A few last thoughts as I close the books on my participation of the Disney Gift Card Giveaway that a bunch of great Disney fan blogs held…and why I absolutely love having giveaways.  I guess you could sub-title this post “My top 5 reasons I love Disney Giveaways!”

Reason #1: To build excitement in all of the great blogs that are participating in the giveaway!

There are an incredible number of Disney fan sites out there — so many that I am impressed that my site gets as many views as it does!  The primary reason that we, as bloggers, pool our money to giveaway incredible prizes to our readers is because we LOVE Disney, and we love to share with you what makes our passion for Disney so great.

Reason #2: To share our favorite things we love about Disney!

Whether it be the world-famous Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar, my wife’s favorite, by the way, or a thrilling late night ride on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, or even just a corny ride on the Jungle Cruise — one of the reasons I love being part of Disney giveaways is so that I can share my favorite things that I love about Disney!

Reason #3: To help families see their Disney Dreams come true!

One of my entries in this giveaway was to get people to request a free quote so that they could see what a Disney vacation might cost them.  I know that the primary reason that people did that option was to get an entry in the giveaway, but it was my hope that some of them would see my reply, start up a conversation with me, and be convinced that a trip to Disney World, Disneyland, or any of the other Disney Destinations isn’t a “break the bank” kind of option — or, at least, doesn’t need to be!

Reason #4: To give two lucky winners a chance to fulfill their Disney Dreams!

It had been quite a while since I was part of a giveaway of this size — it isn’t often that you can offer a grand prize of a $400 Disney Gift Card and a second prize of a $200 Disney Gift Card!  That second prize, in and of itself, was enough to be a deposit on a vacation to Walt Disney World for one family, and the $400 Disney Gift Card would be enough to pay for quite a bit of that vacation!  Or, it could be an entire Christmas shopping taken care of, just like that!  So, being able to award such great prizes is definitely one reason I love Disney giveaways!

Reason #5: Outstanding, THANKFUL, appreciative winners!

The number one reason, though (even though I have it listed as reason #5), that I love Disney Giveaways, is because of the excitement, the pure joy, that I read when the winners claim their prize.  Our $400 winner, Katy Maxwell from Michigan, was so excited, she couldn’t stand it!  She has a trip planned, and this gift card will be the icing on the cake for her trip with her family.

Perhaps even more so, though, was the reaction of Kimberly Donathen of North Carolina, the winner of the $200 Disney Gift Card.  When I asked her via email what she was going to use the gift card on, here was her response:

[box]My GC will be used on my two very Special Need Kids to navigate the parks for Christmas and some balloons to pay it forward for other guests in memory of a child we know and loved who has passed away. We do this every year.[/box]

She went on to add in a followup email:

[box]We have a very close friend who lost her daughter 2 years ago as a toddler. Even though my kids are special needs and will have burdens they will live their lives. It taught us to preserve, be thankful and to live life. Every trip we give balloons and pins to other kids. It also helps to teach my youngest, who is capable of grasping it somewhat, that it is good to pay it forward. Life is a lesson, even at Disney![/box]

And that, my friends, more than any reason, is why I love to be a part of Disney Giveaways.  Thank you for reading, and God Bless people like Kimberly, who, despite the tribulations that they face in their daily lives, still see the blessings that God gives to them, and are able to help others see blessings as well.