The Dream Squad being "picky"?

[mudpuppysmom]

I just got off the phone with my cousin.....they live in Daytona and frequent the parks VERY frequently. Last weekend they were down and in the MK. Bill says that they are now under the impression that if you are local, the Dream Squad just says, "Hi" to you and moves on once they find out you are a local. I asked how he came to this revelation as I have been approached by Dream Squad members and also DS has approached Dream Squad members and in all meeting I don't really recall them asking where we were from!! I know that once they did ask DS, but only after we were on our way into the control tower at IASW that he was asked.

Bill reports that he was approached as they exited BTMRR and small talk was made, then asked where he was from and the kids answered DAYTONA!! The Dream Squad then just sort of walked away and said "have a nice day". I can't believe that!!!! Bill's wife, Paula was approached separately and once again, small talk initially, then asked where they were from and once again when they replied they were local that was the end of the encounter. I did as if their messenger bag was bulging or not -- he didn't remember .....seems to me if their bags are bulging they are going to give what is in there away. Bill also does not report if peeps behind them received any prize or special treatment.

I told him that if they are fulfilling a prize that it does not matter WHERE you are from, they are to fulfill the prize right there.

Well, Bill disagrees that they are not discriminating between tourists and locals.........what do you guys think???? Personally I don't think they are being discriminated against.....I think there may have possibly been a Magical Moment in the making and they found out they were local and figure they come all the time.....that is magical enough. Then again, I'm sure there are some kids that are local that only get the chance to go once or twice in their lifetime because their parents just don't want to do "touristy" things!

Thoughts?!?!?!

[SBETigg]

From what I've heard of how the process works, it is designed so that no one can possibly be discriminated against, involving random selection based on certain criteria ie: the fifth person in line for Haunted Mansion. Etc. I don't think anyone would be passed over for simply being a FL resident. It's possible the CM was just making small talk while waiting for the right number of people to pass by? I don't know. I just wouldn't automatically jump in and assume discrimination. Disney is so conscious of legal issues that I highly doubt they would set themselves up for even the slightest possibility of discriminating.

[dakotamom]

when we were at WDW, there were several instances where we met people carrying the Dream Team bags, and wearing what I believed were official dream team uniforms - blue shirt, tan pants, white type shirt/collar. We just made small talk. My DS exchanged pins, visited but no award was made.

When we were "picked" by Dream team, there were always several dream team members together, they were all wearing the same uniform and had the bag. they announced that everyone won, not just those from out of state. We were fortunate to be picked 3 times, and ran into what I call miscellaneous dream team people 3 times within the park.

I kind of think your relative was just visited with some one that wasn't giving out prizes that day.

Sorry.

[GenieOfPA]

from what i have heard, the way it works is that each day the dream team is given a list of certain times, and certain places, and certain number of winners, and so-and-so place in line (ie: 3:45pm, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, 15 winners, 30 people from the front) so that it is comepletely random and in no way discriminating. in a contest like this with so many prizes being awarded it would be very hard for disney to discriminate. i've even heard that the dream team doesn't even know what prize will be awarded until it comes time to award it.

[JPL]

I know this was brought up alot of different times before the promotion started so I am sure Disney is well aware of the concerns and have made adjustments if any were needed to make sure this couldn't happen. I wouldn't think they would discriminate at all.

[Magic Smiles]

When we were "picked" by Dream team, there were always several dream team members together, they were all wearing the same uniform and had the bag. they announced that everyone won, not just those from out of state. We were fortunate to be picked 3 times, and ran into what I call miscellaneous dream team people 3 times within the park.
Sorry.

What did you win when you were "picked"?

[Carol]

SBETigg & GenieOfPA are correct!

You are not "picked" by the Dream Squad. They are dispatched as where to go and who gets what. It has absolutely nothing to do with where you live, your age, looks, group makeup ... etc.

You simply have to be in the right place - at the right time.

[mudpuppysmom]

These are ALL the things I told him when I talked to him!!! He said he begs to differ though, so I guess he'll just beg to differ for now!!! I told him it is TOTALLY randon on who, where, what and when!!!! And I can attest that it is!!! DS and I were entering One Man's Dream and were given wristbands and told to wait inside for further instruction......after about 20 ppl entered the Dream Squad told us what our "prize" was.....and Extra Dream Magic Hour that night at MGM....meet at Indiana Jones theatre at 8 pm, we got released at 8:30ish and had the park to ourselves (with about 2000 other people though) until 9:30 which was when we strolled out with not a soul in sight........believe me, I know it is totally random!!

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

Wow, that must have been a truly magical experience. I hope I'm picked when I go in August.

[goofygirl67]

I only ever saw the Dream Team once. I was walking through the West side at DTD and they introduced themselves as the DT from EPCOT. They never asked me where I was from (I live in Jax Fl), and gave me a free pair of ears.
I assumed I didn't see much of them since I don't do the mornings at WDW, I like to stay later at night.

[McGoofy]

As others have said, the prizes are completely random. The cast members don't know who is chosen until they are told to go to a certain place at a certain time. Also, the dream team members do walk around making small talk with guests. We were approached by these people twice during our November visit. Once we were given buttons to wear and the other time we were given a one time fast past for any ride at MGM. I don't recall them asking where we were from in our conversation. I don't think that they would discriminate with the locals. If anything, I think repeat customers should be rewarded for continuing to dump money into the parks!

[dakotamom]

When I said "picked" I was using the term people use when referring to the dream team. We were in the right place at the right time. we won dream fast passes at Epcot, Animal Kingdom and MGM.

But I would like to point out 2 things: we were "awarded", "selected", "put whatever term you want here"...other special things throughout our stay by regular cast members. We had a very wonderful experience and it wasn't all because of a dream team.

And while I'm on my soapbox, I wish people on the boards wouldn't be so picky when a member has a typo/misprint. why can't we just be nice and read their message with the intent? To use this as an example - was I the only one who got quoted for using "picked" in reference to the dream team or did every one who used the same phrase also get corrected?

I admit I'm not an expert on Disney, I am, however, new to these boards, so is it just me?

[dtootsie42]

And while I'm on my soapbox, I wish people on the boards wouldn't be so picky when a member has a typo/misprint. why can't we just be nice and read their message with the intent? To use this as an example - was I the only one who got quoted for using "picked" in reference to the dream team or did every one who used the same phrase also get corrected?

I admit I'm not an expert on Disney, I am, however, new to these boards, so is it just me?

Dakotamom, I'm sorry that you feel people on the boards are not nice and are picky when others make a typo/misprint. I know at times my fingers go faster than my mind and after I read what I posted I think what was I thinking?? I have found that certain subjects on the boards get people going (the dining plan is one).

I'm not an expert on Disney either but it is a place I truly love and it is the one place that my husband truly relaxes. I like going to the boards and reading comments and I have learned a lot about Disney from people who go often.

I would think that if the dream teams tried to pick based on where you lived or other stuff like that...management would have all sorts of complaints.

To those that have been lucky to win something, Congrats!!!!

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Upcoming trip
Dec. 2007-Poly Concierge

[ToDisney]

Ya'll should check out my thoughts on the subject at Trip Reports, My post is "Dream Team???"

It pretty much sums up the disappointment that I felt with the treatment of the so called "Dream Team"

Let's just go back to the classic "Caring Cast Members"
I have a 15 and 11 year old, so I didn't remember much about ToonTown. (When we saw Mickey it was at Chef Mickey's) We had a 4 and 5 yr old with us who by late afternoon were pretty cranky and I didn't know where to find Mickey.
I grabbed a CM off the street past Minnies house and Begged "Do you know where we can find Mickey!"
Not only did he say YES but he also said he could probably find him "right away"
He Did, we waited for one family, and then we got the best pictures and the HAPPIEST two little people we had seen all afternoon!
After we left there I felt like looking for that guy and giving him a huge HUG! Now ThAT is what DREAMs are!


OOPPs I got a lil carried away

[GiltterDisneyGirl]

Wow, never heard of this before, but thats just odd to just leave in the middle of talking, really odd and very rude.

[MNNHFLTX]

When I said "picked" I was using the term people use when referring to the dream team. We were in the right place at the right time. we won dream fast passes at Epcot, Animal Kingdom and MGM.

But I would like to point out 2 things: we were "awarded", "selected", "put whatever term you want here"...other special things throughout our stay by regular cast members. We had a very wonderful experience and it wasn't all because of a dream team.

And while I'm on my soapbox, I wish people on the boards wouldn't be so picky when a member has a typo/misprint. why can't we just be nice and read their message with the intent? To use this as an example - was I the only one who got quoted for using "picked" in reference to the dream team or did every one who used the same phrase also get corrected?

I'm sorry if you felt like you were being corrected. I guess I had a different perception about it--I thought folks were quoting the term "picked" because you did, not because it was incorrect or a misprint or anything like that. Anyway, we welcome your contributions here on INTERCOT.

As far as the original question about the Dream Team, from everything I've heard they are required to award prizes based on pretty specific criteria. I think it's probably a coincidence (and a shame) that they struck up a conversation with someone (twice), only to walk away.

[Carol]

I thought folks were quoting the term "picked" because you did, not because it was incorrect or a misprint or anything like that.

Exactly.

[allie_to_you]

You know, in a lot of ways, getting selected for Dream Team giveaway is like winning the lottery. Sure, there are slightly better odds for winning a fast pass or ears, pin or whatever, but still, it's all a matter of luck, but some people get there nose so bent out of shape if they don't win something and its not even funny. I mean come on. So what if you see the dream team and you don't win something. It's not the end of the world...dissapointing maybe, but not a tragedy. Also, just because you don't get picked, you shouldn't think it's all fixed or a conspiracy against you. It's just not your lucky day. People buy lottery tickets every day but only a few people win. This is the same thing.

[Marker]

Goodness, I guess I just don't understand how you can feel disappointed over something like that. It's not some sort of entitlement that EVERY guest should expect.

I guess in that sort of view, they shouldn't do it at all unless they are going to give something to EVERYONE. But then it wouldn't be much of surprise if they did it that way, and it certainly wouldn't be anything special.

Wouldn't it be nice if people could just be happy for those who are lucky enough to get something, instead of disppointed they didn't which sounds to me more like envy or jealousy.

Actually, if you have kids, it seems like a good learning/teaching opportunity to me about being able to be happy for the good fortune of others rather than feeling sorry for ourselves.

I'm going in March, and yes, it would be cool if I get lucky. But that's certainly not why I'm going. And actually, I'd find it cool to see some other family get something.

But that's just my opinion.

[LibertyTreeGal]

I, for one, am loving "living vicariously" through the stories I hear of people being blessed by the Dream Team! I can almost feel those special mouse ears on my own head..

I will be going to DL and WDW this year and that is an amazing blessing in itself. Given the choice between myself staying in either the Penthouse or the Suite and some nice family who scrimped and saved for a couple of years getting it instead, well, that's not even a contest, my vacation is magical with or without the "perks!" Like the Make-a-wish kiddos getting to pull the sword out of the stone instead of my kids, that is awesome in the extreme.

I thought about the Dream Team asking about where the people were from and the first thing that occurred to me was that maybe they had a specific prize for someone from Arkansas that day and they were asking a lot of people where they were from. There are a million reasons possible.