Glow With the Show - CM confusion and rude guests

[Dr.Girlfriend]

I haven't had the chance to see anything GWTS related at Disneyland/California Adventures, but always enjoyed the videos I saw online. I was very pleased to hear it was coming here to WDW.

I went to MNSSHP last night, and saw...well, honestly, maybe 20 hats on regular guests's heads during the party itself, and only 1 other hat in the hub area during Celebrate the Magic and Hallowishes. I was very surprised that there wasn't a little more hat action going on.

As I went to attractions for the remainder of the night, several CM's were VERY surprised I was wearing the hat, and even more surprised that the hats were active for both shows last night - because they were under the impression that GWTS was a one time thing this past Saturday night only.

Honestly, if only one CM had made that comment, I would have chalked it up to someone not paying attention. But several of them throughout the park made me feel like Disney didn't do a great job promoting this at all to their cast members. I wonder how long the shows will end up lasting if no one understands what they're actually for.

On the flip side, I've been hearing various reports about people NOT liking the GWTS hats...too flashy, too distracting. I had a friend at MK on Saturday night and apparently the people behind him did NOT like the glowing hat, and made several loud remarks about how distracting it was (the woman even made it a big point to put her hands up in the air to "cover" the glowing ears"). The husband then said that he'd kick my friend in the knees to make the hat fall off of his head, to which point my friend turned around and said that there were plenty of other spots to stand, the ears were staying.

Anyone else hear or see anything since these were launched at Fantasmic last week? Curious on your take.

 

[BuzzBelleMom]

He would 'kick your friend'?! OMG that is horrible! Would they say that to someone with an iPad?

 

[AmyB2006]

He would 'kick your friend'?! OMG that is horrible! Would they say that to someone with an iPad?

No. LOL, they probably had their own iPad.

That is awful, I can't believe someone would say that. Obviously joking, but still.

I have to say, I haven't seen these hats, but I can see how they would be distracting to other people. I don't understand them honestly. Are they supposed to "add" to the show or just glow? And if you're the one that bought them and are wearing them, then you can't see them... I just don't get it. But that's me.

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

No. LOL, they probably had their own iPad.

That is awful, I can't believe someone would say that. Obviously joking, but still.

I have to say, I haven't seen these hats, but I can see how they would be distracting to other people. I don't understand them honestly. Are they supposed to "add" to the show or just glow? And if you're the one that bought them and are wearing them, then you can't see them... I just don't get it. But that's me.

The idea is to have a crowd of people wearing them

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHgAOvT5ZSM&feature=youtu.be

 

[Nixie]

If the idea is to have a whole crowd wearing them. then Disney should be handing them out. I think they are cool, but I just can't see me shelling out $25 bucks apiece for a family of 6 for a one time deal esp. with like the others have said I don't even get to see the "magic" if they are on my own head.

 

[Nixie]

Now, if they came out with like a light up wand that danced to the music that my little one could hold and watch while the show was going on, I would be all over it. (Are you listening Disney??)

 

[LSUfan4444]

Honestly, if only one CM had made that comment, I would have chalked it up to someone not paying attention. But several of them throughout the park made me feel like Disney didn't do a great job promoting this at all to their cast members.

I don't think Disney needs to do extensive education on every new piece of merchandise to his the shelves.

It's brand new and in time, it will catch on more.

 

[AmyB2006]

If the idea is to have a whole crowd wearing them. then Disney should be handing them out. I think they are cool, but I just can't see me shelling out $25 bucks apiece for a family of 6 for a one time deal esp. with like the others have said I don't even get to see the "magic" if they are on my own head.

Now, if they came out with like a light up wand that danced to the music that my little one could hold and watch while the show was going on, I would be all over it. (Are you listening Disney??)

ITA... with everything I have a hard time with the price for the regular hats LOL. I'm certainly not paying $25 for light up ears. Great ideas, and I'm sure somebody will buy them. It just won't be me.

 

[wdwlovin'family]

My sister was there on Saturday and bought the ears, but she also thought they were very distracting for a fireworks show. She said she had a hard time balancing looking up at wishes but also wanting to look down at the ears glowing. She's going to bring them to fantasmic with us on Sunday and hopes the experience will be better. She also said they were very hot and heavy. I guess they started talking to a retail manager cm who told them that they were not as successful at DL as they wanted them to be, but they blamed that in the big base of AP holders that they have at DL. They brought them out to wdw hoping to sell more to people who don't come back as often.

 

[DreamSweetsLove]

Now, if they came out with like a light up wand that danced to the music that my little one could hold and watch while the show was going on, I would be all over it. (Are you listening Disney??)

Actually they have come out with a wand but it is only for Tokyo Disney Resort. I do like the wand more because you can actually see it and it doesn't obstruct the view of other guests.

 

[2Tiggies]

I just can't see me shelling out $25 bucks apiece for a family of 6 for a one time deal esp. with like the others have said I don't even get to see the "magic" if they are on my own head.

Or shelling out the $25 to test how strong your knees are

I do think this needs a bit more time. How is the level of uptake for these hats doing at DLR at the moment? I don't really keep up to date with DL, but that should give an idea of how the trend has sustained itself (or not).

Someone actually posted last night that their DS didn't believe his ears worked because he couldn't see them changing color, bless his heart. But I can see that being a somewhat typical kid's response.

I doubt they will pull the show too soon even if it didn't work out as intended. There are still plenty folk who have shelled out for these hats who would be really unhappy to feel they now owned an expensive piece of 'useless' merchandise (with that said, they aren't actually that much more than a regular set of ears). It is more likely that Disney would have another attempt at boosting enthusiasm about this before they considered letting it die out. Just my opinion; not based on anything in particular

 

[jrtoastyman]

If the idea is to have a whole crowd wearing them. then Disney should be handing them out. I think they are cool, but I just can't see me shelling out $25 bucks apiece for a family of 6 for a one time deal esp. with like the others have said I don't even get to see the "magic" if they are on my own head.

This is the thing I just do not get at all. I'm supposed to pay $25 for something that benefits everyone BUT me? Perhaps at a lower price point, you're like "sure, I'll join the masses," but $100 for a family of 4 is quite a bit -- even by Disney standards -- for something that you don't even personally get to take advantage of. I'd rather just save my money and watch them on other people's heads.

 

[kbelle8995]

I will not be purchasing them. They are cute but $25.00 is a bit steep.

I can stand behind guest with them on and enjoy them perfectly fine.

Many years ago they had pins which were supposed to interact and light up in various locations. I purchased one and mine never worked or lit up. But At least a flashing pin can be enjoyed personally. As for the pin not working I guess a watched pin never blinks.

And there quite frankly no reason to be rude to a person wearing a light up Mickey hat.

 

[ktlm]

ek:I do think this needs a bit more time. How is the level of uptake for these hats doing at DLR at the moment? I don't really keep up to date with DL, but that should give an idea of how the trend has sustained itself (or not).

Not well. Most of the youtube videos you see are from the night in July 2012 that they had an event where they handed out 1000 of them for free at the World of Color show to try to promote them. (Not sure- but the reason for the event may have been because the sales were not that good when they started them in June 2012.) We were at DL/CA in June of this year, and we only saw 2 people wearing them and we went to all the night time shows. I've heard that sales at DLR have been described as lackluster since they started them in June 2012. We looked at the hats, but if I remember right, they are heavier than your typical mouse ears, and not that pretty for daytime. I'm surprised they have started them at WDW as they really don't seem to be selling well at DLR. I think they are hoping that they will catch on better at WDW than they did at DL as it is less of a local crowd at WDW.

 

[2Tiggies]

Thanks ktlm. I had seen youtube videos of the show you refer to and had been told (or read) that may of these had been handed out as complimentary so I was curious as to what happened when guests had to pay for them.

My 11 year old daughter thinks they look great but said to me last night she would have preferred if they were made hair-band style rather than hat style. I wonder if the design made them less attractive to some guests, as well as the weight. We are there in July next year and the thought of standing with a hat on amid a few thousand people on a hot, humid summer night .....

 

[patzor]

I thought about getting these for our upcoming trip. But I think I'm going to pass. They are cool in theory, but not so much in use. Like others have said, you can't see them on your head. I also think they'd be distracting during the fireworks show, as it's supposed to be dark.

 

[delmar411]

We saw them in action on Friday at F! And my kids haven't stopped asking for them. We will also be changing the location of our viewing area to the back as to be able to enjoy the ears.
I have to admit the effect was really neat even with the minimal amount of ppl wearing them. Hopefully they will catch on so the effect will be increased.

 

[Lorelei528]

I'm excited to see them and hopefully buy them. Personally, I don't think $25 is that much $. It's like two drinks...

Anyway, we wouldn't buy two for DH and I, we'd buy one and take turns wearing it so we could both get the effect.

I don't think the intention was to have every member of every family wear them...
Although I'm sure Disney would enjoy the cash flow...

 

[ktlm]

My 11 year old daughter thinks they look great but said to me last night she would have preferred if they were made hair-band style rather than hat style. I wonder if the design made them less attractive to some guests, as well as the weight.:

I think that might be part of it, but I think the main thing is the fact that you are spending $25 on something you can't watch yourself because it is on your head. I think everyone wants to watch them on someone else's head, not spend the money to have them on your own head where you can't see them.

 

[2Tiggies]

I think that might be part of it, but I think the main thing is the fact that you are spending $25 on something you can't watch yourself because it is on your head. I think everyone wants to watch them on someone else's head, not spend the money to have them on your own head where you can't see them.

I'm laughing because you are just stating the obvious. I'm just worried that if Disney gets wind of this we may have to contend with more expensive ones with over-hanging rear view mirrors dangling over the front