Grad Night & Disney Ruin Magic Kingdom Stay

[ChapelHillian]

I'm really trying to figure out why you want to argue with the poor guy. He never said he "wanted" anything except to alert us and to tell Disney that he didn't like how they handle this situation.

Oh, just change rooms? That makes everything OK? If it's late at night and you're all unpacked and you have little kids (or even if you don't) it's an inconvenience to change rooms. Why they would be blasting loud music until 4:00 am where there other paying guests are trying to sleep is beyond me anyway.

People don't always "want" things when they complain. They just want people to know that everything wasn't satisfactory.

Thanks Miss Inga, you have expressed perfectly where I am coming from!

 

[kjs1976]

I would think...IMHO....that because resorts like ALK, CR, Poly give out daily schedules for guests about what is taking place at the parks and/or resort and since they also warn guests about construction on buildings and inconviences with noise there, that info on the noise level at MK would be included for MK resort guests when they check in since it is a large, well-organized and promoted event. Just MHO, I side with Chapelhillian...this is not very Disney-esque of Disney.

 

[debbiedoo]

I emailed and snail mailed a letter yesterday to Guest Services. My hopes here were to warn other folks before the encore Grad Nights this weekend so they can make good room choices, since Disney is not bothering to tell folks.

Here is what I sent them:

Have you heard back from them?? They ususally takes a little while. I am originally from FL and new about the Grad Nites. . .We left the parks at 5:30am on our trip!! had to leave park at 5:00--and that was in 1988

 

[Lewisc]

I'm really trying to figure out why you want to argue with the poor guy. He never said he "wanted" anything except to alert us and to tell Disney that he didn't like how they handle this situation.

Oh, just change rooms? That makes everything OK? If it's late at night and you're all unpacked and you have little kids (or even if you don't) it's an inconvenience to change rooms. Why they would be blasting loud music until 4:00 am where there other paying guests are trying to sleep is beyond me anyway.

People don't always "want" things when they complain. They just want people to know that everything wasn't satisfactory.

Actually he posted a copy of the letter he sent Disney. He's asking for:

--A refund for our two nights at the Contemporary when Grad Nights occurred for Disney's failure to disclose in advance.
--A written promise that from now on you will disclose to families during booking and at check-in when you will have events which may produce noise between 10:30 pm and 7 am.
-A written apology
-A copy of the letter that the Contemporary management claims to have placed in our room
-A copy of any internal policies or procedures regarding disclosure of disruptive events to guests.

He said he didn't want to change rooms in the middle of the night but didn't say if he asked to move during the day after the first noisy night.

I think most guests would find the midnight fireworks show a plus not a minus. I wouldn't think the noise from the short fireworks show would be any louder than a thunderstorm.

I don't think Disney should have to do any more than warn a guest who asks for a quiet room and accomodate guests that want to change rooms.

 

[mjmcca]

I would think...IMHO....that because resorts like ALK, CR, Poly give out daily schedules for guests about what is taking place at the parks and/or resort and since they also warn guests about construction on buildings and inconviences with noise there, that info on the noise level at MK would be included for MK resort guests when they check in since it is a large, well-organized and promoted event. Just MHO, I side with Chapelhillian...this is not very Disney-esque of Disney.

Somplace inthe thread the OP staters he got one of those underthe door handouts. So he was notified inthe way you are talking about. Apparently that wasnt enough for him.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Can someone explain the "Paul T" story? And what's RADP? Thanks!

PaulT was a regular poster on rec.arts.disney.parks for many years. He had a certain flair for writing very dramatic (and often rather offensive) posts.

He would watch NASCAR races on TV and see a crash and then write a post about the flaming wrecks tumbling down the track at the Richard Petty racetrack.

He wrote a rather offensive piece on Gay Days in which he imagined a parent answering their child's innocent question about two men holding hands with a very detailed description of gay sex.

I found ChapelHillian's letter to be rather dramatic (not offensive to me in the least, it must be noted) and my immediate thought was of PaulT.

I'm sure other former RADPers and FDC (Future Disney Cabinet) members can add more to the stories of PaulT.

 

[ChapelHillian]

Somplace inthe thread the OP staters he got one of those underthe door handouts.

Perhaps you could please point out where I said that.

Many thanks,
Mark

 

[meuseman]

Disney is a powerful and well organized company that could have chosen to manage and disclose this information.

I have to respectfully disagree with this.

Now I am not saying that you have no reason to be upset...I would be. Do I think management knew about Grad Night prior to your checking in? Darn skippy, they did. Did the call center rep. that you spoke with when booking know this? Probably not. I would even guess that the CM at the CR when you checked in might not have known. Many times, info in an organization does not get passed to the people who could use it or distribute it best. Disney is no exception.

We know this to be especially true with the call center reps. I cannot tell you how many posts I see on these boards about people who say the reservation agent at Disney Dining told them there would be no way to make their 8:00am PS at Breakfastasaurus because there are no busses. However, Tyler, an extremely helpful and well-mannered CM on these boards is also a Disney Transportation bus driver. He knows from personal experience that there are most definitely busses between resorts and AK as early as 6:45am. Now a situation like this can be stressful and annoying, and I don't mean to compare a guest's inability to make a PS time to your inability to sleep in the $175+ per night room you reserved, but the underlying problem is the same. When there is info that a guest could benefit from, what is the best way to get it to them?

WDW does not always meet our high standards in solving that problem. We have decided to solve it ourselves by becoming members of the DisBoards.

That being said (and I hate to bring up a potentially volitile topic), but DW and I have a trip planned for the first weekend in June. That happens to be Gay Days. Because DW and I are active on these boards we know this. We also know which parks are likely to be more crowded on certain days and we have drawn up our plans accordingly. But I would bet you dollars to donuts that if we did not know that and we checked in at our hotel, there is no way the CM checking us in would say, "hey, just so you know, it's Gay Days, so the MK will be a little extra crowded tomorrow." Likewise, if we were checking in, there is no way the CM would say, "ohh, the party I checked in right before you was very loud with crying babies, I'll make sure you are not in the room next to them."

There is only so much information WDW can get to its guests.

::Exhale::

 

[mjmcca]

Perhaps you could please point out where I said that.

Many thanks,
Mark

Sorry you didnt. someone else said they did while staying at another resort. I thought you had replied that you have gotten one too. I find you lacking in details however. You never said what your interaction withthe front desk was when you called them. nI have stayed at Disney in one of the lower end resorts during the first hurricaine this past summer. They has serveral handouts passed under the doors throughout the day. I find it incredible that you never received one about Grad nights.

 

[dreamflight99]

It's 4 in the morning. You and your family can't sleep because the music is thumping so loud you can feel it in your chest. Are you camping at Woodstock? No. Actually, you are vacationing at one of the main hotels at Walt Disney World and it happens to be one of the four Grad Nights.

This affected hundreds of families in several of the resort properties.

WOW...I had no idea they SPEND the eve @ WDW! Not even CLOSE to the manner in which this annual event plays-out here in Southern Cali each spring. DD is taking part in this rite of passage at the end of next month, and here are the details of their GRAD NIGHT @ DISNEYLAND:

*On the morning of the event, seniors will be participating in a full dress-rehearsal for the Grad Ceremony (which is five days after the GRAD NIGHT festivities).

*Follwing the rehearsal, there will be a Senior awards ceremony. Then, there is an another tradition at the school, the PRE-GRAD/Post AWARD CATERED BBQ~! All seniors will be attending this event, and enjoying the food, music and comraderie this get-together provides!

*At the end of the BBQ, @ approximately 8:30 pm, all students participating in the DISNEYLAND GRAD NIGHT event shall board the two commerical buses (w/chaperones) rented specifically for this evening. After a short transport (about an hour by way of bus), the students will arrive at DISNEYLAND for a late-night/early morning memorable time shared in the MAGIC. At approximately 5:30 am, the students will board the bus for a ride back to the school. Exhausted (expectedly), they will enjoy a Post-GRAD NIGHT catered breakfast inside the hall, and proceed to their homes for some much-needed REST!

Students are NOT permitted to drive themselves to the event. ONLY Senior students & school chaperones are permitted in Disneyland for this event. Students are NOT permitted to spend the evening in Anaheim, and MUST return on the bus to the school. No parents/family members may attend this event, or meet with students before/after this event.

The rules which were outlined during a mandatory meeting last Wednesday eve, were more strict than I realized! None of the following will be permitted/tolerated:

*purses, bags, fanny packs, cell phones, sports team shirts, any school/group/club-affiliated clothing, hats/beanies/wigs, baggy or torn clothing not in good repair, inappropriate or revealing clothes, shoes with skate wheels are not allowed, laser pointers, weapons, knives, chemical irritants of any kind, prescription medicine (with the exception of an inhaler after it has been checked by medical personnel) must be given to a chaperone, over-the-counter medicines, tobacco products of any kind, and related materials (lighters, matches, pipes) etc.

All belongings must be safely stored in rented lockers with the exception of cash and a camera. There were even personal items listed such as eye drops, sunglasses (after all--it's at night) and lip balm which can NOT be carried by ANYONE. If anyone is caught violating any rule, the item(s) will be confiscated and they will be escorted out of the park and onto the bus, where the driver is resting (waiting). If warranted, the student may even be arrested/charged for the violation. They do NOT tolerate any messing around.

As DebbieDoo wrote, I presumed this policy was standard across the boards (thus blanketing all the parks, etc). It would be impossible for ANY student from DD's school to SPEND the NIGHT in any resort, unless she returned to the park AFTER she had returned to the school on the bus with the class. On top of that, I believe most of these kids will be EXHAUSTED...and not in any condition to PARTY! They are going to want to SLEEP. LOL. It's comforting to know that my DD will not be bothering or even interacting with any other guests during this event. Perhaps WDW should implement this strategy as well.

*As far as the "noise" from the parks after hours? Both Disneyland and Disneyworld are frequently "Testing" NEW Firework shows, and other attractions (standard maintenance and upkeep). Therefore, we have heard noises and loud booms many times over the years while staying on property. It's never consistent, repetitive, or even lasts long enough to bother us.

 

[woody1967]

Hey, if you are going to spend thousands of dollars on a vacation and not do some simple planning I can't say that I have to much sympathy for you. I'm not saying that you should not expect to get good service, and if you did not, then you should let the peoplel in charge know about it to see if it can be corrected. With that said, I have seen some comments that people don't feel they should have to check and see if there are any special events going on when you are planning on going. If you don't you are crazy. Every time we plan on a trip that is one of the first things I do. I check to see what might be taking place and then go from there with our plans. Here is a little saying you might want to remember from here on out:

Proper Planning, Prevents Poor Performance!!

It is the 5 P's of life you should live by. That advice is free of charge.

 

[DawnCt1]

So when I call the Disney number I cannot book both a room and park entry tix? Reservations should know all of this and should disclose. The park should communicate with the hotels so the hotels can disclose. Anything less is a cop-out. Disney is a powerful and well organized company that could have chosen to manage and disclose this information.

Many guests book their vacations months out. Events can be planned in the interim. Should they have to notify every guests every time an event is planned for the week or their vacation? I am far from a Disney apologists and have had many complaints over the years, but this hasn't been one of them and your expectations, particularly when a resort is running close to capacity, seems extreme. Its a vacation destination, not home.

 

[DawnCt1]

Somplace inthe thread the OP staters he got one of those underthe door handouts. So he was notified inthe way you are talking about. Apparently that wasnt enough for him.

Well gee, that sounds like plenty of time to request a room change to me.

 

[woody1967]

What you have to remember is that it is a vacation for all who are there, not just YOU (and ME). What I might choose to do for fun you might not think is fun and vice versa. You are there with thousands of other guests who have spent as much (or more) money as you have for their vacation and they want to have fun too. Some are early risers and get to the parks early, some are night owls and stay out until 3 or 4 in the morning. For me to say everyone has to be in at midnight so I can get my sleep so I can enjoy my vacation is a bit hypocritical I think. Now, if a group is being unruly that is a seperate issue, but just because a group is out partying does not mean they are unruly. If you want total control of your vacation I see you having 2 choices. One, take the week off from work, board up your house, and stay inside or make enough money and go to one of those islands where you can rent it out for a week for yourself. If you don't do one of those 2 things I guess you'll have to suffer with the rest of us "poor" people and endure a little noise and "rowdiness."

 

[dreamflight99]

Proper Planning, Prevents Poor Performance!!

It is the 5 P's of life you should live by. That advice is free of charge.

Actually...it's the "7 P's" which I recall correctly!!

**Proper Planning & Preparation Prevent P-SS POOR PERFORMANCE!!**

It's a basic MILITARY CODE...akin to SNAFU (which will NOT be decoded on this forum~!!).

 

[mjmcca]

Actually...it's the "7 P's" which I recall correctly!!

**Proper Planning & Preparation Prevent P-SS POOR PERFORMANCE!!**

It's a basic MILITARY CODE...akin to SNAFU (which will NOT be decoded on this forum~!!).

Situation normal all fouled up right?

 

[NCombs]

What you have to remember is that it is a vacation for all who are there, not just YOU (and ME). What I might choose to do for fun you might not think is fun and vice versa. You are there with thousands of other guests who have spent as much (or more) money as you have for their vacation and they want to have fun too. Some are early risers and get to the parks early, some are night owls and stay out until 3 or 4 in the morning. For me to say everyone has to be in at midnight so I can get my sleep so I can enjoy my vacation is a bit hypocritical I think. Now, if a group is being unruly that is a seperate issue, but just because a group is out partying does not mean they are unruly.

I agree. There are thousands of different people with thousands of different preferences and tastes.

I also don't think it is feasible to expect someone on the phone to inform guests of events going on during the duration of their stay. Who is going to judge what a guest would want to know? I'm sure Disney's schedule probably changes as much as guests schedules seem to. It's just not realistic.

 

[brettb]

Something nobody seems to have touched on:

Does the music need to be that freakin' loud?!? If it's so loud that it's disruptive inside a closed building at a signficant distance, is it ear-safe where the audience is? I don't think I've been to a concert that hasn't been too loud -- in terms of both hearing safety and sound quality.

I think it's also interesting to consider what the situation would be if the MK and the hotel WERE seperate companies. It sure sounds like the management of the hotel would have a valid noise complaint against the theme park!

Brett

 

[Ilovestitch]

I think its rediculous to think that when you call to book a hotel room, the agent would be able to tell you every noisy thing that might occur during your stay Hello- if you don't want to hear noise from a theme park, then don't stay in a resort right next to a theme park!

 

[Sammie]

I think when one travels, you have to expect unplanned noise, etc. Be it Grad Nights, conventions, or families with small children who get up early when I want to sleep late.

In taking a vacation, if total peace and quiet is a must then a different destination would be the ticket.

I agree in doing advance research and never feel that it is Disney's place to inform me of everything that is going on.

If the noise bothered me I would ask to move. If Disney refused, unless they were sold out, then compensation might be appropriate. If moving was not done due to the fact that the OP did not want to, then end of discussion and end of compensation.