Doorway to Dream event mobbed

[PhantomBlot]

At woodfield now, line was ENORMOUS. Guessing 2 hours. Did anyone here wait?

 

[Ggatorgirl]

DH got there about 11:45 and also estimated at least 2 - 3 hours. D2D was giving a 'presentation' in the main area to about 20 people at a time.

He didn't stick around long enough to see how long the presentation was or what was being offered in way of special pricing, but they would have to be offering 50% off to get him to stand in line that long.

 

[quirty30]

I had some things to return at Nordstrom, and got to the mall around 11:30. I spied the line at DtD as I was on the escalator. When I finished with my returns around 11:50, I walked down past DtD, and walked and walked and walked. When I saw the line stretched down to Lord & Taylor, I left. My kids are with their dad this weekend and all I wanted was the ornament...but I sure don't need one that badly. Good luck!

 

[PoohsFan1]

I was contemplating whether going or not since we live 3 hours away (some of you may of seen my thread from earlier this week)....glad that we didn't end up going since DH forgot he was scheduled to work today and I ended up being scheduled myself. I got another email from DTD saying if we come in anywhere between 11/25 and 12/4 we can get special holiday discounts on things (it wasn't being specific). Both DH and I are off on 11/26 so we are thinking of heading over then....hoping they can give the ornament to us then too.

 

[mwmuntz]

Just got back, had a GREAT time! All of the cast members were super nice, especially Karen, who was at the popcorn station. She was soooo sweet and she really showed the Disney spirit. My kids just loved her!

 

[carlbarry]

Same response here on Long Island!

 

[Friendofpluto]

2 hour wait and we did get in line before 11.

 

[DisneyDreams4]

Just got back, had a GREAT time! All of the cast members were super nice, especially Karen, who was at the popcorn station. She was soooo sweet and she really showed the Disney spirit. My kids just loved her!

we did not wait my little dd was getting antsy in her stroller. We just got the
ornament. what type of food were they giving out?? last year was the chocolate fountain my ds loved that.

thanks

 

[quirty30]

we did not wait my little dd was getting antsy in her stroller. We just got the
ornament. what type of food were they giving out?? last year was the chocolate fountain my ds loved that.

thanks

I had no idea we could just get the ornament and go. Oh well. I'll email my guide and ask if there are any left.

 

[Ggatorgirl]

See my earlier post.

DH did ask specifically if he had to wait in the LONG line just to get the ornament and he was told 'Yes.'

Maybe they changed their tune after he was there as the line was at least 2 - 3 hours long at 11:45.

 

[Laurabearz]

We were told a 90 minute wait, but it was a 3 hour wait.... and yes, I waited :rotfl2 We got in line at noon and we were at Abercombie and Fitch....


But my kids and I were having a great time chatting with other people in line so it wasnt too too bad.... but it was bad...

They said during the movie this was THE BEST OFFER EVER and better than anything at WDW or DLR and even the cruise ships, but of course they couldnt just come out and tell us what the offer was... you have to actually sit down with a guide in order to find out..

I asked about adding on 30 pts cash to BCV and they said $115 pp but still wouldnt tell me what the super de dooper deal was, unless we 'sat down' phooey....

I am so thankful my children were wonderful and over we had a great time... but honestly I thought the whole thing was poorly run....

 

[quirty30]

See my earlier post.

DH did ask specifically if he had to wait in the LONG line just to get the ornament and he was told 'Yes.'

Maybe they changed their tune after he was there as the line was at least 2 - 3 hours long at 11:45.

We were told a 90 minute wait, but it was a 3 hour wait.... and yes, I waited :rotfl2 We got in line at noon and we were at Abercombie and Fitch....


But my kids and I were having a great time chatting with other people in line so it wasnt too too bad.... but it was bad...

They said during the movie this was THE BEST OFFER EVER and better than anything at WDW or DLR and even the cruise ships, but of course they couldnt just come out and tell us what the offer was... you have to actually sit down with a guide in order to find out..

I asked about adding on 30 pts cash to BCV and they said $115 pp but still wouldnt tell me what the super de dooper deal was, unless we 'sat down' phooey....

I am so thankful my children were wonderful and over we had a great time... but honestly I thought the whole thing was poorly run....

I'm not even sure I know where Abercrombie & Fitch is...isn't it on the other side? LOL. My first impression when I walked up was, "they want this to have a realistic Disney feel, complete with a long line." Thank goodness my kids weren't with me, and nothing compelled me to stay (DS13 is autistic and never would have let me leave.)

 

[Maleficent's Dad]

I just posted a new thread on the disaster that they ran on Long Island. Hard to believe that this is Disney... The company that built a huge reputation on customer service and guest happiness.

 

[Bellecruiser]

I just posted a new thread on the disaster that they ran on Long Island. Hard to believe that this is Disney... The company that built a huge reputation on customer service and guest happiness.

Not to mention crowd management!!!

 

[DisneyDreams4]

I had no idea we could just get the ornament and go. Oh well. I'll email my guide and ask if there are any left.

this might have be different for each location

we were in the long island ny location.

our wait would have been 1 hr to learn a dance from the chorographer from mary poppins broadway show. then they take you in to see the show and talk and then there was some kind of food?

what were the other locations doing? special guest?

 

[Laurabearz]

I re-read what I wrote and I wanted to state again, that we had a great time while chatting in line... my kids even amused themselves playing with some vinylmations we traded for...

I just asked my 10 year old if she had fun today and she said Yup!

But 3 hours?

I really enjoyed the event they had a few years back at some hotel downtown.. they had a nice room, big show, trivia with REAL prizes (Spa Kits) and not LAME ones (air freshers).... but those days are long gone...

Next year, we will go the next day and beg for an ornament which would only take 30 minutes and not 3 hours...

It was poorly run, but we had fun... and sadly that's been the theme with Disney Lately

 

[Laurabearz]

I'm not even sure I know where Abercrombie & Fitch is...isn't it on the other side? LOL. My first impression when I walked up was, "they want this to have a realistic Disney feel, complete with a long line." Thank goodness my kids weren't with me, and nothing compelled me to stay (DS13 is autistic and never would have let me leave.)

http://www.shopwoodfield.com/mall_directory/map

3rd level, WAY past Lord and Taylor, near the second purple dot (escalator)

We were prolly stupid for waiting, but again, we were enjoying yapping with fellow members so the time went by... thankgoodness!!

 

[nolanboys]

I only took my youngest because he wanted to see the characters. Was told 90 minutes, but it was really 2:15. Was going to leave, but had already wasted so much time and we were having fun talking to the people around us. The CM's swore the wait was worth it....not so much! Trivia, then short presentation, treats and drinks, then special offers, and the pictures with Mickey or Minnie. My son loved his time with Minnie, but it was not worth 3 hours of my time. CM's were great at least. Special offers didn't seem that great to me. Last year's were enticing, but they didn't grab me this year. Offering discounts on AKV and Aulani - up to $22 off at 200 points or more. SSR is at $99. Had a fun time with my son, but will not do this again next year unless they find a better way to move people through the line.

 

[Maleficent's Dad]

I only took my youngest because he wanted to see the characters. Was told 90 minutes, but it was really 2:15. Was going to leave, but had already wasted so much time and we were having fun talking to the people around us. The CM's swore the wait was worth it....not so much! Trivia, then short presentation, treats and drinks, then special offers, and the pictures with Mickey or Minnie. My son loved his time with Minnie, but it was not worth 3 hours of my time. CM's were great at least. Special offers didn't seem that great to me. Last year's were enticing, but they didn't grab me this year. Offering discounts on AKV and Aulani - up to $22 off at 200 points or more. SSR is at $99. Had a fun time with my son, but will not do this again next year unless they find a better way to move people through the line.

At least you had characters! No such luck in NY! NOTHING - not even trivia!

 

[Figment2]

Friends (also members) and I went to the Woodfield event. Last year we went early and it was a mob scene yet another friend commented that she "walked right in" but then she was there later in the afternoon. So, we decided to have lunch first and then go over.

We took one look at the line and said "no way" (this was about 2:00). We went up to the check in table and asked if we could just have the ornament. We were told no but if we didn't want to wait we could have the ornament mailed to us (that's what we opted for).

We went shopping for about an hour and when we went back (only because our car was parked over at Nordstroms) the line was still down the hall.

Laura, I admire your patience.


Cyn