? about the new Disney Volunteer Promo About This Page:

[mom23k9s]

Earlier there was some talk on the boards that Disney would be extending the "What will you celebrate?" promo. Do you think this Volunteer promo is in addition to the Celebrate promo or instead of?

[lauren-roxy]

I have a feeling that it might be instead of.

[Caldercup]

I think it's instead of -- the fact that the end-date for WWYC is now prominently displayed on their website's front page makes me think that.

Plus, this is probably a better PR deal for them and they have altered their marketing materials in such a way that the balloons are still prominently displayed -- so they can use much of their current line without having to toss it all out.
Eileen

PS - I was one who thought WWYC would be extended, but I'm pleasantly surprised with the new promotion. I like things that motivate us to be more charitable with our time.

[Dave Marx]

I think this is a hybrid. They want to end the free admission on your birthday thing at the end of the year, but the basic notion of What Will You Celebrate - coming to Disney for a variety of family celebrations, clearly continues, as it's part of the overall evolution of Disney facilitating these kinds of events (and making good money doing it). I don't think they'll be eliminating any of the other elements in the "celebration." As with Year of a Million Dreams, some aspects will stretch on into a new year, and others will change.

I think it's a good move to go from something focused on the individual to something focused on the greater good, especially considering the state of the economy. Disney already does a lot along these lines with the CMs - encouraging their involvement in community volunteerism, etc.. It's kind of natural to finally move it out to the guests as well. And if, as I suspect, they've had a better business year than folks expect, it helps them to show they're encouraging community give-back.

What will you celebrate? The enduring spirit of humanity as embodied in It's A Small World, The Hall of Presidents, The American Experience, The World Showcase as a whole... Celebrate voluntarism. It's a good thing!

OK, I've been watching the Ken Burns National Parks documentary... It all sorts of fits together. (For those of you with some memory, Susan Shumaker, co-author with Than Safel of Vegetarian Walt Disney World, was chief researcher for Ken Burns on that project.)

[chezp]

Originally Posted by Dave Marx

I think this is a hybrid. They want to end the free admission on your birthday thing at the end of the year, but the basic notion of What Will You Celebrate - coming to Disney for a variety of family celebrations, clearly continues, as it's part of the overall evolution of Disney facilitating these kinds of events (and making good money doing it). I don't think they'll be eliminating any of the other elements in the "celebration." As with Year of a Million Dreams, some aspects will stretch on into a new year, and others will change.

I think it's a good move to go from something focused on the individual to something focused on the greater good, especially considering the state of the economy. Disney already does a lot along these lines with the CMs - encouraging their involvement in community volunteerism, etc.. It's kind of natural to finally move it out to the guests as well. And if, as I suspect, they've had a better business year than folks expect, it helps them to show they're encouraging community give-back.

What will you celebrate? The enduring spirit of humanity as embodied in It's A Small World, The Hall of Presidents, The American Experience, The World Showcase as a whole... Celebrate voluntarism. It's a good thing!

OK, I've been watching the Ken Burns National Parks documentary... It all sorts of fits together. (For those of you with some memory, Susan Shumaker, co-author with Than Safel of Vegetarian Walt Disney World, was chief researcher for Ken Burns on that project.)

That was pretty much my understanding of things - the free admission on your birthday is ending at the end of the year, but the What Will You Celebrate idea is continuing into next year, with the emphasis on free admission switching to volunteers.