Originally Posted By Inspector 57 <<I am sure for those who win the big prizes it is really nice>> (A) Family of Mom, Dad, 5-, 9-, and 11-year-olds from Ohio finally get to take family vacation to The West. Spend first few days based at relatives' place in Oakland, then fly to LAX for 3-day SoCal finish to trip. After late afternoon flight, check into hotel near Universal Studios. Next day, bus tour of LA. Kids play at hotel's pool complex. Next day: up early to go to Disneyland. Third day: Universal. But at Disneyland (Mom's fantasy destination), they get offered Dream Suite at 11:20am. Major family discussion about whether to accept or not. Decide to accept, because this is HUGE. Only 365 families will ever have this chance. Major confusion about logistics. Finally, Dad takes cab to LA hotel to gather toiletries and clothing for next day. MAJOR expense, but... this is HUGE! Meanwhile, Mom cancels Rainforest Cafe dining reservation, because it conflicts with Fantasmic! viewing time -- which they now MUST do from their private veranda. Rainforest Cafe has no other openings for 5 that work for their new schedule. Kids majorly disappointed. Well, they'll catch dinner someplace else. A cart or something. Spend time fussing with luggage when Dad returns. Spend time checking in when Suite becomes available. Spend time checking out Suite and taking pictures. Make phone calls to transport companies to arrange ride from Disneyland to LA for next morning. Family touring time of actual Disneyland is seriously reduced. Return to Suite after hurried dinner. Watch Fantasmic! Back into Park to catch some attractions, then back to Suite to get locked in. Up early because check-out is early and need to catch bus. Kids want to do Pirates and Mansion again as they walk past, but this is not possible. Bus to LA. Check back into hotel there. The planned full day at Universal Studios is now maybe 6 hours, tops. Kids insist on going. There's no way to cover all the attractions they'll want to see. (B) Coupla AP holders from Anaheim win the night in the crib. THAT's what I'm talkin' about! Party like nobody else gets to party. Major conflict happens when DL po-po inform winners that Suite will not accompany 20 guests for the evening. Nobody ends up crashin' that night, ya hear? (C) Some perfectly bland conventioneers from Texas win the Suite. What the heck? So they stay there that night instead of at the Anaheim Hilton, where they're booked. The two of them don't really "get" it, and, to tell the truth, they don't really spend much non-sleeping time in the Suite or even take many pictures of it. They're not crazy about the decor, and don't even try out all the features of the place. But it was fun to win something. -- vs. -- (D) It's the Disney Gallery. Folks who love Disney make the effort to visit it, and they're delighted with the special displays, the architecture, the sense of history, and the merchandise. Being there gives them a sense of experiencing quintessential Disneyland.
Originally Posted By Lady Starlight "E' all of the above.. everyone deserves to have at least a little magic in thier lives at some point. whats better than Disney magic? NUTHIN!
Originally Posted By LogDog I'm actually really surprised no one has said this yet. But where the heck is the TV??
Originally Posted By Westsider According to Cast TV, the televisions are plasma screens hidden in the ceilings that descend when you are ready to watch a program. As for Inspector 57 and his post #62, I think you are underestimating how much energy and resources are behind winning the suite. Now, before I begin, let me say that I am not a fan of YOMD and I can kvetch right there with ya when it comes to how lame and misunderstood this entire campaign is. But, when it comes to all of the hassle and extra work laid out in Scenario A, almost all of that would be a non-issue and/or would be handled by the Dream Suite Concierge staff. I know a few of them, as they are Attractions Cast Members picked for the Dream Squad in '08. There's a dedicated concierge host/hostess assigned to the winning family from the minute the prize is awarded through the following morning when the winners check out. This concierge has access to anything and everything the Disneyland Resort can use to make a VIP visit more comfortable. Since Disneyland is visited routinely by global celebrities, important government and business officials, and foreign dignitaries or royalty, there is already a finely tuned machine ready to go to work to smooth out any wrinkles or provide anything requested. The Dream Suite concierge has been trained on how to utilize this pre-existing infrastructure to make the stay seamless and flawless. The Dream Suite has a brand new 2008 Chevrolet Suburban on call and specifically at the disposal of the concierge, and it can be driven anywhere in Southern California to retrieve luggage, medication, clothes and toiletries, family members, footie pajamas, prescription glasses, or a favorite teddy bear. Anything within a few hours freeway driving distance can be fetched and brought to the suite via the Dream Suburban and the staff on call to chauffer it. Part of the award process is asking what needs to be fetched from home or a hotel, and what needs to be brought to the Resort to make the stay comfortable via whatever means neccesary. If the only things needed are some basic toiletries and supplies, those are provided complimentary to the suite winners. The toiletries in the suite are very top line stuff, and they go beyond the normal mass market shampoo and soap offered in Grand Californian suites or concierge level rooms at the Disney Hotels. Robes and sleepwear can be provided instantly. Any personal clothing worn by the winners the day of their suite stay can be laundered, dry cleaned, pressed or mended overnight by the concierge staff at the Grand Californian and ready by sunrise the following morning. All of these services are complimentary to the winner, and tips are politely declined. Dream Fastpasses are awarded with the suite, so having time to ride any of the E Tickets in both parks are not a worry. The concierge can arrange for any dinner reservation at any restaurant on property, and they have the ability to pull rank on any other concierge staff at the other three Disney Hotels. Is it the Fourth of July and the family wants to have dinner at Napa Rose that's been booked for a month? No problem, your Napa Rose window table with a view of Grizzly Peak will be ready at 7:00pm. (Wait until the Napa Rose chef brings out the special dessert with your family name on it) The concierge also has been given a tour guide script to provide a customized backstage tour of Disneyland for the winners that can last up to two hours after park closing time year round. The suite is stocked with food, snacks, desserts and beverages. Every winner is met in the suite foyer by a towering display of fresh and exotic fruits in a huge crystal bowl. When you win the award in the morning and the Dream Squad takes down the spelling of your family name, the crystal bowl is sent immediately over to Arribas Brothers Crystal Shop in New Orleans Square and the family name is engraved on the bowl. When you check in to the suite that afternoon, the bowl has your name on it, and it will be yours to take with you as one of several souvenirs. When you are approached as the winner by the Dream Squad, there will be a photographer there taking your picture and capturing your families response to being the winner. When you check in to the suite, the antique tables in the parlor and bedrooms have several old fashioned picture frames that are actually modern digital viewing frames that have photos of you winning the prize a few hours earlier. When it's finally time for bed, after you've done everything, eaten everything, ridden every E Ticket, and seen everything before and after the park closed, your personal concierge will remain in an office attached to the back of the suite overnight ready to assist or respond to anything you may need overnight. Security officers are also assigned to the suite, and they monitor the security systems in place in and around the suite facility overnight. When it's time to check out in the morning, the concierge has already taken care of any additional dining reservations later that day, travel arrangements to other theme parks or airports or SoCal destinations, and any transportation or luggage issues are taken care of via complimentary transportation and porter service. Trust me, any winner of the Dream Suite will be treated like royalty, and any petty issues regarding luggage or logistics or reservations are instantly taken over by the concierge. The Dream Suite winners have nothing to do but use Disneyland as their personal playground for the next 24 hours.
Originally Posted By bambifamily Oh GAG! It's hideous! Super tasteless. Yuck. How much did this cost??
Originally Posted By jonvn "any winner of the Dream Suite will be treated like royalty," Sounds like. But really, it just seems creepy being locked in for the night. At least you have a window, unlike the tomb they seal you in in florida, but really, as you can tell by the times I post (it's nearly 2am) i'm up all different hours. If I were to be locked in at that time, I'd be really uncomfortable.
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Originally Posted By TXDISNEYNERD Westsider - Thanks for that incredible post. Now I would really like to win that even though I know it is highly unlikely, but hey, someone has to win. <<perfectly bland conventioneers from Texas >> What's up with this I57? Texans are anything but bland.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Thanks for that post, Westsider - it sounds like a great experience to be picked. I'm assuming they'll always pick a family and not a couple? I'd still rather have the gallery that everyone can enjoy... any word on what happens to the space when YOAMD dreams is over? bean? anyone?
Originally Posted By melekalikimaka I think the specialness of the experience would override my apprehension about being "locked" in. I must say, once I go to my hotel room after a long day at Disneyland, I barely get out of bed, let alone leave the room so it probably isn't as creepy as the idea sounds. But I just can't get excited about the Dream Suite because I know I'll never get to sleep there. In a way I'm glad that money has nothing to do with winning, but money I can control...being lucky, not so much. The more they talk about the Suite, the sadder I feel because most people will never experience. Where's the fun in that?
Originally Posted By Lady Starlight It's just the same at hitting the lotto. If you didnt have it befor and you were ok , and you never end up getting it, your STILL ok. You can't miss what you never had. It don't hurt to dream though. It's just meant to be something really cool and fun from Disney. It's not going to please everyone.Theres just no way around that part.
Originally Posted By pecos bill "You cant miss what you never had." Well, didnt we have the Disney Gallery? The thing is, a lot of people are losing out on a treasured part of the park so a lucky few can have a great time. What happens when the Sultan Of Brunai shows up and decides he and his family want to spend the night there?
Originally Posted By melekalikimaka It's not that I don't feel like I'm not "ok" for not winning. It's just not that fun of a promotion for me.
Originally Posted By jonvn It's like watching other people win the lottery. I'm just not excited over someone else winning a game that I tried play and win in, too.
Originally Posted By avromark Is there a possibility of another gallery every opening up somewhere else? There's certainly spots they could I'm sure. How about in DCA?
Originally Posted By Pal of Minnie I won't mind (I think) seeing someone else on the private balcony during Fantasmic if they had the same chance that I had of being there-BUT-if they end up renting it out to the rich and want to be famous-then I have a problem. It will make me feel like a lowly subject of someone, I think.
Originally Posted By sjdimon Re: the Food question - according to the video posted here on LP - DINNER is provided to the winning family at the Blue Bayou. Breakfast is also provided, as are the "snacks" on the balcony during Fantasmic. All of these amenities are considered a part of the winning package.
