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Disney ends free ticket program after 1 million volunteers sign up
Disney Parks announced Tuesday that the company's goal of recruiting 1 million people to donate their time and get a 1-day ticket to Disney in return has been reached, and the "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" promotion is ending.Those participating in the program signed up to volunteer through the nationwide HandsOn Network. Although volunteer registration has ended, those who completed their volunteer activity still have until Dec. 15 to use their free park ticket at Walt Disney World or Disneyland.
In 2009, Disney distributed 1.2 million free tickets to anyone who went to one of their U.S. theme parks on his or her birthday. That's about 100,000 per month. The volunteer promotion was getting 100,000 participants per week this year.
At a media event last month at Walt Disney World, Disney officials admitted they were "overwhelmed" by this response.
No word yet on what will happen to the daily "pre-parade" in the Magic Kingdom that is designed to celebrate the promotion. It was the first new use of the Muppets at Walt Disney World in several years, and I hope that the promotion's end doesn't relegate Miss Piggy back to her dressing room.
Gallery: Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Grand Opening
Before you go, be sure to check out Episode 4 of Gadling's Travel Talk TV, which features good and bad pilots, Holi, and a sofa in an aquarium!
Filed under: United States
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
JLoJo Mar 10th 2010 12:09PM
This is very disappointing. It seems that Disney's commitment to encourage volunteerism only extended to 1 million free tickets, and after that, they're more interested in making money. When they started promoting this opportunity, I don't remember hearing "ends after we've reached 1 million volunteers" - I thought this was their promotion for all of 2010.
Teresa Mar 10th 2010 1:52PM
They always said it would only be 1 million.
Jay T Mar 10th 2010 2:36PM
OMG, you're kidding JLoJo,...Disney is ending their promotion of volunteerism after a million participants,...OH No! What,...Where does it say Disney is a charitable organisation? God forbid they should actually turn a profit,...or is that even still legal in Obama's Utopian Worker's Paradise,...
This in the United States of America,...its freemarket capitalism,...not ObaMao's Marxist Utopia. (I'll wait while you look up some of those words)
COCO Mar 10th 2010 3:18PM
I agree I didn't hear anything about that either. I signed up in the begining of the yr. but have not completed my volunteer work, because they have not contacted me about a date to come volunteer. So what about those people?
Stephanie Mar 10th 2010 3:41PM
Of course they had to limit it. Could you imagine if they continued it all year at 1mill every 3 months!! Come Dec Disney Parks would be so overwelemingly crowded with people trying to use up their free tickets it wouldn't be any fun, the lines would be too long and ingnorant people like you would complain that it wasn't worth it cause you couldn't even do anything. I'm sure they didn't expect the turn out they got, and are thrilled they got 1mill people to volunteer that quick... I'm sure they are already thinking of how to make it better next year.
Stephanie Mar 10th 2010 3:42PM
If anything they should continue the program, but give people longer to use the tickets... Make it so they can use them next year or make them good for up to 5 years. Or even make them transferable, so instead of just being able to donate them, you could give them as gifts to family or friends.
Nikki Mar 10th 2010 2:36PM
The Disney corporation acts like they are overwhelmed. What did they expect with their tickets and everything else inside the parks are so expensive?!
vjm1017 Mar 10th 2010 2:48PM
One day ticket to Disney World is $79, so they have "donated" $79,000,000 to encourage volunteerism in America. JLoJo, how many corporations do you know that have done this? In one way it's sad that this promotion is already over in March, but on the other hand, isn't it wonderful that they got 1 million people to volunteer in such a short time?!
Patrick Mar 10th 2010 4:14PM
Actually, they didn't donate that amount. If they want to calculate the costs they incur for individuals just walking into the park, then sure, they might have donated that amount of money, but lets face it, getting a free ticket into a park is a minuscule part of what you spend when you go to Disney. Food, drinks, souvenirs, any other incremental charges (parking, etc). Then add to it the fact that the vast majority of people who don't live where a park is located will be getting hotels (perhaps at one of Disney's properties) and will stay for several days, Disney is basically adding a million customers who may or may have not been planning a trip to Disney already. They are not losing a dime on this and will gain quite a bit of money.
Don't get me wrong, I am not being critical of them-getting people to volunteer is a good thing, but given Disney will probably get some massive tax write off plus generate tons of new revenue from those folks getting their free ticket while they blow tons more money at their parks, I am guessing they will come out way ahead for this...plus engender good will with a lot of people.
marcar Mar 10th 2010 2:53PM
How did even this issue become Obama's fault JayT? 1st of all Obama is no Mao and 2nd of all Disney can afford to be very charitable. The cost for entry to the parks alone will break you if you are a set of parents with one child and are of modest means. You now, you have to pay for a hotel for at least one night if you have a kid because you are not going to sleep in the car or drive however many hours home if you don't live in the area, food inside the park, breakfast before you go to the park, there are alot more things you have to spend money on besides just the entrance. I personally know many people that are from right here in FL that have only gone to Disney once or have never gone because they can't afford it. And again, Obama has nothing to do with this, that comment is just ridiculous!
COCO Mar 10th 2010 3:18PM
Thank you marcar for the comment, it has nothing to do with Obama, that was a stupid comment.
Olga Coble Mar 10th 2010 3:41PM
Marcar Do you not catch on to the fact that Obama wants to spread the wealth, and so Disney should not close the door. Obama wants socialism. Give what the hard worker worked for to the one that just wants welfare.
cali Mar 10th 2010 3:12PM
If you go back to the original announcement in October 2009, you will READ that it indicated 1 million. There are no changes to the offer. The intent was to stimulate people to volunteering....and it succeeded. Disney can't help it if you can't read or listen
Ruth Mar 10th 2010 3:12PM
I think Disney has done a great job in encourage volunteerism. I took my whole family to a local organization to donate our time. I never knew this organization needed volunteers before, until saw their name on the list. They were thrilled to have us volunteer. They told us they have never had so many volunteers at their office. Our family plans to return and do more time for them.
Carmon Mar 10th 2010 3:17PM
Well, we are signed up and did not complete our activity as of yet. It is scheduled for the end of April. So our free tickets will not happen. BUT, if you go to Disney for a length of stay, adding one day only increases the price by a few dollars. So Disney was never actually giving away $79,000,000. Most people don't go to Disney for just one day.
We may still complete our activity anyway. Not getting the free ticket will not deter our going to WDW in May, 2010.
Manda Mar 10th 2010 3:36PM
If you are already registered to complete an activity, Disney will still give you the vouchers for a Free Day. You just had to be registered and signed up for an activity already. Hope this helps.
Leigh Caldwell Mar 10th 2010 3:33PM
Hi Carmon - If you are already signed up to complete your volunteer activity, you will still get your free ticket. The sign-ups are closed, but those already in the pipeline are part of Disney's 1 million.
Carol Mar 10th 2010 3:34PM
My family had the opportunity to volunteer at a rescue mission that provides temporary living quarters for homeless mothers and children. We were fortunate in two ways. First, we had the chance to fellowship with these moms who are working hard to make a better life for themselves and their kids. Second, we were rewarded with park admission to Disney. Thank you to both the shelter and Disney for the opportunities you gave me and my family. Although Disney may not be able to give us free park admission every time we volunteer, this program allowed us to be introduced to the joys of volunteering.
Olga Coble Mar 10th 2010 3:31PM
What happens to the people that have signed up for a volunteer assignment, but there day has not come and so they lose out?
Carmon Mar 10th 2010 3:39PM
According to other responses listed, we can still complete our service and get our free tickets.