Another solo trip-and the Dream Squad ignores me!

[Simba's Mom]

Has this happened to any other solos? They were giving dream fastpasses to everyone headed to FW from WS in Epcot along that rose path. Well, I didn't want to miss out so I walked s-l-o-w-ly by. Nothing! Meanwhile they were going up to everyone else "Hi-today's your lucky day..." So I went back "Isn't today my lucky day too?" "Umm, are you a Disney Cast Member?" When they found out I wasn't, they were very apologetic and gave me my lanyard. So I guess I wasn't looking "touristy" enough. Actually, I got mistaken for a CM several times that day. I wish!

[DVC_for_me!]

Well good for you for saying something! I would have just said nothing and steamed for the next hour or so.

[bababear]

Simba's mom --Yeah for you for saying Hey !!! What about me !!

Yes they bypassed me last year also -(2 times) ---now I'm going to try like you and be alittle more vocal this year.:D

HEY WHAT ABOUT ME!!!

Thanks for sharing
Hugs Mel

[parrisk]

We always get to the parks at opening and I never see the Dream Squad. What are we doing wrong? What time do they give out the fastpasses?

[acourtwdw]

this may sound stupid, but what were you wearing that made the CM's think you were one of them? Was it because you looked like you knew what you were going? Did I need to have the map and fumbled around with it to look touristy enough? Just wanted to know. :scratchch

[Daddio]

I am usually a very optimistic person but this Million Dreams thing has me thinking otherwise. We go to WDW quite a few times and I have never been handed anything. Which get me thinking, is this a negative promotion? For every lucky person, is there 100,000 unlucky people?

I've seen individuals wearing (what I think is) Dream Squad garb, but they never seem to be doing anything.

I've been to several rope drops too and like parrisk, have never seen any hype. Should I be spending time away from the parks and hang out around deserted pathways?

[jaysue]

this may sound stupid, but what were you wearing that made the CM's think you were one of them? Was it because you looked like you knew what you were going? Did I need to have the map and fumbled around with it to look touristy enough? Just wanted to know. :scratchch

It is pretty easy to be mistaken for an employee as a solo traveller - look like you know where you are going and have a happy looking/smile face on and a lot of people will ask you for directions.

It can also depend on what you wear - so take the above ingredients add Green khaki shorts, a safari style jungle shirt, a tilley hat and nice sandals and poof at AK, everyone will think you work there

If you have the family with you, no worries - that will be touristy enough

Cheers
Jason

[spiceycat]

Has this happened to any other solos? They were giving dream fastpasses to everyone headed to FW from WS in Epcot along that rose path.

hey at least you are seeing them.

haven't even seem them.

and I only go on the rose path to WS.

[jiggerj]

It is pretty easy to be mistaken for an employee as a solo traveller - look like you know where you are going and have a happy looking/smile face on and a lot of people will ask you for directions.



Yup thats Simba's Mom! :)

[Simba's Mom]

this may sound stupid, but what were you wearing that made the CM's think you were one of them? Was it because you looked like you knew what you were going? Did I need to have the map and fumbled around with it to look touristy enough? Just wanted to know. :scratchch
Aww, thanks, jiggerj! Actually, I'd like to think I looked like I knew what I was doing/where I was going! Someone later in the day did tell me that it was what I was wearing that caused people to think I was a CM. I'd worn a polo shirt that day, not a t-shirt, and I had a lanyard with no pins. And although I usually have a fanny pack, I'd forgotten it at home (see, I just looked like I knew what I was doing!) So no, your question doesn't sound at all stupid, it's exactly what caused some people to make the mistake.

[AZDVC]

I had to say something to the "Dream SQuad" when they gave me a FP and not my husband:

I was coming off of Expedition: Everest and the Squad was at the exit giving out the all day fast passes.

My husband loves Disney everything but has a bad back so was waiting in the shop for me to get off.

I asked the Squad for one for my hubby with bad back etc., they said it was only for the people on the ride.
I was in shock and continued to explain that wasn't too magical when I thought I was told to go and get him.

I run around the shop, find Mike, got to exit and Squad seemed miffed at me: "We'll meet you outside"
It was so loud so I guess I heard them wrong and we went outside the shop to wait.

Meantime some family was wildly pointing at me saying I had sat in wrong place and split their party so half of them didn't get the passes (Ooops,:Paranoid: I sat where cm's put me).

So Squad finally comes out of store, deals with the family I (????)broke up first(power in numbers). Then finally gave my husband a fast pass.

This wasn't the smoothest delivery of prizes so it lost a little magic; but I was
approached by the Dream Squad.......

Patsy

[MickeyCrazed]

You guys are luck to have even come across the path of the Dream Squad.

3 trips into this promotion, and I still don't know what the look like! I'm hoping my luck gets better when I take the whole family in December. There will be 7 of us ranging in age from 40 to 85!

[tomandrobin]

You mean its not just another Disney promotion? Real people actually win stuff? No one in my family or extended family have yet to see a dream squad. We have two more trips the next couple of months. Hopefully we'll be able to see a Dream Squad!

[iankh]

I sometimes wonder if they only "see" family groupings, and unknowingly not "see" singles and 2 people together with no kids.

[emb1963]

I think that there are so many people at the parks that your chances of just seeing the Dream squad is small. We had our 10 yr old godson with us in December and didn't even see a hint of them. But at least I now know they are real!!!!!

[tinkerbella's mom]

We (DH, DD-5 1/2, DS-3 1/2 and myself) were there 9/8-9/15 and we had 2 different dream squad experiences. My DS love action and had Indiana Jones fever, prior to the show we were avoiding the drizzle in the gift shop and he picked out a stuffed Mickey dressed as Indy. We buy Indy-Mickey and he starts to hum the thems song to the I.Jones movies to which my DD says " Are you going to sing that song all day?. We head to the show , go find last available seats in the back and a CM without the Dream Squad vest asked DS what is that- well that boy not only said this is Mickey dressed as I. Jones and you can call him Doctor Jones, he then hummed the theme song for him. Next I know that CM goed to get another person looked like a higher up, tells DS to repeat him song which he does. We are then escorted to the second row, given special dream pins, asked to wait after the show and got to meet the I Jones stunt guy, the kids got pictures with him and my son got a replica I Jones hat which was autographed. Plus we got VIP seating to Fantasmic. DS is a clown and his little show got him a wish I did not know he had. My DH later told me that DS told him before we left home that he wanted and Indy had and pictures with him.

The second encounter was less obvious, and simpler. We exited Snow White's Scary Adventures and a Dream Squad member approached DD and gave her a certificate for bravery. She was not to impressed. At least we know the squad exist.

[tinkerbella's mom]

PS. Sorry, had a long day and my typing isn't great= bad spelling:):hehehehe:

[Cookie123]

Simba's Mom ......

I've never seen the Dream Squad, either. But now when you mention this .......

I usually wear my Guest of Honor pin, and MANY tourists
stop me for directions. They assume from my pin that I am a CM.

Is it possible that wearing a GOH pin will stop the Dream Squad from approaching you?

[glypnirsgirl]

Hi - My DH and I ran into the Dream Squad on our December trip. There were just the two of us - no kids and we are both fat old farts in our fifties (sorry for the language, but I liked the alliteration of it) - not magical for sure!!!

I saw absolutely no sign of them making decisions to leave people out. We were given our passes, the woman in front of us was by herself and even older than we are --- but she had that aura of a tourist - stretch shorts and T-shirt - and besides, she was getting off of a ride. I am sure that the issue is not whether or not you are solo. but that you are a visitor.

They just handed the dream fast passes to everyone that got off of the ride.

I think that one of the keys to running into them is to be at a place where they can hide. We were leaving Splash Mountain - there is an easy place for them to stand as you are exiting the ride. I think the big key is for them to have a place to stand and not cause a mob so that people cannot see them coming in or going out so that they don't get mobbed.

For instance, there is no good place for them to stand exiting Buzz Light year - you go directly into the shop which is accessible from outside. Same thing with Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, and Rockin Roller Coaster - there just is no place to stand and hand out the tickets.

On our trip in February not only did we not see the Dream Squad - the whole trip we only saw one family wearing the dream fast passes. Splash mountain was closed - so I think that they did not have a great place to be. The family that had the fast passes said that they had headed straight to Dumbo when the rope dropped and that the Dream Squad gave the passes to only about 10 people and then left. I think that they did not have a good place to stand.

Pixie Dust to All!

Elaine

[Simba's Mom]

Simba's Mom ......

I've never seen the Dream Squad, either. But now when you mention this .......

I usually wear my Guest of Honor pin, and MANY tourists
stop me for directions. They assume from my pin that I am a CM.

Is it possible that wearing a GOH pin will stop the Dream Squad from approaching you?


Don't remind me-I can't find my pin. And I don't think the parks sell them anymore. I've got DS's pin from when he was a CM in DL (they forgot to take it back), but I'm afraid if I wear that, the DIsney police will take it away. Is there anywhere still to buy a GOH pin?

[spiceycat]

hey always ask at city hall.'

never know what those cm will come up with...

thanks you reminded me I got get a Birthday pin.

[jiggerj]

Is there anywhere still to buy a GOH pin?

I thought you could purchase them at MGM..I mean Disney Hollywood Studios :D

btw... see ya in a few weeks Simba's Mom! :woohoodan

[doombuggy]

Simba's Mom, I think they have been discontinued. One of our engravers mentioned that to me a couple of weeks ago. We have not carried the badges since before christmas, and the sign we used to have that said "Name Badges and Pet Tags" is gone.

[Simba's Mom]

Simba's Mom, I think they have been discontinued. One of our engravers mentioned that to me a couple of weeks ago. We have not carried the badges since before christmas, and the sign we used to have that said "Name Badges and Pet Tags" is gone.

Darn! But thanks so much for letting me know-saves me from looking in every store I see.

[vwl mom]

On our last trip, 12/07, I was excited to see the Dream Squad everywhere - I saw them using seat numbers to pick winners on the DinoLand rides and then saw them at the top of the people mover at the TTA - I thought it was my chance. The family before me (M,D, 2 kids) got their lanyards with Dream Fastpasses, then the family behind me (M, D, 2 kids) got the same thing. I started to think it was me ( I have 3 kids, 10, 13 , 15 - but my husband passed away 3 years ago so we weren't fitting the "profile") but I dismissed that thought as very un-Disney. Then when we got in line to see Stitch outside the CoP, the Dream Squad did the same thing - every family of M,D and 1 or 2 kids got Dream FastPasses and we were left standing there. I think even Stitch noticed because he (she? it?) spent SO much time goofing around with my kids, taking their hats, my son's Mickey gloves, taking pictures with my son in a headlock, you name it, that it gave me time to compose myself and just keep going. I never really liked the character of Stitch very much (Aliens?? in Hawaii??) but I'm a fan now. :worship:
(Yes, I did put this story into the comment section of the survey I rec'd after my trip. The survey was anonymous - I don't want a response for me, just a little sensitivity for other guests.)

[1DisneyMom]

We saw the dream squad during our trip to WDW in October...they gave the ears to everyone behind us on Test Track. You know that feeling like...If I just would have waited...or almost, but no cigar...

We've been to DLR 5 times since the promo started and haven't even seen the dream squad. Which is OK...it's just a little sad when you hear about people who have been awarded multiple times and you don't even see the squad.

I did get a pair of 2007 ears via the mail-in contest...but it's just didn't have a magical feeling getting them in the mail...doesn't mean I'm not grateful...I have them displayed front and center in my entertainment center...I just wonder what it's like to be approached by someone and given something for nothing.

[captcaveman]

I've always had split feelings about the reactions to the YOMD.

On one hand, it's a contest, much like a raffle. You enter by being in the park (or writing in for the bigger prizes). For the big ones, it's pretty straight forward. If you're sitting in seat x at y o'clock on day z of ride whatever, you win something. IF you don't get picked in general, you didn't win. No biggie. You're not their to win something, you're there to enjoy you cup of pixie dust (drink it in, it goes down smooth). :ale: I wouldn't let not getting prizes get in the way of my Dis trip. Honestly, I forget it's going on most of the time, even with the one or two billion banners hanging around. :holymoly:

On the other hand, I can see where the handing out of more smaller prizes (ears, FPs, etc.) is much more subjective. Why give something to the family in front of me and the one after me, but not to my family. It does make it harder to explain to the kids, but they'd soon forget about it after a run on Space Mountain. I can also understand if I won something but the rest of my family didn't how that wouldn't feel right. Honestly, I give it back to give to someone else or give it to someone else myself. I, myself wouldn't ask for more for the family. To me, it takes the spontaneous feeling out of it and takes the fun out of winning something in the first place.

Full disclosure - I've been 4 times since the promotion stared for a total of about 25 days in the parks and have not won anything and been "close" only a small handful of times. But, like I said, no biggie.

However, if they happen to offer my family the Night at the Castle.........

:jleave:

[Tink22]

We were in DTD in Feb. 07 and the dream squad was handing out special pins and lanyards for YOMD. I saw them coming and wasn't sure what the prize would be so I grabbed my DD and headed out of the store were in and onto the sidewalk. My DH wouldn't come out. They gave everyone around, including us, the lanyards and pins.

I recently talked to a Disney travel rep at a local travel agency and she said the places, times, etc. for handing our dream things is completely random and done by computer. The computer tells them where to go, such as ride and what seat number, etc. and how many prizes to give out. Some things are just given in a certain area until they run out, like the lanyards we got. That's how she said it is deteremined.

Pam

[broganmc]

I once rode Soarin' and the CM pointed out the couple with the Dream FastPasses for the day. That was a year ago when the program started.

My trips in october and NYE showed no sign of the so-called Dream Squad. Nor have they been near me.

I think it's a daft promo. For every "winner" you have a dozen "losers". Who wants to continually go to Disney and feel like a loser?

[WDW Lover]

My boys (all adults) and I have made 7 trips to WDW and 1 to DL since the Years of Million Dreams started and we have been approached by the Dream Team multiple times. They seem to enjoy talking to us (we are into Disney trivia) but never have we gotten a single dream! Two of our trips were with extra people (6-8 of us total) and two were only my oldest son and I. I've wondered if it's because we don't have any little children with us. It really irritates me sometimes that all the promotions are geared toward children. While Disney is certainly magical for children, there is a huge section of the guests (and the ones paying for these trips) who are adults and love Disney.
We have 3 more trips planned before the end of this year, so we will keep out fingers crossed that maybe we will be the lucky ones some day!!

[Colorado Belle]

Well I'm one of the ones who hasn't even SEEN the Dream Squad. I think i might move too fast for them. HA! I don't get to the parks early. I don't have little kids. I think it's really a matter of wrong place/wrong time and don't care too much
I did read that if only part of the family gets a dream fast pass that you can go to the guest services and explain the stich (that you and the baby were waitin while the others rode or whatever) and that they will indeed make sure the whole family gets the dream pass. That's kind of them.

Just remember, that it's all lagniape. No one else is offering a million dreams, so try not to take it personal and DO ask if you feel you've been slighted.

....lI'm off for a day and a half in DL in 6 days...will let ya know if I run into a dream sqad!!!!

[newjerseynick]

Originally posted by Colorado Belle:
Well I'm one of the ones who hasn't even SEEN the Dream Squad.

Our 1st trip in 2006 we saw them each of the 6 days we were there, but never won anything.
Our last 2 trips to WDW and on our DL trip we didn't see them at all.:idontgeti

Nick

[Delaware Mike]

Last year, we spent 9 days (8 nights) at WDW and saw The Squad each day.

Never a prize for us, but I'm keeping fingers crossed for this year.

(But I refuse to hold my breath... :) )

[tomandrobin]

Since our last post on this thread, we have had three more trips to WDW (19 days total) and still have not one anything. We have three more trips to WDW planned for this year, July, November and December. But at this point we have almost given up hope of being rewarded by the Dream Squad.

[greenban]

Since our last post on this thread, we have had three more trips to WDW (19 days total) and still have not one anything. We have three more trips to WDW planned for this year, July, November and December. But at this point we have almost given up hope of being rewarded by the Dream Squad.


We approached the dream squad twice at DTD (after also being ignored by them on 3 trips, two of which, had everyone behaving and in a great mood when we passed the Dream Squad.

So with looks of desperation in our eyes, our Mickey ears in our hands and our boo-boo kitty look on our faces, we angled towards them DSers (pronounced like DISser, BTW, a connection????? Perhaps), and jumped at them from all 5 sides at once!

We got tinkerbell lanyards with tink pins, YOMD logoed, no less.

Begging for Dream Fast Passes just met with laughter, lots and lots of laughter.

I then asked if the ever heard of the DIS (they had) or MOs (they hadn't :( ).

When I said my name is WMD, (and explained I was a short Dentist, they took my Lanyard away!!!!

Fortunately, DW and the kiddos kept theirs. This worked on 2 days, so we each have 2 YOMD tink lanyards (well I only have 1, <sigh>)

-Tony

[shortypots]

We have been twice for 7 days each during the YOMD and we have seen the dream squad each time at various intervals, but have not been lucky enough to score any gifts. I am definitely guessing that we are not in the targeted market group since we were all adults (groups of 4 or 5) with no children each time.

[Mary]

I had my lanyard with pins on it and an angry guest forcibly grabbed my arm once during fireworks in MK because they wanted me to get them throughan area that was blocked. I have a cute plastic pin with my name on it that is similar to the ones the CM where. They used to make them up and sell them in the MK. Mary

[bernie]

My husband daughter and I have been to disney at least 6 times during the last 2 years and I have never seen anyone passing out anything and have never been approached by a dream team. We don't go in the morning but later in the day. We are beginning to think they don't exist. Oh well it doesn't matter we don't go to Disneyworld to get anything we just go for the magic of it all

[hlyntunstl]

I've never seen the Dream Squad but have heard stories about how people have gotten their dream FPs. Both were in the park early..not necessarily at rope drop but within the first hour or so. One was in line at Soarin and the other was in the courtyard in front of the castle in MK. I also spoke with someone who was on Star Tours when one of his fellow passengers won the castle stay. It is computer generated (3:12pm go to car 15 row 3 seat 4). On Comcast OnDemand, they showed one where the person happened to be drinking from a water fountain at DTD at the designated time.

It's fun to think about winning and I do get jealous when I see the dream FPs but I might not be so "good for you" about it if I was constantly just missing the chance.

[TriciaS]

I have to stand up for the dream team because I was lucky enough to spend the night in Cinderella's Castle and I have to say it was awesome!!!!
We were in Disney last August when my nephew won while on Soarin. The Dream Team which consisted of at least 6 people had told us it was the 3rd time that day they tried to give away that prize (other 2 people were related to CM). Talk about luck. They only allow 6 people to stay so my DB was so very nice and let me take his spot. (Stayed with SIL, DN, DN, DS, & DD)
It was my favorite Disney moment ever!! I was even more excited than the kids.
We had a tour guide that led us to the front of lines and catered to our every need. All of the CM at MK made us feel special and referred to us as the Royal Family all night.
We went back to Disney in Feb and it was sort of a let down because now we're just waiting for something to happen to us. We did run into our guide from our night and he did give us free Dole whips and fast passes.

[Kynna]

We never saw the actual Dream Team but we got two "magical moments" as the CM's put it and we watched them both log it into a book. Once we my 4 yr old got a free Ice Cream at OKW and once my girls got Tink Pins from a CM at the store in Dinoland. Honestly little things like that can be really nice but the hope for winning a big prize can be a bit distracting. I had to give my kids a reality check about not expecting to stay in the Castle because they had seen it on the Disney Channel so many times.

[Simba's Mom]

When I went up to the Dream Squad and askedwhy everyone around me was getting the Dream FPs but not me, they told me they figured I was a CM. When they found out I wasn't, they were so appologetic! Later that day, I ran into the same Dream Squad again and went up to a member and asked how he'd gotten the job as a Dream Squad member. You'd think I'd given him a Dream by asking him that. He was so enthusiastic and happy about telling me-you could tell he truly loved his job. It's been a while since this all happened, but the happiness and enthusiasm in his voice will always stay with me.

[tinker_me_happy]

My thoughts on the whole YOMD thing: Honestly... I hope I don't see them. I would be THRILLED to win ANYTHING, but so sad if I was passed by. This trip is such a big deal for me since it is the first time I am able to bring my family to Disney. We could never afford to go when my kids were little and now they are almost grown and gone. So the magic for me is just being able to BE THERE! Congrats to all those who have won, but I will be happy when the promo is over.