinner reservations — is preset, so there isn't a lot of time for rides. "

You know....I just don't want that much attention drawn onto me. No parade...no public coronation down Main Street. Even if I accepted the prize...leave me alone for the rest of the day. Tell me when to be back for dinner and "lock down".

 

[beachclubbasics]

I had asked a few weeks ago on another thread about contacting Disney regarding my 12 year old son (if anyone remembers I'm the one whose hubby died in the line of duty right after 9/11). When I asked then what they thought I should suggest to Disney Corporate regarding the 12 year old, my kids said.."Just DON'T suggest a night in that castle!" I take it that they wouldn't want to stay there...lol. We'd probbaly turn it down.

.

 

[beachclubbasics]

This really made me think...

I don't think I'd get selected because they often seem to say "first family to be here at whatever time" and since it's usually me and a fellow male partner, we would not be considered a "family" (even though we are.)

I wonder if my family would be picked either....I'm widowed and have 4 kids..no hubby now (or in the future! Not in the market, once is ENOUGH! ) Not the typical nuclear family that this prize seems to be aimed at.

 

[JikoMarie]

Here's an interesting article written by one of the winners. A SINGLE tatooed guy, I might add! Sorry if it's been posted before.

http://www.ajc.com/search/content/travel/southeast/fl_stories/2007/02/27/0228cinderella.html

The article seems to suggest that you can enter a sweepstakes to win this price on diseny.com. Does anyone know anything about this?

I wonder if my family would be picked either....I'm widowed and have 4 kids..no hubby now (or in the future! Not in the market, once is ENOUGH! ) Not the typical nuclear family that this prize seems to be aimed at.

Again, I'm pretty sure this prize is won on an individual basis so it doesn't matter what type of family you have. It's not like a cast member or someone is really choosing the winner.

 

[Juliaz3]

I'd take that prize!

Someone wrote: "I think, however, the people turning away smaller prizes like free churros just don't understand the concept of the YoaMD (who does?)"

I agree. When I was there in January, two women with a child each were behind us in live for Test Track and they had the special plastic FastPasses that allowed a FastPass entrance to Epcot attractions for that day. They actually seemed a bit bewildered by it, and I think they hadn't really understood what FastPasses were to begin with. Too bad, my boyfriend and I would have loved those!

As for the Castle, I would love to stay there -- a once-in-a-lifetime thrill. We'd sure make use of all the perks! Boyfriend and I could pack up a bag easily enough for just one night. But yeah, I guess there are many people who can't rearrange their plans so easily. And I'm in the camp that says, "if someone passes on a prize, then that just increases my chance of getting it!"

 

[WDWFigment]

It seems I am one of the few who will dissent from popular opinion here, but I can't see turning down a night in the castle. Sure, there is additional hassle of moving your stuff (or, you could just stay the night then return to your own room early in the morning to get ready) or your flight, but this is a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity. So many people here talk incessantly about the Disney 'Magic' separating WDW from other theme parks, well, where is that magic when you're trying to justify a decision for a night in one of Disney's most 'magical' places from a cost-benefit approach? I think it is a bit hypocritical.

In addition, if you have kids, and they are the reason you're going to WDW, you might want to think about the indelible memory you're giving them with a night in the castle, before you worry about not having your toothbrush for the night.

 

[Enderikari]

"Much of the royal family's day — like the parade and dinner reservations — is preset, so there isn't a lot of time for rides. "

You know....I just don't want that much attention drawn onto me. No parade...no public coronation down Main Street. Even if I accepted the prize...leave me alone for the rest of the day. Tell me when to be back for dinner and "lock down".

and you could reserve the right to refuse the pre-sets.. Don't want to eat at Cinderella Castle? Refuse the meal and go where you already have a meal planned. Don't want to participate in the Parade? Refuse, and spend your time elsewhere. And once again, there is no such thing as "lock-down"