YOAMD Biased?

[catne]

I'll take that special fastpass prize!

We were there last May, didn't see any actual Dream Squad CM (but then, not sure what they look like, so maybe we did see them & didn't know it?)

However, in two different parks we saw group/family who had the Dream FastPass--they not only got to use the Fastpass line on every ride, they were escorted to the front of Fastpass line if there was one (CM shooed them through or around all the possible snake line barriers--on some rides, they "disappeared" behind the scenes with a CM & "reappeared" at the front of the FastPass line - obviously being taken through the CM access hallways.)

Anyway, the only non-ride time they had was walking from one ride to the next. Looked very sweet to us!

 

[Skippy]

We were there last May, didn't see any actual Dream Squad CM (but then, not sure what they look like, so maybe we did see them & didn't know it?)

Is there a picture anywhere of some Dream Squad CMs? I haven't seen what the look like yet.

 

[KingStefan]

My DH and I were at WDW in October for 4 days and we saw many YOMD prizes. Fast passes, ears, Someone started the Lights camera action stunt spectacular. I do believe people who say it is completly random. Just be happy if you win, if not just be happy you are at WDW and not at home or at work. It amazes me how much people complain about this topic.

Right on!

 

[mousermerf]

My experience in the parks and around the 'net has garnered that attractions most people wont go on tend to award the most prizes.

They may be little prizes, but they get awarded there none the less.

List of places to be (that 99% of guests normally wouldn't) to get a prize:

Where's the Fire? in Innoventions West
Maharaja Jungle Trek shortly after the park opens
Maelstrom - post show movie
Triceratop-Spin

And over at DLR:

The tiny path to the left side of the castle.
Golden Dreams

 

[Jimmy Thick]

When I was down at DW in December, I won twice. Other than being incredibly handsome and conceded, I felt it was random.

But being pleasing to the eye does help.

 

[Nicole220]

My experience in the parks and around the 'net has garnered that attractions most people wont go on tend to award the most prizes.

They may be little prizes, but they get awarded there none the less.

List of places to be (that 99% of guests normally wouldn't) to get a prize:

Where's the Fire? in Innoventions West
Maharaja Jungle Trek shortly after the park opens
Maelstrom - post show movie
Triceratop-Spin

And over at DLR:

The tiny path to the left side of the castle.
Golden Dreams

*makes a note to hang out around there*

When I won my one and only prize (the ears), it was on Thunder.

 

[Captain Hank]

Is there a picture anywhere of some Dream Squad CMs? I haven't seen what the look like yet.

Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures, but I can give a decent description. The Dream Squad costume is khaki pants and a sky-blue shirt with the Walt Disney World Resort logo on the chest. When awarding prizes, they wear a white vest with the Disney Dreams Giveaway logo on the back (the same logo as on the prize pins). They also carry around a black messenger bag with the Disney Dreams Giveaway logo on it at all times. You'll often see DS CM's out and about, sans vest. This is the "super-greeter" part of their role, and they're basically acting as walking information specialists at these times.

Edit: there's a really quick glimpse of the "Prize" costume in this video at about 0:28. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_Ax5Decjl4

 

[Gepettotrevor]

My family won the dream fastpasses exiting the Haunted Mansion. I'll go ahead and tell u, if you see them standing by the exit handing stuff out, it's not worth racing through the ride to try to win something also...those guys go in and out in two seconds. I've seen them at HM a few times and outside Big Thunder a few times....if you are DESPERATE to win something, go early. It is all chance, if ur meant to win something, u will. It's a nice perk, saving the fastpasses untill later in the day when the parks fill up...then using all of ur dream fastpass tabs later at night. I don't understand why people sell their dreams on ebay...for me, the dream fastpass lanyard it's self has so much centimental value already...the memory of that entire day in the MK.

 

[Nicole220]

My family won the dream fastpasses exiting the Haunted Mansion. I'll go ahead and tell u, if you see them standing by the exit handing stuff out, it's not worth racing through the ride to try to win something also...those guys go in and out in two seconds. I've seen them at HM a few times and outside Big Thunder a few times....if you are DESPERATE to win something, go early. It is all chance, if ur meant to win something, u will. It's a nice perk, saving the fastpasses untill later in the day when the parks fill up...then using all of ur dream fastpass tabs later at night. I don't understand why people sell their dreams on ebay...for me, the dream fastpass lanyard it's self has so much centimental value already...the memory of that entire day in the MK.

The ones I got ears from were there for a long time. I was in line for Thunder and saw them at the exit. I thought for sure they wouldn't be there when we got back, but I was wrong. When we pulled into the station they were still there and I was able to win a pair of ears!

 

[CThaddeus]

My experience in the parks and around the 'net has garnered that attractions most people wont go on tend to award the most prizes.

They may be little prizes, but they get awarded there none the less.

List of places to be (that 99% of guests normally wouldn't) to get a prize:

Where's the Fire? in Innoventions West
Maharaja Jungle Trek shortly after the park opens
Maelstrom - post show movie
Triceratop-Spin

And over at DLR:

The tiny path to the left side of the castle.
Golden Dreams

Unfortunately, this theory hasn't worked for me yet. At Disneyland, I tend to frequent the less popular stuff because I often like them more than the typical guest and don't care to wait in lines much. When I'm at California Adventure (weekly), I usually check out Golden Dreams (I'm going to be very unhappy when this is gone), Muppet-Vision, etc. Similarly at Disneyland, I'm usually hitting stuff like Innoventions, Pooh, The Tiki Room, Pinocchio, Snow White, and the like. And I love to walk in low guest density areas like the paths along the sides of the Castle to take unique pictures (and avoid the mobs).
So far my near misses have been with popular or busy areas - people coming off the Mickey and Friends Tram, people exiting Mike and Sulley to the Rescue, people walking past the Christmas tree in California Adventure. I just don't see any kind of pattern to it (and admittedly, I have been trying to find one), other than the Fast Passes and Castle stay being given out somewhat early in the day.

 

[PigletIsMyCat]

To everyone saying they haven't seen any Dream Squad CMs at WDW - I say you're not looking hard enough. I'm at the World at least once a week, usually mid-week and also on weekends, and I see them everywhere. Their costumes are not terribly conspicuous, which makes it easier for them to surprise people with their prizes. There does seem to be more of them earlier in the day, but I see them everywhere all day long - usually around Main Street/Hub area and in Tomorrowland, and between the Tea Cups and Dumbo. I see tons of them all the time. And they never try to give me anything not like I could take it, though.

Well, if it was one of the small things, a pin or lanyard or ice cream, maybe I'd keep my mouth shut and take it.

 

[JennyTablina]

Saw lots of Dream passes and Silver Mickey Ears last year in April.

I know of some co-workers at my dads place who got a neat behind the scenes tour of Fantasmic in the control room and free stuff from the Typhoon Lagoon store.

We were there 14 days and we sure saw a few Dream Team peeps but our timing seemed a bit off. The only dream I witnessed was a mass giveaway at Crush and Gusher. I was sunbathing in the beach area and noted people were coming out with the mickey ears after a few moments. I quickly realised what it was and did a very baywatch rush into the pool and swam for the exit route out of Crush and Gusher. Though they gave the last hat as I got to the steps

Though it was still an awesome holiday. We just joked a lot about it half the time. I we Dream Team hunted for laughs and also made a joke of quipping to each other "I'm ready for my magical moment * XD

 

[kcnole]

One of the posters on micechat (nbodyhome) had her parents win a stay, and they're an elderly couple. They invited her and her husband to come with them as well. They're definitely not your typical family at that age. While I think they were probably selective to make sure the very first family they gave it to was your typical family, I don't think they are with everyday stays.

You just have to be lucky to be at the right place at the right time. A computer tells them where to go, and what number person, etc... that they have to give it to.