Disney like to break the ruuuules....(protesters/union members strike mentioned)

[LisainCalifornia]

Okay. So we went to stay at the Paradise Pier Hotel. It was great, actually. For the very first time since we have been staying on property at DLR (about 3 times a year for the last 10 years) we got an upgraded room just out of the blue. That was beyond wonderful! We paid for a concierge room with a theme park view (so pretty good at that hotel)--but they ended up giving us a suite! The suite was overlooking California Adventure--and it had an awesome view. We were so happy with it. It had 2 bathrooms and an extra room--plus the great veiw.

The only complaint I have at this hotel is that:
1. The elevators are really slow and very packed. It is pretty bad. You hear guests talking about it in the lobby, in the elevators, and just around the hotel. They have an elevator problem. They need to address that eventually.

2. Concierge has pretty bad food. It isn't food poinsoning bad, but it is bagged bagel (like a cut rate Thomas's white bread bagel) bad. Breakfast is cheap danish (the kind you can buy at Safeway in boxes) and cheap bagels. Some cereal thrown in, but nothing hearty. The night time offerings were the same re-heated tortilla chips and really bad hot appetizers (southwest spring rolls).

But other than that, great beds (super firm yet plush), nice decor and beautiful views if you spring for the the theme park view.

But then, I bring you to the Union Protester segment of the vacation. Apparently those disney union protesters (and apparently Disney has MANY unions--not just one) love the Paradise Pier Hotel because it doesn't have a private property buffer zone. The public property is right on the street outside this hotel, so they can make their disturbance very clear to paying guests.

So, after staying up with my girls till 1:30 a.m. after the Halloween party, and promising them we will not only sleep in very late on our last day, but will get room service--the protesters had another plan. They were outside our window at 6 am screaming into a megaphone AND microphone "Disney like to break the ruuuules...we don't like your attitude" over and over add nauseum for hours. we literally couldn't even stay in our room because it was so loud and disruptive. We left and went to airport early (by 3 hours) in order to get some peace.

It was so bad. I wanted to dump a bucket of ice on the guy singing the chants! But that isn't good enough. Instead he must save up for many months working as a special education aide to take his daughters on a dream vacation, and then be awoken at the crack of dawn to annoying chants that drive him from his hotel room in a panic. Oh wait, that is what happened to me. So yeah, that.

 

[krispin41]

So that is what they were saying...we could hear them from the 15th floor...not a way to endear me to your cause.

I didn't think the concierge level food was bad. I liked it because of the convenience. Yes, it wasn't five star gold standard, but it was fine. And being able to grab sodas and waters before heading out was nice.

Kristan in NorCal

 

[Hoku]

What a terrible experience. I'd think they could picket and do what they must, but you'd hope they could have some common decency for the park guests. Yelling like that just hurts their own cause because their lack of care will, in turn, get a lack of compassion or backing from the guests.

 

[GEB@okw]

Disney should have called the police and had the scabs removed.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

So that is what they were saying...we could hear them from the 15th floor...not a way to endear me to your cause.

I didn't think the concierge level food was bad. I liked it because of the convenience. Yes, it wasn't five star gold standard, but it was fine. And being able to grab sodas and waters before heading out was nice.

Kristan in NorCal

I agree it was nice to have the waters available. Even the breakfast was okay--but you know what I am saying about "bagged bagels" don't you? They could at least have it catered by Noah's bagels or have some real crossaints or scrambled eggs and sausage, right? It was passable. I had hoped for better. It was very similar to the free breakfast offered at Candy Cane Inn (which was pretty good for free breakfast)--but when you are paying for concierge, you expect that they will go to a little more effort.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Disney should have called the police and had the scabs removed.

I think a "scab" is actually people who come in to work when the workers are on strike. These were union protesters (along with maids from Paradise Pier and Grand Californian who were marching in uniform)--so not scabs. To be perfectly honest, I went down stairs to complain when it first started. That blonde lady in the black bathrobe complaining at 6:30 a.m. at the reception desk--that was me! That is how I roll. My daughters were upset by the noise and commotion, and one was crying, so you had better believe I went downstairs to complain. I asked them to call the police, but they told me that this was "public property" so they were unable to call the police, but I was welcome to call the Anaheim P.D. I said that I had no problem with them marching around and even chanting in their normal voices, but once you start chanting into a microphone (and it was so loud it literally shook the walls on the 8th floor), you have crossed the line.

 

[krispin41]

I agree it was nice to have the waters available. Even the breakfast was okay--but you know what I am saying about "bagged bagels" don't you? They could at least have it catered by Noah's bagels or have some real crossaints or scrambled eggs and sausage, right? It was passable. I had hoped for better. It was very similar to the free breakfast offered at Candy Cane Inn (which was pretty good for free breakfast)--but when you are paying for concierge, you expect that they will go to a little more effort.

Totally get what you are saying. The one evening we made it up during the dinner hour they had dates and dried apricots wrapped in bacon. I thought that was pretty yummy, and nice to have the option to take the beer and wine to our rooms. (Especially after $60 worth of drinks at ElecTRONica with the DH, LOL!) The chocolate chip cookies were good, as were the dessert offerings (loved those little tarts!)

Kristan in NorCal

 

[StyledSugar]

What exactly are they protesting/striking?

I sure hope they aren't still doing it while we're there (November 5-7). How annoying!!

 

[bumbershoot]

I think a "scab" is actually people who come in to work when the workers are on strike. These were union protesters (along with maids from Paradise Pier and Grand Californian who were marching in uniform)--so not scabs.

Given that particular Union's sordid picketing past...I would put money on the people not being Disney employees at all, and those not being true uniforms. That union really seems to like hiring people to picket and tell lies, when all the while, it's the union that refuses to sit down with Disney.

This protest has been going on since *at least* September 2007, which is when MY family was bothered in our PPH room way high up, by early morning protesters... And it wasn't actual Disney employees then...


But your'e right...the other poster had their definition of scab wrong.

 

[glendalais]

What exactly are they protesting/striking?

I sure hope they aren't still doing it while we're there (November 5-7). How annoying!!

Unite HERE Local 11 and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. are currently engaged in a labour dispute over the renewal of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for Cast Members at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort.

As mentioned, it's been going on for just over three years now, and doesn't seem to have any chance of ending at any time in the foreseeable future, unfortunately.

 

[Susie63]

Are there no "noise by-laws" in Anaheim? If you tried that in my neighborhood you'd be getting a ticket!

 

[Susie63]

Okay....I checked on the City of Anaheim website,under police services and found this...

Because certain sounds at certain levels can be harmful to the health and welfare of citizens, the City of Anaheim has adopted a noise ordinance that prohibits excessive and annoying sounds within the city limits.

The ordinance regulates specific times certain noise sources can be operated and defines noise limits within the city limits. The Anaheim Police Department insures that this ordinance is obeyed by responding to noise complaints throughout the community. Events or actions may be prohibited if they cause a noise disturbance. These include, noisy construction equipment, horns and signaling devices not being used for a danger warning, stereos and televisions or engine repair and testing.

I'd have their number on speed dial

 

[starshine514]

I agree. It should be a violation of a noise ordinance. I'd have called the cops, no matter whose property they were on.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Oh holy crap. I WOULD have dumped water on them. Do they realize that they're ruining people's vacations? Oh, right, they do. How awful.

 

[elaw]

... But then, I bring you to the Union Protester segment of the vacation. Apparently those disney union protesters (and apparently Disney has MANY unions--not just one) love the Paradise Pier Hotel because it doesn't have a private property buffer zone. The public property is right on the street outside this hotel, so they can make their disturbance very clear to paying guests.

... --the protesters had another plan. They were outside our window at 6 am screaming into a megaphone AND microphone "Disney like to break the ruuuules...we don't like your attitude" over and over add nauseum for hours. we literally couldn't even stay in our room because it was so loud and disruptive. ...

It was so bad. I wanted to dump a bucket of ice on the guy singing the chants! But that isn't good enough. ....

We had the same experience on our Labor Day trip .... It certainly didn't, in my opinion, help there cause in my eyes .... it's just simply rude and inconsiderate. They could have at least waited until 9:00am ... and disturbing the guests at 6:00am is no way to garner sympathy or support.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We had the same experience on our Labor Day trip .... It certainly didn't, in my opinion, help there cause in my eyes .... it's just simply rude and inconsiderate. They could have at least waited until 9:00am ... and disturbing the guests at 6:00am is no way to garner sympathy or support.

They don't want support. They want people to complain to Disney. As stated before, this is not the first time this group has resorted to such appalling tactics. They aren't representing the workers they are supposed to be representing, and anyone "dressed" as a Disney worker is more than likely hired by this union, not actual workers.

Note: this is the same group that hired people to dress as characters and protest in front of the hotels, handed out balloons to kids in DTD and handed their parents "watch out for child molesters in Disneyland" flyers, etc.

 

[Hoku]

Note: this is the same group that hired people to dress as characters and protest in front of the hotels, handed out balloons to kids in DTD and handed their parents "watch out for child molesters in Disneyland" flyers, etc.

Unfortunately, this warning is not a bad one and comes from people that have been victimized.

I was at Disneyland once in, 1997 maybe? I was standing in line for Roger Rabbit and noticed a man by himself, who was standing right in front of me, staring at the little girl (about 6 years old, I'd say) in front of him. I did not like the way he was looking at her so I kept an eye on him. After a while, he started up a conversation with the girls mother. It was just the mom and daughter, and the single man. He started charming the mother and I was like "oh no." It had already been clear to me that he had an unhealthy interest in the girl and the mom was falling into his charms. That was 14-years ago and it still haunts me.

Disneyland is a great place for a child predator. There are lots and lots of kids there, and people are vulnerable by virtue of being happy and wanting to share that happiness with others. It may take predators a while, but they stand a good chance of finding a victim at Disneyland. You're right, we don't want that kind of message to ruin our day, but you never know who it may have ended up helping.

 

[bumbershoot]

Unfortunately, this warning is not a bad one and comes from people that have been victimized.

Of course it's not a bad thing to have in your head, but the union was doing it to discredit Disneyland, NOT out of love or concern.

Here is an article about their flier and the inaccuracies on it. If they *cared* they would have been precise, and they would always have people doing this. However, it was just their tactic du jour.

 

[LizzyS]

I would be so mad if that happened and I were paying the big bucks to stay on site.

 

[Coconut36]

Totally agree about the elevators. That was insane. I have never seen such a ridiculous situation and parents and kids exhausted from being at the park frustrated and angry they couldn't get up to their rooms without waiting forever for those elevators. We kept thinking there must be a secret bank of them somewhere we didn't know about but nope..that was it.

Sorry about the protesters..that was incredibly rude of them..they could have stood around, held signs..etc without disturbing people staying at the hotel. We did not see or experience anything like that while we were there.