2011 Theme "Let the Memories Begin"

[BrerGnat]

I can easily see the negative side on this one -
that they are trading on past glories and old memories, and that for so many devoted fans, this year cant possibly compare to the World they enjoyed in the past.

Yep, I thought about this too. It can go down a road that Disney PROBABLY doesn't want us to go down...

"Remember when cast members were ALL friendly and helpful?"

"Remember when the dining plan used to include tips?"

"Remember when resort rooms used to be affordable?"

"Remember when Disney ACTUALLY celebrated milestones, like the 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th anniversaries?"

"Remember when Main Street WASN'T a themed strip mall?"

I could go on...

[Gregandmel]

Let the Memories Begin - you know, like "Remember when we all had enough money to go to WDW?"

Thanks for that!

[Imagineer1981]

How about the days when you could go without a theme? Just disney...no "celebrate" or whatever. It made the milestones like 15,20,25 years all magical and IMPORTANT. Now we are saying we'd be shocked if they do the 40th...what!!! its the 40th!!! thats important

[4myprincesses]

just so long as there isn't a giant castle cake...

I do remember the non-theme days and honestly would not miss them one bit. We did the give-a-day promo and had a wonderful time volunteering at our zoo for a day. Other than that, the promos and themes have not really inspired us to do much of anything different from simply enjoying WDW.

[DizneyRox]

How about the days when you could go without a theme? Just disney...no "celebrate" or whatever.

But then what do you put on the shirts and hats to sell in the stores?

[mom2mickeyfan]

just so long as there isn't a giant castle cake...

I do remember the non-theme days and honestly would not miss them one bit. We did the give-a-day promo and had a wonderful time volunteering at our zoo for a day. Other than that, the promos and themes have not really inspired us to do much of anything different from simply enjoying WDW.

I agree. We haven't really paid any attention to the themes until last year. We also enjoyed volunteering and it was our first time doing anything like that. We used ours for fast passes and even though we went during a busy time, we had one of the best times and got to ride more than ever. Our family was hoping the promo would be done again this year!

[GothMickey]

How about the days when you could go without a theme? Just disney...no "celebrate" or whatever. It made the milestones like 15,20,25 years all magical and IMPORTANT. Now we are saying we'd be shocked if they do the 40th...what!!! its the 40th!!! thats important

In my opinion, the 40th is not as important as say the 50th. To me, the 40th means really nothing. Plus, I understand Disney is looking to move away from celebrating an anniversary every 5 years. So don't expect a 40th celebration. However, expect a 50th. And in my opinion, this is the way they should go.

They can have a little ceremony and a 1 day celebration on October 1, 2011. After that, no 40th celebration at all. Just go about the business of getting FLE completed. Then, in 10 years, have a 16 month-long 50th celebration.

[Scar]

In my opinion, the 40th is not as important as say the 50th. To me, the 40th means really nothing. Plus, I understand Disney is looking to move away from celebrating an anniversary every 5 years. So don't expect a 40th celebration. However, expect a 50th. And in my opinion, this is the way they should go.

Makes perfect sense to me.

I've never once booked a trip based on a celebration (unless you count the F&W Festival.) I go when I want to go, and if there happens to be something going on that interests me (like the millennium building in World Showcase in 2000,) then I enjoy it. If not... so be it.

[GothMickey]

Makes perfect sense to me.

I've never once booked a trip based on a celebration (unless you count the F&W Festival.) I go when I want to go, and if there happens to be something going on that interests me (like the millennium building in World Showcase in 2000,) then I enjoy it. If not... so be it.

F&W is great! Wan't to book for Star Wars Weekend? Go ahead. Want to head down for Halloween and Christmas/Holiday season? Be my guest. Want to "Celebrate" You? Me? Today? Tomorrow? Your job? No thanks. Does not entice me to come down to WDW. Stick with the seasonal celebrations/festivities. Celebrate MAJOR milestones, like the 25th, Walt's 100 birthday, WDW's 50th. But stop the celebrations of the 40th, 45th. These are not real anniversaries and do not need to be celebrated.

The funny thing is, most people complain about Disney doing these celebrations as a money grab. Then the same people want Disney to celebrate a non-major anniversary, the 40th, which, if Disney did, would be nothing but a money grab, suckering people into buying 40th anniversary merchandise.

[Daisy'sMom]

Disney just tweeted that they had a special annoucement tomorrow about the parks. Wonder if this is it?

[disneymom2000]

Maybe they will bring back some old attractions that people have missed since they have been discontinued like Body Wars or Horizons. Maybe they will have a better special on the photo pass - instead of free dining you can get a free photo pass cd.

[Disney4us2]

I can't wait to see what it is. I wish they would bring back the Year of a Million Dreams. I loved that promotion.

[Fastpasssteve]

Note to self: Forward message about recession being over to Disney. It's time they amped-up their year's theme.

[DisnIse]

I wonder what Disneyworld will do for their midlife crisis now that it's 40.....
Somehow Alien Encounter / Stitch's Great Escape seems like enough of a "What was I thinking?" to last a Disneyworld lifetime!

[Dyanna]

Maybe they will bring back some old attractions that people have missed since they have been discontinued like Body Wars or Horizons. Maybe they will have a better special on the photo pass - instead of free dining you can get a free photo pass cd.

I like your thinking. When you book a ressie you should have a choice of choosing either free dinning or a free photopass cd or maybe even the photopass photo album. Since we are a family who does not utilize free dinning it would be nice to have the option of another free perk in its place!

[Mousefever]

I can't wait to see what it is. I wish they would bring back the Year of a Million Dreams. I loved that promotion.

I totally agree! I was so excited when our train from BTM exited and we were waylaid by the Dream Team! Dream fast passes for everyone! That was such a fun promotion because everyone in the parks had a chance to receive a special surprise.

Amy

[Cinderelley]

I am rather disappointed.

[Scar]

When you book a ressie you should have a choice of choosing either free dinning or a free photopass cd or maybe even the photopass photo album. Since we are a family who does not utilize free dinning it would be nice to have the option of another free perk in its place!

You do. Typically a 30-40% room discount is offered to guests who don't use free dining. That's worth more to me than free dining.

[MarkC]

In fairness to Disney, there are only so many things you can do with a marketing campaign every year. And like another poster noted, I really didn't pay attention to them in the past. We've never scheduled a trip based on the theme or a particular event going on. We just go when we need a vacation, or in this case a 'Disney fix'.

I did like the Give a day- get a day because that was money in my pocket and we had a good time volunteering, but the theme really doesn't hold any special meaning to me.

[crltkcagle]

I couldn't agree more. I hated the whole celebrate theme. And the awful balloons all over the monorail. It just reminded me of the 80's for some reason.

Well, it's better than "Celebrate...Please Fill In the Blank"...That one was pretty much on the low end of the creativity scale...