Doorway to Dream event mobbed

[Disneylovers]

We were at the Woodfield event. We got to Woodfield around 1:30, grabbed lunch, then got in line. Last year we went to this event, and waited in line maybe 30 minutes. Well, this time the line was more than triple what it was last year. We debated whether to stick around, and decided we'd see how fast the line moved. There were CM's walking up and down the line, telling us it would be about a 90 minute wait (we jokingly asked if this were Toy Story Mania, then asked if they had fast passes!). The CM's were really nice, apologizing for the long wait, and handing out member pins featuring Goofy. They kept telling us that the wait would be worth it. At one point, as we talked to one of the CM's. she mentioned that because the store is small, they had to limit the number of people let in, and that this was becoming such a big event, they would need to look into a larger location. We mentioned that we watched the Magnificent Mile Festival of Lights last night, and remembered that one year they had a member event in downtown Chicago (because we then went and saw the Light Festival). She said she didn't know anything about that. They asked for our member card (which I NEVER carry with me!), but I have our member number in my iPhone, so we entered the number on the form we had to fill out to prove we were members. We had to turn in the form to get our "goody bag" with the ornament, and a few other things. We were kicking butt on the trivia questions, (DH even won a set of pins). The "presentation" movie featured Aulani (which was nice, 82 days and we leave for our vacation to Hawaii!). There was Eli's Cheesecake, cupcakes, cookies, cans of pop - or water bottles and plenty of it (last year, they were running low when we went through the line) We were then escorted in to have our picture taken with Minnie. It was nice, we weren't rushed, and they took a few pictures for us. Now, was it worth the wait? No, definitely not. But, it was a Sunday afternoon, we didn't have any plans for the day, so we got a little Disney magic. I hope they find a new venue next year, tho'!

 

[Friendofpluto]

Last year the wait was short compared to this year at Woodfield. Do not know if having the characters made a difference. My thoughts it would have been nice to have 2 Sundays and have members RSVP a time slot. Just felt waiting in line 2 hours for an ornament that I love was alot.

 

[Stinkerbell317]

Well, they really missed out on a potential sale by not having a larger venue, such as the comedy club downstairs as they've done in the past. We weren't about to wait in that line, but we would have been very interested in the AKV deal. I wonder if I call them tomorrow and tell them that we drove there to come to the event, but were so deterred by the line and what appeared to be about a 2-3 hour wait at 11:30, that we left even though we would be interested in the AKV deal. Can anyone tell me details about the AKV discounts?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I too waited hours and hours to get my ornaments and a cupcake this year.



Then I realized they don't have an event here.

 

[mwmuntz]

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.

It that the thread where you compare a $4 Crumbs gourmet cupcake to the $0.99 boxed mixes that you bring to an elementary school birthday party?

 

[Friendofpluto]

Well, they really missed out on a potential sale by not having a larger venue, such as the comedy club downstairs as they've done in the past. We weren't about to wait in that line, but we would have been very interested in the AKV deal. I wonder if I call them tomorrow and tell them that we drove there to come to the event,
but were so deterred by the line
and what appeared to be about a
2-3 hour wait at 11:30, that we left
even though we would be
interested in the AKV deal. Can
anyone tell me details about the
AKV discounts?

If you are interested in AK - the discount was significant. I believe it started at 50 points. It is there Black Friday Sale so still going on. Give them a call.

 

[TALB]

What did they put in the goodie bags that everyone got?

 

[Cinderella16]

We were at Woodfield yesterday, waited 2 hours 20 minutes and did feel letdown by the whole experience. I figured all these people are waiting, it must be something good. Honestly, all I wanted was the ornament, but was told you had to wait in line in order to receive it or they can mail it to us. Well receiving it in the mail didn't sound magical and DH asked one of the CM's how long she thought the wait would be...and she said "90 minute." Since the Bears game wasn't starting until 3:00ish, we ended up staying, afterall, we drove about an hour away just for the ornament, we might as well get one.

This was our first event since we are new members and I do not know if I will do it again. If we ever go again, we'll go closer to the end of the event because the line was significantly less. We did end up meeting some nice folks in line though, which made the wait not so unbearable. It was funny when people would walk by and ask what we were all waiting in line for...one guy thought they were giving away free Disney vacations... Yea. Right. You would think they were with the amount of people.

If nothing else, we met nice people, learned of some new rates, ate some cheesecake bites, and met Mickey. The CM's were all cheerful and friendly with everyone, almost too much, especially after waiting nearly 2 and a half hours--you kind of just want everyone to get on with it. Oh well, at least it was an experience. Live and learn, right?

 

[disneynutz]

I guess it's a catch 22. Disney hypes a sales "event" giving out free stuff. Too many people show up so the lines are longer than expected and some people get upset.

The purpose of exercise was to sell contracts, I wonder how many were sold and how did the long lines affect sales?

Bill

 

[Stinkerbell317]

If you are interested in AK - the discount was significant. I believe it started at 50 points. It is there Black Friday Sale so still going on. Give them a call.

Thanks! Just left a VM for our rep.

 

[tjkraz]

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.

Obviously you've never been to the Magic Kingdom on Easter or Christmas week.

There is only so much Disney can do to manage guest expectations when demand is so much greater than anticipated.

 

[Greysword]

Well, they really missed out on a potential sale by not having a larger venue, such as the comedy club downstairs as they've done in the past. We weren't about to wait in that line, but we would have been very interested in the AKV deal. I wonder if I call them tomorrow and tell them that we drove there to come to the event, but were so deterred by the line and what appeared to be about a 2-3 hour wait at 11:30, that we left even though we would be interested in the AKV deal. Can anyone tell me details about the AKV discounts?

You should have made this known to a Cast Member. If you were seriously considering a purchase, they would have found a way to get you past the line and in front of a Guide, as they likely knew most people only wanted to freebies and not interested in buying.

At the CR presentation for BLT (July 2009), we watched the presentation, answered questions, and got our SWAG. Once it was done, we didn't want to spend time milling about (and we met Mickey on the trip already) and follow the herd through the tour, so we walked up the the first CM we saw and let her know we were interested in finding out pricing for BLT and VGC. Within five (or so) minutes, we were escorted past the hype to a small group (two other families), where we got a tour of the villas. We quickly met with a guide after we were content with looking around.

I guess the point is that for all the hype and wonder, if someone is a (fairly) certain sale, they will make sure the family gets the attention needed to visit a guide without a significant wait. Then again if they don't, Member Satisfaction (i.e. Claire) would definitely like to know about it.

 

[lugnut33]

Glad we didn't get invited. Since 2008 our guides have been changed 4 times, so they probably don't even know we exist any longer. Plus, we bought re-sale so we are scabs.

 

[carlbarry]

Glad we didn't get invited. Since 2008 our guides have been changed 4 times, so they probably don't even know we exist any longer. Plus, we bought re-sale so we are scabs.

Hello fellow scab.
Actually, I have never met any kind of "prejudice" among CMs when I tell them this. It always comes up, because I own at OKW. So they always say that I've been a member for a long time. Nope, only since 2009.

 

[Stinkerbell317]

You should have made this known to a Cast Member. If you were seriously considering a purchase, they would have found a way to get you past the line and in front of a Guide, as they likely knew most people only wanted to freebies and not interested in buying.

At the CR presentation for BLT (July 2009), we watched the presentation, answered questions, and got our SWAG. Once it was done, we didn't want to spend time milling about (and we met Mickey on the trip already) and follow the herd through the tour, so we walked up the the first CM we saw and let her know we were interested in finding out pricing for BLT and VGC. Within five (or so) minutes, we were escorted past the hype to a small group (two other families), where we got a tour of the villas. We quickly met with a guide after we were content with looking around.

I guess the point is that for all the hype and wonder, if someone is a (fairly) certain sale, they will make sure the family gets the attention needed to visit a guide without a significant wait. Then again if they don't, Member Satisfaction (i.e. Claire) would definitely like to know about it.

Honestly it was such a mob scene when we were there, I didn't see any CM who wasn't completely busy. I was also concerned that if we just walked in there, people might have thought we were jumping the queue. Many people in line looked fairly miserable, so I decided to stay away. I called the office today though and should be able to speak to our rep tomorrow about the deals. I assumed it was a one day offer just like many of the other events have been, but I guess that's not the case this time.

I do feel that they could have capped the attendance for this event as they have done in the past. We had to rsvp for the event, so I am sure they knew how high the numbers were getting. I really felt for the people who stood in that line for whatever reason they decided to stay. We are fortunate that we only live about 30 minutes away, and our kids totally understood why we didn't stay. If I had driven a long distance and had kids with their hearts set on seeing Mickey/Minnie, I would have been pretty upset with the length of that line.

 

[tjkraz]

We had to rsvp for the event, so I am sure they knew how high the numbers were getting.

There was no requirement to RSVP. It was open to all.

 

[Stinkerbell317]

There was no requirement to RSVP. It was open to all.

Oh, my mistake. I thought the email said to rsvp. I guess I just called out of habit from all of the other events that required a call.

 

[carlbarry]

I called the Long Island store when I got the email. They said that yes, an RSVP was required.

 

[arthur06]

Thanks! Just left a VM for our rep.

So, what was the AKV incentive?

 

[tjkraz]

I called the Long Island store when I got the email. They said that yes, an RSVP was required.

They were misinformed. The email gave a number to call for information but did not say anything about an RSVP requirement. I checked with two people and both confirmed no call required.