Are days numbered for “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day”?
Dewayne Bevil, News — By Dewayne Bevil on March 5, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Volunteers helped pack away canned goods at an event last month at Epcot. (Photo from Walt Disney Co.)
Indications show that the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” promotion, which encouraged volunteerism with the prospect of free admission to a Disney theme park, is coming to an end.
Last month, the company boasted that it had amassed more than 600,000 volunteers in the first six weeks of the program, which began Jan. 1, 2010.
“We have been overwhelmed by the response,” said Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
When the program was annouced to the public last fall, Disney said it would distribute tickets to the first 1 million to complete their service. At the volunteer celebration last month, there were no signs that the program would be extended past that mark.
Now, the HandsOn Network, which has partnered with Disney to match volunteers with volunteer opportunities, has sent an email to organization coordinators saying that it expects the program to end “very soon.”
A point of emphasis in the e-mail: “Only volunteers who have completed the registration and signed up for a specific date and time to volunteer before the program ends will get their vouchers for a Disney theme park ticket once their service has been verified.”
Disney remains mum about the cut-off date.
“We are close to our goal of inspiring 1 million people to make a difference by volunteering,” Disney World spokesman Rick Sylvain said Friday. “This spirit of volunteer is making a significant impact in communities across the country. When we reach our goal, we will be happy to share more details.”
Hmmm. More details? That doesn’t sound like “The End” does it? Stay tuned.
Tags: Disney World, Give a Day. Get a Disney Day., volunteerism
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36 Comments
I looked at this and was disappointed at the participating charities. For a Disney day we expected a full days work would be required. For some of these you only need a few hours of effort at best. Some of the volunteer jobs were downright simple and non challenging.Little wonder everyone is jumping on the band wagon. In many cases you hardly have to get off your seat for a morning.
I bet Disney never repeats this program.It offers very little benefit to them for the rest of the year.
Granted some of the options may have only taken a few hours of time to complete, but by signing up on the Hands on Network, I was introduced to two organizations that I never knew about. Our family made blankets for Project Linus, which have been turned in and we have received our vouchers. Since then we have made two more blankets and from the scrapes of fleece we are making smaller blankets for shelter animals. Had we not signed up for this opportunity we would have never learned about two wonderful organization that provide to children & homeless animals. I am sure that we are not the only family that will continue to support the organization(s) they signed up with through Hands on Network.
Who cares if it is a whole day or a few hours? Any bit helps! That’s the attitude you should have. Plus, there are many charities or organizations that only need a few hours of help, shouldn’t they be able to participate even though they don’t have a full day of work needed. Why are you focusing on the negative? the point it to get 1 million people to volunteer! It is amazing! Great job Disney!
Of course people shouldn’t have to have a prize waved in their face to do the right thing, but face it, very few people are used to volunteering without some kind a tengible benefit: looks good on the college resume, donations are a tax write-off, etc.
Disney Co. promised 1 million passes and they will deliver. They set it up so people could do many things within their area and budget. And almost a million have already responded. These are all reasons to celebrate the program from every possible angle.
We all know the truth: there will not be 1 million people visiting Walt Disney World for 1 single day to claim their prize and then leave. And should the John and Jane Doe family visit WDW for a week so each member of the family can use up their “free day,” the Does will have still pumped thousands into the local economy. I’m pretty sure most of the 1 million people were able to figure this out.
For those who didn’t, SeaWorld would like you to believe captive orcas love doing tricks while living in a bathtub. You can see for yourself at http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=06b_1267765340
This was just another gimmick by disney to try to boost sagging attendance at their theme parks. Nothing more nothing less. They might as well have given away the 1 million tickets, that’s what Universal did a while back last year on their web site. Volunteering to get a disney whatever is just a sham wake up people.
At least people stepped up to volunteer. That’s very commendable, much better than just giving a million tickets away. So kuddos to Disney. I’m sure that some of the people who volunteered will continue to do so. And if you don’t use your ticket, you can donate it. Delores, just because you don’t want to volunteer and help your fellow man, don’t condemn those who do and Disney who encourages it. I will bet many will donate their ticket. There are so many more good people in this world, they surely out number those like you who are just full of hate. Keep up the good work Disney.
Whether you believe it’s a gimmick is entirely up to you. I’d be willing to bet that the two children at the Boys and Girls Club of Orlando where my wife and I donated our tickets won’t care the slightest what your thoughts are on the program while they’re enjoying their day at Disney. I’ve been volunteering my time to various charities for about two decades, getting a ticket to give away was nothing more than a bonus.
This is a great program for our community. I hope that Disney will continue it past the one million ticket mark!
We tried to volunteer but the disney give a day site was so screwed up that we could never finish the sign up process. We finally gave up after one of the disney reps on their customer support for this was extremely rude. It just isn’t worth it. And some people had to spend like two days for it while others spent a couple of hours. A good thought but extremely poor execution of the program.
I have to agree. I signed up for a date. However, the lady in charge wanted me a different day. So, I went the second day. According to the account, even though I volunteered… says “Volunteer Opportunity Not Completed
The date of the activity has already passed.” just because I went a different day.
Disney makes a fraction of their revenue from park admission. Free admission is just the proverbial weenie (Walt’s term) to get people in the park. It’s the gifts and concessions that earn the greatest profit margin. I would expect them to do this again or something similar in the future, if the economy stays depressed.
It’s a win-win for them…great PR and full parks.
When I first heard about the program, I was excited to sign up. I’ve been putting off volunteering and that was the incentive I needed. My husband and I both are volunteering and will continue to do so. I had no problem signing up, finding out what places would accept the program (just put your zipcode in and they’ll give you lots of choices), and getting the ticket. I’m sure this was Disney’s intention and I certainly hope the people who are volunteering will continue their efforts. I can only thank Disney for giving me the kick I needed!!
And Disney thanks YOU for it being able to write off the full price of two tickets to charity! Follow the money trail and it always has mouse droppings in the koolaid.
Where is all the cynicism coming from with some of you pathetic people? Disney could have just done another typical promotion (like get a free ticket on your birthday) but instead they chose to do something that might actually make a positive impact on communities in the process. More corporations ought to function this way.
Nerdly, I don’t think you understand tax planning. Disney is not donating the tickets to charity. Rather, they are giving them away to people who engage in charity. The IRS does not allow deductions for charitable time. Therefore, they will not allow a deduction for giving tickets to someone who gives their time.
Next time you post something like this you may want to have above a 5th grade education.
Please try to follow the bouncing ball……The IRS does allow companies to write off expenses to charities. I am sure the bean counters will use this tax deduction. ALSO the recipients of the “free” pass needs to itemize and claim it on THEIR tax return.
Start with IRS publication 78 and then look at IRS form 8283.
(disclaimer….. this is not in any way tax advice and the individual or institutions should consult with suitable tax attorneys)
Also, it is not nice to insult people that have opinions that disagree with you….so 5th grade!
Excellent program that has enabled people to donate their time. No other company in the area has such an extensive program. A++ job on setting this up Disney!! The kids will love their free day!
Disney makes $$$ even when they give free admission due to the ancilliary “crap” guests buy once they are in.
Yes, Disney will benefit as people will spend $$$ once in the parks, but I still think it was a wonderful idea. My husband and I volunteered for two different service projects even though we knew credit would only be offered for one. My daughter and her family volunteered and enjoyed it so much they plan on doing it more often.
I think that it has encouraged all of us to continue to make a difference in our communities.
My friend and I volunteered, It was very interesting and we met some nice people, and we get to go to EPCOT during the flower show. We’re both Seniors , so it was a great reward.
The reason some of the voulunteer jobs are so easy is that children can participate and earn the ticket themselves. I think it’s great that Disney encourages kids to get involved in the community.
Well DELORES.. Universal gave a away a few thousand tickets not 1 million. I wonder when Universal is going to give the same amount of money to the community that Disney Gives? 12.5 Million to the Performing Arts Center.. 10 or so million to a new Childrens hospital.. and the list goes on and on. Oh I forget.. Universal is too busy building their Glorified Harry Potter Shopping Area. Wake up DELORES.. At least someone is doing something.. When was the last time you volunteered? Oh and Don’t forget the 700,000 Free Birthday tickets.
How to get pass for free day for voluteer work all ready done, thank you
Info free pas ticket volunteer work all done thank you
Free pass ticket work done thank you
I am not able to do much but this gave me a chance to help an organization while sitting at a computer for a day or two. I would never have know that this opportunity was there had Disney not done this. Needless to say I’m still helping this organization. Thank you Disney. FYI I may not use my ticket because I would have to go in a wheel chair.
Deb, I think it’s wonderful that you volunteered! If you’re unable to use your ticket, Disney does allow you to donate it to somebody that can use it (I saw in a post above that a man and his wife donated their tickets to their local Boys and Girls Club.)
I have to say that I was disappointed in the process to select and find an organization to volunteer for. I wanted my family to participate, but each time I found an event to volunteer for, it was already booked. While I think it’s a great idea that Disney is doing, I think it should be open more widely for people to volunteer.
My family and I found this same problem. We wanted to volunteer somewhere where our 6 year old could volunteer as well. We could find nothing in our area. We entered our zip code and 99% of the volunteer opportunities within 150 miles of us were full. We checked every day for 3 weeks hoping something would open up and nothing ever did. There was not a lot of opportunity for doing anything; we finally just stopped looking.
My son and his friends vounteered this weekend at Special Olympics, at which my other son participated. The boys had a lot of fun. They did receive community service hours for their school, but Disney does not include Special Olympics on their list of charities for this program in our area – I’m puzzled!!
We love the Disney Volunteer Program. We found about programs that we would have never known existed otherwise. We love helping animals and found an organization that rescues, feeds and finds homes for horses. They also do equine therapy for handicapped people. What a great organization HorseSisters is. We volunteered at their ranch to help feed the horses and I ended up photographing (I am a professional photographer) an event they were involved in. I am also redoing their website for them as well. Nice to be able to help someone or something in our own country for a change. To heck with all the other countries in need. They surely do not help the US at anytime or in anyway.
Bryan & Clarisse
Disney is pure genius! It cost 10 or 15 bucks to park so there making at least 10 million from there free admission not to mention sodas, souveneirs, and the people that book a room on property. I’m happy there running so many great specials I hoping to take advantage of the 4 parks for $99. I’m also glad there inspiring people to volunteer even if it is in small amounts I notice others complained about.
According to the Disney website, the promotion is now over.
I think it’s awesome. I already volunteer for a pediatric brain cancer foundation, but they are not part of the Disney program. We already planned to go to Orlando for vacation this summer. Once we realized it, I began looking for a volunteer opp. We have a 6 year old and she CERTAINLY couldn’t work all day (for those who are complaining! And we thought it would be more beneficial to do it as a FAMILY!). We logged on, checked our zip and found The Down Sydrome Society in our area. We are doing a wonderful event, and feel so excited. Our daughter has NO idea that she is getting a ticket from this-obviously not a lesson we want to teacher her….but tolerance for all types of kids certainly is! I plan to volunteer for this organization again, no tickets included. I’m so happy we did!!!!
We are so upset because we did volunteer after finding an organization via the Disney website. The Disney site directed us to the hands-on network where we registered for a volunteer day on March 6th. We did the service and have pictures to prove that we collected over 4 large trash bags of super gross beach trash. But now we aren’t getting the credit because the hands-on site isn’t the same as the Disney site, even though it was the Disney webpage that directed us to the hands-on site. Is there anything we can do? Anyone have a similar experience?
Yes. I signed up for a date. The lady in charge wanted me a different day from the original date on the site. My account now, even though I volunteered a day, says “Volunteer Opportunity Not Completed
The date of the activity has already passed.” Now, I’m screwed.