Friday, September 19, 2008

Son Of Dreams...


Finally the "Year of a Million Dreams" celebration is over two years after it was unveiled...

Now we have its successor, "Celebrations". To be truthful, IMHO anything would be an improvement over the bland Dreams campaign, but this new one actually has a few things that I think are really smart marketing(if they'd only not call it "Disney Parks", but that's always been one of my beef's with Jay's running of the Parks and Resorts).

First off, if it's your birthday throughout 2009 you get into Disneyland free... that's right, free. Of course, we know almost no one goes to DL alone so they're banking on increased attendance to make up for you getting inside for free. There's going to be a new parade called "Celebrate Today", special decorations(again, anything would be better than those horridly ugly "clouds" in front of the entrance) and various other prices.

Jay Rasulo was interviewed by the Orange County Register talking about his retirement... errr, wait, wait. No, I'm sorry. That was a slip-up on my keyboard... that was what I hoped it would be about, but it's really about the new advertising campaign which I guess is appropriate. I guess.

Hey, it's Disneyland... You can wish, can't you?

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

You can wish, just as I wish. I have heard soo much about him resigning in the past and nothing ever comes of it. Will we be celebrating his departure by the time this new celebration ends?

Anonymous said...

so what restaurant...

Anonymous said...

Euhm, was this the big anouncement I waited for all day yesterday?

Bummer...

Debbie said...

It's not just DL, Honor. It's WDW, too! Here's the promo link I got from Disney Rewards and tweeted about yesterday: http://tinyurl.com/4ndvax

Anonymous said...

i have been posting on other blogs - this is a lot more flash and no sizzle. The Celebrate Today is NOT a parade, but a "street party" which can be anything. And, most of the celebrations are just reasons to come to the parks - there are no attached benefits (even the Barbecue at DLR is meant to be a separate ticket event). I am truly underwhelmed and not fooled by this bright and shiny object. Honor - thank you as always.

Spokker said...

No new ride. No new parade. No new show. Just another lame and tacky promotion. Whatever happened to "The Happiest Place On Earth"? They are constantly finding new ways to dress up Disneyland when it's already as dressed up as it's going to get.

The press release boasts new decorations such as balloons, party hats and banners. You mean to tell me they're going to take the perfect theme, mood and atmosphere that Imagineers like John Hench have created and put banners and party hats over them?

One can only hope that they put a giant party hat on top of the Matterhorn and outdo the absurdity of Epcot's former Mickey wand.

The new promotion is a desperate "buy X get 1 free deal" dressed up as this huge event. I understand the economy is bad, but Disney looks almost desperate here.

Not only that, but they are allowing payment plans on annual passes. Come on! You're going to be able to put your AP on layway now? NO INTEREST PAYMENTS FOR 12 MONTHS?!

It's quickly turning into the ghettoest place on Earth.

Honor Hunter said...

That's a little extreme, Spokker...

I was just at DL a day ago. It's anything but a ghetto. The great thing about these decorations is that they are temporary and removable. So in a year or so you won't have to see them anymore.

Also, this wasn't an announcement about rides or other attractions... it wasn't supposed to be. It was about the advertising campaign. Anything and everything about the other parts of the resort will come later...

Don't you read the Buzz's?

;P

Spokker said...

"The great thing about these decorations is that they are temporary and removable."

So was the Million Dreams stuff. Doesn't make it any less tacky.

I heard a rumor that Lasseter toured the park and expressed his displeasure over the Million Dreams decorations and they were toned down.

I only have to wonder what he'll think of balloons, party hats, and banners on Main St. Maybe they'll bring back those loud, smelly vacuums that used to clean up confetti after Light Magic.

Anonymous said...

Honor, I'd like to share a couple of suggestions with you:

1) Please ban Spokker from posting on this blog.

2) I disagree with you on the "Year of a Million Dreams".

3) Please stop talking about Rasulo. We know you don't like him, but you know darn well that he's not that bad (Eisner and Pressler were A LOT worse), so please give it a break--it's getting more and more obnoxious.

I get the feeling that this blog is going to follow suit with all the other anti-Disney sites out there and become more and more negative. :'(

Spokker said...

"3) Please stop talking about Rasulo. We know you don't like him, but you know darn well that he's not that bad (Eisner and Pressler were A LOT worse), so please give it a break--it's getting more and more obnoxious."

Please ban anonymous from this blog. He's being so negative :(

Spokker said...

From the OC Register:

"...this is a program that will be noticeable the second you come into the park. There will be banners — “Celebrate today” — that will kind of give the guests a whole festive sense of arrival. Cast members will also receive special training. There will be parade stops when they call out “everybody who’s celebrating a birthday, come into the parade,” and other entertainment events."

Oh God...

Anonymous said...

I found an interesting thing on this promotion in the faq section.

I am a Passholder (or have a valid Multi-Day Ticket or a Seasonal Pass that I will use for admission on my birthday in 2009), so I don't need to take advantage of this offer. If I register, is there anything else I could receive on my birthday?

* A birthday fun card in an amount equal to the price of a 1-day Magic Your Way base ticket* for you to use on your birthday for merchandise, recreation or fun activities at select participating locations at Walt Disney World® Resort; or
* A special birthday FASTPASS® badge+ for certain attractions at the Theme Park you visit on your birthday; or
* A 1-day Magic Your Way base ticket for you to use any time until your next birthday.

Now that sounds like a pretty good idea. So, special fastpass or 60 bucks of disney stuff, I like that.

Anonymous said...

Please ban anonymous from this blog. He's being so negative :(

Look who's talking...