Originally Posted By dshyates "I got a chunk of free cash from Disney a couple years ago. Of course, that was after a chunk of fireworks from IllumiNations landed on my head and caught fire " Ouch! I think I'll just keep stalking the "Dream Team".
Originally Posted By danyoung >^^^Wow, that must have been scary.< Well, I'd had just enough of them tasty martinis at the Rose & Crown to where it didn't hurt, but it was kinda spooky. When the fire was out I had to kinda look around to see if anybody noticed. Yup, people were staring at me. I asked the guy next to me "hey, was my head on fire?" He said "yeah, you had flames shooting up a foot or so!" Yikes!!!
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Did the martinis help feed the flames? If you were like some people, you'd have sued R&C for causing it. Glad you survived.
Originally Posted By ChiMike ^ He didn't need to sue, he received cash from Disney that he accepted. Right Dan?
Originally Posted By danyoung >Did the martinis help feed the flames?< Well, let's just say that it's a good thing I didn't attempt to blow out the fire. >He didn't need to sue, he received cash from Disney that he accepted. Right Dan?< That's totally correct. I'm not the type to sue, and Disney was more than willing to put a bit of cash up front - not a lot, but what I thought equal to the injury (skin didn't even blister, but some hair was a bit shorter than it used to be!). I felt they totally did right by me. I didn't get rich, but I think everything turned out fairly.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Well, I wasn't going to discuss this since I knew about Danny being a flamer ... oops, I mean aflame after the incident happened, but I kinda think Disney should have ponied up more. Not because Danny had permanent damage, lucky for the Mouse, it got a Texan in the head but ... seriously, I have witnessed some major fallout issues from Illumuniations in the past, including just ducking away from flaming embers in front of both Japan and Canada numerous times. This is more of a problem than the Mouse wants to admit because the real issue is that there are plenty of nights were Illuminations should be canceled due to windy conditions (much like happens at DL regularly). Disney officials, however, feel they would be forced to issue refunds (they wouldn't unless their guest relations office is staffed by total morons) if they ever canceled the show so they allow it to be performed regardless of whether there's a slight breeze or 25-mph gusts blowing right onto the promenade. I'm reasonably certain from talking to insiders that Disney pays out far less in the occasional 'my head's on fire' tourist case than if it canceled the show. Iluminations should probably not run a good 20-40 nights a year according to my source.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Oh and on the original topic, I have yet to either 'win' something or even witness a Dream Squad gifting another guest. Not once in 21 months now of this promotion/marketing scam ... I mean scheme. Considering how many days/nights I've been in Disney parks in Anaheim and Orlando, that's really amazing. It also speaks to the fact this was a bad, ill-conceived and practiced contest. I won't even start yet another 'debate' on the 'winners' selected for the very few valuable prizes. I'll just be glad when it is over. I am not big on Magical Celebrations because it is another style over substance marketing campaign ... I kinda believe people want new cool rides, attractions, shows, parades, dining and shopping experiences and not banners and repackaged offerings. But giving away free tickets on B-days is smart and a no-brainer ... which is fitting since it came from Disney Marketing ;-)
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 My daughter's family won a free lanyard and some FPs this year. They ended up spending quite a lot to get more pins to put on the lanyand. I think the FPs were for rides they'd already done that day. Disney knew what they were doing when they picked her. Valuable prizes? valuable to whom?
Originally Posted By MPierce I've received a number of things for free. Upgrade on a room, free food several times, a free meal, free drinks several times, free refridgerators back when you had to pay for them, money back for poor house-keeping service. I never asked for a thing though. I never got anything because of a Disney promotion, and I never go to WDW expecting anything for free. I think most people enjoy getting something for free. After all it's free, why not enjoy the windfall.
Originally Posted By kennect You know I forgot about one thing...There was one trip to WDW that when we checked out we actually had them refund us some money...It has been so long now I can't even remember why but we left there getting back some money that wasn't expected for whatever reason...I want to say it was over a hundred dollars...All I can remember was it sounded good and I didn't ask any questions at the moment...Who knows?
Originally Posted By ChiMike But a lot of these examples aren't freebies. Or in another vein, it is like me saying that I use to get freebies because I received valet parking at the Deluxe resorts for free and now I have to pay for it. Feel free to substitute the dozen things that are now charged for in this example. What I see is, that since the Eisner anniversary celebrations at DL, they rely more and more on giving money or prizes back to guests in a systematic manner. To me, they are exploiting the easily proven notion that the folks like the free stuff. My only concern is that they are again focusing on short-term influences which fade away, rather than investing in the long-haul. They are reinforcing to the public that DisneyParks need such gimmicks to drive attendance and fill the gap between the price of the admission and the value of the admission.
Originally Posted By ChiMike ^ rather than focusing on raising the perceived 'value' through new activities or included services. 'Guests recognizing value' used to be stated ad nauseum whether on Walt's television shows or annual Shareholder meetings. That visitors always felt they received value for their admission, or attraction tickets/food. In the last years, meh, haven't heard such a finding stated by Disney.
Originally Posted By MPierce That's all very true Mike. It's like receiving a signing bonus at contract time rather than a raise. The bonus is nice, but it is only an immediate gratification. A raise is something that is accumulated over the lifetime of your emploment. So basicly we are stuck with silly promo'e in the hope of getting something for free, rather than a long term improvement of the parks or the quality of service.
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt <<Disney knew what they were doing when they picked her>> 'Cuz she's a Winner!!! or a sucker for spending $100- on pins for the "free" lanyard..hummmm
