FROM: Why Did Disney DO That?!? Published As Necessary

Disney Contests: Only in America?

One of the perks of American citizenship is eligibility for Disney contests. If you're Canadian, for example, like Lee Beatens, you typically can't enter for your chance to win fabulous prizes. Is Lee at loose ends? Never. He has some ideas.

- Lee Beatens, June 5, 2011

We all enjoy and appreciate a good giveaway.

When our local grocery store has a contest for $100 of free groceries, we enter. When our local radio station has a contest for free stuff, we call in for our chance to win. And when Disney announces yet another free contest with fabulous prizes, we... hesitate.

Why?

Because of the fine print. Did you know that most Disney contests and giveaways are only valid in the United States? That means that the vast majority of the world is excluded from the magic!

Why does Disney DO that?!?

Proud to be an American?

The latest example can be found here:

http://www.deltavacations.com/forms/webcontest/request.do?webContestCode=CASTLE

Coincidently, that contest goes nicely with last week's RANT. It features the usual airfare and park tickets, but then the 'grand' part is a one-night stay in... Cinderella Castle! Finally, the common man has a chance for a royal stay.

If he's American.

For some reason, Puerto Ricans are specifically singled out with a notice that this contest isn't for them, but they aren't alone in the snub. Canadians are also out of the running, even though we share the same continent. And you Europeans? Forget about it!

I know, I know! Legalities make it hard to offer a prize across geographical borders. Governments in different countries have different regulations for contests and lotteries and such. So Disney probably isn't totally at fault here.

But it still sucks!

My in-laws now have a house in the States. I wonder if I could enter the contest under that address and sneak in via the back door? But I'm sure Disney would be checking for citizenship when awarding the prize and so that plan dies at birth.

So what's a non-American Disney fan to do?

Take Him with You!

Well, I don't know about the rest of you snubbed fans, but I'm going to insist that the guy who wins the contest because he saw the link in this article take me with him!

And if the winner doesn't hear about the contest from me? Well, a Royal Couple who are staying in a Castle need a valet and housemaid, right? My wife and I are available and will work for minimal compensation.

And failing either of those options, I say to Disney on behalf of non-American fans everywhere: "Stop excluding us!"

Thank you.

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